Construction and Engineering Services Minister Rajitha Senaratne said the time is ripe for Sri Lanka to enter the international construction industry. The luxury housing project in Qatar is the initiative step, he said.
Nearly 1,600 persons including engineers, architects, surveyors and planners will leave for Qatar shortly, he said.
The project will be officially inaugurated in April.
According to statistics, 162 quantity surveyors in Qatar and 700 quantity surveyors in Dubai will be employed. There are 9,500 engineers and 700 designers are in Sri Lanka. Their contribution is vital for development, the Minister said.
On completion of this project, the State Engineering Corporation will gain a net profit of Rs. 4,000 million, Minister Senaratne added.
The Chamber of Construction Industry-Sri Lanka Chairman, Deshabandu Surath Wickramasinghe and Qatar Chamber of Construction Industry Deputy Chairman, Abdhul Aseez Al Emad signed the agreement at the Qatar Chamber of Commerce Head Quarters. Moves are also under way to construct 15,000 housing units in Qatar.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Deputy Solicitor General responds to Amnesty International
The report prepared by the Amnesty International neglected the Government's policy of open and constructive engagement with the International Community and International Human Rights bodies, charged Deputy Solicitor General Shavindra Fernando is a statement issued yesterday.
"The report titled 'SRI LANKA – SILIENCING DISSENT' is based on alleged threats to the media and media freedom," said Mr. Shavindra, who specified several measures adopted by the Government of Sri Lanka to enhance protection of human rights in the country.
Fernando said that the Amnesty International report fails to acknowledge the many positive steps taken by Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) to promote freedom of expression which is also enshrined in the Constitution and also to enhance protection in an environment of combating terrorism and shadowy killers; the re-issuing of Presidential guidelines on arrest, the setting up of Independent Commissions of Inquiry, the crackdown by the police which has resulted in a decrease of allegations of abductions and disappearances, as well as invitations extended to special procedures mandate holders to visit Sri Lanka and present easy to implement recommendations to enhance protection.
The functioning of 14 media stations in the country is a clear and ample example to project the media freedom enjoyed by Sri Lanka media organizations, he said.
"A look at some of the weekend newspapers would prove the level of freedom enjoyed by the press in Sri Lanka to criticize anyone in particular senior government figures," he added.
"While affirming the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to uphold media freedom, the Government rejects attempts to denigrate national institutions in the eyes of the international community to achieve petty political objectives," the Sri Lanka Permanent Mission to the United Nations office in Geneva said on Monday (12), quoting Fernando.
"The report titled 'SRI LANKA – SILIENCING DISSENT' is based on alleged threats to the media and media freedom," said Mr. Shavindra, who specified several measures adopted by the Government of Sri Lanka to enhance protection of human rights in the country.
Fernando said that the Amnesty International report fails to acknowledge the many positive steps taken by Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) to promote freedom of expression which is also enshrined in the Constitution and also to enhance protection in an environment of combating terrorism and shadowy killers; the re-issuing of Presidential guidelines on arrest, the setting up of Independent Commissions of Inquiry, the crackdown by the police which has resulted in a decrease of allegations of abductions and disappearances, as well as invitations extended to special procedures mandate holders to visit Sri Lanka and present easy to implement recommendations to enhance protection.
The functioning of 14 media stations in the country is a clear and ample example to project the media freedom enjoyed by Sri Lanka media organizations, he said.
"A look at some of the weekend newspapers would prove the level of freedom enjoyed by the press in Sri Lanka to criticize anyone in particular senior government figures," he added.
"While affirming the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to uphold media freedom, the Government rejects attempts to denigrate national institutions in the eyes of the international community to achieve petty political objectives," the Sri Lanka Permanent Mission to the United Nations office in Geneva said on Monday (12), quoting Fernando.
UNP rocks the boat in the East
The main opposition UNP yesterday called on the Elections Commissioner not to hold the Provincial Council Election in the East and handed over a petition to him against the local government polls in the Batticaloa District.UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake who handed over the petition together with MPs John Amaratunga, Ravi Karunanayake, Dayasiri Jayasekera and Lakshman Seneviratne said they requested the Elections Commissioner not to hold the Provincial Council elections in the East.
Mr. Attanayake said the Elections Commissioner will make his stand known in a few days.
The front line members of the UNP led by the Opposition Leader Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe held a protest opposite the Elections Department office prior to handing over the petition.
Mr. Wickremesinghe who addressed the protest said the UNP would not allow the Government to hold another election in the future, similar to the Batticaloa local government election.
“The Batticaloa election has ignored the people’s rights completely,” he said while describing it as an election through which the Government has handed over the East to a terrorist group after taking it over from another terrorist group. This is nothing but State terrorism, he added.
Karuna’s statement in a London court where he had accused the Government of supporting the TMVP creating a division between him and the Pillayan group testified to this, he said.
Mr. Wickremesinghe warned that this State terrorism will spread to other parts of the country as well and he pledged to put a stop to it.
The Opposition Leader expressed his dismay over the comments made by PAFFREL which he alleged had agreed with the UNP stand earlier. He said PAFFREL had declared that the election was free of violence but at the same time said that there would have been a blood bath if the UNP contested.
While stating that the election had given a grim picture on Sri Lanka to the international community and to the country, he said it is the LTTE which will ultimately benefit from it.
Mr. Attanayake said the Elections Commissioner will make his stand known in a few days.
The front line members of the UNP led by the Opposition Leader Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe held a protest opposite the Elections Department office prior to handing over the petition.
Mr. Wickremesinghe who addressed the protest said the UNP would not allow the Government to hold another election in the future, similar to the Batticaloa local government election.
“The Batticaloa election has ignored the people’s rights completely,” he said while describing it as an election through which the Government has handed over the East to a terrorist group after taking it over from another terrorist group. This is nothing but State terrorism, he added.
Karuna’s statement in a London court where he had accused the Government of supporting the TMVP creating a division between him and the Pillayan group testified to this, he said.
Mr. Wickremesinghe warned that this State terrorism will spread to other parts of the country as well and he pledged to put a stop to it.
The Opposition Leader expressed his dismay over the comments made by PAFFREL which he alleged had agreed with the UNP stand earlier. He said PAFFREL had declared that the election was free of violence but at the same time said that there would have been a blood bath if the UNP contested.
While stating that the election had given a grim picture on Sri Lanka to the international community and to the country, he said it is the LTTE which will ultimately benefit from it.
Sri Lanka to Start Power-Sharing Plan With Provincial Election
Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa said elections will be held for a provincial council in the east in the first stage of a power-sharing plan aimed at settling the issue of Tamil separatism.
The elections for the Eastern Provincial Council are a key part of the ``search for an end to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka,'' the government said in a statement on its Web site yesterday. More than 70,000 people have been killed in 25 years of fighting.
Voters chose members of local councils in the district of Batticaloa in the east two days ago in the first ballot in 14 years. A pro-government breakaway faction of the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam won control of eight bodies.
Sri Lanka's army captured the eastern region in July, inflicting the heaviest defeat on the LTTE in its fight for a separate homeland. The Tamil Tigers hold bases only in the north where the government plans to establish a similar provincial council giving some powers to Tamils.
The ballot demonstrated that the government will restore democracy to areas formerly held by the rebels, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said yesterday, according to a government statement.
The elections for the Eastern Provincial Council are a key part of the ``search for an end to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka,'' the government said in a statement on its Web site yesterday. More than 70,000 people have been killed in 25 years of fighting.
Voters chose members of local councils in the district of Batticaloa in the east two days ago in the first ballot in 14 years. A pro-government breakaway faction of the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam won control of eight bodies.
Sri Lanka's army captured the eastern region in July, inflicting the heaviest defeat on the LTTE in its fight for a separate homeland. The Tamil Tigers hold bases only in the north where the government plans to establish a similar provincial council giving some powers to Tamils.
The ballot demonstrated that the government will restore democracy to areas formerly held by the rebels, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said yesterday, according to a government statement.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
ICRC resumes Colombo-Jaffna charter flights for patients
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) resumed its charter flights between Jaffna and Colombo from Monday (03) for those who seek medical treatments.
“ICRC Transported nine patients requiring specialized medical care, accompanied by two doctors and five bystanders on the first day,” the ICRC said.
Since September 2006, the ICRC had chartered weekly flights to transport patients whose conditions require specialized surgery, medical investigations or treatment not available in the Jaffna peninsula.
"We temporarily suspended ICRC-chartered flights between Jaffna and Colombo to re-assess technical arrangements and passenger safety,” said Toon Vandenhove, ICRC's Head of Delegation in Colombo.
"We worked under great pressure to resume flights, knowing that some patients would find it very hard to travel for more than 30 hours by sea and road to reach health facilities in Colombo," he said.
Starting from Monday, the ICRC will operate two chartered flights per week using a Beechcraft B1900 C that can accommodate up to 15 passengers.
“ICRC Transported nine patients requiring specialized medical care, accompanied by two doctors and five bystanders on the first day,” the ICRC said.
Since September 2006, the ICRC had chartered weekly flights to transport patients whose conditions require specialized surgery, medical investigations or treatment not available in the Jaffna peninsula.
"We temporarily suspended ICRC-chartered flights between Jaffna and Colombo to re-assess technical arrangements and passenger safety,” said Toon Vandenhove, ICRC's Head of Delegation in Colombo.
"We worked under great pressure to resume flights, knowing that some patients would find it very hard to travel for more than 30 hours by sea and road to reach health facilities in Colombo," he said.
Starting from Monday, the ICRC will operate two chartered flights per week using a Beechcraft B1900 C that can accommodate up to 15 passengers.
Sri Lanka to import cement and rice from Pakistan
Colombo: Sri Lanka plans to import cement from Pakistan through the recently set up State Trading Co-operative Wholesale Company Ltd (CWC) to counter the shortage of created by traders, authorities said.
A spokesman for the Trade Ministry said that Pakistan will supply cement and rice to Sri Lanka and agreements would be signed shortly to this effect.
Meanwhile, Pakistan media reports said that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has agreed to export 500 tonnes of basmati rice to Sri Lanka to bridge its demand-supply gap.
A spokesman for the Trade Ministry said that Pakistan will supply cement and rice to Sri Lanka and agreements would be signed shortly to this effect.
Meanwhile, Pakistan media reports said that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has agreed to export 500 tonnes of basmati rice to Sri Lanka to bridge its demand-supply gap.
Sri Lanka's UNP democratic wing says 13th Amendment must precede the 17th Amendment
Mar 04, Colombo: United National Party Democratic wing member, Minister Rajitha Senarathne says proper implementation of the 13th amendment is a prerequisite to implement the 17th amendment. He made this remark addressing a media briefing held to celebrate the 17th remembrance of late General Ranjan Wijerathne.
The two constitutional amendments have been the hotly debated issues in the political circles in the country currently.
The government has proposed 13th amendment that refers to provincial council as the suitable political solution to country’s ethnic problem while the opposition is blaming the government for delaying the reactivation of the constitutional councils set up by the 17th amendment.
Minister Senarathne queried whether it is possible to implement constitutional council without the proper implementation of the 13th amendment that refers to the empowerment of provincial government. He asked, whether it is possible to implement a constitutional council in Jaffna.
“ When the house is in fire, we have to put it out, then only we can decide whether to repair the roof, fix new windows, colour wash…” he added.
The two constitutional amendments have been the hotly debated issues in the political circles in the country currently.
The government has proposed 13th amendment that refers to provincial council as the suitable political solution to country’s ethnic problem while the opposition is blaming the government for delaying the reactivation of the constitutional councils set up by the 17th amendment.
Minister Senarathne queried whether it is possible to implement constitutional council without the proper implementation of the 13th amendment that refers to the empowerment of provincial government. He asked, whether it is possible to implement a constitutional council in Jaffna.
“ When the house is in fire, we have to put it out, then only we can decide whether to repair the roof, fix new windows, colour wash…” he added.
India, Sri Lanka review anti-LTTE operations
NEW DELHI: The heads of Indian and Sri Lankan armies on Tuesday spent some time together in analysing the gains and losses in the ongoing military operation in the Island nation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
After meeting Indian Army chief Gen Deepak Kapoor, the visiting head of Sri Lankan Army, Lt Gen G S Fonseka, said the political relations between the two countries were on right track and it was time for the armed forces to strengthen ties.
But that was what came out officially from the talks. The sources said Indian Army head took a detailed update on the recent military operations against the LTTE.
The Sri Lankan Army chief sought more cooperation with India which has kept itself away from bloody conflict.
India’s aloofness has forced Sri Lanka to look towards China and Pakistan to fulfil its requirements of military hardware like radars and surveillance equipment.
India only gives non-lethal military assistance to Sri Lanka which is seeking to modernise its armed forces to deal more effectively with LTTE. It needs a good number of aircraft for effective aerial penetration of LTTE strongholds.
At the political level, India reiterated that Sri Lankan Government should come out with a devolution package under the 13th amendment in the Constitution. It wants the Northern and Eastern provinces to be given powers which could not be withdrawn in the future.
After meeting Indian Army chief Gen Deepak Kapoor, the visiting head of Sri Lankan Army, Lt Gen G S Fonseka, said the political relations between the two countries were on right track and it was time for the armed forces to strengthen ties.
But that was what came out officially from the talks. The sources said Indian Army head took a detailed update on the recent military operations against the LTTE.
The Sri Lankan Army chief sought more cooperation with India which has kept itself away from bloody conflict.
India’s aloofness has forced Sri Lanka to look towards China and Pakistan to fulfil its requirements of military hardware like radars and surveillance equipment.
India only gives non-lethal military assistance to Sri Lanka which is seeking to modernise its armed forces to deal more effectively with LTTE. It needs a good number of aircraft for effective aerial penetration of LTTE strongholds.
At the political level, India reiterated that Sri Lankan Government should come out with a devolution package under the 13th amendment in the Constitution. It wants the Northern and Eastern provinces to be given powers which could not be withdrawn in the future.
Ailing Anura given three months leave by parliament
Feb 05, Colombo: Sri Lanka parliament yesterday (04) approved three months leave for parliamentarian Anura Bandaranaike, who is in a critical condition at a hospital.
Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna moved the motion requesting leave for the MP Bandaranaike and the motion was seconded by Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera.
According to parliament regulations a Member of Parliament who is absent from sitting continuously for three months loses the parliamentary seat.
Currently, MP Bandaranaike is in a critical condition in an intensive care unit at a private hospital, hospital sources said.
MP Anura Bandaranaike is the brother of former President of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Kumaratunga.
Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna moved the motion requesting leave for the MP Bandaranaike and the motion was seconded by Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera.
According to parliament regulations a Member of Parliament who is absent from sitting continuously for three months loses the parliamentary seat.
Currently, MP Bandaranaike is in a critical condition in an intensive care unit at a private hospital, hospital sources said.
MP Anura Bandaranaike is the brother of former President of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Kumaratunga.
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