|
|
|
More Headline News
|
Hakeem has got wires crossed - Govt.
Saturday, 5 August 2006 - 4:05 AM SL Time
The government yesterday lambasted SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem over his statement that the Security Forces were responsible for the stray shells that fell on civilians, killing and injuring many of them.
Hakeem must act responsibly without making statements on matter that he knows little about, said Minister and Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella. He said he was wondering how Hakeem, who had not been to the area of conflict, could make such an `irresponsible utterance`. `Hakeem claims to have spoken to the people but I would like to ask him how many he had spoken to and how he had done so from the refuge of Colombo,` Ramukwella said.
`Maybe, Hakeem is on a guilt trip as he has not been able to help at least the Muslims who have voted for him. But he shouldn`t bring the armed forces to disrepute while being protected by the same forces,` the Minister added.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 638 )
LTTE plan to kill VVIP in South foiled
Saturday, 5 August 2006 - 2:44 AM SL Time
An LTTE plan to assassinate a VVIP came a cropper on Wednesday night when the Karandeniya police detected a lorry laden with explosives and arms on the Galle Road at Bentota at around 10.30 pm. Police took the lorry and two suspected LTTE cadres, who were on board at that time, into custody.
Information elicited from the suspects had revealed that the explosive were to be used in an assassination attempt on President Mahinda Rajapakse, who was due to participate at a function in the Galle district within the next few days.
Police said they found 30 five kilogram claymore mines, 50 kilograms of high power explosives (C-4), 200 electronic detonators, two side chargers, one 9mm pistol with three magazines and 288 rounds of ammunition, five T56 assault rifles and six hand grenades in the canter lorry which was on its way to the Divithura Plantation in Elpitiya.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 119 )
Civilians` life put at risk by EU withdrawal from truce monitoring in Sri Lanka
Friday, 4 August 2006 - 10:08 PM SL Time
Disappointed by the withdrawal of the three EU member states -- Denmark, Finland and Sweden -- from the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission the Human Rights Watch has said that this move 'will deal a devastating blow to the protection of civilians in Sri Lanka.'
Brad Adams, Asia Director at Human Rights Watch said: 'The lives of countless civilians are at risk at this critical time. With the dramatic increase in violence in Sri Lanka, more international monitors are needed, not fewer.' Adams added: 'Concerned governments must take urgent steps to get more international monitors on the ground.'
Tracing the events leading to the current escalation of violence Human Rights watch stated: 'Small-scale clashes between Sri Lankan government troops and the LTTE throughout the year have been overshadowed recently by more serious fighting. On July 20, the LTTE closed a reservoir sluice gate in an LTTE-controlled area near the eastern town of Trincomalee, cutting the water supply to about 60,000 people in government-controlled territory. In response, Sri Lankan armed forces conducted air strikes over several days against LTTE positions in the area and on July 30 began a ground offensive to capture the reservoir`s control point.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 247 )
|
More Headline News
|
|
|
|
|
Politics
Politics Forum
|
SLFP rejects JVP demands
Sunday, 6 August 2006 - 5:21 AM SL Time
ome contentious demands including the withdrawal of Norway from playing the role of peace facilitator and the abrogation of the Ceasefire Agreement of February 2002 have delayed an earlier agreed tie-up between the Government and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).
These two demands are among 20 points contained in a common minimum programme the JVP has formulated and handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
It became the subject of a lengthy discussion by the Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Wednesday night. It was chaired by President Rajapaksa. Several members including Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva and Mangala Samaraweera expressed the view that as a Government it would be unwise to accept those JVP demands.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
Lakshman Kadirgamar - a soft-spoken, courteous, unassuming intellectual giant
Sunday, 6 August 2006 - 5:18 AM SL Time
The following is the speech made by Nihal Jayamanne, PC, President of the BASL at the Reference to late Lakshman Kadirgamar, PC at the Ceremonial Sitting of the Supreme Court on August 4, 2006.
`May it please your Lordship the Chief Justice, and your Lordships, and Ladyships...
This morning we fulfil one of the greatest traditions of the Bench and the Bar and I am honoured to be a privileged participant at this ceremonial sitting of the Supreme Court. Today we make reference to and honour the memory of Lakshman Kadirgamar President`s Counsel, one of our most illustrious colleagues, a sportsman, a scholar, an eminent lawyer, a politician, a diplomat and above all a great and true son of Sri Lanka.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 3 )
Govt. had no other option, says Kohona
Sunday, 6 August 2006 - 5:17 AM SL Time
The government insisted yesterday that, whether or not their military operation had been successful, they had been driven to use force in Mavilaru because they had no any other option.
When told that the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, among others, had described the government`s military action as unnecessary, chief of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process Palith Kohona replied: `I disagree because I was in the midst of negotiations with the LTTE, through SLMM.`
`We came to a standstill. SLMM at one point said they had nothing more to offer... that they had run out of options to bring the two sides together.`
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
|
|
|
|
|
Editorial News
Editorial Forum
|
The vicious circle
Sunday, 6 August 2006 - 5:19 AM SL Time
Whose shells did what is of little consequence to innocent civilians who had to pay the price. The brutal fact is that at least twenty ordinary folk, including children, had their lives snuffed out while they tried to find shelter from the armor exploding around them. Dozens of others suffered injury. Thousands were forced to abandon their homes and flee the fighting. Some were killed in the crossfire even as they fled. Predictably, accusing fingers have been pointed in either direction in a propaganda blitz that offers little material for discerning judgment. Who then can be blamed for regarding the protagonists in the current war, the LTTE and government forces, of being no better than the Israelis or Hezbollah'
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Looking beyond Muttur
Saturday, 5 August 2006 - 4:10 AM SL Time
Hell is being unleashed on civilians in Muttur. Shells have landed on three schools, killing about 20 people and wounding nearly 50 others. There is no end in sight to their suffering. Their plight will be far worse when hand-to-hand fighting begins in thickly populated areas. The LTTE foray into Muttur smacks of a diversionary tactic. Unable to justify the shutting down of the Mavil Aru anicut and depriving 15,000 families of water and destroying 30,000 acres of paddy, and having come under pressure both locally and internationally for that crime, the LTTE has resorted to a course of action that will eclipse the Mavil Aru dispute.
Muttur, on the other hand, has been the LTTE`s bugbear. It tried to drive away the Muslims from that township some months ago by threatening them. It distributed leaflets asking them to leave, but in vain.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
Avert a humanitarian crisis
Friday, 4 August 2006 - 4:41 AM SL Time
Further confirming the unreliability of LTTE pronouncements, it has deviated from its declared stand that they continue to be committed to the CFA and that their exercises are purely defensive, it has invaded the government-controlled Muttur and mounted an attack there creating mayhem in the area. By such actions as these they betray their duplicity and lack of concern for the sufferings of people.
It is, of course, futile to expect a notorious organisation such as the LTTE to behave differently. As TULF Leader V.Anandasangaree has pointed out they display immaturity, ignorance and lack of experience in managing their affairs despite the numerous advisers, ideologues and instructors they boast of.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 4 )
|
|
|
|
|
| Security
Security Forum
|
LTTE loses 330 cadres - Intercepted LTTE radio transmissions
Sunday, 6 August 2006 - 5:27 AM SL Time
Intercepted LTTE radio transmissions have confirmed that the LTTE has lost 330 cadres during fierce fighting that erupted during the past four days.
Trincomalee LTTE military leader Soornam had been heard desperately calling for more reinforcements from Batticaloa, the transmissions have revealed.
Naval forces are in control of Mutur town and a group of journalists yesterday visited the town to witness the ground situation.
Navy spokesman Commander K. Dasanayake said no fighting was reported yesterday in the town where troops on Friday aborted an LTTE attempt to overrun the Mutur Jetty. Naval Forces and Army retaliated killing 152 LTTE cadres. Three sailors were killed and eight wounded during the confrontation. Over 40-50 LTTE bodies were seen scattered on the ground yesterday, according to eye witnesses who spoke to the Sunday Observer.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 17 )
India sends back SL police officers
Sunday, 6 August 2006 - 5:25 AM SL Time
Forty-four Sri Lankan police officers who were training at a college in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu were sent back following opposition from regional political parties.
The state Chief Minister M Karunanidhi told the state assembly the training was stopped and the Sri Lankan police officers were sent back on Thursday.
Karunanidhi thanked the federal government for the move.
Regional parties such as PMK (Pattaali Makkal Katchi) and MDMK (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) said they were concerned that the Indian government was training Sri Lankan police at a time when the security forces and the Tamil Tiger rebels (LTTE) are engaged in a fierce battle in Sri Lanka.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 6 )
LTTE defeated in Muttur battle: President
Saturday, 5 August 2006 - 4:15 AM SL Time
President Mahinda Rajapaksa claimed yesterday the security forces had defeated the LTTE in Muttur though the LTTE propaganda made different claims.
'LTTE has not seized control of any area in the Trincomalee district. As a democratic government we dislike war and we are committed to peace instead,' the President told the All Party Conference.
He said the government was ready to have discussions at any time.
President Rajapaksa said the APC was convened to brief political parties on the Mawilaru crisis and to reveal to them the government proposals for its resolution and to give political parties an opportunity to present their suggestions. He said it became necessary to request some media organizations to act in a responsible manner when reporting the crisis in the country today saying some media organizations distorted the facts and he requested political parties not to believe such media reports.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 23 )
|
|
|
|
|
Business / Economy News
Business Forum
|
Guns cannot be allowed to solve problems - President
Sunday, 6 August 2006 - 5:29 AM SL Time
President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday asserted that the government would resolve any crisis through negotiations but would not allow anyone to use guns to solve problems.
He told the All Party Conference that his government was forced to take action against the LTTE as the Tigers deprived 15,000 families of the basic right to water by forcibly closing the Mavilaru anicut.
Stating that the LTTE has violated the Geneva Convention by depriving citizens of their basic human rights,the President noted that it was the responsibility of the state to safeguard the basic needs of the people.`The security forces and the Police were deployed for that duty`,the President stressed.
President Rajapaksa explained that he was compelled to take military action to ensure that the people got the water as several rounds of discussions to resolve the issue failed.`We are for peace and resolutions through negotiations`,he said.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 4 )
HSBC beats Citigroup as largest bank in the world
Saturday, 5 August 2006 - 4:21 AM SL Time
HSBC has overtaken Citigroup as the largest banking and financial services organisation in the world, according to a report published in The Wall Street Journal.
It said as at the end of June this year, the total asset value of HSBC rose 16 percent to USD1,738 billion, while that of Citigroup only increased by 8.9 percent to USD1,630 billion.
Apart from a large number of acquisitions, the rapid growth in HSBC`s asset size was mainly due to the change in accounting policy. When HSBC adopted the International Financial Reporting Standards last year, its asset value had immediately increased by USD89.8 billion. In addition to its strong foothold in mature markets such as Hong Kong, Europe and the US, HSBC`s business operations in emerging markets have also grown rapidly in recently years.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
SLT looks at 68% increase in net profits
Saturday, 5 August 2006 - 4:11 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka Telecom Ltd. (SLTL) reiterated its forecast of a 68 per centrise in full-year net profit despite unexpected costs to retire some employees amid a quicker-than-expected turnaround at its mobile-phone unit.
Sri Lanka Telecom will spend around Rs. 425 million (US $ 4 million) this year to trim its current work force of 6,674 employees to around 6,000 to cut costs, said the company`s chief financial officer. In 2003, the company spent Rs. 710 million to retire 1,100 employees.
`We expect to recover the cost of this year`s VRS (voluntary retirement scheme) in the next four years,` Asoka Sirimanne told reporters Thursday, adding the move will help to reduce costs over the medium-term.
Helping to offset the unexpected costs, mobile-phone unit Mobitel posted a small profit in the second quarter, narrowing the division`s losses for the first half to Rs. 190 million from Rs. 202 million in the first quarter.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
|
|
|
|
| Sports News
Sports Forum
|
Clifford Cup rugby semi-finals this weekend
Saturday, 5 August 2006 - 4:08 AM SL Time
The first semi-final of this year`s Clifford Cup Knockout rugby tournament, sponsored by `Caltex`, will be played today between CR&FC and Sri Lanka Air Force at Longden Place, Colombo. The kick-off time will be 4.15 p.m.
This upper group semi will be followed by the bottom group semi-final encounter between CH&FC versus Havelocks SC on Sunday (6) played at the same venue. The tournament final is scheduled to be played on August 12 (Sat.), that too at Longden Place, the CR`s home ground. CH beat Old Zahirians SC (40-15) and Havelocks beat Army SC (34-13) last Sunday in the quarterfinals.
In the upper group quarterfinals, CR beat Galle RFC (54-5) on July 29 while SL Air Force won easily against Kurunegala RFC (17-0), who entered the Knockout replacing Police SC. Police withdrew from the tournament, days before its start citing security reasons. This year`s League stage winners, Kandy SC, too withdrew from the Knockouts putting the competitive nature of the event largely at stake.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Awesome Sri Lanka set for the kill
Friday, 4 August 2006 - 4:39 AM SL Time
Contrary to what the South Africans believe, Sri Lanka contends that the pitch at the Sara Stadium in Colombo will produce pace and bounce for the second and final cricket test starting today with the first two days likely to decide which way the contest will move.
South Africa has never being hosted before at the venue and Sri Lanka goes into the match with the advantage of having the prescribed ammunition and the return of veteran fast bowler Chaminda Vaas.
'I saw the pitch it was nice and hard and I think it will probably have more pace and carry than the SSC. It will all depend on how it (pitch) would behave on the third and fourth days. That`s anyone`s guess', said Jayawardena who goes into the game with a thumping 374 from the first test and four wicket-taking bowlers in the likes of Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando and the ultimate killing machine Muttiah Muralidaran.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 3 )
Sri Lanka abandons plans to shift tri-series matches to Dambulla
Thursday, 3 August 2006 - 4:01 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka`s cricket chiefs have cancelled plans to hold some matches of the upcoming tri-series against India and South Africa in the central town of Dambulla, an official said on Wednesday.
'We have given up the idea because both South Africa and India had some concerns,' Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chief executive Duleep Mendis told AFP.
'All matches will now be played in Colombo.'
SLC had said earlier on Wednesday it wanted Dambulla to host the first four matches of the August 14-29 series and Colombo the remaining three games.
The matches will now be played at the Premadasa stadium and the Sinhalese sports club in the Sri Lankan capital.
The Indian team, led by Rahul Dravid, is scheduled to arrive on August 10 for the series, in which each team plays the other twice in the league before the final.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 6 )
|
|
