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EU /Japan battling out for P-TOMS
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 - 11:16 AM SL Time
The European Union and Japan are battling it out to be the Bi-lateral donor community representative of the P-TOMS agreement signed between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, (LTTE)
Colombo based diplomatic sources told the Island newspaper that Japan is making a strong bid saying they should be the representative because they have given more funds for Tsunami rehabilitation and reconstruction. However, the European Union is of the view that the EU should be the bilateral donor representative because it represented more countries which are participating in the process. EU boasts of 25 member countries, Japan also has difference of view with the EU because it does not want to give money to a trust fund but the treasury.
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UNP expecting a million people in Colombo today
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 - 3:54 AM SL Time
As the Janabala Meheyuma with an estimated one million people neared its climax, the main opposition UNP yesterday reiterated its demand that the Presidential election be held this year and warned it would view any postponement as a serious violation of the sovereignty and democratic rights of the people.
UNP Deputy Leader, Karu Jayasuriya said the UNP organized the Janabala Meheyuma protest march from Devundara to Colombo in a bid to urge the government to refrain from acting in an undemocratic manner and to show the peoples` displeasure with the UPFA.
People are complaining today that they had been misled by the UPFA government and are urging Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to take over the government and the presidency, Mr. Jayasuriya said.
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Govt. rejects Tiger ultimatum
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 - 3:50 AM SL Time
Just three days before an LTTE demand lapses the government said yesterday it was not ready to accept ultimatums from any party.
Peace Secretariat Chief Jayantha Dhanapala conveyed the government`s stand to SLMM Chief Hagrup Haukland yesterday when they met in Colombo, a top official of the Government Peace Secretariat said.
He said Dr, Dhanapala had told Mr. Haukland that the government was not prepared to accept ultimatums given by any party.
Dr. Dhanapala also told the SLMM Chief the ceasefire agreement signed between the government and the LTTE three years ago did not specify the provision of an armed escort for LTTE members travelling in government held areas.
'The Government pointed out that providing a military escort to LTTE personnel passing through Government controlled territory is a confidence building measure and not a right under the ceasefire agreement', the Government Peace Secretariat said
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Politics
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P-TOMS petition order reserved for Friday
Wednesday, 13 July 2005 - 2:42 AM SL Time
The Supreme Court yesterday reserved for Friday, July 15, 2005, the judgement on the Interim Relief sought by the JVP and the JHU, against the Post Tsunami Operational Structure Agreement, entered into between the Secretary to the Minister of Rehabilitation, Relief and Reconciliation and S. Ranjan of LTTE.The Court on July 5, 2005 grant leave to proceed with the three petitions filed by the JVP Parliamentarians.
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Hospital staff claim abuse by politico, media
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 - 3:59 AM SL Time
The Negombo Base Hospital staff and doctors launched a token strike yesterday against what they called a campaign of abuse launched by a group of NGOs and the state media and urging the health authorities to take immediate action to stop it.
The hospital staff said that they would discontinue the admission of infants to the hospital`s Premature Baby Unit henceforth, close the Surgical Ward at 4.00 pm and suspend planned surgeries after 12.00 noon.
They also said the number of patients admitted to Wards would be limited to the number of beds in each ward and the patients checked at the OPD would be restricted.
Meanwhile, the GMOA said this `unfounded accusations` levelled at the Negombo Base Hospital staff could affect the country`s public health service.
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We shall not betray any community: Premier
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 - 3:54 AM SL Time
The Alliance government will not allow any body to suppress or discriminate any community. We shall not betray any community in favour of another community, declared Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse addressing a public rally held at Samanthurai after opening a Hijra Super Market complex built at a cost of Rs.40 million. The approach road to ' E Nenasala' installed at the Hijra Mosque, Samanthurai was also declared open by the Premier.
The Prime Minister said 'I have come to Ampara and Samanthurai with much pleasure . I am pleased as this is the second occasion I have come here. On the previous occasion, I came here to open a Vocational Training Centre on the invitation of Minister M.H.M. Ashraff. He is a good friend of mine since our law college days. His demise is a loss not only to the area or the province, but also to the entire country.'
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Editorial News
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Ferial doing a Hakeem?
Wednesday, 13 July 2005 - 2:45 AM SL Time
The problem with political blunders is that they get repeated. The history of Sri Lanka`s conflict is replete with the repetition of such blunders which have cost the country and gullible politicians dearly. Successive governments have been convinced beyond an iota of doubt that the LTTE cannot be weaned away from its separatist goal, but they have all been repeating the same experiments that proved disastrous to their predecessors, as evident from the assassination of President Premadasa, who nestled his striped friends close to his bosom and the near assassination of President Kumaratunga. President Jayewardene and President Wijetunge never trusted the Tigers and both of them were safe.
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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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| Security |
Prison officers are unsung heroes: Commissioner General of Prisons
Wednesday, 13 July 2005 - 2:48 AM SL Time
'The main objective of the Prisons Department is to rehabilitate prisoners and return them to society, to spend the rest of their lives as useful citizens and in doing so, prison officers perform an arduous and risky job, most often under threat to their lives,' Commissioner General of Prisons, Rumy Marzook said at a special media discussion at Bogambara prison, at the conclusion of the first ever Inter Prisons Volleyball Tournament.
'Prison officers often face dangerous situations, when checking and examining visitors to prisons, including the inmates, to ensure that prohibited items, such as drugs, weapons and bombs, are not taken inside the prison. They work under trying conditions, for want of modern equipment,' he said. Speaking further, the Commissioner General said that in response to his request, the minister has agreed to provide them with the necessary equipment, despite its high cost. 'Prison officers have been trained to undertake this risky job, with specialised training being provided from time to time, specially in self defense and in the use of firearms, while also catering to the prisoners mental and physical comforts. Meditation programs are conducted for this purpose. Lions` Club and various other voluntary organisations have contributed in large measure to the efforts of the prison`s welfare branch' he said, adding that, for the first time in the history of the Prison`s Department, inter prison sports competitions have been organized. The volleyball matches held at Bogambara, being the first ever sports competition among teams comprising inmates of prisons.
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Tigers may have killed A/L student
Wednesday, 13 July 2005 - 2:43 AM SL Time
The body of a 19-year-old student was found at Thalavai in the Eravur police area on Monday (11) night.
Sangapillai Periyambaram, a GCE Advanced level student, had been attacked with a hand bomb by the LTTE as he had refused to enlist as a fighting cadre of the terrorist organization, Eravur Police said.
Periyambaram had left home on Monday to attend school followed by a tuition but had not returned home even at 11.00 pm. His parents who were alarmed at his delay had informed the Eravur police that their son was missing.
Police had made a complaint to the SLMM regarding the murder of the student but the LTTE has not accepted responsibility, police said.
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Tight security in Colombo today
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 - 3:52 AM SL Time
A special security and traffic plan involving seven thousand policemen is to be put into operation to meet any possible contingency when the fourth UNP Janabala Meheyuma procession arrives at the Colombo Town Hall grounds today.
According to organisers about one million UNP activists are expected at the Town Hall rally, a senior police officer said.
All six Senior DIGs and several other senior officers are to operate at ground level with each of them having a specific duty in the overall police operations.
Addressing a news briefing yesterday, Colombo Range DIG Pujitha Jayasundara said some 3000 policemen would be deployed in addition to the regular police contingent on duty in Colombo.
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Business / Economy News
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SLT failed to deliver the goods: Minister D.M. Jayaratne
Wednesday, 13 July 2005 - 2:49 AM SL Time
'Even if Sri Lanka Telecom is in possession of 100,000 loops, the company avoids giving telephone connections to the public', charged Post, Telecommunications and Upcountry Development Minister D.M. Jayaratne, addressing a function held at Mahaweli Reach Hotel to introduce the newest telephone system CDMA. Speaking further, the Minister said that about six years ago the Telecommunication Department was converted to Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), to develop the telephone system. 'Looking back at the performance of SLT in the last six years, we cannot be satisfied. The results we expected from the company have not been forthcoming. The charges leveled against them are issuance of overcharged bills, discourteous service to the public and sending people from pillar to post. As it is a private company we cannot interfere with them directly.' The Minister went on to say that today there are 3000 applications for telephones from Anuradhapura alone. Although, 16,000 new connections could be given, they have planned for only 11,986 new connections, revealing the weakness of SLT.
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People`s Bank honours most outstanding students
Wednesday, 13 July 2005 - 2:46 AM SL Time
Breaking new ground in the arena of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), People`s Bank `Sisu Udana Vishishtayo 2004` reached a grand finale with 130 of Sri Lanka`s multi talented and most outstanding students receiving awards of recognition at a grand felicitation ceremony held at the BMICH this evening. 14 eminent youngsters adjudged as `The Best of the Bese, were honoured with national level awards while another 130 talented students gained recognition as district level winners.
People`s Bank `Sisu Udana Vishishtayo` awards ceremony recognizing the `Best of the Best` brought together students from all nationalities and religions from schools across the country. The 130 district-level and 14 national level winners received trophies, certificates and cash awards at a felicitation ceremony which was attended by the Honourable Prime Minister Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse as chief guest. A host of senior officials and dignitaries of the State Sector and Education System of Sri Lanka together with the 9 National and 145 District judges who selected the winners, the Chairman of People`s Bank, Mr. P. Amarasinghe and CEO/General Manager, Mr. Asoka de Silva were also present on this special occasion. Principals, Staff, Parents and children from schools across the island and the Management and Staff of People`s Bank also participated at the event.
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Tea continues nose dive
Wednesday, 13 July 2005 - 2:46 AM SL Time
There was a total of 7.7MnKg of tea on offer at this week`s auction of which 3.7MnKg were Low Growns. The market for better varieties of tea met with stronger demand. The feature of the sale was the strong interest for Pekoes, which recorded price gains. In the small leaf catalogues, however the better FBOP/FBOPF1 sorts tended easier. The high priced tippy varieties of last week could not maintain these attractive prices and recorded price declines. The market for Low Grown seems to have bottomed out. The better demand that is expected and the relative decline in quantities should elevate the price levels from the current low levels.
There was fair general demand in the Ex-Estate catalogues, but below best and plainer types were discounted once again. Select best Western BOP/BOPFs and Nuwara Eliyas sold well, but buying in the below best category was more selective.
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| Sports News
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Sri Lanka Team
Wednesday, 13 July 2005 - 2:44 AM SL Time
Marvan Atapattu (Captain)
Captain of the Sri Lanka cricket team. The 34 year-old right hand batsman experienced one of the most treacherous debuts in international cricket when scoring only a single run in his first six Test innings.
But since those early days the former SSC and Ananda skipper has established his credentials in no uncertain terms as a world class opener, scoring a record six double hundreds, a feat bettered only by former Australia captain Sir Donald Bradman (12), former England prolific batsman Wally Hammond and ex West Indies skipper and batting superstar Brian Lara- seven each.
Though susceptible to the new ball at the start of an innings, Atapattu is gifted with immense concentration power and shows a penchant to compile big individual scores if he gets his eye in.
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Duleep concerned about empty stadiums
Wednesday, 13 July 2005 - 2:44 AM SL Time
Duleep Mendis was among the twelve who got Test baptism in that inaugural Test match between Sri Lanka and England. From the very first Test he has been associated with Sri Lanka cricket. He has been a player, captain, coach, manager and an administrator. Two decades after the first Test he is the CEO at Sri Lanka Cricket. `The Island` met him at his Maitlend Place office a few days before the 150th Test match.
`There has been a large improvement during the period 1981-2005, in both forms of the game. While we are placed second in the ODI rankings we are placed fifth in Test rankings. The success what we experience today is the result of determined efforts by many dedicated players and administrators`, said Mendis offering a generous tribute to past players.
The journey the twelve Sri Lankans started on the 17th of February 1982, at the Colombo Oval was soon interrupted with a few Sri Lankan players making a controversial rebel tour to South Africa. Duleep Mendis was soon made the captain in his third Test.
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Nalanda post dramatic win
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 - 3:57 AM SL Time
Nalanda College came from the dumps to beat Dharmaraja College by 21 points to 17 in their inter-school rugby match at Nittawela yesterday.
With just 10 minutes of play remaining the Nalandians, trailing 0-17, hit back with three tries which were converted to win the match.
Nalanda hooker Dilshan Magama, centre Palitha Jayasinghe and winger Rasika Premaratne scored the tries which were goaled by centre Jeewan Amaradasa.
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