|
|
|
More Headline News
|
Sampoor threatens Trinco Harbour - Rajapakse
Tuesday, 22 August 2006 - 11:16 PM SL Time
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse on Monday told the representatives of the Co-Chairs of Tokyo Donors` Conference for the Sri Lankan Peace Process, that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controlled Sampoor posed a threat to Trincomalee Harbour and justified the Sri Lankan armed forces offensive as `preventing` or `responding` to Tigers. However, informed sources in Colombo said the humanitarian crisis escalated by the Maavilaru offensive, initiated by Colombo and the targeting of civilians in air-strikes and the slaying of NGO workers in Muthur, were discussed at the meeting between the Sri Lankan President and the diplomats representing the Co-Chairs.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 458 )
US arrests over a dozen for Tamil Tiger support
Tuesday, 22 August 2006 - 7:45 AM SL Time
NEW YORK (Reuters) - More than a dozen people have been arrested in the United States on suspicion of trying to provide money and weapons including surface-to-air missiles to Sri Lanka`s Tamil Tiger rebels, U.S. officials said on Monday.
The arrests were made across the nation -- including New York, New Jersey and Seattle, Washington -- in the past several days following an undercover operation spanning more than 10 countries that probed support of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). More arrests were expected.
The rebel group, which has fought for two decades for an ethnic Tamil homeland, was designated by the United States in 1997 as a foreign terrorist organization.
The suspects shuttled between Canada, the United States and Britain and are accused of agreeing to buy military equipment, including shoulder-held surface-to-air missiles to shoot down Sri Lankan military jets, according to a complaint unsealed on Monday.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 856 )
Rajapakse sets terms for truce
Tuesday, 22 August 2006 - 6:53 AM SL Time
Managing Director of Jaffna Tamil daily `Namathu Eelanadu` and the veteran chairman of Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society (MPCS) in Tellippalai, Jaffna, Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah, 68, was shot and killed at his temporary residence inside the High Security Zone of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Tellippalai Sunday night around 7:20 p.m. Mr. Sivamaharajah is a former parliamentarian (TULF) and a senior member of Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), the main constituent party of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).
The veteran Tamil activist Sivamaharajah also championed the cause of resettling the Internally Displaced People from High Security Zone areas, was assassinated at his temporary residence, 300 meters inside the HSZ, Sunday.
Sivamaharajah is from Kollankaladdy, Tellippalai.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 37 )
|
More Headline News
|
|
|
|
|
Politics
Politics Forum
|
Nullifying CFA, ousting Oslo not possible now: SLFP tells JVP
Wednesday, 23 August 2006 - 10:14 AM SL Time
The government yesterday told the JVP it was not possible to withdraw from the ceasefire agreement at the moment and ousting Norway from its role as peace facilitator now would lead to serious problems internationally.
During a meeting to discuss the JVP`s 20-point common programme, the ruling SLFP however said the ceasefire agreement had to be amended since it believed the agreement was against the Constitution of the country, a JVP spokesman said.
The JVP submitted its 20-point common programme aimed at defeating terrorism and rebuidling Sri Lanka as a basis for extending its support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa`s government.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
UNP politico held over assassination bid
Tuesday, 22 August 2006 - 7:04 AM SL Time
Police investigating the recent attempt to assassinate Mahaweli Minister Maithripala Sirisena Saturday arrested former Chairman of Dimbulagala Pradeshiya Sabha Sanath Kulawardena.
Police thwarted an LTTE attempt to target Sirisena`s vehicle on July 24th. Police established the UNP politician`s link with the assassination bid after the arrest of two LTTE cadres tasked with the hit. The CID said that one of the assassins who took cyanide immediately after the arrest had given a telephone call to the politician who is a member of the Welikanda Pradeshiya Sabha.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 5 )
Women seek role in decision making
Tuesday, 22 August 2006 - 6:57 AM SL Time
It is necessary for more women to participate at the decision making level in Sri Lanka, Asia Women`s Right`s Coordinator of Action Aid International Sriyani Perera said.
She was speaking at a workshop attended by nine Asian countries that had teamed up to develop a strategy focusing on women`s rights and improving their life standards. The two-day workshop was held in Colombo last week attended by Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, South Africa and Sri Lanka.
`We appeal to the political leadership in our country to enhance the opportunity given to women to enter the political mainstream stream`. Women are capable of efficient management and decision making, she said.
According to the current statistics, women representation in Parliament is less than five percent. `This situation needed to be improved`, she emphasized, saying that Women should be encouraged to come forward and take active role in politics`.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
|
|
|
|
|
Editorial News
Editorial Forum
|
Brothers, sisters and others
Wednesday, 23 August 2006 - 10:19 AM SL Time
Minister Anura Bandaranaike has taken up cudgels for his sister and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, whom, he says, the SLFP has not invited to the annual convention. And that is what brothers are there for! Blood is thicker than water, it is said. Anura in his inimitable style tears the SLFP General Secretary and Minister Maithreepala Sirisena to shreds in a diatribe (The Island of August 22). He reminds Maithripala how his sister revitalised the SLFP that had been in the political limbo for seventeen long years, steered it to victory in 1994 and reigned supreme for eleven long years, winning as she did, eleven out of 13 elections for the party under her leadership.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
Let that necessary evil be given a human face!
Monday, 21 August 2006 - 6:01 AM SL Time
Tens of thousands of people went through hell on Saturday as a result of the unprecedented vehicle checks at Colombo`s northern entry point. There were long lines of vehicles stretching over several kilo metres on the arterial roads that pass through the Kelani and the Victoria bridges. As a result, a journey which normally takes about twenty minutes took as long as three to five hours! The public anger knew no bounds.
The LTTE has stepped up smuggling arms and explosives into the South in a bid to launch diversionary attacks so that the armed forces and the police will have to overstretch themselves at the expense of their focus on the on going battles in the northern theatre. The Tigers have bitten off much more than they could chew through their attempted incursion into Jaffna. The battle has manifestly backfired on them and they are badly in need of an `honourable` breather. Hence, the LTTE-instigated protests in Tamil Nadu to pressure the Central Government to intervene to stop the on-going battles in the Jaffna Peninsula so that the LTTE will be able to extricate itself from its military misadventure.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 8 )
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.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 6 )
|
|
|
|
|
| Security
Security Forum
|
Key LTTE camp overrun
Wednesday, 23 August 2006 - 10:12 AM SL Time
Karuna cadres overran a key LTTE camp at Vadamunnai in Batticaloa last morning, killing at least five Vanni cadres and injuring several others, the Karuna faction told the Daily Mirror.
LTTE Batticaloa head Daya Mohan however charged that the attack was carried out by the army and not the Karuna faction as claimed by the breakaway LTTE group and added that two civilians were brutally killed during the attack.
The attack which lasted for more than three hours resulted in the destruction of the camp and a vehicle belonging to the LTTE as well as the recovery of a large haul of weapons and ammunition.
The Karuna faction claimed that at least 30 Vanni cadres were in the camp at the time of the attack including LTTE intelligence operatives from the east.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 10 )
Three LTTE arms agents arrested in Thailand
Wednesday, 23 August 2006 - 10:00 AM SL Time
Thai authorities have arrested three Sri Lankans who were procuring arms for the LTTE. They were arrested while trying to ship a quantity of arms and ammunition to Mullaitivu, Thai authorities have informed Sri Lanka.
On a request by Sri Lanka Police, Thailand has agreed to extradite the suspects to Colombo. The three have been identified as Asirvatham Sathyapavan of Jaffna, Thevarajah Sashiharan of Nedunkerny and U. G. Gunapala.
The arms include a variety of pistols and 45,000 rounds of ammunition.
The three suspects were recently released from prison after serving a three year term.
The suspect U. G. Gunapala`s passport has been recommended by a local politician, inquiries revealed. Thai authorities said the suspects were involved in arms smuggling for a very long period.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 12 )
A- 9 Re - Opened For Traffic
Tuesday, 22 August 2006 - 7:13 AM SL Time
VAVUNIYA :THE FAMOUS A-9KANDY' JAFFNA main supply route road that connects the North with the South was re-opened today (21) after a lapse of one-week long closure following LTTE violence and resumption of LTTE hostilities against members of the security forces .
The road today will remain open for public and vehicular traffic for a few hours. The decision to keep it open was taken on humanitarian grounds after considering a request made by SLMM officials for the convenience of those trapped in LTTE controlled areas North of OMANTHAI.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
|
|
|
|
|
Business / Economy News
Business Forum
|
A Buddhist monk assists to teach IT for rural youth
Wednesday, 23 August 2006 - 10:17 AM SL Time
Rev.Dehigahahene Jinaloka, a resident monk of Sri Sudarmananda Viharaya, Dehigahahena said he started a computer vocational training center to assist jobless youth at the Dehigahahena ' a rural hamlet, which situated along the Matara-Hambantota border.
We received used computers and some other assistance from local businessmen. Now we train 60 youth in IT, said Rev. Jinaloka, who even spends his monthly salary to train jobless youth in new techniques.
Dehigahahena lacks a school, a Post Office or any other representative government agency, excluding Grama Niladhari. The hamlet needs road facilities, he said.
Unemployment percentage is still high at this hamlet, but the Buddhist monk wants to send his IT trainees to multinational companies.
I have plans to assist these youth to find suitable jobs with the help of Colombo based philanthropists. We do not have telephones, Internet or any other new innovations, he said.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
Business community urged to put pressure on LTTE
Wednesday, 23 August 2006 - 10:16 AM SL Time
Peace Secretariat Secretary General Dr. Palitha Kohona urged the country`s business community to put pressure on the LTTE to denounce violence and to return to the negotiating table.
Dr. Kohona also said the private sector`s efforts towards that end has not been demonstrated enough at a time the LTTE has increased its violence.
He was addressing a seminar organised by the Business for Peace Alliance and Sri Lanka First in collaboration with International Alert in Colombo yesterday.
Dr. Kohona said the Government`s objective is not to go all out for a military solution and it is defending the country against the increasing wave of LTTE attacks.
He said All Party Representative Committee has made good progress towards right direction despite differences of views and the Government will have a continuous dialogue with the civil society in finding a just solution to the North East problem.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
Indian giant eyes energy plant tie-up with Nawaloka
Tuesday, 22 August 2006 - 7:15 AM SL Time
POWER GENERATION: Energy management company Indo Asian Fusegear Limited (IAFL) hopes to invest in a major value added energy plant in Sri Lanka.
They expect to do so in collaboration with the Nawaloka Group of companies. IAFL is one of the largest energy saving manufacturers in India and enjoys a market share of more than 22 per cent in India, its Chairman/Managing Director V.P. Mahendru told the Daily News.
He said that energy is a global resource, which is limited and scarce and all countries have paid attention to this area due to the escalating cost energy. IAFL manufactures cost efficient electrical items like miniature circuit breakers, residual current circuit breakers, trip switches (switch gears) compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) which is manufactured using world`s best technology from Germany and UK.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
|
|
|
|
| Sports News
Sports Forum
|
He`s a misfit, says Sri Lanka`s Ranatunga
Wednesday, 23 August 2006 - 10:24 AM SL Time
Controversial Australian umpire Darrell Hair was yesterday subjected to ridicule and scorn in Sri Lankan cricket circles after accusing Pakistan of ball-tampering.
Sri Lankans have not forgiven Hair for no-balling spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan seven times during a Test match against Australia in Melbourne in 1995. Hair further enraged the Sri Lankans, and many fans within the Indian subcontinent, by calling Muralitharan`s action 'diabolical', in his autobiography The Decision Maker.
Arjuna Ranatunga, Mura-litharan`s captain in that Melbourne Test, said he was not surprised by Hair`s ruling against Pakistan. He accused Hair of deliberately targeting Asian teams.
'Can anyone explain why Asian teams suffer when Darrell Hair is the umpire'' he asked. 'Hair is a misfit in today`s cricket because he acts in a high-handed manner whenever he officiates.'
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
12 rugby players pull out from Sri Lanka training
Wednesday, 23 August 2006 - 10:01 AM SL Time
Twelve players from Kandy, the undisputed backbone of Sri Lanka rugby, have pulled out from the national pool ahead of next month`s international Sevens meet in protest against the controversial banning of one of their team-mates Nalaka Weerakkody by the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union.
The twelve players are Sajith Mallikarachchi, the club`s captain, Sanjeewa Jayasinghe, the Sri Lanka Sevens captain, Sean Wijesinghe, Dushanth Lewke, Senaka Bandara, Pradeep Liyanage, Fazil Marija, Chamara Vithanage, Prasad Chanthuranga, Tuan Jehan, Eranda Weerakkody and Mohammed Jabar.
They have quit training after Nalaka Weerakkody was banned last week by the Rugby Union for a case of misconduct that occurred in March and a ruling made in April after an inquiry.
Mallikarachchi said they would go back to training only after the Union withdraws its ban on Weerakkody.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
Andrew wins second swimming gold
Tuesday, 22 August 2006 - 7:09 AM SL Time
Andrew Abeysinghe clinched the second gold medal in swimming for Sri Lanka at the 10th SAG on Sunday at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium swimming pool.
Abeysinghe made the feat, which brought the hosts their third gold, in the men`s 200m backstroke.
Rehan Poncha and Rohit Havaldar of India won the event`s silver and bronze medals respectively.
The Lankan swimmer bettered his heats` timing of 2:11:17 secs., with a fine show of 2:7:97 secs. in the final.
Meanwhile, in the Women`s 400m freestyle relay, the Sri Lankan team, comprising Piyumi Ekanayake, Chathuri Abeykoon and Mayumi Raheem, clinched the silver behind India. Mayumi Raheem and Daniel Lee added two silvers for Sri Lanka carrying the hosts` silver tally up to nine.
Men 200m backstroke final:
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
|
|
