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Govt. refutes LTTE claim, orders inquiry
Monday, 19 June 2006 - 7:44 AM SL Time
The Government, while yesterday `strongly denying pro-LTTE media reports that the Navy had lobbed a hand grenade inside St. Mary`s Church in Pesalai, causing one death and injuring 44 others, said that a full-scale inquiry was under way into the incident.
The Defence Ministry, in a statement, said 'this is yet another attempt by the pro-LTTE media to discredit the Government and tarnish the image of the security forces'. It also said that in spite of Pesalai being a heavily populated area, Tamil Tigers fired heavy weapons such as mortars, machine guns and RPGs, towards the Army, Navy and police detachments located in the vicinity of the church, for over two hours.
'The LTTE fired from both sea and land, causing chaos and wounding many civilians in the area', it added.
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Tamil Nadu`s Sri Lankan refugee camps being inspected
Monday, 19 June 2006 - 7:31 AM SL Time
Even as two dozen more refugees arrived in Tamil Nadu from war-torn northern Sri Lanka Saturday, two state ministers began inspecting a transit camp for them.
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has asked Suba Thangavelan and K.R. Periyakaruppan to study conditions in the refugee camps.
After visiting the transit camp at Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district where the refugees are being taken first, the ministers told reporters that there were about 3,200 refugees in the camp.
They announced that the government would allocate Rs.3.3 million for repairing of shelters and basic amenities in the transit camp. They said other camps - numbering more than 100 - would also be inspected soon.
The supervision started after reports said that the Tamil Nadu government was not doing enough for the refugees fleeing Sri Lanka in the wake of the escalation of the strife between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
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Sri Lankan forces `target church`
Monday, 19 June 2006 - 1:17 AM SL Time
Sri Lankan forces have been accused of targeting a church in the north-western district of Mannar.
The government denies this, but eyewitnesses described how the military attacked the church. An international aid worker has confirmed it.
One woman was killed and more than 40 people injured in the incident.
It comes after early-morning clashes in Mannar between the Sri Lankan navy and Tamil Tiger rebels, in which more than 30 people were said to have died.
Some 200 people had been sheltering at the church when a grenade was thrown in, causing death and injury.
The government says the church got caught in the middle of a firefight.
Sea attack
In the sea attack, the military said the rebels fired at them just off the coast of Mannar.
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Politics
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Pandemonium SL parliament, JVP wants LTTE banned in Sri Lanka
Tuesday, 20 June 2006 - 2:54 PM SL Time
Speaker Mr.W.J.M.Lokkubandara Tuesday morning adjourned the sitting of the parliament when pandemonium reigned following heated arguments and fisticuffs between a group of parliamentarians of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) over the matter of observing two minute-silence for those Sinhalese civilians killed in Kebbitigollawa Claymore mine explosion and not for Tamil civilians killed by the Sri Lankan troops elsewhere in the NorthEast, parliamentary sources said.
The parliament resumed its sittings Tuesday morning at about 9:30 a.m. and after the conclusion of normal business of the House, Mr.Wimal Weerwanse, the Propaganda Secretary of the Sinhala nationalist JVP, with the permission of the Speaker made a special statement on the Kebbitigollawa blast.
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Security beefed up for schools
Monday, 19 June 2006 - 7:46 AM SL Time
Amidst deteriorating security situation in the country, the Education Ministry has arranged special precautionary measures for the safety of schools in the country, particularly in Colombo.
The schools will begin their second academic term today after the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination. However, the schools which are used as evaluation centres of the exam will remain closed.
Ministry Secretary Ariyaratne Hewage told the Daily Mirror yesterday that they had issued a circular instructing school principals and teachers to be vigilant about possible terrorist threats on their respective schools.
Mr. Hewage said school children are given instructions to be watchful on suspicious terrorist activities.
'We have asked these leaflets to be kept in the trouser or shirt pockets of each student. Students are instructed to be vigilant on suspected visitors languishing around their schools,' he said. Students are also instructed not to accept any parcel given by an unknown person.
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Tigers thrown out of Lords
Monday, 19 June 2006 - 7:33 AM SL Time
Several LTTE activists who were waving a LTTE flag at Lords were thrown out by the stewards during lunch.
At the start of the first one-day international at Lords on Saturday, the LTTE organised about a hundred of its activists to stage a demonstration outside Lords on a pavement opposite one of the entrances.
The police had allocated a position for the demonstrators away from the main bulk of the spectators who streamed in from St John`s Wood underground station to an entrance on the opposite end of the Lords grounds.
At that end of the grounds, two suspects were detained by the police and were questioned.
The LTTE owned press in South London had printed leaflets demanding the right of self determination, highlighting human rights violations (not of the LTTE) and a demand to recognise the LTTE as the sole representatives of the Tamils. All the organisations quoted for additional information on this leaflet, were known LTTE fronts.
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Editorial News
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Different schools of thought
Tuesday, 20 June 2006 - 2:43 PM SL Time
Last week has been the bloodiest since the gradual escalation of armed skirmishes began a few weeks ago. The bomb blasts and clashes sent hundreds of helpless and innocent people to refugee camps. Thousands of others in the border villages live in fear of terrorist attacks. With the detection of sea Tiger bombs at Pamunugama, the people in Colombo and suburbs and those visiting these areas see how dangerously they are exposed to terrorism. The authorities, of course, bend backwards to assure the people of full security measures taken to ensure their safety.The people, however, know that many a tragedy occurred despite these security measures.
The government, meanwhile, seems to be in a quandary whether to go hammer and tongs in fighting Tiger terrorism despite the disastrous consequences for the country and the people or to explore all avenues of resuming talks with the LTTE and seeking a negotiated settlement of the issues. Different schools of thought make their voices heard on this choice before the government, some exerting pressure with threats and others adopting methods of persuasion.
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A choice between peace and Prabhakaran
Monday, 19 June 2006 - 7:39 AM SL Time
A religious dignitary who met LTTE Leader Prabhakaran some years ago, described him as humane. Many a spleen was vented on him. There are also others, who like the priest concerned, are of the view that Prabhakaran is capable of reforming himself, as any other human being, if given an opportunity. All the peace processes in this country have had as their basis that mistaken belief. As a result, he has been given too many opportunities regardless of his barbaric terror. It is like offering lambs to a man-eater, one after the other, in the hope that it would turn out to be a herbivore one day! What the gullible, who try to give him a human face, have failed to realise is that he has ordered his cadres to shoot him dead if he departs from his macabre cause. He had the audacity to renew that call to his combatants at a media conference in 2002 at Kilinochchi!
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Lessons of the bus bomb
Sunday, 18 June 2006 - 6:32 AM SL Time
Last week`s terrorist attack on a bus packed with simple rural folk at Kebetigollewa was the most horrendous in recent memory. It snuffed out the lives of 64 people including women, at least 15 children and two Buddhist monks, grabbing headlines all over the world and pushing Sri Lanka closer to a full-fledged war from the low intensity fighting that has been going on for the past several months. Nobody but its most fanatical supporters believe the LTTE`s feeble attempt to father the atrocity on ``paramilitaries`` trying to tarnish the Tigers` (lily white') image. The US got it right saying that the attack bore ``all the hallmarks`` of the LTTE making the State Department`s statement the strongest stricture against the Tigers to come thus far from the international community. Other statements coyly did not identify the LTTE as the perpetrators of Wednesday`s horror.
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| Security
Security Forum
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Cell phones seized in Negombo prison
Tuesday, 20 June 2006 - 2:52 PM SL Time
Three cellular telephones were seized from an inmate of the Negombo prison, who is believed to have masterminded the murder of Southern Development Authority Chairman Danny Hittetiyage, senior police sources said yesterday (19).
The Special Police Investigation Unit of the Southern Province seized the phones from Madhushka, who
was remanded in connection with the murder of Danny Hittetiyage`s brother in law in 2004.
Police said one of the suspects, Honda Indika alias Etaya, who is alleged to have got the contract for 300,000 form Madhushka was also arrested at Kamburupitiya.
Police believe some vital clues will be revealed once the calls taken on the seized phones are analysed. Madhushka had asked for the `contract money` to be handed over to Honda Indika`s brother who police are seeking to question.
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Civilian safety takes priority - President
Tuesday, 20 June 2006 - 2:38 PM SL Time
In the aftermath of a weekend of unprecedented violence that killed nearly fifty people, President Mahinda Rajapaksa summoned an emergency meeting of the National Security Council on Sunday night to discuss the safety of civilians especially in the northeast.
At the meeting that went on till late night at Temple Trees, the President expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the North East and discussed possible action with the commanders and top officers of the security forces.
President Rajapaksa instructed that home guards deployed in the North East should be strictly for security purposes and the police should not engage them in other activities.
It was agreed to clear jungle patches especially in areas such as Padaviya where they pose a threat to the security of the civilians.
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Ports secure and safe: Ports Authority
Monday, 19 June 2006 - 7:45 AM SL Time
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) yesterday assured that all Ports in Sri Lanka are secure and safe for normal Port operations and activities.
Denying media reports that there is a plan to attack the Colombo Port, the SLPA 'responsibly states that no room has been kept for any outside to attack it. The Navy and the SLPA security services have taken all necessary measures to safeguard and protect all Ports in Sri Lanka'.
It is business as usual at all the Ports with around 30 vessels using the Port of Colombo for their daily operations. All vehicles, ships and persons arriving at every port, via sea and land, are thoroughly checked.
All ports in Sri Lanka have taken security measures and are protected according to international standards and requirements.
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Business / Economy News
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Zero tolerance for child sex tourism in Sri Lanka
Tuesday, 20 June 2006 - 2:45 PM SL Time
A two year action plan to stop the commercial exploitation of Sri Lanka children has been launched today. While the exact numbers are unknown, it has been estimated that thousands of Sri Lankan children are drawn into prostitution every year with the majority of them being boys. These children are exploited by foreign tourists, as well as by local people.
The campaign will target tourists, children and adolescents, hoteliers, journalists, families and community leaders, with the message that there is 'zero tolerance' for child sex tourism.
As well as mass media campaigns on television, radio and in newspapers, messages will be relayed to tourists through a range of devices: in-flight magazines and videos, billboards, posters, car-stickers and flyers. Legal penalties for the sexual exploitation of children range from 5 to 20 years imprisonment.
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Tourist Board Chief stopped at airport
Tuesday, 20 June 2006 - 2:40 PM SL Time
Ceylon Tourist Board Chairman Udaya Nanayakkara, who was on his way to London yesterday morning was prevented from leaving the country due to ongoing bribery investigations against him, an official said.
Immigration and Emigration Controller P.B. Abeykoon said the Tourist Board Chief was on his way to attend a tourist promotion campaign in London. 'We had to prevent him from leaving the country as the Bribery Commission had informed us to do so since there were bribery charges against him', Mr. Abeykoon said.
A major promotional event is currently taking place in London to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for tourism and trade investment. Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike and several senior ministry officials are already in London to attend the event.
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Japanese investors prefer Vietnam over Sri Lanka
Monday, 19 June 2006 - 7:49 AM SL Time
Japanese companies are increasingly preferring Vietnam and other Asian countries for investment ahead of Sri Lanka.
This is one of the outcomes of the 16th Survey of the Investment Related Cost Comparison in major cities and region in Asia done by the Japan External Trade Organisaton (JETRO).
The report reveals that, even though the labour costs in Colombo, Dhaka and Yangon are in the lower category, Japanese companies seeking inexpensive labour and services, select other cities in the region.
This is because of factors such as unstable social conditions, insufficient infrastructure and poor technical level in low cost cities.
In the recent past Vietnam has been attracting more attention as a means of avoiding risk of excessive concentration in China, and now many Japanese companies are weighing the investment environment in China and Vietnam, JETRO Colombo said.
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Sri Lankan woman wins first ever boxing gold
Tuesday, 20 June 2006 - 2:44 PM SL Time
Anusha Kodituwakku, an employee of Slimline garments, became the first ever women boxer to win a gold medal for Sri Lanka when she achieved the feat at the Asian Open woman`s meet in Vietnam on Sunday.
Anusha successfully fought off an Indian woman in the 48 kilograms light-fly category to win the medal. Her coach Wasantha Kumara said it was a spiritedly display that brought Anusha the gold as she won the bout 31-30.
A former student of Hamangalla Maha Vidyalaya in Giriulla, Anusha also won a bronze medal at the recent Asian women`s boxing championship held in India.
Anusha was best boxer at the Novices meet in 2001 and at the national championship in 2003.
Three other boxers, Nilmini Jayasinghe (50kg) of Slimline and two Army boxers Chandrika Guruge (46kg) and M. N. Susanthika (57 Kg) won three bronze medals.
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St. Joseph`s and Mahamaya Swimming Champs
Monday, 19 June 2006 - 7:42 AM SL Time
St. Joseph`s College, Colombo and Mahamaya College, Kandy were the overall winners of the National Age Group Swimming Championship that was worked off over the weekend at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool in Colombo. The three day event, conducted by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) came to an end on Friday with St. Joseph`s winning the event with 431 points.
Mahamaya College, Kandy, however, were the dominant force in the pool winning by a massive margin. While the Kandy girls collected a huge 500 points, Ladies College, which secured second place, managed just 225. Museaus College with 203 points were third. In the boys` section, Trinity College were placed second with 378 points while Ananda College finished third.
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Lankan lords stomp the pommies
Sunday, 18 June 2006 - 6:54 AM SL Time
Upul Tharanga`s third one-day century led Sri Lanka to a 20-run win in the opening one-day match against England. The tourists totalled 257-9 after being put in by Andrew Strauss, helped by 42 extras gifted by England.
And they seized control by reducing England to 66-4, Kevin Pietersen among the early casualties, brilliantly caught by Mahela Jayawardene. Marcus Trescothick and Jamie Dalrymple each made 67 but England ran out of overs with their score on 267-9.
With England`s leading pair Trescothick and Pietersen at the crease and the score 65-2 after 15 overs, Sri Lanka opted to complete their powerplays and the decision paid dividends immediately.
Pietersen`s trademark flip through mid-wicket failed to clear Jayawardene who took a stunning one-handed catch above his head.
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