Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions
Sri Lankan News & Discussions
Online News Updated Every 15 Minutes
| Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions |
Sri Lankan News & Discussions | Online News Updated Every 15 Minutes |
|
About this Sri Lankan News Forum
 Welcome to the largest news forum on Sri Lanka. This is a discussion table for millions of Sri Lankans living around the world to express their thoughts on the latest Sri Lankan news events. Lankanewspapers.com is a powerful tool for all Sri Lankan ethnic groups to share information, knowledge and wisdom. Join! today |
Most Recent News Discussions
|
| More Headline News |
|
Sri Lanka says 20 rebels die in sea battle Friday, 20 October 2006 - 11:45 PM SL Time The Sri Lankan navy killed at least 20 Tamil Tiger rebels on Friday in an ongoing sea battle in the northern Jaffna region, a navy spokesman said. `There is a sea battle. We managed to destroy two boats. The fighting is going on and we are chasing them,` Commander D.K.P. Dassanayake told Reuters. A military statement said there were 15 LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) boats. The latest clash comes ahead of peace talks between the rebels and the government on October 28-29. Peace envoys are pushing both sides to stay the course for the planned talks but a surge in violence risks undermining the meeting in Geneva. The military statement said the navy intercepted the rebel craft off Nagarakovil area on the Jaffna peninsula. The military said two rebel vessels were destroyed and other Tiger craft were damaged. 
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 313 )
WSWS interviews: Sri Lankan soldiers oppose return to war Friday, 20 October 2006 - 8:50 PM SL Time As the civil war in Sri Lanka escalates, the military is carrying out a massive recruiting campaign in the press and electronic media. The government is making an explicit communal appeal, declaring that it is the duty of heroes to defend the 'Sinhala motherland' against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Recruiting targets have not been met. Within the army, reports have filtered out of disgruntlement and war weariness. Since President Mahinda Rajapakse won office last November, hundreds of soldiers and military personnel have been killed in a conflict that has widened into open warfare. The overwhelming majority of soldiers come from poor Sinhala families in rural areas. Most had no alternative but to join the army to provide for themselves and their families. In short, they are economic conscripts who have been used by successive governments as cannon fodder in a racialist war.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 219 )
MSF Withdraws From Jaffna Peninsula Friday, 20 October 2006 - 4:18 PM SL Time An increase in violence and fighting in 2006 has led Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to return to Sri Lanka to provide medical assistance to the war affected population. Since August of this year, approximately 200,000 people have been displaced by the fighting. Despite requests from the Sri Lanka`s ministry of health for MSF to provide assistance to several hospitals in the north of the country, MSF has so far only been allowed to begin activities in Point Pedro Hospital on the Jaffna Peninsula. However, MSF teams have now had to suspend their medical activities and withdraw from the only hospital where it had been permitted to work. Dr. Rowan Gillies, president of the international council of MSF, and Dr. Guillermo Bertoletti, director of operations of MSF in Paris, recently went to Sri Lanka to see if it was possible to find a solution. Dr. Bertoletti explains why MSF suspended its activities and provides an update of the situation following his visit.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 150 )
|
|
More Headline News
|
| Security
Security Forum
|
|
Navy `sinks rebel boats` Sunday, 22 October 2006 - 6:23 AM SL Time Sri Lanka`s navy says it has destroyed two Tamil Tiger rebel boats in a sea battle off the north coast. It said at least 20 rebels were killed in the battle, although this has not been confirmed by the Tamil Tigers. The latest clash comes ahead of peace talks between the government and the rebels planned for the end of October. On Wednesday, Tamil Tiger rebels carried out a daring raid on a navy base in the tourist city of Galle. At least two people died in the attack. `Boats damaged` The Sri Lankan military said the navy had intercepted about 15 rebel boats off the town of Nagarakovil on the Jaffna peninsula on Friday. It said two rebel boats were destroyed and several others damaged during a prolonged gun battle. It said at least 20 rebels were killed and two Sri Lankan sailors were injured.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
US postpones military exercises with Sri Lanka Sunday, 22 October 2006 - 12:59 AM SL Time The United States indefinitely postponed planned military exercises with Sri Lanka, a top US official said here Friday, amid a week of suicide bombings and other attacks that have killed 250. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian affairs, Richard Boucher, said Washington was cooperating with Sri Lanka`s military, but that a joint exercise had been put off. `We have been talking about an exercise, especially on humanitarian aspects, but for the moment our plans have been deferred,` Boucher told reporters in Colombo at the end of a two-day visit. `We will do such an exercise in the near future, but we are not going to do (one) right now for a variety of operational reasons,` he added.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 7 )
Driver survives, mysteriously shoots himself afterwards Saturday, 21 October 2006 - 9:33 AM SL Time Four naval officials travelling in a van, who met with an accident on the Dambulla ' Matale main road last evening, sustained serious injuries, while the driver, who initially escaped unhurt, had fired upon himself and had received severe injuries, the police said. The group was reportedly travelling from Kandy to Trincomalee when their van collided head on with a lorry. The van had reportedly travelled at a high speed and was believed to have skidded due to heavy rains which prevailed in the area. All five had been rushed to Dambulla hospital. The reason for him to shoot himself is yet to be ascertained. Dambulla police are conducting investigations.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
|
|
|
| Politics
Political News Forum
|
|
SLFP- UNP `marriage` tomorrow Sunday, 22 October 2006 - 6:18 AM SL Time The much awaited Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UNP and the SLFP will be signed tomorrow (Oct. 23) at Temple Trees. The MoU will address key national issues. The signing of the MoU is expected to take place in the morning at an auspicious time. SLFP Secretary and Minister Maithreepala Sirisena, now in Beijing will return to Sri Lanka today to attend the historic event scheduled for tomorrow. The UNP last week submitted some proposals to finalise the MoU between the two parties. But the Government rejected some of them, such as to halt UNP MPs crossing over to the Government. 'We told the UNP delegation that crossover is a democratic right of MPs. The SLFP was formed after the late Prime Minister S.W.R.D Bandaranaike crossed over from the UNP. If there was no such move by the late leader, the SLFP would not have existed today', Minister of Power John Seneviratne told the Sunday Observer.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Merger issue - hindrance to solution Saturday, 21 October 2006 - 9:36 AM SL Time The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MPs call upon the government to take steps to restore the normal life in the Jaffna peninsular. The MPs who are boycotting parliament told media on Friday that about six hundred thousand people living in the peninsular are facing enormous difficulties as a result of the closure of A-9 road. They said that prices of essential food items have gone up to unbearable levels and if shipping comes to a halt with the coming rainy season, there could be a severe food shortage in the peninsular. TNA MP, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam said that they urge the government to take necessary action to merge the northern and eastern provinces according to the constitution. He said the decision by the Supreme Court to de-merge the provinces would bring about adverse effects to the peace process.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 3 )
TNA gives Govt. ultimatum on N, E Friday, 20 October 2006 - 6:10 AM SL Time The Tamil National Alliance group of MPs said they were boycotting Parliament from yesterday (19) and gave an ultimatum to the government till November 7, to decide on a way to merge, the Northern and Eastern Provinces which was demerged by the decision of the Supreme Court. The senior TNA member Gajendra Kumar Ponnambalam making a special statement said the Indo-Sri Lanka accord of 1987 had recognized the two provinces as the traditional homeland of the Tamil people and the government should now find a way of merging the to two provinces as the demerger will have a serious repercussion on the peace talks. Full text of the statement: The merger of the Northern and Eastern Provinces as one Unit by President J. R. Jayewardene in 1988 has been held by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka to be invalid on the basis of some technical reason pertaining to the procedure related to the merger. No further legal measure is available under Sri Lanka`s judicial system to reverse the said finding.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 9 )
|
|
|
| Business / Economy News
Business News Forum
|
|
Harry joins reconstituted Lanka Hospitals board Sunday, 22 October 2006 - 1:04 AM SL Time The board of directors of Lanka Hospitals Corporation Limited, the owners of the Apollo Hospital in Colombo, has been reconstituted following recent changes in its ownership structure with Mr. Ajit Jayaratne, a former Chairman of Forbes & Walker Limited, as the new chairman of the company. Bank of Ceylon Chairman Udayasiri Kariyawasam who is also Chairman of the Bank of Ceylon subsidiary, Property Development Limited (PDL) owning the bank`s headquarters building, has been named Deputy Chairman. PDL is the second biggest shareholder of Lanka Hospitals. Analysts said that Jayaratne has obviously been the choice of Mr. Harry Jayawardena to chair Lanka Hospitals with Jayawardena himself joining the board along with some trusted associates from the Distilleries/Sri Lanka Insurance groups.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Galle returns to normalcy Saturday, 21 October 2006 - 9:34 AM SL Time Galle city is back to its typical busy schedule. The day-to-day activities in all sectors including schools, public and private sector institutions etc. are functioning smoothly. Mayor of Galle Municipality Mr. Kalum Senevirathna, speaking to the Government Official website today said that the security forces and police have taken all the necessary steps to tighten the security in the area. Civilians as well as tourists move around attending to their daily necessities without tension and the town is functioning as usual. A tensed situation emerged in Galle town since yesterday morning with the unsuccessful attempt of LTTE terrorists` suicide boat attack on the Dakshina Lanka naval base. Security forces successfully repulsed the attack and took measures to restore the community life.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Tomatoes greet NGO activists Saturday, 21 October 2006 - 9:28 AM SL Time A hail of rotten tomatoes rained on organisers of an anti-war meeting at the Jana Medura Hall on Thursday. Pandemonium lasted about 30 minutes in the crowded hall after it was invaded by a group. The meeting convened by the Kandurata Janatha Peramuna for peace and the National Front against war was to be held at D. S. Senanayake Library Auditorium but was not held there on instructions by police. Accordingly the meeting was held at the Jana Medura Hall near the Kandy goods shed bus stand. Argument between the intruders and the organisers inclusive of UNP MP Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Dr. Kumar Rupasinghe, Dr. Wickremabahu Karunaratne, Attorney Lal Wijenayake, Jayaratne Maliyagoda developed into a clash amidst which many tomatoes were thrown.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
|
|
|
| Editorial News
Editorial News Forum
|
|
The hot potato Sunday, 22 October 2006 - 1:03 AM SL Time The government`s response to the situation arising from last week`s Supreme Court determination that the so-called ``temporary`` merger of the Northern and Eastern Provinces was invalid in law has still not been forthcoming. The word from the president`s office is that the judgment is being carefully studied as it no doubt has to be. The implications are not just legal. There are political and security considerations as well as what the de-merger would mean in terms of taking the peace process forward. These have to be very carefully and dispassionately assessed by the best brains in the country and the way forward charted. This, by no means, will be an easy task and all Lankans, whatever their politics and preferences, must offer the president their goodwill in taking a decision that will serve the national interest and not narrower considerations.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
That mayoral jump Saturday, 21 October 2006 - 9:29 AM SL Time You mustn`t put all your eggs into one basket, says an adage. Going by the bitter experience of the grand old party which threw its weight behind a group of independent candidates at the last CMC election, it may be added that you mustn`t put all your eggs into another`s basket either. When the UNP`s nominations list was rejected, in a desperate bid to prevent the UPFA from winning, it thought of playing Arab-and-camel with the independent candidates'first securing a foothold in that group and then hijacking it. Former UNP heavyweight and confidant of the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa, Mr. Sirisena Cooray, who sought to re-enter active politics as the Colombo Mayor, apparently thought his old tricks would still work. The UNP`s plan to make a back door entry into the CMC was his brainchild.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 4 )
Shoot on sight! Friday, 20 October 2006 - 6:15 AM SL Time While the Navy was battling the LTTE in Galle on Wednesday, we received disturbing reports of some criminal elements trying to use the terror attack to provoke communal violence. Prompt action by the police and the armed forces, we learn, put paid to their sinister plan. How can the ordinary citizens be held responsible for the LTTE`s violence' It is those blood thirsty hyenas in the garb of patriots who used the LTTE terror to unleash hell on Tamils in 1983. It is those violent bigots who are attacking churches just like the terrorists who are targeting places of Buddhist worship. Those savages are a disgrace as well as a threat to the civilized society that they claim to belong to. The LTTE is all out to trigger an ethnic backlash of the magnitude of Black July. It wants to project this country as a land of cannibals in a bid to justify its terrorism and regain lost sympathy overseas. However, the advantages that accrue to the LTTE from communal violence shouldn`t be the main reason why it must be condemned, prevented and eliminated, root and branch. LTTE or no LTTE, it must be done in the name of humanity and out of respect for the rights of fellow human beings. Those Neanderthals who refuse to recognize the rights of other communities, ethnic or religious, to live as equal citizens in any part of the country, free from fear and harm, have no right to condemn the LTTE for its terror. How can arsonists and homicidal maniacs have a right to condemn terrorism' If those barbarians consider themselves right, then the LTTE is right in massacring the members of other ethnic communities and resorting to ethnic cleansing to achieve its goal. Campaigning against terrorism should not mean doing more of what the terrorists do.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 10 )
|
|
|
| Sports News
Sports News Forum
|
|
Lankans showed lot of character - Murali Sunday, 22 October 2006 - 6:21 AM SL Time MUMBAI, Saturday - Champion off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan said that Sri Lanka showed a lot of character in fashioning a convincing seven wicket victory over New Zealand in their International Cricket Council Champions Trophy Mini World Cup Group `B` fixture played at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Friday. Muralitharan returned excellent figures of 4 for 23 as Sri Lanka kept their hopes alive of qualifying for the semifinals which are scheduled for November 1 and 2 respectively. His best delivery in the match of course the one that he dismissed Jacob Oram. 'There have been many dismissals like that', said Muralitharan when asked if he remembered similar incidents. He said that he has bowled on similar pitches while playing county cricket for Lancashire.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Cricketers` Assn. initiates awards scheme for players Sunday, 22 October 2006 - 1:00 AM SL Time Sri Lanka Cricketers` Association (SLCA) initiated an awards scheme on Friday to recognise the efforts of domestic and international cricketers with the start of the upcoming domestic cricket season in November. While all other leading cricket playing nations have established awards schemes to recognise players, Sri Lanka`s administrators have been slow in initiating such a programme. The Cricketers` Association, formed in 2000, came forward to initiate the scheme and will accordingly honour outstanding cricketers in both the domestic and international competitions. SLCA has signed up with Multichemi International Limited (MIL), manufacturers of Nature`s Secrets herbal based personal care products and the awards will be known as `Sun & Fun ' SLCA Cricket Awards`. MIL will sponsor the annual event for three years starting from this year`s Premier League Tournament in November 2006.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Royal favourites; Thomians look for seventh win Saturday, 21 October 2006 - 9:41 AM SL Time Royal College will go out as favourites to win the Orville Abeynayake Memorial Trophy breaking a six year hoodoo at the annual Royal-Thomian hockey encounter which will kick off at Astro Turf, Reid Avenue, at 4.30 p.m., today. The Orville Abeynayake trophy which was introduced in 1999 is currently in the Thomian custody and it has been so since the introduction. The Royalists, who became the Colombo Schools and Public Schools champions this season, should be feeling very confident. The Thomians guided by reputed coach, Daniel Edirisinghe, will be under pressure to retain the shield and make it seven in a row. On the other hand former National Coach Rohan Dissanayke and the Royal outfit will look to keep the momentum going. Under such circumstances the spectators are assured of an exciting game today.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
|
|
|
(C) 2000-2006 www.lankanewspapers.com - Sri Lankan News and Discussions - Contact Us - RSS Feed - News Archives - SRC |
