| Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions |
Sri Lankan News & Discussions |
|
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
|
Most Recent News Discussions
|
| More Headline News |
|
BIA to be open at night Monday, 18 June 2007 - 5:01 AM SL Time The government has decided to reopen the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at night, after the delivery of sophisticated defence equipment to prevent LTTE air strikes in the future. The defence establishment will soon take delivery of 3D radars which will be able to detect low-flying Tiger craft, defence officials said. The radars are to arrive in Sri Lanka shortly, after which BIA will be open for air traffic at night. Meanwhile the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the Airport will continue with its night closure until August 10 when the authorities will consider recommendations from security officials and other connected state agencies on whether it should remain or be lifted, The night closure was enforced from May 9 after late night bombing raids by small Tiger aircraft in Colombo and the airforce base adjoining the airport. 
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 179 )
Co-chairs to tighten screws on Lanka Monday, 18 June 2007 - 12:56 AM SL Time The four Co-chairs meeting in Oslo next week are to consider the next step in the face of Sri Lanka`s refusal to bow to western pressure to halt the war, allow international monitors to oversee human rights obligations and to be cowed by cuts in western aid. Norway, which is calling the meeting, is expected to present a rather pessimistic report to its other three partners following Minister Erik Solheim`s meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Geneva and the president`s uncompromising speech to the ILO conference. Western diplomatic sources said that since the two-day meeting from June 25 is a routine meeting of this group, it is unlikely that a statement would be issued at the conclusion. But they said if after the Norwegian report and a comparing of notes it was felt that Sri Lanka needed to be chastised, the Co-chairs would not hesitate to pull all the stops. Although too soon to be certain, there is a feeling gaining ground that the Co-chairs might, at some stage down the line, use a referral process to take the Sri Lanka issue before the UN Security Council for action if the situation deteriorates.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 82 )
Fresh initiatives to stabilise CFA Sunday, 17 June 2007 - 12:11 PM SL Time The representatives of the Co-Chair countries dealing with the Sri Lankan peace process are expected to gather at the Norwegian capital Oslo this week to discuss the current state of the Ceasefire Agreement in Sri Lanka (CFA). The Co-Chair countries are expected to come up with fresh initiatives in stabilising the CFA in Sri Lanka which is in a weak state, informed sources said. The Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission along with the American Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, Japanese Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi and the Norwegian Facilitator Erik Solheim will take part in the Oslo discussion on June 25 and 26 on the CFA in Sri Lanka.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 131 )
|
|
More Headline News
|
| Security
Security Forum
|
|
SL Defense Ministry accuses NY Times reporter of falsehood Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 6:54 AM SL Time Sri Lanka`s Military commander for Jaffna region, Major Gen. G.A. Chandrasiri Sunday accused Somini Sengupta, a senior reporter for New York Times for `shameful falsification of facts...depraving the true spirit of professional journalism,` for quoting him as saying that `certain members of the Security forces are involved in Human Rights violations in Jaffna.` The Major General said in a report published in Sri Lanka Defense Ministry website that he had never acknowledged involvement of armed forces in any of the crimes mentioned in the article or recognized any `Tamil Paramilitary group` as `pro-government.` In the article publish on 15th June Friday under the title `Sri Lanka`s Scars Trace Lines of War without End` in International Herald Tribune, Ms Sengupta wrote: `General Chandrasiri, in an interview, first said the abductions were the work of pro-government Tamil paramilitary groups who, as he put it, try to `eliminate` Tamil Tiger operatives. He later acknowledged that some people in the security forces could also be involved. `I`m not saying all our people are clean,` he said. `Our duty is to catch them and punish them.``
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 6 )
Tiran allowed leave to proceed with FR plea Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 4:39 AM SL Time The Supreme Court yesterday granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights violation application filed by Tiran Alles. He had complained that on May 30, 2007, the Terrorist Investigation Unit arrested him without stating a reason and that the arrest was mala- fide and politically motivated since he is a close friend of Mangala Samaraweera who recently had a dispute with the Government. Leave to proceed was granted on the alleged illegal arrest. But the investigations against him done by the TID, on suspected disbursement of funds to the LTTE will continue. If the Police wants to question Alles further on the topic, they will have to seek an order from the Chief Magistrate, Colombo to do so.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 3 )
Deadlocked political process undermines military effort Monday, 18 June 2007 - 5:05 AM SL Time The undue delay in finalizing a set of political proposals was detrimental to the ongoing military efforts against the LTTE, authoritative sources said. Contrary to grandiose claims, the process remained deadlocked with the government yet to decide on devolution proposals, the sources said. A further delay would be catastrophic, the sources said, warning that the international community was taking advantage of the inexcusable hold-up of the political process to demand an end to the military campaign. Had we tabled a tangible set of political proposals through the All Party Representative Committee (APRC), the international community would have adopted a relatively soft stand and most importantly it would have silenced the main opposition, the sources said.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 4 )
|
|
|
| Politics
Political News Forum
|
|
HSZ `announced in May` Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 6:56 AM SL Time A new High Security Zone (HSZ) in eastern Sri Lanka was announced in May this year, the government has admitted. Defence Affairs spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, told the BBC that he did a mistake on Sunday when he said HSZ yet to be established. `I was not communicated with the details when I was in Geneva,` he told BBC Tamil Service. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has signed a special Gazette notification HSZs in Muttur (east) and Sampur on 30 May. The LTTE-controlled areas were captured by Sri Lanka military, last year.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Tigers a threat to India`s sovereignty Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 6:55 AM SL Time A top Indian defence expert has warned that India should take the threat posed to shipping in Indo-Lanka waters by the LTTE more seriously, as it could impact adversely on the country`s sovereignty. Colonel R. Hariharan, a former military intelligence specialist in counter insurgency and a member of the IPKF, was quoted as saying by the Indian Defence Website that New Delhi should not ignore the threat by the Tigers to the country`s sea going vessels taking a political angle. `Is there a political angle in this issue involving national security? It should not be. If so, it would be dismal because it is at the cost of national sovereignty, and security of vessels flying the Indian colours,` he said.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Nobody can make and break Govts: Sirisena Monday, 18 June 2007 - 5:08 AM SL Time The people who claim they brought the government to power will not be allowed to destroy it now, Agricultural Development Minister Maithripala Sirisena said in Polonnaruwa. The SLFP General Secretary was speaking at the inauguration of the `Jantha Sathkara` programme at the Royal College in Polonnaruwa on Saturday. Minister Sirisena said `Anybody claiming to have made the government and now trying to destroy it will not be allowed to do so.` He said division within the government would not be allowed and that everybody had a right for the Government.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 6 )
|
|
|
| Business / Economy News
Business News Forum
|
|
Karu to end State waste Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 6:53 AM SL Time Public Administration Minister Karu Jayasuriya has decided to introduce austerity measures in State organizations. `It is extremely necessary to eliminate wastage, especially unnecessary expenses by State organizations if the public service is to be more productive and efficient. Most State organizations have begun to squander money,` Jayasuriya said. He said it had become fashion for government functions, such awards ceremonies, workshops,seminars and awareness programmes to be held in 5-star hotels expending a great deal of money. He had already instructed the departments under his Ministry to avoid such programmes with immediate effect and expected all other departments too to strictly avoid unnecessary expenses.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 7 )
Sri Lanka in the verge of a massive crisis due to fuel dispute Monday, 18 June 2007 - 5:12 AM SL Time Officials of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation warn the country might face a severe fuel shortage if the CPC is unable to repay the loans which it has acquired to purchase crude oil, and if the banks stop issuing loans for the purpose. It is being reported that the Electricity board, the Railway Department, the Three armed forces and several others have already purchased oil worth 28,000 million rupees from the CPC and are yet to pay the debts. Officials at the CPC are therefore tensed saying the CPC is in the verge of a collapse if the particular institutions or the Treasury does not take appropriate steps to repay the debt to the CPC. The Electricity board alone owes 15,500 million rupees to the CPC. An official from the CPC told LeN that if the sum was deposited in a bank the corporation could have earned 350 million rupees through interest alone.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
US$ 1 b boost for power sector Monday, 18 June 2007 - 5:11 AM SL Time The Government is embarking on a number of massive electricity projects exceeding an investment of US$ 1,000 million over the next few years to avert any power crisis. The biggest project is the coal-fired Norochcholai power plant, an investment of US$ 455 million. `The plant will be fully operational by 2012, adding 900 MW adding to the national grid. The 300 MW first phase will be operational by 2009,` Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne said. `The Ministry had already taken steps to add another 3,000 MW to the national grid using coal power in the next six years. Three new coal-fired power plants are due to be constructed in Trincomalee, Hambantota and Mawella apart form the already commenced construction of the Norochcholai power plant,` Minister Seneviratne said.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
|
|
|
| Editorial News
Editorial News Forum
|
|
Blair`s offer to do a Solheim Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 6:59 AM SL Time Sri Lanka has many friends. They are of many kinds. With some of them, she needs no enemies. Look at her `best friend` across the Palk Straits. India never misses an opportunity to call her little neighbour a close friend. She boasts of historical relations dating back to times immemorial between the two nations. Paradoxically, India won`t help her bosom pal to clear the mess she herself created. She also doesn`t want little Lanka to reach out to other friends over and above her head to procure the urgently needed military equipment. Like a good friend, she offers military assistance to her friend in trouble. But, in the same breadth, she refuses to give offensive weapons. It is like a quack putting a patient on a placebo and denying him or her access to a physician!
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 7 )
Newton`s fourth law: We`ll die in 2060 Monday, 18 June 2007 - 8:12 AM SL Time RENOWNED British scientist Sir Isaac Newton, the father of modern physics and astronomy, predicted the world would end in 2060 in a 1704 letter that went on show in Jerusalem today. A famed rationalist, who secured a royal exemption so that he would not have to follow the teachings of the Church of England, Newton nonetheless based his prediction on a Biblical text. Working from verses in the Book of Daniel, the elaborator of the classical laws of gravity, motion and optics argued that the world would end 1260 years after the foundation of the Holy Roman Empire in western Europe in 800 AD. The letter, on show at Jerusalem`s Hebrew University as part of an exhibition entitled `Newton`s Secrets`, is part of an array of papers of the British scientist bequeathed to the institution by a wealthy collector of scientific manuscripts.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 17 )
All holy hands to oars, please! Monday, 18 June 2007 - 5:06 AM SL Time Perpetuation of a conflict is inevitable when its resolution is entirely left to the warring parties and the vested interests who step in, masquerading as mediators or facilitators. The parties embroiled in a protracted conflict are naturally driven by maximalism and brinkmanship, which ruin the chances of their reaching a consensus, without which a negotiated settlement is only a pie in the sky. The self-appointed mediators/facilitators who betray their partiality to one party or the other and thereby forfeit their credibility, instead of helping settle a dispute, only fuel the flames of hatred. To them, a conflict in a strategic location in the world is like a festering wound to maggots?something to thrive on. The maximum they will help a country plagued with a conflict achieve is a no-win situation for both parties so that they can continue to have a strong presence in the region and further their own interests. Sri Lanka`s conflict is a case in point.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 3 )
|
|
|
| Sports News
Sports News Forum
|
|
Mahela wants new faces to shine in Bangladesh series Tuesday, 19 June 2007 - 6:58 AM SL Time Sri Lankan cricket captain Mahela Jayawardena said yesterday that the absence of veteran batsman Marvan Atapattu, who pulled out from the Bangladesh series, was a disappointment but added it was a blessing in disguise as the occasion would also provide an opportunity for a new face to grab the occasion. `It`s disappointing but we should know the responsibilities and it is a chance for a new player to prove himself and fill the void (left by Atapattu)`, said Jayawardena at a news conference in Colombo yesterday to mark the launch of the series which begins on June 25. Jayawardena did not say who could take Atapattu`s place but it is likely that 28-year old uncapped left hand batsman Malinda Warnapura would find himself playing a part in the Test series. Jayawardena said that he was looking at a long term plan as there is plenty of cricket coming up during the next few months. After the home series against Bangladesh the Sri Lankans will compete in the inaugural Twenty-20 tournament in South Africa followed by a home series against England and a tour to Australia for two test matches in Brisbane and Hobart. Jayawardena said that there would be a lot of cricket this year and the players need to be guided in a proper manner. He said that he will not hesitate to experiment with some of the new players during the Bangladesh series in consultation with the national selectors. The Sri Lankan captain said that there are a few players who are anxiously waiting for a break and they are certain to grab the opportunity with both hands.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
Last minute try produces free-for-all at Wesley-Thurstan rugby encounter Saturday, 16 June 2007 - 6:35 AM SL Time A disputed try by wing three quarter Zalique Jayah helped Wesley College snatch a thrilling 13 points to ten victory over Thurstan College in their Singer inter -school `A` division league rugby tournament match played at Longden Place yesterday. The last minute try in fact produced a free-for-all as a section of the crowd invaded the field even before the conversion was taken. This match was also played for the Diyanesh Rajaratnam trophy. The presentation ceremony did not take place due to the unruly crowd behaviour. The referee Priyantha Gunaratne was forced to run for shelter following the crowd invasion but touch judge Samath who was at the receiving end survived with minor injuries. The Thurstanites felt that Zalique Jayah had stepped out of his crease while touching down near the corner flag.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Lankan spikers make a clean sweep Friday, 15 June 2007 - 6:44 AM SL Time Sri Lankan spikers made a clean sweep of the three Test series when they completely outplayed the Maldivians to win the series at 3-0 yesterday in the final Test Sri Lankans defeated the visitors three sets to nil. But the Maldivian who lost the first and the second games put up a splendid fight proving they are improving tremendously game by game. In the final game yesterday the first set was won by the locals. It was interesting to note the highly improved Maldivians going to a slender lead at the start and held onto it until the locals equalise at 5 all: Fighting strongly the visitors once again went ahead when the local blockers failed to halt few smashes that came from their opponents. After coming to equal terms at 8 all the Lankan spikers combined well to collect five points at a stretch to take a firm grip of the set. They never allowed the Maldivians to come terms until they finish the set at 25-14.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
|
|
|
(C) 2000-2007 www.lankanewspapers.com - Sri Lankan News & Discussions - Contact Us - RSS Feed - News Archives - src - FAQ |
Search All News and Discussions 
