|
|
|
More Headline News
|
Dubious tender rocks Colombo Port
Saturday, 4 February 2006 - 6:32 AM SL Time
Awarding a multi-million rupee tender to the highest bidder by a top port official for the supply of dredger tracking system for the Hansakawa dredger of the Colombo Port while the tender board had approved the lowest bidder, has become the topic of discussion among shipping and port circles, senior official sources said.
The tenders were submitted by companies, I. H. C. Holand - 421,350 Euros (52 million rupees), Rason BV, Netherlands - 407,060 Euros (50 million rupees), Miltread Technology, Singapore 288,618 US Dollars (28 million rupees) and examined by the tender board and the technical evaluation committee appointed for the purpose. Both the tender board and the technical evaluation committee had recommended the tender of the lowest tender but violating all regulations and accepted tender procedure practices the highly placed port official has approved the tender of the highest bidder, shipping sources said.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 4 )
Govt tells LTTE: Don`t cancel CFA talks over TRO issue
Friday, 3 February 2006 - 7:06 AM SL Time
The government yesterday requested the LTTE not to pull out of the forthcoming Ceasefire Agreement talks scheduled for this month in Geneva due to the abduction of some Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) personnel by `unknown persons`.
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, made the appeal when asked at yesterday`s Cabinet press briefing about the LTTE`s warning that CFA talks may not get off the ground if such abductions, which it says are the work of a paramilitary group continues.
He, said that the abduction of five more TRO personnel in Batticaloa on Tuesday following the abduction and release of five others on Sunday was being thoroughly investigated.
`We are conducting a full scale inquiry into the mysterious kidnapping. The IGP has assigned a 26 member police team to uncover the plot.`
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 35 )
Scare shuts Sri Lanka parliament
Thursday, 2 February 2006 - 11:41 PM SL Time
The Sri Lankan parliament has been shut down following a security alert shortly after it met on Thursday.
The legislators were immediately evacuated from the premises by security personnel. The parliament has been adjourned until 14 February.
The alert was sounded after sniffer dogs started behaving strangely.
Meanwhile, the government has named a senior minister to hold peace talks with Tamil Tiger rebels in Geneva.
Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva will lead the five-member team, a government spokesman said.
Last week the government and Tamil Tigers agreed to hold talks in Switzerland later this month to rescue their fragile ceasefire.
Parliament scare
----------------
Police said sniffer dogs started behaving strangely and barking at a spot within the parliament during a routine check on Thursday.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 56 )
|
More Headline News
|
|
|
|
|
Politics
|
Is JVP Genuinely Anti LTTE - A Question for Southern Masses!
Friday, 3 February 2006 - 8:04 AM SL Time
Is JVP Genuinely Anti LTTE ' A Question for Southern Masses!
For many Sinhalese expatriates living in the West, Jantha Vimuthi Peramuna is the only solution against the continuous fascist practices launched by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
The JVP who claims to be protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity was nowhere to support the Sri Lankan government forces when tigers were launching the brutal ceaseless waves during the previous People`s Alliance government. In fact, JVP not only had a passive role in the campaign but also hindered the military action against the LTTE with not voting supportively of emergency regulations proposed by People`s Alliance government during the late 90`s.The same JVP who opposed emergency regulation are in forefront supporting the same regulations for political mileage and to hoodwink the ignorant Sinhalese masses. Furthermore, JVP national list MP Chandrasekaran in an exclusive interview given to Asiantribune last year before the election claimed that Ranil Wicramasighe divided Tamils with Karuna issue.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 37 )
Mangala sees mystery in TRO abduction
Friday, 3 February 2006 - 7:12 AM SL Time
The Government yesterday expressed doubts regarding the alleged kidnap of 10 employees attached to the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera terming it a `mystery`.
The minister told a news conference in Colombo yesterday that inquiries carried out so far into the incidents that took place between Sunday and Tuesday had 'raised more questions than answers.'
He said doubts over the alleged abduction of the 10 employees, out of whom two were released on Wednesday, surfaced when it was found that there was no official complaint lodged at any police station within hours of the first kidnapping taking place.
In the first incident which was reported by the TRO, five employees attached to the relief agency were abducted in Welikanda minutes after crossing a military check-point on Monday.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
Nimal heads government team to Geneva
Friday, 3 February 2006 - 7:06 AM SL Time
Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has been appointed to lead the government delegation at CFA talks with the LTTE scheduled for this month in Geneva.
Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa making the announcement yesterday said that the other members of the delegation would be announced shortly.
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera when asked about the date on which the talks would commence said that the Norwegians would be making an announcement in the next few days.
`Norway has offered three slots and we have indicated our preference.They will be announcing the date shortly after consulting the LTTE`, he said.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 16 )
|
|
|
|
|
Editorial News
|
A canine warning?
Friday, 3 February 2006 - 7:09 AM SL Time
A dog has brought Parliamentary proceedings to a halt! One of the sniffer-dogs brought in to detect explosives had refused to leave, prompting the security personnel to conduct further checks, which caused the House to suspend sittings abruptly yesterday.
Perhaps in a country where Tigers have brought successive governments to their knees, a police dog bringing Parliament to a halt shouldn`t be so surprising. The Tiger proxies, as reports indicate, would have caused the suspension of proceedings anyway with yet another protest, which was in the brewing at that time. Perhaps, the wise dog preempted another puppet show remote-controlled from the Wanni jungles. `If Tigers could disrupt sittings, why can`t I' After all, I`m a police dog!` the canine may have thought. (Or, the smart dog may have thought, `Why can`t I stay a little longer in a place which has gone to us'`)
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Investigate TRO complaint!
Thursday, 2 February 2006 - 3:02 AM SL Time
The Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) has complained that some of its staffers have been abducted by `paramilitaries` near the Welikande army checkpoint. The army denies any knowledge of the incident and the government media has sought to dismiss the complaint as a ruse. These claims and counter claims have, as usual, left us in the dark as to who is telling the truth.
There is no apparent reason why TRO should concoct such a story. Similarly, if the army was involved in the incident, it is highly unlikely that it would have allowed some TRO members to escape and bear witness to a serious ceasefire violation. However, the fact remains that the alleged incident must be probed thoroughly and the truth got at urgently. Abductions or any other atrocities need to be condemned by one and all unconditionally, wherever they are committed and whoever is responsible.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
Karuna`s doosra
Wednesday, 1 February 2006 - 5:05 AM SL Time
Former LTTE commander and Leader of Eastern Tigers Karuna seems to be making his moves adroitly. He has unilaterally suspended what he terms `self defence campaign` against the Wanni Tigers. However, Eastern Tigers, he has said, have no confidence in the SLMM and will be compelled to retaliate, if attacked. He has given the Wanni Tigers a choice between a truce and continued violence. If Prabhakaran is desirous of creating a peaceful atmosphere in the North and the East conducive to a peace effort, he has to reciprocate the gesture. He has bowled a doosra!
It is being argued that the Wanni Tigers will demand the disarming of the Eastern Tigers as a condition for truce talks to be held in Switzerland. Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has echoed this view at a public meeting. His contention is that the Geneva talks will be deadlocked unless that condition is fulfilled and the government will find it extremely difficult to comply with the LTTE demand. In other words, he believes that the Geneva talks are likely to come a cropper.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 10 )
|
|
|
|
|
| Security |
Claymore mines found in Jaffna Road
Saturday, 4 February 2006 - 6:35 AM SL Time
Two high-powered claymore mines each weighing some 2.5 kilograms and seven hand grenades of Chinese origin were discovered yesterday by an army route patrol on the Chunakkam road in Jaffna, military sources said.
They said these bombs might have been kept for a future attack on security personnel.
Meanwhile, army sources said a poster campaign was carried out by the Pongu Tamil organisation, against the harassment of innocent Tamil civilians by the army and the police.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
Penal Code amended to include extra territorial and computer related offences
Friday, 3 February 2006 - 7:13 AM SL Time
Parliament yesterday passed the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill to provide for certain new offenses including crimes committed outside the territory of Sri Lanka and sexually abusing children at cyber computer cafes.
Starting the debate on the Bill during the second reading, Power and Energy Minister John Senevirathne who was the Justice Minister earlier said that laws and regulations related to the Penal Code should be amended to suit the changing social requirements.
Mr. Senevirathne said there was no provision in the existing Act to take legal action against Sri Lankans committing crimes outside the country`s territory and the new amendment would now provide for it.
The Section 2 of the Act had now been amended so that crimes committed wholly or partly within the country or its territorial waters and air space would be guilty. This also includes the crimes committed on board any ship or air craft registered in Sri Lanka.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 4 )
Bribe taking `peon` spills beans
Friday, 3 February 2006 - 7:07 AM SL Time
The Bribery Commission is expected to record the statement of two senior staff officers of the Motor Commissioner`s Department in connection with an investigation triggered with the arrest of an office aide on Thursday.
Investigating officers arrested an office aide when he solicited Rs. 10,000 and accepted Rs. 9,000 to issue what Director Investigations Neville Guruge termed as a diesel tax report for a four-year period. The man agreed to accept the remaining Rs. 1000 once he produced the document, Guruge said.
The office aide in his statement has claimed that he was to share the money with two senior officers.
The gang is believed to have been operating for some time. The Bribery Commission recently stepped up operations with arrests in Colombo, its suburbs and the provinces. The arrested included a Mayor and a Deputy Pradeshiya Sabha chairman.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 10 )
|
|
|
|
|
Business / Economy News
|
Govt. to engage new technology to boost aquaculture
Saturday, 4 February 2006 - 6:37 AM SL Time
The government on Thursday welcomed initiatives by the construction industry to introduce new technology for the development of the fishing industry and thereby tap the vast resources available within.
The introduction of new technology is important for the industry and in particular for the development of the aqua culture, Fisheries Minister Felix Perera said yesterday at the inauguration of the seminar on 'Development of Sustainable Inland Fish and Shrimp Culture Industry in Sri Lanka' conducted by the Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka.
The minister was referring to the new technology on the Tennessee Valley Authority`s ReCip Technology to improve Sri Lanka`s Aquaculture industry that was yesterday introduced at the seminar by Dr. Naresh Handagama, a senior scientist attached to the Tennessee Valley Authority, USA and a visiting Professor of the University of Tennessee, USA/University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
US training enables Lanka`s disabled
Friday, 3 February 2006 - 7:15 AM SL Time
Thousands of disabled persons in Sri Lanka will benefit from the skills of five healthcare professionals who returned to Sri Lanka recently after a three-year training overseas.
The United States of America honored these graduates, who learned state-of-the-art theory and hands-on technology in the field of prosthetic and orthotic devices for the disabled.
With their graduation at the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics in Phnom Penh, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the five new professionals fill a void in the Sri Lankan medical field. Despite the need for their services, there are few qualified prosthetists and orthotists working in Sri Lanka, and training programmes in the field do not exist here.
'This group of young professionals will have a profound impact on the lives of the disabled in Sri Lanka,' said USAID Director Dr. Carol R. Becker. 'Their expertise fills a gap in the medical profession and promises to help thousands of persons live happier, more productive lives. They can also help other Sri Lankans in the medical field to do their jobs better.'
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Dell to set up manufacturing base in India
Friday, 3 February 2006 - 7:11 AM SL Time
US computer giant Dell on Monday announced plans to set up a manufacturing plant in India and said its local subsidiary will increase its workforce by 50 percent within two years.
Kevin Rollins, president and chief executive officer of Texas-based Dell, also said the company was eyeing a larger market share in India than its current four percent.
`Dell`s call centre workers today number around 10,000 of which 5,000 are in Bangalore, and we plan to add another 50 percent to that in a couple of years,` Rollins said after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about his expansion plans.
The company will set up by April its fourth call centre in India, in the New Delhi suburb of Gurgaon, which will be staffed by 1,000 workers, he said.
Dell established its first call centre in India at Bangalore in 2001. Last year it opened one in the northern city of Chandigarh and has a similar facility in the southern city of Hyderabad.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 3 )
|
|
|
|
| Sports News
|
`Coward` Hair is in Colombo
Saturday, 4 February 2006 - 6:41 AM SL Time
Controversial cricket umpire Darrel Hair, who stunned the cricket world by calling Sri Lanka`s Muttiah Muralitharan for chucking on seven separate occasions in the Boxing Day Test Match in front of 55,000 spectators in Melbourne in 1995, is in Colombo for the Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
Hair, who has never officiated a Test match in Sri Lanka fearing a hostile reception from local spectators after his no-balling of Muralitharan, hasn`t come down to Colombo to stand in any of the Under-19 world Cup games. The purpose of the Australian`s visit to the island is to coordinate all activities of cricket umpires during the championship.
ICC Media Manager Brian Murgatroyd told `The Island` that since the departure of Chris Kelly, ICC`s Umpires` and Match Referees` Manager, a suitable person has been sought for to carry out the duties and until the ICC appoints a person on a long-term basis, Hair has been brought in as the interim man.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Cricket idiots
Friday, 3 February 2006 - 7:10 AM SL Time
Cricket crowds around the world typically include a small spectator element of boneheads who turn up to make a noise rather than enjoy the game.
They distract players and annoy others trying to watch the play.
Australian teams overseas have been at the receiving end of abuse from the stands.
In the latest example in Australia, the South African and the Sri Lankan cricketers claim to have copped racist taunts from the grandstands.
Such behaviour is deplorable.
While the Sri Lankans have not protested formally, the South Africans have threatened to quit the tour if the taunts continue.
The ICC has called in India`s Solicitor-General to establish the facts surrounding the incidents of racial abuse that have taken place in Australia.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 24 )
Sri Lanka youth blown off by gutsy Windies
Thursday, 2 February 2006 - 3:10 AM SL Time
The Sri Lanka Under-19 team crashed to an 87-run defeat against the West Indies Under-19 in a side match played at the Colts grounds yesterday ahead of the Youth World Cup scheduled to get underway on Saturday.
Windies skipper Leon Johnson winning the toss and electing to bat saw his decision justified as openers William Parkins and Richard Ramdeen gave them a flying start with a 90-run stand.
Two more useful stands for the second and the sixth wicket helped them reach a formidable 293 from their allotted 50 overs. Openers Perkins and Ramdeen along with skipper Johnson and Keiron Pollard made half tons with support coming from Shamarh Brooks at the latter stages.
Of the five bowlers used by Sri Lanka four went over the 50 run mark from their ten overs with Thisara Perera and Sachith Pathirana taking two wickets each.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
|
|
