It is reported that Sri Lankan migrant workers employed in United Arab Emirates (UAE) are entitled to receive a minimum monthly salary of 825 Dirhams (AED) per month effective from January 1, 2008. This will amount to around 24.500/= in rupees monthly.
According to foreign media sources this new regulation of the revised minimum wages has been communicated to the recruiting agencies and agents through the Sri Lankan missions.
The Sri Lankan government has revised the minimum wages of housemaids in the entire Gulf region. While Dh825 has been set for the UAE, the wages in other countries in the Middle East have been set according to their respective per capita income.
This decision came along with the visit of Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare, Keheliya Rambukwella, to Dubai in October, when he told reporters that the government was considering increasing the wages.
According to procedures, the missions first approve the contract drawn up by the agent, after which the housemaid is brought from Sri Lanka to the UAE.
Any contract renewed after January 1 will also be considered as new and the employer would have to pay the revised wage. Sources said.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Auspicious opening of Mahanama Bridge, Matara
President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open the new Manama Bridge at Matara today. The bridge, destroyed by the tsunami, was constructed with a grant worth USD 7 million provided by the Government of Korea.
The newly reconstructed Mahanama Bridge is 116 meters in length, 29.5 meters wide and has six tracks. The Project was implemented by Road Development Authority (RDA) Sri Lanka, with the Korean Highways Corporation providing consultancy services. The bridge is built across the Nilwala River and is in the heart of Matara city. Work on the bridge commenced upon President Rajapaksa's request when he was Prime Minister.
The bridge, declared open on the third anniversary of the tsunami, is expected to improve the quality of life of the people of the area and enhance the prosperity of the Matara District.
The President reminded the nation how unlike any other nation Sri Lanka was able to emerge from the debris left by the tsunami.
The newly reconstructed Mahanama Bridge is 116 meters in length, 29.5 meters wide and has six tracks. The Project was implemented by Road Development Authority (RDA) Sri Lanka, with the Korean Highways Corporation providing consultancy services. The bridge is built across the Nilwala River and is in the heart of Matara city. Work on the bridge commenced upon President Rajapaksa's request when he was Prime Minister.
The bridge, declared open on the third anniversary of the tsunami, is expected to improve the quality of life of the people of the area and enhance the prosperity of the Matara District.
The President reminded the nation how unlike any other nation Sri Lanka was able to emerge from the debris left by the tsunami.
Sri Lanka observes Tsunami anniversary
Third Tsunami anniversary is being observed as National Safety Day in Sri Lanka Wednesday.
The main commemorative function is being held at Ratnapura in southern Sri Lanka.
A special prayer meeting is also being held at Peraliya, south of Colombo where more than 1000 passengers were killed as their train was washed away by the giant waves three years ago, All India Radio reported.
The whole of the island nation went into silent prayers for three minutes in the morning as mark of respect to those who perished in tsunami.
The nature's fury had killed more about 40,000 people besides displacing 2.5 million in Sri Lanka, the worst affected country after Indonesia.
India was the first country to have rushed to help Sri Lanka when Tsunami hit the island.
Besides pledging dlrs 23 million as Tsunami relief, New Delhi had dispatched ship loads of food and relief materials to the Tsunami hit regions.
More than 1000 military and medical personnel from India worked day in and day out to help Sri Lanka recover from the tsunami shock.
In Indonesia Mass prayers as well as a major emergency Tsunami drill are being held in coastal Calang town in Aceh, province.
Archipelagic Indonesia was the nation worst hit by the earthquake- triggered tsunami, with some 168,000 lives claimed by the catastrophic walls of water that lashed Aceh province at the northern tip of Sumatra island.
The main commemorative function is being held at Ratnapura in southern Sri Lanka.
A special prayer meeting is also being held at Peraliya, south of Colombo where more than 1000 passengers were killed as their train was washed away by the giant waves three years ago, All India Radio reported.
The whole of the island nation went into silent prayers for three minutes in the morning as mark of respect to those who perished in tsunami.
The nature's fury had killed more about 40,000 people besides displacing 2.5 million in Sri Lanka, the worst affected country after Indonesia.
India was the first country to have rushed to help Sri Lanka when Tsunami hit the island.
Besides pledging dlrs 23 million as Tsunami relief, New Delhi had dispatched ship loads of food and relief materials to the Tsunami hit regions.
More than 1000 military and medical personnel from India worked day in and day out to help Sri Lanka recover from the tsunami shock.
In Indonesia Mass prayers as well as a major emergency Tsunami drill are being held in coastal Calang town in Aceh, province.
Archipelagic Indonesia was the nation worst hit by the earthquake- triggered tsunami, with some 168,000 lives claimed by the catastrophic walls of water that lashed Aceh province at the northern tip of Sumatra island.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Housing market continues to slow
The property market is still cooling, despite a slight rise in house prices during October, official figures show.
Prices rose by 0.1% in that month, the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said, compared with 0.3% in September.
The annual rate of house price inflation was 11.3%, up from 10.8% the previous month.
But the average figure for the three months to October, seen as a more reliable indicator, fell to 11.1%.
DCLG calculated that the average price of a home in the UK is now £220,195, just £84 more than the average price in September.
Prices rose by 0.1% in that month, the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said, compared with 0.3% in September.
The annual rate of house price inflation was 11.3%, up from 10.8% the previous month.
But the average figure for the three months to October, seen as a more reliable indicator, fell to 11.1%.
DCLG calculated that the average price of a home in the UK is now £220,195, just £84 more than the average price in September.
Tourism recovers from earlier slump
Tourism has staged a turn around from November, with a robust arrival gain of 20 per cent for the month. The drop-in arrivals peaked in May this year to 40 per cent after the LTTE attack on the Bandaranaike International Airport and the subsequent curfew imposed on night flights.
Since September this year, a recovery was seen with a strong turn into a positive last month. Arrivals for November was 45,102 compared with 37, 591 for the same month last year. With the current boost Sri Lanka tourism got with the Barmy Army of nearly 7,000 fans currently enjoying the cricket test matches.
December is expected to perform better. With the third and the final test matches in Galle attracting much attention, nearly 10,000 cricket fans are expected to be in Sri Lanka.
“Looking at the forward bookings, we are confident that we will end up with a good winter season performance this time. With events like the Galle Literary Festival, The Pearl Fishers opera, lifestyle shows in April and other exciting events planned for next year, we should expect the recovery to be sustainable,” said Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Renton de Alwis.
“We also note the achievements in the Middle East market where an overall 30 per cent gain has been achieved between January and November, with an increase from 9,535 to 12, 327,” he said.
Since September this year, a recovery was seen with a strong turn into a positive last month. Arrivals for November was 45,102 compared with 37, 591 for the same month last year. With the current boost Sri Lanka tourism got with the Barmy Army of nearly 7,000 fans currently enjoying the cricket test matches.
December is expected to perform better. With the third and the final test matches in Galle attracting much attention, nearly 10,000 cricket fans are expected to be in Sri Lanka.
“Looking at the forward bookings, we are confident that we will end up with a good winter season performance this time. With events like the Galle Literary Festival, The Pearl Fishers opera, lifestyle shows in April and other exciting events planned for next year, we should expect the recovery to be sustainable,” said Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Renton de Alwis.
“We also note the achievements in the Middle East market where an overall 30 per cent gain has been achieved between January and November, with an increase from 9,535 to 12, 327,” he said.
India tests surface-to-air missile: Defence Ministry
India on Friday successfully tested its surface-to-air Akash missile at an eastern coastal site, the second firing of the weapon in as many days, defence officials said.
The missile blasted off from the Chandipur-on-Sea testing site, 200 kilometres (125 miles) northeast of Orissa state capital Bhubaneswar, a defence ministry official said.
The test of the Akash missile on Thursday was also described as a success. The 700-kilogramme (1,540-pound) Akash, meaning “sky” in Hindi, has a range of 27 kilometres and can carry a 55-kilogramme warhead.
The tests came days after India announced plans to increase its nuclear prowess with a ballistic missile capable of hitting targets up to 6,000 kilometres away.
New Delhi also announced two tests this month of Indian-manufactured interceptor missiles.
India has built a range of ballistic and cruise missiles as a deterrent to China and Pakistan.
The missile blasted off from the Chandipur-on-Sea testing site, 200 kilometres (125 miles) northeast of Orissa state capital Bhubaneswar, a defence ministry official said.
The test of the Akash missile on Thursday was also described as a success. The 700-kilogramme (1,540-pound) Akash, meaning “sky” in Hindi, has a range of 27 kilometres and can carry a 55-kilogramme warhead.
The tests came days after India announced plans to increase its nuclear prowess with a ballistic missile capable of hitting targets up to 6,000 kilometres away.
New Delhi also announced two tests this month of Indian-manufactured interceptor missiles.
India has built a range of ballistic and cruise missiles as a deterrent to China and Pakistan.
Russian astronaut guest of honour at Sir Arthur C. Clarke felicitation
Astronaut Alexey Leonov of Russia, the first man to walk in space will be the guest of honour at a ceremony to felicitate Sir Arthur C. Clarke on his 90th birthday at a Central Bank auditorium today at 5.00 p.m.
The Foreign Ministry will host the ceremony to felicitate Sir Clarke which will be held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama will deliver the welcome address. Dr. Alexey Leonov who was the first man to walk in space, when he stepped outside the Voskhod 2 spacecraft for about 12 minutes, on March 18, 1965.
He is also a long standing personal friend of Sir Arthur C. Clarke. Dr. Leonov is due to present Sir Arthur a medal from the Federation of Cosmonautics of Russia and deliver an address on “Sir Arthur C Clarke: A personal memoir”.
The Foreign Ministry will host the ceremony to felicitate Sir Clarke which will be held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama will deliver the welcome address. Dr. Alexey Leonov who was the first man to walk in space, when he stepped outside the Voskhod 2 spacecraft for about 12 minutes, on March 18, 1965.
He is also a long standing personal friend of Sir Arthur C. Clarke. Dr. Leonov is due to present Sir Arthur a medal from the Federation of Cosmonautics of Russia and deliver an address on “Sir Arthur C Clarke: A personal memoir”.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Eastern Tamils rally against alleged LTTE, TNA coalition
Thousands of Tamils and Muslims are flocking to Batticaloa town today (December 10) with slogans and banners condemning alleged LTTE, TNA coalition's obstruction of resettlement and development work, in a demonstration organized by the Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), reports our Eastern Area defence correspondent.
Latest reports said that an estimated crowd over 9000 participated in the event to stage their strong protest against the self-claimed Tamil representatives.
People were seen coming in from all parts of the recently liberated Eastern Province to stage a mass protest against the LTTE - TNA axis, said defence sources observing the activities.
According to available information many Tamil and Muslim civilians from Kallady, Chenkallady and Valachchenai and many other areas are making their way towards Batticaloa, where the demonstrators are expected to hand over a memorandum to the Batticaloa GA, to be forwarded to H.E the President.
Our Defence Correspondent has learnt that the memorandum requests the President to continue the resettlement and mega-development projects in the east, despite attempts of the LTTE - TNA coalition to disrupt this work
"TNA has no right to bellow on the grievances of us Tamils. They are neither our representatives nor democrats. They dwell under the sympathy of the LTTE and only fiddles its tribal ideologies", viewed a Tamil school teacher who was among many at the demonstration.
When one charity is banned LTTE finds another to raise funds in the UK
How did the LTTE terrorist's front organization which operates under the disguise of "White Pigeon" charity succeed to continue the activities of the defunct UK charity TRO (Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation?)
UK sources indicate that a major fund raising programme has been organised to take place on the 12 January 2008 under a pseudo name of 'Mega Musical Festival - 2008' and the venue, is going to be the Alexandra Palace in North of London, one place, for some unknown reason, the LTTE does not seem to have any problem in booking the massive hall which can accommodate 10,000 people, despite the terrorist outfit is banned in the UK under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
It is equally ironic how the Terrorists have managed to get down officially a few Tamil Nadu cinema stars and entertainers costing them over œ30,000 ( Rs.6,840,000). The cost of hiring the hall is expected to be in excess of œ25,000 ( Rs.5,800,000). Entry tickets for the show are going to be priced at œ25 (single) œ75(family), andœ100(VIP).
Sources further add that since the UK Charity Commission clamping down on the pro-LTTE TRO, their front line activities still continue under a different charity name called 'White Pigeon'
'White Pigeon's founder and present chairman is said to be Dr N Sathiyamoorthy, also known as Dr Moorthy who was the chairman of TRO in the UK at the time of Charity Commission's regulatory arm intervened and subsequently ordered its closure.
He is said to be a former armed cadre of the LTTE in the Trincomalee area who has since coming over to the UK claimed political asylum in the United Kingdom. He is known as one of the frontline activists of the LTTE in the UK who makes political commentaries from the LTTE front line media. He is also believed to be involved in fund raising activities for the terrorist organisation. At a remembrance mass held very recently at the Harrow Leisure Centre in aid of Thamilselvan who perished under SLAF bombing, Dr N Sathiyamoorthy was entrusted to garland the picture of the deceased, source further add. .
UK sources indicate that a major fund raising programme has been organised to take place on the 12 January 2008 under a pseudo name of 'Mega Musical Festival - 2008' and the venue, is going to be the Alexandra Palace in North of London, one place, for some unknown reason, the LTTE does not seem to have any problem in booking the massive hall which can accommodate 10,000 people, despite the terrorist outfit is banned in the UK under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
It is equally ironic how the Terrorists have managed to get down officially a few Tamil Nadu cinema stars and entertainers costing them over œ30,000 ( Rs.6,840,000). The cost of hiring the hall is expected to be in excess of œ25,000 ( Rs.5,800,000). Entry tickets for the show are going to be priced at œ25 (single) œ75(family), andœ100(VIP).
Sources further add that since the UK Charity Commission clamping down on the pro-LTTE TRO, their front line activities still continue under a different charity name called 'White Pigeon'
'White Pigeon's founder and present chairman is said to be Dr N Sathiyamoorthy, also known as Dr Moorthy who was the chairman of TRO in the UK at the time of Charity Commission's regulatory arm intervened and subsequently ordered its closure.
He is said to be a former armed cadre of the LTTE in the Trincomalee area who has since coming over to the UK claimed political asylum in the United Kingdom. He is known as one of the frontline activists of the LTTE in the UK who makes political commentaries from the LTTE front line media. He is also believed to be involved in fund raising activities for the terrorist organisation. At a remembrance mass held very recently at the Harrow Leisure Centre in aid of Thamilselvan who perished under SLAF bombing, Dr N Sathiyamoorthy was entrusted to garland the picture of the deceased, source further add. .
Friday, December 07, 2007
Nokia meets demand for localisation
Rural women can use their mobiles to create business opportunities, Head of Mobile Phones, Nokia, Kai Oistamo said at the Nokia World 2007, the annual conference in Amsterdam, yesterday.
"Mobiles can be used by rural women to commence businesses. Exciting changes are taking place in countries like Africa where women lend their phones to others in the village to make calls. When people start coming to their houses they start a small business like selling food. Women have the purchasing power in emerging markets and they make the purchasing decision most of the time," he said.
"In few years time mobile phones will be the most used device to access internet. The key objective is to know what the consumer wants. The emerging market is interesting. There is a great deal to be done to the emerging markets if you have an insight. You have to put yourself in the shoes of who you are designing for," Oistamo added.
He also noted that Nokia is concerned about the security of the devices. "We are bullishly leading in security and will continue to be ahead of the people who are trying to break it," he said.
"There is a demand for localisation. Nokia creates very human technology. We also create solutions that appeal to both men and women. We have 83 different languages to make the products localised," Oistamo added.
"Mobiles can be used by rural women to commence businesses. Exciting changes are taking place in countries like Africa where women lend their phones to others in the village to make calls. When people start coming to their houses they start a small business like selling food. Women have the purchasing power in emerging markets and they make the purchasing decision most of the time," he said.
"In few years time mobile phones will be the most used device to access internet. The key objective is to know what the consumer wants. The emerging market is interesting. There is a great deal to be done to the emerging markets if you have an insight. You have to put yourself in the shoes of who you are designing for," Oistamo added.
He also noted that Nokia is concerned about the security of the devices. "We are bullishly leading in security and will continue to be ahead of the people who are trying to break it," he said.
"There is a demand for localisation. Nokia creates very human technology. We also create solutions that appeal to both men and women. We have 83 different languages to make the products localised," Oistamo added.
Mobitel opens flagship centres
Mobitel opened its flagship centres at Mobitel Headquarters as well as in Excel World yesterday.
"The atmosphere created here at the flagship centres complies with International standards and emerging global trends of today's youth" Chairman of Sri Lanka Mobitel Asoka Weerasinghe de Silva said.
He said this particular ambience will help shift paradigms of visitors to the store, by facilitating them to experience the best flavours of modern lifestyles of Mobitel.
The new store layout will encourage the customers to roam around and self serve catchy ring tones, explore the latest technologies and also about mobile phone models at very interactive DIY counters and kiosks.
Business customers and corporate customers will be served in the business class enclosure where they will have access to competent customer service consultants who will work with customer solution engineers, who will design customised solutions for corporate specific needs.
"Seeing is believing" CEO of Mobitel Suren J. Amarasekara said. He further stated that, people will be amazed at the capabilities of M3, Mobitel's super 3G services.
"The atmosphere created here at the flagship centres complies with International standards and emerging global trends of today's youth" Chairman of Sri Lanka Mobitel Asoka Weerasinghe de Silva said.
He said this particular ambience will help shift paradigms of visitors to the store, by facilitating them to experience the best flavours of modern lifestyles of Mobitel.
The new store layout will encourage the customers to roam around and self serve catchy ring tones, explore the latest technologies and also about mobile phone models at very interactive DIY counters and kiosks.
Business customers and corporate customers will be served in the business class enclosure where they will have access to competent customer service consultants who will work with customer solution engineers, who will design customised solutions for corporate specific needs.
"Seeing is believing" CEO of Mobitel Suren J. Amarasekara said. He further stated that, people will be amazed at the capabilities of M3, Mobitel's super 3G services.
Defence vote passed with majority of 126
The vote on the Defence, Public Security, Law and Order Ministry was passed with a majority of 126 votes in Parliament yesterday.
One hundred forty one members including the UPFA, JVP, JHU, SLMC and the CWC voted in favour of the vote.
Thirty seven JVP members also voted in favour of the vote.
Fifteen MPs including 13 TNA MPs, UNP MP T. Maheshwaran and Western People's Front MP Mano Ganeshan voted against while the other UNP MPs abstained from voting.
The TNA asked for a division. Later the JVP asked for a division by name.
Addressing Parliament during the Committee Stage debate of the votes of the Defence Ministry, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayaka said the heroic Armed Forces were acting with dedication to defeat terrorism.
"Today the country has reached a decisive stage, and steps should be taken to wipe out terrorism completely. It is a pity that there are some groups who could not tolerate the steps we have taken to crush terrorism and appreciate the victories our Armed Forces have achieved so far," the Prime Minister added.
He said: "The country has reached a decisive stage. Steps should be taken to completely eradicate terrorism. This is the wish of the entire nation. Our heroic Armed Forces are acting with dedication to defeat terrorism. But there is a certain group which cannot tolerate these victories achieved by our Armed Forces.
When the LTTE faces severe setbacks this group gets very upset. There are local and foreign forces who are trying to stifle the victories of our Armed Forces. The intention of this group is not to see a peaceful Sri Lanka by defeating terrorism.
They have taken various measures to sabotage the military operations launched by our Armed Forces. Therefore, we are at a decisive stage today.
Bloodthirsty LTTE terrorists again attempted to assassinate Minister Douglas Devananda as they tried on 11 previous occasions. Why is the LTTE killing its own Tamil political leaders ?
This clearly shows the brutality of Prabhakaran. He knows that his end is nearing. Therefore he is attempting to make the South unstable through his murder and mayhem. Nearly 20 people were killed while more than 50 were injured in the bomb explosion at Nugegoda. The intention of Prabhakaran is to resort to more terrorist acts in the South and measures should be taken to prevent such terrorist activities.
An opportunity should be created for the people to live without any fear. The LTTE wants to create an unstable situation in the South.
One hundred forty one members including the UPFA, JVP, JHU, SLMC and the CWC voted in favour of the vote.
Thirty seven JVP members also voted in favour of the vote.
Fifteen MPs including 13 TNA MPs, UNP MP T. Maheshwaran and Western People's Front MP Mano Ganeshan voted against while the other UNP MPs abstained from voting.
The TNA asked for a division. Later the JVP asked for a division by name.
Addressing Parliament during the Committee Stage debate of the votes of the Defence Ministry, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayaka said the heroic Armed Forces were acting with dedication to defeat terrorism.
"Today the country has reached a decisive stage, and steps should be taken to wipe out terrorism completely. It is a pity that there are some groups who could not tolerate the steps we have taken to crush terrorism and appreciate the victories our Armed Forces have achieved so far," the Prime Minister added.
He said: "The country has reached a decisive stage. Steps should be taken to completely eradicate terrorism. This is the wish of the entire nation. Our heroic Armed Forces are acting with dedication to defeat terrorism. But there is a certain group which cannot tolerate these victories achieved by our Armed Forces.
When the LTTE faces severe setbacks this group gets very upset. There are local and foreign forces who are trying to stifle the victories of our Armed Forces. The intention of this group is not to see a peaceful Sri Lanka by defeating terrorism.
They have taken various measures to sabotage the military operations launched by our Armed Forces. Therefore, we are at a decisive stage today.
Bloodthirsty LTTE terrorists again attempted to assassinate Minister Douglas Devananda as they tried on 11 previous occasions. Why is the LTTE killing its own Tamil political leaders ?
This clearly shows the brutality of Prabhakaran. He knows that his end is nearing. Therefore he is attempting to make the South unstable through his murder and mayhem. Nearly 20 people were killed while more than 50 were injured in the bomb explosion at Nugegoda. The intention of Prabhakaran is to resort to more terrorist acts in the South and measures should be taken to prevent such terrorist activities.
An opportunity should be created for the people to live without any fear. The LTTE wants to create an unstable situation in the South.
Govt., Forces doing utmost to protect lives, properties
The Government and the Security Forces are doing their level best to protect the lives and properties of the people from the barbaric acts of the desperate LTTE. The duty of everybody must be to uplift the psychological strength of the Armed Forces and the public, said Information and Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.
Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing held at the Government Information Department Auditorium, Colombo 5 yesterday, Minister Yapa said that the Government is doing its best at the moment to wipe out terrorism from Sri Lanka and has been doing so since it came to power.
The LTTE shows its cowardice through ruthless attacks on civilians. The Government has taken all the precautions to protect human lives and property. The Government believes that its prime duty is protecting the people belonging to all ethnicities, he added.
"The public should be well aware of the existing situation and be vigilant but this should not be interpreted as scaring or terrifying the public. The Government will pay compensation to all affected by the LTTE bomb attacks but the value of the lives lost cannot be estimated in terms of money. Now everyone including the SLMM has to accept the reality and the truth about the ruthless LTTE," Minister Yapa said.
Explaining the recent barbaric attacks carried out on innocent civilians by the LTTE, Minister Yapa said that in Kebithigollewa alone the LTTE has killed 80 civilians by exploding claymore mines on buses on two occasions (day before yesterday and June last year) and killing around 30 innocent civilians with bomb attacks at Nittambuwa, Ambalangoda and Ampara," he said.
The Sri Lankan Government started to pay attention to the problems of the Tamil community a long time ago and when the Provincial Councils were introduced only the LTTE rejected it.
But the LTTE continuously sabotaged the solutions by assassinating President R.Premadasa and by trying to assassinate former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
It showed that the LTTE never believed in or wanted to find a settlement through discussion. Only the Sri Lankan Government always wanted it. During the CFA the LTTE killed all army intelligence officers and the informants of the Army living in the North and East. The LTTE trained their cadres and collected arms to strengthen their capability, Minister Yapa said.
The right of every democratically elected Government is protecting people and their property. Communities develop their identities along with the economical, cultural and social development processes of a country and not through a group that kill innocent people. The APRC will come out with its proposals soon.
Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said that all the organisations who made a big hue and cry when the Sri Lanka Air Force bombs legitimate LTTE targets now keep quiet about the LTTE's barbaric killings of innocent civilians.
Those organisations only see one or two civilians injured by accident during attacks on LTTE targets and they never see the hundreds of innocent civilians killed by the LTTE in very barbaric manner.
The SLAF never targets civilians intentionally but the LTTE always kills innocent civilians in a ruthless manner, he added.
Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing held at the Government Information Department Auditorium, Colombo 5 yesterday, Minister Yapa said that the Government is doing its best at the moment to wipe out terrorism from Sri Lanka and has been doing so since it came to power.
The LTTE shows its cowardice through ruthless attacks on civilians. The Government has taken all the precautions to protect human lives and property. The Government believes that its prime duty is protecting the people belonging to all ethnicities, he added.
"The public should be well aware of the existing situation and be vigilant but this should not be interpreted as scaring or terrifying the public. The Government will pay compensation to all affected by the LTTE bomb attacks but the value of the lives lost cannot be estimated in terms of money. Now everyone including the SLMM has to accept the reality and the truth about the ruthless LTTE," Minister Yapa said.
Explaining the recent barbaric attacks carried out on innocent civilians by the LTTE, Minister Yapa said that in Kebithigollewa alone the LTTE has killed 80 civilians by exploding claymore mines on buses on two occasions (day before yesterday and June last year) and killing around 30 innocent civilians with bomb attacks at Nittambuwa, Ambalangoda and Ampara," he said.
The Sri Lankan Government started to pay attention to the problems of the Tamil community a long time ago and when the Provincial Councils were introduced only the LTTE rejected it.
But the LTTE continuously sabotaged the solutions by assassinating President R.Premadasa and by trying to assassinate former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
It showed that the LTTE never believed in or wanted to find a settlement through discussion. Only the Sri Lankan Government always wanted it. During the CFA the LTTE killed all army intelligence officers and the informants of the Army living in the North and East. The LTTE trained their cadres and collected arms to strengthen their capability, Minister Yapa said.
The right of every democratically elected Government is protecting people and their property. Communities develop their identities along with the economical, cultural and social development processes of a country and not through a group that kill innocent people. The APRC will come out with its proposals soon.
Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said that all the organisations who made a big hue and cry when the Sri Lanka Air Force bombs legitimate LTTE targets now keep quiet about the LTTE's barbaric killings of innocent civilians.
Those organisations only see one or two civilians injured by accident during attacks on LTTE targets and they never see the hundreds of innocent civilians killed by the LTTE in very barbaric manner.
The SLAF never targets civilians intentionally but the LTTE always kills innocent civilians in a ruthless manner, he added.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Special Awards for two eminent Sri Lankans
The highest award bestowed in Sri Lanka namely, the ‘Sri Lankabhimanya’ Award will be granted to former Supreme Court judge Dr. C.G.Weeramanthri and Dr. A.T. Ariyarathne tomorrow (01st) of December.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa will ceremoniously present the awards at Temple Trees.
This ‘Sri Lankabhimanya’ Award can be bestowed only on five eminent living Sri Lankans at one at the same time. Formenr Executive President D.B.Wijethunga, Dr. Arthur C. Clark, Dr. Lester James Peiris are three who have received this award earlier.
Supreme Court judge Dr. C.G.Weeramanthri is a Judge of the UN International Judiciary and was its Deputy Chairman and a recipient of Alternative Nobel Prize.
Dr. A.T. Ariyarathne, is the Leader and the Pioneer of the Sarvodya Movement in Sri Lanka. He has been recognized with Ramon Magsazay Award, Mahathma Ghandhi Peace Award of India, and Herbert M. Humphrey Award of the USA and other similar awards for his contributions in Community Development work
President Mahinda Rajapaksa will ceremoniously present the awards at Temple Trees.
This ‘Sri Lankabhimanya’ Award can be bestowed only on five eminent living Sri Lankans at one at the same time. Formenr Executive President D.B.Wijethunga, Dr. Arthur C. Clark, Dr. Lester James Peiris are three who have received this award earlier.
Supreme Court judge Dr. C.G.Weeramanthri is a Judge of the UN International Judiciary and was its Deputy Chairman and a recipient of Alternative Nobel Prize.
Dr. A.T. Ariyarathne, is the Leader and the Pioneer of the Sarvodya Movement in Sri Lanka. He has been recognized with Ramon Magsazay Award, Mahathma Ghandhi Peace Award of India, and Herbert M. Humphrey Award of the USA and other similar awards for his contributions in Community Development work
Tamil duo interrogated by Swiss Police for filming Sri Lanka’s Geneva Mission
Two suspicious Tamil civilians who were caught filming outside the Consulate yesterday morning were interrogated by the Diplomatic Police of Geneva. The Consular Section is housed in the Permanent Mission.
The 30 year old woman who lives in Switzerland claimed to have come to the Consulate to renew her passport. She was accompanied by a 27 year old man resident in Italy. They were apprehended by the alert Consulate staff and were handed over for questioning to the Diplomatic Police of Geneva. The Consulate is closed on Fridays.
Their camcorder contained footage of both outside the building and public areas just outside the Consulate. The Consulate has obtained copies of the relevant pages of their passports and other documents. The Diplomatic Police of Geneva are conducting further inquiries.
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva in their press release sated that, the incident took place while the Sri Lankan Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe is in Geneva to brief Ambassadors and a top UN human rights official on the latest efforts undertaken by the Government of Sri Lanka regarding human rights.
The 30 year old woman who lives in Switzerland claimed to have come to the Consulate to renew her passport. She was accompanied by a 27 year old man resident in Italy. They were apprehended by the alert Consulate staff and were handed over for questioning to the Diplomatic Police of Geneva. The Consulate is closed on Fridays.
Their camcorder contained footage of both outside the building and public areas just outside the Consulate. The Consulate has obtained copies of the relevant pages of their passports and other documents. The Diplomatic Police of Geneva are conducting further inquiries.
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva in their press release sated that, the incident took place while the Sri Lankan Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe is in Geneva to brief Ambassadors and a top UN human rights official on the latest efforts undertaken by the Government of Sri Lanka regarding human rights.
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