Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

Lost everything but not education!

Children of the internally displaced persons studying under the shade of a tree within the premises of a makeshift school put up at the Menic Farm Welfare Centre in Vavuniya. Pic by Dinuka Liyanawatte

Wreckage of an aircraft used by the Tamil Tiger rebels to launch an attack to Capital Colombo is seen scattered in a marshy land near Katunayake International air port after it was gunned down by the Sri Lankan Air Force in Katunayake, about 20 kilometers north of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, Feb 20, 2009. Two rebel aircraft launched a surprise raid on the Sri Lankan capital late Friday, an act of defiance by the beleaguered Tamil Tiger rebels in the face of a punishing military offensive in the north. The military shot down both planes, one of which crashed into a government office building, killing one person and wounding more than 40 others.

They used their brain and not the cyanide capsule! - Rapa

58 Div extends their defences 3 LTTE terrorists surrendered

Troops of 58 Division advancing further eastwards from A-9 Highway extending their defences amidst stiff resistance given by the terrorists, defence.lk correspondent in 58 Division said.

Troops had several confrontations with LTTE terrorists in general area Dharmapuram yesterday, 13 January, inflicting heavy damages to the enemy. In a subsequent search operation conducted troops have found three bodies of LTTE terrorists killed during the confrontation along with 3 T-56 riffles.

In what appeared as a sign of religious harmony, the Muslims led by Kirinda Jumma Masjid Chief Imam Mohomad Falil offered alms to the Bhikkhus and laymen who observed sill at Kirinda Sri Bhodirukkarama Vihare on `Ill Poya` today.

Pic by Krishan jeewaka jayaruk

What a heart warming moment! The move by these 2 communities cooperating with each other in a much needed moment must be applauded. More people should join into such efforts! Countering racism in style! Well done Sri Lankans! You guys made my day!

LTTE terrorists have carried out a suicide attack targeting Merchant Ship Ruhuna and Nimalawa, in the north sea of Sri Lanka at 5.10, this morning (Oct 22), defence sources said. The attack is viewed as another cowardly attempt by the terrorists to deny essential supplies to the civilians living in war affected areas, the sources added.

Meanwhile, Navy spokesperson, Commander DKP Dassanayake told defence.lk that 3 LTTE suicide vessels have come for the attack. Navy sailors

The UNP staged a bullock cart protest in Fort today against the fuel price hike. Several UNP parliamentarians and their supporters took part in the protest despite the inclement weather experienced during the day.

Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

STATE OF THE NATION -
By Sonali Samarasignhe


The UNP and SLFP (M) led political front commenced a national consultation programme Monday, in a bid to build a broader front to tackle critical issues facing the country.

Stating the people of this country were equally responsible for the crisis it is in today, the National Council promised to bring back lost values into politics by seeking the input of professionals in legal, administrative, medical and other sectors through a wide ranging process of national consultation and policy development.

Animal rights group asks LTTE leader to leave animals out of war
Tuesday, February 19, 2008, 11:59 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Feb 19, Colombo: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an international animal rights group, urged Sri Lanka`s Tamil Tigers to leave animals out of the civil war after the Tigers allegedly carried out a grenade attack at the zoo.

Cry Our Beloved Country

Head of State of Sri Lanka and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and police, Mahinda Rajapakse spoke with much optimism and bombast at Galle Face Green on Monday morning addressing a `captive` audience of service chiefs, diplomats, bureaucrats, politicians and soldiers. It was more or less the usual bombast of heads of state on Independence Day but Rajapakse`s address on this Freedom Day was different.

Probe allowed into death threats for exposing JVP
[29-01-2008 5.35pm] The Colombo Chief Magistrate`s Court has permitted the police to investigate death threats allegedly received by Dimuthu Ketapearachchi, Media Secretary to the Minister of Textile Industries.
Additional Magistrate Ajith Anawaratne also ordered the relevant telephone companies to furnish necessary information to the Welikada Police today (Jan. 29th).

Police informed the court that statements were yet to be obtained regarding the complaint.

JVP youth to take to the jungle in 2008?
Bahu`s Column

Last week I was not feeling well and was unable to participate in the funeral procession of the late Maheswaran, MP, the fourth Tamil leader to be killed after Kumar Ponnambalam, Pararajasingham and Raviraj. All of them could speak in both Sinhala and English and explain the Tamil national problem, especially to the Sinhala people. That is exactly what they did.

Sivajilingam and Mano Ganesan fall into the same category and both are living lives under threat. The government argument is that such people are a threat to separatism as they become friends of the Sinhala people. Hence the LTTE must have eliminated them! But the simple truth is that the government should have protected them and, at least, should have found their killers. The government has failed to do so in each of these cases.

Maheswaran cremated: UNP tells Govt. to resign



By Yohan Perera and S. Selvanayagam

Last rites for slain UNP MP T. Maheswaran were held yesterday amidst a large gathering and the Opposition pointing its finger at the government calling for its resignation. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, who made the key oration, called on all forces to unite to fight the undemocratic acts of the government and the terror unleashed by armed groups.

Govt`s agony after the ecstasy

Even as floods displaced nearly 30,000 people in the east at the weekend, a jolted government last week emerged from the budget vote politically scarred and reduced to a minority in parliament. Down to 114 seats of which three are those of members sitting in opposition, the ruling party as articulated by Basil Rajapakse himself had never been so nervous depending totally on the JVP to rescue it from disaster.