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No missile scene puzzles military
Sunday, 20 August 2006 - 1:22 AM SL Time
The military top brass is puzzled as to why the LTTE did not fire anti-aircraft missiles during the over week-long battle across the army`s frontlines in the Jaffna peninsula.
`If they brought down a fighter aircraft over Jaffna it would have a catastrophic impact on the defenders. A successful missile strike would have given the attackers the upper hand,` a senior military official said. `That would have facilitated an LTTE siege on the peninsula and Jaffna islands.`
The battle erupted on the evening of August 11 shortly after the SLAF targeted LTTE bases in the Batticaloa district.
The military believed that the LTTE acquired anti-aircraft missiles during the Oslo-arranged ceasefire agreement.
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Sri Lanka Government agreed for the medical treatment of the injured LTTE cadres.
Saturday, 19 August 2006 - 3:37 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka Government has agreed to extend facilities for medical treatment to the injured cadres from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on humanitarian grounds. This was announced by Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse.
The President made it clear that it is the duty and responsibility of the Government to ensure that medical facilities are available to all citizens of the country.
He pointed out that the Government has granted permission to the LTTE Spokesman Daya Master to avail medical treatment on the same principle.
Hence, any injured members of the LTTE would also be assisted on humanitarian grounds.
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Air strikes on Muhamalai and Nagarkovil - Tigers heavily dependent on child combatants - Army Chief
Saturday, 19 August 2006 - 2:23 AM SL Time
Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka yesterday said the large number of child combatants killed in the recent battles indicated that the LTTEhad become heavily dependent on children for war. Lack of experienced combatants, he said, had resulted in the organisation turning to children out of desperation.
Speaking to The Island he estimated the LTTE strength to be between 8,000 and 10,000 of which only around 2,000 were battle hardened cadres.
Answering a question whether he advocated a military solution to the crisis that had dragged on for more than two decades, he said as an Army of a Sovereign state the Army had to defend the territorial integrity of the country while the political leadership would strive for a negotiated settlement. He stressed that there could be only one Army in the country.
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Politics
Politics Forum
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UNP supports relief programme
Sunday, 20 August 2006 - 4:47 AM SL Time
The main opposition in Sri Lanka has expressed support to measures taken by the government to provide relief to the displaced.
United National Party (UNP) deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya said that the party has no intention of taking political advantage at a time of a national crisis.
A UNP delegation led by the deputy leader visited the eastern Sri Lankan town of Kantale with relief aid for war refugees from attacks on Muttur.
Government delegation
Jayasuriya met regional political and community leaders at Kantale Divisional Secretariat.
Chanadana Pradeep Bandara , opposition leader of the Seruvila Pradesheeya Sabha expressed dissatisfaction over the compensation agreed for the victims.
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Cash flow low in Jaffna due to closure of banks
Sunday, 20 August 2006 - 4:44 AM SL Time
Cash flow is decreased to minimum among the people in Jaffna district following the continuous closure of branches of state banks for about a week since the outbreak of fresh fight between the Sri Lanka forces and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fighters. Customers who have saving and current accounts in state banks are unable to withdraw their money for their immediate use, civil sources said.
However customers of two private banks are able to withdraw their money for their urgent purpose that is also through the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card. But the amount is limited to about nine hundred rupees at a time. Private Banks are also closed since the outbreak of fight.
The Jaffna district is under curfew imposed by the Police since August 11 with relaxation a few hours a day. Hundreds of people who have accounts in private and public sector banks are seen queuing daily in front of the bank branches during the relaxation of curfew hours.
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SLA troopers enter University premises in Jaffna, arrest student leader
Sunday, 20 August 2006 - 4:41 AM SL Time
Large number of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers rounded up the Jaffna University, broke open the office of the Jaffna University Students Federation, arrested a student activist and took away the computers and documents, Friday, while the curfew was strictly observed, student sources said.
Hundreds of SLA troops arrived at the scene at 10.00 a.m., asked the employees to gather in a certain spot, searched every nook and corner thoroughly, even broke open some closed doors, until 5.00 p.m., the first time in the history.
SLA broke open the Federations office, housed in the 2nd floor of the Arts Faculty, seized the computers and documents belonging to the Federation and arrested T. Paherathan, 24, 3rd Year student reading Arts , from Mullaithivu, a student activist wanted for questioning by the Army.
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Editorial News
Editorial Forum
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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
Security Forum
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Suicide bombers -- weapon of choice for Sri Lanka rebels
Sunday, 20 August 2006 - 11:21 PM SL Time
Long associated with sectarian violence in the Middle East, the suicide attack has been refined by Sri Lanka`s secularist Tamil Tiger rebels into a sophisticated weapon of war.
Spearheaded by the Black Tigers suicide squad and their naval wing, the Black Sea Tigers, the rebels have for years assassinated political and military figures in their fight against the Sinhalese-dominated state.
`There is no doubt about it, they have perfected the art of the suicide bomb,` said one Western diplomat.
With Sri Lanka`s ethnic rivals now back on the battlefield,
fears abound that one of the defining symbols of modern conflict -- the suicide bomber -- will again become commonplace in this compact seaside capital.
Analysts generally agree that the Tigers pioneered the use of the concealed suicide bomb vest -- a technology now used to deadly effect across the world.
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Jaffna back to the grave
Sunday, 20 August 2006 - 4:33 AM SL Time
Jaffna city turned into a ghost town with the curfew clamped this week and the sound of artillery shells bursting everywhere brought back memories of the pre-ceasefire era when the town suffered heavy damages and casualties from a protracted war.
The villagers in the peninsula as well as those living on the islands were experiencing a repetition of an earlier era when residents were hit by similar food and fuel shortages with the supply of electricity severely curtailed.
The current shortages were the first in more than four years after the cease-fire came into effect in February 2002 during which the peninsula had not been affected by any prolonged curfew as experienced this week. The exchange of artillery fire between the government and the LTTE or incidents of aerial bombardment were events unheard of or unseen if at all.
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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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Business / Economy News
Business Forum
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New rules on reconditioned vehicle imports delayed
Sunday, 20 August 2006 - 4:37 AM SL Time
The government has bowed to pressure from importers of reconditioned vehicles and put off till December enforcing new regulations (earlier effective from August 1) on compulsory export inspection certificates for used car imports.
The new process would have raised reconditioned car prices by at least Rs 200,000 each.
Neil Hapuhinna, Controller of Import and Export, said he had informed banks and other relevant authorities that the regulations are being postponed until 31 December 2006 with the old rules continuing for now. He said the Trade and Commerce Minister and Secretary decided to put off operation of the export inspection certificates as `there are lots of pros and cons with the regulations.` `Some people are saying that to get the certificate is unnecessary and that there are additional costs involved. The regulations are good because it will increase the quality of the vehicles. Now we have to think about the cost,` he said.
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e-Ticketing at local cinemas
Sunday, 20 August 2006 - 4:35 AM SL Time
Tired of standing in long lines to purchase tickets at movie theatres' Well, there is a simple and convenient way of avoiding all this hassle. It`s called e-Ticketing and it is bringing the local movie theatre experience into the new millennium.
Ceylinco Internet Services launched the e-Ticketing website in August where reservations can be made online and over the phone after logging onto the website www.eTickets.lk, providing the required information including ID details and registering as a user. Registration is free until August 21 and after that there is an annual fee of Rs.250. When picking up the pre-ordered tickets at the cinema, the user`s NIC number will be used to verify identity.
Liberty Cinema at Kollupitiya and Majestic Cinema at Bambalapitiya are currently connected to the website which provides a synopsis of the movies showing at each of the venues including show times. Simply click on the `buy` icon and select the show date, show time, seat class and seats (a box plan is provided for your convenience). In addition to the ticket price, there is a reservation fee of Rs.25 per ticket.
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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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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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