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suriyan

Pointless attempt

Return of disappearances

However Minister Samarasinghe's words have done little to get international organisations off the government's back. Just last week, Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Arbitrary or Summary Executions, Professor Philip Alston said that since 2005, the conflict in Sri Lanka continues to involve extrajudicial executions and disappearances directed at civilians and others no longer involved in combat. He said that the return of disappearances on a large scale - the so-called 'white van' syndrome - should be especially disturbing to anyone with even a cursory familiarity with Sri Lanka's recent history.

He added that the government has, unfortunately, responded to this pattern of human rights violations primarily with a public relations campaign designed to head off international scrutiny. While there have been some positive initiatives, including the establishment of a commission of inquiry accompanied by an independent international group of eminent persons, Professor Alston said that these cannot plausibly respond to the abuses occurring on a daily and escalating basis.

Villupuram, April 07: Twenty people were killed and 18 injured, some seriously, when a car believed to be carrying 'some explosive substance' blew up at Senthur village near here today, police said.

Police said people noticed smoke emanating from a car parked on the national highway while its three occupants were making a futile attempt to douse the fire.

They abandoned the car before it exploded, killing 10 people instantly. Ten others succumbed to injuries in hospital, police said.

Police have launched a search to trace the three persons who were in the car.

The injured and those killed were picking tamarind from a tree. The explosion was so intense that 40 nearby houses were damaged by it.

Police officials said they suspected the car might have been carrying some explosive substance. Pointing to the extent of damage, they said this might be due to some 'strong explosive materials'.

Immediately after the explosion, security has been tightened across the state.

The DGP and senior officials, including forensic experts, have left for the site of the explosion and further investigations in the case are on.

PMK founder S Ramadoss, who visited the spot, told reporters that the state government should pay relief of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of those killed and reconstruct the damaged houses.

There have been several seizures of explosives and components used in bombs in recent weeks in Tamil Nadu and in the waters off the state's coast. Officials believe these materials were being smuggled to the LTTE in Sri Lanka.

President feels a tremor caused by unbalanced power

(LeN-2007 April 06, 7.00 pm) It is being reported from the Temple trees that the government is experiencing a few tremors as the number of very close allies of the president has reduced to 19 and 18 parliamentarians including several ministers have pledged to support Mangala Samaraweera at an emergency.

Before president Rajapakse flew to India for the SAARC summit he has called his close allies to the temple trees and briefed them regarding the functions of the government, the details scheduled to be discussed at the summit and few other important political moves. The president had called only four ministers for the particular discussion. They are Dalas Alahaperuma, Maithripala Sirisena, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. the head of state has also called up 15 others who are non cabinet deputy ministers, which gives an indication that the number of close allies of the president has dropped to 19.

During the discussion it had been mentioned that 18 parliamentarians are supporting Mangala Samaraweera and that one particular person should work to free them from Mangala. Though the number of close allies to Mangala has been put to18, it is reported to us that the figure stands at 31.

Meanwhile when Sripathi Suriarachchi questioned minister of transport Dalas Alahaperuma regarding the statement he made in parliament to protect the president Alahaperuma had said that since ministers are reluctant to speak for the president he decided to make the initiative on a request made by president.

Dravid is captain for next three tours
Cricinfo staff
April 7, 2007
The working committee of the BCCI, meeting in Mumbai today, effected several key changes in the functioning of top-level cricket, including payments more directly linked to performance, curbs on player endorsements and appointments in the coaching department. It also appointed Rahul Dravid team captain for the next three tours, to Bangladesh, Ireland and England; the selectors have been asked to pick a 'young side' for the first of those tours.

Announcing these decisions, N Srinivasan, BCCI treasurer, said the Board had also decided to do away with the zonal system of selection in a year's time.

Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh, he said, would be issued notices asking them for an exaplanation of recent comments made by them to the media.

The subject of player earnings appeared to be the main focus of the meeting, and it was decided to link the payment more directly to performance. Players would be paid a flat fee with win incentives.

On the topic of player endorsements, each player will be allowed a maximum of three endorsements a year but will not be allowed to shoot any commercials up to two weeks prior to any match.

The hole left by Greg Chappell's exit as India coach, will be filled by specialists for each department for the upcoming Bangladesh tour. Robin Singh, the former Indian allounder, has been appointed as India's fielding coach, while Venkatesh Prasad, the former India fast bowler, will take over as the bowling coach. Ravi Shastri, one of the former captains invited to the meeting on Friday, will go as cricket manager.

Main features

Rahul Dravid to captain team for next three tours

Performance based payment structure

Players can do a maximum of 3 endorsements

Ravi Shastri appointed Cricket Manager, Venkatesh Prasad as bowling coach, Robin Singh as fielding coach for Bangladesh tour

Ane paw meharaka

SURIYAN

Why no 3rd part time work in the toilet conplex today? Did you forget or did you lose it?

No one seems to read your carrpy stuff except a few willing SWETs.

Proud Sri Lankans are united with the elected leaders, reagrdless of their names / political views.