Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

and Eelamaya is smiling where he should be crying..

Australia, New Zealand Tamils Commemorate Black July

In marking the 25th anniversary of Black July, Australian Tamils held three different events, a Friday morning rally at the heart of Sydney, followed by a protest meeting at Burwood Park, Burwood, and on Saturday afternoon a photographic exhibition in Melbourne at the State Library Forecourt, opposite the Melbourne Central Railway Station. Meanwhile, New Zealand Tamil Medical Association (NZTMA) and the Tamil Youth Organistion (TYO-New Zealand) organised a blood donation drive, and on Friday held a vigil marking the Black July.

Nicho long day at LNP../

2 TMVP men injured in shooting in Batticaloa

Two men from the TMVP, the paramilitary-cum-political party in Batticaloa, were shot and seriously wounded Saturday around 11:30 p.m while they were riding on a motor cycle along a road near the Amman temple in Puthoor in Batticaloa police division, according to Batticaloa police. The wounded TMVP men have alleged that they were shot by Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) personnel. However, the Police said the details were yet to be clarified.

The injured TMVP men were identified as K. Kamalenthiran, 19 and M. Thevasuthan, 18, attached to the TMVP office on Koavinthan Road in Batticaloa.

Both have been admitted to Batticaloa Teaching Hospital.

Puthoor is located 5 km west of Batticalaoa city.

Sinhala State, which is still incapable of producing even a bullet in their own!

Ultra Fast Attack Boats and Logistic and Surveillance Craft

Home News FM refutes European MPs' charges
FM refutes European MPs' charges
Monday, 28 July 2008 15:35
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagma has refuted allegations by the European parliamentary delegation that visited the country last week regarding human rights and media freedom.

The minister told the media in Colombo on July 26th that they had made the remarks without having a complete understanding of the true situation in the country.

Head of the delegation Robert Evans told the media the previous day that the country's human rights record was very poor and that disappearances, abductions and murders were taking place alarmingly.

Mr. Evans asked the government to arrest this situation and to ensure media freedom.

Kohona clarifies aborted EU visit to East
Monday, 28 July 2008 15:18
Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona has clarified the circumstances that led to the cancellation of a planned visit by the European Parliamentary delegation to Trincomalee.

An EU press statement said the last minute cancellation and a catalogue of chaos and confusion meant that the Delegation did not fly to Trincomalee.

Despite repeated assurances, endless complications resulted in the party being turned back from the Ratmalana Airport, it said.

However, Dr. Kohona said the government had offered to transport the delegation in one of its aircraft which was declined by the European Commission office in Colombo, resulting in the latter seeking a private hire of an aircraft for this purpose

The Ministry of Defence has then contacted the Civil Aviation Authority and requested that a flight to China Bay belonging to a private company be approved for this purpose.

It may be noted that although months of preparation time had been available, the said aircraft had arrived in Sri Lanka from South Africa only on 20th July 2008, with an operating crew inexperienced with the route.

Once the clearance for the aircraft by CAA had been given in the morning hours, and the final segment of the ensuing procedural process was taking place, the delegation had decided to return to their hotel from the Ratmalana airport, Dr. Kohona said.