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Five sentenced to death for killing Sri Lankan judge
Monday, 4 July 2005 - 10:09 PM SL Time
A Sri Lankan court sentenced five suspected drug traffickers to death on Monday for their involvement in the fatal shooting of a High Court judge who was known for handing out heavy punishments to narcotics smugglers.
Delivering the verdict to a packed courthouse, a three-member High Court panel convicted Nishantha Udayakumara, Thushara Abeywickrema, A.S. Rupasinghe and Sumedha Niroshan of conspiring to murder, and of murdering Sarath Ambepitiya last year.
The fifth defendant and accused ringleader, Mohammed Niyaz Naufer, was convicted of conspiring to murder and of aiding and abetting the killing. The prosecution said he ordered the killing but wasn`t present when it was carried out.
It took Senior Judge Upali Abeyratne six hours to read the 248-page judgment, which was reached after a 25-day trial. He said there was substantial evidence against the defendants, who were allegedly involved in narcotics trafficking.
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Buddhist Monk in conflict zone meets LTTE
Monday, 4 July 2005 - 12:21 PM SL Time
A Buddhist monk living in the conflict zone disappointed with the on going tension decided to visit the Tamil Tiger political leadership and sort out matters.
Venerable Karandagolle Pangyasena, chief priest of the Neela Viharaya in Seruavila met with Elilan, the leader of the Trincomalee political wing of the LTTE at the Sampur camp.
Venerable Pangnasena, who spoke to Lakbima reporter R G Dharmdasa, said that such dialogue was immensely useful in resolving the conflict.
The Buddhist priest said that as authorities have not been able to calm down the tense atmosphere that he had no other alternative than establishing direct contact with the LTTE leadership. He also said that Elilan emphasised that they are all out for a peaceful environment.
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Lloyds remove Lanka from War risks listing
Monday, 4 July 2005 - 3:05 AM SL Time
The Lloyds Market Association has informed the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK that their Joint War Committee has removed Sri Lanka from its listing in respect of Hull War Risks and related perils with effect from 20th June 2005. This decision elevates the status of Sri Lanka as a safe destination for foreign vessels and lowers the vessel operating costs incurred by ship owners, Ministry of Ports and Aviation said.
The de-listing is expected to benefit Sri Lanka`s Trade through lowering of freight charges for break bulk cargo and charter hire of vessels calling Colombo. A more marginally beneficial effect is expected in respect of container freight rates on liner terms.
Although, the `Held Cover` status on Marine Cargo Insurance to Colombo remains unchanged, the removal of the Hull War Risk will have a positive effect towards early removal of Held Cover Status, in recognition of the normalcy prevailing with regards to cargo security in the country at present, a ministry spokesman said.
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Politics
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JVP the richest party in the country - JHU
Wednesday, 6 July 2005 - 1:55 AM SL Time
The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) says the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is the richest party in Sri Lanka. `Only the JVP is in a position to print and paste colourful posters all over the island every week. No other party in the country is in a position to do so,` said a JHU heavyweight, who did not want to be identified.
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President`s choice takes over Trinco command
Wednesday, 6 July 2005 - 1:54 AM SL Time
President Chandrika Kumaratunga`s nominee Rear Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda on Monday assumed Trincomalee command after she countermanded a Navy Headquarters decision on the new posting.
He is in the process of reviving security and taking additional measures in consultation with the Trincomalee based military and police top brass.
Karannagoda, based at the North Central Command, a post held by an officer lower than a Rear Admiral was directed by Defence Ministry to succeed Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera following what our sources termed as unsubstantiated allegations that Weerasekera took the side of a group of three wheeler drivers during the recent trouble triggered by the erection of a Buddha statue.
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New Diyawadana Nilame gets hat trick
Tuesday, 5 July 2005 - 1:47 AM SL Time
Newly elected Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Nilnaga Pradeep Dela Bandara has created history by `scoring a hat-trick` in becoming the first person to be elected the Basnayake Nilame of the Saman Devale in Ratnapura, Basnayake Nilame of the Katargama Devale and the Diyawadana Nilame, Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs H.W.D.Sunil said yesterday.
Dela Bandara, the 32-year-old bachelor from Sabaragamuwa, is also the youngest Diyawadana Nilame to be elected for the post after the ancient Kingdom of Kandy was ceded to the British under the Kandyan Convention of 1815.
He was also elected by two thirds majority obtaining 199 votes at the election.
Dela Bandara will take up duties as the 19th Diyawadana Nilame, since the British period, before the Maha Nayake of the Malwatte Chapter Most Ven Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangaala Thera and the Maha Nayake of the Asigiriya Chaper the Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Theras, after the latter, who is indisposed, recovers.
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Editorial News
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Needed: Speedy trials
Wednesday, 6 July 2005 - 1:57 AM SL Time
All five accused in the Judge Sarath Ambepitiya assassination case have been sentenced to death. However, it is doubtful whether their punishment will be carried out, as the President is averse to hangings, though everything is in place for judicial executions. In any case, an appeal is likely against the HC judgment.
Mr. Ambepitiya was an illustrious judge who believed in deterrent punishment by way of helping rid the country of crime. Even the toughest criminals brought before this upright judge, it is said, were shivering in their boots. For, they knew leniency was not known to him as regards the underworld. And he in the end had to pay for his convictions with his dear life. He was the first judge to be felled by criminals.
The killing of a judge of that calibre, an asset to the Sri Lanka judiciary, naturally warrants special investigations and a speedy trial. As much as being one way of honouring a fallen judge, swift dispensation of justice is also an effective method of battling crime, which has sadly been neglected in this country much to the consternation of the public, who have been condemned to a life of eternal fear of criminals.
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Post P-Toms celebration
Wednesday, 6 July 2005 - 1:53 AM SL Time
If Pirapakaran had a meeting in the a jungle clearing off Theravikulam, with the LTTE pistol gangs to celebrate the successful execution of the gruesome assassination tasks allotted to them after the CFA was signed, he would have among many goodies on the menu, Reindeer sausages and Norwegian Smoked Salmon sandwiches. The latter recently donated by the visiting Norwegian VIPs.
While the treat was being gobbled up, here is the possible text of the celebratory speech, The Thallaivar, Pirapakaran would have made to the exultant cheering of the LTTE cadres.
`I congratulate all of you for your excellent work done for the sake of Tiger Eelam. Today we have achieved Tiger Eelam by artfully deceiving-the Sinhala politician-modayas in the south. The P-Toms is simply an interim surrender document giving us the legitimacy to intervene in the affairs of government, under the guise of tsunami work, anywhere in Illankal. Be patient, I shall explain`.
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This land belongs to Mafiosi?
Tuesday, 5 July 2005 - 1:49 AM SL Time
The country has come to such a pass that even a block of land cannot be disposed of without criminal outfits being paid protection money. Ill-gotten funds so raised have been the main source of income for many criminals who masquerade as genteel folk hobnobbing with politicians. Affected parties have chosen to remain silent for fear of their lives. Who in his proper senses will want his entire family wiped out' Besides strong arm tactics, criminals have taken to forgery to grab others` land and they have gone to the extent of tampering with even original documents in land registries, with the help of venal pettifoggers and officials. These rackets have been going on for a long time and the worst part is that most victims are unaware that their lands have been grabbed until the `new owners` visit their properties. Then, it is too late.
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P-TOMS agreement has created independent body not responsible to parliament ? Rathana Thero
Wednesday, 6 July 2005 - 1:59 AM SL Time
When Parliament met yesterday (5), JHU parliamentary group leader Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said the proposed P-TOMS agreement for tsunami rehabilitation in the North and East has created an independent body that was not responsible to the parliament. The clauses of the P-TOMS agreement violates the provision of clause 149 of the Constitution.
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Two more killings in East
Wednesday, 6 July 2005 - 1:54 AM SL Time
Two more killings were reported in the East on Monday night. The first was around 8:00 p.m. when a three wheeler driver was shot at in Trincomalee. He succumbed to gun shot injuries while being taken to the hospital. He was a member of the Eelam People`s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF).
Police blamed the LTTE
In another killing, one person was shot dead inside his hair dressing salon at around 9:15 p.m. at the Muslim colony in the north eastern Polonnaruwa district.
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Withdraw GuruNagar Army camp - Tigers demand
Tuesday, 5 July 2005 - 1:56 AM SL Time
An agitation demanding the removal of Guru Nagar Army Camp in Jaffna was held this morning. Wanni tiger organization had organized the campaign on the pretext of protesting against a person being electrocuted after coming into contact with a barbed wire of the fence around the camp. The fence had been electrified for the protection of the camp.
The Army says that notices are displayed about the fence being electrified. They also indicate there is no need for anyone to come near the fence.
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Business / Economy News
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Central Bank to revise criteria for appointing money changers
Wednesday, 6 July 2005 - 1:56 AM SL Time
The Central Bank in 1991 introduced a scheme to appoint money changers for the convenience of the public and tourists visiting Sri Lanka to provide money changing services. Money changers perform supplementary services to Authorised Dealers (Commercial Banks) in encashing foreign currency notes into rupees and exchange foreign currency. In its efforts to develop strong institutional set up for money changing business, the Central Bank (CB) has decided to revise the existing criteria for the appointment of money changers and their continuation in the business of money changing.
It is felt that entry into money changing business by corporate entities with sound financial footing and a branch network will infuse much needed credibility into the business and contribute to a healthy growth of this sector, CB said.
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Dialog`s IPO promotions in Matara, Kandy and Jaffna successful
Wednesday, 6 July 2005 - 1:56 AM SL Time
Jaffna has joined the rising heat of the country`s Initial Public Offer (IPO) of Dialog Telekom with Rs. one million worth applications for the offer so far, the brokers to the IPO, the HNB Stock Brokers said yesterday.
This has been the highest number of applications in Jaffna ever for any share issue in the country, they said. `This is continuing to increase. We are expecting more applications from Jaffna within the next three days,` a senior official of HNB Stock Brokers in Jaffna told the Financial Times.
Dialog Telekom along with HNB Stock Brokers yesterday conducted a full day public session at the MTPC hall in Jaffna to educate Jaffna-based investors and the general public with regard to the IPO.
This is the first time in the history of the Jaffna peninsular that a company directly involved in an IPO launch campaigning, the Brokers said. `However, this is has been a good boost to the local market in Jaffna as well. There are a number of local investors who very much looking forward to get actively involved in this historic event, they added. .
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Singer provides shelter to tsunami victims
Tuesday, 5 July 2005 - 1:48 AM SL Time
Ten families made homeless by the tsunami in the deep South were given houses last week courtesy Singer Sri Lanka in keeping with the Company`s commitment to contribute towards the long-term rehabilitation work in the tsunami devastated areas. The houses were built at a cost of four million rupees at Galwala, a village little away from the Hambantota town.
The houses are part of a government approved project initiated by a voluntary organization attached to Mettaramaya, Bambalapitiya which has an associate temple in Hambantota.
Keys were handed over to the selected families by the Company`s senior executives and staff members at a simple ceremony held at the site where, in all, 50 houses are nearing completion.
Singer sponsored Tsunami Relief Fund netted over Rs 5 million with contributions from Singer employees at all levels, personal contributions by the directors of Singer NV, the parent company, and international business partners Hitachi and Whirlpool.
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| Sports News
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Isipatana shines at Western Province schools rugby
Wednesday, 6 July 2005 - 1:58 AM SL Time
Isipatana College won titles in the Under-14, -16 and -18 category rugby league tournament for 2005.
This tournament was organised by the Western Province Schools Rugby Football Association and was worked off at St. Peter`s College ground.
The certificate for the winners were awarded by Arjun Dharmadasa (Chairman, Rugby Development SLRFU)
B. K. Ramachandra (Technical Officer Uva) and Hisham Abdeen, Coach, Rugby Development Squad. The tournament was initiated by N. J. Mudannayaka, Treasurer, Western Province Schools RFU.
Results
Inter Schools Under 14 Ten A Side League Tournament 2005.
Cup Championship ' Isipatana College beat C. W. W. Kannagara MMV 33-0 2nd place.
Plate Championship ' Carey College beat Science College Mt. Lavinia.
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Murali looking forward to international cricket again
Wednesday, 6 July 2005 - 1:57 AM SL Time
Having spent almost a year in the sidelines due to a shoulder injury, without playing international cricket, spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan says he`s looking forward to joining his colleagues to play international cricket again. Muralitharan, who returned to the island on Sunday after yet another successful county stint with English giants Lancashire, took part in his first training session with the team after a considerable time, on Monday.
`I haven`t played a Test match for almost a year now and I am looking forward to the challenge at international level,` Muralitharan told `The Island` in an exclusive interview at the completion of the team`s training session. `But I don`t know how the Weather will be for the up coming Test series against the West Indies and the tri-nation series that follows,` he added.
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Wife turns down Warne`s appeal
Tuesday, 5 July 2005 - 1:49 AM SL Time
SYDNEY, July 4 (AFP) - Australian cricket star Shane Warne`s wife confirmed she is separating from her husband after intense media speculation that the blond spinner was involved in another sex scandal, reports said Monday.
The record breaking 35-year-old bowler had begged his wife to take him back after they split over his repeated extramarital affairs, weekend news reports here said.
They also showed photographs of the cricketer with a protective arm around his wife taken during the past week while they were holidaying together in Spain, leading to speculation a reconciliation was on the cards.
However, Simone Warne made clear the announcement of the separation made nine days ago still stands.
`Due to the increased interest and misinformation, I wish to confirm that Shane and I are separating,` Simone said in a statement issued late Sunday to Channel Nine television, which employs her husband.
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