Apr 10, Colombo: Freedom House, an independent non-governmental organization that supports the expansion of freedom in the world issuing a statement on the situation in Sri Lanka has recommended removing Sri Lanka from the list of eligible recipients for Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) assistance.
"The serious human rights abuses and excessive restrictions on freedom of speech and association by the government of Sri Lanka merit the country’s removal from a list of eligible recipients for US Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) assistance," it said.
Freedom House assessments of political rights and civil liberties are included in the Millennium Challenge Commission’s analysis.
Sri Lanka met eligibility requirements for funding from the MCC in 2004 and was included in the eligible list for MCC development aids, but the eligible countries need to improve and maintain the humanitarian conditions of the country to obtain the grants.
While condemning the brutal conduct of the war by the LTTE, Freedom House is deeply troubled by the actions of the government which has imposed restrictions on freedom of expression, harassed nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that question government policy, and committed serious ongoing human rights abuses, the statement noted.
Freedom House said that the country’s political rights and civil liberties declined this year because of heightened political intimidation by the LTTE, increased harassment of the media, and higher levels of violence directed at members of the Tamil ethnic minority by both sides in the conflict.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
One sixth of Tamil Tigers' internationally raised funds come from Australia, says Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary
Apr 09, Colombo: Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona who is also the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) in Sri Lanka is now in Australia to seek the latter's support to ban the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Australia.
LTTE is waging war against the Sri Lankan government to establish a separate state in the north and east provinces of Sri Lanka for minority Tamils.
Dr. Kohona stated that about one-sixth of the estimated US$10 million (A$12.8 million) to US$30 million the Tigers raised internationally came from Australia.
"Australia is one of their biggest sources of funding, and of course these funds do not go to any charitable or other purpose; they are used essentially for procuring weapons on the international weapons black market," said Kohona to Australian media
LTTE is waging war against the Sri Lankan government to establish a separate state in the north and east provinces of Sri Lanka for minority Tamils.
Dr. Kohona stated that about one-sixth of the estimated US$10 million (A$12.8 million) to US$30 million the Tigers raised internationally came from Australia.
"Australia is one of their biggest sources of funding, and of course these funds do not go to any charitable or other purpose; they are used essentially for procuring weapons on the international weapons black market," said Kohona to Australian media
Omanthai Entry/Exit point comes under terror mortar fire
The LTTE terrorists aiming at the closure of Omanthai entry/exit point in Vavuniya launched mortar fire at the security forces manning the Omanthai roadblock this morning (Tuesday the 10th of April). A soldier has been killed and three others were injured when the heavy mortar shells showered the area since 7:45 a.m. The injured have been rushed to the General hospital Vavuniya.
Meanwhile, the defence sources said that the LTTE has been engaged in sporadic mortar attacks targeting the Omanthai entry/exit point since yesterday. The aim of the LTTE in these attacks is to compel the security forces to close down the entry/exit point so that the people living in the un-liberated areas in Wanni will be facing severe shortage commodities in the upcoming festive season. The LTTE is said to have ordered the civilians to refrain form going into the government controlled areas for any reason.
However, many civilians have already entered into the government controlled areas in Mannar due to the LTTE atrocities. The civilians have complained on forced labour, child conscription and increase of human rights violations in the area.
Meanwhile, the defence sources said that the LTTE has been engaged in sporadic mortar attacks targeting the Omanthai entry/exit point since yesterday. The aim of the LTTE in these attacks is to compel the security forces to close down the entry/exit point so that the people living in the un-liberated areas in Wanni will be facing severe shortage commodities in the upcoming festive season. The LTTE is said to have ordered the civilians to refrain form going into the government controlled areas for any reason.
However, many civilians have already entered into the government controlled areas in Mannar due to the LTTE atrocities. The civilians have complained on forced labour, child conscription and increase of human rights violations in the area.
Maldivian Defence Minister visits MOD
Maldivian Defence Minister Hon Ismail Shafeeu's courtesy call on Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the Ministry premises yesterday, Monday the 09th of April.
The visit underlines the warm and friendly bilateral relations between Sri Lanka
The visit underlines the warm and friendly bilateral relations between Sri Lanka
ICRC denounce deliberate attacks at civilians
The International Committee of Red Cross has made its concern about casualties caused by deliberate attacks against civilians in the form of bus bombs.
The bombs against two civilian buses owned by the Sri Lanka government's Sri Lanka Transport Board killed 30 people of mixed Sinhalese and Tamil ethnic crowd of the island's Eastern and Northern provinces. Experts say the bus bombs carried all the hall marks of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the group found out to be carrying such bomb attacks in the past by the Norway managed Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission.
"In all circumstances the law prohibits direct attacks against civilian and civilian objects," said the statement. The following is the full statement:
"The number of casualties caused by deliberate attacks against civilians has sharply increased in northern and eastern Sri Lanka.
"Only last week some 30 people were killed and more than 50 injured as a result of two bomb attacks on civilian buses and other violent incidents.
"The last took place on Saturday in Vavuniya district, where a claymore-mine explosion gutted a public bus, killing eight persons and injuring 25.
"The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply concerned about the worsening situation in the country and especially its effects on civilians.
"It calls on the parties to the armed conflict to respect the rules and principles of international humanitarian law, in particular by distinguishing at all times between civilians and fighters.
"In all circumstances the law prohibits direct attacks against civilian and civilian objects.
"The ICRC has been active in Sri Lanka since 1989, in particular in the north-east of the country, acting as a neutral intermediary, protecting and assisting the civilian population, visiting detainees, restoring contact between members of separated families and promoting international humanitarian law.
The bombs against two civilian buses owned by the Sri Lanka government's Sri Lanka Transport Board killed 30 people of mixed Sinhalese and Tamil ethnic crowd of the island's Eastern and Northern provinces. Experts say the bus bombs carried all the hall marks of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the group found out to be carrying such bomb attacks in the past by the Norway managed Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission.
"In all circumstances the law prohibits direct attacks against civilian and civilian objects," said the statement. The following is the full statement:
"The number of casualties caused by deliberate attacks against civilians has sharply increased in northern and eastern Sri Lanka.
"Only last week some 30 people were killed and more than 50 injured as a result of two bomb attacks on civilian buses and other violent incidents.
"The last took place on Saturday in Vavuniya district, where a claymore-mine explosion gutted a public bus, killing eight persons and injuring 25.
"The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply concerned about the worsening situation in the country and especially its effects on civilians.
"It calls on the parties to the armed conflict to respect the rules and principles of international humanitarian law, in particular by distinguishing at all times between civilians and fighters.
"In all circumstances the law prohibits direct attacks against civilian and civilian objects.
"The ICRC has been active in Sri Lanka since 1989, in particular in the north-east of the country, acting as a neutral intermediary, protecting and assisting the civilian population, visiting detainees, restoring contact between members of separated families and promoting international humanitarian law.
LTTE loots a Muslim Village- Eravur
An armed gang of LTTE cadres had broken into the Saddam Husain Muslim village in Eravu and marauded civilian houses on Saturday (7th) night, civilian sources said. The terrorists had robbed over Rs. 300,000 worth of gold jewelry from two houses at gunpoint, the sources added.
Police sources said that the terrorists have damaged an Electrical transformer of Ceylon Electrical Board when fleeing after the robbery .It is reliably understood that the terrorists have intensified the their spree of violence to exploit the emotional impact of the people that it would have in the festive season. The Sinhalese and Tamil New Year that falls on the 14th of this month is celebrated by both Sinhalese and Tamils as the main festival in the year
Police sources said that the terrorists have damaged an Electrical transformer of Ceylon Electrical Board when fleeing after the robbery .It is reliably understood that the terrorists have intensified the their spree of violence to exploit the emotional impact of the people that it would have in the festive season. The Sinhalese and Tamil New Year that falls on the 14th of this month is celebrated by both Sinhalese and Tamils as the main festival in the year
Delft Island gets electricity
Sri Lanka navy and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) responding to the request made by the people living in the Delft Island yesterday (Sunday the 8th of April) took steps to provide electricity to the Island.
Sri Lanka Navy Ship Rangaja transported 250KV electric generator to the Island enabling the CEB to provide uninterrupted electricity to over 1800 families living in the islet. Reverend Father Arunaseelan received the generator on behalf of the Delft Island People and thanked the naval and CEB officials for their genuine effort to bring back "light' in to the isolated islet.
Delft is an islet situated in the northern Sri Lankan waters, in the west of the Jaffna peninsula. Sri Lanka Navy successfully defended the Delft people against the LTTE terrorism that raised its ugly head in the later part of the year 2005 and brought back normalcy to the islet. Presently, inhabitants of the small islet consider them to be the safest form the LTTE and enjoy peaceful and terror-free lives.
Monday, April 09, 2007
LTTE targets civilians who reject to pay ransom - Vavuniya
The LTTE terrorists who operate in the Vavuniya area for collecting ransom launched attacks targeting the civilians who reject to pay ransom for the LTTE outfit.
The latest attack took place in Vavuniya this morning, Sunday the 08th of April.
Manikku Miththaraja is a government registered contractor for road development and he has his own vehicles. Miththaraja has received several warnings from the LTTE outfit as he rejected the earlier request made by the LTTE to pay a sum of 2.5 million for the LTTE outfit.
The LTTE cadres lobbed a hand grenade towards the Miththaraja's residence in Vavuniya at 6.30 p.m today and nobody suffered injuries due to the incident, police sources said. However, his vehicle was slightly damaged due to the explosion of the explosion.
Vavuniya police is conducting further investigations.
The latest attack took place in Vavuniya this morning, Sunday the 08th of April.
Manikku Miththaraja is a government registered contractor for road development and he has his own vehicles. Miththaraja has received several warnings from the LTTE outfit as he rejected the earlier request made by the LTTE to pay a sum of 2.5 million for the LTTE outfit.
The LTTE cadres lobbed a hand grenade towards the Miththaraja's residence in Vavuniya at 6.30 p.m today and nobody suffered injuries due to the incident, police sources said. However, his vehicle was slightly damaged due to the explosion of the explosion.
Vavuniya police is conducting further investigations.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Welfare Division for Services and Police Personnel.
Summary of the Cabinet decisions - 05.04.2007
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Minister of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order for the establishment of a welfare division for services and Police personnel under the direct supervision of the Secretary to the Ministry.
The division will be established under the following objectives:
1. To take immediate action on the grievances of the family members of war heroes.
2. To improve the living condition of the family members of war heroes through commencement of self employment projects.
3. To initiate programmes for providing scholarships for higher education of children of war heroes.
4. To commence Health Care Projects.
5. To organize educational tours and sports activities for children of war heroes.
6.To commence projects to provide goods and services to the family members of war heroes on concessionary basis.
7. To provide donations to families of war heroes who die while in action, and to provide assistance in their funeral arrangements.
‘Mathata Thita’ Integrated Programme.
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Minister of Religious Affaires and Moral Upliftment to formulate a national Integrated Programme for the ‘Mathata Thita’ programme. The programme was taken up as the discouragement of the use of alcohol and drugs is an essential basic factor for the meaningful implementation of ‘Gamanaguma’ programme.
The programme focuses on following requirements:
1. To discourage the use of alcohol and drugs.
2. To initiate measures to minimize the abundance Alcohol and Drugs.
3. To strengthen pressure groups against the use of Alcohol and Drugs, through social mobilization and empowerment.
4. Counselling and rehabilitation of addicts.
Lands to resettle displaced from Deduru Oya Reservoir Project.
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister of Irrigation and Water Management for the acquisition of state lands to resettle people displaces from Deduru Oya Reservoir Project in Kurunegala district. Ministry will provide 100 acres lands in Madurakanchiya estate in Katupotha Divisional Secretariat for the resettlement of 90 families displaced due to the construction of the proposed Deduru Oya Project. The project envisages construction of 75 MCM capacity reservoirs across Deduru Oya. Construction of 1.5 MW hydropower and about 100 km long canal system feed 27000 acres of paddy lands in both Mee Oya and Deduru Oya basins in NWP.
Multiple Book Option Policy cancelled.
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education for the cancellation of the Multiple Book Option Policy for provision of Single Free textbook from 2008 onwards. Ministry will discontinue the Multiple Book option Programme, and provide one textbook free out of multiple books, selected on the basis of the highest request made by the schools for each textbook and award the printing of the selected textbooks for grades 8 and 9 required for 2008 to the printing establishments which had originally printed the books.
Relief for public officers contested Local Government Elections.
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Hon. Karu Jayasuriya, Minister of Public Administration and Home Affaires to provide relief for public officers contested to the Local Government Elections which were subsequently postponed.
Accordingly these officials will be given following relief:
1. Allow the officers who are presently on no-pay leave, to report for duty at the station where they served last.
2. pay them; up to the day they report for duty, the arrears of Salary for the period they were deem to be on no-pay .
3. Take steps, as applicable, to amend the relevant provisions ion the Establishment Code, as provided in Section 04 of Public Administration Circular 08/2002.
Stores Complex for the Educational Publication Department.
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a memorandum submitted by Hon. A.D. Susil Premajayantha as the Minister of Education for the construction of a stores complex for the Educational Publication Department and obtaining assistance of the University of Moratuwa for planning and relevant activities connected with construction.
This will avoid the delay and inconveniences caused by having to load books from stores maintained in different places and will accelerate the process of providing textbooks to the students by the beginning of each school year.
The World Bank has pledge to provide financial assistance for the construction of the buildings and installation of a computer system.
The approval of the cabinet Ministers has been granted to:
a) Construct a stores complex at Kalapaluwawa, Rajagiriya on the premises acquired by the Educational Publications Department for storage of books.
b) Obtain the services of the Architecture Department of Moratuwa for planning the stores complex with two stores and a book stall.
c) Obtain the recommendations of a relevant Technical Evaluation Committee in accordance with the Government Procurement Guidelines prior to making payments to the University of Moratuwa.
Tender procedure and award tenders to print school text books.
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a memorandum submitted by Hon. A.D. Susil Premajayantha as the Minister of Education to deviate from the tender procedure and award tenders to print text books provided free to school annually.
This step has taken by the Ministry as the private printers who were contracted to print school text books for the year 2007 failed to deliver the books in time. Further the Department of Cultural Affairs has offered their services to print school text books for the first time, and may be considered for award of tenders outside the tender procedure as it is a Government institute.
Accordingly tenders will be awarded to the Department of Government Printing and the State Printing Corporation to print the same titles printed by them for 2007 at the same prices, in accordance with the contract being signed by the respective parties, and to the Department of Cultural affairs to print two titles on the same terms and conditions and obtain all text books on the date specified by the Commissioner General of Educational Publications and award tenders following the open tender procedure, to the private printing establishments for printing the balance textbooks required for year 2008.
Incentive allowance to public Officers engaged in civil administration in areas affected by terrorist activities.
The cabinet has granted its approval to a memorandum submitted by Hon. Karu Jayasuriya as the Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs for the payment of incentive allowance to public officers engaged in Civil Administration in areas affected by terrorist activities.
A committee will be appointed consisting of senior Officers in the following Ministers to study the proposal, and submit a report with their observation in order to arrive at a decision on the payment of these allowances.
The Ministries are Ministry of Public administration and Home affairs, Ministry of Finance (Treasury), ministry of Defence Public security, Law and Order.
V.P.K.Anusha Palpita
Director of Government Information
Sri Lanka President wraps up meetings at 14th SAARC Summit
Thursday, April 5, 2007, 12:48 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Apr 05, New Delhi: The 14th Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) concluded yesterday in New Delhi.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressed the heads of state or government of the SAARC member countries and other gathered officials.
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Over-by-over: Sri Lankan innings
Sean Ingle
Wednesday April 4, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
Preamble Good afternoon everyone. So far the Super Eights have had fewer surprises than a James Blunt greatest hits album: the crowds have stayed away, every favourite has won, the early ebullience of Bangladesh and Ireland wilted in the white heat of competition. But England could change all that today. If they can beat Sri Lanka - and they will almost certainly need to win two from three from their forthcoming games against Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka to reach the semis - then this tournament could yet come alive.
The toss: Michael Vaughan flicks, Jayawardene calls heads. The England captain's coin rolls (and rolls and rolls), before finally landing tails up. Vaughan smiles before announcing that England will bowl, which seems to make sense: this wicket looks hard and fast.
Teams England: Joyce, Vaughan (c), Bell, Pietersen, Collingwood, Flintoff, Nixon (wk), Bopara, Mahmood, Anderson, Panesar. Sri Lanka: Tharanga, Jayasuriya, Jayawardene (c), Sangakkara (wk), Silva, Dilshan, Arnold, Maharoof, Vaas, Malinga, Muralitharan.
Early thoughts The mood is grim. I've already received over 100 emails, most of which are predicting an England defeat. "We will lose today, and this will hopefully be another nail in the coffin lid of the Fletcher era," says Lee Calvert. "Thanks for the Ashes, Dunc, but your pig-headed intransigence is getting very tiresome; nearly as tiresome as every one-day game England play at present." And he's one of my more optimistic correspondents.
Latest odds: England 15-8, Sri Lanka 1-2. At those prices, I'm tempted by England, but don't listen to me: I'm zero out of six in my cricket World Cup bets so far. Meanwhile Alex Robertson is an angry young man. "It's just so depressing," he sulks, probably whilst sitting alone in his bedroom. "I'm nervously awaiting the game to start, and hoping we win, but the voices in my head tell me it's going to be a shellacking. And then you make it worse by mentioning that tool, Blunt. Couldn't you put in some cheery musical references to say... the Joy Division?"
Here we go ... As England enter their US-style huddle, the Sri Lankan openers walk out to the sort of applause that wouldn't be out of place at a county game. This stadium is at least three-quarters empty. "I'm at a loss to understand why that Irishman is opening the batting again," fumes Rob Philipson. "Andrew Strauss tends towards turning it on a bit as the quality of opposition improves, whereas I'll eat my hat if Mr Ed gallops to more than a dozen runs. It's an extravagant, Lincolnesque stovepipe number and I do not make the promise idly, believe you me!" Where are the men in white coats when you need them?
1st over: Sri Lanka 0-0 (Tharanga 0, Jayasuriya 0) This wicket looks like it's made of crazy paving, but on commentary Ian Botham says it's not as bad as it looks. Still, it's certainly a great first over from James Anderson: there's lots of movement and he deservedly picks up a maiden. Meanwhile, more moans from the obosphere. "Has Plunkett been dropped for the rest of the tournament for the earlier drinking exploits?" asks Kevin Wilson. "Seems a bit odd that he's been left out after a decent run of form, especially as Mahmood is abysmal in this format. It must be disciplinary reasons. Why has he been singled out?" I think Vaughan doesn't fancy Plunkett, which is slightly odd seeing as he played so well in the Commonwealth Bank series. But this wicket looks like it should help Mahmood.
2nd over: Sri Lanka 4-0 (Tharanga 0, Jayasuriya 4) What was I saying? Mahmood's first ball drifts on to Jayasuirya's leg and is helped on its way to the fine leg boundary by Jayasuriya. Five dot balls follow however. "We have sent through some Jaffa Cakes for attention of the Guardian OBO team to help keep you energized for a strenuous afternoon's reporting - kind of like the OBO version of TMS Dundee Cake if you like," says Robin Smith. "Hope they have arrived with you safely. Did you know Jaffa Cakes are supporting our World Cup bid as the official energy snack to the England Cricket Team? It would be great if you could give us a shameless plug on the OBO in return." No sign of the cakes, Robin - and you've fallen a long way since facing Merv Hughes, haven't you?
3rd over: Sri Lanka 6-0 (Tharanga 2, Jayasuriya 4) Huge, huge shout from Anderson and Nixon who are convinced Tharanga nicked one behind. Listen to their harmonic bellow! Umpire Bowden is unmoved, however, and rightly so: replays show it flicked Tharanga's upper thigh. Still, not a bad start for England. Meanwhile the Duncan Fletcher fan club is out in force. "It's hardly Fletcher's fault that the best one day opening batsman in the country are still Knight (who has quit) and Trescothick (who probably should quit) is it?" says Andrew Goldsby. "Or that Harmison's lost interest again and Jones' body is so fragile."
4th over: Sri Lanka 15-0 (Tharanga 3, Jayasuriya 11) Shot from Jayasuriya! Mahmood serves up a half-volley and Jayasuriya gives it the meat treatment. He then picks up three more with little more than a jab. Jeez this outfield is quick. "We're going to win and here's why," says Andy Walker. "Winning will fan the dying embers of hope in all of us rather than defeat extinguishing them for good. Then, freshly burdened with hope, the Aussies will take us to the cleaners at the weekend and it will be doubly painful."
5th over: Sri Lanka 19-0 (Tharanga 7, Jayasuriya 11) More good stuff from Anderson, including an absolute beauty that invites Tharanga for dinner before leaving him in the lurch. Four off the over. Meanwhile your tortured Joy Division puns are flooding in. "Like Alex Robertson I'm concerned about today's fixture," says Simon Hudd. "I'm fearful that in a high-scoring game, the absence of Loye will tear us apart". While Gary Ford asks: "are we all expecting an 'Atrocity Exhibition' from England?" Oh dear.
6th over: Sri Lanka 21-0 (Tharanga 7, Jayasuriya 12) Much, much better from Mahmood, including a snorter that startles Jayasuriya before brushing his shoulder. Two balls later, Jayasuriya is again on the backfoot, fretfully fending off another short one. Incidentally, the Sky TV cameras have just focused on an extremely sunburnt Robin Smith (the real one) who is apparently on "the cruise ship circuit", whatever that means. "Re: 'But this wicket looks like it should help Mahmood.' Every bleeding wicket looks like it should help Mahmood!" cries Matthew Franklin. "The guy could be bowling on a Vietnamese hot landing site and he still couldn't get a man out."
7th over: Sri Lanka 30-0 (Tharanga 7, Jayasuriya 21) Jayasuriya goes aerial! Mahmood should stop the boundary but he can't be bothered to really bend down and it goes for four. Three balls later, Jayasuriya brushes another boundary through fine leg. "I can't believe what a brownnose Robin Smith is (over 2)!" says Oliver Gardiner. "Is this what it takes to get printed on OBO these days - leaving an apple for teacher? Does Gary Naylor have a selection box delivered every day? PS hope you enjoyed the cheese scones I sent."
WICKET! 8th over: Jayasuriya b Mahmood 25 (Sri Lanka 37-1) Mahmood strikes! Earlier in the over he was top edged for six, but he retorted with two fullish deliveries, the second of which sneaked through Jayasuriya's guard. "The way Joyce, Vaughan and Bell are playing, England could do with a New Order," chuckles Gary Naylor, who goes on to predict an England win. "England have lost just one of their last seven or eight ODIs. The Lankans are a fine team, but they would take KP, Colly, Flintoff, Anderson and maybe Monty from England had they the choice. If three of these five play really well and the other eight players bat and field positively and bowl defensively, we've a decent chance."
9th over: Sri Lanka 41-1 (Tharanga 11, Sangakarra 0) More good stuff from Anderson - who, like the temperature in a hot week in July, is consistently hitting the mid-80s - but Tharanga keeps the scoreboard ticking. "This game has raise hopes and shatter written all over it," says Phil Godwin. "England will bowl OK, SL will get 260, England will get a decent start, I'll leave work, get home, switch on the TV an hour or so later, only to find Nixon and Mahmood at the crease."
10th over: Sri Lanka 44-1 (Tharanga 14, Sangakarra 3) Mahmood now has a Travoltaesque strut to his bowling right - after Jayasuriya's wicket he now has the confidence to bowl slower deliveries, yorkers, the lot. An impressive over, just three singles from it. "Is it true that Upal Tharanga's dyslexic dad wanted to name his son after a Beatle?" chuckles Kieran Blackburn, raising the quality control somewhat.
11th over: Sri Lanka 47-1 (Tharanga 15, Sangakarra 5) It's as you were: England take the power play, and Anderson continues to probe and tease. Three off the over. "Re: 'Did you know Jaffa Cakes are supporting our World Cup bid as the official energy snack to the England Cricket Team? (over two). It sounds like a joke, but it makes sense if you think about it," says Richard Marsden. "England's batting comprises also a soft, crumbly layer on top that's only there because no one can think of anything better to replace it with, a very thin layer of the sweet stuff and, in Paul Collingwood, a satisfying nugget of orange in the middle."
12th over: Sri Lanka 48-1 (Tharanga 15, Sangakarra 5) To a few Red Stripe cheers, Flintoff replaces Mahmood. Freddie still looks a stone overweight to me, a bit like Ian Botham circa 1982-83 before he decided let it all hang out, but it's a decent first over. Just one run from it - a no ball. Meanwhile your emails continue to thud into my inbox. "Gary Naylor must have his collar buttoned up a bit too tight," says Andy Kelly. "Sri Lanka would rather have Anderson than Vass or Malinga? Monty rather than Murali? Flintoff or Collingwood instead of any of their top/middle/lower order? They're one of the best one day sides, and I think they'd prefer to stay that way."
13th over: Sri Lanka 50-1 (Tharanga 17, Sangakarra 5) More good stuff from Anderson, just two off the over. No wonder Nixon and Vaughan are yapping away like ladies in a nightclub toilet. Meanwhile Big Paper's chief cricket correspondent Mike Selvey writes in. "Let me explain the pitch. They are preparing them here as they once did at Sabina Park where, for a final flourish, they would wet the essentially clay surface and then buff it to a mirror finish by spinning the light roller on it. You could see reflections in it. For this tournament, however, they are wetting the surface, putting on a plastic sheet and then just rolling it. The effect today looks like and is a little like pulling some clingfilm off new toffee, or something."
14th over: Sri Lanka 56-1 (Tharanga 17, Sangakarra 10) A boundary - Sri Lanka's first for 38 deliveries - comes after Flintoff overpitches slightly and Sangakarra drives him down the ground. "This is going better than I hoped," says Ben Shepherd. "But Sri Lanka have still got a decent start. Remember they were 50 for 2 after 15 overs in their last match and still got over 300." That's the spirit, Ben.
15th over: Sri Lanka 60-1 (Tharanga 19, Sangakarra 11) Anderson continues to toil and trouble. "Er, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd always presumed the crumbly bit to be the bottom of the Jaffa cake, with the chocolate on top?" asks Paul Hass-Curievici. "The veneer of class offered by Vaughan, likely to melt in the West Indian sun, supported by a sweet middle order and not much else. I need to get a job." I wouldn't know Paul, there's still no sign of our jaffa cakes.
16th over: Sri Lanka 66-1 (Tharanga 20, Sangakarra 16) Sangakarra hits the sort of shot that schoolboys dream about - or least they did during the 1950s - as he steers a front-foot drive past mid off for four. That's drinks. Meanwhile Matt Fairweather reckons that "According to Jonathan Agnew many of the England fans at the cricket have 'brought their trannies with them to the ground'. Does this mean that as well as a Barmy Army we have a Bra-my Army?" Very droll, Matt.
17th over: Sri Lanka 68-1 (Tharanga 21, Sangakarra 16) Mahmood returns and he, like the recent Public Sector Pay Review, is surprisingly thrifty: just two off the over, one of which was a leg bye, and his figures are now 6-0-26-1. "Re: Robin Smith and the 'cruise ship circuit' (over six) - I was fortunate enough to enjoy an evening in Sydney aboard one such ship during the fifth Test with Messrs AJ Lamb and DK Lillee for company," says Andrew White. "Needless to say, it's a great opportunity for ex-players to turn up, spin a few yarns about their playing days to an adoring audience, while at the same time getting thoroughly lashed. Are you sure Mr Smith's bright red nose is sunburn rather than the result of a few too many glasses of Shiraz?"
18th over: Sri Lanka 69-1 (Tharanga 21, Sangakarra 17) This is really good stuff from England: they're bowling tight line and length and applying the squeeze. All they need now is a couple of wickets. Still, the run rate is under four. "In reply to Mr Kelly, it is too easy to dismiss England's outstanding players (well it was in the Ashes - honk!)," says - yes, you've guessed it - Gary Naylor. "What I mean by saying that the Lankans would take four or five England players is that Anderson is a better bowler than Maharoof, Flintoff and Colly better all-rounders than Dilshan and Arnold and KP a better batter than Silva. Monty wouldn't displace Murali of course, but he might be an option. There's a gap between the teams not a chasm."
WICKET! Sangakakkara c Collingwood b Mahmood 17 (Sri Lanka 69-2) The Guardian's Saj Mahmood strikes! It was an widish, overpitched slower ball, but Sangakkara didn't pick it quickly enough, overstretched, and ended up lobbing it to Collingwood at point. Game on! "Please explain the Upal Tharanga's dyslexic dad joke," says Jonathan Howard. "The whole of my office is confused! It cant just be that Upal is an anagram of Paul...surely?" Afraid so, Jonathan.
19th over: Sri Lanka 75-2 (Tharanga 22, Jayawardene 5) Jayawardene immediately signals his intent. "Ben Shepherd (over 14) may think that this is a good thing, but according to a Sri Lankan friend their batting is 'like making love to a beautiful woman...you need to build up slowly'," says Anton Lawrence. "He hasn't told me what happens next."
20th over: Sri Lanka 80-2 (Tharanga 23, Jayawardene 7) A superb pick-up and throw from Bopara at gully saves a single and earns booming approval from Nixon. Next ball, however, Jayawardene clips another couple. "I know I shouldn't be looking, but the geniuses at Cricinfo have vowed to shave their hair off if Vaughany gets a ton today," says Julian Longhurst. "What will GU's (frankly superior) wordsmiths do to top that?" What about Smyth running naked down Oxford Street after the second Ashes Test debacle?
21st over: Sri Lanka 84-2 (Tharanga 24, Jayawardene 10) Collingwood replaces Mahmood and, as usual, his medium pacers prove difficult to get away. "Upal Tharanga's dad wasn't dyslexic, he just read Paul's name in the Grauniad!" laughs Tony Adlam.
22nd over: Sri Lanka 87-2 (Tharanga 25, Jayawardene 11) Tharanga continues to make Jacques Kallis look like the second coming of Viv Richards: his 25 runs have come off 58 deliveries, a rate that even Ian Bell might blush at. Just three off Flintoff's over and Sri Lanka have now gone 41 balls without a boundary. "Actually, I think England's batting is like making love to a beautiful woman - that is to say, putting on the protective equipment lasts longer than the event itself," claims John Sanger.
23rd over: Sri Lanka 92-2 (Tharanga 25, Jayawardene 16) A perfectly timed shot from Jayawardene dissects the field and tumbles over the boundary rope. Five off Collingwood's over. "Is cricket really like making love to a beautiful woman?" asks Lewis Cooper, before answering his own question. "Well, I suppose you take your turn in the centre, you need to wave the wood about a bit, you can play it hard and straight or with soft hands... and sometimes you get to do it day/night too."
24th over: Sri Lanka 95-2 (Tharanga 25, Jayawardene 19) Monty comes on for Mahmood and is soon tempting and teasing the Sri Lankan batsman and hurrying me off my (key)stroke. Ah! Three off the over. "I am sitting at my desk in Calcutta where, I can assure you my mood is even grimmer than anything you chaps in the UK can muster," says Patrick Pringle. "I woke up this morning to a 42 degree Celsius morning, only to find out I'd drunkenly lost my mobile phone. Went to the shower to find my water was cut off, put my shirt on, only to realise that my manly can of Axe deodorant was empty. Can anyone beat that?" Well?
25th over: Sri Lanka 103-2 (Tharanga 27, Jayawardene 25) At last, the Sri Lankans are beginning to put their foot on the accelerator. I say Sri Lanka, but I mean Jayawardene, who scored seven of the eight off Collingwood's over. Speaking of which, this from Stuart Bowman. "Now I like Collingwood, makes the most of what he's got and one of the few English players to have the guts necessary at this level. But 116 games, 61 wickets at 37 and goes at five-an-over on average. Where did the idea come from that he's a front line one-day bowler?" I don't think anyone is saying he's that Stuart. But on these pitches, having a dobber is no bad thing - as New Zealand are continuing to prove.
26th over: Sri Lanka 106-2 (Tharanga 29, Jayawardene 27) Three off Monty's over. "We are reading an over-by-over report. What do any of us really know about making love to a beautiful woman?" asks Gerard Duignan, not unreasonably.
27th over: Sri Lanka 110-2 (Tharanga 31, Jayawardene 29) More spin for England, this time from Vaughan. It's a decent first over, although there's none of the outrageous turn he got when dismissing Tendulkar through the gate in 2003. "Reading the OBO after a long time away from it is like making love to an ex," says Philip Smith. "It feels wrong to start with but then you get to Naylor and it all makes sense again."
28th over: Sri Lanka 119-2 (Tharanga 38, Jayawardene 31) Big appeal for a run out by Nixon! Umpire Bowden calls for the third umpire, but replays show that Tharanaga was in by a country mile. Nine off the over. Meanwhile, more of your cricket/making love analogies. "In Sting's case, it goes on for five days with no result," reckons David Bale.
29th over: Sri Lanka 124-2 (Tharanga 39, Jayawardene 35) England have to be a careful here: they've really well to stifle the Sri Lankans over the last 10 overs or so, but the run rate is beginning to accelerate again. "How dare Patrick Pringle (over 24) complain about being in Calcutta," says Ian Wilson. "Some of us are in bloody Northampton. Christ!"
30th over: Sri Lanka 132-2 (Tharanga 45, Jayawardene 37) Tharanga skips down the pitch with enthusiasm of a new lamb in spring before clouting Monty through long on. Incredibly, that's his first boundary of the day. Two balls later, Jayawardene tries to repeat the trick, mistimes it, and should have been caught by Anderson in the deep ... only he didn't pick it up and allowed it to drop a few metres in front of him. "Can someone tell me the point of Bopara?" asks George Storrow. "He gets two overs and bats behind Nixon. We might as well play Strauss or Lewis!"
31st over: Sri Lanka 136-2 (Tharanga 47, Jayawardene 39) Vaughan's bowling continues to be efficient but unthreatening, like a home counties accountant. Four singles off the over and this partnership is now 67 off 78 balls. "Actually, England's performances are like making love to a fetishist," suggests Ed Collington. "Likely to involve a spanking."
32nd over: Sri Lanka 140-2 (Tharanga 48, Jayawardene 42) The expensive Monty (4-0-21-0) is replaced by Collingwood. Four off the over. "Patrick Pringle is obviously an Englishman abroad - even in a beautiful, hot and exotic city like Calcutta he still seems to find plenty to moan about," fumes Tom Newman. "It's almost as bad as that Mother Theresa. Cheer up for God's sake!"
33rd over: Sri Lanka 149-2 (Tharanga 52, Jayawardene 47) Monty returns but to little effect: Tharanga soon brings up his 50 (off 90 balls, including one four) with a quiet dink around the corner for two. Another single follows, and then Jayawardene sweeps an impressive boundary through backward point. For a while Sri Lanka have been threatening their spring offensive: now it looks like it's arrived. Nine off the over. "I was under the impression you recently got married," says Darren Brimer. "If this is the case you need to very quickly refute Gerard Duigan's point (over 26), or you could be in the doghouse with Ms Seanie, especially if she reads this." Too late, Darren. Too late.
34th over: Sri Lanka 156-2 (Tharanga 57, Jayawardene 48) The runs continue to flow like the Nile in rainy season. "Oh dear. Anyone else just realised that there two-week holiday in Barbados to watch the end of the Super Sixes will involve watching Bangladesh, Ireland, West Indies and England?" asks Richard Gomersall. "All of which will be knocked out by the time we get there? Anyone for tennis?"
WICKET! Tharanga c Collingwood b Flintoff (Sri Lanka 160-3) Tharanga might have dawdled for first 30 overs, but he's flying now. He's just splayed Flintoff to the boundary ... and no sooner do I type that than he skies a hook to Pietersen at midwicket. "I think my day would count as worse than Patrick's," says OBO regular Claire Davies. "Just lost my job." Ah
35th over: Sri Lanka 160-3 (Jayawardene 48, Silva 0) A big lbw appeal from Flintoff, first ball to Silva, but it was missing leg. "Cricket is like making love to a beautiful woman? Erm, something about stroking it through the cover," suggests Nick Pettigrew. "Look, it's nearly five o clock and I'm tired, OK?"
36th over: Sri Lanka 164-3 (Jayawardene 50, Silva 0) Jayawardene brings up his 37th ODI fifty (and his third against England) off 51 balls in an otherwise uneventful - and, yes, that is OBO code for I missed most of it - with a push through the covers. "I'm amazed that in a link involving making love to a beautiful woman and England at cricket, no one has mentioned the inevitable collapse," says Chris Brock.
37th over: Sri Lanka 166-3 (Jayawardene 51, Silva 1) A scoop of sorts from an impeccable OBO source: Stuart Broad is flying out on Friday to replace Jon Lewis, who is about to become a father. The question is, should Broad go straight into the team against Australia? Thoughts please. Meanwhile Flintoff nearly dismisses Silva with a textbook outswinger. Just two off the over.
38th over: Sri Lanka 166-3 (Jayawardene 52, Silva 4) Better from Monty, whose figures are now 7-0-37-0, just four off the over. "Commiseration to Claire Davies (over 34)," says Nicholas Grundy (and others). "On the upside, at least she'll now have more time to contribute to the OBO. Not that she particularly, er, needs it. Maybe someone out there can find her a job? Perhaps delivering foul-but-moreish Relentless?"
WICKET! Jayawardene c Joyce b Collingwood 56 (Sri Lanka 175-4) Collingwood strikes! Jayawardene goes for glory and gets caught in the deep by Joyce. "I don't want to seem unsympathetic, but can OBO regular Claire Davies losing her job three weeks into the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 really be a coincidence?" asks David Spencer.
39th over: Sri Lanka 175-4 (Silva 9, Dilshan 0) Dilshan swings and misses, then blocks, and that's over. "Can I point out that Tharanga's name is actually Upul, not Upal," says Jivaka Jayasundera. "Watch out dyslexics!"
40th over: Sri Lanka 183-4 (Silva 12, Dilshan 5) Eight off the over. "Can we really replace players who just pull out because they're going to become dads?" asks the unreconstructed Jonathan Wood. "Wouldn't the ICC not unreasonably point out that England knew about this when they picked him? Where does it end? Plunkett remembering he left the oven on?"
41st over: Sri Lanka 183-4 (Silva 13, Dilshan 5) Absolutely superb stuff from Collingwood, who outwiles the Sri Lankans with his Revels-mix of off-cutters, dobbers and slower deliveries. Just one off the over. Meanwhile the job offers for Claire Davies are trickling in. "I have a vacancy in Refresh-button pressing which I need filled," says Alistair Hann. "The role would also involve projected total calculations and screen minimising."
42nd over: Sri Lanka 193-4 (Silva 18, Dilshan 5) Oh Saj! He starts the over by nearly dismissing Silva, whose edge fell just short of Nixon, but then serves up a juicy full toss outside leg which Silva helps on his way for four. The rest of the over was better, but eight came from it in total. "I'm excited!" says Paul Howarth. "Stuart Broad is my favourite hobby horse (and, no, this is nothing to do with the previous love-making riff). He will be our Glenn McGrath." If he plays.
WICKET! Dilshan run out 5 (Sri Lanka 193-5) Brilliant from Bell, who makes a diving stop at mid off, turns and - with one stump to aim at - runs Dilshan out. "Nice to see Paul 'Positivity' Nixon bellow 'fucking hell' when Monty daintily wafted a hand at a loose ball off his own bowling," says Guy Kilty. "Great motivational work! In his defence he did raise an apologetic hand almost immediately, but can Monty take such verbal battering or will he wilt? Still, England are actually looking quite good for once! Hurrah."
43rd over: Sri Lanka 196-5 (Silva 20, Arnold 1) Three off the rest of Anderson's over."'Screen minimising?' Wrong decade there, Alastair old boy," says Neil Taylor. "The joys of ALT + TAB is the weapon of choice for switching back to a work screen when the boss is on the prowl."
44th over: Sri Lanka 200-5 (Silva 20, Arnold 5) Arnold brings the 200 up with a sprightly paddle around the corner, but otherwise Collingwood continues to strangle. Three off the over, and his figures are now a very healthy 8-0-37-1. "It's no good Jon Lewis pulling out now," says the prolific Gary Naylor. "He should have thought of that nine months ago."
45th over: Sri Lanka 208-5 (Silva 20, Arnold 13) Oh dear. Arnold hits a lovely cover drive that Anderson misses with his foot and then Bopara, arms outstretched like Superman, sees bounce over him on the boundary. "Can we make any inferences now about how Tharanga at least makes love to a beautiful woman?" asks Shane McHugh. "I'd guess he spends an hour hovering unproductively at the crease, then ham [SNIP ... OBO decency police]. The comparison falls down when you consider that in bed you don't have Paul Nixon crouched behind you, criticising your technique. Not usually anyway."
46th over: Sri Lanka 215-5 (Silva 23, Arnold 15) Collingwood continues to keep dib and dob and keep it relatively tight - seven off the over, including a bye off Nixon. These are four hugely important overs for England's World Cup chances here. Anything under 240, and they'll fancy their chances. Anything above 255 will be a tough get. "All screen minimizing and alt-tabbing do is allow you and the boss to pretend you've been working," says Adam Blackwell. "No one is really fooled. The better approach is just to leave the OBO up. That way your boss will think 'Well, he obviously doesn't do this much, or he'd be trying to hide it.' Or he may fire you. Either way, your dignity is intact."
WICKET! Silva b Flintoff 23 (Sri Lanka 215-6) Flintoff strikes with a zinger of a reverse yorker that beats the bat and rips out the stumps. "Stuart Broad - I've read an awful lot about him but what has he actually DONE?" says Jonathan Harwood. "Seems he has a bowling average of 30, batting average of 16. Why not call on Simon Jones?" Er, because he's played one game in nine months and yesterday admitted he wouldn't be ready for the first Test against the Windies which starts in the middle of May?
47th over: WICKET! Vaas c Collingwood b Flintoff 4 (Sri Lanka 219-7) Vaas strides in, hits successive twos, and then is dismissed by a sensational one-armed catch at gully from Collingwood. Brilliant stuff!
48th over: Sri Lanka 221-7 (Arnold 16, Malinga 1) Collingwood continues to bowl brilliantly at the death: just two off the over and England are certainly on top now. "Could England have played any better?" asks Gary Naylor. "Wish I had taken that 15-8 now." Me too Gary, me too. "Hopefully, they'll just block Murali, milk the others and cruise home." It's not going to be that easy, is it?
49th over: Sri Lanka 222-7 (Arnold 16, Malinga 1) Now Malinga nearly goes to Freddie's inswinger yorker. Lucky for the Sri Lanka, it missed both bat and leg stump. Flintoff finishes with figures of 10-0-35-3. Meanwhile more from the Stuart Broad fan club. "He's bowled his county to a trophy, which is more than can be said for Plunks or Saj, and was the least expensive bowler in last year's Disco Cricket competition (or Twenty/20 as most call it....)," points out Lee Burman. WICKET! Malinga c Nixon b Mahmood 2 (Sri Lanka 226-8) Mahmood returns and immediately gets a wicket when Malinga top-edge-loops it behind to a joyous Nixon.
WICKET! Arnold c Joyce b Mahmood 20 (Sri Lanka 231-9) Another slog, another wicket. Arnold goes calypso and is caught on the deep midwicket boundary by Joyce.
50th over: WICKET! Fernando run out 2 (Sri Lanka 235 all out) Another one goes! Fernando goes for a second that's never there and is run out by Nixon. So, advantage England. But can they take advantage? "Nevermind all this talk about minimising and tabbing," says David Brooks. "The real question is what Guy Kilty (over 42) is doing looking at the OBO when he clearly has access to a TV? It's the equivalent of going to a D-Ream concert and, rather than enjoying the breathless spectacle of true musical genius personified, sitting in the corner and listening to their greatest hits album (Vol 1) through headphones instead." Amen to that. Thanks for all your many emails, and be sure to join my colleague Andy Bull for England's innings in approximately 30 minutes.
Wednesday April 4, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
Preamble Good afternoon everyone. So far the Super Eights have had fewer surprises than a James Blunt greatest hits album: the crowds have stayed away, every favourite has won, the early ebullience of Bangladesh and Ireland wilted in the white heat of competition. But England could change all that today. If they can beat Sri Lanka - and they will almost certainly need to win two from three from their forthcoming games against Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka to reach the semis - then this tournament could yet come alive.
The toss: Michael Vaughan flicks, Jayawardene calls heads. The England captain's coin rolls (and rolls and rolls), before finally landing tails up. Vaughan smiles before announcing that England will bowl, which seems to make sense: this wicket looks hard and fast.
Teams England: Joyce, Vaughan (c), Bell, Pietersen, Collingwood, Flintoff, Nixon (wk), Bopara, Mahmood, Anderson, Panesar. Sri Lanka: Tharanga, Jayasuriya, Jayawardene (c), Sangakkara (wk), Silva, Dilshan, Arnold, Maharoof, Vaas, Malinga, Muralitharan.
Early thoughts The mood is grim. I've already received over 100 emails, most of which are predicting an England defeat. "We will lose today, and this will hopefully be another nail in the coffin lid of the Fletcher era," says Lee Calvert. "Thanks for the Ashes, Dunc, but your pig-headed intransigence is getting very tiresome; nearly as tiresome as every one-day game England play at present." And he's one of my more optimistic correspondents.
Latest odds: England 15-8, Sri Lanka 1-2. At those prices, I'm tempted by England, but don't listen to me: I'm zero out of six in my cricket World Cup bets so far. Meanwhile Alex Robertson is an angry young man. "It's just so depressing," he sulks, probably whilst sitting alone in his bedroom. "I'm nervously awaiting the game to start, and hoping we win, but the voices in my head tell me it's going to be a shellacking. And then you make it worse by mentioning that tool, Blunt. Couldn't you put in some cheery musical references to say... the Joy Division?"
Here we go ... As England enter their US-style huddle, the Sri Lankan openers walk out to the sort of applause that wouldn't be out of place at a county game. This stadium is at least three-quarters empty. "I'm at a loss to understand why that Irishman is opening the batting again," fumes Rob Philipson. "Andrew Strauss tends towards turning it on a bit as the quality of opposition improves, whereas I'll eat my hat if Mr Ed gallops to more than a dozen runs. It's an extravagant, Lincolnesque stovepipe number and I do not make the promise idly, believe you me!" Where are the men in white coats when you need them?
1st over: Sri Lanka 0-0 (Tharanga 0, Jayasuriya 0) This wicket looks like it's made of crazy paving, but on commentary Ian Botham says it's not as bad as it looks. Still, it's certainly a great first over from James Anderson: there's lots of movement and he deservedly picks up a maiden. Meanwhile, more moans from the obosphere. "Has Plunkett been dropped for the rest of the tournament for the earlier drinking exploits?" asks Kevin Wilson. "Seems a bit odd that he's been left out after a decent run of form, especially as Mahmood is abysmal in this format. It must be disciplinary reasons. Why has he been singled out?" I think Vaughan doesn't fancy Plunkett, which is slightly odd seeing as he played so well in the Commonwealth Bank series. But this wicket looks like it should help Mahmood.
2nd over: Sri Lanka 4-0 (Tharanga 0, Jayasuriya 4) What was I saying? Mahmood's first ball drifts on to Jayasuirya's leg and is helped on its way to the fine leg boundary by Jayasuriya. Five dot balls follow however. "We have sent through some Jaffa Cakes for attention of the Guardian OBO team to help keep you energized for a strenuous afternoon's reporting - kind of like the OBO version of TMS Dundee Cake if you like," says Robin Smith. "Hope they have arrived with you safely. Did you know Jaffa Cakes are supporting our World Cup bid as the official energy snack to the England Cricket Team? It would be great if you could give us a shameless plug on the OBO in return." No sign of the cakes, Robin - and you've fallen a long way since facing Merv Hughes, haven't you?
3rd over: Sri Lanka 6-0 (Tharanga 2, Jayasuriya 4) Huge, huge shout from Anderson and Nixon who are convinced Tharanga nicked one behind. Listen to their harmonic bellow! Umpire Bowden is unmoved, however, and rightly so: replays show it flicked Tharanga's upper thigh. Still, not a bad start for England. Meanwhile the Duncan Fletcher fan club is out in force. "It's hardly Fletcher's fault that the best one day opening batsman in the country are still Knight (who has quit) and Trescothick (who probably should quit) is it?" says Andrew Goldsby. "Or that Harmison's lost interest again and Jones' body is so fragile."
4th over: Sri Lanka 15-0 (Tharanga 3, Jayasuriya 11) Shot from Jayasuriya! Mahmood serves up a half-volley and Jayasuriya gives it the meat treatment. He then picks up three more with little more than a jab. Jeez this outfield is quick. "We're going to win and here's why," says Andy Walker. "Winning will fan the dying embers of hope in all of us rather than defeat extinguishing them for good. Then, freshly burdened with hope, the Aussies will take us to the cleaners at the weekend and it will be doubly painful."
5th over: Sri Lanka 19-0 (Tharanga 7, Jayasuriya 11) More good stuff from Anderson, including an absolute beauty that invites Tharanga for dinner before leaving him in the lurch. Four off the over. Meanwhile your tortured Joy Division puns are flooding in. "Like Alex Robertson I'm concerned about today's fixture," says Simon Hudd. "I'm fearful that in a high-scoring game, the absence of Loye will tear us apart". While Gary Ford asks: "are we all expecting an 'Atrocity Exhibition' from England?" Oh dear.
6th over: Sri Lanka 21-0 (Tharanga 7, Jayasuriya 12) Much, much better from Mahmood, including a snorter that startles Jayasuriya before brushing his shoulder. Two balls later, Jayasuriya is again on the backfoot, fretfully fending off another short one. Incidentally, the Sky TV cameras have just focused on an extremely sunburnt Robin Smith (the real one) who is apparently on "the cruise ship circuit", whatever that means. "Re: 'But this wicket looks like it should help Mahmood.' Every bleeding wicket looks like it should help Mahmood!" cries Matthew Franklin. "The guy could be bowling on a Vietnamese hot landing site and he still couldn't get a man out."
7th over: Sri Lanka 30-0 (Tharanga 7, Jayasuriya 21) Jayasuriya goes aerial! Mahmood should stop the boundary but he can't be bothered to really bend down and it goes for four. Three balls later, Jayasuriya brushes another boundary through fine leg. "I can't believe what a brownnose Robin Smith is (over 2)!" says Oliver Gardiner. "Is this what it takes to get printed on OBO these days - leaving an apple for teacher? Does Gary Naylor have a selection box delivered every day? PS hope you enjoyed the cheese scones I sent."
WICKET! 8th over: Jayasuriya b Mahmood 25 (Sri Lanka 37-1) Mahmood strikes! Earlier in the over he was top edged for six, but he retorted with two fullish deliveries, the second of which sneaked through Jayasuriya's guard. "The way Joyce, Vaughan and Bell are playing, England could do with a New Order," chuckles Gary Naylor, who goes on to predict an England win. "England have lost just one of their last seven or eight ODIs. The Lankans are a fine team, but they would take KP, Colly, Flintoff, Anderson and maybe Monty from England had they the choice. If three of these five play really well and the other eight players bat and field positively and bowl defensively, we've a decent chance."
9th over: Sri Lanka 41-1 (Tharanga 11, Sangakarra 0) More good stuff from Anderson - who, like the temperature in a hot week in July, is consistently hitting the mid-80s - but Tharanga keeps the scoreboard ticking. "This game has raise hopes and shatter written all over it," says Phil Godwin. "England will bowl OK, SL will get 260, England will get a decent start, I'll leave work, get home, switch on the TV an hour or so later, only to find Nixon and Mahmood at the crease."
10th over: Sri Lanka 44-1 (Tharanga 14, Sangakarra 3) Mahmood now has a Travoltaesque strut to his bowling right - after Jayasuriya's wicket he now has the confidence to bowl slower deliveries, yorkers, the lot. An impressive over, just three singles from it. "Is it true that Upal Tharanga's dyslexic dad wanted to name his son after a Beatle?" chuckles Kieran Blackburn, raising the quality control somewhat.
11th over: Sri Lanka 47-1 (Tharanga 15, Sangakarra 5) It's as you were: England take the power play, and Anderson continues to probe and tease. Three off the over. "Re: 'Did you know Jaffa Cakes are supporting our World Cup bid as the official energy snack to the England Cricket Team? (over two). It sounds like a joke, but it makes sense if you think about it," says Richard Marsden. "England's batting comprises also a soft, crumbly layer on top that's only there because no one can think of anything better to replace it with, a very thin layer of the sweet stuff and, in Paul Collingwood, a satisfying nugget of orange in the middle."
12th over: Sri Lanka 48-1 (Tharanga 15, Sangakarra 5) To a few Red Stripe cheers, Flintoff replaces Mahmood. Freddie still looks a stone overweight to me, a bit like Ian Botham circa 1982-83 before he decided let it all hang out, but it's a decent first over. Just one run from it - a no ball. Meanwhile your emails continue to thud into my inbox. "Gary Naylor must have his collar buttoned up a bit too tight," says Andy Kelly. "Sri Lanka would rather have Anderson than Vass or Malinga? Monty rather than Murali? Flintoff or Collingwood instead of any of their top/middle/lower order? They're one of the best one day sides, and I think they'd prefer to stay that way."
13th over: Sri Lanka 50-1 (Tharanga 17, Sangakarra 5) More good stuff from Anderson, just two off the over. No wonder Nixon and Vaughan are yapping away like ladies in a nightclub toilet. Meanwhile Big Paper's chief cricket correspondent Mike Selvey writes in. "Let me explain the pitch. They are preparing them here as they once did at Sabina Park where, for a final flourish, they would wet the essentially clay surface and then buff it to a mirror finish by spinning the light roller on it. You could see reflections in it. For this tournament, however, they are wetting the surface, putting on a plastic sheet and then just rolling it. The effect today looks like and is a little like pulling some clingfilm off new toffee, or something."
14th over: Sri Lanka 56-1 (Tharanga 17, Sangakarra 10) A boundary - Sri Lanka's first for 38 deliveries - comes after Flintoff overpitches slightly and Sangakarra drives him down the ground. "This is going better than I hoped," says Ben Shepherd. "But Sri Lanka have still got a decent start. Remember they were 50 for 2 after 15 overs in their last match and still got over 300." That's the spirit, Ben.
15th over: Sri Lanka 60-1 (Tharanga 19, Sangakarra 11) Anderson continues to toil and trouble. "Er, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd always presumed the crumbly bit to be the bottom of the Jaffa cake, with the chocolate on top?" asks Paul Hass-Curievici. "The veneer of class offered by Vaughan, likely to melt in the West Indian sun, supported by a sweet middle order and not much else. I need to get a job." I wouldn't know Paul, there's still no sign of our jaffa cakes.
16th over: Sri Lanka 66-1 (Tharanga 20, Sangakarra 16) Sangakarra hits the sort of shot that schoolboys dream about - or least they did during the 1950s - as he steers a front-foot drive past mid off for four. That's drinks. Meanwhile Matt Fairweather reckons that "According to Jonathan Agnew many of the England fans at the cricket have 'brought their trannies with them to the ground'. Does this mean that as well as a Barmy Army we have a Bra-my Army?" Very droll, Matt.
17th over: Sri Lanka 68-1 (Tharanga 21, Sangakarra 16) Mahmood returns and he, like the recent Public Sector Pay Review, is surprisingly thrifty: just two off the over, one of which was a leg bye, and his figures are now 6-0-26-1. "Re: Robin Smith and the 'cruise ship circuit' (over six) - I was fortunate enough to enjoy an evening in Sydney aboard one such ship during the fifth Test with Messrs AJ Lamb and DK Lillee for company," says Andrew White. "Needless to say, it's a great opportunity for ex-players to turn up, spin a few yarns about their playing days to an adoring audience, while at the same time getting thoroughly lashed. Are you sure Mr Smith's bright red nose is sunburn rather than the result of a few too many glasses of Shiraz?"
18th over: Sri Lanka 69-1 (Tharanga 21, Sangakarra 17) This is really good stuff from England: they're bowling tight line and length and applying the squeeze. All they need now is a couple of wickets. Still, the run rate is under four. "In reply to Mr Kelly, it is too easy to dismiss England's outstanding players (well it was in the Ashes - honk!)," says - yes, you've guessed it - Gary Naylor. "What I mean by saying that the Lankans would take four or five England players is that Anderson is a better bowler than Maharoof, Flintoff and Colly better all-rounders than Dilshan and Arnold and KP a better batter than Silva. Monty wouldn't displace Murali of course, but he might be an option. There's a gap between the teams not a chasm."
WICKET! Sangakakkara c Collingwood b Mahmood 17 (Sri Lanka 69-2) The Guardian's Saj Mahmood strikes! It was an widish, overpitched slower ball, but Sangakkara didn't pick it quickly enough, overstretched, and ended up lobbing it to Collingwood at point. Game on! "Please explain the Upal Tharanga's dyslexic dad joke," says Jonathan Howard. "The whole of my office is confused! It cant just be that Upal is an anagram of Paul...surely?" Afraid so, Jonathan.
19th over: Sri Lanka 75-2 (Tharanga 22, Jayawardene 5) Jayawardene immediately signals his intent. "Ben Shepherd (over 14) may think that this is a good thing, but according to a Sri Lankan friend their batting is 'like making love to a beautiful woman...you need to build up slowly'," says Anton Lawrence. "He hasn't told me what happens next."
20th over: Sri Lanka 80-2 (Tharanga 23, Jayawardene 7) A superb pick-up and throw from Bopara at gully saves a single and earns booming approval from Nixon. Next ball, however, Jayawardene clips another couple. "I know I shouldn't be looking, but the geniuses at Cricinfo have vowed to shave their hair off if Vaughany gets a ton today," says Julian Longhurst. "What will GU's (frankly superior) wordsmiths do to top that?" What about Smyth running naked down Oxford Street after the second Ashes Test debacle?
21st over: Sri Lanka 84-2 (Tharanga 24, Jayawardene 10) Collingwood replaces Mahmood and, as usual, his medium pacers prove difficult to get away. "Upal Tharanga's dad wasn't dyslexic, he just read Paul's name in the Grauniad!" laughs Tony Adlam.
22nd over: Sri Lanka 87-2 (Tharanga 25, Jayawardene 11) Tharanga continues to make Jacques Kallis look like the second coming of Viv Richards: his 25 runs have come off 58 deliveries, a rate that even Ian Bell might blush at. Just three off Flintoff's over and Sri Lanka have now gone 41 balls without a boundary. "Actually, I think England's batting is like making love to a beautiful woman - that is to say, putting on the protective equipment lasts longer than the event itself," claims John Sanger.
23rd over: Sri Lanka 92-2 (Tharanga 25, Jayawardene 16) A perfectly timed shot from Jayawardene dissects the field and tumbles over the boundary rope. Five off Collingwood's over. "Is cricket really like making love to a beautiful woman?" asks Lewis Cooper, before answering his own question. "Well, I suppose you take your turn in the centre, you need to wave the wood about a bit, you can play it hard and straight or with soft hands... and sometimes you get to do it day/night too."
24th over: Sri Lanka 95-2 (Tharanga 25, Jayawardene 19) Monty comes on for Mahmood and is soon tempting and teasing the Sri Lankan batsman and hurrying me off my (key)stroke. Ah! Three off the over. "I am sitting at my desk in Calcutta where, I can assure you my mood is even grimmer than anything you chaps in the UK can muster," says Patrick Pringle. "I woke up this morning to a 42 degree Celsius morning, only to find out I'd drunkenly lost my mobile phone. Went to the shower to find my water was cut off, put my shirt on, only to realise that my manly can of Axe deodorant was empty. Can anyone beat that?" Well?
25th over: Sri Lanka 103-2 (Tharanga 27, Jayawardene 25) At last, the Sri Lankans are beginning to put their foot on the accelerator. I say Sri Lanka, but I mean Jayawardene, who scored seven of the eight off Collingwood's over. Speaking of which, this from Stuart Bowman. "Now I like Collingwood, makes the most of what he's got and one of the few English players to have the guts necessary at this level. But 116 games, 61 wickets at 37 and goes at five-an-over on average. Where did the idea come from that he's a front line one-day bowler?" I don't think anyone is saying he's that Stuart. But on these pitches, having a dobber is no bad thing - as New Zealand are continuing to prove.
26th over: Sri Lanka 106-2 (Tharanga 29, Jayawardene 27) Three off Monty's over. "We are reading an over-by-over report. What do any of us really know about making love to a beautiful woman?" asks Gerard Duignan, not unreasonably.
27th over: Sri Lanka 110-2 (Tharanga 31, Jayawardene 29) More spin for England, this time from Vaughan. It's a decent first over, although there's none of the outrageous turn he got when dismissing Tendulkar through the gate in 2003. "Reading the OBO after a long time away from it is like making love to an ex," says Philip Smith. "It feels wrong to start with but then you get to Naylor and it all makes sense again."
28th over: Sri Lanka 119-2 (Tharanga 38, Jayawardene 31) Big appeal for a run out by Nixon! Umpire Bowden calls for the third umpire, but replays show that Tharanaga was in by a country mile. Nine off the over. Meanwhile, more of your cricket/making love analogies. "In Sting's case, it goes on for five days with no result," reckons David Bale.
29th over: Sri Lanka 124-2 (Tharanga 39, Jayawardene 35) England have to be a careful here: they've really well to stifle the Sri Lankans over the last 10 overs or so, but the run rate is beginning to accelerate again. "How dare Patrick Pringle (over 24) complain about being in Calcutta," says Ian Wilson. "Some of us are in bloody Northampton. Christ!"
30th over: Sri Lanka 132-2 (Tharanga 45, Jayawardene 37) Tharanga skips down the pitch with enthusiasm of a new lamb in spring before clouting Monty through long on. Incredibly, that's his first boundary of the day. Two balls later, Jayawardene tries to repeat the trick, mistimes it, and should have been caught by Anderson in the deep ... only he didn't pick it up and allowed it to drop a few metres in front of him. "Can someone tell me the point of Bopara?" asks George Storrow. "He gets two overs and bats behind Nixon. We might as well play Strauss or Lewis!"
31st over: Sri Lanka 136-2 (Tharanga 47, Jayawardene 39) Vaughan's bowling continues to be efficient but unthreatening, like a home counties accountant. Four singles off the over and this partnership is now 67 off 78 balls. "Actually, England's performances are like making love to a fetishist," suggests Ed Collington. "Likely to involve a spanking."
32nd over: Sri Lanka 140-2 (Tharanga 48, Jayawardene 42) The expensive Monty (4-0-21-0) is replaced by Collingwood. Four off the over. "Patrick Pringle is obviously an Englishman abroad - even in a beautiful, hot and exotic city like Calcutta he still seems to find plenty to moan about," fumes Tom Newman. "It's almost as bad as that Mother Theresa. Cheer up for God's sake!"
33rd over: Sri Lanka 149-2 (Tharanga 52, Jayawardene 47) Monty returns but to little effect: Tharanga soon brings up his 50 (off 90 balls, including one four) with a quiet dink around the corner for two. Another single follows, and then Jayawardene sweeps an impressive boundary through backward point. For a while Sri Lanka have been threatening their spring offensive: now it looks like it's arrived. Nine off the over. "I was under the impression you recently got married," says Darren Brimer. "If this is the case you need to very quickly refute Gerard Duigan's point (over 26), or you could be in the doghouse with Ms Seanie, especially if she reads this." Too late, Darren. Too late.
34th over: Sri Lanka 156-2 (Tharanga 57, Jayawardene 48) The runs continue to flow like the Nile in rainy season. "Oh dear. Anyone else just realised that there two-week holiday in Barbados to watch the end of the Super Sixes will involve watching Bangladesh, Ireland, West Indies and England?" asks Richard Gomersall. "All of which will be knocked out by the time we get there? Anyone for tennis?"
WICKET! Tharanga c Collingwood b Flintoff (Sri Lanka 160-3) Tharanga might have dawdled for first 30 overs, but he's flying now. He's just splayed Flintoff to the boundary ... and no sooner do I type that than he skies a hook to Pietersen at midwicket. "I think my day would count as worse than Patrick's," says OBO regular Claire Davies. "Just lost my job." Ah
35th over: Sri Lanka 160-3 (Jayawardene 48, Silva 0) A big lbw appeal from Flintoff, first ball to Silva, but it was missing leg. "Cricket is like making love to a beautiful woman? Erm, something about stroking it through the cover," suggests Nick Pettigrew. "Look, it's nearly five o clock and I'm tired, OK?"
36th over: Sri Lanka 164-3 (Jayawardene 50, Silva 0) Jayawardene brings up his 37th ODI fifty (and his third against England) off 51 balls in an otherwise uneventful - and, yes, that is OBO code for I missed most of it - with a push through the covers. "I'm amazed that in a link involving making love to a beautiful woman and England at cricket, no one has mentioned the inevitable collapse," says Chris Brock.
37th over: Sri Lanka 166-3 (Jayawardene 51, Silva 1) A scoop of sorts from an impeccable OBO source: Stuart Broad is flying out on Friday to replace Jon Lewis, who is about to become a father. The question is, should Broad go straight into the team against Australia? Thoughts please. Meanwhile Flintoff nearly dismisses Silva with a textbook outswinger. Just two off the over.
38th over: Sri Lanka 166-3 (Jayawardene 52, Silva 4) Better from Monty, whose figures are now 7-0-37-0, just four off the over. "Commiseration to Claire Davies (over 34)," says Nicholas Grundy (and others). "On the upside, at least she'll now have more time to contribute to the OBO. Not that she particularly, er, needs it. Maybe someone out there can find her a job? Perhaps delivering foul-but-moreish Relentless?"
WICKET! Jayawardene c Joyce b Collingwood 56 (Sri Lanka 175-4) Collingwood strikes! Jayawardene goes for glory and gets caught in the deep by Joyce. "I don't want to seem unsympathetic, but can OBO regular Claire Davies losing her job three weeks into the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 really be a coincidence?" asks David Spencer.
39th over: Sri Lanka 175-4 (Silva 9, Dilshan 0) Dilshan swings and misses, then blocks, and that's over. "Can I point out that Tharanga's name is actually Upul, not Upal," says Jivaka Jayasundera. "Watch out dyslexics!"
40th over: Sri Lanka 183-4 (Silva 12, Dilshan 5) Eight off the over. "Can we really replace players who just pull out because they're going to become dads?" asks the unreconstructed Jonathan Wood. "Wouldn't the ICC not unreasonably point out that England knew about this when they picked him? Where does it end? Plunkett remembering he left the oven on?"
41st over: Sri Lanka 183-4 (Silva 13, Dilshan 5) Absolutely superb stuff from Collingwood, who outwiles the Sri Lankans with his Revels-mix of off-cutters, dobbers and slower deliveries. Just one off the over. Meanwhile the job offers for Claire Davies are trickling in. "I have a vacancy in Refresh-button pressing which I need filled," says Alistair Hann. "The role would also involve projected total calculations and screen minimising."
42nd over: Sri Lanka 193-4 (Silva 18, Dilshan 5) Oh Saj! He starts the over by nearly dismissing Silva, whose edge fell just short of Nixon, but then serves up a juicy full toss outside leg which Silva helps on his way for four. The rest of the over was better, but eight came from it in total. "I'm excited!" says Paul Howarth. "Stuart Broad is my favourite hobby horse (and, no, this is nothing to do with the previous love-making riff). He will be our Glenn McGrath." If he plays.
WICKET! Dilshan run out 5 (Sri Lanka 193-5) Brilliant from Bell, who makes a diving stop at mid off, turns and - with one stump to aim at - runs Dilshan out. "Nice to see Paul 'Positivity' Nixon bellow 'fucking hell' when Monty daintily wafted a hand at a loose ball off his own bowling," says Guy Kilty. "Great motivational work! In his defence he did raise an apologetic hand almost immediately, but can Monty take such verbal battering or will he wilt? Still, England are actually looking quite good for once! Hurrah."
43rd over: Sri Lanka 196-5 (Silva 20, Arnold 1) Three off the rest of Anderson's over."'Screen minimising?' Wrong decade there, Alastair old boy," says Neil Taylor. "The joys of ALT + TAB is the weapon of choice for switching back to a work screen when the boss is on the prowl."
44th over: Sri Lanka 200-5 (Silva 20, Arnold 5) Arnold brings the 200 up with a sprightly paddle around the corner, but otherwise Collingwood continues to strangle. Three off the over, and his figures are now a very healthy 8-0-37-1. "It's no good Jon Lewis pulling out now," says the prolific Gary Naylor. "He should have thought of that nine months ago."
45th over: Sri Lanka 208-5 (Silva 20, Arnold 13) Oh dear. Arnold hits a lovely cover drive that Anderson misses with his foot and then Bopara, arms outstretched like Superman, sees bounce over him on the boundary. "Can we make any inferences now about how Tharanga at least makes love to a beautiful woman?" asks Shane McHugh. "I'd guess he spends an hour hovering unproductively at the crease, then ham [SNIP ... OBO decency police]. The comparison falls down when you consider that in bed you don't have Paul Nixon crouched behind you, criticising your technique. Not usually anyway."
46th over: Sri Lanka 215-5 (Silva 23, Arnold 15) Collingwood continues to keep dib and dob and keep it relatively tight - seven off the over, including a bye off Nixon. These are four hugely important overs for England's World Cup chances here. Anything under 240, and they'll fancy their chances. Anything above 255 will be a tough get. "All screen minimizing and alt-tabbing do is allow you and the boss to pretend you've been working," says Adam Blackwell. "No one is really fooled. The better approach is just to leave the OBO up. That way your boss will think 'Well, he obviously doesn't do this much, or he'd be trying to hide it.' Or he may fire you. Either way, your dignity is intact."
WICKET! Silva b Flintoff 23 (Sri Lanka 215-6) Flintoff strikes with a zinger of a reverse yorker that beats the bat and rips out the stumps. "Stuart Broad - I've read an awful lot about him but what has he actually DONE?" says Jonathan Harwood. "Seems he has a bowling average of 30, batting average of 16. Why not call on Simon Jones?" Er, because he's played one game in nine months and yesterday admitted he wouldn't be ready for the first Test against the Windies which starts in the middle of May?
47th over: WICKET! Vaas c Collingwood b Flintoff 4 (Sri Lanka 219-7) Vaas strides in, hits successive twos, and then is dismissed by a sensational one-armed catch at gully from Collingwood. Brilliant stuff!
48th over: Sri Lanka 221-7 (Arnold 16, Malinga 1) Collingwood continues to bowl brilliantly at the death: just two off the over and England are certainly on top now. "Could England have played any better?" asks Gary Naylor. "Wish I had taken that 15-8 now." Me too Gary, me too. "Hopefully, they'll just block Murali, milk the others and cruise home." It's not going to be that easy, is it?
49th over: Sri Lanka 222-7 (Arnold 16, Malinga 1) Now Malinga nearly goes to Freddie's inswinger yorker. Lucky for the Sri Lanka, it missed both bat and leg stump. Flintoff finishes with figures of 10-0-35-3. Meanwhile more from the Stuart Broad fan club. "He's bowled his county to a trophy, which is more than can be said for Plunks or Saj, and was the least expensive bowler in last year's Disco Cricket competition (or Twenty/20 as most call it....)," points out Lee Burman. WICKET! Malinga c Nixon b Mahmood 2 (Sri Lanka 226-8) Mahmood returns and immediately gets a wicket when Malinga top-edge-loops it behind to a joyous Nixon.
WICKET! Arnold c Joyce b Mahmood 20 (Sri Lanka 231-9) Another slog, another wicket. Arnold goes calypso and is caught on the deep midwicket boundary by Joyce.
50th over: WICKET! Fernando run out 2 (Sri Lanka 235 all out) Another one goes! Fernando goes for a second that's never there and is run out by Nixon. So, advantage England. But can they take advantage? "Nevermind all this talk about minimising and tabbing," says David Brooks. "The real question is what Guy Kilty (over 42) is doing looking at the OBO when he clearly has access to a TV? It's the equivalent of going to a D-Ream concert and, rather than enjoying the breathless spectacle of true musical genius personified, sitting in the corner and listening to their greatest hits album (Vol 1) through headphones instead." Amen to that. Thanks for all your many emails, and be sure to join my colleague Andy Bull for England's innings in approximately 30 minutes.
Four civilians killed in LTTE gun fire- Polonnaruwa
Four civilians whilst on a lorry transporting paddy stocks were rounded-up and brutally killed by alleged LTTE gunmen, at Nidanwala, 17 kilometers south off Aralaganwila general area, in the Polonnaruwa district today(05), at 09.30 a.m.
Three civilians were killed at the scene while another succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the general Hospital at Aralaganwila.
The Aralaganwila Police reported that the civilian bodies were riddled with bullets fired by alleged LTTE gunmen. According to reports the terrorists has attempted to loot the lorry transporting paddy stocks along the Arunapura road, towards Aralaganwila.
The Police reported that the security forces are conducting search and clearing operations in the area.
Meanwhile, reports claimed that 27 civilians were killed by the LTTE terrorists in three separate incidents, since 01st of April, 2007.
Three civilians were killed at the scene while another succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the general Hospital at Aralaganwila.
The Aralaganwila Police reported that the civilian bodies were riddled with bullets fired by alleged LTTE gunmen. According to reports the terrorists has attempted to loot the lorry transporting paddy stocks along the Arunapura road, towards Aralaganwila.
The Police reported that the security forces are conducting search and clearing operations in the area.
Meanwhile, reports claimed that 27 civilians were killed by the LTTE terrorists in three separate incidents, since 01st of April, 2007.
12kg weighing claymore mine uncovered - Wattala
Acting on information received through civilians sources the security forces uncovered a claymore mine weighing 12kg, inside a building at 'Gemunu Palace' area in Wattala, along the Negombo main road, today (05) at 11.05a.m.
The building located at 'Gemunu Palace', No: 146/5, Negombo Road- Wattala was owned by a private firm registered as 'Satlink Network Pvt. Ltd'.
According to the Wattala Police sources seven suspects were taken into custody including one ethnically Sinhalese female. Reports further added that one suspect was a resident from Jaffna who failed to prove his proper identity.
The other arrested were residents from the Modara and Mattakkuliya area, in the outskirts of Colombo, the sources further added.
The SL Army bomb disposal team had defused the mine averting any possible tragedy to life or property
The building located at 'Gemunu Palace', No: 146/5, Negombo Road- Wattala was owned by a private firm registered as 'Satlink Network Pvt. Ltd'.
According to the Wattala Police sources seven suspects were taken into custody including one ethnically Sinhalese female. Reports further added that one suspect was a resident from Jaffna who failed to prove his proper identity.
The other arrested were residents from the Modara and Mattakkuliya area, in the outskirts of Colombo, the sources further added.
The SL Army bomb disposal team had defused the mine averting any possible tragedy to life or property
Sri Lanka Marxists appoint organizers for the Wanni and Batticaloa districts
Apr 05, Colombo: Sri Lanka Marxist People's Liberation Front (JVP) has appointed two parliamentarians as the party’s organizers for the Tamil Tiger dominated Wanni and Batticaloa districts.
Parliamentarians Ramalingam Chandrasekhar and Mohammed Mussamil were appointed as special organizers for Wanni and Batticaloa districts respectively at the JVP ‘Convention of Delegates’ held at Henry Pedris Grounds in Colombo Tuesday.
JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said that the JVP was the only party that can solve the problems of the people of Sri Lanka.
JVP lacks support of the ethnic Tamils and this is the first time JVP attempted to appoint organizers for the Tamil Tiger dominated areas.
Parliamentarians Ramalingam Chandrasekhar and Mohammed Mussamil were appointed as special organizers for Wanni and Batticaloa districts respectively at the JVP ‘Convention of Delegates’ held at Henry Pedris Grounds in Colombo Tuesday.
JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said that the JVP was the only party that can solve the problems of the people of Sri Lanka.
JVP lacks support of the ethnic Tamils and this is the first time JVP attempted to appoint organizers for the Tamil Tiger dominated areas.
Sri Lanka bombs Sea Tiger HQ, destroys several installations
Apr 04, Colombo: Sri Lanka's war planes today pounded the LTTE's Sea Headquarters in Pudukudyirippu, Mullaitivu, and destroyed it completely, causing heavy damage to the Tiger organization, the Sri Lankan military said.
“Air Force jets bombed Tigers main sea HQ, destroyed buildings, fuel storage, vehicle park area and several other installations,” Air Force spokesperson Group Captain Ajantha Silva said.
He said that the “fuel storage is under fire now.” However, he said information was not available about the casualties to the Tigers.
Meanwhile, the LTTE denied that the Air Force attack hit their naval headquarters, but said two civilians were killed when Air Force jets bombed a populated area.
“Air Force jets bombed Tigers main sea HQ, destroyed buildings, fuel storage, vehicle park area and several other installations,” Air Force spokesperson Group Captain Ajantha Silva said.
He said that the “fuel storage is under fire now.” However, he said information was not available about the casualties to the Tigers.
Meanwhile, the LTTE denied that the Air Force attack hit their naval headquarters, but said two civilians were killed when Air Force jets bombed a populated area.
Sri Lanka Will Seek Bids for Oil Exploration Licenses
April 5 (Bloomberg) -- Sri Lanka, a country that imports all its oil, will next month ask explorers to compete to develop a field that may contain 1 billion barrels of crude, 17 percent of neighboring India's reserves.
China and India's state oil companies have already been promised two of the Mannar basin's five blocks. Sri Lanka will seek bids to develop three remaining areas on May 1, said Neil De Silva, director general of petroleum resources development. Licenses will be awarded in early 2008, he said yesterday.
Sri Lanka needs to secure its own oil supplies to reduce petroleum imports. Costlier oil and military purchases to combat separatist Tamil Tiger rebels have fanned consumer prices, curbing growth in the island's $26 billion economy. China and India, Asia's two fastest-growing economies, are competing for overseas oil and gas reserves to meet soaring energy demand.
``Escalating oil and gas prices have not only led to the increase in the cost of living but also the reduction of competitiveness of Sri Lankan exports,'' the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the island's biggest industry grouping, said in a statement. ``The oil and gas industry has the potential to change the destiny of Sri Lanka.''
Demand for fuel is rising in line with economic expansion, projected at 7.5 percent this year. Oil prices in New York have risen 5.4 percent this year to trade at $64.35 a barrel today.
West Coast
The auction for the three remaining blocks in the basin off Sri Lanka's west coast will be launched at an offshore technology conference in Houston on May 1, De Silva said in a telephone interview yesterday. Bids will be open until early November, he said.
China National Offshore Oil Corp., parent of overseas- listed Cnooc Ltd., may develop one coast, Petroleum Minister A.H.M. Fowzie said in an interview in Shanghai on March 1. The basin contains the equivalent of one billion barrels of oil, he said. The Beijing-based company may start exploration off the Sri Lankan coast by 2008, he said.
``A block will also be going to the government of India,'' De Silva said. India had proved oil reserves of 5.9 billion barrels at the end of 2005, according to BP Plc's Statistical Review of World Energy.
China's Help
The Chinese government is helping Sri Lanka build its first coal-fired power plant at Norocholai, north of capital Colombo, as the island seeks cheaper electricity. The plant will produce 300 megawatts by 2010 and as much as 900 megawatts as demand rises. The electricity will cost half that of an oil-fired unit.
NTPC Ltd., India's largest power company, in December signed an agreement to build a 500 megawatt coal-fired power plant in the Sri Lankan port town of Trincomalee. The plant is expected to commence operations in 2011.
Surging crude oil prices raised Sri Lanka's oil import bill by 25 percent last year to $2.07 billion. Import costs have been boosted by a depreciating currency.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka's last week maintained its 2007 growth forecast even as renewed fighting in the island's civil war and the highest interest rates in Asia slowed the pace of expansion in the fourth quarter.
To contact the reporter on this story: Anusha Ondaatjie in Colombo at anushao@bloomberg.net ;
China and India's state oil companies have already been promised two of the Mannar basin's five blocks. Sri Lanka will seek bids to develop three remaining areas on May 1, said Neil De Silva, director general of petroleum resources development. Licenses will be awarded in early 2008, he said yesterday.
Sri Lanka needs to secure its own oil supplies to reduce petroleum imports. Costlier oil and military purchases to combat separatist Tamil Tiger rebels have fanned consumer prices, curbing growth in the island's $26 billion economy. China and India, Asia's two fastest-growing economies, are competing for overseas oil and gas reserves to meet soaring energy demand.
``Escalating oil and gas prices have not only led to the increase in the cost of living but also the reduction of competitiveness of Sri Lankan exports,'' the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the island's biggest industry grouping, said in a statement. ``The oil and gas industry has the potential to change the destiny of Sri Lanka.''
Demand for fuel is rising in line with economic expansion, projected at 7.5 percent this year. Oil prices in New York have risen 5.4 percent this year to trade at $64.35 a barrel today.
West Coast
The auction for the three remaining blocks in the basin off Sri Lanka's west coast will be launched at an offshore technology conference in Houston on May 1, De Silva said in a telephone interview yesterday. Bids will be open until early November, he said.
China National Offshore Oil Corp., parent of overseas- listed Cnooc Ltd., may develop one coast, Petroleum Minister A.H.M. Fowzie said in an interview in Shanghai on March 1. The basin contains the equivalent of one billion barrels of oil, he said. The Beijing-based company may start exploration off the Sri Lankan coast by 2008, he said.
``A block will also be going to the government of India,'' De Silva said. India had proved oil reserves of 5.9 billion barrels at the end of 2005, according to BP Plc's Statistical Review of World Energy.
China's Help
The Chinese government is helping Sri Lanka build its first coal-fired power plant at Norocholai, north of capital Colombo, as the island seeks cheaper electricity. The plant will produce 300 megawatts by 2010 and as much as 900 megawatts as demand rises. The electricity will cost half that of an oil-fired unit.
NTPC Ltd., India's largest power company, in December signed an agreement to build a 500 megawatt coal-fired power plant in the Sri Lankan port town of Trincomalee. The plant is expected to commence operations in 2011.
Surging crude oil prices raised Sri Lanka's oil import bill by 25 percent last year to $2.07 billion. Import costs have been boosted by a depreciating currency.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka's last week maintained its 2007 growth forecast even as renewed fighting in the island's civil war and the highest interest rates in Asia slowed the pace of expansion in the fourth quarter.
To contact the reporter on this story: Anusha Ondaatjie in Colombo at anushao@bloomberg.net ;
Sri Lanka - Nepal Free Trade Agreement on the card
Apr 05, Colombo: Sri Lanka Minister of Export Development and International Trade, Professor G.L. Peiris, said that talks are in progress with Nepal to prepare a free trade agreement similar to the FTAs signed with India and Pakistan.
The Minister revealed this yesterday delivering the key note address as the chief guest at the ‘International Conference on Trade in Services in South Asia’ which is being held in Colombo currently.
The conference themed ‘Opportunities and Risks in Liberalisation’ was organized by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) and the Freidrich –Ebert –Stiftung (FES). Professor Peiris further said that Sri Lanka is now planning to expand the FTAs with India and Pakistan to the level of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA). CEPA is expected to address trade on services.
The Minister revealed this yesterday delivering the key note address as the chief guest at the ‘International Conference on Trade in Services in South Asia’ which is being held in Colombo currently.
The conference themed ‘Opportunities and Risks in Liberalisation’ was organized by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) and the Freidrich –Ebert –Stiftung (FES). Professor Peiris further said that Sri Lanka is now planning to expand the FTAs with India and Pakistan to the level of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA). CEPA is expected to address trade on services.
LTTE smuggled 4 or 5 aircraft during CFA: Karuna
Former LTTE eastern commander and now renegade leader Karuna Amman said that after the ceasefire agreement was signed in 2002 the LTTE had smuggled in 4 or 5 aircraft, and could use them to target Colombo and the suburbs.
His comments, in a face-to-face meeting with the Jasmine News Wire service (JNW), comes just days after the LTTE staged a daring aerial attack on the Katunayake Air Force base using at least two light aircraft which the LTTE says was part of its own air force wing.
Karuna also told JNW his organization, the Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal, would submit proposals to the All Party Conference once the East was ‘rescued’ from the LTTE and would later urge the Government to hold provincial elections and also seek a referendum in two years on whether the Northern and Eastern Provinces should merge or remain demerged.
Meanwhile in a separate face-to-face meeting with the BBC, Karuna said LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran had at one time said peace talks should be dragged out so the rebels could prepare for more fighting.
His comments, in a face-to-face meeting with the Jasmine News Wire service (JNW), comes just days after the LTTE staged a daring aerial attack on the Katunayake Air Force base using at least two light aircraft which the LTTE says was part of its own air force wing.
Karuna also told JNW his organization, the Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal, would submit proposals to the All Party Conference once the East was ‘rescued’ from the LTTE and would later urge the Government to hold provincial elections and also seek a referendum in two years on whether the Northern and Eastern Provinces should merge or remain demerged.
Meanwhile in a separate face-to-face meeting with the BBC, Karuna said LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran had at one time said peace talks should be dragged out so the rebels could prepare for more fighting.
Opposition Leader should extend support to suppress terrorism - Media Minister
COLOMBO: Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has made a statement in Parliament yesterday stating that “the nation’s security must be ensured by having competent people in charge of national defence”. He has also levelled several allegations on the government and challenged its capacity to protect the civilians, states Minister of Mass Media and Information Anrua Priyadarshana Yapa in a press release.
“The release adds: the whole country is aware whether the security is in the hands of competent people or not, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka and others have been so successful in the offensive against terrorism and the campaign to assist the people in the North and East to break away from the vice-like grip of ruthless terrorists, the LTTE has used suicide cadres in its attempt to assassinate them.”
Mr. Wickremesinghe is silent on the most important issue of how did the LTTE become strong during the 2002-2004 period and how the unchecked cargo was allowed to go to the LTTE held areas in the North enabling them to assemble aircraft. An aircraft part was even found in a ship owned by an UNP MP which was plying between Colombo and Kankasanthurai”.
“The LTTE did not even give a breathing space to the new Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa from November 19, 2005. An LTTE claymore explosion killed six soldiers on December 4, 2005, the day before the new Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka assumed duties. Another 8 solders were killed two days later. On December 22 and 23, 2005 16 naval personnel were killed in two separate attacks.”
“The list is endless and the forces, under the new courageous leadership took defensive and deterrent action and succeeded in weakening the enemy strike power. The LTTE suffered a string of setbacks in the East since their attempt to close down the Mavil Aru sluice gates.
Many areas in Batticaloa including Vakarai, Sampur and Muttur have been cleared of terrorists and steps have been taken to resettle the displaced persons under the Jathika Saviya programme. It is a pity that the advisors to the Opposition Leader have failed to point out these facts to him.”
“When the LTTE is attacking civilian buses and economic targets in desperation, the Opposition Leader instead of supporting the government campaigns and boosting the morals of the Security Forces, is making a pitiful attempt to project the LTTE as an organisation capable of striking targets in the south”.
“It is true that the LTTE made a futile attempt to destroy Air Force fighter aircraft such as MIGs and Kfirs. The attempt was a total failure and the Forces have taken adequate steps to face future attacks.”
“I urge the Opposition Leader Mr. Wickremesinghe and other spokespersons of the UNP to extend their co-operation in this national endeavour against terrorism instead of trying to subvert the strategy of the Security Forces.”
“I can only express my disgust over the way that Mr. Wickremesinghe is trying to give oxygen to a terrorist outfit that is on its last legs. I accept that the Opposition Leader’s strategy should be to grab power.
Specially after losing 14 elections and failing to keep the Deputy Leader and some of the most competent leaders in the party who joined the Government to strengthen the President. But it should not be at the cost of the Nation, and not at the cost of the valiant Security Forces or at the cost of innocent masses of the country.”
“In a crucial juncture, such as present, it is the responsibility of all leaders of national political parties to strengthen the hands of the Government in its campaign to defeat terrorism and fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil people in the North and East instead of resorting to rhetoric in a desperate attempt to get political advantages for self-centred objectives.
“Mr. Wickremesinghe is also talking about democracy and a political settlement. The Government is totally committed to a negotiated political solution. In fact, the APRC is in the process of completing its draft proposals,” Minister Yapa’s statement concludes.
“The release adds: the whole country is aware whether the security is in the hands of competent people or not, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka and others have been so successful in the offensive against terrorism and the campaign to assist the people in the North and East to break away from the vice-like grip of ruthless terrorists, the LTTE has used suicide cadres in its attempt to assassinate them.”
Mr. Wickremesinghe is silent on the most important issue of how did the LTTE become strong during the 2002-2004 period and how the unchecked cargo was allowed to go to the LTTE held areas in the North enabling them to assemble aircraft. An aircraft part was even found in a ship owned by an UNP MP which was plying between Colombo and Kankasanthurai”.
“The LTTE did not even give a breathing space to the new Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa from November 19, 2005. An LTTE claymore explosion killed six soldiers on December 4, 2005, the day before the new Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka assumed duties. Another 8 solders were killed two days later. On December 22 and 23, 2005 16 naval personnel were killed in two separate attacks.”
“The list is endless and the forces, under the new courageous leadership took defensive and deterrent action and succeeded in weakening the enemy strike power. The LTTE suffered a string of setbacks in the East since their attempt to close down the Mavil Aru sluice gates.
Many areas in Batticaloa including Vakarai, Sampur and Muttur have been cleared of terrorists and steps have been taken to resettle the displaced persons under the Jathika Saviya programme. It is a pity that the advisors to the Opposition Leader have failed to point out these facts to him.”
“When the LTTE is attacking civilian buses and economic targets in desperation, the Opposition Leader instead of supporting the government campaigns and boosting the morals of the Security Forces, is making a pitiful attempt to project the LTTE as an organisation capable of striking targets in the south”.
“It is true that the LTTE made a futile attempt to destroy Air Force fighter aircraft such as MIGs and Kfirs. The attempt was a total failure and the Forces have taken adequate steps to face future attacks.”
“I urge the Opposition Leader Mr. Wickremesinghe and other spokespersons of the UNP to extend their co-operation in this national endeavour against terrorism instead of trying to subvert the strategy of the Security Forces.”
“I can only express my disgust over the way that Mr. Wickremesinghe is trying to give oxygen to a terrorist outfit that is on its last legs. I accept that the Opposition Leader’s strategy should be to grab power.
Specially after losing 14 elections and failing to keep the Deputy Leader and some of the most competent leaders in the party who joined the Government to strengthen the President. But it should not be at the cost of the Nation, and not at the cost of the valiant Security Forces or at the cost of innocent masses of the country.”
“In a crucial juncture, such as present, it is the responsibility of all leaders of national political parties to strengthen the hands of the Government in its campaign to defeat terrorism and fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil people in the North and East instead of resorting to rhetoric in a desperate attempt to get political advantages for self-centred objectives.
“Mr. Wickremesinghe is also talking about democracy and a political settlement. The Government is totally committed to a negotiated political solution. In fact, the APRC is in the process of completing its draft proposals,” Minister Yapa’s statement concludes.
UNP vows to form govt after New Year
COLOMBO: UNP vowed to form a government immediately after the National New Year and said the return of Gampaha district MP Edward Gunasekara to the fold was just one in a series of democratic moves by the UNP to topple the ruling alliance.UNP Galle district MP Vajira Abeywardena made this prediction at a UNP rally chaired by party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in Grandpass on Wednesday.
Addressing the party supporters Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said as the UNP leader he would do his best to block government moves to make Parliament redundant through dictatorship.
“We will get on to the streets against this move,” he said.
Mr. Wickremesinghe said he would not allow the “Rajapaksa brothers” to take over Parliament undermining the country’s democracy. “Parliament is not a private company, it belongs to the people and the UNP will do its best to maintain that status,” he said.
While claiming that the government is engaged in a propaganda war Mr. Wickremesinghe said it was the UNP which liberated the East from the LTTE. He said the then government was able to take over Vakarai within hours sacrificing only one soldier whereas the present defence secretary had taken four months to do it sacrificing 400 security personnel.
He also accused high officials in the government of earning commissions by purchasing old aircraft from Ukraine.
UNP chairman Rukman Senanayake, Secretary Tissa Attanayake, National Organizer S.B. Dissanayake, Colombo District parliamentarians Mohamed Maharoof, Ravi Karunanayake and several others attended the rally.
Addressing the party supporters Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said as the UNP leader he would do his best to block government moves to make Parliament redundant through dictatorship.
“We will get on to the streets against this move,” he said.
Mr. Wickremesinghe said he would not allow the “Rajapaksa brothers” to take over Parliament undermining the country’s democracy. “Parliament is not a private company, it belongs to the people and the UNP will do its best to maintain that status,” he said.
While claiming that the government is engaged in a propaganda war Mr. Wickremesinghe said it was the UNP which liberated the East from the LTTE. He said the then government was able to take over Vakarai within hours sacrificing only one soldier whereas the present defence secretary had taken four months to do it sacrificing 400 security personnel.
He also accused high officials in the government of earning commissions by purchasing old aircraft from Ukraine.
UNP chairman Rukman Senanayake, Secretary Tissa Attanayake, National Organizer S.B. Dissanayake, Colombo District parliamentarians Mohamed Maharoof, Ravi Karunanayake and several others attended the rally.
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