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Why Prabhakaran refused to meet Akashi
Monday, 8 May 2006 - 10:53 PM SL Time
Tamil Tigers chief Velupillai Prabhakaran`s curt refusal to meet Japan`s special envoy Yasushi Akashi is a well thought out public snub that will not surprise those who have seen the Tigers grow from a ragtag group to be the world`s most powerful insurgent outfit.
Pride, dignity and self-respect are immensely important to Prabhakaran and closely linked to the struggle for Tamil Eelam, even if others consider the goal a mirage.
Almost two decades ago, in early 1987, Prabhakaran met V Balakumar, a leader of another Tamil group and now with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in Jaffna.
Prabhakaran had quit India for good after a tumultuous three and a half years in Tamil Nadu.
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JHU for Indian model with unitary features for North-East
Monday, 8 May 2006 - 4:46 AM SL Time
The JHU yesterday said that Sri Lanka should adopt an Indian model of devolution with its unitary features as it was the only way out of the North-East conflict.
The party`s stand comes in the wake of President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressing his willingness to explore an Indian model of federal structure to solve the problem.
The JHU`s Deputy Secretary Udaya Gammanpila told the Daily Mirror yesterday that it had been pledged in the `Mahinda Chintana`, to devolve power to the North-East, only while preserving the unitary status of the country.
Mr. Gammanpila said that the Indian constitution is a quasi federal one, comprising, both federal and unitary characters and they would support any power devolution in Sri Lanka, taking the unitary features only.
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No one can disarm us: Karuna
Monday, 8 May 2006 - 4:43 AM SL Time
The breakaway LTTE faction led by Vinayagamurthi Muralitheran, alias `Karuna Amman`, says no one can disarm them, be it the Government, the Norwegian facilitators or, the SLMM, as they were not armed by the Sri Lankan Government. The `Karuna` faction also warned that it was preparing 'retaliatory' attacks against the LTTE Wanni cadres in the east, after calling off its unilateral cease-fire with the rebels last week, which was earlier announced in support of the first round of Geneva peace talks in February.
`Karuna` spokesman Thooyavan, speaking to the Daily Mirror by telephone, from an undisclosed location, also dismissed allegations that the group was operating with the assistance of the Government security forces, claiming that 17 of its cadres are in Anuradhapura prison, for carrying arms in Government controlled areas.
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Politics
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India wary of involvement in Sri Lankan issue
Tuesday, 9 May 2006 - 5:03 AM SL Time
INDIA: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera arrived in India on Sunday, hoping to persuade New Delhi to help broker peace in the island nation.
But India is unlikely to budge from maintaining a diplomatic distance from the ethnic conflict on the island off its southern coast due to disastrous previous experiences and domestic political compulsions, officials and analysts said.
Violence has spiralled in Sri Lanka over the past one month as the military and Tiger terrorists have clashed in violation of a 2002 ceasefire, killing more than 200 people.
Samaraweera`s three-day visit is ostensibly to brief the Indian leadership on the situation in Sri Lanka. But Colombo has also been sending feelers to New Delhi urging it to pressure the LTTE, Indian officials said.
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Anandasangaree urges President to release innocent detainees
Tuesday, 9 May 2006 - 4:59 AM SL Time
TULF President V. Anandasangaree yesterday appealed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to review the cases of the large number of Tamils who have been detained after being arrested and to take immediate steps to release the innocent.
Mr. Anandasangaree suggested that the detainees be handed over to 'worthy guarantors' who come forward to take charge of them. He said the random arrests and the unjustifiable detention of innocent Tamils would only help the LTTE to escalate its anti-government propaganda.
'The international community too cannot be happy seeing innocent people being harassed and detained,' he said. In his letter to the President containing some acid comments on the LTTE, the TULF leader said, 'Contrary to Mr. Thamilselvan`s claim that those who harm the Army, Navy, and Police personnel are the LTTE cadres and not the innocent civilians, they plant a claymore mine or throw a hand grenade and take to their heels and the soldiers penalise the innocent people on the road. They are arrested and detained.'
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SLMC to go it alone in B`loa
Tuesday, 9 May 2006 - 4:50 AM SL Time
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress has decided to remain neutral and contest the local bodies of Kalmunai MC, and Pradeshiya Sabhas of N`veli, Akkaraippathu, Pottuvil Addalachchenai and Nintavur, Kattankudy UC, Koralapattvu West PS, and Eravur Town TC, in the Batticalo District, under its own tree symbol, SLMC Chairman and MP Basheer Cegu Dewood said.
`Outside the Northeast we will contest Uda Palatha, Pahatha Hewaheta, Gampola UC, Galle MC and Kobeigane PS on the UNP ticket. We will contest the Colombo Municipal Council on the Independent Group III ticket under the Butterflysymbol,` he said.
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Editorial News
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Barking up the wrong tree!
Tuesday, 9 May 2006 - 4:56 AM SL Time
Japanese Special Peace Envoy Yasushi Akashi has failed to secure an appointment with the LTTE leader, according to press reports. He has been offered an appointment with the political wing leader instead. That is how the LTTE is treating poor Mr. Akashi, who has come all the way from Japan to meet, among others, the Tiger chief to discuss how to strengthen the battered truce. It is perhaps some consolation for Mr. Akashi that he will be able to meet President Rajapakse and other government leaders. What would have been the reaction of the Co-chairs and the whole caboodle of NGO activists had the President refused an appointment to Mr. Akashi' They would have done a King Kong'they would have beaten their chests, pulled their hair and made all sorts of threatening noises. But when the LTTE leader does it, they are as meek as house mice. Not a whimper of protest. Is it that they don`t want to mess around with the Tiger chief'
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Who says Pol Pot is dead?
Monday, 8 May 2006 - 4:40 AM SL Time
Newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the Jaffna University and eminent academic Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole has fled the country with his family to avoid a cruel death at the hands of the LTTE, which objected his appointment. He represents the typical Sri Lanka Tamil community, which takes pride in academic excellence and hard work. He is a highly qualified engineer with a double doctorate from the London University and a great deal of experience under his belt. There couldn`t have been a better person than he to head that university which needs proper direction. As D. B. S. Jeyaraj, an authoritative commentator on Tamil politics pointed out in The Daily News on Saturday, Prof. Hoole is the ideal person for that post for three main reasons: his qualifications, his visionary plans for developing the Jaffna University and his ability to interact with and confront Colombo, if necessary, to get the best for Jaffna.
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Are young Tamils aware of Prabha`s antecedents?
Sunday, 7 May 2006 - 9:58 PM SL Time
LTTE CHIEF: Neither the government, nor the Tamil people have understood the true intentions of the man they choose to refer to as Prabhakaran. How he has earned that prefix is anybody`s guess. Is it by brandishing a gun'
The younger Tamils are ignorant of who Prabhakaran really is, or his family background. The Tamils by and large are highly caste conscious. Also class conscious. Many young Tamils who have practically been conscripted to Prabhakaran`s fighting units, have been indoctrinated and made to believe that he is God on Earth.
We elderly Tamils know that Prabhakaran was born to the life of crime. Prabha is from a village called Velvetiturai, where almost everyone used to engage in smuggling. His uncle was the well-known smuggler called Hitler Kandasamy, who was very intelligent and often used to outsmart the Police.
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| Security |
Hopeful Akashi going to Kilinochchi today
Tuesday, 9 May 2006 - 5:00 AM SL Time
Security forces clamped down a curfew in the Jaffna Peninsula yesterday to guard against anti-government demonstrations, as a Japanese envoy said he would travel to the country`s north in the hope of meeting the LTTE to try to stave off a renewed civil war.
Japanese special envoy Yasushi Akashi met President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo yesterday and said he intended to go today to Kilinochchi, even though he was yet to secure a meeting with the LTTE leader.
Security forces, meanwhile, imposed a curfew on Jaffna and closed off the main highway linking the peninsula to the rest of the island to guard against anti-government demonstrations.
The rebels accuse the military of involvement in the reported disappearance of eight Tamil men from a Hindu temple in Jaffna over the weekend, a charge the army denies.
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Under Karuna fire LTTE threatens to strike Army
Tuesday, 9 May 2006 - 4:58 AM SL Time
The LTTE which came under attack from the Karuna faction killing more than 30 Wanni cadres, warned yesterday it would be forced to launch attacks against army camps dividing LTTE and government areas in Trincomalee if armed groups continued to use them as hideouts to infiltrate LTTE-controlled areas.
LTTE Trincomalee political head S. Elilan told the Daily Mirror that armed groups were launching attacks on the LTTE from within the safety of army camps in Muttur and Kaddaiparichan in Trincomalee with the assistance of government forces.
But the military denied the allegations saying it was another ploy of the LTTE to discredit the image of the Army.
Mr. Elilan warned that the LTTE would in future retaliate by attacking the army camps which could pave the way for a serious confrontation between the army and the LTTE.
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A/L student allegedly raped by two teachers
Monday, 8 May 2006 - 4:57 AM SL Time
An incident of alleged rape of a student attached to Panmore Estate Tamil Vidyalaya in the Hatton Area has been reported to Police.
The victim an Advanced Level student is alleged to have been raped by two teachers of the same school. The girl was medically examined at the Galaencarl Hospital.
Meanwhile, when this matter was reported in a leading Tamil Newspaper and the assailants are said to have destroyed the whole set of Tamil papers.
All the Estate workers in the area have started picketing. Inquiries are proceeding said the Police.
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Business / Economy News
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Ceylinco Healthcare to set up ultra modern cancer treatment unit
Tuesday, 9 May 2006 - 5:01 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka will receive its most advanced cancer treatment facility yet under a new initiative formally launched recently by Ceylinco Healthcare Services Ltd.,(CHSL) the preventive medicare subsidiary of life insurance leader Ceylinco Life.
The new treatment unit in Colombo 2 will be the country`s first private cancer treatment facility, and will be the only centre equipped with a Linear Accelerator (Linac) offering the most sophisticated and safe radiotherapy available, the company announced this week.
CHSL Deputy Chairman R. Renganathan headed a team of directors who signed a ground-breaking investment agreement for the establishment of this unit at the Board of Investment (BOI) recently.
Expected to be operational by May next year, the Ceylinco Cancer Treatment Centre will be built next to the Ceylinco Healthcare Centre at Park Street, which is the country`s most advanced private standalone facility for cancer screening and for information and advice on the management and treatment of cancers.
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TATA busses to boost fleet strength
Tuesday, 9 May 2006 - 4:54 AM SL Time
Transport Railway and Petroleum Resources Ministry has signed an agreement with Tata Motors Ltd., India for 1350 buses that would be imported within two months.
This was revealed by the Transport Railway and Petroleum Resources Minister A.H.M. Fowzce at the unveiling of Tata`s latest model, ACE mini truck which was the first diesel powered mini truck to be used in SriLanka.
`As Tata has been our closest motor vehicle provider we are satisfied about their products and affordability SriLanka currently requires an affordable transport service with very good mileage capacity easing operation costs and minimising fuel consumption Minister said.
Tata Motors SAARC Regional Manager Biswadev Sengupta said: `the company wishes to expand customer services and they intend to start their 60th service centre in the near future, we expect to establish a service centre every 60 Kilometres,` he said.
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Malaysians eye Colombo MRT
Tuesday, 9 May 2006 - 12:04 AM SL Time
COLOMBO - Malaysian and Indian companies are collaborating in a proposed joint venture to build a mass rapid transit system (MRT) in Colombo, officials said.
They will be signing a memorandum of understanding with Sri Lanka`s Board of Investment (BOI) for a feasibility study on the project, he said.
`We have identified the need for a rail-based urban transport system and this firm [joint venture] has come forward to do a
feasibility study for an MRT on costing and finance,` BOI chairman Lakshman R Watawala said.
Watawala said the group would be given construction rights after details had been finalized.
He declined to name the joint-venture company but other officials said it was Malaysia`s Opus International Group Plc and India`s NEB Infrastructure.
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| Sports News
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Mahinda wants Colombo spruced up before games
Tuesday, 9 May 2006 - 4:47 AM SL Time
President Mahinda Rajapakse urged the authorities to clean up the city of Colombo and make it look a model garden city before the commencement of the South Asian Games in August this year.
The President said the main road leading from the Katunayake International Airport and from the Negombo town to Colombo should be done up and trees grown on either side of the entire roadway to make it look pleasant to travellers using this highway.
He made this appeal to the authorities at a symposium, held at the Environmental Authority Ministry last week, to examine the progress made by the Ministry on the development work for the current year.
The President also advised the authorities to take all necessary steps to reduce, environmental pollution, the number of vehicles passing through Colombo, to commence an inter city bus service for the convenience of those travelling to the city and to establish spacious car parks for private vehicles.
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Six players oppose Jayasuriya`s comeback
Monday, 8 May 2006 - 4:54 AM SL Time
At least six players are reported to be against any possible return of Sanath Jayasuriya into the Sri Lanka cricket team following speculation that the new selection committee chief Asantha de Mel was in the process of persuading the left hand batsman to return to test cricket.
De Mel is to officially take charge of the new selection committee today and discuss a move to bring back Jayasuriya.
De Mel has already met Jayasuriya who is reported to have shown a desire to return but not for the current England tour.
'Jayasuriya has retired from one-day cricket and I don`t see why he cannot change his mind and get back to playing both forms of the game', said De Mel.
De Mel said that if the selectors were divided over a return by Jayasuriya, he (De Mel) would use his vote in favour of the batsman.
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Mahamaya girls shine on day two
Monday, 8 May 2006 - 4:41 AM SL Time
Mahamaya College, Kandy stole the show at the penultimate day of the 33rd Sri Lanka School`s Swimming and Diving Championships 2006, with three new meet records to their credit.
The meet was conducted at the Sugathadasa pool.
Madhavee Weerathunga established a new meet record in the girls 50M free style clocking 31.14 seconds while fellow swimmer Harshani Unanboowa accounted for the other individual record with a time of 1 minute 23:19 seconds in the U 17 backstroke.
Meanwhile in the girls Under 9, 4x50m relay, Mahamaya College claimed the other record with a time of 3 minutes 9:32 seconds.
They also set up two more records in the Under 13 girls 4x100m medley relay (5.33.13 secs) and in the Under 9 girls 4x50m free style relay (2.47.49 secs).
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