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Ranil dismisses 'partnership' speculation
Sunday, 26 June 2005 - 1:54 AM SL Time
UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is believed to have dismissed a move to work out an unprecedented SLFP-UNP partnership.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga and a ministerial colleague of hers are believed to have discussed this with the UNP.
Speculation is rife that President Kumaratunga had talked about this with a Colombo District UNP MP, while the minister had discussed this with a senior Sirikotha official. The MP and the official had taken up this with Wickremesinghe but the Opposition Leader had dismissed the move, well informed sources said. The government had indicated its willingness to accommodate the UNP in its Cabinet in an interim arrangement similar to the one between the PA and the JVP a few years ago.
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We support P-TOMS but it has some weakness and flaws - UNP
Saturday, 25 June 2005 - 9:21 PM SL Time
The main opposition UNP yesterday expressed its support for the establishment of the P-TOMS, initiated by the Sri Lankan government for aid distribution in the tsunami-affected North and East. However, the party added that the structure `has some weakness and flaws.`
Issuing a lengthy statement, party spokesperson G.L. Peiris said, 'It is of vital importance that tsunami relief and rehabilitation must be given to all affected areas in the country and that this benefit must be conferred on all citizens of Sri Lanka including those residents in parts of the country at present dominated by the LTTE.
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Full text of P-TOMS agreement
Saturday, 25 June 2005 - 1:59 AM SL Time
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the establishment of a Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure(P-TOMS).
Preamble
WHEREAS the tsunami that struck Sri Lanka on December 26, 2004 (the `tsunami`) destroyed human lives and property on an unprecedented scale;
WHEREAS there is an urgent need for all communities, Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and others, to cooperate on humanitarian grounds in the face of this common adversity;
WHEREAS the equitable allocation of post-tsunami funds to all parts of Sri Lanka struck by the tsunami will be based on accepted needs assessments;
WHEREAS in recognition of this urgent humanitarian need and in a spirit of partnership, the Government of Sri Lanka (the `GOSL') and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (the `LTTE`) (the `Parties`) have resolved to work together, in good faith and using their best efforts, to deliver expeditious relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development to the coastal communities in the six districts of Ampara, Battica!oa, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Trincomalee (the Six Districts`) and to` facilitate and expedite the process of rebuilding the affected areas;
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Politics
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Government's efforts to provide Tsunami relief are a miserable failure - Prof. G. L. Peiris
Monday, 27 June 2005 - 2:35 AM SL Time
The Government's attempts to provide relief to those affected by the tsunami has turned into a colossal and miserable failure. Though it has got enough foreign aid for that purpose, the affected people in the Moratuwa area have not received their financial entitlements since February this year. So said Prof. G. L. Peiris M.P. at a function held recently at Moratuwa to distribute carpentry tool kits to people who were engaged in carpentry and whose livelihood was affected by the tsunami.
The Prof. G. L. Peiris Foundation, with the help of several others had acquired these 102 tool kits at a cost of Rs. 850,000 to be distributed among carpenters who lost their livelihoods to the Tsunami.
Speaking further Prof. G. L. Peiris said that the Vice President of the World Bank had very clearly stated in Amsterdam that they were not happy at all with the Sri Lankan Government's handling of World Bank tsunami aid in this country. The massive protest and agitation by the tsunami survivors that took place at Moratuwa, a few days back was an unfortunate indicator of this veritable failure. Actually it was the others including many civil society organizations such as Prof. G. L. Peiris Foundation that intervened immediately after the disaster to provide primary relief such 'as food, water, lodging etc. In this respect the Peiris Foundation formulated a practical programme for rehabilitation and once the need for bare essentials have been taken care of, it has embarked on a mission to uplift the economic conditions of the people.
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Maha Nayakas under pressure to issue Command
Monday, 27 June 2005 - 2:34 AM SL Time
The four Maha Nayaka Theros of the Malwatte, Asgiriya, Amarapura and Ramanya may be called upon to issue a Sangha Agna (Command) and summon a mass gathering of the Buddhist clergy and laity on Friday to protest against the signing of the joint mechanism between the Kumaratunga government and the LTTE.
The Island learns that the Buddhist monks had already got the support of two Nikayas and they expect to get the support of the other two Nikayas soon. A senior Buddhist monk said though the government said they got the blessings of the Asgiriya Maha Nayaka, the Nayaka Thero had informed his Karaka Saba that he did not agree or approve the proposal.
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JVP wants political leaders to take stand on P-TOMS
Sunday, 26 June 2005 - 1:59 AM SL Time
The JVP wants political leaders, particularly those who aspire for national leadership to make their stand on the tsunami aid sharing deal with the LTTE public.
JVP parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa emphasised that they would unreservedly back anyone if he or she was ready to lead from the front.
This was in response to our query whether the JVP was serious about forging an alliance with Premier Mahinda Rajapakse and promote him as the common presidential candidate, a situation that would have a far reaching impact on the political scene.
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Editorial News
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The post JM woes
Monday, 27 June 2005 - 2:37 AM SL Time
President Chandrika Kumaratunga is in an unenviable position. She is trying to retrieve her political eggs with which she made the JM omelette. While she was making frantic efforts to implement the JM, we used a pithy Sri Lankan saying to describe her project: Atuwa Kada Putuwa Hedima (Breaking the loft to make a chair). Now she wants to have the chair and the loft both. Or she wants to have her cake and eat it!
Now that the JVP has left the UPFA coalition and the UNP is readying for a repeat performance of its Jana Bala Meheyuma, a mass protest which brought down President Kumaratunga's PA regime in 2001, the government - a wag says it is a government of deputy ministers by the deputy ministers for the deputy ministers whose association helped the break up of the UPFA in no small measure by driving the JVP away through the implementation of the JM - is making desperate moves to avoid the inevitable fallout of its political miscalculations if not blunders.
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Home and dry'
Sunday, 26 June 2005 - 1:57 AM SL Time
Now that the deal is done despite the loud protests of the JVP, who not so long ago was the president's lifesaver bestowing government power on her party and its cohorts (retaining a generous dollop for itself), is Chandrika Kumaratunga home and dry' Or more to the point, is Sri Lanka now in safe harbour with the many tasks that remain to be done to give relief and succour to tens of thousands of tsunami victims finally able to get off the ground' That is only part of the job. There are many more promises to keep, achieving that elusive peace not the least among them, and now that the JVP has shown its hand signalling that it will not play footsie with the rump of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance as was suggested by last week's deal over the Western Provincial chief ministry, is this tortured island destined for more trauma'
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JM's served a useful purpose!
Saturday, 25 June 2005 - 1:58 AM SL Time
Modern democracy is noted for its aversion to discrimination, which has helped even terror outfits to project themselves as the underdog in violent conflicts through their claim of fighting against discrimination. The international community has taken upon itself the task of eliminating this social evil, though its members have failed to rid themselves of it, as evident from the discrimination against Blacks and Red Indians in the US, Asians in the UK, the aborigine in Australia, the Burakumin in Japan and Samis in Norway and Sweden.
Be that as it may, the fact that charity does not begin at home is no reason why it should not be practised elsewhere. So, the right of the international community to champion the rights of ethnic, religious or cultural minorities in lands other than theirs cannot be questioned.
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| Security |
Extra powers for new East Navy Command
Monday, 27 June 2005 - 2:40 AM SL Time
Following the sudden removal of Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera from the Commander of the Eastern Naval Area, President Chandrika Kumaratunga has appointed current Commander of the Navy's North Central Command, Rear Admiral Vasantha Karannagoda to the east with additional powers as chief security coordinating officer in Trincomalee from next month.
This move will bring the three services and the police in the Trincomalee district under Rear Admiral Karannagoda's command.
President Kumaratunga earlier ordered Navy Commander and Chief of Defence Staff Daya Sandagiri to immediately transfer Rear Admiral Weerasekera from the east as government intelligence agency informed the President that Weerasekera had addressed a meeting of three-wheeler taxi drivers, who were directly involved in the Buddha statue controversy in Trincomalee, which led to violence.
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Surgeon exposed to radiation, claims Rs 125m
Monday, 27 June 2005 - 2:39 AM SL Time
'The only radiation therapy machine in the whole country available for womb cancer patients has remained sealed for the last four years as there had been a radiation leak which badly affected his own health, a surgeon who was attached to the Cancer hospital told the Colombo District court.
Dr. Wasantha Kumara Gamage was giving evidence in a case filed by him, citing the Health Minister and three others as defendants. He claimed that his life was seriously affected by the exposure and had to undergo a costly operation as a result. The plaintiff claimed that this was due to the failure in maintaining the machine and he claimed Rs. 125 millions as damages.
Dr. Gamage had cited the Health Minster, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Director General of Health Service, Dr. Kahanda Liyanage, Secretary to the Health Ministry, Ranjith Maligaspe and Director Cancer Hospital, Dr. Yasantha Ariyaratne as defendants.
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Muslims losing patience, symptoms emerging warns Hakeem
Monday, 27 June 2005 - 2:34 AM SL Time
SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem has warned that the Muslims are losing their patience and the symptoms are now emerging, especially after the signing of the joint mechanism between the government and the LTTE. He said `This betrayal would certainly give some kind of impetus to certain Muslim elements. The international community should pay heed to it.`
In an interview on YATV/TNL 'Hardline' program last night, the SLMC leader said `To deny the Muslims their rightful place would have serious implications on the peace process. If the Muslim community is going to be treated in this fashion we are not going to take it lying down. We are going to go to the people; we are going to get them to democratically agitate. We are going to use whatever power within our ranks to mobilize the people and to bring pressure.
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Business / Economy News
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Dockyard delivers two state-of-the-art aluminium crew boats to the Middle East market
Monday, 27 June 2005 - 2:36 AM SL Time
On June 10, 2005, for the first time in the maritime history of Sri Lanka, Colombo Dockyard Limited (CDL) delivered two Crew Boats (Lamnalco Oryx and MV Lamnalco Oribi)) built for the Middle Eastern Market.
The Client (LAMNALCO LTD) an international company based in the United Arab Emirates, intends to use these Boats in the Offshore Oil Fields of West Africa, to transport Crew and Goods from Shore to Offshore Installations.
The Crew Boat 30 metre in length is of all aluminium construction and is fitted out with two CUMMINS Main Engines driving two Conventional Fixed Pitch Propellers, achieving speeds in excess of 20 knots.
Thirty-two 'Airline style' seating arrangements for the comfort of the travelling Crew and ergonomically designed living quarters for 7 Boat Crew with Mess, Galley and Toilets have been provided.
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Sun FM`s traffic updated from a helicopter
Monday, 27 June 2005 - 2:35 AM SL Time
The ABC Radio Network will launch a new service updating the traffic situation in and around Colombo from a helicopter on July 1. This will be supported by an 'eye in the sky' service where instantaneous updating on breaking news will also take place as part of this service. This is the first time in Sri Lanka that such a news service is being offered. Traffic updating from helicopters is common in the USA, Europe and United Kingdom.
The helicopter traffic updates will be done in collaboration with Deccan Aviation (Lanka) Private Limited, a specialist helicopter charter operator with expertise in fields such as helicopter news gathering, VIP transfers and airborne surveys.
Deccan Aviation the largest helicopter charter operation in the region launched commercial operations in Sri Lanka with a fleet of Bell helicopters.
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Funds raised through IPO for Dialog Telekom expansion ' Dr. Wijayasur
Sunday, 26 June 2005 - 1:56 AM SL Time
THE IPO of Dialog Telekom, due to open in the first week of July 2005, will correct of 712,336,293 ordinary shares of a par value of Rs.1. This would be Sri Lanka's largest share issue, said Dialog CEO Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya at a media briefing at the World Trade Centre last week.
The share offer price would be determined through a book building process based on a price range of Rs. 8 to Rs. 12 in steps of Rs. 1. Investors are invited to bid at an offer price of there choice, written the specified range. The ultimate issue price would be determined at the highest fully subscribed offer price level he said.
The share issue would consist of two segments, an offer for sale and an offer for subscription. The offer for sale is for 422,262,211 existing ordinary shares while the offer for subscription will be in respect of 290,073,982 new ordinary shares.
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| Sports News
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Peace through cricket in Trinco
Monday, 27 June 2005 - 2:36 AM SL Time
Mercy Corps, an international non-governmental organization has signed an agreement with Trincomalee District Cricket Association (TDCA ) to sponsor multi-ethnic cricket tournament in the east port town with the goal of promoting peace, better mutual understanding between the ethnic groups and to alleviate the depression and shock which continues to affect tsunami victims, sources in Trincomalee said.
Mercy Corps headquartered in USA is involved in relief and rehabilitation work in thirty-three countries including Sri Lanka.
The main purpose of the proposed cricket tournament is to demonstrate how different ethnic communities can work together in the cosmopolitan town to achieve a common goal, Ms Gretchen Ansorge, Regional manager of Mercy Corps and Mr.John Sowinski, Logistical Officer of the Mercy Corps in Trincomalee said at a briefing held recently.
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St. Peter's draw with DS in U-17 match
Sunday, 26 June 2005 - 1:57 AM SL Time
D. S. Senanayake College scored 219 for 8 wickets, while St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya in reply made 168 for 7 wickets at close in their drawn inter school Under 17 Division One cricket fixture played at Wijerama Mawatha on Friday.
G. D. Seneviratne (54) and P. Samarakkody (56) made useful knocks for the home side to build up their innings while Vinod Perera took the bowling honours for the Peterites finishing with 3 for 27.
Isuru Peiris made a fine knock of 59 with good support from Shehan Gunaratne (39) and Suranga Rodrigo (36 n.o.) for the Peterites. Isuru Tillekaratne was the pick of the bowlers for D.S. taking 3 for 45.
Chief scores
D.S Senanayake College 219 for 8 wickets in 54. 2 overs (J. Sooriarachchi 36, G. D Seneviratne 54 , P. Samarakkody 56 , Vinod Perera 3/27, Shanaka Fernando 2/39)
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Karunanayake shines for Nalanda
Sunday, 26 June 2005 - 1:57 AM SL Time
Nipun Karunanayake cracked a swashbuckling 120 and bagged six wickets to lead Nalanda to a first innings victory over Kottawa Dharmapala in their Under-15 Division I Astra Cricket Cup tournament match played on the Dharmapala ground last Thursday.
After capturing four Dharmapala wickets with his right arm leg spin to bundle them out for 117, Karunanayake made a unbeaten knock of 120 in 104 balls. The right hander's knock included four towering sixes and eighteen boundaries and filled two thirds of Nalanda's declared innings.
Scores
Dharmapala 117 all out (L.K.D.P Sankalpa 28; T.S. Wickramasinghe 3/40, K.P.N.M. Karunanayake 4/30) and 96 for 5 at close (L.K.D.A. Sankapala 28, M.D.K.J Perera 22; K.P.N.M. Karunanayake 2/13, D.K. Jayasinghe 2/41)
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