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Fighting in Sampoor, Vavuniya and Jaffna: Heavy casualties
Wednesday, 30 August 2006 - 4:31 AM SL Time
Heavy fighting between government troops and the LTTE continued in and around Sampoor yesterday with additional attacks breaking out near the Forward Defense Lines (FDL) in Jaffna and Vavuniya while air strikes were also carried out on Mullaitivu.
The Sri Lanka Navy said its fast attack craft destroyed an LTTE vessel moving from Illankantai towards Verugal early last morning killing all rebel cadres on board.
According to official figures the three days of fighting has resulted in 31 deaths and more than 101 injuries on both sides but the figures are expected to be much higher while the LTTE claimed some 22 civilians in rebel controlled areas were also among the dead.
The LTTE meanwhile warned if the military attacks on Sampoor continued the Ceasefire Agreement would officially be annulled sending the country towards a resumption of full scale hostilities.
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President in surprise talks with Blair
Wednesday, 30 August 2006 - 4:31 AM SL Time
Amid wide speculation, President Mahinda Rajapaksa suddenly flew to London last afternoon for talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and others, a government source said.
Accompanying him were Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and Assistant Secretary Gamini Senarath, while Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera who left for London on Monday night was also expected to join the President for talks with British leaders.
The meeting between the British Prime Minister and President Rajapaksa is to take place out of London, at a private residence of Prime Minister Blair.
Diplomatic sources indicated that President Rajapaksa might invite Britain to play a bigger role in Sri Lanka`s peace process. The two leaders were also expected to discuss means of enhancing defence co-operation between the two countries, especially the two Navies.
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Tigers feted on campus
Tuesday, 29 August 2006 - 8:05 PM SL Time
WATERLOO - Martyrdom celebrations that praised Tamil Tiger soldiers and suicide bombers were held openly in the student centre of the University of Waterloo, where the FBI alleges a `procurement cell` for the terrorist organization was centred.
Last November`s event -- where a large flag of the Tamil Tigers, showing AK-47 assault rifles and a roaring tiger, makeshift tombstones and posters celebrating `Our Fallen Heroes` were displayed -- was held in the Student Life Centre despite the club being under suspension by the school at the time.
The university had suspended the Waterloo Tamil Students Association (WATSA) after a similar ceremony was held in 2004, one in which large cutouts of armed men were featured and the Tiger flag also prominently displayed.
The club was suspended on Dec. 13, 2004, specifically for flying the Tigers flag, said Martin Van Nierop, spokesman for the university. The club`s status was returned in January, 2006.
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Politics
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Missing Tamil journalist was under threat - FMM
Wednesday, 30 August 2006 - 4:42 AM SL Time
The Free Media Movement yesterday said Nadarajah Guruparan, Director news, Sooriyan FM radio, was reported missing last morning.
He had left for work around 4.00 a.m., in his vehicle from his residence in Pintaliya road, Mount Lavinia, but the vehicle was found abandoned on the Galle road a few hours later.
`Nadarajah Guruparan was the news editor of Sarinihar news paper in late 90s and joined the Sooriyan FM 1999.He has received threats from several para military groups, according to close associates. It was reported in the news apers, few weeks ago, that the government authorities had expressed their unhappiness with ABC network coverage of the on going military conflict. Mount Lavinia police is conducting the investigation.
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Govt. `failed` to protect journalists
Wednesday, 30 August 2006 - 4:33 AM SL Time
International media watchdogs have accused Sri Lanka government to protect journalists after a senior Tamil journalist has gone missing in Colombo.
Paris based Reporters Without borders (RSF) called on the authorities to take steps for the immediate release of Sooryan FM Nadarajah Gurupara.
'Guruparan`s last report prior to his kidnapping, broadcast on 26 August, was about human rights violations and kidnappings in the capital. His radio station had reportedly received several threats from paramilitary organisations,' RSF statement said.
RSF has accused the government authorities as well as the Tamil Tigers of denying the right to information of their rivals.
'We call for Guruparan`s immediate release as well as a real commitment from the authorities to protect journalists,' the statement said.
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Hakeem won`t join Govt.
Tuesday, 29 August 2006 - 4:20 AM SL Time
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress on Friday ruled out from joining the government but said it would assist in the formation of a broad national coalition to help resolve national issues.
Leader of the SLMC Rauff Hakeem speaking to The Island Friday night, shortly after Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse called on him at his Kollupitiya residence, said that the talks centred around the formation of a broad national coalition.
Asked if there was an invitation to join the government, Hakeem said that the discussion focussed on getting the country out of its present predicament and not on the SLMC joining the government.
`We welcome President Mahinda Rajapakse`s invitation to Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to join the peace process and hope he would respond positively.`
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Editorial News
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Strive for the attainable
Wednesday, 30 August 2006 - 4:43 AM SL Time
President Mahinda Rajapakse has called for a national government. His call has been well received by those who desire to pull the country out of the mire, where it has been languishing for the past few decades, owing to the confrontational politics that successive governments have indulged in, much to the neglect of the national interest, as former diplomat and seasoned political commentator K. Godage`s article on this page today indicates.
The call for a national government is not something new. It has emanated from political leaders, religious dignitaries and civil society leaders earlier. Interestingly, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga was no believer in national governments. She ridiculed its proponents who, she said, were suffering from jaathika aandu valippuva (`National government epilepsy`). In a way, she was sincere enough to say what she really believed, in her lunu-ambul (coarse) language.
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Sri Lanka fails at the final hurdle
Tuesday, 29 August 2006 - 9:36 AM SL Time
While the 10th South Asian Games Under-23 football final in Colombo on Saturday will be long remembered for technical prowess and untold excitement, the record book will show that Pakistan came on top after an amazing game against hosts Sri Lanka to win the gold medal. Pakistan was crowned champions with a 1-0 win over their South Asian rivals, Sri Lanka in a pulsating final.
Adool Ahmed turned out to be Pakistan`s saviour as it was his header that separated the two sides.
The match was a fitting finale to a tournament that encapsulated the essence of youth soccer, exuberance, passion and most of all, wonderful skill.
Unforgettable clashes, such as Maldives win over Pakistan 1-0, Pakistan`s last-gasp victory over Sri Lanka in the first round (1-0) and Sri Lanka edging out India 7-6 in a fierce penalty-kick tie-breaker competition, highlighted the quality of entertainment on view right throughout the competition.
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Here there be Tigers
Monday, 28 August 2006 - 8:34 PM SL Time
Thanks to a dysfunctional refugee system and politically motivated interference, Canada is swamped with Tamil Tigers and their supporters
Following the arrest of a number of Canadians of Sri Lankan Tamil origin on charges of trying to procure arms for the Tamil Tigers, it should come as no surprise that the FBI has identified Canada as a major source of illegal fundraising to the terrorist group.
The Tigers have been able to achieve this for two reasons. Firstly, the federal Liberal government, in an effort to bolster support in the Tamil community, refused to classify the Tigers as a terrorist group despite several recommendations from CSIS to do so.
This gave the Tigers the freedom to intimidate and extort money from the same Tamil community whose support the Liberals sought.
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Security Forum
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Drug barons win the day with transfer of top sleuth
Wednesday, 30 August 2006 - 4:40 AM SL Time
Controversy surrounds the sudden transfer of a top narcotics sleuth, responsible for bringing to book a number of high profile drug dealers. IP Priyantha Liyanage, the OIC of the Police Narcotics Bureau, was transferred to the Police Training College, Kalutara from August 18, with no reason was given.
While many individuals and organisations, who are clamouring for a narcotics free society view with scorn the transfer of this officer who has been responsible for many a detection and the successful prosecution of drug barons, Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando said that IP Liyanage had neglected his duties by failing to conduct drug-related raids during the past eight months and that was why the decision had been taken to transfer him.
`How can he conduct raids without receiving credible information' All his time is spent in the Law Courts prosecuting the numerous drug dealers, who he has already apprehended. Raids are conducted only on credible information received from informants,` a senior police officer of the Narcotic Bureau argued.
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Lorries Carrying Essentials Turn Back After LTTE Mortar Fire
Wednesday, 30 August 2006 - 4:35 AM SL Time
BRUTALITY OF THE TAMIL TIGER (LTTE) TERRORISTS who are now failing in their terror tactics on all fronts once again ran amok this morning (29) to the north of OMANTHAI Entry/Exit point when terrorists began to pound mortar fire on a fleet of lorries that carries dry rations and essentials to JAFFNA and KILINOCHCHI in MULAITTIVU district.
The fleet of eleven lorries after routine checking procedures of the Security Forces was moving towards the north of OMANTHAI across the no man`s land at about 10.20 a.m. when a barrage of LTTE mortar fire began to rain aiming those lorries.
Fear stricken lorry crew after waiting amidst firing however turned back abandoning their humanitarian mission, as they could not proceed further towards the north in fear of their lives and damages to their lorries.
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India pressures Lankan govt., LTTE to talk
Wednesday, 30 August 2006 - 4:04 AM SL Time
India, contrary to general perception was watching the Sri Lankan situation very carefully and is to apply pressure on both the Lankan government and LTTE to get back to the negotiating table.
Leader of the SLMC Rauff Hakeem told `The Island`, that his meetings with Indian government representatives last week revealed that India was very concerned about the security situation in Sri Lanka and would apply sufficient pressure on both the Lankan government and LTTE to resume peace talks.
`India will also provide humanitarian assistance for the people displaced from Muttur and Thopur, following recent clashes between the LTTE and government forces`, Hakeem said on his return from a working visit to India.
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Business / Economy News
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Five Year Plan for raising power capacity
Wednesday, 30 August 2006 - 4:38 AM SL Time
A Five Year National Plan on Power and Energy Development has been implemented to provide quality service at cheaper rates to people under the direction of Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne, a Ministry official said.
`Under the plan the construction of the first ever Natural gas fired Power plant of 300 MW will begin at Kerawalapitiya in September, in addition to the construction of the 300 MW diesel-powered power plant,` he said. Both plants will be completed by 2008.
According to him the plan would look into the possibilities of developing all possible alternative sources of electricity such as coal fired power, wind, biogas, solar and mini hydro power to shift the heavy dependency of diesel powered electricity accountable for 60 per cent of total generation. The heavy dependency on petroleum had triggered concern over a possible power crisis due to the ever increasing crude oil prices in the world market.
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US signs $ 10.6 m deal for new Arugam Bay Bridge
Wednesday, 30 August 2006 - 4:37 AM SL Time
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a $10.6 million contract for the construction of a new Arugam Bay bridge, which will replace the one severely damaged by the tsunami. The centerpiece of the $35 million USAID Sri Lanka Tsunami Reconstruction Program (SLTRP), the new bridge will link Pottuvil, Arugam Bay, and Panama and promote tourism in these coastal villages.
Last Friday the contract was signed with Simplex Company of India. Simplex will construct the bridge under the supervision of CH2M Hill, the U.S. firm implementing the SLTRP. The U.S. Embassy Charge D`Affaires James Moore, USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn, CH2M Hill Chief of Party Teny Mittal, Simplex Director Amitabh Das Mundhra, and Sri Lanka Road Development Authority (RDA) Chairman M.B.S. Fernando joined for the signing.
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Govt. clarifies new policy on NGOs
Tuesday, 29 August 2006 - 9:30 AM SL Time
President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday instructed the Government Spokesman to set the record straight regarding the new Government policy on NGOs, an official said.
The matter came up at the National Security Council meeting yesterday at Temple Tress and President Rajapaksa instructed Government Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella to clarify the move amidst contradictory reports and protests by the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies .
The Government has decided that all NGOs should be registered with the Defence Ministry and that all supplies and utensils of the NGO`s in the North East would be temporarly taken over if they decided to pull out of the area.
The President stressed that the move was not aimed at antagonizing the NGOs but to make sure that those utensils and supplys did not end up in the hands of the LTTE. He said the utensils and supplies would be handed back to the NGOs in Colombo.
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Top teams St. Peter`s and Royal meet their waterloo
Wednesday, 30 August 2006 - 4:44 AM SL Time
The 10th South Asian Games which got underway on August 18 and came to an end on Monday (August 28) took focus of all the sports news with the local events taking a back seat.
Within that ten day period many ups and downs took place in the Under 20 inter-school rugby season which is at its tail-end now with most of the schools having played five of their allocated six matches at the end of last week.
This week will see the outcome of the league championships in both the Division 1A and 1B categories where the leaders or virtually the champions of both groups being decided.
With top teams losing their encounters the quest for the league title in both groups is now wide open.Isipathana and Trinity are the only unbeaten sides in the league from the two divisions.
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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.
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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.
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