Laugfs Holdings is diversifying its business into the leisure sector with a Rs. 500 million investment on a small luxury hotel.
The project is targeted to be completed within eighteen months, General Manager, Laugfs Leisure Limited, Aruna Jayalath said.
Jayalath said the construction of the project will start in January 2008.
They have also applied for membership with the Small Luxury Hotels Association (SLHA)in UK. There are only three Sri Lankan hotels who are members of this organisation. SLHA has commenced inspections on this project.
The hotel is planned to be built in an area between Negombo and Chilaw. The area is untapped in terms of development.
The village income is based on the fisheries sector.
It stimulates attention of tourists with the natural environment, he said.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Disabled female Tiger blows herself up as attempt to kill Minister fails
A disabled female LTTE suicide bomber targeting Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) leader and Social Services Minister Douglas Devananda blew herself up when her attempt to assassinate the Minister was foiled, police said.
The woman blew herself near the Ministry’s Public Relations Office at Narahenpita around 8.05 am killing the Public Relations Officer and injuring two other Ministerial Security Guards, police spokesman Senior DIG Jayantha Wickramaratne said.
The LTTE suicide cadre had entered the Ministry with other public who had appointments to meet Devananda.
“The woman after submitting her ID at the Public Relations Office was subjected to a body search before meeting the Minister. While she was being searched she blew herself up on the spot.”
The ministry’s Public Relations officer Steven Peries, 72, succumbed to his injuries. “Three persons injured in the blast were admitted to hospital around 8.30 am.
Two were in critical condition. One succumbed to his injuries on admission while another is being treated at the ICU. The other sustained minor injuries,” General Hospital Director Dr. Hector Weerasinghe said.
The woman blew herself near the Ministry’s Public Relations Office at Narahenpita around 8.05 am killing the Public Relations Officer and injuring two other Ministerial Security Guards, police spokesman Senior DIG Jayantha Wickramaratne said.
The LTTE suicide cadre had entered the Ministry with other public who had appointments to meet Devananda.
“The woman after submitting her ID at the Public Relations Office was subjected to a body search before meeting the Minister. While she was being searched she blew herself up on the spot.”
The ministry’s Public Relations officer Steven Peries, 72, succumbed to his injuries. “Three persons injured in the blast were admitted to hospital around 8.30 am.
Two were in critical condition. One succumbed to his injuries on admission while another is being treated at the ICU. The other sustained minor injuries,” General Hospital Director Dr. Hector Weerasinghe said.
17 killed, 37 injured in Nugegoda blast
At least 17 civilians were confirmed killed and 37 civilians were injured as a suspected parcel bomb exploded near a popular fashion store at Nugegoda junction around 5.55 p.m. yesterday.
Police believe that the parcel bomb had been placed in one of the parcel counters at the No Limit clothing store by a suspected LTTE cadre who had left the scene. The No Limit store and the adjoining building were damaged by the resulting explosion and fire. The shops and the nearby bus halt was crowded during the evening rush hour.
The busy Nugegoda junction filled with students after their tuition classes and a large number of home bound office workers witnessed chaotic scenes immediately after the explosion causing a huge traffic jam on the High Level road and Stanley Thillekeratne Mawatha towards Kohuwala.
“The explosion was due to a suspicious parcel bomb kept in the parcel counter of the No Limit fashion shop,” Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told the Daily News.
According to reports, the bomb had exploded as a private security guard at the shop attempted to search a suspicious parcel kept in the parcel counter with the assistance of a Police officer on duty close to the Nugegoda junction, Brigadier Nanayakkara added.
The bodies were brought to the Kalubowila Teaching hospital after the incident. Four of the bodies charred beyond recognition were also lying at the hospital.
According to the Director of the Kalubowila Teaching hospital, Dr. W.G. Gunawardena 33 injured persons were admitted to the hospital after the incident and four seriously injured persons were transferred to the Colombo National hospital.
Police believe that the parcel bomb had been placed in one of the parcel counters at the No Limit clothing store by a suspected LTTE cadre who had left the scene. The No Limit store and the adjoining building were damaged by the resulting explosion and fire. The shops and the nearby bus halt was crowded during the evening rush hour.
The busy Nugegoda junction filled with students after their tuition classes and a large number of home bound office workers witnessed chaotic scenes immediately after the explosion causing a huge traffic jam on the High Level road and Stanley Thillekeratne Mawatha towards Kohuwala.
“The explosion was due to a suspicious parcel bomb kept in the parcel counter of the No Limit fashion shop,” Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told the Daily News.
According to reports, the bomb had exploded as a private security guard at the shop attempted to search a suspicious parcel kept in the parcel counter with the assistance of a Police officer on duty close to the Nugegoda junction, Brigadier Nanayakkara added.
The bodies were brought to the Kalubowila Teaching hospital after the incident. Four of the bodies charred beyond recognition were also lying at the hospital.
According to the Director of the Kalubowila Teaching hospital, Dr. W.G. Gunawardena 33 injured persons were admitted to the hospital after the incident and four seriously injured persons were transferred to the Colombo National hospital.
More women among the injured
In the bomb blast at the heart of Nugegoda town last evening (28) 17 were pronounced dead and 37 injured. According to the Director of the Kalubowila Hospital, Dr. W.J. Gunawardena 17 were dead on admission. Among them were seven women, six men and the others were unrecognizable due to burns.
Of the 37 injured five were in a critical condition and transferred to the National Hospital. Among them were two teenage school girls and one has succumbed to her injuries while the other is still in a critical condition. In the bomb blast at the heart of Nugegoda town last evening (28) 17
17injured women are being treated for burns, wounds and shock.
Dr. Gunawardena said that the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital is well-equipped and could meet any emergency situation.. The Hospital staff readily cooperate in any emergency regardless of time and labour They had faced similar circumstance on a few earlier occasions and were therefore prepared for emergencies.
Aftermath of the bomb blast they had to take some in for immediate surgery.
Iran gives $15b aid for Lanka
Sri Lanka has received US $15 billion as aid from Iran for development schemes including the modernisation of the Oil Refinery and several irrigation schemes including the Uma Oya scheme.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to Iran from November 26 to 28 opened a new chapter in the centuries old friendship and relations between the two countries, sources said.
The President’s official tour of Iran has been highly successful and rewarding, a joint statement issued by the two countries following the conclusion of the President’s tour on November 27 said.
Meanwhile, private sector business co-operation between Sri Lanka and Iran will be further enhanced with the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding with the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka and the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka.
A joint statement between Sri Lanka and the Islamic Republic of Iran yesterday said President Mahinda Rajapaksa accompanied by a high-ranking political-economic delegation paid an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran from November 26 to 28 on the invitation of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad.
President Nejad welcomed President Rajapaksa at a formal ceremony at the presidential office site. After the welcoming ceremony, the two Presidents during official talks attended by high-ranking officials of the two sides discussed various aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to Iran from November 26 to 28 opened a new chapter in the centuries old friendship and relations between the two countries, sources said.
The President’s official tour of Iran has been highly successful and rewarding, a joint statement issued by the two countries following the conclusion of the President’s tour on November 27 said.
Meanwhile, private sector business co-operation between Sri Lanka and Iran will be further enhanced with the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding with the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka and the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka.
A joint statement between Sri Lanka and the Islamic Republic of Iran yesterday said President Mahinda Rajapaksa accompanied by a high-ranking political-economic delegation paid an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran from November 26 to 28 on the invitation of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad.
President Nejad welcomed President Rajapaksa at a formal ceremony at the presidential office site. After the welcoming ceremony, the two Presidents during official talks attended by high-ranking officials of the two sides discussed various aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Sri Lanka bans TRO
The Government has decided to proscribe the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) whose bank accounts were frozen by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka last year (2006).
This decision was taken by the Cabinet of Ministers following the findings of TRO links with the LTTE terrorist group.
The United States last week froze TRO assets accusing the organization which has raised funds on behalf of the LTTE through a network of individual representatives. "According to sources within the organization, the TRO is the preferred conduit of funds from the United States to the LTTE in Sri Lanka." U.S. Department of the Treasury announced.
The TRO under guise of a charity organization collected and directed funds to the LTTE for procurement operations. Those operations included the purchase of ammunitions, equipment, communication devices, and other technology for the LTTE.
Meanwhile the International Leader of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), Vinayagamurthi and his wife were taken in to custody in the US. He is believed to be a master mind behind LTTE naval strength. He is supposed to be involved with developing and the use of sea Submarines in their sea attacks.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
This decision was taken by the Cabinet of Ministers following the findings of TRO links with the LTTE terrorist group.
The United States last week froze TRO assets accusing the organization which has raised funds on behalf of the LTTE through a network of individual representatives. "According to sources within the organization, the TRO is the preferred conduit of funds from the United States to the LTTE in Sri Lanka." U.S. Department of the Treasury announced.
The TRO under guise of a charity organization collected and directed funds to the LTTE for procurement operations. Those operations included the purchase of ammunitions, equipment, communication devices, and other technology for the LTTE.
Meanwhile the International Leader of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), Vinayagamurthi and his wife were taken in to custody in the US. He is believed to be a master mind behind LTTE naval strength. He is supposed to be involved with developing and the use of sea Submarines in their sea attacks.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
Foreign Minister urges Canada, Australia and others to freeze TRO assets
Following the US Government naming the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) as a front for the LTTE operating to obtain funds and procure weapons, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama called upon the international community to follow suit.
The minister made this appeal especially to the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, France and the UK, pointing out 'the continuing ability of the LTTE's numerous front organizations to pose off as charities undermined the ban imposed on the Tigers by India, USA, the UK, and EU member states and Canada'.
The US has frozen TRO assets and banned her citizens from engaging in any transactions with this organization and other LTTE fronts. This measure carried out under Executive Order 13224 has been described as aimed at financially isolating terrorist groups and their support networks.
The Minister also stated:
"The Government of Sri Lanka has in recent times emphasized that the proscription of the LTTE by India, US, Canada and the EU member countries has been undermined and diluted through the continuing ability for numerous front organizations of the LTTE which posed off as charitable fronts - under the guise of rehabilitation, educational, social, religious, and economic groupings - to continue collecting funds to bolster the LTTE arsenal. The TRO has been the most prominent among them and in September 2006, following investigations into its financial transactions by the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank under Sri Lanka's Financing of Terrorism Law, the Government of Sri Lanka froze TRO accounts in Sri Lanka.
In this context, that I wish to place on record the deep appreciation of the government of Sri Lanka and this entire house, to the US Administration, especially the Treasury Department, for the speedy investigation carried out and for the action taken yesterday against the TRO. In doing so the US Government becomes the first foreign government to take tangible action against an LTTE front organization. . It must be recalled that besides India which proscribed the LTTE in the aftermath of the assassination of Shri Rajiv Gandhi in 1992, the U.S. was the first Western government to take action against the LTTE, when the Department of State designated the LTTE a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on October 8, 1997 and on November 2, 2001, named the LTTE a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)."
The minister made this appeal especially to the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, France and the UK, pointing out 'the continuing ability of the LTTE's numerous front organizations to pose off as charities undermined the ban imposed on the Tigers by India, USA, the UK, and EU member states and Canada'.
The US has frozen TRO assets and banned her citizens from engaging in any transactions with this organization and other LTTE fronts. This measure carried out under Executive Order 13224 has been described as aimed at financially isolating terrorist groups and their support networks.
The Minister also stated:
"The Government of Sri Lanka has in recent times emphasized that the proscription of the LTTE by India, US, Canada and the EU member countries has been undermined and diluted through the continuing ability for numerous front organizations of the LTTE which posed off as charitable fronts - under the guise of rehabilitation, educational, social, religious, and economic groupings - to continue collecting funds to bolster the LTTE arsenal. The TRO has been the most prominent among them and in September 2006, following investigations into its financial transactions by the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank under Sri Lanka's Financing of Terrorism Law, the Government of Sri Lanka froze TRO accounts in Sri Lanka.
In this context, that I wish to place on record the deep appreciation of the government of Sri Lanka and this entire house, to the US Administration, especially the Treasury Department, for the speedy investigation carried out and for the action taken yesterday against the TRO. In doing so the US Government becomes the first foreign government to take tangible action against an LTTE front organization. . It must be recalled that besides India which proscribed the LTTE in the aftermath of the assassination of Shri Rajiv Gandhi in 1992, the U.S. was the first Western government to take action against the LTTE, when the Department of State designated the LTTE a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on October 8, 1997 and on November 2, 2001, named the LTTE a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)."
Monday, November 19, 2007
Chinese company to help construct thermal power plant in SP
The Chinese Daytang Power Group Company has come forward to construct a 300 MW Thermal Power Plant in the Southern province, which is a result of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s State visit to China.
A group of delegates led by Daytang Power Group Company Chairman Shai Royu who visited Sri Lanka held discussions with Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Sarath Amunugama in connection with the establishment of the Thermal Power plant in the Southern Province.
Minister Amunugama explained about the infrastructure facilities and other essential facilities granted to foreign investors in Sri Lanka.
Daytang Power Group Company is the only Chinese Power Company which is listed in Hong Kong and UK Share markets.
A group of delegates led by Daytang Power Group Company Chairman Shai Royu who visited Sri Lanka held discussions with Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Sarath Amunugama in connection with the establishment of the Thermal Power plant in the Southern Province.
Minister Amunugama explained about the infrastructure facilities and other essential facilities granted to foreign investors in Sri Lanka.
Daytang Power Group Company is the only Chinese Power Company which is listed in Hong Kong and UK Share markets.
Woman among five held in land racket
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has uncovered a massive fraud where lands are sold on forged deeds following the arrest of five including a woman. The woman had posed off as the owner of several lands and assisted gangleaders to sell land on forged deeds.
CID DIG D. W. Prathapasinghe directing investigations has deployed a special team to ascertain whether any Land Registry employees are involved in the racket.
The CID DIG warned landowners to check their deeds at the Land Registry to ascertain that their lands have not been transferred to any other person without their knowledge on forged documents.
An organised gang operating in Colombo and other parts prepare bogus deeds of declaration conniving with attorneys and transfer them to gang members.
This is done without the land owner’s knowledge.
Investigations have revealed that a Sri Lankan in Australia had complained to the authorities that his land in Sri Lanka had been sold to an outsider without his knowledge.
CID DIG D. W. Prathapasinghe directing investigations has deployed a special team to ascertain whether any Land Registry employees are involved in the racket.
The CID DIG warned landowners to check their deeds at the Land Registry to ascertain that their lands have not been transferred to any other person without their knowledge on forged documents.
An organised gang operating in Colombo and other parts prepare bogus deeds of declaration conniving with attorneys and transfer them to gang members.
This is done without the land owner’s knowledge.
Investigations have revealed that a Sri Lankan in Australia had complained to the authorities that his land in Sri Lanka had been sold to an outsider without his knowledge.
Jobs for Lankan professionals in Qatar
A Memorandum of Understanding between Sri Lanka and Qatar on bilateral cooperation in the construction industry was signed in Qatar, recently, enabling Sri Lankan professionals and technicians to offer their services in Qatar.
The MoU was signed by Chairman, Sri Lanka Chamber of Construction Industry Deshabandu Surath Wickremasinghe and on behalf of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry by Abdulaziz Al-Emadi.
The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and Minister of Construction and Engineering Services Rajitha Senaratne and comprised 32 engineers, architects, surveyors, draftsmen and valuers.
The first discussion between the delegation and the professionals in the construction sphere in Qatar was held at the Sri Lankan Embassy while the other major meeting was held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar in Doha. This was attended by over 100 participants.
Prof. Peiris said Sri Lankan professionals and workers were creative, skilled and productive and they have been employed around the globe.
He also said employers had a very high opinion of their skills, knowledge and efficiency.
The MoU was signed by Chairman, Sri Lanka Chamber of Construction Industry Deshabandu Surath Wickremasinghe and on behalf of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry by Abdulaziz Al-Emadi.
The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and Minister of Construction and Engineering Services Rajitha Senaratne and comprised 32 engineers, architects, surveyors, draftsmen and valuers.
The first discussion between the delegation and the professionals in the construction sphere in Qatar was held at the Sri Lankan Embassy while the other major meeting was held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Qatar in Doha. This was attended by over 100 participants.
Prof. Peiris said Sri Lankan professionals and workers were creative, skilled and productive and they have been employed around the globe.
He also said employers had a very high opinion of their skills, knowledge and efficiency.
Sri Lanka to import onion from India
Welcoming India’s decision to ease onion exports, Sri Lankan importers on Saturday said they will buy 30,000 tons of the bulb from it to augment supplies in the domestic market.
“Our agents are already waiting at the Tuticorin and Chennai ports in India for buying the onion on hopes of lifting of restrictions and we will import 30,000 tons of onion by December,” an Essential Commodities Importers Association spokesman said.
Sri Lanka had recently imported 20,000 tons onion from China, but the long transition period caused damages to the commodity, traders pointed out.
The Indian Government has withdrawn the ‘export licence’ restriction for overseas sale of onion, as the prices of commodity have started to soften in the domestic market.
The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has notified that exports of onions could be undertaken after getting the no-objection certificate from NAFED and 12 other state trading agencies (STEs).
Onion exports from India have plummeted by 44 per cent during last month to 22,500 tons as compared to 40,490 tons in the previous month. Times of India
“Our agents are already waiting at the Tuticorin and Chennai ports in India for buying the onion on hopes of lifting of restrictions and we will import 30,000 tons of onion by December,” an Essential Commodities Importers Association spokesman said.
Sri Lanka had recently imported 20,000 tons onion from China, but the long transition period caused damages to the commodity, traders pointed out.
The Indian Government has withdrawn the ‘export licence’ restriction for overseas sale of onion, as the prices of commodity have started to soften in the domestic market.
The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has notified that exports of onions could be undertaken after getting the no-objection certificate from NAFED and 12 other state trading agencies (STEs).
Onion exports from India have plummeted by 44 per cent during last month to 22,500 tons as compared to 40,490 tons in the previous month. Times of India
Sri Lanka to import onion from India
Welcoming India’s decision to ease onion exports, Sri Lankan importers on Saturday said they will buy 30,000 tons of the bulb from it to augment supplies in the domestic market.
“Our agents are already waiting at the Tuticorin and Chennai ports in India for buying the onion on hopes of lifting of restrictions and we will import 30,000 tons of onion by December,” an Essential Commodities Importers Association spokesman said.
Sri Lanka had recently imported 20,000 tons onion from China, but the long transition period caused damages to the commodity, traders pointed out.
The Indian Government has withdrawn the ‘export licence’ restriction for overseas sale of onion, as the prices of commodity have started to soften in the domestic market.
The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has notified that exports of onions could be undertaken after getting the no-objection certificate from NAFED and 12 other state trading agencies (STEs).
Onion exports from India have plummeted by 44 per cent during last month to 22,500 tons as compared to 40,490 tons in the previous month. Times of India
“Our agents are already waiting at the Tuticorin and Chennai ports in India for buying the onion on hopes of lifting of restrictions and we will import 30,000 tons of onion by December,” an Essential Commodities Importers Association spokesman said.
Sri Lanka had recently imported 20,000 tons onion from China, but the long transition period caused damages to the commodity, traders pointed out.
The Indian Government has withdrawn the ‘export licence’ restriction for overseas sale of onion, as the prices of commodity have started to soften in the domestic market.
The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has notified that exports of onions could be undertaken after getting the no-objection certificate from NAFED and 12 other state trading agencies (STEs).
Onion exports from India have plummeted by 44 per cent during last month to 22,500 tons as compared to 40,490 tons in the previous month. Times of India
Monday, November 12, 2007
STF confronts LTTE group; three LTTE bodies found - Pothuvil
Police Special Task Force personnel confronted a group of LTTE terrorists roaming inside the jungles of Pothuvil last evening (November 11) defence sources said.
According to the available information, the confrontation had taken place around 7 p.m., at a location inside the jungle in the Senminikulama area. During the subsequent search in situ, STF personnel had found three bodies of LTTE cadres and a tractor, the sources further said.
The three bodies are presently lying at the Pothuvil government hospital. Police investigations are in progress.
Meanwhile, a Muslim civilian was seriously injured in an LTTE claymore mine attack at Vaddan, south of Trincomalee around 7:30 last night (November 11). According to the sources, the LTTE terrorists had triggered the road side bomb targeting the victim's Canter truck.
The victim is presently undergoing treatments at Government hospital in Serunuwara.
According to the available information, the confrontation had taken place around 7 p.m., at a location inside the jungle in the Senminikulama area. During the subsequent search in situ, STF personnel had found three bodies of LTTE cadres and a tractor, the sources further said.
The three bodies are presently lying at the Pothuvil government hospital. Police investigations are in progress.
Meanwhile, a Muslim civilian was seriously injured in an LTTE claymore mine attack at Vaddan, south of Trincomalee around 7:30 last night (November 11). According to the sources, the LTTE terrorists had triggered the road side bomb targeting the victim's Canter truck.
The victim is presently undergoing treatments at Government hospital in Serunuwara.
Hayleys turnover tops Rs. 14.2 billion in 2Q
Strong performances from companies in global markets and manufacturing in the second quarter of 2007-08 have generated a welcome improvement in top and bottom line performance for Hayleys PLC, the diversified multinational blue chip conglomerate.
In results released to the Colombo Stock Exchange last week, the Group reported that profit before tax had
grown 16 per cent to Rs. 534.9 million in the three months ending September 30, taking the figure for the first half of the year to Rs. 719.5 million.
Profit after tax for the quarter at Rs. 398.5 million reflected a growth of 20 per cent over the corresponding quarter of 2006-07, resulting in a consolidated first half post tax profit of Rs. 466.6 million.
Turnover for the first six months of the year was up 7 per cent to Rs. 14.2 billion, helped by a 10 per cent growth in the second quarter. Hayleys Chairman N. G. Wickremeratne said: “The Group’s performance showed welcome improvement in the second quarter of the year.
Although performance for the half year still lagged behind that of the previous year due to the results of the first quarter, profit before and after tax and attributable to equity holders of the company were all higher in the second quarter compared with the corresponding quarter of last year.”
“We are encouraged by the overall result achieved in the second quarter of the year and strive for a performance for the year which will be significantly better than the previous year’s,” Wickremeratne added.
In results released to the Colombo Stock Exchange last week, the Group reported that profit before tax had
grown 16 per cent to Rs. 534.9 million in the three months ending September 30, taking the figure for the first half of the year to Rs. 719.5 million.
Profit after tax for the quarter at Rs. 398.5 million reflected a growth of 20 per cent over the corresponding quarter of 2006-07, resulting in a consolidated first half post tax profit of Rs. 466.6 million.
Turnover for the first six months of the year was up 7 per cent to Rs. 14.2 billion, helped by a 10 per cent growth in the second quarter. Hayleys Chairman N. G. Wickremeratne said: “The Group’s performance showed welcome improvement in the second quarter of the year.
Although performance for the half year still lagged behind that of the previous year due to the results of the first quarter, profit before and after tax and attributable to equity holders of the company were all higher in the second quarter compared with the corresponding quarter of last year.”
“We are encouraged by the overall result achieved in the second quarter of the year and strive for a performance for the year which will be significantly better than the previous year’s,” Wickremeratne added.
Spanish King tells Chavez to shut up
Spain’s King Juan Carlos I told Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to “just shut up,” bringing an Ibero-American summit to end in spectacular fashion on Saturday.
Spain’s monarch stormed out just before the scheduled end of the forum, visibly furious at Chavez’s description of his former prime minister as a “fascist” and for launching a wide-ranging tirade that could not be stopped.
The dispute was a dramatic finale for the 17th meeting of the heads of state and government of Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries in Latin America, and Spain, Portugal and Andorra, which started Thursday.
His description of Spain’s former conservative prime minister Jose-Maria Aznar as a “fascist” prompted current Prime Minister Jose-Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, a socialist, to call on Chavez to show more “respect.”
But Chavez forged on, and on Saturday he repeated the contentious f-word in relation to Aznar, adding: “A fascist isn’t human, a snake is more human than a fascist.”
An irate King Juan Carlos then stepped in, demanding of Chavez: “Why don’t you just shut up?”
But the Venezuelan leader carried on, attacking the United States (a favorite target of his), the Catholic Church in Venezuela and the pope.
He also accused the United States and Europe of having approved of the failed coup against him in 2002. Spain’s king then stormed out of the conference as Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega stepped up to support Chavez.
Chavez’ outburst and King Juan Carlos’ finger-pointing admonition to “shut up” was replayed again and again late Saturday on Spanish television news programs to the delight of viewers.
Spain’s monarch stormed out just before the scheduled end of the forum, visibly furious at Chavez’s description of his former prime minister as a “fascist” and for launching a wide-ranging tirade that could not be stopped.
The dispute was a dramatic finale for the 17th meeting of the heads of state and government of Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries in Latin America, and Spain, Portugal and Andorra, which started Thursday.
His description of Spain’s former conservative prime minister Jose-Maria Aznar as a “fascist” prompted current Prime Minister Jose-Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, a socialist, to call on Chavez to show more “respect.”
But Chavez forged on, and on Saturday he repeated the contentious f-word in relation to Aznar, adding: “A fascist isn’t human, a snake is more human than a fascist.”
An irate King Juan Carlos then stepped in, demanding of Chavez: “Why don’t you just shut up?”
But the Venezuelan leader carried on, attacking the United States (a favorite target of his), the Catholic Church in Venezuela and the pope.
He also accused the United States and Europe of having approved of the failed coup against him in 2002. Spain’s king then stormed out of the conference as Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega stepped up to support Chavez.
Chavez’ outburst and King Juan Carlos’ finger-pointing admonition to “shut up” was replayed again and again late Saturday on Spanish television news programs to the delight of viewers.
Government to recruit 12,854 grads as teachers
THE Government will recruit 12,854 graduates to the teacher service to quell the prevailing teacher service on the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said State Revenue and Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.
The Minister was addressing the media at the Ministry recently.
Over two thousand graduates who have undergone training under the Tharuna Aruna third programme will receive teaching appointments by January 01 next year.
In addition, 10,766 graduates will be posted to National and Provincial Schools as teachers. 1,507 graduates will be appointed to National Schools while 9,259 graduates will be posted to Provincial Schools.
The Minster said the prevailing teacher shortage in rural and under privileged schools could be solved when this proposed teacher recruitment programme is implemented.
The Minister said the President looked into this issue from a humanitarian perspective. That is why he has suggested to offer 10,000 jobs for graduates at the last budget.
Some politically motivated elements are trying to score over this matter by creating problems for the people when the Government has taken steps to solve this issue, the Minister said.
The Minister was addressing the media at the Ministry recently.
Over two thousand graduates who have undergone training under the Tharuna Aruna third programme will receive teaching appointments by January 01 next year.
In addition, 10,766 graduates will be posted to National and Provincial Schools as teachers. 1,507 graduates will be appointed to National Schools while 9,259 graduates will be posted to Provincial Schools.
The Minster said the prevailing teacher shortage in rural and under privileged schools could be solved when this proposed teacher recruitment programme is implemented.
The Minister said the President looked into this issue from a humanitarian perspective. That is why he has suggested to offer 10,000 jobs for graduates at the last budget.
Some politically motivated elements are trying to score over this matter by creating problems for the people when the Government has taken steps to solve this issue, the Minister said.
Indian Finance Minister, President hold talks
Indian Finance Minister P. Chidambaram paid a courtesy call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday.
President Rajapaksa and Minister Chidambaram had a lengthy discussion to further consolidate the existing bilateral links between Sri Lanka and India in the spheres of trade, social and economic activities.
Minister Chidambaram was in Sri Lanka as the Keynote speaker at former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar’s second commemoration ceremony held under the auspices of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Foundation, at the BMICH yesterday.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagamma, Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera also participated in the discussions.
The Inaugural Lakshman Kadirgamar Memorial Lecture was delivered by President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Dr Karan Singh in 2006.
President Rajapaksa and Minister Chidambaram had a lengthy discussion to further consolidate the existing bilateral links between Sri Lanka and India in the spheres of trade, social and economic activities.
Minister Chidambaram was in Sri Lanka as the Keynote speaker at former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar’s second commemoration ceremony held under the auspices of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Foundation, at the BMICH yesterday.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagamma, Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera also participated in the discussions.
The Inaugural Lakshman Kadirgamar Memorial Lecture was delivered by President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Dr Karan Singh in 2006.
SRI LANKANS Please Treat this oil and natural gas resources belongs to our Motherland as your own
It has been revealed through media that the present government is taking various steps to tap the oil and natural gas resources considered to be within the sea area that belongs to Sri Lanka.
Mr. A.H.M. Fouzy, Minister of Petroleum & Petroleum Resources Development, making a statement on the 3rd of this month to a radio channel that transmits from Britain had said several exhibitions would be organized in London, Houston and Kuala Lumpur during the next month to attract companies to excavate those oil reserves. Minister Fowzy had further said tender forms for the relevant excavations too would be presented to the companies at the same time. He had further said issuing of tender applications would be closed by December and by April 2008, 3 companies would be selected for excavations after scrutinizing the received tender applications.
The minister has also told that the sum of nearly US$450 million (More than Rs.5000 billion) required as expenses for the mobile exhibitions to be held in London, Houston and Kuala Lumpur is conferred by 'Fugro', a foreign company.
It is our belief that US$450 million required for the mobile exhibitions is given by 'Fugro', a company in the USA, not as a loan. Our investigations have shown that 'Fugro' is a company of auctioneers in Now York. If the US$450 million is given by this company not as a loan what it means is that they have an unholy intention behind their offer. It is only a little child who would not know that the company's intention is not only to 'lick fingertips'.
When a country, which possesses oil and natural gas resources, needs to hold mobile exhibitions to attract foreign companies to explore such resources, it has to be either through necessity or to pave the way for someone to squander a large amount of money. It is for the very reason that there are larger resources of oil and gas in the sea around Sri Lanka than what we have been made to believe that more than 200 companies, including several companies that are involved in large scale exploration of oil and gas, have responded to the bid for tenders by the government; not because those mobile exhibitions are held.
According to the tender forms distributed among these companies the agreement for the exploration of oil and gas that has been prepared is disadvantageous to Sri Lanka so that the country which owns the resources receives only a royalty of 10% which is a very minimal amount. The large portion goes to foreign companies. Even those countries that are desolate and have signed very disadvantageous agreements have not come down to this level. The formulation of agreements and preparation of data has been handed over to 'Fugro' the foreign company, a company which has got involved in oil explorations in Ethiopia, Madagascar etc. It is an agreement prepared by such a company that decides the destiny of the petroleum resources in Sri Lanka.
It is evident that doors are being opened to various companies to plunder the oil and gas resources we possess which is the most valuable and principal resource that has the capacity to develop Sri Lanka. This is more evident when we consider those individuals who participated and what occurred at the international summit on marine oil resources held in Houston in the USA on the 1st of May this year.
According to information revealed already by certain reports those who represented Sri Lanka at the relevant summit were Minister A.H.M. Fauzy, USA Ambassador Robert O. Blake and an economical assassin Neil de Silva, the self appointed Director General for petroleum development and has come here from Canada for the purpose of paving way for the plunder of oil reserves in Sri Lanka and Kew Gomes, Chief Executive of Caltex Sri Lanka (Devron). What is the purpose of American Ambassador participating in such a summit representing Sri Lanka? Why should the chief executive of Devron or Caltex Sri Lanka participate in that summit?
Furthermore, during the summit Joel Haz, senior policy Advisor of the American State Department has participated in a workshop held at rooms 201/201/203 in Lion Centre and also made the welcome address as well as the concluding speech of the workshop. What this implies is that the red carpet is being laid for the oil hungry western imperialism to plunder oil and gas resources that belong to Sri Lanka.
Colombo Dockyard Ltd has already received an order for building oil derrick steering crafts, at a scale unprecedented in this region. It is evident that Colombo dockyard would never receive such an order if there wasn't oil in large quantity. Norway attired itself with the garment of peace envoy only after it attired itself with the garment of explorer for petroleum data. The fact that more than 200 companies have expressed their desire to explore for oil in Gulf of Mannar indicates the vastness of oil and gas reserves in the ocean area belonging to Sri Lanka. Isn't it for this purpose that a proposal was included in Ranil Wickremasinghe' s destructive neo-colonialist programme of 'Regaining Sri Lanka' to build Asia's biggest refinery in an economic zone created by merging Monaragala and Hambantota Districts? Is it for nothing that certain private companies in Sri Lanka have already got ready for joint explorations with Norway? Doesn't all this indicate that Sri Lanka possesses very large reserves of oil and natural gas? If not will the USA, at a time when it declines to finance any programme, make available US$65 million to establish an institute to manage oil related trade?
We have a sea bed area that is more than twenty times of Sri Lanka's land area. In that context Sri Lanka is an ocean state. Our country is situated in the world's oil belt. As it lies along the oil belt from the Middle East to Indonesia and also for certain significant geographical reasons there may be large reserves of oil and gas not only in the ocean bed but also within the country. The government of Sri Lanka has already stated that in reserves in Gulf of Mannar alone there are more than a billion barrels of oil. When compared with our daily consumption of oil this reserve would last us for 20 years.
At the moment neighbouring India produces 30% of its oil needs. In an oil well at Cauvery Basin , very close to Sri Lanka India produces 75000 barrels of oil for a day. A large area in Cauvery Basin belongs to Sri Lanka. Also, it is no secret that most of the countries in this 'oil belt' own oil and natural gas resources. Eastern Timor was separated from Indonesia mainly to plunder the oil resources in EasternTimor, It is evident that the western world is shedding crocodile tears regarding military rule in Burma not to wipe the tears off the masses but to plunder the oil resources in that country. Hence, owning of large quantities of oil and natural gas and the strategic location of the country are reasons enough for imperialist countries to have Sri Lanka in their grasp. As such, it is apparent that there is a serious threat to the destiny of the whole of Sri Lanka and on the manner we manage our oil and gas resources the victory or the destruction of Sri Lankan Nation would largely depend on.
The daily requirement of petroleum in Sri Lanka is hundred thousand barrels. Our refinery supplies between 50000 to 55000 barrels a day and the rest of the requirement is imported spending more than Rs.100 billion per day as foreign exchange. It is for this reason that international economic reports have placed Sri Lanka in the 5th position of Asian countries that are bound to face destruction as a result of spiraling fuel prices. According to accepted reports our fuel requirements go up in about 10% annually.
If we are able to tap our oil resources and produce our daily requirement at a maximum cost of US$15 a barrel, we would be able to save US$80 billion of foreign exchange per day. However, expert reports have shown that oil could be produced in Cauvery and Mannar for less than US$5 per barrel. If so the money that we save would be much higher. Accordingly, it is evident that we could save more than US$30000 million for a year. It is more than the money we spend for the war and the amounts we get as loans annually. Hence, it is evident that it is only on this oil and gas resources we possess that we could come out of the political and economic bondage that we are placed today. We have come to this inference without even considering the large profits we would get if we enter the petroleum byproduct industry which has a very high demand internationally. When considering the escalating demand for oil in countries like China and India and the rising prices of oil internationally it is no secret that we have the measures to develop this sector. On the other hand, when compared with many other countries, the scope to utilize the educated human resources of our country in the development of petroleum industry is higher. We could use all these advantages if we could correctly manage the oil and natural gas resources.
Can we silently watch such a resource being allowed to be managed and plundered by international companies? How many countries are there that have been ruined and divided after allowing plundering companies of western countries to control their oil resources? Isn't it to plunder oil and other minerals that a large number of African counties were divided by the imperialists? Don't we have to think of the unborn future generations of the country, who really are the inheritors of these resources, when we take decisions regarding these oil and gas resources? However, what is in motion at present is not a process that care about such responsibilites.
The decisions regarding the oil and gas resources are being taken secretly in this country today. Has the President seen the data regarding oil and natural gas resources in Sri Lanka? This data is in a special computer that belongs to a company called Fugro. Cannot Neil de Silva, the suspicious character and self-styled 'Director General of Petroleum Resources' who has suddenly emerged from a foreign country be the economic assassin who has come to pave the way for companies of western countries to plunder these resources? Can there be bigger idiots than us if we allow such people and Minister Fouzy to take decisions regarding these resources on which our happiness or sorrow would depend?
The minister or Neil de Silva or the President has no right to take arbitrary decisions regarding these resources. These resources belong to the whole Nation. Hence, decisions regarding it should be taken in a very transparent manner; with the participation of all responsible parties. Sri Lankan expatriates with expert knowledge in this field or our scientists, whether retired or still in service, could be consulted. The agreements should not be prepared according to whims and fancies of a company like 'Fugro.' If we make blunders in coming to agreements or making decisions there is every possibility that they could not be corrected. It is evident the process that is being carried out now is one that allows western countries and their companies plunder the most valuable oil and gas resources that belong not only to us but also to the unborn next generation of our country. Hence, we call upon the President and the government to stop the process that allows a few individuals to acquire their booty immediately. We also demand that the process of taking decision on the oil and natural gas resources be handed over to a special Parliamentary Committee. We call upon the authorities to get our own scientists who love our country to prepare a strategic plan and make it the national charter; open up institutes to train our human resources in the relevant field and to refrain from taking hasty decisions as if selling peanuts.
We also call upon the people in this country to treat this most valuable wealth that belongs to our Motherland as your own, consider allowing it to be plundered by anyone as allowing your and your off springs future to be plundered. Hence, you should consider the correct management of oil and natural gas reserves as your absolute right. We also call upon the masses to rally to defend that right.
Let's not allow anyone to make this wealth that brings dignity and prosperity to the Nation one that would bring destruction and misery instead. Let's not allow imperialist countries that have already directly or indirectly banded together with separatist tiger terrorists to plunder our oil and gas resources. The legitimate children of Mother Lanka would never keep quite when anyone tries to make Sri Lanka another Nigeria, Sudan or Ethiopia. Let's make defending our oil and gas resources and our Motherland the only condition of our lives. We call upon this government not to ignore this and come to idiotic decisions that are hostile to the country.
Mr. A.H.M. Fouzy, Minister of Petroleum & Petroleum Resources Development, making a statement on the 3rd of this month to a radio channel that transmits from Britain had said several exhibitions would be organized in London, Houston and Kuala Lumpur during the next month to attract companies to excavate those oil reserves. Minister Fowzy had further said tender forms for the relevant excavations too would be presented to the companies at the same time. He had further said issuing of tender applications would be closed by December and by April 2008, 3 companies would be selected for excavations after scrutinizing the received tender applications.
The minister has also told that the sum of nearly US$450 million (More than Rs.5000 billion) required as expenses for the mobile exhibitions to be held in London, Houston and Kuala Lumpur is conferred by 'Fugro', a foreign company.
It is our belief that US$450 million required for the mobile exhibitions is given by 'Fugro', a company in the USA, not as a loan. Our investigations have shown that 'Fugro' is a company of auctioneers in Now York. If the US$450 million is given by this company not as a loan what it means is that they have an unholy intention behind their offer. It is only a little child who would not know that the company's intention is not only to 'lick fingertips'.
When a country, which possesses oil and natural gas resources, needs to hold mobile exhibitions to attract foreign companies to explore such resources, it has to be either through necessity or to pave the way for someone to squander a large amount of money. It is for the very reason that there are larger resources of oil and gas in the sea around Sri Lanka than what we have been made to believe that more than 200 companies, including several companies that are involved in large scale exploration of oil and gas, have responded to the bid for tenders by the government; not because those mobile exhibitions are held.
According to the tender forms distributed among these companies the agreement for the exploration of oil and gas that has been prepared is disadvantageous to Sri Lanka so that the country which owns the resources receives only a royalty of 10% which is a very minimal amount. The large portion goes to foreign companies. Even those countries that are desolate and have signed very disadvantageous agreements have not come down to this level. The formulation of agreements and preparation of data has been handed over to 'Fugro' the foreign company, a company which has got involved in oil explorations in Ethiopia, Madagascar etc. It is an agreement prepared by such a company that decides the destiny of the petroleum resources in Sri Lanka.
It is evident that doors are being opened to various companies to plunder the oil and gas resources we possess which is the most valuable and principal resource that has the capacity to develop Sri Lanka. This is more evident when we consider those individuals who participated and what occurred at the international summit on marine oil resources held in Houston in the USA on the 1st of May this year.
According to information revealed already by certain reports those who represented Sri Lanka at the relevant summit were Minister A.H.M. Fauzy, USA Ambassador Robert O. Blake and an economical assassin Neil de Silva, the self appointed Director General for petroleum development and has come here from Canada for the purpose of paving way for the plunder of oil reserves in Sri Lanka and Kew Gomes, Chief Executive of Caltex Sri Lanka (Devron). What is the purpose of American Ambassador participating in such a summit representing Sri Lanka? Why should the chief executive of Devron or Caltex Sri Lanka participate in that summit?
Furthermore, during the summit Joel Haz, senior policy Advisor of the American State Department has participated in a workshop held at rooms 201/201/203 in Lion Centre and also made the welcome address as well as the concluding speech of the workshop. What this implies is that the red carpet is being laid for the oil hungry western imperialism to plunder oil and gas resources that belong to Sri Lanka.
Colombo Dockyard Ltd has already received an order for building oil derrick steering crafts, at a scale unprecedented in this region. It is evident that Colombo dockyard would never receive such an order if there wasn't oil in large quantity. Norway attired itself with the garment of peace envoy only after it attired itself with the garment of explorer for petroleum data. The fact that more than 200 companies have expressed their desire to explore for oil in Gulf of Mannar indicates the vastness of oil and gas reserves in the ocean area belonging to Sri Lanka. Isn't it for this purpose that a proposal was included in Ranil Wickremasinghe' s destructive neo-colonialist programme of 'Regaining Sri Lanka' to build Asia's biggest refinery in an economic zone created by merging Monaragala and Hambantota Districts? Is it for nothing that certain private companies in Sri Lanka have already got ready for joint explorations with Norway? Doesn't all this indicate that Sri Lanka possesses very large reserves of oil and natural gas? If not will the USA, at a time when it declines to finance any programme, make available US$65 million to establish an institute to manage oil related trade?
We have a sea bed area that is more than twenty times of Sri Lanka's land area. In that context Sri Lanka is an ocean state. Our country is situated in the world's oil belt. As it lies along the oil belt from the Middle East to Indonesia and also for certain significant geographical reasons there may be large reserves of oil and gas not only in the ocean bed but also within the country. The government of Sri Lanka has already stated that in reserves in Gulf of Mannar alone there are more than a billion barrels of oil. When compared with our daily consumption of oil this reserve would last us for 20 years.
At the moment neighbouring India produces 30% of its oil needs. In an oil well at Cauvery Basin , very close to Sri Lanka India produces 75000 barrels of oil for a day. A large area in Cauvery Basin belongs to Sri Lanka. Also, it is no secret that most of the countries in this 'oil belt' own oil and natural gas resources. Eastern Timor was separated from Indonesia mainly to plunder the oil resources in EasternTimor, It is evident that the western world is shedding crocodile tears regarding military rule in Burma not to wipe the tears off the masses but to plunder the oil resources in that country. Hence, owning of large quantities of oil and natural gas and the strategic location of the country are reasons enough for imperialist countries to have Sri Lanka in their grasp. As such, it is apparent that there is a serious threat to the destiny of the whole of Sri Lanka and on the manner we manage our oil and gas resources the victory or the destruction of Sri Lankan Nation would largely depend on.
The daily requirement of petroleum in Sri Lanka is hundred thousand barrels. Our refinery supplies between 50000 to 55000 barrels a day and the rest of the requirement is imported spending more than Rs.100 billion per day as foreign exchange. It is for this reason that international economic reports have placed Sri Lanka in the 5th position of Asian countries that are bound to face destruction as a result of spiraling fuel prices. According to accepted reports our fuel requirements go up in about 10% annually.
If we are able to tap our oil resources and produce our daily requirement at a maximum cost of US$15 a barrel, we would be able to save US$80 billion of foreign exchange per day. However, expert reports have shown that oil could be produced in Cauvery and Mannar for less than US$5 per barrel. If so the money that we save would be much higher. Accordingly, it is evident that we could save more than US$30000 million for a year. It is more than the money we spend for the war and the amounts we get as loans annually. Hence, it is evident that it is only on this oil and gas resources we possess that we could come out of the political and economic bondage that we are placed today. We have come to this inference without even considering the large profits we would get if we enter the petroleum byproduct industry which has a very high demand internationally. When considering the escalating demand for oil in countries like China and India and the rising prices of oil internationally it is no secret that we have the measures to develop this sector. On the other hand, when compared with many other countries, the scope to utilize the educated human resources of our country in the development of petroleum industry is higher. We could use all these advantages if we could correctly manage the oil and natural gas resources.
Can we silently watch such a resource being allowed to be managed and plundered by international companies? How many countries are there that have been ruined and divided after allowing plundering companies of western countries to control their oil resources? Isn't it to plunder oil and other minerals that a large number of African counties were divided by the imperialists? Don't we have to think of the unborn future generations of the country, who really are the inheritors of these resources, when we take decisions regarding these oil and gas resources? However, what is in motion at present is not a process that care about such responsibilites.
The decisions regarding the oil and gas resources are being taken secretly in this country today. Has the President seen the data regarding oil and natural gas resources in Sri Lanka? This data is in a special computer that belongs to a company called Fugro. Cannot Neil de Silva, the suspicious character and self-styled 'Director General of Petroleum Resources' who has suddenly emerged from a foreign country be the economic assassin who has come to pave the way for companies of western countries to plunder these resources? Can there be bigger idiots than us if we allow such people and Minister Fouzy to take decisions regarding these resources on which our happiness or sorrow would depend?
The minister or Neil de Silva or the President has no right to take arbitrary decisions regarding these resources. These resources belong to the whole Nation. Hence, decisions regarding it should be taken in a very transparent manner; with the participation of all responsible parties. Sri Lankan expatriates with expert knowledge in this field or our scientists, whether retired or still in service, could be consulted. The agreements should not be prepared according to whims and fancies of a company like 'Fugro.' If we make blunders in coming to agreements or making decisions there is every possibility that they could not be corrected. It is evident the process that is being carried out now is one that allows western countries and their companies plunder the most valuable oil and gas resources that belong not only to us but also to the unborn next generation of our country. Hence, we call upon the President and the government to stop the process that allows a few individuals to acquire their booty immediately. We also demand that the process of taking decision on the oil and natural gas resources be handed over to a special Parliamentary Committee. We call upon the authorities to get our own scientists who love our country to prepare a strategic plan and make it the national charter; open up institutes to train our human resources in the relevant field and to refrain from taking hasty decisions as if selling peanuts.
We also call upon the people in this country to treat this most valuable wealth that belongs to our Motherland as your own, consider allowing it to be plundered by anyone as allowing your and your off springs future to be plundered. Hence, you should consider the correct management of oil and natural gas reserves as your absolute right. We also call upon the masses to rally to defend that right.
Let's not allow anyone to make this wealth that brings dignity and prosperity to the Nation one that would bring destruction and misery instead. Let's not allow imperialist countries that have already directly or indirectly banded together with separatist tiger terrorists to plunder our oil and gas resources. The legitimate children of Mother Lanka would never keep quite when anyone tries to make Sri Lanka another Nigeria, Sudan or Ethiopia. Let's make defending our oil and gas resources and our Motherland the only condition of our lives. We call upon this government not to ignore this and come to idiotic decisions that are hostile to the country.
SRI LANKANS Please Treat this oil and natural gas resources belongs to our Motherland as your own
It has been revealed through media that the present government is taking various steps to tap the oil and natural gas resources considered to be within the sea area that belongs to Sri Lanka.
Mr. A.H.M. Fouzy, Minister of Petroleum & Petroleum Resources Development, making a statement on the 3rd of this month to a radio channel that transmits from Britain had said several exhibitions would be organized in London, Houston and Kuala Lumpur during the next month to attract companies to excavate those oil reserves. Minister Fowzy had further said tender forms for the relevant excavations too would be presented to the companies at the same time. He had further said issuing of tender applications would be closed by December and by April 2008, 3 companies would be selected for excavations after scrutinizing the received tender applications.
The minister has also told that the sum of nearly US$450 million (More than Rs.5000 billion) required as expenses for the mobile exhibitions to be held in London, Houston and Kuala Lumpur is conferred by 'Fugro', a foreign company.
It is our belief that US$450 million required for the mobile exhibitions is given by 'Fugro', a company in the USA, not as a loan. Our investigations have shown that 'Fugro' is a company of auctioneers in Now York. If the US$450 million is given by this company not as a loan what it means is that they have an unholy intention behind their offer. It is only a little child who would not know that the company's intention is not only to 'lick fingertips'.
When a country, which possesses oil and natural gas resources, needs to hold mobile exhibitions to attract foreign companies to explore such resources, it has to be either through necessity or to pave the way for someone to squander a large amount of money. It is for the very reason that there are larger resources of oil and gas in the sea around Sri Lanka than what we have been made to believe that more than 200 companies, including several companies that are involved in large scale exploration of oil and gas, have responded to the bid for tenders by the government; not because those mobile exhibitions are held.
According to the tender forms distributed among these companies the agreement for the exploration of oil and gas that has been prepared is disadvantageous to Sri Lanka so that the country which owns the resources receives only a royalty of 10% which is a very minimal amount. The large portion goes to foreign companies. Even those countries that are desolate and have signed very disadvantageous agreements have not come down to this level. The formulation of agreements and preparation of data has been handed over to 'Fugro' the foreign company, a company which has got involved in oil explorations in Ethiopia, Madagascar etc. It is an agreement prepared by such a company that decides the destiny of the petroleum resources in Sri Lanka.
It is evident that doors are being opened to various companies to plunder the oil and gas resources we possess which is the most valuable and principal resource that has the capacity to develop Sri Lanka. This is more evident when we consider those individuals who participated and what occurred at the international summit on marine oil resources held in Houston in the USA on the 1st of May this year.
According to information revealed already by certain reports those who represented Sri Lanka at the relevant summit were Minister A.H.M. Fauzy, USA Ambassador Robert O. Blake and an economical assassin Neil de Silva, the self appointed Director General for petroleum development and has come here from Canada for the purpose of paving way for the plunder of oil reserves in Sri Lanka and Kew Gomes, Chief Executive of Caltex Sri Lanka (Devron). What is the purpose of American Ambassador participating in such a summit representing Sri Lanka? Why should the chief executive of Devron or Caltex Sri Lanka participate in that summit?
Furthermore, during the summit Joel Haz, senior policy Advisor of the American State Department has participated in a workshop held at rooms 201/201/203 in Lion Centre and also made the welcome address as well as the concluding speech of the workshop. What this implies is that the red carpet is being laid for the oil hungry western imperialism to plunder oil and gas resources that belong to Sri Lanka.
Colombo Dockyard Ltd has already received an order for building oil derrick steering crafts, at a scale unprecedented in this region. It is evident that Colombo dockyard would never receive such an order if there wasn't oil in large quantity. Norway attired itself with the garment of peace envoy only after it attired itself with the garment of explorer for petroleum data. The fact that more than 200 companies have expressed their desire to explore for oil in Gulf of Mannar indicates the vastness of oil and gas reserves in the ocean area belonging to Sri Lanka. Isn't it for this purpose that a proposal was included in Ranil Wickremasinghe' s destructive neo-colonialist programme of 'Regaining Sri Lanka' to build Asia's biggest refinery in an economic zone created by merging Monaragala and Hambantota Districts? Is it for nothing that certain private companies in Sri Lanka have already got ready for joint explorations with Norway? Doesn't all this indicate that Sri Lanka possesses very large reserves of oil and natural gas? If not will the USA, at a time when it declines to finance any programme, make available US$65 million to establish an institute to manage oil related trade?
We have a sea bed area that is more than twenty times of Sri Lanka's land area. In that context Sri Lanka is an ocean state. Our country is situated in the world's oil belt. As it lies along the oil belt from the Middle East to Indonesia and also for certain significant geographical reasons there may be large reserves of oil and gas not only in the ocean bed but also within the country. The government of Sri Lanka has already stated that in reserves in Gulf of Mannar alone there are more than a billion barrels of oil. When compared with our daily consumption of oil this reserve would last us for 20 years.
At the moment neighbouring India produces 30% of its oil needs. In an oil well at Cauvery Basin , very close to Sri Lanka India produces 75000 barrels of oil for a day. A large area in Cauvery Basin belongs to Sri Lanka. Also, it is no secret that most of the countries in this 'oil belt' own oil and natural gas resources. Eastern Timor was separated from Indonesia mainly to plunder the oil resources in EasternTimor, It is evident that the western world is shedding crocodile tears regarding military rule in Burma not to wipe the tears off the masses but to plunder the oil resources in that country. Hence, owning of large quantities of oil and natural gas and the strategic location of the country are reasons enough for imperialist countries to have Sri Lanka in their grasp. As such, it is apparent that there is a serious threat to the destiny of the whole of Sri Lanka and on the manner we manage our oil and gas resources the victory or the destruction of Sri Lankan Nation would largely depend on.
The daily requirement of petroleum in Sri Lanka is hundred thousand barrels. Our refinery supplies between 50000 to 55000 barrels a day and the rest of the requirement is imported spending more than Rs.100 billion per day as foreign exchange. It is for this reason that international economic reports have placed Sri Lanka in the 5th position of Asian countries that are bound to face destruction as a result of spiraling fuel prices. According to accepted reports our fuel requirements go up in about 10% annually.
If we are able to tap our oil resources and produce our daily requirement at a maximum cost of US$15 a barrel, we would be able to save US$80 billion of foreign exchange per day. However, expert reports have shown that oil could be produced in Cauvery and Mannar for less than US$5 per barrel. If so the money that we save would be much higher. Accordingly, it is evident that we could save more than US$30000 million for a year. It is more than the money we spend for the war and the amounts we get as loans annually. Hence, it is evident that it is only on this oil and gas resources we possess that we could come out of the political and economic bondage that we are placed today. We have come to this inference without even considering the large profits we would get if we enter the petroleum byproduct industry which has a very high demand internationally. When considering the escalating demand for oil in countries like China and India and the rising prices of oil internationally it is no secret that we have the measures to develop this sector. On the other hand, when compared with many other countries, the scope to utilize the educated human resources of our country in the development of petroleum industry is higher. We could use all these advantages if we could correctly manage the oil and natural gas resources.
Can we silently watch such a resource being allowed to be managed and plundered by international companies? How many countries are there that have been ruined and divided after allowing plundering companies of western countries to control their oil resources? Isn't it to plunder oil and other minerals that a large number of African counties were divided by the imperialists? Don't we have to think of the unborn future generations of the country, who really are the inheritors of these resources, when we take decisions regarding these oil and gas resources? However, what is in motion at present is not a process that care about such responsibilites.
The decisions regarding the oil and gas resources are being taken secretly in this country today. Has the President seen the data regarding oil and natural gas resources in Sri Lanka? This data is in a special computer that belongs to a company called Fugro. Cannot Neil de Silva, the suspicious character and self-styled 'Director General of Petroleum Resources' who has suddenly emerged from a foreign country be the economic assassin who has come to pave the way for companies of western countries to plunder these resources? Can there be bigger idiots than us if we allow such people and Minister Fouzy to take decisions regarding these resources on which our happiness or sorrow would depend?
The minister or Neil de Silva or the President has no right to take arbitrary decisions regarding these resources. These resources belong to the whole Nation. Hence, decisions regarding it should be taken in a very transparent manner; with the participation of all responsible parties. Sri Lankan expatriates with expert knowledge in this field or our scientists, whether retired or still in service, could be consulted. The agreements should not be prepared according to whims and fancies of a company like 'Fugro.' If we make blunders in coming to agreements or making decisions there is every possibility that they could not be corrected. It is evident the process that is being carried out now is one that allows western countries and their companies plunder the most valuable oil and gas resources that belong not only to us but also to the unborn next generation of our country. Hence, we call upon the President and the government to stop the process that allows a few individuals to acquire their booty immediately. We also demand that the process of taking decision on the oil and natural gas resources be handed over to a special Parliamentary Committee. We call upon the authorities to get our own scientists who love our country to prepare a strategic plan and make it the national charter; open up institutes to train our human resources in the relevant field and to refrain from taking hasty decisions as if selling peanuts.
We also call upon the people in this country to treat this most valuable wealth that belongs to our Motherland as your own, consider allowing it to be plundered by anyone as allowing your and your off springs future to be plundered. Hence, you should consider the correct management of oil and natural gas reserves as your absolute right. We also call upon the masses to rally to defend that right.
Let's not allow anyone to make this wealth that brings dignity and prosperity to the Nation one that would bring destruction and misery instead. Let's not allow imperialist countries that have already directly or indirectly banded together with separatist tiger terrorists to plunder our oil and gas resources. The legitimate children of Mother Lanka would never keep quite when anyone tries to make Sri Lanka another Nigeria, Sudan or Ethiopia. Let's make defending our oil and gas resources and our Motherland the only condition of our lives. We call upon this government not to ignore this and come to idiotic decisions that are hostile to the country.
Mr. A.H.M. Fouzy, Minister of Petroleum & Petroleum Resources Development, making a statement on the 3rd of this month to a radio channel that transmits from Britain had said several exhibitions would be organized in London, Houston and Kuala Lumpur during the next month to attract companies to excavate those oil reserves. Minister Fowzy had further said tender forms for the relevant excavations too would be presented to the companies at the same time. He had further said issuing of tender applications would be closed by December and by April 2008, 3 companies would be selected for excavations after scrutinizing the received tender applications.
The minister has also told that the sum of nearly US$450 million (More than Rs.5000 billion) required as expenses for the mobile exhibitions to be held in London, Houston and Kuala Lumpur is conferred by 'Fugro', a foreign company.
It is our belief that US$450 million required for the mobile exhibitions is given by 'Fugro', a company in the USA, not as a loan. Our investigations have shown that 'Fugro' is a company of auctioneers in Now York. If the US$450 million is given by this company not as a loan what it means is that they have an unholy intention behind their offer. It is only a little child who would not know that the company's intention is not only to 'lick fingertips'.
When a country, which possesses oil and natural gas resources, needs to hold mobile exhibitions to attract foreign companies to explore such resources, it has to be either through necessity or to pave the way for someone to squander a large amount of money. It is for the very reason that there are larger resources of oil and gas in the sea around Sri Lanka than what we have been made to believe that more than 200 companies, including several companies that are involved in large scale exploration of oil and gas, have responded to the bid for tenders by the government; not because those mobile exhibitions are held.
According to the tender forms distributed among these companies the agreement for the exploration of oil and gas that has been prepared is disadvantageous to Sri Lanka so that the country which owns the resources receives only a royalty of 10% which is a very minimal amount. The large portion goes to foreign companies. Even those countries that are desolate and have signed very disadvantageous agreements have not come down to this level. The formulation of agreements and preparation of data has been handed over to 'Fugro' the foreign company, a company which has got involved in oil explorations in Ethiopia, Madagascar etc. It is an agreement prepared by such a company that decides the destiny of the petroleum resources in Sri Lanka.
It is evident that doors are being opened to various companies to plunder the oil and gas resources we possess which is the most valuable and principal resource that has the capacity to develop Sri Lanka. This is more evident when we consider those individuals who participated and what occurred at the international summit on marine oil resources held in Houston in the USA on the 1st of May this year.
According to information revealed already by certain reports those who represented Sri Lanka at the relevant summit were Minister A.H.M. Fauzy, USA Ambassador Robert O. Blake and an economical assassin Neil de Silva, the self appointed Director General for petroleum development and has come here from Canada for the purpose of paving way for the plunder of oil reserves in Sri Lanka and Kew Gomes, Chief Executive of Caltex Sri Lanka (Devron). What is the purpose of American Ambassador participating in such a summit representing Sri Lanka? Why should the chief executive of Devron or Caltex Sri Lanka participate in that summit?
Furthermore, during the summit Joel Haz, senior policy Advisor of the American State Department has participated in a workshop held at rooms 201/201/203 in Lion Centre and also made the welcome address as well as the concluding speech of the workshop. What this implies is that the red carpet is being laid for the oil hungry western imperialism to plunder oil and gas resources that belong to Sri Lanka.
Colombo Dockyard Ltd has already received an order for building oil derrick steering crafts, at a scale unprecedented in this region. It is evident that Colombo dockyard would never receive such an order if there wasn't oil in large quantity. Norway attired itself with the garment of peace envoy only after it attired itself with the garment of explorer for petroleum data. The fact that more than 200 companies have expressed their desire to explore for oil in Gulf of Mannar indicates the vastness of oil and gas reserves in the ocean area belonging to Sri Lanka. Isn't it for this purpose that a proposal was included in Ranil Wickremasinghe' s destructive neo-colonialist programme of 'Regaining Sri Lanka' to build Asia's biggest refinery in an economic zone created by merging Monaragala and Hambantota Districts? Is it for nothing that certain private companies in Sri Lanka have already got ready for joint explorations with Norway? Doesn't all this indicate that Sri Lanka possesses very large reserves of oil and natural gas? If not will the USA, at a time when it declines to finance any programme, make available US$65 million to establish an institute to manage oil related trade?
We have a sea bed area that is more than twenty times of Sri Lanka's land area. In that context Sri Lanka is an ocean state. Our country is situated in the world's oil belt. As it lies along the oil belt from the Middle East to Indonesia and also for certain significant geographical reasons there may be large reserves of oil and gas not only in the ocean bed but also within the country. The government of Sri Lanka has already stated that in reserves in Gulf of Mannar alone there are more than a billion barrels of oil. When compared with our daily consumption of oil this reserve would last us for 20 years.
At the moment neighbouring India produces 30% of its oil needs. In an oil well at Cauvery Basin , very close to Sri Lanka India produces 75000 barrels of oil for a day. A large area in Cauvery Basin belongs to Sri Lanka. Also, it is no secret that most of the countries in this 'oil belt' own oil and natural gas resources. Eastern Timor was separated from Indonesia mainly to plunder the oil resources in EasternTimor, It is evident that the western world is shedding crocodile tears regarding military rule in Burma not to wipe the tears off the masses but to plunder the oil resources in that country. Hence, owning of large quantities of oil and natural gas and the strategic location of the country are reasons enough for imperialist countries to have Sri Lanka in their grasp. As such, it is apparent that there is a serious threat to the destiny of the whole of Sri Lanka and on the manner we manage our oil and gas resources the victory or the destruction of Sri Lankan Nation would largely depend on.
The daily requirement of petroleum in Sri Lanka is hundred thousand barrels. Our refinery supplies between 50000 to 55000 barrels a day and the rest of the requirement is imported spending more than Rs.100 billion per day as foreign exchange. It is for this reason that international economic reports have placed Sri Lanka in the 5th position of Asian countries that are bound to face destruction as a result of spiraling fuel prices. According to accepted reports our fuel requirements go up in about 10% annually.
If we are able to tap our oil resources and produce our daily requirement at a maximum cost of US$15 a barrel, we would be able to save US$80 billion of foreign exchange per day. However, expert reports have shown that oil could be produced in Cauvery and Mannar for less than US$5 per barrel. If so the money that we save would be much higher. Accordingly, it is evident that we could save more than US$30000 million for a year. It is more than the money we spend for the war and the amounts we get as loans annually. Hence, it is evident that it is only on this oil and gas resources we possess that we could come out of the political and economic bondage that we are placed today. We have come to this inference without even considering the large profits we would get if we enter the petroleum byproduct industry which has a very high demand internationally. When considering the escalating demand for oil in countries like China and India and the rising prices of oil internationally it is no secret that we have the measures to develop this sector. On the other hand, when compared with many other countries, the scope to utilize the educated human resources of our country in the development of petroleum industry is higher. We could use all these advantages if we could correctly manage the oil and natural gas resources.
Can we silently watch such a resource being allowed to be managed and plundered by international companies? How many countries are there that have been ruined and divided after allowing plundering companies of western countries to control their oil resources? Isn't it to plunder oil and other minerals that a large number of African counties were divided by the imperialists? Don't we have to think of the unborn future generations of the country, who really are the inheritors of these resources, when we take decisions regarding these oil and gas resources? However, what is in motion at present is not a process that care about such responsibilites.
The decisions regarding the oil and gas resources are being taken secretly in this country today. Has the President seen the data regarding oil and natural gas resources in Sri Lanka? This data is in a special computer that belongs to a company called Fugro. Cannot Neil de Silva, the suspicious character and self-styled 'Director General of Petroleum Resources' who has suddenly emerged from a foreign country be the economic assassin who has come to pave the way for companies of western countries to plunder these resources? Can there be bigger idiots than us if we allow such people and Minister Fouzy to take decisions regarding these resources on which our happiness or sorrow would depend?
The minister or Neil de Silva or the President has no right to take arbitrary decisions regarding these resources. These resources belong to the whole Nation. Hence, decisions regarding it should be taken in a very transparent manner; with the participation of all responsible parties. Sri Lankan expatriates with expert knowledge in this field or our scientists, whether retired or still in service, could be consulted. The agreements should not be prepared according to whims and fancies of a company like 'Fugro.' If we make blunders in coming to agreements or making decisions there is every possibility that they could not be corrected. It is evident the process that is being carried out now is one that allows western countries and their companies plunder the most valuable oil and gas resources that belong not only to us but also to the unborn next generation of our country. Hence, we call upon the President and the government to stop the process that allows a few individuals to acquire their booty immediately. We also demand that the process of taking decision on the oil and natural gas resources be handed over to a special Parliamentary Committee. We call upon the authorities to get our own scientists who love our country to prepare a strategic plan and make it the national charter; open up institutes to train our human resources in the relevant field and to refrain from taking hasty decisions as if selling peanuts.
We also call upon the people in this country to treat this most valuable wealth that belongs to our Motherland as your own, consider allowing it to be plundered by anyone as allowing your and your off springs future to be plundered. Hence, you should consider the correct management of oil and natural gas reserves as your absolute right. We also call upon the masses to rally to defend that right.
Let's not allow anyone to make this wealth that brings dignity and prosperity to the Nation one that would bring destruction and misery instead. Let's not allow imperialist countries that have already directly or indirectly banded together with separatist tiger terrorists to plunder our oil and gas resources. The legitimate children of Mother Lanka would never keep quite when anyone tries to make Sri Lanka another Nigeria, Sudan or Ethiopia. Let's make defending our oil and gas resources and our Motherland the only condition of our lives. We call upon this government not to ignore this and come to idiotic decisions that are hostile to the country.
Friday, November 09, 2007
New recruitments to the Engineering service
It has been decided that 139 new Engineers have been recruited to the Sri Lanka Engineering Service by the Government, following a proposal made by the Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs, Karu Jayasuriya. The decision was prompted by the shortage of engineers for various development projects that have been launched at district and divisional secretariat level.
According to the Ministerial sources, these engineers will be placed in the various accelerated development projects which commenced following the launch of the Negenahira Navodaya-Eastern Development project.
According to the Ministerial sources, these engineers will be placed in the various accelerated development projects which commenced following the launch of the Negenahira Navodaya-Eastern Development project.
World Class Sri Lankan businessman honoured in USA
Susantha Sisilchandra, a Sri Lankan Entrepreneur, received "the Exceptional Performance by a Young Professional" award at the 5th Annual SLF Awards Ceremony held in Los Angeles, California, recently under the patronage of Hon. Jaliya Wickramsuriya, Sri Lankan Consul General in Los Angeles.
Mr. Sisilchandra is the founder and CEO/President of Ceyhinz Link International, Inc., and his US-based company with 100% Sri Lankan made products is now generating millions of dollars annually.
His business venture includes introducing Sri Lankan made coir substrate to greenhouses and nurseries in North America and 30 countries across the globe, spanning six continents. Since the inception of Ceyhinz Link, Mr. Sisilchandra has managed to acquire world’s top greenhouses over a short period of time.
He has also introduced coir fibre based Sri Lankan made ecological restoration products for North America and many other countries. His products are mainly used by the US Army Engineering (Corp) and US National Guard projects in many states in the USA.
Mr. Sisilchandra is the founder and CEO/President of Ceyhinz Link International, Inc., and his US-based company with 100% Sri Lankan made products is now generating millions of dollars annually.
His business venture includes introducing Sri Lankan made coir substrate to greenhouses and nurseries in North America and 30 countries across the globe, spanning six continents. Since the inception of Ceyhinz Link, Mr. Sisilchandra has managed to acquire world’s top greenhouses over a short period of time.
He has also introduced coir fibre based Sri Lankan made ecological restoration products for North America and many other countries. His products are mainly used by the US Army Engineering (Corp) and US National Guard projects in many states in the USA.
Remarks by Ambassador Robert Blake at the Innaugeration of the Bribery Commission Office, Colombo
Attorney General de Silva, Chairman Ismail, Director General Ranasinghe, Mr. Withanachchi, Mr. Harold, and Mr. Weliamuna, thank you for coming today to inaugurate the newly renovated Bribery Commission. It is an honor for me to be here to demonstrate the support of the United States for this vital Sri Lankan Government body.
One of the U.S. Government’s key priorities in Sri Lanka is to support institutions that improve public service provision and accountability to the public. The Bribery Commission is one such institution.
The renovation of the Bribery Commission library and auditorium will give case investigation officers and researchers improved tools and environments in which to provide faster and better service to the public when handling complaints about bribery and corruption.
The cost of corruption is difficult to quantify, but there is little doubt that it has dramatically negative economic and political consequences. Corruption damages economic development and reform, impedes the ability of countries to attract foreign investment, hinders the growth of democratic institutions, and concentrates power in the hands of a few.
A recent Sri Lankan study indicated that Sri Lanka’s GDP would have grown by at least two percentage points in 2006 had government corruption been prevented. The best way to combat corruption is for a government, any government, to be open and transparent.
For the past 18 months, the U.S. and Sri Lanka have been working together to develop strategies to fight corruption. The Sri Lanka Anti-Corruption program was created by the U.S. Agency for International Development after the tsunami, and was designed to help minimize corruption in the distribution of post-tsunami assistance.
In addition to the renovation work for he Bribery Commission, USAID supported the publication of this children’s book about corruption [hold up book], written by Sri Lanka’s own Sybil Wetthasinghe. We hope that this little publication will raise public awareness and understanding about the negative impact of corruption on Sri Lankan society and contribute to an environment in which corruption is openly discussed and addressed. By focusing on children, we hope the book will inculcate in Sri Lanka’s next generation a strong aversion to corruption.
I’d like to thank our implementing partner Transparency International for all their good work on behalf of this project, and offer them our heartiest encouragement for continued success in their five-year strategy to combat public corruption in Sri Lanka, and our ongoing support wherever possible.
I also want to thank Attorney General de Silva for coming. Your presence here demonstrates the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to combating public corruption.
Finally, I’d like to commend the Bribery Commission, particularly Chairman Ismail, for the good work the Commission has done since its establishment in 1994. While there are always many opportunities for improving the environment to make it free from corruption, during its short existence, the Bribery Commission has become a deterrent to corruption and has lead the way in the Government to help restore public trust in government institutions.
Thank you.
One of the U.S. Government’s key priorities in Sri Lanka is to support institutions that improve public service provision and accountability to the public. The Bribery Commission is one such institution.
The renovation of the Bribery Commission library and auditorium will give case investigation officers and researchers improved tools and environments in which to provide faster and better service to the public when handling complaints about bribery and corruption.
The cost of corruption is difficult to quantify, but there is little doubt that it has dramatically negative economic and political consequences. Corruption damages economic development and reform, impedes the ability of countries to attract foreign investment, hinders the growth of democratic institutions, and concentrates power in the hands of a few.
A recent Sri Lankan study indicated that Sri Lanka’s GDP would have grown by at least two percentage points in 2006 had government corruption been prevented. The best way to combat corruption is for a government, any government, to be open and transparent.
For the past 18 months, the U.S. and Sri Lanka have been working together to develop strategies to fight corruption. The Sri Lanka Anti-Corruption program was created by the U.S. Agency for International Development after the tsunami, and was designed to help minimize corruption in the distribution of post-tsunami assistance.
In addition to the renovation work for he Bribery Commission, USAID supported the publication of this children’s book about corruption [hold up book], written by Sri Lanka’s own Sybil Wetthasinghe. We hope that this little publication will raise public awareness and understanding about the negative impact of corruption on Sri Lankan society and contribute to an environment in which corruption is openly discussed and addressed. By focusing on children, we hope the book will inculcate in Sri Lanka’s next generation a strong aversion to corruption.
I’d like to thank our implementing partner Transparency International for all their good work on behalf of this project, and offer them our heartiest encouragement for continued success in their five-year strategy to combat public corruption in Sri Lanka, and our ongoing support wherever possible.
I also want to thank Attorney General de Silva for coming. Your presence here demonstrates the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to combating public corruption.
Finally, I’d like to commend the Bribery Commission, particularly Chairman Ismail, for the good work the Commission has done since its establishment in 1994. While there are always many opportunities for improving the environment to make it free from corruption, during its short existence, the Bribery Commission has become a deterrent to corruption and has lead the way in the Government to help restore public trust in government institutions.
Thank you.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
IT Organizations: Operating in a world of constant change
The nature of business today is that change is the only constant. Organizations, be they public or private entities, are faced with change as a result of reorganization, business expansion, competition, the impact of new technology, mergers and acquisitions, industry or government regulatory controls and a myriad of other factors.
The reality is that any change that affects an organization will have a flow-on effect to the IT organization.
One can say that an organization’s ability to adapt to change is directly related to its IT system’s ability to adapt to those changes. There are many examples of organizations that have suffered considerable harm to their reputations and market values through IT disasters that resulted from poorly implemented systems, and upgrades that went wrong.
From the release of the first commercially available relational database system in 1979, to support for Very Large Database (VLDB) requirements in the late 1990s, to databases for grid computing environments in recent years -- the last 30 years have seen many important innovations with new server architectures emerging to support mission critical systems.
In the past, customers had fewer choices in server architectures as symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) servers were almost the de-facto standard for UNIX-based applications. Today however, we witness the emergence of architectures such as blade servers, clutered servers and new operating systems such as Linux.
Back then, moving from one vendor’s SMP server to another was relatively simple as benchmarks could be conducted to ensure that the new server would deliver the required performance.
Today, customers looking to migrate from a UNIX SMP architecture to a Linux architecture based on blade servers are faced with a significantly more complex task. The potential for errors is higher and this can lead to decisions that bring on disastrous results.
Data centres have changed fundamentally in the way they look and operate with the introduction of grid computing. From silos of disparate resources to shared pools of servers and storage, organizations cluster low-cost commodity servers and modular storage arrays in a grid.
The reality is that any change that affects an organization will have a flow-on effect to the IT organization.
One can say that an organization’s ability to adapt to change is directly related to its IT system’s ability to adapt to those changes. There are many examples of organizations that have suffered considerable harm to their reputations and market values through IT disasters that resulted from poorly implemented systems, and upgrades that went wrong.
From the release of the first commercially available relational database system in 1979, to support for Very Large Database (VLDB) requirements in the late 1990s, to databases for grid computing environments in recent years -- the last 30 years have seen many important innovations with new server architectures emerging to support mission critical systems.
In the past, customers had fewer choices in server architectures as symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) servers were almost the de-facto standard for UNIX-based applications. Today however, we witness the emergence of architectures such as blade servers, clutered servers and new operating systems such as Linux.
Back then, moving from one vendor’s SMP server to another was relatively simple as benchmarks could be conducted to ensure that the new server would deliver the required performance.
Today, customers looking to migrate from a UNIX SMP architecture to a Linux architecture based on blade servers are faced with a significantly more complex task. The potential for errors is higher and this can lead to decisions that bring on disastrous results.
Data centres have changed fundamentally in the way they look and operate with the introduction of grid computing. From silos of disparate resources to shared pools of servers and storage, organizations cluster low-cost commodity servers and modular storage arrays in a grid.
President pays tribute to our war heroes
Paying a tribute to the success of the Sri Lanka Military Forces President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he is grateful to them profoundly and consider them as the most disciplined Force in the world.
President Rajapaksa made this assertion at Seenimodera in Tangalle in handing over the Rana Setha Rana Viru Housing Complex consisting of 88 housing units to families of disabled Rana Viru (War Heroes) who had sacrificed their lives and limbs to protect the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of their Motherland.
“They are fighting with commitment to salvage the country from the grip of ruthless terrorism. They are dedicated towards an ultimate victory.” he added.
The President said that our War Heroes are fighting for a cause, with a vision and a mission.
He pointed out that there was an era when the youth of the country shunned a way from joining the Forces. The tide has changed now their yearning and very keen to join the forces. This shows their patriotism and dedication to the cause of the country.
A suicidal terrorist could re-appear anywhere, anytime. There could be ad-hoc and isolated bomb blasts and steps taken to strengthen the security of the people. This ought to be expected. However the Forces’ Chiefs, Defence Secretary or the Government are not prepared to resign as demanded by the Opposition,” he said. More >>
President Rajapaksa made this assertion at Seenimodera in Tangalle in handing over the Rana Setha Rana Viru Housing Complex consisting of 88 housing units to families of disabled Rana Viru (War Heroes) who had sacrificed their lives and limbs to protect the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of their Motherland.
“They are fighting with commitment to salvage the country from the grip of ruthless terrorism. They are dedicated towards an ultimate victory.” he added.
The President said that our War Heroes are fighting for a cause, with a vision and a mission.
He pointed out that there was an era when the youth of the country shunned a way from joining the Forces. The tide has changed now their yearning and very keen to join the forces. This shows their patriotism and dedication to the cause of the country.
A suicidal terrorist could re-appear anywhere, anytime. There could be ad-hoc and isolated bomb blasts and steps taken to strengthen the security of the people. This ought to be expected. However the Forces’ Chiefs, Defence Secretary or the Government are not prepared to resign as demanded by the Opposition,” he said. More >>
Sri Lanka’s rank improved in global competitiveness
The Global Competitiveness Report reveals that Sri Lanka’s rank has improved where the global competitiveness is concerned registering the 70th position out of 131 countries.
“Last year Sri Lanka was ranked 81 out of the 122 countries. This is a good indication that Sri Lanka is becoming competitive in the global arena,” the Chief Economist in the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Gayathri Gunaruwan said at a seminar. The event was organised by the CCC on the topic `How Competitive is Sri Lanka for Business’.
Gunaruwan said that in the World Economic forum it takes two indices on Global Competitiveness and Business Competitiveness. She emphasized on the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), which look at macro and micro economic aspects calculated on 100 variables.
According to her GCI looks into 12 main areas in measuring the country’s competitiveness globally and Sri Lanka has done better in certain sectors compared to last year.
The areas that have been taken into consideration were innovation, business sophistication, market size, technological readiness, finance market sophistication, labor market efficacy and good market efficiency.
“Last year Sri Lanka was ranked 81 out of the 122 countries. This is a good indication that Sri Lanka is becoming competitive in the global arena,” the Chief Economist in the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Gayathri Gunaruwan said at a seminar. The event was organised by the CCC on the topic `How Competitive is Sri Lanka for Business’.
Gunaruwan said that in the World Economic forum it takes two indices on Global Competitiveness and Business Competitiveness. She emphasized on the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), which look at macro and micro economic aspects calculated on 100 variables.
According to her GCI looks into 12 main areas in measuring the country’s competitiveness globally and Sri Lanka has done better in certain sectors compared to last year.
The areas that have been taken into consideration were innovation, business sophistication, market size, technological readiness, finance market sophistication, labor market efficacy and good market efficiency.
LTTE terror leader Thamilchelvan and 05 others killed in SLAF air raid
Citing Wanni based LTTE sources; pro-LTTE media confirm the death of LTTE's so-called, Political chief Thamilchelvan (43), following a pin-point air raid carried out by SLAF fighter jets, at Thuruaiaru in Iranamadu around 6 this morning (November 2).
The other high profile terrorists killed in the air raid were identified as Anpumani (Alex), Mikuthan, Neathaji, Aadchiveal and Vaakaikkumaran.
According to informed sources, self styled Lt. Colonel Anupumani alias Alex was the chief of LTTE's "strategic communication division". He was the person in charge of handling all communication activities between LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran and the other international terrorist agents.
The SLAF air sorties were carried out following extensive air surveillance and on real-time ground information, military sources earlier reported.
The pro-LTTE media said that, LTTE has conferred its highest military rank, "Brigadier", to its Political chief Thamilchelvan.
Defence observers say that this achievement came about due to the synergy achieved through excellent coordination between the military intelligence and the air arm.
The other high profile terrorists killed in the air raid were identified as Anpumani (Alex), Mikuthan, Neathaji, Aadchiveal and Vaakaikkumaran.
According to informed sources, self styled Lt. Colonel Anupumani alias Alex was the chief of LTTE's "strategic communication division". He was the person in charge of handling all communication activities between LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran and the other international terrorist agents.
The SLAF air sorties were carried out following extensive air surveillance and on real-time ground information, military sources earlier reported.
The pro-LTTE media said that, LTTE has conferred its highest military rank, "Brigadier", to its Political chief Thamilchelvan.
Defence observers say that this achievement came about due to the synergy achieved through excellent coordination between the military intelligence and the air arm.
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