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Bomb blast rocks Sri Lanka navy base
Tuesday, 6 June 2006 - 11:10 AM SL Time
A powerful bomb exploded outside a navy base near the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, seriously wounding at least one man, military officials said.
The bomb, believed to be a Claymore mine, went off as a bus pulled up outside the Welisara navy camp, a military official said, adding that the driver of the vehicle was critically wounded.
There was no claim of responsibility, but similar attacks have been blamed on Tamil rebels.
No other details were immediately available.
The Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels were set to open talks in Oslo Thursday to discuss the safety of Scandinavian peacekeepers monitoring a faltering truce in their long-running conflict.
Peace broker Norway called the two-day meeting amid fears for the safety of the 60-member Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), which has already ordered flak jackets and hard hats for their staff.
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Oslo talks crucial: LTTE
Tuesday, 6 June 2006 - 5:00 AM SL Time
The LTTE said yesterday the outcome of the Oslo talks this week would decide the future of the now suspended second round of Geneva talks with the EU ban on the rebels threatening to scuttle further progress.
LTTE peace secretariat Chief S. Puleedevan, told the Daily Mirror he was also of the view the All Party Conference (APC) held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was a 'futile exercise' claiming that past APC meetings produced little or nothing.Mr. Puleedevan was speaking from the Bandaranaike International Airport just prior to departing to Oslo late on Sunday night in the company of the LTTE political head S.P. Thamilselvan and the rebel police chief Nadesan.
'President Rajapaksa has had several rounds of APCs but history shows that they have given zero results. The LTTE views the APC as a futile exercise. It will not have an impact on the peace process,' he said.
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350 temples closed due to lack of monks - Karu Jayasuriya
Tuesday, 6 June 2006 - 4:53 AM SL Time
`About 350 temples in the country have been closed down due to lack of monks. Closure of temples amounts to opening of police stations and courts. A well disciplined and religious minded society that existed 50 years ago has today plunged into an abyss of indiscipline after the open economy system came into force. When there is torture taking place upstairs, ballroom dancing is taking place downstairs. This is the sort of the society that has been transformed from the past to the present,` said Karu Jayasuriya, Gampaha District M.P. and UNP Deputy Leader at a religious ceremony held at Anhetigama Kirihena Purana Rajamaha Viharaya in the Deraniyagala electorate recently.
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Politics
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Compromise on COPE and PAC
Wednesday, 7 June 2006 - 5:15 AM SL Time
The government and the JVP agreed in parliament yesterday that the Public Enterprises (COPE) and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) must be chaired by the JVP and UNP respectively.
The UNP opposed this move saying the Opposition should have the right to decide which party should head which committee ' provided the privilege of chairing these committees was handed over to the Opposition according to the existing practice in the House.
The chairmanship matter was raised by UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya.
Mr. Jayasuriya said in a democratic society where devolution of power was being discussed, the right to monitor must be given to the Opposition.
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Inter-religious team to talk peace with Tigers
Wednesday, 7 June 2006 - 5:09 AM SL Time
A delegation from the Inter Religious Peace Foundation would soon visit Kilinochchi to apprise the LTTE on the need for peace in the strife torn North and East and urge the Tigers to immediately put a stop to their atrocities in these areas.
Soon after the Thamilselvan-led LTTE team returns from Oslo, the delegation would meet them. They are presently holding consultations with the security forces to gather more information on the happenings in the North and East.
A discussion on the intended mission to Kilinochchi was held at the Bodhidakshinarama Vihara in Vavuniya on Monday. It was presided over by the Northeast Sanganayake, the Venerable Siyamabalagaswewa Wimalasara. Ven.Dr. Pallekande Rathanasara, Ven.Watareka Vijitha, Rev Fr. D. S. Perera, Rev. Fr. Rienzie Perera and several Hindu and Muslim religious dignitaries participated in the discussions.
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UNP warns govt. against baiting its MPs
Wednesday, 7 June 2006 - 5:08 AM SL Time
The UNP yesterday warned that it would be compelled to reconsider its decision to support the government in the peace process if the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration attempts to weaken the main opposition by baiting their parliamentarians.
UNP Assistant Secretary General Tissa Attanayake addressing a media brifing yesterday, issued the warning.
Howeverm, as a responsible national political party, it will not take any steps to scuttle the peace process. The UNP is connected to the good of every citizen of Sri Lanka and has consistently expressed an unwavering dedication to devolution of power within a united Sri Lanka. This has been the policy of the UNP, whether in or out of power, he added.
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Editorial News
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Karu`s lament
Wednesday, 7 June 2006 - 5:10 AM SL Time
Some Buddhist temples appear to be going the same way as the rural schools. Over 350 temples have so far been closed down for want of monks to reside therein, as Deputy Leader of the UNP and Parliamentarian Karu Jayasuriya has said (The Island/06/06/06). The problem appears to be more with the distribution of the monks than an overall dearth of them. The so-called urban pull appears to have caused monks to abandon the rural temples like the children who are opting for urban schools. The number of Buddhist monks pursuing higher studies and seeking employment has increased over the years, thus compelling more and more of them to leave villages.
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Oslo talks, a thief of time
Tuesday, 6 June 2006 - 4:57 AM SL Time
Some time ago, the Tigers made a song and dance about the failure of its leaders in the Eastern Province to have pre-talks consultations with the Kilinochchi headquarters, as the government denied chopper rides, and refused to attend the second round of Geneva talks. The government for once stood its ground.
Now we find the Tigers heading for Oslo. They may not go there to discuss either a solution or CFA; they will only talk about the safety and the role of the Nordic monitors. But the fact remains that they have made a mockery of their previous claims. Their demand for VIP treatment at the airport was also turned down but they have not made an issue of it.
LTTE has told AFP that it is going to Oslo as a sign of respect for Norway. True, they must be grateful to Norway, without whose support their terror campaign would have been a thing of the past. But to say that the Tigers are going there out of their respect for the Norwegians is far from the truth: It is a face saving lie.
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UNP appeal should be heeded
Monday, 5 June 2006 - 4:21 AM SL Time
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has to pay serious attention to the UNP`s appeal to him to act constitutionally and to be fair by the opposition parties as he tries to find a solution to the national problem with the cooperation of all parties.
One of UNP`s main complaints is against the President`s moves to lure UNPers into joining his government. We have already seen many a cross-over in the campaign of conversion. If these switching of parties occur as a result of honest political convictions and love for the country as the defectors proclaim, then there cannot be any objections. In fact, these converts should be hailed as true patriots if that be the case. But allegations abound about extraneous and selfish reasons prompting their crossovers. Most of these summersaults, according to observers are akin to unethical religious conversions against which there is universal antipathy.
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| Security |
Lankan `slaves` in U.S. case headed for Court
Wednesday, 7 June 2006 - 5:17 AM SL Time
Asoka Jayasinghe and Lalitha Perera say they came from Sri Lanka, to the United States, looking for a fresh start. Instead, they contend in a lawsuit, they were held as virtual slaves by a wealthy Pebble Beach family, one of whom is British royalty.
After nearly three years, the case is slated to go to trial next week -- as soon as Judge Kay Kingsley decides if she will compel one of the Defendants to return from her vacation in Italy, to testify.
An Attorney for Sarah Cecconi, argued Friday, that his client cannot be compelled to return to the US because she is a resident of Italy, where she lives six months out of the year, and because her mother, the Duchess of Manchester, is on her death bed there.
Monterey Attorney Larry Biegel, who represents Jayasinghe and Perera, accused Cecconi and her Attorneys of `playing games.` He told Judge Kingsley that the trial was continued from September to June to accommodate the schedules of Cecconi, her mother and her husband, Enzo Cecconi, who typically leave for their sojourn to Italy in July. He referred Judge Kingsley to a recent declaration filed by Elizabeth Fullerton Montegue, the duchess, who said she `could and would testify competently.`
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LTTE denies links with leaflets against INGOs
Wednesday, 7 June 2006 - 5:14 AM SL Time
The LTTE has strongly denied any links with the leaflets said to have been distributed in Trincomalee warning young Tamil women to avoid working with International Non Governmental Organizations operating in the East.
LTTE Trincomalee political head S. Elilan said the leaflets which claim to have a message from him were only meant to scuttle the amicable relations between the Tigers and the INGOs.
'We always encourage Tamil women to join INGOs and not the other way round. I never sent such a message as claimed in the leaflets nor does the LTTE have anything to do with it.
It is a bogus statement,' Mr. Elilan told the Daily Mirror.
The leaflets were linked to the NGO porn scandal which surfaced in Batticaloa in February alleging that foreign workers were using some young Tamil women for pornographic purposes.
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Love triangle ends in murder and suicide
Wednesday, 7 June 2006 - 5:13 AM SL Time
Kandy: A `triangular` love affair, involving one woman and two men ended yesterday (06) in death to the woman.
The woman was allegedly stabbed to death in the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
The tragedy occurred around 10.00 a.m. yesterday (06), according to Peradeniya Police.
According to preliminary investigations, the two men and the woman entered the botanical garden to reach a settlement to the disputed love affair. They walked round the garden for a while and the woman and the first lover, a seaman, got separated from the new lover at the Palm Avenue of the garden.
They were in conversation while the new lover was impatiently waiting a distance away. He suddenly heard a loud cry of despair from the woman. He rushed to the scene to find the woman stabbed with a knife and on the ground. He also found the seaman, identified as Viranga, fallen after having swollen some poison.
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Business / Economy News
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Stocks fall after blast
Wednesday, 7 June 2006 - 5:18 AM SL Time
Sri Lankan stocks ended lower on Tuesday, as the first suspected rebel landmine ambush near the capital since a 2002 truce sent jitters through a market waiting to see the outcome of talks between the government and Tamil Tigers in Oslo this week, traders said.
The Colombo All Share index fell 0.53 percent to close at 2,242.16 points. Turnover was 563 million rupees ($5.4 million), above the recent daily average. The market is up over 16 percent so far this year.
A Claymore fragmentation mine attack on a Sri Lankan civilian bus wounded two people in the early hours of Tuesday, raising the spectre of a return to war-time attacks on the capital even as the rebels and the government are due to discuss the safety of Nordic truce monitors.
`Investors are looking to see what is the outcome of the talks and they were watchful of the situation after a claymore exploded in Welisara closer to Colombo,` said Reshan Kurukulasuriya vice president at DFCC Stockbrokers in Colombo.
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Tax amnesty till June 30 - No questions would be asked
Wednesday, 7 June 2006 - 5:09 AM SL Time
The amnesty period granted for settlement of tax arrears has been extended till June 30, Commissioner of Inland Revenue A. A. Wijepala announced.
No questions would be asked about the non payment during the amnesty period and all information pertaining to payment could be obtained through Divisional Secretariats and from the Inland Revenue head office.
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Expert calls for 3D exploration for oil
Tuesday, 6 June 2006 - 5:03 AM SL Time
A top hydrographic consultant and expert recently observed that in the next stage of offshore oil explorotion in Sri Lanka there would be a need to attract international oil companies to take out a concession (or a lease) to develop one or more offshore exploration blocks.
Hydropgraphic Consultant Nimal Wijesinghe based in the UK, noted that it would take until 2019 before refined Sri Lankan petroleum could be used for local consumption.
'If an international oil company enters into a concession with the government in 2007, it will probably be 2019 before refined Sri Lankan petroleum can be expected to flow into cars in the country,' he said.
A shorter time span is not impossible but that would require the goodwill of the oil company developing the concession to place Sri Lanka`s offshore oil programme on a fast-track.
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| Sports News
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Murali the Magnificent! - Takes 8-70 and helps Sri Lanka to a famous win
Wednesday, 7 June 2006 - 5:11 AM SL Time
Spin great Muttiah Muralitharan took eight second innings wickets to guide Sri Lanka to a famous Test win against England here at Nottingham inside four days, in the third and final Test match. Set 325 to win, England crashed to a heavy 134 run defeat as Muralitharan, probably playing his last Test in England, bowled unchanged for 30 overs, foxing the English batsmen to help Sri Lanka square the series, 1-1.
Sri Lanka had come into the Test trailing 1-0 after their disappointing loss at Edgbaston and Muralitharan had spoken of bowing out from England on a high note and played the Test ever so passionately and thoroughly deserved the Man of the Match award. He had taken three wickets in the first innings and made 33 runs with the bat, coming in at number 11 and ran through the England top order as he bowled non stop from the Pavilion End.
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Murali spins Sri Lanka to farewell victory
Tuesday, 6 June 2006 - 5:05 AM SL Time
Muttiah Muralitharan bowled a magic and mesmerizing spell of 30 overs to claim eight for 73 and guide Sri Lanka to a resounding 134 win against England at Trent Bridge yesterday to leveled the three match series one all.
England, chasing a mammoth target of 325 on a wicket turning square, were all out for 190 in 68.5 overs.
Bowing all 30 overs in one spell, Muralitharan bid his test farewell to English cricket fans in a grand style. This could be his last test match in England since he will be 39 when Sri Lanka tours England again in 2011.
Now, the man with 635 test wickets, Muralitharan is just 50 wickets behind world record holder Shane Warne.
Strauss, put a solid stand of 84 runs before that dangerous `doosra` creep through the Trescothick gate.
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Government to put an end to vote buying in cricket?
Tuesday, 6 June 2006 - 4:58 AM SL Time
A number of former stars who gathered recently stated that to be elected to the country`s richest sport body, one should be able to throw money. Anyone ' including past cricketers - interested in joining the administrative set-up for the betterment of the game, will not be able to do so if they are not in position to spend colossal amounts of money, they pointed out. Although they are willing to serve the game they love so much, the status quo does not allow them to do so, some respected ex-players have reportedly informed government high rankers.
They have also pointed out that an elected body should run cricket affairs, while a separate body should be appointed to manage financial affairs.
As a number of parties come into the picture with an eye on SLC`s finances, cricket board elections have created an unhealthy atmosphere, they have further said. According to reliable sources, the government is planning to bring about policy changes. If necessary, the government will consider amending the Sports Law, they said.
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