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SriLanka enters latest US worst offenders list Monday, 18 September 2006 - 5:55 AM SL Time The United States on Friday classified six Asian countries as religious freedom violators, aside from China, Myanmar, North Korea and Vietnam already blacklisted as worst offenders in the region. Afghanistan, Brunei, India, Laos, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were included in a `significant` list of violators of religious freedom in the US State Department`s annual International Religious Freedom Report 2006. 
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Navy sinks alleged rebel arms ship, says kills crew of 15 Sunday, 17 September 2006 - 9:06 PM SL Time Sri Lankan battleships and warplanes intercepted an alleged Tamil Tiger rebel weapons shipment off the island`s restive eastern coast Sunday, sinking the ship and killing up to 15 insurgents, military officials said. The vessel`s crew had refused to identify themselves, but hoisted a rebel flag during an eight-hour sea battle, before being bombed and sunk around 120 nautical miles (220 kilometers) off the eastern coast of Batticaloa district, military officials said. Navy commander D.K.P. Dassanayake said the ship was carrying about 12-15 insurgents. He said there were no navy casualties. The ship, allegedly carrying artillery and missiles, is believed to have been headed for the Sampur area, which government troops captured from the Tigers earlier this month. The rebels had warned that the move was a grave violation of a 2002 cease-fire and threatened retaliation.
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Govt prepares for major battle Sunday, 17 September 2006 - 5:40 AM SL Time While holding talks with the UNP and JVP to reach a political consensus on the national question, the government is preparing for a major battle. Forces are being replenished on an urgent basis, a senior official said. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he said the forces would go on the offensive to thwart LTTE aggression. Ongoing deliberations with the UNP would not be a bar to military operations, he said, while emphasising the need to bolster forces deployed in the north-east to meet any eventuality. This comes against the backdrop of Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference'Norway, the USA, EU and Japan calling parties to the Oslo-arranged CFA to return to the negotiating table early October.
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Security Forum
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Teacher arrested for abusing children Monday, 18 September 2006 - 5:53 AM SL Time The Balangoda police have taken into custody on Saturday a teacher alleged to have induced under aged boys to come to his house to give tuition and abuse them after showing them blue films. The parents of children subjected to such abuses in his manner have complained to Balangoda police. Police say on days when no one else was in the house the teacher invited the boys and showed blue films and committed sexual offenses. These boys were from a leading Boys School in Balangoda and were in the age groups of 14 and 15 years. Police have recovered 56 blue films from the teacher. The teacher who is a resident of Balangoda has a similar case pending in Bandarawela courts. Some of the boys had been admitted to Balangoda base hospital for a medical check up and police say that they were yet to question three more boys.
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SC rejects Geneva Ruling Sunday, 17 September 2006 - 6:05 AM SL Time Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva says that the Judiciary in this country is not bound to enforce a ruling delivered by the Human Rights Commission based in Geneva. The Chief Justice said so rejecting a recommendation forwarded by the Human Rights Commission in Geneva to the government of Sri Lanka challenging a verdict delivered by a court in Sri Lanka. He pointed out that the constitution of this country gives pride of place to the supreme power inherited from the people of this country and politicians should be more responsible than they are when they ratify the international conventions.
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Bus owners threaten strike next week Sunday, 17 September 2006 - 5:54 AM SL Time Private bus owners have threatened to go on strike next week if the Government does not respond favourably to their request to increase bus fares to meet the increased fuel prices. The bus operators are demanding they be allowed to increase fares by about 15% or be given concessions by the Government while businesses complain of heavy losses following the fourth fuel price hike within the year. After the Government increased petrol prices to Rs. 101 a litre and diesel to Rs. 67 a litre, private bus owners and three-wheeler drivers say serious problems have arisen for them. Private Bus Owners Association President Gemunu Wijeratne told The Sunday Times that bus operators were demanding a 15% increase in bus fares. 'According to the policy on bus fares, if fuel prices are increased by 4.5% within the year we have the legal right to raise bus fares accordingly,' he said.
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| Politics
Political News Forum
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Lanka loses huge grant for CEB Monday, 18 September 2006 - 7:36 AM SL Time The Asian Development Bank which was to give a Rs. 3,000 million (US$ 30 million) grant to salvage the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) from a financial crisis has withdrawn the offer following the failure to pass the CEB Reforms Bill in Parliament. Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne said the ADB extended the time period on two occasions but following the Supreme Court verdict that a two thirds majority was needed to pass the Bill, the grant was withdrawn. `We can`t go against the Court verdict, after all the ADB gave us two chances, this grant would have helped us to sort out the CEB financial crisis to some extent. The money was to be channelled to implement the CEB reforms, but that was prevented by the JVP and its trade unions' the Minister said. The ADB had wanted the Government to get the reforms passed in Parliament. But with the JVP opposing the Bill the Government withdrew it, fearing that it would be defeated.
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President Rajapakse chairs NAM session Monday, 18 September 2006 - 7:31 AM SL Time President Mahinda Rajapakse chaired the opening session of the Non-Aligned summit on its second and final day (16) yesterday. There were 40 Heads of State and Government and high ranking representatives from other countries at the conference of 118-member NAM, held in Havana, Cuba. Addressing the Non-Aligned summit the previous day (15), President Rajapakse called upon members to renew the commitment of NAM to fight terrorism. President Rajapakse also had meetings with the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, South African President Thabo Mbeki and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, where matters of bi-lateral interest and international affairs were discussed.
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Sri Lanka about to open a new chapter in Sri Lankan history? Sunday, 17 September 2006 - 5:58 AM SL Time After the first positive meeting of the leading stalwarts of the UNP and SLFP on Friday (September 15, 2006) the growing public expectation is that both parties will form a common front to face the national crisis. If both parties join hands it would lead to the formation of the biggest national force the nation has ever seen since independence. This combination would inject a boost to the flagging spirit of the nation and the economy. Above all, it has the potential to stand up to the world which has been exploiting the divisions to dictate terms to the nation. No power on earth could either manipulate or twist the arm of the nation as long as the major parties stick together. Sri Lanka could taste once again the power of being independent, free from the pressures and shackles of external forces.
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| Business / Economy News
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President to study fixed price fuel deal Monday, 18 September 2006 - 5:56 AM SL Time President Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to study thoroughly the proposal by Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal to strike deal with a foreign company to obtain fuel at a permanent price despite fluctuations in the world market. Mr. Cabraal made the proposal for such a deal before the President left the country. However, Mr. Rajapaksa decided to study the proposed deal thoroughly for its checks and balances. Meanwhile, the main Opposition UNP said yesterday that the country would have grave consequences by entering into this deal, and would request the President to summon the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting of the Finance Ministry to discuss the matter after he returned from the UN.
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Apollo writes to Stock Exchange Sunday, 17 September 2006 - 5:51 AM SL Time The Lanka Hospitals Company Limited (LHCL) has written to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) saying that recent speculation on Apollo Hospital and newspaper articles about the Board of Investment withdrawing its concessions have had no affect on the share price as far as the company is concerned. 'The company has written to the CSE saying that there is no material information on the recent newspaper articles on Apollo and that they have not affected the share price,' Sureka Sellahewa, Director General, CSE told The Sunday Times FT. In a note to shareholders, the board of directors said they agree with the report by BDO Burah Hathy (an audit firm appointed by Apollo to advise the company`s board of directors on Harry Jayawardena`s offer) which said, 'in our view the price per share of of Rs 28 offered to shareholders ' is at a premium and is an attractive offer.'
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Malaysia to issue `visas on arrival` to Lankans Sunday, 17 September 2006 - 5:48 AM SL Time The government of Malaysia has announced a new scheme where Sri Lankans will be issued `visas on arrival`. Such visas will be valid for 30 days and will be issued for tourist purpose only with no extensions allowed. Visitors who produce a confirmed return ticket would be eligible for a visa on arrival, only if they enter Malaysia through Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Penang International Airport, Senai International Airport, Kuching International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex or Tanjung Kupang, Johor, High Commissioner for Malaysia, Ms. Nazirah Hussain told the Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka-Malaysia Business Council last Friday. `Visitors will be charged a fee of RM 100 for each application under the visa on arrival scheme and will be subject to the approval of the immigration authorities, on arrival,` she noted. The present scheme of obtaining visas prior to departure from Sri Lanka, will also continue, she added.
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Editorial News Forum
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The need of the hour Monday, 18 September 2006 - 7:34 AM SL Time As expected, those who fear a possible blow to their selfish and partisan objectives and interests as a result of the main-party unity that is currently being forged, appear to have begun sharpening their weapons to nip the effort in the bud. The SLFP-UNP talks that began on Friday on a note of cordiality and seriousness to formulate a common national agenda on seven key areas of governance have already shown positive signs. As mentioned in these columns on Friday, the successful accomplishment of this endeavour, though of the utmost and urgent national importance at this stage, nevertheless, is neither smooth nor easy. The country is so immersed in political party rivalry and acrimony that this effort could be as difficult as an attempt by a person swimming upstream. That is why numerous attempts made throughout to fashion a common national programme ended in failure.
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When the Croc Hunter came to Sri Lanka Sunday, 17 September 2006 - 5:52 AM SL Time 'I trust animals'..how could I not trust a man'' Lalinka Muthukumarana was surprised to hear these words from international celebrity, Steve Irwin, when Steve called him in response to an invitation to produce a wildlife programme in Sri Lanka, in 2003. Lalinka had never met Steve before and only knew him like many others did ' as the Aussie star who hosted the famous television show, `Crocodile Hunter` on Discovery channel. Even though Lalinka had studied for his Bachelor`s degree in Perth, Australia from 1996 ' 2001, he had never met Steve. When he returned to Sri Lanka to begin his own business along with his partner Roshan Ratnayake, Lalinka decided to turn his personal love of wildlife into something more. Why not produce a documentary on Sri Lankan wildlife'
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The world owed it to him! Friday, 15 September 2006 - 5:20 AM SL Time UNESCO deserves public plaudits for its decision to award the much-coveted Madanjeet Singh prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence to TULF President V. Anandasangaree. It will be some consolation for the septuagenarian being pursued by terrorists that the world has at last recognised his selfless dedication to the onerous task of building racial amity and finding a political solution to Sri Lanka`s problem. He is one of the few Tamil politicians who have refused to sell their souls to the striped devil. Their principled approach to conflict resolution has transcended ethnicity and religion and helped bridge communities in no small measure. When such humble giants speak, the world listens. Unfortunately, they are a dying breed. The missives that Mr. Anandasangaree fires from time to time at the LTTE as well as the radical political elements of the South reveal his sagacity and fatherly love and care. He has the courage to tell Prabhakaran that he has already lost his war and ask the JVP in the same breath to soften its position on devolution and be amenable to power sharing as the final solution.
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| Sports News
Sports News Forum
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Rain saves India Monday, 18 September 2006 - 7:33 AM SL Time India slumped to 35-5 chasing a revised target of 170 before rain ended an intriguing one-day match against Australia in Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday. Fast bowler Mitchell Johnson had ruffled India`s top order with career-best figures of 4-11. Earlier all-rounder Shane Watson hit 79, his highest one-day score, as Australia were all-out for 244. India were 16-0 before a rain break but then lost five wickets in three overs before the rain returned to save them. The match was declared a no result, much to India`s relief. Rahul Dravid was the first to go when he edged Mitchell to Damien Martyn at cover on six and Mitchell bowled Irfan Pathan for a first-ball duck. A terrible mix-up between Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar saw Sehwag run out for eight and Tendulkar was back in the pavilion soon after when he thick-edged to wicket-keeper Brad Haddin for 12.
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Sri Lanka soars but crash-lands in fine show Monday, 18 September 2006 - 5:57 AM SL Time Sri Lanka finished the Singer-SriLankan international rugby Sevens tournament in fourth place, the highest slot they ever achieved in a top class international tournament when they defeated Thailand in the Cup quarter finals and entered the semis at the Nittawela stadium here in Kandy yesterday. Sri Lanka emerged Plate champions in the three previous years in the tournament and it was a marked improvement for the young team under a new coach Willie Hetaraka to go a step further and enter the Cup semis. The gutsy local youngsters almost pulled off a major surprise shocking the strong Koreans in the semi finals as they went down by a mere two points at 14-12, and showed they are definitely capable of much greater things in the future. CR`s crack scrum half Amjad Buksh and Kandy SC fly-half Fazil Marija were the playmakers of the side, pulling off unbelievable manoeuvres in the middle that stunned the opposition. They were also like tigers in defence pouncing and playing with a lot of intelligence.
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St. Peter`s stun Kingswood Sunday, 17 September 2006 - 5:49 AM SL Time St Anthony`s with an unbeaten recoard on the opening day qualified for the semi-finals of the Cup Championship along with, St Peter`s, Zahira and Isipatana in the Schools Sevens tournament organized in conjunction with the International Rugby Sevens, at Nittawala on Friday. The International Rugby Sevens tournament got off to a fine start with the participation of twelve top rugby playing schools in the island. The major shock of the tournament was when underdogs St. Peter`s stunned the Kandy crowd beating the much fancied Kingswood College in the Cup quarter-finals 21 points to 19. Kingswood led 19 -0 at the short whistle but one of the finest second-half fight backs helped the visitors to secure an unexpected win. St Peter`s scored through 3 goals, while the losers scores through a try and 2 goals.
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