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US flies in special envoy to push for truce in Lanka
Friday, 18 August 2006 - 1:00 PM SL Time
The United States on Thursday sent a special envoy to Colombo to ask the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tiger rebels to immediately cease hostilities and return to the negotiating table.
The Bush Administration sent Steven Mann, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, to deliver the message to President Mahinda Rajapaksa personally.
It was an `unexpected` trip, Mann told the media after meeting the President for two hours.
This was because the US was `deeply concerned` about the hostilities in Sri Lanka.
Hundreds of combatants and civilians had been killed and more than 50,000 civilians displaced in August alone.
Ambassador Mann said that his meeting with the Sri Lankan President and his aides were `detailed` and that the responses he got from the government side were `thoughtful`.
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Nearly 100 rebels killed in fresh Sri Lanka fighting
Thursday, 17 August 2006 - 8:56 PM SL Time
Sri Lankan troops have beaten back a fresh attempt by Tamil Tigers to overrun the main defences of the northern peninsula of Jaffna and killed at least 98 guerrillas, media minister Anura Yapa has said.
More than 100 rebels were wounded in the close-quarter fighting in the early hours of the morning, the minister told reporters here Thursday.
The attack on the northern peninsula, where hundreds have died in a week of fierce fighting, came a day after President Mahinda Rajapakse said the door was still open for peace talks with rebels fighting for autonomy for the nation`s Tamil minority.
Fighting also erupted in the eastern coastal town of Trincomalee, with foreign ceasefire monitors saying they were forced to retreat from heavy overnight shelling.
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Retd. Air force man to take over Pakistan HC
Thursday, 17 August 2006 - 3:20 AM SL Time
Pakistan`s top envoy in Colombo Colonel (retd) Bashir Wali Mohamand is to be succeeded by Air Vice Marshal (retd) Shahzad Chaudhary. High Commissioner Mohamand, who survived Monday`s LTTE assassination attempt is likely to leave the country before end of this month. Chaudhary`s appointment is expected to be announced by the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry shortly.
`In fact, the High Commissioner made his farewell calls over the past couple of weeks,` a Pakistani source said. The outspoken Wali Mohamand is the first diplomat targeted by the LTTE. It was mounted against the backdrop of growing support for Sri Lankan forces battling the LTTE. The official emphasized that Sri Lanka provided Wali Mohamand`s entire security contingent believed to be from the Army`s close protection group comprised of elite commandos.
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Politics
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School principal in bribery net
Saturday, 19 August 2006 - 3:31 AM SL Time
The Bribery Commission yesterday arrested the Principal of Wickramasheela National School in Giriulla for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rs. 40, 000 to admit a grade one student for year 2007.
The victim was caught red handed at his office in the school by a special bribery commission investigating team sent from Colombo while accepting money from a parent.
According to Director Investigations SSP Neville Guruge a parent had come to admit his child to grade one class for next year. Although the applicant had fulfilled all the relevant qualifications the principal had demanded of a sum of Rs. 40, 000 to admit the student.
The troubled parent had agreed to do so and had later complained the incident to Bribery Commission where a special team was sent to arrest the principal.
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Lanka envoy warns LTTE `fund-raisers`
Saturday, 19 August 2006 - 2:16 AM SL Time
Sri Lankan ambassador in Doha, Satharathilaka Banda Atugoda, yesterday issued a strong warning to his countrymen against collecting money for terrorist activities.
Supporters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are forcibly collecting money from fellow Tamils, Atugoda said. `We have come to know about it. They should stop it immediately,` he said.
`I can force them to stop it but if I do, it will create problems for them. We know who they are and where they are. We do not want to disclose their identity to the local government at this point.
`If they are caught, we only have to get them out of custody. Besides, as the ambassador of Sri Lanka, I don`t want to be the cause of their deportation,` the ambassador said, adding, `I don`t want to deprive a fellow Sri Lankan of his livelihood.`
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Monitors quit Trinco
Saturday, 19 August 2006 - 2:15 AM SL Time
Monitors of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) posted in the Trincomalee district left for Colombo Thursday morning as the ground situation was not conducive for further monitoring. Trincomalee SLMM office located along the Inner Harbour Road in the east port town was closed down Wednesday and all six monitors led by SLMM Head of Trincomalee District Office (DO) Ove Janssen, left by road to Colombo, SLMM sources said.
`Due to the unstable situation, SLMM Head of Mission decided to implement the first phase of SLMM Security Plan restricting movements,` Major General Ulf Henricsson, Head of Mission (HoM) SLMM, said last week.
`We are constantly evaluating the developments and are prepared to evacuate monitors away from the conflict areas,` he said.
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Teen warriors
Sunday, 20 August 2006 - 1:49 AM SL Time
`When they come with guns and bombs to kill our soldiers, we cannot take account of their gender or age in dealing with them,`` a defence spokesman told a news conference that followed the bombing of what the LTTE first called an ``orphanage`` close to their Mullaitivu stronghold a few days ago. Later it became a place where a residential first aid training course was being run. On the flip side of the coin, a peace activist made the remark that ``everybody knows that the Tigers forcibly conscript children into their ranks. So do we bomb those children'``
Both are powerful arguments and it is difficult to say which is correct. There is much logic in both positions. The self-evident truth is that in any war there are no winners, only losers. Sadly the majority of these are ordinary civilians whose losses invariably outnumber those of combatants. It is in this context that the sooner the shooting stops - and let us make no bones about the fact that there is not an iota of doubt that the Tigers started the ball game by closing the Mavil Aru anicut ' and negotiations begin, the better it is for the country and most of all the people in the war-torn areas as well as ordinary soldiers on both sides of the lines.
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Open Door policy and peace
Saturday, 19 August 2006 - 2:22 AM SL Time
Peace is sheer bliss. Think of a Sri Lanka sans blasts, bloodletting, checkpoints, raids and air strikes, where Mavil Aru waters will flow freely without being contaminated with blood, rotting corpses and explosives; and living will be a pleasure'not a nightmare'the way it used to be a few decades ago. The mention of that bygone era, will, no doubt, fling open the flood gates of a reservoir of nostalgic memories of many old timers. Think of the day when the war weary (and therefore world-weary) scribes will have a break to write about blooming flowers and humming bees and not the sickening AK-47s, T-56s and MBRLs or deafening bomb blasts. Who wouldn`t want to have life fast-forwarded to such a day, if it were possible this side of the grave'
That may be why President Mahinda Rajapakse says he still keeps the door open for negotiations and invites the other side to abandon violence and return to peace talks. Life on earth is a process, some tend to believe, where nothing new occurs but the same old things get recycled. Perhaps, nothing bolsters their belief more than Sri Lanka`s peace process, which has been going on along the same track like a Disneyland rollercoaster.
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Right of self - determination of Ilankai Tamils
Friday, 18 August 2006 - 1:13 PM SL Time
The right of self determination of Tamil speaking people is a foremost issue in modern Lankan society. Though it is related to the Tamil vs. Sinhala conflicts narrated in various chronicles, the present form arises out of the inability to construct a democratic, plural, civil society. Though Sri Lanka (the Sinhala equivalent of Ilankai) is considered a nation by the United Nations Organization, Sri Lankan nationality is yet to be recognized by the masses here. People in Lanka consider themselves as Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, Veddha, etc. and rarely as Sri Lankans. In that sense it is a society of nationalities. As a Marxist, I consider nations are really built on capitalist market economy. I refer to a community as a nationality if, that community of people are in conscious struggle to be a nation but not yet matured fully as a nation.
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| Security
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Chartered ship flying Red Cross flag to deliver supplies to Jaffna
Sunday, 20 August 2006 - 1:37 AM SL Time
A chartered Indian ship flying the flag of the International Red Cross will this week take emergency supplies to the Jaffna peninsula, Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said yesterday.
``I`ve arranged with the ICRC for the 3,800 mt, freighter to fly the Red Cross flag with the necessary guarantees given,`` Samrasinghe said. `It is loading now and will sail on Monday or Tuesday.`
The guarantees would ensure that there will be no military supplies carried on board the vessel.
He said that the Jaffna GA has informed him that there were sufficient food supplies for a week to 10 days in the peninsula so that there was time to replenish stocks. These supplies which are intended for the civilian population will include essential dry rations like rice, sugar, dhall and canned fish.
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Govt. welcomes Iceland`s decision to increase the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission`s Icelandic contingent
Sunday, 20 August 2006 - 1:36 AM SL Time
The government yesterday welcomed Iceland`s decision to increase the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission`s Icelandic contingent by more than double its present strength.
Meanwhile, the SLMM said that the name of its new head of mission will be announced this week. Current head of mission, Ulf Henricsson, is Swedish and will leave after a short but eventful five-month stint in the country.
Spokesman Thorfinnur Omarsson said that Norway decided a few weeks ago to increase its SLMM contingent from 16 to 20 while Iceland opted on Friday to raise the number of its monitors from four to 10. The European Union member countries of the SLMM ' Denmark, Finland and Sweden ' will pull out of the country on September 1 in keeping with Tiger directives.
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Several Tiger leaders perish in counter attacks
Saturday, 19 August 2006 - 3:28 AM SL Time
Security information sources indicate that a Sea Tiger leader Rani Mohindas and few other Tiger leaders died by retaliation attacks by the security forces on Thursday early morning at Kilali.
It is said that Rani Mohindas is the deputy to Sea Tiger leader Soosai.
In addition Tiger leader Muhilan and woman leader Sudanmani have also perished from the attacks.
The security forces have recovered 98 bodies of Tigers from the attack and if Tigers do not accept these bodies through the ICRC, arrangements would be made to bury them at a mass burial.
Although about 150 Tigers have died from these attacks, they are hesitant to accept the fact.
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Business / Economy News
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Keells and Cargills to face Court charges
Saturday, 19 August 2006 - 3:30 AM SL Time
Outlets of two of the country`s leading supermarkets, Keells and Cargills were yesterday charged with allegedly selling raw prawns unfit for consumption and drugs without a licence and a registered pharmacist.
The Colombo Magistrate issued summons on the manager`s of Keells and Cargills supermarkets in Kiribathgoda following a complaint made by the Food and Drug Inspector of the Provincial Health Services Department, Gampaha.
In his complaint Food and Drugs Inspector, K. L. J. De Silva stated that Keells outlet in Ekala road, Kiribathgoda had sold sea prawns which were unfit for the human consumption.
On June 22, the Inspector had bought 202 grams of prawns from the said outlet and they were found to be raw after examination by the Government Analyst.
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Non-nationals attempting to tarnish Sri Lanka`s image TAASL
Saturday, 19 August 2006 - 3:11 AM SL Time
The Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) which consists almost entirely of non-nationals who are in Sri Lanka for short term assignments of one to two years are attempting to take long team decisions which will tarnish Sri Lanka`s image and cause considerable losses to the national economy said President of the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka TAASL), Nihal Perera at a media briefing this week.
`We are proud of our country and its currency and will fight vigorously to have the proposal to change the headline currency to US Dollars withdrawn` he added, on behalf of the IATA Agents Association of Sri Lanka (IATA_AASL) and the Sri Lanka Association of Airline Representatives (SLAAR).
Ticketing Agents provide 85 to 90 percent of the revenue of the airlines and sell around 73000 tickets bringing in a revenue of SL Rupees 2.5 billion monthly.
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Indo-Lanka Telecom tie too
Saturday, 19 August 2006 - 2:14 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) will shortly join hands with the Indian Telecommunications sector to carry out future business transactions pertaining to email and overseas calls etc, especially targeting the Asian market.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister D.M. Jayaratne told The Island yesterday that through this latest deal with the Asian giants, Sri Lanka would benefit immensely.
According to Minister Sri Lanka would act as a centre along with the India as the partner in providing telecommunication solutions to other parts of the world.
However, he said that it is too soon to comment on the average profits generated due to this deal.
Jayaratne added that officers of the Indian Telecommunications Department are expected later this month.
Meanwhile, he also said that a report will be out shortly on the recent damage to the sea cable, costing nearly US$ 500 million to the Sri Lankan Government.
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Sensational SL heading in right direction
Sunday, 20 August 2006 - 1:49 AM SL Time
Once again, a most beautiful land full of the simplest, most humble people I have met loses its peace. Sometimes nature gives and man takes away. Sri Lanka`s cricket lovers have nothing to do with the political process and yet they must suffer. Seven games stand reduced to three and who knows how many more matches they will have to do without. It is the reality of our times, of our part of the world.
Purely from a cricketing point of view India have done well to stay on. Few of us understand the larger political game and it is dangerous to suggest what should have happened. But India need to play in those conditions and that is why five games might have been a better idea.
Sri Lanka`s cricketers are gentle people but ferocious opponents and they love playing at home. Indeed, in recent times they have overcome their reticence to perform consistently overseas.
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Countdown ends, SAG begins
Saturday, 19 August 2006 - 2:20 AM SL Time
The much anticipated 10th South Asian Games will commence at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo this afternoon with a colourful opening ceremony. Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony.
A city marred by bomb blasts, terrorist activities and political turmoil, the commercial capital of Colombo will be in focus today for good reasons, with the regions` biggest sporting event getting underway there.
A total number of 2075 athletes from eight countries will vie for supremacy in this mega regional sporting event which was inaugurated in 1984 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A colourful cultural show will be the highlight of the opening ceremony. The SAG will go on till August 28.
The opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 4.00 p.m. today. Due to the tight schedule, football and badminton began last Monday (14) and Wednesday (16) respectively, days before the official launch.
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Sri Lanka poke fun at fleeing South Africans
Friday, 18 August 2006 - 1:17 PM SL Time
COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lankan officials and media made fun of South Africa`s shell-shocked cricketers for pulling out of the tri-series, saying they would not have been able to play even if they stayed back.
Media Minister Anura Yapa said he was convinced that the South Africans were pulling out not because of fears of bomb blasts as they have officially claimed but because of bad weather.
`Even if they are here, they can`t play cricket. The weather is bad,` Yapa told reporters. `They may have got some information from the met department.`
The South Africans had told local police that they received an e-mail from a previously unknown group claiming that there will be more bombings in Colombo following a deadly attack aimed at a Pakistan diplomat on Monday.
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