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About this Sri Lankan News Forum
Welcome to the largest news forum on Sri Lanka. This is a discussion table for millions of Sri Lankans living around the world to express their thoughts on the latest Sri Lankan news events. Lankanewspapers.com is a powerful tool for all Sri Lankan ethnic groups to share information, knowledge and wisdom. Join! today |
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Airport under suspected rebel attack Monday, 26 March 2007 - 2:55 AM SL Time Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels attacked Sri Lanka`s international airport north of the capital Colombo before dawn on Monday, the military said, and witnesses who live nearby told Reuters they could hear gunfire. `There is an attack going on , but we don`t have any details,` said Flight Lieutenant Kanista Rajapakse of the Media Center for National Security. `There is fighting going on.` An explosion is also reported to have occurred a little while ago at the Air Force base in Katunayake amidst reports that the country`s International Airport in Katunayake was also under rebel attack. A spokesman attached to the Media Centre for National Security told the Lanka Academic that there was an explosion at the air force base, but he was however unable to refute or confirm about any incidents at the airport. `There has been an explosion at the Air Force base in Katunayake. We are still unable to give any information, as we too are in the process of gathering information.` Independent confirmation was unavailable at the time this report was filed. 
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Rajapaksa denies ethnic discrimination in Lanka Sunday, 25 March 2007 - 7:34 PM SL Time Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has denied that there is any ethnic or religious discrimination in the country. Addressing nurses here in Colombo on Thursday, the President pointed out that Tamils were leaving the LTTE-controlled areas and seeking refuge in government-controlled areas. And they were settling down in Sinhala-dominated areas. He asked if this would be happening if, as alleged, there was ethnic discrimination in the government controlled and Sinhala dominated areas. About charges of abductions and disappearances, Rajapaksa said that these were baseless and were made by people who had differences with him. He urged these people to put the country first.
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Fighting continues for the third day Sunday, 25 March 2007 - 6:17 AM SL Time Intermittent artillery and mortar fire by the stranded LTTE terrorist groups in Omanthai West and Mannar South continued for a third day yesterday. Defence sources said the terrorists have been firing from locations ahead of the Forward Defense Line (FDL). The security forces have retaliated killing more than 46 Tigers and injuring over 70. Sporadic fighting during the last 48 hours has killed nine soldiers and injured 42. Apart from 46 Tigers killed in the confrontations, a large number were believed to be injured. Troops on foot patrol in Unnichchi in Ampara area came under LTTE`s small arms fire last morning. In retaliation, Army killed six Tigers and injured many, sources in the East added.
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| Security
Security Forum
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JHU meets Karuna faction to discuss east Monday, 26 March 2007 - 7:30 AM SL Time The Jathika Hela Urumaya met members of the Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) on issues related to the protection of the environment and archaeological sites in the eastern province, the Daily Mirror learns The JHU Representatives met the political delegates of TMVP at its Political Secretariat Head Office in Colombo last Thursday. The two parties had also discussed the political activities of the TMVP during the meeting that went on for more than two hours. Several issues relating to the eastern province were discussed, and among them were the culture and tradition of the people living in the province and the bad elements which systematically destroy the cultural values. Both parties proposed plans to reform this situation.
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Army seize large LTTE arms, medication haul Saturday, 24 March 2007 - 9:56 AM SL Time Security forces seized a large quantity of explosives hidden in a lorry parked opposite a house at Navanthurai in Jaffna yesterday morning, sources said. Among the items recovered were a suicide jacket, two explosive charges, a bottle of cyanide powder, two satellite phones, three remote controls, nine claymore charges, four communications sets, one Nokia phone charger and 20 code sheets, sources said. The detection was made around 9.00 a.m. sources said adding that troops had located a large cache of weapons and medicine in the Annakottai area, in Jaffna on Thursday. Among the items detected on Thursday were one RPG, a micro pistol, 25 9 MM live ammunition, a 9 volt battery, 350 grams of C4 explosives, a mini UZI magazine, two communication sets fitted with Improvised Explosive Device, 118 syringes, an assortment of about 1,100 drugs, 66 bottles of medicine, 25 bottles of saline and a large stock of other medical items.
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Police raid building sites Saturday, 24 March 2007 - 9:53 AM SL Time A massive search operation was launched yesterday to check particulars of employees and vehicles at building sites in the Western province, police said. Western Province DIG N.K. Ilangakoon said police had received information that several workmen employed in building projects were involved in terrorist and underworld activities including murders. He said the search operation would cover 88 police areas in Colombo, Kalutara, and Gampaha districts with station OICs being requested to furnish a report to Police Headquarters within 24 hours. The DIG said according to reports more than 10,000 workers including carpenters, masons and helpers were employed at various building sites in the Western Province. He said the Police Headquarters had informed all police stations in the province regarding the current operations.
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| Politics
Political News Forum
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Govt. to compensate child for loss of hand Monday, 26 March 2007 - 7:31 AM SL Time The Government will compensate the two-and-half-year-old Hasani Udeshika, of Galagedara, for the loss of her right hand while undergoing treatment in hospital. Udeshika`s right hand was amputated at the Colombo National hospital in a bid to save her life, Health Ministry sources revealed. The sources told The Island that the patient suffering from pneumonia was admitted to the Galagedara hospital a few months ago where she had been administered an injection to artery instead of a vein by the duty nurse. Following the injection the child had developed swelling on her right hand and the hand was getting bad. The Galagedara hospital authorities had transferred the child to the Kandy hospital and subsequently the Kandy hospital had transferred the child to the Colombo National hospital.
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Lanka won`t be intimidated: Dayan Sunday, 25 March 2007 - 6:20 AM SL Time The newly appointed Sri Lankan ambassador to Geneva, speaking at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Thursday voiced strong opposition to what was said by some member states and non-governmental organizations when speaking about Sri Lanka. According to a transcript of a statement made by Ambassador Dayan Jayatillake during a right of reply during the ongoing sessions, he took exception to the tone and attitude of at least two NGOs and Sweden`s representative. In a strongly worded speech Ambassador Jayatillake said Sri Lanka was committed to remaining constructively engaged with UN mechanisms and the international community as a whole. He emphasised that as a sovereign democracy it would not be `prodded, pushed or intimidated` into accepting any measures or institutions against its wishes.
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President no-balls World Cup VIPs Sunday, 25 March 2007 - 6:19 AM SL Time With Sri Lanka moving into the Super Eight of the Cricket World Cup, a large group, including ministers and top officials had planned to go to the Caribbean Islands at a cost of some Rs. 20 million in public funds ? but President Mahinda Rajapaksa has intervened to stop it. The Sunday Times learns the plan was for Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge, non-cabinet sports minister Bandula Basnayake, several provincial sports ministers Sri Lanka Cricket chief Jayantha Dharmadasa and other officials of the Cricket Board and Sports Ministry to go to the Caribbean. Mr. Basnayake told The Sunday Times the President had given an order that only he and his ministry secretary could go at state expense. If Sri Lanka reached the semi final stage, Sports Minister Lokuge would be allowed to go.
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| Business / Economy News
Business News Forum
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Pakistan reduces duty on Sri Lankan betel exports to 20% Sunday, 25 March 2007 - 6:43 AM SL Time The Pakistani government has reduced the duty on Sri Lankan betel exports to 20% from a previous 35% and also abolished the existing quota system for this commodity following talks Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris held with Pakistani Commerce Minister Humayun Akthar Khan in Islamabad recently. This duty concession will benefit farmers in a big way and boost Sri Lanka`s betel exports to Pakistan. Unlike earlier when Sri Lanka could export only 1200 MT to Pakistan under an annual quota system, the new agreement reached between Prof. Peiris and Minister Akthar Khan paves the way for unlimited exports in keeping with the growing demand, an official news release said. Prof. Peiris led a delegation to Islamabad for talks with his Pakistani counterpart for the first ministerial review meeting after the implementation of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement in June 2005.
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More bets than bats Sunday, 25 March 2007 - 6:21 AM SL Time Cricket betting which is believed to be linked to the sensational murder of Pakistan`s coach Bob Woolmer is racing beyond horses in Colombo and elsewhere in Sri Lanka. Bookmakers and betting centres in Colombo are putting out World Cup specials and say matches are now more popular and are drawing more bets than horse races. Millions of Lankans watched the crucial Sri Lanka-India match on Friday and betting centres say they offered and received bets on various aspects of the game if not a ball-by-ball basis. They said bets were offered and received on who would win the toss and who would score the first six besides the bigger bets on winners and losers. For the rest of the matches, bets are now open and reads like the list of horses and jockeys for a race -- Man of the match, man of the series, highest scorer for a match, the tournament`s top scorer, highest opening partnership, number of sixes, number of runouts, highest wicket taker, and winners of the world cup.
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Cricket fans break record - Sri Lankans consumed a record 28.7 giga watt Friday, 23 March 2007 - 6:10 AM SL Time Sri Lankans consumed a record 28.7 giga watt hours of electricity on Wednesday. The CEB attributed this heavy single-day consumption to the Sri Lanka - Bangladesh World Cup cricket match which commenced around 7 pm and continued into the wee hours of Thursday. The CEB appealed to all cricket fans to switch off other lights and help conserve energy during World Cup cricket matches.
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| Editorial News
Editorial News Forum
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State vehicles - investigate the big picture Sunday, 25 March 2007 - 6:43 AM SL Time Many years ago, the then Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, made an off-the-cuff remark that `those riding around in about 90% of the vehicles you see on the road are not paying for their petrol.` This undoubtedly was a guesstimate, a ball park figure if you like. But there is a strong truth underlying it. The vast majority of the vehicles seen on the road, and their passengers swanking around in them in air conditioned comfort, are either riding State or company-owned vehicles or, in relatively few instances, their own cars with an employer reimbursing the cost of the fuel. We make this comment in the light of the ongoing prosecution against former Minister Sripathi Sooriarachchi for the misuse of State property. In this instance, he is accused to have held on to a Land Rover, apparently assigned to him at a time he was holding public office, and not returning it when he ceased to hold that office. Since this matter is in court and is sub judice we are neither entitled to nor wish to comment on the rights and wrongs of the case. But like the vast majority of people who are following Sooriarachchi`s travails as reported in the media, we too would like to ask the question: `Which political office holder, past or present, can place his hand on his heart and say that they are not misusing official vehicles?` Very few, we would say, very very few. The sad reality that not only politicians, but a large number of government officials too, use State-owned vehicles assigned to them for official travel for all manner of private purposes. And nobody cares a damn, not even the taxpayer who must eventually pick up the tab.
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The saffron robe and the khaki suit: Some questions Thursday, 22 March 2007 - 3:32 AM SL Time It is reported that a Buddhist monk wants to be an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). He has reportedly undertaken to face an endurance test prescribed by the IGP. In so doing, he has gone way beyond the others of his ilk given to unorthodoxy. So far, we have had monks seeking to be lawyers, applying for driving licenses, entering politics etc. but this particular monk is sure to stir up a bigger controversy, if he wants to be a police officer without giving up the robe. The law enforcement officers are those who handle weapons, descend on criminals, and fight gun battles among other things which, we believe, don`t go with the vinaya rules guiding Buddhist monks. How can a monk chase a lawbreaker, use force to overpower him and haul him up before courts? Whether or not the monk concerned will proceed beyond the endurance test remains to be seen, but the fact that more and more monks are opting for a radical departure from the spiritual path in search of mundane gains points to a serious problem, if not a crisis, in the sasana. History, it may be argued, has numerous instances of monks straying into worldly affairs, even during the time of the Enlightened One. But, today, the situation is evidently deteriorating at a much more rapid pace.
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Misuse of public property: `Limited offensives` won`t do! Tuesday, 20 March 2007 - 5:45 AM SL Time Former Minister Sripathy Sooriaarachchi, taken in for questioning over an alleged misuse of public property, has been remanded. A matter which is before Court of law, as we know, had better be left to the learned judges for adjudication. But, the government`s high octane performance in this particular case has led to a number of questions which warrant a public discussion. Is it only Sripathy who has misused public property? If Diogenes the Cynic were alive and resident in this country, he would probably go about holding a lamp in daylight looking for a politician who hasn`t misused state property. However, the fact that all politicians are culpable for the same offence doesn`t mean that one of them shouldn`t be dealt with separately for it. But, the government ought to tell the public what it proposes to do with the others who too deserve to be hauled up before Courts? Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander!
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| Sports News
Sports News Forum
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Indian cricket stars` lookalikes hide from angry fans after India`s World Cup loss Monday, 26 March 2007 - 10:04 AM SL Time Life as a lookalike of an Indian cricket star can have its perks, but lately it`s had a nasty downside, with some hiding from irate fans after India`s loss to Sri Lanka, a news report said Sunday. India`s defeat to Sri Lanka on Friday disappointed millions of Indians with the team facing its ouster from the World Cup in the Caribbean. Fans vented their anger by burning effigies and posters of the players in several Indian cities and towns. The team`s participation in the tournament has also resulted in the deaths of two Indians, one who hanged himself and another who died of a heart attack. Lookalikes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Mohinder Dhoni - popular among cricket-mad Indians during better performances - have been watching their backs in recent days. In the past, they made frequent appearances on television and were cheered by spectators during cricket matches.
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Woolmer`s murder points to sleazy side of sport Monday, 26 March 2007 - 7:32 AM SL Time Bob Woolmer`s murder at the Cricket World Cup illustrates how far removed the sport is from the sedate image that many people associate with the game. Modern-day professional cricket is plagued by doping scandals, match fixing, ball-tampering, cheating and riots. Police in Jamaica are trying to discover whether the strangling of Woolmer, the Pakistan team coach, in his hotel room was connected to the sleazy side of the sport. Over the past 15 years, cricket has become a target for gamblers and bookmakers, especially in Asia. Big money bets have led to a series of match-rigging cases. `There`s an underground business and the bookmakers are ruining the game,` said former South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald, who played under Woolmer. `It seems to me that will never stop because bookmakers have such easy access to players.`
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Nalanda aiming to break 53-year jinx Saturday, 24 March 2007 - 9:55 AM SL Time Two of Sri Lanka`s leading Buddhists institutions Ananda and Nalanda will come out again when they clash for the 78th time in the annual `Battle of the Maroons` big match cricket encounter for the Sujeewa Kamalsooriya memorial trophy to be played today and tomorrow at the SSC grounds. Kamalasooriya was an outstanding sportsman of Ananda who led the cricket team in the year 1983. He met with a tragic death during the tsunami disaster that devastated Sri Lanka three years ago. Between the period 1942 to 1947 the encounter was not played due to World War Two. Of the 77 encounters played the Anandians are leading with 14 wins as against six to Nalanda with the rest being drawn.
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