Friday, August 31, 2007

No plan for major Northern offensive - FM

Sri Lanka has no plans for a major offensive on uncleared areas in the North, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said yesterday.

Government Forces have largely cleared the LTTE from the East, fanning talk they might soon attempt to drive the Tigers out of their main stronghold in the North.

"There's no plan for a major offensive in the North," Bogollagama told Reuters in an interview during a visit to Malaysia, insisting the Government's main priority was to look instead for a political solution to the 24-year-old conflict.

"We want the LTTE to return to the negotiating table."

Bogollagama said consensus proposals from an All Party Representative Committee should be ready to announce within a few weeks. The committee is expected to come up with a new proposal for devolving power.

The international community hopes the initiative can revive the peace process.

Bogollagama said the proposals would need Parliamentary approval but the government would back the recommendations of the Supreme Court as the ultimate authority over the process.

"In the event that it is recommended that we have a referendum, it will be placed before the people," he said.

Bogollagama also defended the Government against allegations it was too slow to probe rights abuses by the military.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Susie keeps Lankan hopes alive

ATHLETICS: Wonder girl Susanthika Jayasinghe kept Sri Lanka's hopes alive as she stormed into the women's 200m final on day six of the 11th IAAF World Championship at the Nagai Stadium on Thursday night.

Running in the second women's 200m semi final, Jayasinghe clocked 22.66 seconds to finish third behind American Sanya Richards (22.50) and Jamaican Aleen Bailey (22.65).

Today her timing was 0.11 seconds slower than her feat in the first round and in the quarter finals - 22.55, her best 200m timing in seven years.

Yet, that was good enough for her to comfortably book a place in Friday's final. LaShantea Moore (22.73) finished behind Jayasinghe but the American too made it to the final as the first four in each semi final would make it to the last eight.

Defending champion Allyson Felix of USA returned a time of 22.21 seconds to win the first semi final which went on a relatively better pace. The assistance of the wind the sprinters had (+0.8 m/s) too contributed towards that while the second race in which Jayasinghe ran was against the wind (-0.4 m/s).

Lanka's search for oil begins

SINGAPORE: Sri Lanka is moving forward with its first oil exploration round, with three roadshows planned in September to present data on three blocks in the offshore Mannar basin, the Petroleum Ministry said.

The Mannar basin, off the island's northwest coast, has been little explored but seismic data is encouraging, the Ministry of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development said on its Website www.prds-srilanka.com.

"Comparisons have been made not only with systems such as those encountered in the Cauvery and Krisha Godavari Basins in India but other international regions such as offshore southeast Brazil, the Gulf of Suez, Nile Delta and East Kalimantan," the Website said. Two blocks in the basin have been allocated to neighbouring India and China, officials said earlier this year.

Sri Lanka delayed its exploration round from April, which analysts said was because exploration is new to the country, and that the Government must draft rules and regulations and build up sector expertise.

The Government hopes to award licenses by early next year, the Government said on its Website. The Government had said that it aimed for exploration to begin in mid-2008. Roadshows will take place in London, Houston and Kuala Lumpur next month.

The Government says seismic data shows more than 1.0 billion barrels of oil lie under the sea off Sri Lanka's northwest coast, though no reserves have yet been proven. If proven, the reserves would be a major boost for the country, which produces no oil and imported $2.1 billion worth in 2006.

Oil imports deepen the budget deficit as the Government keeps prices artificially low at pumps to reduce the Cost of Living.

LONDON AGENT WARNS LANDLORDS OF LIMITATIONS OF ASSURED SHORTHOLD TENANCIES

Landlords should be aware of the limits of Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) as it is no longer applicable for many residential properties in London warns London estate agent Hurford Salvi Carr in its recently published half-yearly review. With entry level prices to the London residential property market continuing to increase and residential rents for many one and two bedroom rental properties following the upward trend, many tenancy renewals are now exceeding the legal threshold.

AST agreements were introduced through the Housing Act 1988 to protect the interests of all landlords and tenants in the private rented sector and have been the backbone of the rental market. However, as AST only covers properties with an annual rental income of up to £25,000, an increasing number of properties across the capital no longer qualify under this legislation. Clerkenwell property Price

Hurford Salvi Carr Lettings Manager Kari Trajer believes this could have consequences for both Landlords and Tenants alike. “Since 1997, the vast majority of new tenancies let to individuals have been let on ASTs. This is creating a misnomer for Landlords based on the assumption that the ASTs are regarded as appropriate for all rental agreements without realising that their rental value exceeds the £481- per week (£25,000 per year) legal ceiling of the AST.“This crucially means the theoretical ‘fast track’ legal ability to recover possession for rent arrears no longer applies and can lead to serious delays if any rent arrear disputes arise with the tenants. “

The increased use of sealed bids for rented properties, which were reported by Hurford Salvi Carr earlier this year, has been just one result of the housing shortage and a contributing factor to the rising prices now exceeding the legal ceiling of AST.

In its recently published half yearly report, Hurford Salvi Carr outlines how the average weekly rental value for a two bedroom property has risen above £480- per week across the West End, City and Docklands.

Hurford Salvi Carr Lettings Manager Kari Trajer continues: “At the present time, the Government is not scheduling amends to increase the legal ceiling of the AST, so Hurford Salvi Carr recommends Landlords and Tenants to be aware when letting or extending an existing tenancy of residential property particularly in the high value London market and the impact this will have on possible possession.

“I believe the legal ceiling of the AST will have to be raised sooner rather than later in order to protect Landlords and reduce the number of delays to secure vacant possession for rent arrears. Until then however, it is crucial that landlords understand the implications of Tenancy Agreements and make sure that the correct form of Tenant agreement is used by their agent.”

Commandos rescue eight LTTE child soldiers - Kangikaidichchi Aru


Police Commandos the elite corps of the Police Special Task Force (STF) on Tuesday (August 28) rescued seven child combatants along with another 20-year old youth who had been forced by the LTTE to engage in a terrorist attack against the security forces in the Kangikaidichchi Aru area.

According to STF sources, the commandos had rescued the group of young LTTE cadres comprising four girls and four boys when they had successfully intercepted a terrorist movement at a location close to the 212 milepost on the Akkaraipattu- Pothuvil main road.

The group of terrorists had attacked the STF commandos who had been conducting a clearing operation in the area around 5 am on Tuesday. The STF personnel had overpowered the terrorist attack successfully forcing them to flee in all directions.

During the subsequent search, STF personnel found eight fear-stricken children who had been hiding in the jungle along with weapons and other military gear belonging to the LTTE.

On inquires, the children have revealed they had come to attack the STF with a group consisting of about 50 other LTTE terrorists. The children have further said the terrorists group had attacked the STF with rocket-propelled grenades and T-56 weapons during the firefight on Tuesday early morning.

Good times ahead for Eastern weavers

The Government has embarked on a large-scale programme to revive the handloom industry in the East under the Eastern Reawakening Programme.

Nine hundred handlooms will be developed for the benefit of over 2,500 weavers in the Ampara, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts after a lapse of many decades.

Textile Industry Development Minister Jayatissa Ranaweera told the Daily News a survey was conducted to ascertain the number of weavers in the East.

This programme also envisages the introduction of the Tara loom machine. The Ministry will provide them training, financial support and explore market avenues for their products, the Minister said.

This revival will create many jobs in the province. “The liberation of the East is a great achievement. It has ensured the development of the people. We are in the process of developing textile industry in the area to once again provide the people with their main livelihood,” Ranaweera said. “We expect to meet the local and foreign demand for textiles by adopting the latest technology in manufacture,” he said.

The Minister said handloom weavers in the East have been long deprived of their livelihood and they will now be able to function on par with the rest of the weavers.

Price slash formula to continue

The Government has decided to further extend its price stabilisation agreement for the month of September too, that will see a continuation in the adoption of wholesale price formula to determine the price of 10 essential commodities as a means of providing relief to the consumers.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Services said the Government will sign the price stability agreement with the Essential Food Commodities Importers and Traders Association at 3.00.p.m today to give effect to this decision.

The maximum wholesale prices of 10 essential commodities will be announced by the Government following the removal of VAT, and PAL(Ports and Aviation Levy) together with the SRL(Social Responsibilities Levy).

Accordingly, potatoes, big onions, red onions, gram, green gram, sugar, canned fish, dried chilies, dhall and sprats will be available at Laksathosa branches, Economic Centres and Co-operatives islandwide at low prices.

The Government has embarked on a special project to provide these essential food items without undue delay to the consumers. Prices of ten essential items have been selling at very low prices for the past few months under this agreement.

This decision was taken by the Cost of Living Committee comprising the Prime Minister, Agriculture Minister and Trade Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Services Minister with the objective of providing concessions to the ordinary masses vis-a-vis the cost of living.

robe committee on child-recruitment

Fulfilling a pledge to the UN Security Council, the Government on Monday appointed a special committee to inquire into abductions and recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.

Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe appointed the 12-member committee, representing all Government stakeholders who will liaise with other State mechanisms to ensure speedy investigations into such allegations, a Ministry spokesman said.

The Government at the Seventh UN Security Council Working group on Children and Armed Conflict on February 9, 2007 promised action to ensure independent and credible investigation into allegations against Security Forces of helping the Karuna faction to recruit children.

This pledge was given following a report by the UN raised allegations that the Security Forces were helping the Karuna faction.

“This committee, directly answerable to Human Rights Minister will oversee and ensure transparent process and help initiate new investigations into complaints of child abductions and recruitment,” the spokesman said.

Sri Lanka’s permanent representative to the UN in New York Bernard Goonatilleke, during the February meeting also conveyed that the Government was “fully committed to the rehabilitation and reintegration of child combatants who escaped from captivity of armed groups.”

The rehabilitation process includes providing a safe environment, re-unification with family and vocational training.

The ‘child rights’ committee comprises Justice and Law Reforms Ministry Secretary Suhada Gamlath, Child Development and Women’s Empowerment Ministry Secretary Indrani Sugathadasa, Disaster Management and Human Rights Ministry Additional Secretary G. K. D. Amarawardana, Chairman of the Child Protection Authority and Deputy Solicitor General’s (AG’s Department) Shavindra Fernando and Yasantha Kodagoda.

It will also have a special Foreign Secretary nominee and representatives from the three Armed Services and the Police nominated by the Defence Secretary and a representative from the Peace Secretariat.

This body will liaise and communicate with other State consultative and co-ordinating mechanisms on protecting human rights and rights under humanitarian law, especially the rights of children caught up in conflict.

Committee to investigate children in armed conflict

A committee has been appointed to inquire into allegations of abduction and recruitment of children for use in armed conflict. The Inter- Ministerial Committee on Human Rights (IMCHR) and the Ministry of Human Rights has taken this decision in consultation with the Secretary to the President.

The necessity of appointing such a committee was highlighted by the United Nations Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict at their seventh meeting held on the 7th of February 2007.

The Government of Sri Lanka conveyed to the Working Group that it would adopt necessary measures to clarify the situation with regard to alleged child recruitments after an impartial investigation. It was also informed to the UN Working Council that the Government of Sri Lanka is fully committed to the rehabilitation and reintegration of child combatants who escaped from the captivity of the armed groups.A media release issued by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights said.

The rehabilitation and reintegration is being done through the provisions of a protective environment as well as family reunification and vocational training.

The Government firmly believes that the conclusions of this committee obtained through an independent and credible investigation would clarify the issues and allegations made against some elements of the Security Forces in connection with the abduction and recruitment of children by the Karuna faction.

The committee will comprise 9 senior officials who are experts in child rights and other relevant subjects.

The committee will liaise and communicate with other consultative and coordinating mechanisms established by the Government that bear responsibility for the safeguarding of human rights, the press release states.

Courtesy: Government Information Department

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Japan - Sri Lanka tea trade growth appreciated

Few guests representing Kirin Beverage Company, Japan visited Sri Lanka on a courtesy call to mark the 20th anniversary of tea business transactions with Sri Lanka.

Last year marked the 20th anniversary of Kirin Gogo no Kocha (afternoon tea) which first went on sale in 1986. Over the past 20 years, 525.6 million boxes have been sold, equivalent of over 10 billion 500 ml plastic bottles.


A press conference was held yesterday with Kirin Beverage Corporation Japan delegates. (From L to R) Isobuchi Jakshi, Chairman of KBC Japan Arai Yoshikaya, Minister of Education Susil Premajayanth, Chairman, Hansa Foundation Nawalage Bennet Cooray participated at the conference to mark the event. Inset : As the top brand in the black tea market, Kirin Gogo no Kocha (mean “Afternoon tea” in English) which manufactured using Sri Lankan superior quality tea continues to propose a new level of taste that is changing the conventional image of black tea in Japan. Picture by Bandula Wijesurendra

Which is the superior quality tea leaves from Sri Lanka, the world’s largest exporter of black tea, which has supported us over the 20 year period.

Kirin Beverage Company, which uses roughly 2,000 tons of Sri Lankan black tea leaves every year, has started the “Book Donation Project” for the elementary schools attended by the children of the people that work in Sri Lanka’s tea plantations to express our “gratitude towards the past 20 years, and for the continued cooperation in the future.” a press release states.

A project consists of ongoing donation activities in the form of yearly donations of high-quality books that can continue to be read long into the future to the children who will create Sri Lanka’s future, as well as building ‘Kirin Beverage Libraries’ in elementary schools is also in cards.

Through these activities we would like to express our appreciation for Sri Lanka, which produces black tea for us, and that our hearts will continue to go out to them for the future.

For the current visit, donation activities will be conducted for the Haputale elementary school in the Uva district.

Hereafter, books will be donated to these three schools over five years, and libraries with about 100 books will be set up, the press release further states.

Buddhism rising in Europe, say Germans

Colombo, (Asiantribune.com): Buddhism is definitely making headway in Germany and the rest of Europe.

Expressing this view were prominent German invitees to a very significant event marking the 50th anniversary (1957-2007) of the first Sri Lankan Buddhist Mission to Germany, at the Savsiripaya Auditorium in Colombo 7, Sri Lanka on August 22.

Sri Lanka honoured the mission - sponsored by the German Dharmadutha Society - with the issue of a commemorative postage stamp and a first day cover by the Government Philatelic Bureau. This is the second time that a Sri Lankan Postage Stamp depicting a scene in Germany has been issued here. Nihal Sangabo Dias designed the new stamp issued on Wednesday.

Guest of Honour, German Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Juergen Weerth thanked the Sri Lankan Authorities for honouring his country in this manner. Focusing on Buddhism's contribution to the creation of close and sustainable links between the two countries, he said the understanding the teachings of the Buddha had been growing in Germany and the rest of Europe for the past 50 years.

He said: "Germans have always been fascinated by the Buddha's teachings. Arthur Schopenhauer called it the most perfect of world religions. Einstein said that if there was any religion that would cope with modern scientific needs it would be Buddhism.

Why are we fascinated? It is because Buddhism is a philosophy of rationality, realism and ethical purity. The respect for Buddhist approach towards creation in general can lay the foundation of universal social ethics - that are dedicated to ecological well-being and social justice and to world peace."

Delivering the keynote address - 'The German Contributions to Theravada Buddhism and the Reception of Buddhism in Germany and its influence on German Culture ' - Professor Karl Heinz-Golzio of the University of Bonn: traced the history of Buddhism in Germany from the early 19th Century to the present day and drew attention to the services of many a German thinker and scholar to the cause of Buddhism in Europe.

Among them were, Arthur Schopenhauer, Karl Eugen Neumann, Dr. Paul Dahlke, the Venerable Nyanatiloka (the first German to become a bhikku) and the Ven. Nyanaponika.

"Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer," Prof. Golzio said, "was among the thinkers who had recognized the validity of Buddhism before its sources were edited and translated into European languages."

Golzio said: "To him Buddhism was the best of all religions because it is preferable to Brahminism with its caste system and even more to Christianity with its fallacious ideas about God and its defective code of ethics in which animals were given no consideration".

The Professor further noted: "Schopenhauer claimed that his own philosophy agreed with the Buddha's teachings. The affinity between Schopenhauer's philosophy and Buddhism is in many ways striking. "

Golzio said that the advent of the Nazis heralded a dark period for Buddhism in Germany. Some Nazi sympathizers had distorted and misinterpreted the Buddha Dhamma, giving it a racial connotation and called it an Aryan religion similar to Hitler's National Socialism. At the same time true Buddhists suffered under the Hitler regime.

Among them was Dr. Paul Dahlke's former Secretary, Dr. Kurt Fischer who published a Buddhist Journal each issue of which the Nazis censored. After Fischer died of a heart attack in 1942 upon hearing that he was to be arrested by the notorious Gestapo, the latter confiscated all his books on Buddhism.

"Today, " Golzio noted "More and more and more Western people have become interested in Buddhism - especially in meditation - as a way to mental peace and calmness. And they convert to Buddhism after a critical trial period."

He said that Buddhism - although still not an officially recognized religion in Germany - it is now a subject in the school curriculum there. This according to him is very significant.

"It is a chance to teach Buddhist values and Buddhist ethics, loving kindness and compassion and unselfishness to the younger generation of Germans - especially at a time of materialism, consumerism, environmental crime, pollution and natural disasters, terrorism and war. Many western people have lost confidence in Christianity and are searching for rational ways of leading a spiritual life. They are also looking for guidance to lead meaningful and happy lives."

Richard Lang - Director of Geothe Institute, Colombo - observed:

"One of the articles on Buddhism by Golzio has been particularly quoted again and again - because he puts forward a very interesting question: Whether we can expect even a larger number of Europeans turning to Buddhism in the future - probably because of this in world which we are living."

Chief Guest, Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister Karu Jayasuriya said that the German Dharmadutha Society's first mission - Initiated by a young Sri Lankan Businessmen Asoka Weeraratne - was the beginning of a long and deep-rooted relationship between Sri Lanka and Germany.

"It was not a mission for conversion but an undertaking to meet the German people and give them solace in their hour of need. Asoka Weeraratne saw the immense potential for Buddhism in Europe , particularly in post-World War II Germany.

"I reiterate that this mission was not for conversion but to give the Buddha's message - to give that philosophy. It is the greatest gift Sri Lanka can offer to the West. I cannot think of anything better."

The Minister said that today Buddhism has become part of the Western culture. According to him, in America alone there are over a million people looking at Buddhism. "Germany and Sri Lanka have had a very long and warm friendly relationship. People of this country have a very special place for Germany.

Sri Lankans will never forget names such as Wilhelm Geiger, Paul Dahlke, Ven Nyanatiloka and Ven Nyanaponika. Socially Germans are very fond of this country. When they visit once they visit many times. I thank the good work done by the German Cultural Institute (Goethe Institute)."

Chief Sanghanayaka of Europe and Chief Patron of the Austria Buddhist (Theravada) Society, Sri Lankan Bhikku Venerable Dr. Wijayarajapura Seelawansa after speaking briefly in Sinhala gave a lengthy talk in German on Buddhism to the Germans in the audience.

He said that many Germans are deriving an immense benefit from the services that the Berlin Buddhist Vihara (Das Buddhistische Haus) in Berlin - Frohnau in offers. Giving the vote of thanks Emeritus Prof J. B. Dissanayake spoke on the Buddhist connection between Sri Lanka and - Greece - the first European country known to people here.

Honorary Secretary of the German Dharmadutha Society Senaka Weeraratne also spoke. Raja Kuruppu was the compere.

Asian Tribune

Last Randoli perahera today

KANDY: The last Randoli Perahera of the Kandy Esala perahera will parade the streets of Kandy today.

The Perahera is expected to start at the auspicious time of 7.32 p.m. from the Sri Dalada Maligawa and proceed along Dalada Veediya, Yatinuwara Veediya, Haras Veediya, D. S. Senanayake Veediya, Raja Veediya before returning to the Dalada Maligawa Square. Large crowds are expected in Kandy today.

New Tourism Act hailed


Stakeholders of the leisure industry hailed the decision taken to implement the new Tourism Act with effect from October 1.

“This is a piece of legislation the industry was waiting for a long time and it will create better working relationship between the government bodies and the private sector” said the President of the Sri Lanka Tourist Hotels Association, Hiran Cooray.

Speaking to the ‘Daily News Business’ he said that this is a very positive move initiated by the government to develop the industry.

The new Tourism Act (No. 38 of 2005) will come into operation with effect from October 01 as per the gazette notification published on August 23 and accordingly, the Tourism Development Authority will be established.

President of Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators, Dirk Grigson said that the move to implement the act would have far reaching positive developments to the country. “We must thank both the Minister and the Government for the initiative taken to go ahead with it,” he said.

“Private and government sector partnerships are effectively carried out in countries such as Singapore which could boast of mass development in tourism,” he said.

Hotelier Anura Loku- hetty said that if the act is implemented and coordinated constructively it would help towards developing the industry.

“The industry can easily become the number one foreign exchange earner through the proper implementation of the Act,” he said. The ‘Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau’ will be a new institution set up to undertake tourism marketing and promotion.

Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, George Michael said that they would now be in a position to reclaim the Tourism CESS.

An accumulated amount of Rs. 750 m is still lying in the Government coffers.

He said that the model of the act is designed similar to the Singapore model, which proved very productive.

He said, “This is only a decentralising of power which is the need of the hour,” he said.

There is a committee to monitor the progress of the implementation of the Act on instructions of the Tourism Minister, and legal implications if any are to be addressed in the form of amendments to the Act.

“The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau will continue to function while the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management will be set up under the New Act shortly,” he said.

LONDON AGENT WARNS LANDLORDS OF LIMITATIONS OF ASSURED SHORTHOLD TENANCIES

Landlords should be aware of the limits of Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) as it is no longer applicable for many residential properties in London warns London estate agent Hurford Salvi Carr in its recently published half-yearly review. With entry level prices to the London residential property market continuing to increase and residential rents for many one and two bedroom rental properties following the upward trend, many tenancy renewals are now exceeding the legal threshold.

AST agreements were introduced through the Housing Act 1988 to protect the interests of all landlords and tenants in the private rented sector and have been the backbone of the rental market. However, as AST only covers properties with an annual rental income of up to £25,000, an increasing number of properties across the capital no longer qualify under this legislation.

Hurford Salvi Carr Lettings Manager Kari Trajer believes this could have consequences for both Landlords and Tenants alike. “Since 1997, the vast majority of new tenancies let to individuals have been let on ASTs. This is creating a misnomer for Landlords based on the assumption that the ASTs are regarded as appropriate for all rental agreements without realising that their rental value exceeds the £481- per week (£25,000 per year) legal ceiling of the AST.“This crucially means the theoretical ‘fast track’ legal ability to recover possession for rent arrears no longer applies and can lead to serious delays if any rent arrear disputes arise with the tenants. “

The increased use of sealed bids for rented properties, which were reported by Hurford Salvi Carr earlier this year, has been just one result of the housing shortage and a contributing factor to the rising prices now exceeding the legal ceiling of AST.

In its recently published half yearly report, Hurford Salvi Carr outlines how the average weekly rental value for a two bedroom property has risen above £480- per week across the West End, City and Docklands property .

Friday, August 24, 2007

Over to you Transport Minsiter

It is a sad thing to note that the State owned public transport system vehicles in Sri Lanka are not maintained and cleaned.

Thousands of new buses are deployed on the roads but no proper system has been deployed to do the daily sweeping and washing and interior cleaning of dust in the windows and maintain these new vehicles.

Minimum facilities and resources are provided to the workers to this job.Only a big bucket, a broom and a brush is provided and not even a piece of cloth to clean the windows.

We as passengers see some of these new buses not washed and cleaned for weeks. The Depot Managers and the responsible authorities will deny this allegation but the fact remains true.

We know that the C. G. R. is going to import 100 new passenger wagons to strengthen the existing service but sad to note that none of the present fleet of wagons or the engines are not cleaned, washed and maintained properly. Specially the toilets in the trains are not clean and give a bad smell for the passengers.

At least we would like to see that the new railway compartments are clean and maintained even for some time. The higher authorities may have seen the public transport systems in the developed countries like United Kingdom, China, Thailand and Australia and may have seen how they are being maintained and their cleanliness. Why are we lacking behind? Don't we have manpower and resources to do this?

The present Transport Minister Dalas Alahapperuma has seen and found that the Puttlam railway station as the dirtiest railway station in the world, but sad to note that he has still not seen the dirtiest buses in the world that belong to the Central Transport Board in Sri Lanka.

It is high time the authorities in the public transport sector (although they don't use public transport) to implement a modality to clean these buses and trains and maintain them.

Japan calls on India to join Asian 'arc of freedom'

INDIA: India and Japan vowed to seal an economic partnership deal by December as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged New Delhi to join Tokyo in the creation of an Asian "arc of freedom."

Abe laid out his vision for a new four-way "arc of freedom and prosperity" bringing together Australia, India, Japan and the US.

With China rising, Japan is pushing ahead with a strategic partnership in India and other nations, but New Delhi - not keen to upset Beijing - has said the initiative should not be seen as a "zero-sum game."

"A new broader Asia that broke away from geographical boundaries is now beginning to take on a distinct form," said Abe, who arrived in India on Tuesday, accompanied by 200 top Japanese executives.

"By Japan and India coming together in this way, this 'broader Asia' will evolve into an immense network spanning the entirety of the Pacific Ocean, incorporating the United States of America and Australia," he said in an address to a special session of the Indian parliament.

Abe and Singh later said they had agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of energy security and environmental protection.

They also called for a drive to accelerate the creation a proposed 100-billion-dollar industrial corridor from Delhi to the Arabian sea port of Mumbai.

"We also agreed that bilateral cooperation in security has progressed and we discussed future course of action to expand its scope," Abe told a news conference after talks with Singh.

He urged India to "participate in a responsible manner on long-term international objectives of fighting greenhouses gases by 2050."

"We welcome prime minister Abe's initiatives on climate change but we must also ensure energy security to fight poverty and we call for Japan's participation in this sector," Singh told reporters with Abe at his side.

The two leaders said India and Japan had set the target of more than doubling bilateral trade to 20 billion dollars by 2010 from eight billion currently.

"Economic ties are at the core of our partnership," Singh said.

Meanwhile Abe was set to meet the descendants of an Indian nationalist who advocated violent resistance against British rule and sided with imperial Japan during World War II.

Making a private detour, he was to fly to the eastern city of Kolkata from the capital New Delhi on the last day of a three-day trip that included talks with Premier Manmohan Singh.

A meeting has been fixed for him to meet the relatives of Subhash Chandra Bose, who broke with Indian pacifist icon Mahatma Gandhi to advocate violent resistance to British colonial rule.

Peace in East creates HR pool for apparel industry

Peace in the East has opened up a huge pool of human resources to the local apperal sector, said CEO of Brandix Lanka Ashroff Omar at the 14th Presidential Export Awards, held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

The local apparel industry faces the lack of a work force. If we can tap these resources the industry can easily double exports, he said.

"Our import duties for textiles and apparels are among the lowest in the world. We should work towards reciprocity from India and China. If we are successful we could easily pick up another US$ 500 million in exports to these two markets," Omar said.

"Sri Lankan apparel exports to the in 2000 were US$ 800 million and the country expects to touch US$ 1.5 billion this year. We have earned over US$ 600 million in seven years in spite of the quota free era," he said.

The public and private partnership worked well for the apparel industry and it has helped the industry to achieve several milestones. This will work for other industries too. He called for a single body representing all associations of the industry when dealing with the Government.

He said that in the late nineties the apparel industry was not getting much traction with the Government due to conflicting requests made by the five associations in the industry.

This led to an informal arrangement where all requests were made jointly by all the associations and we saw the Government officials responding favourably, he said.

Commenting on Government organisations, Omar said the BoI is ever ready to approve projects in the shortest possible time cutting through a lot of red tape. Foreign exchange remittances in the form of wire transfer, drafts or any other modern method are available.

The Department of Customs is very supportive of exporters who can clear a container within 24 hours. Export documentation is simple and hassle free. The EDB too plays a huge role in supporting exporters. Our port is still the best in the region and our connectivity is the envy of our neighbours, he added.

Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L Peiris said the country needs to focus on Central Asia as a new market. We are discussing the possibilities of including services to the Indo-Lanka FTA apart from the physical commodities.

However, local exports have showed tremendous growth during the first half of this year and some sectors have performed extremely well, he said.

Chairman of the Export Development Board Brian Angunawela said that award winners could use the logo of the Presidential Export Award for three years for their business activities.

When selecting exp- orters, an evaluation and selection panel has considered on foreign exchange earnings, the number of job opportunities generated by the company, CSR projects and the tax payments of the company, he said.

US$ 500 m bond will stabilise rupee, boost economy:

The US$ 500 million bond to be raised by the Government from foreign banks will be used to improve the infrastructure and thus expedite development of the country, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told Parliament yesterday.

Responding to a special statement made by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Premier said the bond will be a fillip for the local economy as it would stabilise the value of the rupee and help maintain a healthy interest rate.

"It would strengthen our foreign funds and enable the Government to expedite its development drive by successfully implementing the projects to provide electricity, construct ports and highways etc. Therefore, I call upon the Opposition Leader to support this initiative without sabotaging the forward march of the economy," he said.

He stated that three leading foreign banks - JP Morgan, Barclays and HSBC and the Bank of Ceylon have been selected to raise the bond, out of 13 internationally recognised banks and two local banks who offered to assist the Government in this effort.

"All developing nations in the world today follow this method of raising funds on the basis of an independent economic analysis, instead of obtaining loans subject to the conditions of the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund (IMF). We are proud to have facilitated an independent analysis of the country's economy after 30 years," he said.

Addressing Parliament yesterday Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe charged that the Government has slashed subsidies provided to the people to please foreign banks who have agreed to provide loans.

Prime Minister Wickremanayake said that Wickremesinghe's statement was the expression of his jealousy of the Government which has been able to achieve a healthy economic growth of over seven per cent. "In 2006, our economic growth rate reached 7.4 per cent which was only a dream for the UNP regime.

He further said it was ironical that Wickremesinghe who followed the directions of the World Bank and IMF throughout his tenure as Prime Minister has to attack internationally recognised banks today.

He also pointed out that the Government is in the process of providing the relief pledged in the 'Mahinda Chintana' including free text books and meals to schoolchildren and medical insurance, relief loans and salary increases to Government employees.

Over 100,000 persons have been recruited to the State sector while subsidies are provided for fertilizer and kerosene. The Samurdhi subsidy and aid to disabled soldiers are continued while development programs have been launched in the entire country except two districts which are yet to be liberated from terrorism.

"Today the Opposition Leader speaks with a new found concern for the oppressed class. I would like to question as to where this concern was when he sacked the July '80 strikers, cut down the pension of Government employees, burnt our youth on tyres in '88-89 and when he paved the way for the division of the country in 2002." The Premier pointed out that the Government has constantly kept the Parliament and the people informed of its decisions and plans regarding the economy.`

Jane's intelligence review says LTTE controls a portion of Montreal's USD 1b drug trade

Citing Royal Canadian Mounted Police sources the Jane's Intelligence Review said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controls portion of US Dollar one billion drug market in the Canadian city of Montreal. The Jane's Intelligence Review said that one of the main ways of earning money out of its USD 200-300 million annual income of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is narcotics smuggling using its merchant ships, which also transports illicit arms and explosives which they procure all over the world for a separatist insurgency in the Indian Ocean island of Sri Lanka.

"The LTTE's chief trade in Asia is reportedly heroin trafficking, although no verifiable evidence has been produced. According to Prof. G H Peiris, the LTTE secures the Golden Crescent-Europe route and possibly routes out of the Golden Triangle", the report said.

The 'Golden Crescent' is the name given to Asia's principal opium producing area encompassing three nations, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan whose mountainous areas define the Crescent. In 1991 Afghanistan became the world's primary opium producer with a yield of 1782 metric tons surpassing Burma which produced 800 metric tons in 2002.

The 'Golden Triangle' is one of Asia's two main illicit opium producing areas of 350,000 square kilometres that envelops the mountains of three countries of mainland South East Asia, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. Opium is a narcotic drug yielded from the latex from the seed pods of the plant, Papaver Somniferum.

Quoting a US Congressional report the Jane's intelligence Report said, "The US Library of Congress stated in its October 2003 report, Nations hospitable to organised crime and terrorism, that the LTTE then alternate their routes involving transportation back to coastal areas of Sri Lanka or Tamil Nadu, where its naval forces can secure smuggling operations."

The Jane's report further said, "Although the LTTE is unlikely to be involved in street-level distribution of heroin, it is possible that LTTE-affiliated street gangs may be involved in lower-level distribution. The RCMP claims that a portion of the USD1 billion drug markets in Montreal is controlled by Sri Lankans connected to the LTTE."

During the recent taking over of the Thoppigala mountainous area from the LTTE, the last complex of military camps they held , the Sri Lanka Security Forces discovered tons of sacks , nicely packed with dried leaves of Marijuana or Ganja (Cannabis Sativa) indicating their importance for the existence of the separatist group as a money earner.

Home Guards - protecting the masses with renewed vigour

Protecting Sinhalese and Muslim villagers living adjacent to the uncleared areas in the North and East from terror activities and massacres was the main aim when the J.R. Jayewardene administration established the Home Guard Service in 1985.

The service which commenced as a volunteer service in 1985 with the recruitment of villagers living in so-called 'border' villages in the districts adjacent to the North and Eastern provinces has now been transformed into a full force to protect threatened villages from terror activities. Initially they were seen as an obsolete force with no proper training, uniforms or a properly organised structure.

The worst period for the Home Guard Service was after the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement as they have been deployed on various other duties apart from the duty of securing their villages.

With the drastic changes made to the Home Guard service which was in a disorganised form following the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement, it has now undergone a tremendous transformation boosting the morale of the Home Guards by making it fully organised under Civil Security Department.

The reorganisation of the Home Guard service was initiated in 2006 especially after the escalation of violence in the middle of last year following the Kebithigollewa claymore mine explosion.

With over 500 villages in the districts of Mannar, Vavuniya, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa and Ampara facing LTTE threats specially after the Kebithigollewa incident people started to leave their villages creating a large scale displacement.

The Government under a concept of President Mahinda Rajapaksa took immediate steps to arrest this situation by forming the Civil Security Department, appointing Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara as the Director General.

With the formation of the Civil Security Department, the number of Home Guards has now been increased from 19,200 to 34,900 under a well organised structure. Home Guards who had been deployed on various other duties under the Police Department have been organised to fulfil the task of protecting the threatened villages.

It was not a mere improvement of the number of Home Guards but also a qualitative improvement in their service with the provision of proper uniforms, training and a fixed salary.

Army ambushes LTTE group; One terrorist Killed- Manirasakulam

SL army soldiers ambushed a group of LTTE terrorists at Kannalkadu in Manirasakulam this morning (August 24), killing one LTTE cadre, defence sources said.

According to the sources, the confrontation has taken place around 11 a.m. Troops found the body of the LTTE cadre along with one T-56 riffle, 01 Magazine, 02 claymore mines, 400 MPMG Rounds, 23 AP Mines, 04 Maps, 01 Medicine pack, 01 CDMA Phone and 02 Antennas.

An investigation is being continued on the incident.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

LTTE wants Rs. 1 million ransom from lodge owner

The LTTE has demanded a Rs. One million ransom from the owner of Ideal Guest in Wellawatte as compensation for the loss of two claymore mines detected at the lodge on a tip-off by the owner, Senior DIG Jayantha Wickremeratna said.

Addressing the weekly press briefing in Colombo, DIG Wickremeratna said yesterday that Ratnasinghe Selvaraja, the owner of Ideal Guest made this complaint to Police on Tuesday evening.

"The LTTE has threatened to abduct his son or his father if he fails to pay a Rs. One million ransom," the DIG added.

Police on a tip-off by Selvaraja, recovered two claymore mines weighing five kg and nine kg and three hand grenades from Ideal Guest, opposite Savoy Cinema last week.

DIG Wickremeratne said though certain media tried to show that the detection of the two claymore mines and hand grenade from the guest house last week was a ruse by Police to put pressure on Tamil civilians who had filed fundamental rights cases against Police for forcible eviction of lodges to withdraw such cases, the latest development proved otherwise.

"This is a totally false allegation against the Police as the guest house owner himself informed police about the suspicious people," the DIG added.

The owner of the guest house informed Police about the suspicious parcel after he was informed about it by the guest house manager. "There are three clear witnesses to provide information about the suspicious parcel," the DIG said.

He said Police has not made any arrest regarding the incident and the suspect who had brought the claymore mine will soon be arrested as they have already identified the person.

The Politics of Listing Terrorist Organizations

Following media reports last week that the Bush administration is moving to blacklist Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, terrorism experts are now wondering whether Canada, given its close ties with the U.S., will follow suit. In the past when an entity is listed as a terrorist organization south of the border, Canada follows by doing the same and the trend is likely to continue, said John Thompson, executive director of the Toronto-based Mackenzie Institute, a think-tank that studies terrorism and political extremism.

"We usually follow a little more slowly and deliberately," he said, adding that he expects other countries in Europe and the United Nations Security Council to follow the U.S. example.

"Given what Iran has been doing with nuclear weapons, it is very likely other countries will follow."

Quoting an unnamed government source, the Washington Post reported last week that the Bush administration is thinking of designating the 125,000-strong IGRC as a terrorist organization, a move that is expected to curtail the group's financial and business operations in Iran. While the U.S. has maintained a list of entities that support terrorism long before the terrorist attacks of Sept.11, 2001, this will be the first time that it has listed a country's armed forces as a terrorist organization.

But while the move breaks new ground, the argument that countries allied to the U.S. will follow its example, arises from the fact that the decision is being judged in the context of recent events relating to designating the terrorist label to organizations, said Jezz Littlewood, director of the Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies at Carleton University.

"Given the international reach of terrorism, it makes sense for the allies to have an agreement to target resources to combat terrorism. So it's good policy practice that allies will have similar or the same organizations on their list of terrorist organizations but it's not an automatic process and it's not something that happens just because the United States is saying 'we want it done,'" said Mr. Littlewood.

Mr. Littlewood contends that countries are not likely to jump on the U.S bandwagon because of differences in legal procedures and how these countries define terrorism. Following the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., six years ago, most countries in the West adopted the U.S. example of having a list with names of organizations and individuals who support terrorism. In most cases, the lists contain the same organizations. But politics has played a role in defining terrorism, and subsequently determining whether an entity should be labeled as a terrorist organization or not. For instance, while the United States designated the Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers as a terrorist organization several years ago, Canada under the Liberals delayed doing so. They were added last year when the Conservatives came to power. Critics said the Liberals fear of losing the estimated 200,000-strong Tamil vote was behind the indecision.

A survey of lists of organizations that support terrorism from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the European Union and the U.S. shows a marked difference on who goes on the list. For instance, while Canada, Britain, the U.S. and the EU have listed the Tamil Tigers as a terrorist organization, Australia and New Zealand have not. While Canada only listed the Tigers in April last year (followed by the EU in May), Britain has had the Tigers on the terror list since 2001. In addition all these countries only list non-state organizations and have not listed any country's army as a terrorist group.

The current U.S. intention to list the IRGC is spurred by politics, the more reason Canada might be hesitant to follow suit, said Barry Cooper, a professor of political science at the University of Calgary. Mr. Cooper argues that the decision should be seen in the context of what is going on between Iran and the U.S. over the future of Iraq.

"In fact it may be nothing more than a bargaining chip," said Mr. Cooper.

The Washington Post said the decision to list the IRGC was motivated by U.S. frustration over Iran's increasing role in Iraq and Afghanistan and Tehran's support for extremists in the Middle East. Mr. Cooper said even if the U.S. officially lists the Revolutionary Guards as terrorists, he doesn't see Canada doing the same immediately.

"I don't think it belongs in the same category as designating conventional terrorist organizations," he said.

Mélisa Leclerc, a spokeswoman for Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day, said Canada will continue working closely with its allies in fighting terrorism, but declined to comment on whether the government will list the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

"It would be inappropriate to comment on which entities may be under consideration, but I can say that the assessment process for possible new listings is continuous," she said.

500 Tamil Speakers Apply for Police Jobs

More than 500 ethnic Tamils and Muslims have so far applied to become police officers in the recently taken over Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, a Deputy Inspector General of Police said.

“The majority of them are ethnic Tamils and Muslims, which is a good news for us as we need more Tamil speaking officers to serve in the East,” said Jayantha Wickramaratne, Deputy Inspector General of Police.

He said more than 4,000 new police officers are needed to serve in the Eastern Province, which had been under the occupation of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The province is ethnically diversified, but the Tamils and most of the Muslims speak only Tamil.

He said new police stations will be opened at Vavunathivu, Vakarai, Aithimalai, karadiyanaru and 11 more places. New police posts also will be opened at 42 stations to secure the civilian settlements in the area, he said.

He said two deputy inspector generals of police are traveling in the Ampara and Batticaloa areas these days, helping the process of receiving applications through the Grama niladharis of the area.

Asked whether the cadres of the LTTE will be eliminated from joining the police force, the DIG said under law all recruits to the armed forces and the police should have a clean record not only of themselves but also of their families. No person with any criminal past will be recruited to the police, he said.

He said the police will be seeking the assistance of the Official languages Department interpreters in the training of the police officers, although the police already have some officers who are proficient in Tamil.

In addition, to help the Tamil speaking people to lodge their complaints in their own language -- a human right requirement of the local people, the police department is going to employ retired Tamil government servants proficient in both languages at every police station, the police spokesman said.

There was a downward trend in applying for police positions among the Tamils as the LTTE used to target Tamil police officers, calling them traitors. They were specifically being gunned down for being Tamil police officers during the last two decades.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Australian taunts no hindrance to Murali, says coach

COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka's new coach Trevor Bayliss said that record-chasing spinner Muttiah Muralitharan should not worry about being taunted during the side's upcoming tour of Australia.
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"Murali is one of the world's best bowlers and I am sure the Australians will look forward to see him performing in the two Tests," Bayliss said, Monday responding to possible anti-Murali sentiments among the coach's countrymen. Muralitharan has endured a turbulent relationship with Australian crowds since he was no-balled for throwing by Australian umpire Darrell Hair in the 1995 Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Muralitharan needs nine wickets to surpass retired Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne's world record tally of 708.

The off-spinner could achieve the feat in the two Tests in Brisbane and Hobart in November or during the home series against England in December.

Muralitharan skipped the 2004 tour to Australia after being branded a chucker by Australian Prime Minister John Howard, but has said he will tour in November.

Conferences help lift Sri Lanka tourism war gloom

COLOMBO, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan tourist arrivals, hard hit by renewed civil war, have picked up in August thanks to international events and conferences that industry officials hope will help change perceptions about visitor safety.

Tourist arrivals fell 23.7 percent in the first seven months of the year from the same period in 2006 to 268,963 visitors as the state fights a deadly new chapter in a two-decade civil war that has killed nearly 70,000 people since 1983.

However in August, the start of the peak tourist season, many hotels in the south and centre of the country were full, said Hiran Cooray, president of the Tourist Hotels Association.

"We can see an improvement in the occupancy rate during August-September. Rooms are 100 percent occupied at the moment until the end of next month," Cooray said.

Sri Lanka is hoping events like a regional AIDS conference this week, a tea convention later this month and a counter-terrorism conference and an England cricket tour due later this year will help fill the void and change perceptions.

In his welcome speech at the International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific on Sunday, Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva thanked delegates for showing confidence in Sri Lanka as a convention destination.

"I appreciate (your) courage to break past undue fears, created by some elements through a misinformation campaign to impose a travel embargo on Sri Lanka," he said.

Many foreign embassies have advised nationals to avoid north and east Sri Lanka amid an escalating bout of fighting that has killed more than 4,500 people since last year.

The separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels launched their first-ever air strike in March, hitting an air force base adjacent to the capital's international airport, which is 20 miles (32 km) north of the capital, Colombo.

Following another air strike the following month, this time on oil facilities north of the capital, night flights were suspended for weeks as a security measure.

The rebels, who are fighting for an independent state in the north and east of the island, have vowed to cripple the island's economy with major attacks on military and economic targets.

According to central bank data, earnings from tourism in January to April fell by 14.8 percent compared with last year to $130.8 million.

Sri Lanka's Convention Bureau, responsible for bidding to host international meetings, conferences and exhibitions, is seeking to build up the island's profile in the event tourism niche.

"We have to convey the correct message to these organisations and delegates, saying that the conflict is there, but they are safe. They are not the target," bureau general manager Vipula Wanigasekera said.

Anti-AIDS confab a success despite sabotage bid

COLOMBO: An attempt to sabotage the 08th International Congress on AIDS in the Asia\Pacific region had came a cropper, with as many as 2,500 delegates from more than 70 countries attending the event, Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

The 08th ICAAP got off the ground at the BMICH under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa with a large gathering of local and foreign delegates, and the deliberations to be continued till August 23.

Minister De Silva describing the Congress as the biggest health event in Sri Lanka's recent history thanked all delegates for attending despite some countries issuing travel warnings to Sri Lanka. Describing this as an attempt to tarnish the image of the country by some elements based on mere rumours, the Minister said that all that had come a cropper in the face of the overwhelming response received for the 08th ICAAP.

Welcoming all delegates from Asia\Pacific and beyond Minister De Silva invited them all to enjoy traditional Sri Lankan hospitality during the period of their deliberations while urging them to spread the truth when they go back, in countering the false and malicious propaganda against the country by certain sections.

Attributing Sri Lanka's low prevalence status to correct leadership and decisions the Minister said that this was not a reason to be complacent as the country had all the attributes which could propel the menace to an epidemic status.

Sri Lanka's recent stats show that HIV\AIDS affects less than 0.1% of the population with 872 diagnosed as HIV positive and 270 going on to develop full blown AIDS out of which 162 have died.

Sri Lanka's achievements in the sphere of Health have put the country in par with developed nations, the Minister pointed out while emphasising the need to grow on the achievements.

The Minister also said that the political leadership to this effect was provided with the President himself at the helm of AIDS Council in Sri Lanka.

The Congress is to discuss all relevant issues pertaining to HIV\AIDS during the four-day deliberations with the intention of making it a springboard for achieving the desired goals in Prevention and Treatment of HIV\AIDS.

Military Law Program fosters exchange between American and Sri Lankan military justice experts

Press Release: Embassy of the United States of America- Colombo
U.S. Pacific Command Law Exchange Program promotes importance of transparency, accountability and human rights in military justice

Military law professionals from the U.S. Pacific Command, in partnership with the American Embassy in Colombo, hosted a Military Law Exchange Program with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defense to exchange ideas on ways to improve transparency, accountability and human rights in military justice. A five-member American team met with thirty five Sri Lankan Army, Navy and Air Force personnel last week at the Galadari Hotel to foster the mutual exchange of ideas and discussion of law affecting military commanders.

The three-day program, led by Colonel Anne E. Ehrsam-Holland, Director of the U.S. Defense Institute of International Legal Studies, and Captain Pete A. Pedrozo, Staff Advocate Judge with the U.S. Navy, provided an important opportunity for military lawyers and staff from the United States and Sri Lanka to exchange information on improving military justice systems.

"Defense Secretary Rajapaksa and I agreed that it would be very useful to bring together military justice experts from Sri Lanka and the United States to exchange information, perspectives and best practices," Ambassador Blake said at the program opening on August l 5. "It is valuable to discuss the challenges both our countries face in pursuing effective counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism practices, while ensuring respect for human rights and international law in such operations."

The Military Law Exchange Program was established by the U.S. Pacific Command, a department of the U.S. Navy, in 1995 as a means by which to exchange views on legal issues at the military-to-military level. Since then, the Pacific Command's Judge Advocate Staff has conducted legal exchanges with Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Australia, Nepal, Mongolia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Russia.

"We are pleased to add Sri Lanka to the distinguished list of partners in the Military Law Exchange Program," Ambassador Blake said in his opening remarks. "In the heat of battle, soldiers will occasionally act outside the law. What is important is that there are laws and institutions set up to investigate and respond appropriately to such transgressions. The successful empowerment of such institutions and the full implementation of such laws are measures of a strong and well-regulated military and a strong and healthy democracy."

USAID Partners with Red Cross for Water System Project in East

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cross Societies, broke ground this week on a $4.7 million water system improvement project as part of its $50 million Sri Lanka Tsunami Reconstruction Program (SLTRP).

This water supply project, which includes building wells, a raw water line and water treatment plant, will be executed in cooperation with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. It complements the $10 million reconstruction of the tsunami-damaged Arugam Bay Bridge linking Pottuvil with the resort area of Ulla, a major element of the USAID Sri Lanka Tsunami Reconstruction Program (SLTRP).

"Until now, local residents have depended mainly on rain water and shallow wells, many of which may be contaminated," said Dick Edwards, USAID's Economic Growth Office Director at the groundbreaking. "This new treatment facility will help improve the health of as many 30,000 people in the region."

Other dignitaries speaking at the event included Hon. A.L.M. Athaullah, Minister of Water Supply and Drainage, K.R. Devasurendra, Deputy General Manager of the Water Supply and Drainage Board, and A.M.A. Rafeeq, Water Board Operations and Maintenance Manager

As partners in the project, The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will coordinate construction of a 1,000-cubic meter elevated water storage tower together with the main distribution network, which will pipe water to over 1,000 households in the area.

"This project will bring dramatic improvements to the health and welfare of the residents of Pottuvil," said Al Panico, head of delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Sri Lanka. "For the first time they will have a reliable source of clean drinking water throughout the year."

The American Red Cross is contributing $1.5 million to the project, while the Irish Red Cross is providing an additional $600,000 and a dedicated staff member to supervise work on the ground. Local families will also benefit from a hygiene promotion program organized by the Sri Lanka Red Cross and its partners.

LTTE terrorists Fire Artillery at - Palaly and KKS

Defence sources from Jaffna say the LTTE terrorists have lunched an artillery attack targeting Palaly and Kankasanthurai areas in the Jaffna peninsula today (August 21) around 09a.m.

The sources further say that few artillery rounds have fallen and the security forces have undertaken retaliatory attacks. Presently the situation has been taken under control by the security forces.

The sources further added that no casualties were caused to troops due to the LTTE attack.

LTTE operatives gun-down Tamil aid worker and injure another - Jaffna

One volunteer Tamil aid worker of a foreign NGO was killed and another injured when alleged LTTE operatives opened fire at two local volunteers of the "Halo Trust De-Miners", at Thattanveediya in Jaffna Town, yesterday (20) at 06.45a.m.

The "Halo Trust" is a Danish INGO carrying out de-mining work in the Jaffna peninsula, as well as other welfare work among Tamil people.

A group of gunmen on motor bikes attacked the two local volunteer workers of the INGO while they were walking on Kasthriya Road, Jaffna Police sources said.

One of the aid workers identified as Sivasami Sridaran(31) who was admitted to the Jaffna Hospital later succumbed to his injuries, while the other Antonvel Justin(21) is under intensive treatment, said MO of the OPD Dr. Vernukanthan speaking to our Jaffna defence correspondent.

Jaffna Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.

Last week, in a major breakthrough in investigations, the Police identified a prime suspect in the murder of two Sri Lankan Tamil Red Cross volunteers whose bullet-ridden bodies were found in Kiriella, in the Ratnapura District, following their abduction in Colombo on June 1.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Government seeks Gnanakone's arrest

The Government is working on the arrest of LTTE-linked Singapore based businessman Charles Gnanakone with the help of the Interpol, Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told reporters at the weekly situation Briefing yesterday.

The Minister said they cannot seek Interpol assistance without hard evidence and they were now working on collecting these to frame who is allegedly concocting a scheme to oust the President and bring a pro-LTTE ruler into power.

"There is a local arrest warrant on him.

He will be arrested on arrival if he ever steps into the country. But we need hard evidence to get him arrested in Singapore, where he is currently residing."

Minister Fernandopulle alleged the Opposition Leader had close links with the controversial businessman and his brother Jayantha Gnanakone. Ranil is alleged to have admitted in newspaper interviews that he knew the duo and Jayantha Gnanakone's wife Sharmini since the 1970s.

He said Gnanakone had openly admitted he had direct links with the LTTE and the Opposition Leader had openly said he knew Gnanakone.

Quoting a newspaper report he said, once former Minister Mangala Samaraweera alleged that Wickremesinghe sent a secret note to Prabhakaran through Gnanakone.

Gnanakone is in the news again with revelations that he offered millions of dollars to buy over 20 MPs to vote against the present regime in a crucial Parliamentary vote, making the way for crowning a pro-LTTE leader.

The offer has allegedly been first made to two UNP dissident group members and later became public after the two ministers opted to alert their leader Minister Karu Jayasuriya.

Six LTTE terrorists killed in clashes -Vavuniya

In separate clashes with the Army 6 LTTE cadres were killed at Welioya and Vavuniya (Vannimava) yesterday (August 15), military sources said.

Three LTTE terrorists who attempted to enter the Army Forward Defence lines of Vavuniya(Vannimava) were killed by troops and one soldier was killed in the LTTE attack, sources said.

Three other LTTE terrorists were killed in a clash with the troops at Welioya and a large number of arms and ammunition found by the troops in search operations in the two districts, sources said.

Terrorists flee while troops avert LTTE infiltration attempt- Trincomalee

Troops manning defences at Mollipothana in Trincomalee, intercepted an LTTE group killing one, causing the terrorists to flee, yesterday (15) at 05p.m.

LTTE terrorists attempting to breach the defences, drew rapid small arms fire from troops on observation patrol in the area. The Army soldiers later recovered a slain LTTE body along with a hand grenade in subsequent search operations conducted.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Regional development vital to keep up balanced economy


The GDP domination of the Western Province should be dispersed equitably among other provinces as well. This will eliminate the crisis of inequity in poverty level and the development, Governor of Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabraal said at a session organised by the Sri Lanka Economic Association at the BMICH, on the theme of inequity, poverty and development.

Over fifty per cent of the National GDP is dominated by the western province economy. Provincial participation on national GDP varies from province to province.

From the on-going development projects and projects planned to implement in the near future a strong economic environment could be anticipated. 189 countries in the world have adopted millennium development goals.

Sri Lanka also had adopted the millennium development goals. The number of people go abroad have increased and the student population going abroad had also increased.

Efficient financial management has paved the way to enhance the banking sector and this can be seen with the opening of more branches. EPF contributions had also increased proving more employment generation said Cabraal.

The country Director, World Bank, Naoko Ishii said that Sri Lanka has enormous potentials. The objectives of Sri Lanka is to reach the development goals.

Western Province, poverty has declined most significantly and inequality has increased much less, while in other provinces, poverty reduction has been much stagnant and inequality has increased.

Amnesty offer for Eastern Tigers


HORANA: The Government has announced an amnesty period starting from September 1 for Tiger cadres trapped in Eastern jungles to lay down their weapons and surrender to the Security Forces.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake urged the Tiger cadres to take up the offer, saying their safety would be guaranteed.

Addressing a public meeting in Horana on Saturday, the Prime Minister said the misguided LTTE cadres were also sons and daughters of Mother Lanka and it was the Government’s intention to channel their talents towards development. They will be rehabilitated and given vocational training.

He said the few Tigers left in various Eastern pockets could not hope to stay forever in hiding and attack the Security Forces, who are consolidating their positions in the province. The Forces will continue to track them down. It would be a far better option for them to surrender to the Forces, than risk their lives by confronting the latter.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the Eastern military operation was a humanitarian mission to liberate the masses oppressed by the LTTE. It can in no way be interpreted as an offensive against the Tamil people.

The Government was only battling a ruthless terror group which has subjected the Tamil people to untold hardships.

In fact, civilian casualties were minimal during all humanitarian missions in the East. He observed that the Government as well as the Forces did not practice ethnic or religious discrimination.

SL Citizens commemorate their Muslim Brethren Massacred at Eravur

Sri Lankan citizens today commemorate their Muslim brethren who were brutally massacred seventeen years ago at the Saddam Hussein Muslim Village at Eravur by the LTTE terrorists.

On the 12th August in 1990, the LTTE terrorists stormed the Saddam Hussein Village in the midnight and killed 121 Muslim civilians including many children. The incident was seen as one of the most horrendous ethnic cleansing raids carried out by the LTTE terrorists against Muslims living in the North and the Eastern provinces. All the victims of the massacre had been chopped and tortured to death by the LTTE terrorists acting on the orders of their psychopathic leader V. Prhakaran.

Citizens in the Eastern province today have staged a peaceful Hartal to show their grief over the relatives they lost in the heinous crime. All the shops are observed to be closed and white flags and banners are seen hoisted in the Kaththankudy , Eravur and Batticaloa areas. Special religious ceremonies have also been arranged to commemorate the victims.

The LTTE is a terror outfit that has been fighting for a mono ethnic separate homeland for the Tamils living in the Island since 1983. During its two decades of terror campaign the LTTE has killed thousands of Muslim and Sinhalese civilians in their ethnic cleansing raids at the villages in the North and Eastern provinces. During this period the terrorists have been able drive away thousands of Muslims and Sinhalese from their native places in the North, turning large part of the Northern Province into a mono ethnic hellhole.

In 1990, the 03rd of August the LTTE terrorists ran amok desecrating wholly Meera Jumma and Husseniya mosques at Kaththankudy causing deaths to over 130 devotees including children who had been engaged in the evening prayers.

On 11th August, 1990 massacred 104 Muslims consisting of 45 men, 28 women and 31 children using T-56 assault rifles, knives and razors. By the 20th of August, 1990 over 450 Muslims were killed by the savage LTTE in a continuing ethnic cleansing raid, against the Muslim community in the east.

In the most recent incident LTTE terrorists detained over 100 Muslim refugees who had been fleeing into the government controlled area when the terrorists launched attacks at Muttur town in 2006.

Lakshman Kadirgamar 2nd death anniversary commemorated

Today is the second death anniversary of Kadirgamar, a globally-renowned erudite scholar, who headed the LTTE hit-list primarily for his efforts to get the LTTE banned as a terrorist organization in many countries including the United States and United Kingdom.

An Alms giving will be held today (12) to commemorate the second death anniversary of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar at the Lakshman Kadirgamar International Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies.

Sri Lanka 's Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, who was assassinated in Colombo on 12th August 2005, was both a Tamil and a vociferous opponent of the LTTE terrorists.

Former Minister Kadirgamar, claimed credit for having the LTTE declared a terrorist group in the United States and elsewhere while serving as President Chandrika Kumaratunga's foreign minister from 1994 to 2001 and again since 2004.

The Oxford-educated lawyer was a native of Sri Lanka 's northern Tamil heartland of Jaffna , but he was strongly opposed to the campaign for separation led by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)

Minister Kadirgamar was a distinguished product of Trinity College, Kandy, Sri Lanka where he was widely acclaimed for his all round excellence as scholar, prize winner. He won Trinity's richest Prize - the coveted Dr. Andreas Nell Memorial Prize for Ceylon History and the Napier Clavering Prize for English.

Mr. Kadirgamar was offered the captaincy of the Sri Lanka contingent to the 1956 Melbourne Olympics but he declined to accept it due to pressure of his law examinations. Mr. Kadirgamar read for his LLB degree at the University of Colombo and later proceeded to Balliol College, University of Oxford where he read for a degree in Letters.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

John Holmes visits Jaffna


United Nations Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes, who is currently visiting Sri Lanka, flew to Jaffna yesterday, (August 07). He was received at the Palaly Airport by Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General G.A.Chandrasiri.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Govt. not happy with some INGOs

COLOMBO: The government Monday told John Holmes, the visiting UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs it was not happy with the results of humanitarian work shown by some International and local NGOs especially in the east. The Foreign Ministry said the government views were expressed to Holmes during meetings with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona and top officials at the Foreign Ministry where the UN official raised concerns of the international community regarding issues of humanitarian access.
A Foreign Ministry statement said Dr. Kohona told the UN delegation that while the government had little issues with the UN agencies in the operational areas, there were concerns regarding the activities of some INGOs and NGOs which have not shown results in their previous humanitarian relief work especially in the East prior to liberating the area.
The Secretary said only genuine NGOs with skills and resources would be drawn into work in developing the Eastern province since the government was keen to ensure speedy results and pave the way for the restoration of democracy in the region.

The United States sees no need for a peace envoy to Sri Lanka

A top State Department official has said that the United States government continue to see no role for a special US peace envoy to Sri Lanka at this time.

Addressing the House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, Steven R. Mann, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs said that the United States’ interest is in keeping the political process on devolution moving forward, rather than prescribing particular solutions to the Sri Lankans.

“We therefore continue to see no role for a Special Envoy to Sri Lanka at this time,” he said.

Speaking on the topic ‘Political Crises in South Asia: Recent Developments in Nepal and Sri Lanka’ Mann said the United States is committed to help foster a lasting peace in Sri Lanka and to improve human rights conditions for all Sri Lankans. Ultimately, however, it is the Sri Lankan Government’s responsibility to the Sri Lankan people to provide the conditions of safety and security that will lead to a more peaceful and prosperous future, he noted.

On the country’s human rights issues Secretary Mann said “We are deeply concerned by continuing reports of disappearances, abductions, torture, and the rise in extrajudicial killings, with eight extra-judicial killings reported over a three day period in July on the Jaffna peninsula. Human rights conditions are worst in Tiger-controlled areas, where there is no rule of law to protect Sri Lankans’ civil liberties. The Tigers’ recruitment of child soldiers is singularly deplorable.”

Reiterating the United States’ support for Sri Lanka Mann said the United States is engaged fully in humanitarian relief efforts to address the critical needs of Sri Lanka’s more than 500,000 internally displaced persons. To date, in Fiscal Year 2007 alone, the United States has given $10.6 million in humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka.

LTTE suicide bomber explodes himself - Vavuniya

A bike riding LTTE cadre explodes himself when approached by the army personnel at Kumankulam in Vavuniya around 1.45 this afternoon (August 6). According to the defence sources, troops have detected two LTTE cadres riding on a motorbike and started tracing them.

In a sudden, the pillion rider has drawn up a weapon and opened fire at the troops. When the troops retaliated to the attack the rider has blew himself up, the sources added.

A soldier whose house destroyed in a landslide gets assistance from Seva Vanitha

Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha unit yesterday (August 6) donated rupees 50,000 to Corporal N.K.G. Sirisena of SL army's Gajabha Infantry Regiment to construct a house.

The donation was made by President of the Seva Vanitha unit, Madam Ioma Rajapaksa at the Ministry of Defence, Colombo. The amount donated was the first instalment of the total amount that has been allocated for the soldier's housing construction.

Corporal Sirisena's house which was at Rikillagaskada in Hanguranketha was destroyed due to the landslides caused by torrential rains during the recent past.

Army overpowers terror attack, six LTTE cadres killed- Vavuniya

Military sources from Vavuniya said that six LTTE cadres were killed when army soldiers retaliated to a terror attack at Periyathampanai last afternoon (August 6).

According to the sources the terrorists had open fire at the soldiers on a foot patrol around 2.45p.m. Troops had retaliated effectively causing the terrorists to withdraw.

Later, intercepted LTTE radio communications have revealed that six LTTE cadres were killed and few others suffered injuries in the attack.

The sources further said that no casualties were reported to own troops.