|
|
|
More Headline News
|
Find your own security! - Thamilselvan tells SLMM
Sunday, 27 August 2006 - 7:25 AM SL Time
Tiger terrorists have informed the members of SLMM to find their own security to meet a very gruesome period ahead. Thamilselvan, head of the political wing of the wanni tiger organization has made this warning when head of SLMM Ulf Henricson and its Deputy Head Maj. Gen. Lans Jorg Solburg met him at Kilinochchi recently.
Leaders of SLMM had met Thamilselvan to discuss the risks the monitors have to face and getting tiger organization to commence peace talks with GoSL.
Thamilselvan had further said his organization was not in a position to have any control over its members as people in the North and the East have been displaced due to violence prevailing in those two provinces.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 68 )
LTTE release policeman held captive for 11 months
Saturday, 26 August 2006 - 12:24 PM SL Time
Tamil Tiger rebels on Saturday released a policeman held for over 10 months in northern Sri Lanka as a `goodwill gesture,` monitors of Sri Lanka`s crumbling four-year-old cease-fire said.
The officer, B.W. Bopetigoda, was handed over to monitors during a ceremony on Saturday morning, spokesman for the Nordic mission, Thorfinnur Omarsson, said.
Bopetigoda was one of three officers arrested by the insurgents in rebel-administered territory in the north in September 2005. Two other officers have already been released.
Omarsson said the decision to release the policeman came during a meeting of the Tiger leadership and the outgoing head of the monitoring mission, Ulf Henricsson.
Henricsson had asked the Tigers to make a `goodwill gesture` to the Sri Lankan government, with whom it has been locked in fierce fighting in recent months, Omarsson said.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 427 )
Thousands face starvation in LTTE-controlled Wanni
Saturday, 26 August 2006 - 6:08 AM SL Time
A serious food shortage is developing in the LTTE-controlled Wanni areas as a result of the closure of the entry-exit point at Omanthai, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned yesterday.
The WFP said more than 350,000 people including some 37,000 displaced people were facing the risk of starvation if immediate action was not taken to reopen the A9 highway which had been shut owing to the ongoing hostilities between government forces and the LTTE.
WFP Country Director Jeff Taft-Dick said the UN relief agency was even prepared to take the responsibility for its own security if the government permitted its officials to enter the Vanni to meet the urgent needs of the civilian population.'The food situation in the LTTE-controlled Wanni area is becoming critical with the depletion of the WFP food stocks.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 247 )
|
More Headline News
|
|
|
|
|
Politics
Politics Forum
|
Don`t provoke Tigers
Monday, 28 August 2006 - 1:39 AM SL Time
CALGARY -- This week`s arrest of six Canadians of Tamil origin on terrorism charges reminds me of Sir Peter Ustinov`s brilliant maxim: `Terrorism is the war of the poor, and war is the terrorism of the rich.`
In an apparent rush to U.S. President George Bush`s ideology and policies, the Harper government recently added Sri Lanka`s Tamil Tigers guerillas to its terrorism list. The U.S. added the group last year.
In 1983, civil war erupted in Sri Lanka after decades of growing strife between majority Sinhalese Buddhists and minority Hindu Tamils. Tamil Tigers guerillas have waged a ferocious, bloody struggle against the Sinhalese government for an independent Tamil state. Over 65,000 Sri Lankans have died. The war continues in spite of foreign mediation.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
SLMC in govt fold?
Sunday, 27 August 2006 - 7:34 AM SL Time
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) is considering joining the Government with their remaining six MPs, shortly after the Government reaches a compromise on their demands.
`Now the negotiations are going on with the Government but no finality has been reached`, SLMC National Organiser K. Baiz told the Sunday Observer yesterday.
When asked what were their demands, he said that they have a problem with the `united` Sri Lanka policy of the Government because the SLMC has faith in federalism.
`We are totally against the war. We support devolution of power since it is the only way to settle the North and East problem. Muslims need a separate unit in the final solution because we cannot live under Tamils`, Baiz reiterated. He noted that Muslims too should be included as a separate delegation at future talks.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
`She says nothing, does nothing and gets blasted for nothing`
Sunday, 27 August 2006 - 7:29 AM SL Time
Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike -- who recently lambasted SLFP General Secretary Maitripala Sirisena for reportedly failing to invite his sister to a party convention -- last week slated `creatures of her own making` for now ill-treating the former president.
He also reiterated that he will not attend the September 1 event as a sign of protest.
`I really don`t know why she`s being treated like this,` he said in a telephone interview on Wednesday night. `If not for her, none of them would ever have sat on a cabinet seat.`
Meanwhile, Minister Sirisena implied in a separate interview that Bandaranaike may have got his knickers in a twist. `The invitation was hand delivered to he r (Chandrika Kumara-tunga`s) BMICH office on August 19,` he said. `They have not opened their letters. The person taking the invitation signed the register after accepting it.`
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
|
|
|
|
|
Editorial News
Editorial Forum
|
Mahinda reaches out
Sunday, 27 August 2006 - 7:28 AM SL Time
President Mahinda Rajapakse last week made a significant move towards forging a southern consensus for the resolution of the ethnic problem by inviting the UNP to join his government `in facing the challenge of protecting our motherland.` Rajapakse, clearly sees the self-evident reality ' that unless the SLFP and UNP principally work together in forging a solution that could be acceptable to the Tamils, the senseless war will continue into the foreseeable future. What is therefore necessary is something much bigger than merely cobbling together a parliamentary majority to ensure that any withdrawal of JVP support will not mean that the government would collapse.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 8 )
Nabbing Tigers - Washington Times
Friday, 25 August 2006 - 9:54 PM SL Time
The arrests in the past week of supporters of Sri Lanka`s Tamil Tigers is the kind of crackdown needed to bring the separatist rebels back to the negotiating table. Any meaningful cease-fire negotiations in Sri Lanka are predicated on cutting off the influx of money and weapons to the Tigers, forcing talks in order to forge a lasting resolution and not simply to rearm themselves during the break in fighting.
The arrested Tiger supporters tried to purchase AK-47 rifles and shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, according to a complaint that was unsealed recently in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn. The United States officially declared the Tamil Tigers a terrorist organization in 1997, making it illegal for the rebel group to raise money in the United States. The separatist group still does, however, and sources of funding from Tamil sympathizers abroad, particularly in the West, allows the group to continue fighting in Sri Lanka. Tiger sympathizers also work the public-relations angle, playing up legitimate grievances of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka while downplaying the heinous methods -- the often-forceful recruiting of women and children and the use of suicide bombers -- that the Tigers employ. This was the first time that Tiger supporters were arrested for trying to purchase weapons in North America -- a disconcerting development that some analysts have interpreted as a move to a more operational role for the Tigers supporters in the West.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 7 )
Sri Lanka Security Tips
Friday, 25 August 2006 - 3:55 AM SL Time
1. When using three wheelers check under the seat for claymore mines; these
are easily identifiable by the manufacturer`s label saying `Claymore Mine -
made in Pakistan`.
2. If, when shopping, the South African cricket team or any of its members
enters the building leave rapidly - they are under a situational threat.
3. When asked by the sentries at checkpoints whether you are carrying
bombs, do not reply in the affirmative.
4. When walking on the road in wet weather do not suddenly drop your
umbrella from the vertical to avoid being splahed by all 17 vehicles of a
VVIP`s convoy.
5. Under any circumstances do not pretend your umbrella is a gun.
6. If you have small children - do not send them to school until the war is
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 4 )
|
|
|
|
|
| Security
Security Forum
|
Air Force fighters destroy another Terrorist camp in Muhamalai
Sunday, 27 August 2006 - 7:38 AM SL Time
Air Force fighters destroy another Terrorist camp in Muhamalai
[27th August 2006 - 02:25 S.L.T]
Air Force fighter jets destroyed a small Tiger camp which was used as a Mortar location in south of Muhamalai today (26th) at 10.30 a.m.
According to the sources that attack has caused heavy damages to the enemy mortar positions and to the camp at large. Air Force commented that it was a well identified target and was precisely bombed while the troops on the FDL`s said that they could see the blaze high up at the targeted area.
Tigers used this Mortar location to carryout intermittent shelling attacks at the security forces personnel consolidating the defences at Muhamalai.Tigers suffered a humiliating defeat during their recent attempts to capture Jaffna peninsula.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 32 )
STF seize haul of weapons at Pamunugama
Sunday, 27 August 2006 - 7:26 AM SL Time
The Special Task Force (STF) raided a private estate in Pamunugama around 4 a.m. yesterday and seized a haul of weapons, police said.
Eighteen persons suspected to be linked to the LTTE who were living on this estate at Palanambalama in Uswetikeiyawa at the time of the swoop-down were arrested.
The suspects, 16 males and 2 females, had told investigators that they worked on the estate and piggery run by a private company.
The haul of weapons included a T56 assault rifle, seven grenades, two claymore mines, two magazines, 20 pieces of wire, four detonators and 115 live ammunition.
All the suspects are from Batticaloa, police said.
The Bomb Disposal Squad later defused the explosives while the suspects and the weapons were handed over to the Pamunugama police.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 4 )
LTTE has lost its patience warns Thamilselvan
Saturday, 26 August 2006 - 6:15 AM SL Time
The LTTE has warned it has virtually lost patience and will not restrain itself any longer in light of the continuing air force aerial strikes on rebel positions in the north and east, the LTTE media unit said yesterday.
According to the LTTE the warning was issued during last evening`s meeting between the LTTE political head S.P. Thamilselvan and the newly appointed acting head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission former Norwegian army Chief Maj. Gen. Lars Johan Solvberg.
Mr. Thamilselvan has also expressed disappointment over the EU ban on the LTTE which he says was a result of false claims and views expressed by the government over the activities of the rebel group.
Following the EU ban the LTTE had called for the removal of EU member states from the SLMM which included the incumbent Swedish head of the cease fire monitors and members from Finland and Denmark.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 27 )
|
|
|
|
|
Business / Economy News
Business Forum
|
Allegations of huge fraud against liquor giant
Sunday, 27 August 2006 - 7:30 AM SL Time
The Customs Department has discovered a huge scam by the Distilleries Corporation of Sri Lanka (DCSL) in under invoicing documents in the import of spirits resulting in defrauding the state in the past 10 years to the tune of more than Rs.1.5 billion in taxes, Customs officials said.
They said the department would ask the company tomorrow to furnish more details on its past imports.
The officials said the discovery came while `stumbling` on a DCSL invoice after company officials wanted to amend their alcohol spirit importing company name from Periceyl Private Limited (a DCSL subsidiary firm), which is the bottling arm, to DSCL itself. The company has been importing Gin, Brandy and Vodka under Ethyl Alcohol which is the base spirit for arrack, when this import should come under the category of `other Ethyl spirits`.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
Shock treatment for corrupt CEB officials
Saturday, 26 August 2006 - 6:13 AM SL Time
The government assured yesterday that inquiries would be completed within a month on charges that 12 executive officers of the Ceylon Electricity Board were involved in a multi-million rupee fraud.
The matter was discussed at a top level meeting between government and opposition members on Thursday.
The members told the meeting that previous inquiries on more than 200 errant CEB officials, had not been completed yet despite serious financial allegations against them.
The members insisted that all inquiries should be wrapped up within a month.
But since the government representative said it would not be practical, a decision was taken to complete the probe against 12 executive grade officers within one month.
Meanwhile, Government MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told Parliament on Thursday that some CEB officials had seriously violated the board`s financial regulations.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
Long queues form before Jaffna ATM`s
Friday, 25 August 2006 - 4:02 AM SL Time
Jaffna residents spend their off curfew hours in long queue to withdraw cash at automatic teller machines.
Tamil political sources said that monies can only be withdrawn from the ATMs and that too at a maximum of Rs. 3,000/= per withdrawal.
`It`s a mad rush during the short time that the curfew is lifted , with people queuing up in large numbers before the few ATM`s at their disposal to withdraw monies needed to buy their daily provisions.`
Urgent action needs to be taken to ease the hardships that the Jaffna populace is undergoing, the sources added.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 5 )
|
|
|
|
| Sports News
Sports Forum
|
Mahela to continue as skipper for Champions Trophy
Sunday, 27 August 2006 - 7:33 AM SL Time
Marvan Atapattu has been included in Sri Lanka`s 14-member squad for the Champions Trophy tournament in India that starts in November but the team will be captained by Mahela Jayawardene.
There were no surprises in the squad announced for the biggest One-Day tournament of the year by chairman of selectors Asantha de Mel but there were some speculation that Atapattu might return as captain after Jayawardene indicated he will willingly step down for his senior SSC colleague.
Speaking to the `The Island` de Mel said that the selectors first needed to asses Atapattu`s fitness if he`s to get back the captaincy.
`We`ll see how Marvan goes. He might not play all matches during the Champions Trophy and we want to take a look at his match fitness,` de Mel said.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
Sri Lanka ready for Pakistan challenge
Saturday, 26 August 2006 - 6:07 AM SL Time
Brimming with confidence, the high ridding Sri Lanka U-23 soccerites will take on the Pakistan youth team in an attempt to rewrite the history books in the annals of Sri Lankan soccer in the much-awaited final of the 10th South Asian Games soccer championships under floodlights at Sugathadasa Stadium, today.
It will be a long day for both teams as the final is scheduled for 10 p.m.
`We have a technically sound team compared to Pakistan though they are big made. But I am sure we can go that extra-mile to win the title,` said Sri Lankan skipper Sandun Devinda.
Devinda believes that Sri Lanka can create history under his belt this time.
`We have a very good chance of winning considering the home advantage and the crowd support. It`s up to the players to perform. For that we need to handle the pressure well,` he added.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Sri Lanka women spikers huff and puff to beat Maldivians
Friday, 25 August 2006 - 4:04 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka suffered a scare before beating Maldives 3-0 in a preliminary round women`s volleyball match of the 10th South Asian Games, in front of a roaring crowd at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium yesterday.
The Maldivian spikers came up with a fine display of attacking volleyball and at one time led 20-15 in the second set.
Although the local spikers kept their hopes of winning a gold medal alive, they performed below par as the juvenile volleyball players from the archipelago earned points from every mistake committed by the hosts.
The Sri Lankans, who received a year long intensive training and an exposure seeking foreign tournament in Vietnam, seemed less prepared.
After performing badly in the first and second sets they came back comparatively well to lead the third set 9-6 after the first technical time out to seal the third set (25-15) and win the game 3-0.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
|
|
