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Government Responds to LTTE Ultimatum
Monday, 11 July 2005 - 10:00 PM SL Time
Mr Jayantha Dhanapala, Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) today handed over to Mr Hagrup Haukland, Head of Mission, Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, the Government`s response to the LTTE letter regarding the movement of LTTE cadres through Government controlled areas. The LTTE had on 30th June 2005, written to the Head of Mission of SLMM on this matter.
The Government has rejected the LTTE`s accusations of involvement by the security forces in the landmine explosion that took place on 26th June 2005, during a LTTE movement from Kilinochchi to Batticaloa, which was escorted by the army.
The Government has also pointed out that providing of military escort for LTTE`s movements through Government controlled territory is a confidence building measure and not a right under the Ceasefire Agreement.
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London attack: JHU calls on UK to arrest Balasingham
Monday, 11 July 2005 - 8:36 AM SL Time
The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) has demanded that the British government arrest LTTE ideologue Anton Balasingham if it is really serious about fighting terrorism globally.
'Balasingham was spreading his terrorist ideology from his base in London without let or hindrance. Therefore [we] request the UK government immediately arrest Balasingham,' the party said.
Meanwhile, speaking to a local newspaper, JVP parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa said he hoped that following this attack, Britain`s attitude toward the LTTE would change.
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Ex-US Ambassador suggests US make contact with Tigers
Monday, 11 July 2005 - 8:27 AM SL Time
A former US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and a US Deputy Assistant Secretary for State Teresita Schaffer suggest that the United States make contact with the LTTE, an organization her country has banned and listed as a terrorist organization.
Schaffer, who is currently the head of the South Asia Programme of the Washington based Think Tank CSIS made this suggestion in a paper presented in Colombo last week, at a seminar organized by the CPA on `The International Dimension of the Sri Lankan Peace Process`.
A few years ago Schaffer created a controversy by suggesting a Confederal model for Sri Lanka.
She said `Those working for peace, including the United States government need to be able to communicate directly with the LTTE and so to strengthen its motivations to leave terrorism behind. Given the importance the LTTE attaches to being treated on a par with the government, this makes it important to avoid occasions where LTTE peace negotiators are unnecessarily kept out of peace related gatherings on account of terrorism policy. This may mean that meetings where the LTTE has a logical claim to participate should not be held in the US or in other countries with similar policies`
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Politics
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SC will not over-rule polls chief - Karu
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 - 1:54 AM SL Time
`The authority for deciding on the dates for the next presidential election lies with the Commissioner of Elections. According to our knowledge, the Supreme Court will not overrule the Commissioner of Elections in the discharge of his functions,` said deputy leader of the UNP Karu Jayasuriya, addressing a media briefing at the office of the leader of the opposition yesterday.
`The people gave us their blessings right along the route of the protest march from Dondra, offering the participants milkrice and oilcakes as a symbol of their support for the party`s protest programme. The falsehoods and false promises which were repeated over and over during the election campaign were used to dupe the masses, who are now suffering.
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Though schizophrenic, LTTE capable of dialogue with the government -Dhanapala
Monday, 11 July 2005 - 8:29 AM SL Time
Secretary-General of the government Peace Secretariat Jayantha Dhanapala said that though the LTTE has a schizophrenic personality it is capable of having a dialogue with the government. When questioned, in an interview on YATV/TNL TV`s `Hardline` last night,
about the sincerity of the LTTE and how they respond to the government by increased killings, Dhanapala said ` I think the LTTE must be seen as a militant organization with a notorious terrorist past which is trying to make a transition into a democratic framework and inevitably it has a schizophrenic personality. At this time there is still the militant aspect in them where killings are going on, where child recruitment is going on, where they have been adjudged by the SLMM to have committed 2,903 violations as opposed to 130 violations by the Government. At the same time they are capable of having a dialogue with the Government in order to have economic development for the North and the east. So what we have to do as a responsible democratically elected Government which has responsibilities to all the citizens, including the citizens who live todayunder the jack boot of the LTTE, to ensure that they do have rights under our Governance to have access to the foreign aid that is coming in so that there can be some kind of post tsunami reconstruction.`
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Muslims yet to challenge P-TOMS
Monday, 11 July 2005 - 7:20 AM SL Time
While the JVP and the JHU have filed cases in courts against the P-TOMS signed between the government and the LTTE, Muslim parties which initially opposed the mechanism are yet to take legal action against it.
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Editorial News
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Survival of the Biggest
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 - 1:58 AM SL Time
Our front page picture yesterday bore ample testimony to the sheer magnitude of Saturday night`s killer accident on the Colombo-Kandy road. It left ten persons dead and six others, including children critically injured. The tragedy had occurred when a lorry plying at break neck speed collided with a van carrying the victims, who were returning from a religious function.
What characterizes our roads is the survival of the biggest. The bigger the vehicle, the safer it is. Awe inspiring metal Godzillas abound on public thoroughfares and one has to be extremely lucky to reach one`s destination by avoiding these monsters, unscathed.
The police have blamed Saturday`s accident on the driver who couldn`t control his lorry. Every time a fatal accident occurs, drivers are blamed, and the matter is forgotten in a few days. Everybody gets lulled into complacency until another disaster strikes.
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Marriage arranged, dowry denied
Monday, 11 July 2005 - 8:31 AM SL Time
The decision by the US not to contribute money to the donors` fund has dealt a body blow to the P-TOMS (or JM). Making contributions to a fund administered by a council chaired by a terror outfit (LTTE) and located in its stronghold (Kilinochchi) is in contravention of the US Money Laundering Act and the Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 and Sections 148, 149 & 157 of Sri Lanka`s Constitution, it has been pointed out. On Thursday, Sri Lanka`s Parliament adopted a draft bill to give effect to the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing, with a majority of sixty votes.
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Barbarism has made us all Londoners!
Saturday, 9 July 2005 - 7:02 AM SL Time
The dastardly terror attacks on civilian targets in the great wen, where dozens of innocents perished and scores of others were injured are proof of how barbaric a bunch of modern day savages could become. This kind of savagery heaped on humanity must be condemned unreservedly.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has blamed Al Queada for the attacks. Whether it is Al Queada or any other organisation, the world must stand united shoulder to shoulder with Britain to pursue the terrorists responsible for that heinous crime and bring them to justice. The British may not be angels and they may have a soft corner for certain terror outfits who pose no threat to them, but on no grounds could attacks on civilian targets be countenanced by anyone who is genuinely desirous of a world free from terrorism.
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| Security |
Police, a friend of the public, stresses new SSP, Gampaha
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 - 1:56 AM SL Time
Inquiries should be held in all compliants of minor offences made daily, within twenty four hours; the police should be considered as a friend of the public and it is essential that there should be cordial relationship between the public and the police, said the newly-appointed senior Superintendent of the Gampaha Police Division, R. P. S. K. Rajapaksha. He was addressing the officers in charge of the Eleven Police Stations in the Gampaha Police Division on the occasion of assuming duties in his new post.
`This relationship will help greatly in the prevention of crime, and information given by the public to the police about illegal activities in rural areas will also help to establish a favourable situation in the villages, he said.
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Indians among six prostitutes nabbed
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 - 1:53 AM SL Time
Mt. Lavinia Police on Sunday night arrested six women from two guest houses in Hotel road Mt. Lavinia. SSP, Mt. Lavinia division Willie Abeynayake said acting on a tip off, a decoy was sent to the guest house where there were three Indian women operating as prostitutes. The Indian beauties in the age group of 25-30 had arrived in Sri Lanka on a work permit from Mumbai. The decoy was charged Rs10,000 for the services of an Indian damsel for two hours. After the police swooped on the guest house, two more Indian women were arrested said SSP Abeynayake. On Sunday Mt Lavinia police also raided another guest house in Hotel road and arrested three Sri Lankan girls, in their twenties, who have been brought to Colombo from Anuradhapura and Kurunegala.A girl charged Rs 5,000 for two hours police said. According to the statement made by the suspects to the police,they have been brought to Colombo by two Pradeshya Sabha members from Wayamba who had sought the services of the suspects, promising employment in factories and later handed them over to a `madam` who was operating a lucrative business of hiring girls to various guest houses and night spots in the metropolis. The suspects were to be produced before the Mt Lavinia Chief Magistrate Athula Wikum Kaluarachchi yesterday.
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Sri Lanka military denies involvement in yesterday`s killings in Trincomalee
Monday, 11 July 2005 - 10:23 PM SL Time
Sri Lanka Army Headquarters today categorically denied any involvement in yesterday`s killings of four LTTE members including two senior leaders in Trincomalee.
Military spokesperson Brigadier Daya Ratnayake said, 'We do not have any link with this attack, though it occurred in cleared areas.' He also said that soon after such attacks, the LTTE waits to point its fingers at the country`s military.
'Now it has become a habit of LTTE, pointing fingers towards to us following such attacks against their members, though we do not have any links.'
Following the attack, LTTE Ampara district political leader S. Elilan lodged a complaint with the SLMM, accusing the Sri Lanka Army of being involved in the attack.
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Business / Economy News
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Applo Hospital & PPA of Stafford Int`l School Present `Parent to be`
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 - 1:57 AM SL Time
The Pasu Pupils` Association of Stafford International School will launch a one day seminar, under the principal sponsorship of Apollo Hospitals, titled `Parent to be`, July 16.
The programme is primarily targeted towards expectant mothers, couples planning for their first baby and the general public two wish to be more knowledgable on issues and challenges associated with their new born.
The program will cover a wide cross section of knowledge parents to be. The panellist will comprise experts in the fields of Gynaecology, Paediartics, nutrition,, psychology and family planning.
The program will also include guest speakers to add valuable insights on material & child insurance policies, the vital role played by the mother and father during and after pregnancy and the issues of Lamaze exercises, effective breathing techniques, giving all those in attendance a broad spectrum of know how.
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Rumours cause fresh CEB crisis
Monday, 11 July 2005 - 8:34 AM SL Time
A fresh crisis is brewing at the Ceylon Electricity Board following rumours allegedly spread by the JVP-led trade unions that clandestine moves were underway by the Government to submit a fresh proposal to the Cabinet for approval on restructuring the CEB sans trade union consensus.
However Ministry officials gave an assurance that there were no such secret moves and noted that the new paper would be submitted to the Cabinet only when a consensus was reached between all stakeholders, including trade unions.
The JVP union, the Lanka Viduli Sevaka Sangamaya is alleged to have set off the rumours on Wednesday morning, charging that Power and Energy Minister Susil Premajayantha was going to present a Cabinet Paper seeking approval to restructure the CEB at the meeting held that night, however no such paper was presented, officials said.
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Venezuela donates US$ 6.2 million for tsunami housing
Monday, 11 July 2005 - 8:31 AM SL Time
The Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela William Izarra called on Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar to confirm the donation of US$ 6.2 million for the Sri Lanka Tsunami Relief Fund for the construction of 1000 houses for tsunami affected people. These houses are to be constructed in a location to be determined by the Government of Sri Lanka.
The Venezuelan Vice Foreign Minister said the funds had been collected by the people of Venezuela as a symbol of their feeling of solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. The fund was initiated by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
The Venezuelan Vice Minister also expressed the hope that a Venezuelan diplomatic mission will be established in Colombo soon. He indicated that Venezuela would like to have an adviser visit Sri Lanka to see the progress of the construction of houses as well as to discuss details of the opening of a diplomatic mission in Colombo.
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| Sports News
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Sangakkara (109), Banks (6/146) liven up drawn warm-up match
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 - 1:58 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka wicket-keeper and left hander Kumar Sangakkara cracked a sparkling 109 while West Indies right arm off spinner Omar Banks returned impressive figures of (6/146), as the two day practice match between Sri Lanka Cricket XI and West Indies ended in a draw at Nondescripts Cricket Club ground on Sunday.
West Indies shone off their batting strength on the current tour due to a sponsorship row back home, and trailing by 272 runs on the first innings, closed at 109 for 4 wickets in the only warm-up match for the tourists ahead of a two Test series against Sri Lanka starting in Colombo on Wednesday.
For the West Indies, in their second essay opener Xavier Marshall top scored with a sprightly 43 studded with three fours and a six but the day`s heroics belonged to Sri Lanka number three batsman Kumar Sangakkara.
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SL Board President`s XI 265/2
Monday, 11 July 2005 - 8:32 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka Board President`s XI resuming at an overnight 152/1, were 265/2 wickets at lunch on day two of their two-day practice match against West Indies continued at NCC grounds yesterday.
Sri Lanka number three batsman Kumar Sangakkara livened up an overeast morning with a stroke-filled unbeaten 89, while dour middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera was keeping him company with a well struck 39.
Sri Lanka skipper Atapattu, also leading the Board President`s, did not resume his innings of 78 laid low by fever.
In his place deputy Mahela Jayawardene strode to the wicket but was dismissed without scoring by paceman Tino Best. The stylish SSC right hander in attempting to pull a short one from Best hit straight down the threat of squareleg fielder Dwayne Smith.
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Athletes sweat it out as starter delays to whistle
Monday, 11 July 2005 - 8:32 AM SL Time
The athletes faced a great health risk on Saturday as they were forced to tally for hours in the middle of the grounds for their respective events due to a major delay in conducting scheduled events during the penultimate day of the Junior National Athletic Championships at Sugathadasa Stadium.
A total of eleven 100m heats in both men`s and women`s categories were scheduled to be completed within a period of one hour after commencing at 1.30 p.m. Instead, they dragged on for nearly three-and-a-half hours, forcing young athletes to sweat under a blazing sun.
`They are risking the future of these young athletes,` a coach complained. `They should have started the events as soon as they were called out. But it did not happen here for reasons best known to the organisers.
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