Citing Wanni based LTTE sources; pro-LTTE media confirm the death of LTTE's so-called, Political chief Thamilchelvan (43), following a pin-point air raid carried out by SLAF fighter jets, at Thuruaiaru in Iranamadu around 6 this morning (November 2).
The other high profile terrorists killed in the air raid were identified as Anpumani (Alex), Mikuthan, Neathaji, Aadchiveal and Vaakaikkumaran.
According to informed sources, self styled Lt. Colonel Anupumani alias Alex was the chief of LTTE's "strategic communication division". He was the person in charge of handling all communication activities between LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran and the other international terrorist agents.
The SLAF air sorties were carried out following extensive air surveillance and on real-time ground information, military sources earlier reported.
The pro-LTTE media said that, LTTE has conferred its highest military rank, "Brigadier", to its Political chief Thamilchelvan.
Defence observers say that this achievement came about due to the synergy achieved through excellent coordination between the military intelligence and the air arm.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
President promises political solution soon
The government will soon bring about a political solution through the APRC, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday. He said history had proved that the ethnic conflict could not be solved by terrorism.
Delivering the keynote address at the first convocation of Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, at the BMICH, the President said that the commitment of the government to bring lasting peace to the country was neither capricious nor wayward.
“Our aim is to achieve lasting peace without giving ransom to terrorists. The people of the country must realise that we do not have narrow political objectives or agendas,” he said at the colourful and dignified ceremony.
The armed forces have to adapt to the tactics of internationalized warfare as our forces are fighting against a globalised terrorism.
That is why our officers require university education that trains them in the latest war strategies, intelligence and warfare, he said.
Delivering the keynote address at the first convocation of Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, at the BMICH, the President said that the commitment of the government to bring lasting peace to the country was neither capricious nor wayward.
“Our aim is to achieve lasting peace without giving ransom to terrorists. The people of the country must realise that we do not have narrow political objectives or agendas,” he said at the colourful and dignified ceremony.
The armed forces have to adapt to the tactics of internationalized warfare as our forces are fighting against a globalised terrorism.
That is why our officers require university education that trains them in the latest war strategies, intelligence and warfare, he said.
Ceylon Teachers' Union says they did not drop the fight
Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU), a leading independent teachers' union of the five trade union coalition that spearheaded the campaign against the salary anomalies, says that they do not agree with the three trade unions that consented to suspend the two-day strike that was scheduled for 29 and 30 October.
The Chairman of the CTU Joseph Stalin Fernando says that the government was saying that the salary anomalies will be removed by December 31 even before the teachers’ unions led the boycott of evaluation of G.C.E. (Advanced Level) examination. He asked from the trade unions that decided to suspend the trade union action, why they decided to strike for two days if they had a guarantee that the government would remove salary anomalies as they said.
Fernando further said that the CTU could not be cheated with false pledges and the union would continue the struggle to remove the salary anomalies until the mission is accomplished.
The Chairman of the CTU Joseph Stalin Fernando says that the government was saying that the salary anomalies will be removed by December 31 even before the teachers’ unions led the boycott of evaluation of G.C.E. (Advanced Level) examination. He asked from the trade unions that decided to suspend the trade union action, why they decided to strike for two days if they had a guarantee that the government would remove salary anomalies as they said.
Fernando further said that the CTU could not be cheated with false pledges and the union would continue the struggle to remove the salary anomalies until the mission is accomplished.
Give up violence, LTTE urged
ondemning the LTTE attack on the Anuradhapura airbase, Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) leader V. Anandasangaree has urged the militant leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, to give up violence and come to the negotiating table.
In an open letter addressed to Prabhakaran, Mr. Anandasangree charged him with pursuing an elusive goal of Eelam to “safeguard” his prestige and said even now, it was not too late for the LTTE leader to settle for a reasonable solution to the ethnic conflict.
Mr. Anandasangaree said he would have hailed Mr. Prabhakaran as a brave man if all the 22 persons, including the 21-member suicide squad posing with him before the attack, in the photograph that appeared in the local papers with him in the centre, had died.
In an open letter addressed to Prabhakaran, Mr. Anandasangree charged him with pursuing an elusive goal of Eelam to “safeguard” his prestige and said even now, it was not too late for the LTTE leader to settle for a reasonable solution to the ethnic conflict.
Mr. Anandasangaree said he would have hailed Mr. Prabhakaran as a brave man if all the 22 persons, including the 21-member suicide squad posing with him before the attack, in the photograph that appeared in the local papers with him in the centre, had died.
Sri Lanka's bribery commission powerful but seen ineffective
Sri Lanka's bribery and corruption commission has vast powers to probe official misdeeds but cannot act except on a complaint and has its impartiality questioned by the presence of police investigators.
Although commission officials say it is one of the most flexible and authoritative bodies compared to similar departments around the world, it is widely seen as being ineffective in curbing corruption rampant in state service.
"In our commission, we have all the powers. The power to investigate, file legal action, take persons into custody and also to manage legal proceedings," commission official Neville Guruge, a senior police superintendent, told reporters on Tuesday.
The main reason for such flexibility is the inclusion of chosen police officials as investigators of bribery and corruption, he said.
Compared to some 31 such departments or commissions around the world, Sri Lanka is the only commission with police officials working as investigators.
However, Guruge acknowledged that the inclusion of police officers and the absence of independent investigating officials have raised questions about the impartiality of the commission.
Although commission officials say it is one of the most flexible and authoritative bodies compared to similar departments around the world, it is widely seen as being ineffective in curbing corruption rampant in state service.
"In our commission, we have all the powers. The power to investigate, file legal action, take persons into custody and also to manage legal proceedings," commission official Neville Guruge, a senior police superintendent, told reporters on Tuesday.
The main reason for such flexibility is the inclusion of chosen police officials as investigators of bribery and corruption, he said.
Compared to some 31 such departments or commissions around the world, Sri Lanka is the only commission with police officials working as investigators.
However, Guruge acknowledged that the inclusion of police officers and the absence of independent investigating officials have raised questions about the impartiality of the commission.
China, Sri Lanka sign loan pact on port project
The Sri Lankan government and China's Exim Bank Tuesday signed a financial agreement to fund the Hambantota harbor project in Sri Lanka's deep south.
According to the agreement signed by the two parties, China's Exim Bank will provide an export buyer's credit of 360 million U.S. dollars for the project in Hambantota, about 240 km southeast of Colombo.
Li Ruogu, chairman of China's Exim Bank, and P. B. Jayasundara, secretary to Sri Lanka's Finance Ministry, signed the agreement on behalf of the two sides.
Li said his bank was very happy to support one of Sri Lanka's largest development projects and he hoped the project a success.
The primary objective of the Hambantota project is to synchronize different aspects of development such as shipping, trans-shipment, shipbuilding, and catering to increase exports and imports, for which the Port of Colombo does not have enough space and facilities.
According to the agreement signed by the two parties, China's Exim Bank will provide an export buyer's credit of 360 million U.S. dollars for the project in Hambantota, about 240 km southeast of Colombo.
Li Ruogu, chairman of China's Exim Bank, and P. B. Jayasundara, secretary to Sri Lanka's Finance Ministry, signed the agreement on behalf of the two sides.
Li said his bank was very happy to support one of Sri Lanka's largest development projects and he hoped the project a success.
The primary objective of the Hambantota project is to synchronize different aspects of development such as shipping, trans-shipment, shipbuilding, and catering to increase exports and imports, for which the Port of Colombo does not have enough space and facilities.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
ri Lanka government suspends five radio channels over false news report
Sri Lanka Government Information Department today canceled the broadcasting license of five private radio channels of Asia Broadcasting Ltd. today for creating pandemonium by transmitting a false news item on a terrorist attack on a village in the deep south.
The suspended radio channels are Hiru FM, Sha FM, Gold FM, Suriyan FM and Sun FM. A false news report broadcasted by the radio channels of the ABC Ltd. over an attack by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) cadres at Ranminithenna area in Tissamaharamaya in Hambanthota district of Sri Lanka created great panic among the residents.
The company is accused of broadcasting news on this without confirming the facts and spreading the hysteria all over the country.
However, a journalist of the radio station said that the channels immediately corrected the news and apologized.
The said radio network reportedly belongs to a business person whose brother is a leading young politician of the opposition United National Party.
The suspended radio channels are Hiru FM, Sha FM, Gold FM, Suriyan FM and Sun FM. A false news report broadcasted by the radio channels of the ABC Ltd. over an attack by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) cadres at Ranminithenna area in Tissamaharamaya in Hambanthota district of Sri Lanka created great panic among the residents.
The company is accused of broadcasting news on this without confirming the facts and spreading the hysteria all over the country.
However, a journalist of the radio station said that the channels immediately corrected the news and apologized.
The said radio network reportedly belongs to a business person whose brother is a leading young politician of the opposition United National Party.
Sri Lanka seeks Pak investment
Qamar Zaman Gill, Acting President FPCCI said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have great potential to expand their trade relations which has been supplemented by the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
During a meeting with V S Sidath Kumar, Consul General of Sri Lanka at Federation House, Karachi, Gill said that presently the trade volume is in favour of Pakistan which is likely to be little balanced through FTA.
While briefing the consul general about the activities of FPCCI, he suggested for aggressive marketing of Sri Lankan commodities in Pakistan particularly tea and service sectors particularly medical hospitals, tourism and education.
He said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka complement each other in various sectors particularly in tourism, pharmaceutical, readymade garments etc while Sri Lanka is a potential market for Pakistani rice, fruits, leather, surgical and sports goods etc.
The consul general said that presently Sri Lanka had been importing textile from India and Pakistan for value addition in the form of readymade garments which were being exported to European countries under GSP Plus scheme.
During a meeting with V S Sidath Kumar, Consul General of Sri Lanka at Federation House, Karachi, Gill said that presently the trade volume is in favour of Pakistan which is likely to be little balanced through FTA.
While briefing the consul general about the activities of FPCCI, he suggested for aggressive marketing of Sri Lankan commodities in Pakistan particularly tea and service sectors particularly medical hospitals, tourism and education.
He said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka complement each other in various sectors particularly in tourism, pharmaceutical, readymade garments etc while Sri Lanka is a potential market for Pakistani rice, fruits, leather, surgical and sports goods etc.
The consul general said that presently Sri Lanka had been importing textile from India and Pakistan for value addition in the form of readymade garments which were being exported to European countries under GSP Plus scheme.
Sri Lankans use IT to beat poverty
Sri Lanka - In a north-central village, deep inside Sri Lanka's backwoods, a young man is glued to a computer screen, pushing a mouse and filling in figures.
Isuru Senevirathna is entering data at Sri Lanka's first business processing outsourcing (BPO) company set up in a village, and probably among the first in the world that is surrounded by tall trees, bird calls, paddy fields and streams.
"It's nice to be able to do a job like this," the 20-year-old youth,operations director of OnTime Pvt. Ltd, told Inter Press Service.
BPO is a growing IT business which Sri Lanka embraced with relish. Dozens of companies are now springing up in Colombo as many of the world's best Western corporations look for cost-effective ways to handle their back-office operations in countries where labor and communications are cheaper.
But OnTime's setting, next to a wildlife park, and subject to the occasional threat by Tamil Tiger guerrillas, makes it unique. Mahavilachchiya lies 250 kilometers north of Colombo and the fact that it is close to the ancient town of Anuradhapura is an added feature.More >>
Isuru Senevirathna is entering data at Sri Lanka's first business processing outsourcing (BPO) company set up in a village, and probably among the first in the world that is surrounded by tall trees, bird calls, paddy fields and streams.
"It's nice to be able to do a job like this," the 20-year-old youth,operations director of OnTime Pvt. Ltd, told Inter Press Service.
BPO is a growing IT business which Sri Lanka embraced with relish. Dozens of companies are now springing up in Colombo as many of the world's best Western corporations look for cost-effective ways to handle their back-office operations in countries where labor and communications are cheaper.
But OnTime's setting, next to a wildlife park, and subject to the occasional threat by Tamil Tiger guerrillas, makes it unique. Mahavilachchiya lies 250 kilometers north of Colombo and the fact that it is close to the ancient town of Anuradhapura is an added feature.More >>
Hampshire helpers prepare for Sri Lanka
TWO carers from The Old Parsonage Brendoncare Home in Otterbourne and a colleague from Winchester will travel to Sri Lanka next September to help the needy.
They will be working at the Pydiagama Home for Destitute Men and also raising money for Brendoncare, the Winchester-based care charity for older people, during their two-week stay.
Brendoncare's volunteering manager, Julie Lamont, from Lockerley, and carers Marilyn Medrano from Chandler's Ford and Nichola Bryant from Bursledon are part of a 10-strong Brendoncare team. More >>
They will be working at the Pydiagama Home for Destitute Men and also raising money for Brendoncare, the Winchester-based care charity for older people, during their two-week stay.
Brendoncare's volunteering manager, Julie Lamont, from Lockerley, and carers Marilyn Medrano from Chandler's Ford and Nichola Bryant from Bursledon are part of a 10-strong Brendoncare team. More >>
More locomotives for Sri Lanka Railway
Sri Lanka Railway Department General Manager Lalithasiri Gunaruwan says that discussions are underway to purchase 20 power sets from India under a credit line.
India has also pledged a concessionary loan facility to improve the Southern railway line under tsunami reconstruction.
The Indian power sets are in addition to the 15 power sets ordered from China that is to arrive in Colombo in mid 2008. Twenty-five carriages of a 75 batch ordered from China arrived last month and the rest is to arrive in the county by the end of this year.
Railway Department is considering importing three engines to transport Ceylon Petroleum Corporation fuel tankers and two more engines for repair work.
India has also pledged a concessionary loan facility to improve the Southern railway line under tsunami reconstruction.
The Indian power sets are in addition to the 15 power sets ordered from China that is to arrive in Colombo in mid 2008. Twenty-five carriages of a 75 batch ordered from China arrived last month and the rest is to arrive in the county by the end of this year.
Railway Department is considering importing three engines to transport Ceylon Petroleum Corporation fuel tankers and two more engines for repair work.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Sri Lanka's major opposition collecting signatures for a petition to safeguard free education
Sri Lanka's major opposition United National Party (UNP) launched a week long petition campaign to raise a million signatures today from Kurunegala.
The petition is to be handed over to Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara urging him to take up the issue of deterioration of free education in the country at the parliament.
The signature collection will be conducted at electorate level in public, private and religious institutes including schools and tuition centers, said a UNP spokesman.
Addressing a press briefing in this regard, UNP’s National Education Services Union Chairman, Moneragala district Parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that free education introduced by C.W.W. Kannangara was in jeopardy today. He pointed out that the government did not do anything concrete to resolve the Grade 1 admission issue.
The petition is to be handed over to Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara urging him to take up the issue of deterioration of free education in the country at the parliament.
The signature collection will be conducted at electorate level in public, private and religious institutes including schools and tuition centers, said a UNP spokesman.
Addressing a press briefing in this regard, UNP’s National Education Services Union Chairman, Moneragala district Parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that free education introduced by C.W.W. Kannangara was in jeopardy today. He pointed out that the government did not do anything concrete to resolve the Grade 1 admission issue.
Terrorism will be fought to the end – President mahinda Rajapaksa
President Mahinda Rajapaksa categorically stated that while trying to find a negotiated political solution so that all the communities could live in harmony, his government will not tolerate terrorism and it would be fought until total elimination.
Participating in the live television question and answer session ‘Janapathi Jana Hamuwa’ at Temple Trees last night, he said that the country managed to achieve a substantial growth rate and provide additional employment to more than hundred thousand youth which fighting terrorists and facing the adverse impact of global price hike of oil, milk powder and other items.
He pointed out that despite the expenditure for national security and rising fuel costs the Government would not set aside development. He was of the view that priority had to be given to development in all areas, through local and foreign investments.
The Government’s newly launched food drive and Gama Neguma and Maga Neguma programmes would spur rural development.
Participating in the live television question and answer session ‘Janapathi Jana Hamuwa’ at Temple Trees last night, he said that the country managed to achieve a substantial growth rate and provide additional employment to more than hundred thousand youth which fighting terrorists and facing the adverse impact of global price hike of oil, milk powder and other items.
He pointed out that despite the expenditure for national security and rising fuel costs the Government would not set aside development. He was of the view that priority had to be given to development in all areas, through local and foreign investments.
The Government’s newly launched food drive and Gama Neguma and Maga Neguma programmes would spur rural development.
Sri Lanka to bring in political package by year end
The Sri Lankan government is to bring in its political package by the end of the year as means to end the island's ethnic separatist conflict, a top official said Sunday.
Palitha Kohona, the foreign secretary, told reporters that the government is mindful on the need to address the concerns of the island's minorities, particularly the Tamil community.
"The Sri Lankan government is of the view that this sort of problem (conflict with the Tiger rebels) cannot be resolved by military means alone," Kohona said.
"The political proposals through the all political party process are expected by December," Dr Kohona said.
The foreign secretary in commenting on the 3-day international counter terrorism conference held here from Thursday said that the world stands united against terrorism but still an implementation mechanism for all UN conventions against terrorism may still be needed.
Palitha Kohona, the foreign secretary, told reporters that the government is mindful on the need to address the concerns of the island's minorities, particularly the Tamil community.
"The Sri Lankan government is of the view that this sort of problem (conflict with the Tiger rebels) cannot be resolved by military means alone," Kohona said.
"The political proposals through the all political party process are expected by December," Dr Kohona said.
The foreign secretary in commenting on the 3-day international counter terrorism conference held here from Thursday said that the world stands united against terrorism but still an implementation mechanism for all UN conventions against terrorism may still be needed.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
U.S. funds program to combat human trafficking in Sri Lanka
The U.S. State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development are funding a $500,000 program to help train Sri Lankan government officials to combat human trafficking in Sri Lanka. The program will be implemented by the International Organization on Migration (IOM).
At a press conference yesterday U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake announced that a recent U. S. State Department report found Sri Lanka to be a country of source and origin for men, women and children trafficked for domestic labor and sexual exploitation.
While commending the Sri Lankan government for amending its penal code last year to criminalize trafficking Blake said that Sri Lanka needs a better trained network of law enforcement professionals to establish legal grounds to identify and prosecute the traffickers.
At a press conference yesterday U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake announced that a recent U. S. State Department report found Sri Lanka to be a country of source and origin for men, women and children trafficked for domestic labor and sexual exploitation.
While commending the Sri Lankan government for amending its penal code last year to criminalize trafficking Blake said that Sri Lanka needs a better trained network of law enforcement professionals to establish legal grounds to identify and prosecute the traffickers.
First state-of-the-art Fabric Park opens in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa will declare open the MAS Holdings' first state-of-the-art, privately owned industrial fabric park, the MAS Fabric Park at Thulhiriya in the Northwestern Province of Sri Lanka today.
The previously state owned Thulhiriya textile mill was later sold to a Korean company that later suspended operations and the investors fled the country.
The government paid compensations to the workers and the factory was auctioned to a private company. In July 2006 the government signed an agreement with the MAS Holdings to redevelop the textile mill and revive it as a textile industrial zone with international standards at a cost of US $100 million.
The previously state owned Thulhiriya textile mill was later sold to a Korean company that later suspended operations and the investors fled the country.
The government paid compensations to the workers and the factory was auctioned to a private company. In July 2006 the government signed an agreement with the MAS Holdings to redevelop the textile mill and revive it as a textile industrial zone with international standards at a cost of US $100 million.
HR mechanism in place - President
The Government has created a mechanism to ensure the implementation of human rights, President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared yesterday.
Participating in the live question and answer session Janapathi Jana Hamuwa at Temple Trees, President Rajapaksa said this was the first time that a Government has implemented such a mechanism.
The President said the Government had nothing to hide on the human rights front and has established a Human Rights Ministry to prove its commitment.
He recalled his campaigns against human rights violations in the past, saying he was highly sensitive about any rights violations.
The Government has succeeded in reducing alleged abductions to a great extent and taken action against several persons involved in such acts.
Participating in the live question and answer session Janapathi Jana Hamuwa at Temple Trees, President Rajapaksa said this was the first time that a Government has implemented such a mechanism.
The President said the Government had nothing to hide on the human rights front and has established a Human Rights Ministry to prove its commitment.
He recalled his campaigns against human rights violations in the past, saying he was highly sensitive about any rights violations.
The Government has succeeded in reducing alleged abductions to a great extent and taken action against several persons involved in such acts.
Sri Lanka to conduct more seismic surveys to explore oil
Sri Lanka has decided to conduct two dimensional seismic surveys to test the availability of petroleum and Natural gas deposits in the South Western, Southern, South Eastern and Eastern offshore areas.
The Cabinet granted its approval on Wednesday to a Memorandum submitted by Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development Minister A.H.M. Fowzie to conduct a two dimensional seismic survey costing US$ 6.5 million to ascertain whether petroleum and natural gas deposits occur in those areas.
The Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat (PRDS) has submitted a proposal for conducting a two dimensional survey and this was approved by the Petroleum Development Committee. The total estimated length for carrying out the survey is about 2,500 kilometers.
The Cabinet granted its approval on Wednesday to a Memorandum submitted by Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development Minister A.H.M. Fowzie to conduct a two dimensional seismic survey costing US$ 6.5 million to ascertain whether petroleum and natural gas deposits occur in those areas.
The Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat (PRDS) has submitted a proposal for conducting a two dimensional survey and this was approved by the Petroleum Development Committee. The total estimated length for carrying out the survey is about 2,500 kilometers.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Srilakvahini - LBN Satellite tie-up for better choice
Srilakvahini Satellite has teamed up with LBN Satellite to give their customers better choice of channels. Srilakvahini which started just ten months ago has covered most of the country, Srilakvahini's Director Jayathisha Tennakoon said.
Srilakvahini has been a satellite provider to more than 140 countries and now it expands to Australia due to the high demand in the country. Srilakvahini is a Sri Lankan channel, also produced by Sri Lankans. Srilakvahini is presently connected through Thai com satellite which gives them a chance to communicate throughout the world. Srilakvahini has joined hands with LBN so that all Sri Lankans also could enjoy this channel.
'Our main objective is to make all Sri Lankans in other countries feel at home by joining Srilakvahini,' Srilakvahini Director Rohan Pieries said. He also said that it's a pride for them as their staff members are all Sri Lankan citizens. They have a range of programmes for every person to enjoy.
They do not charge monthly rentals as it is a free channel. Srilakvahini has one of the largest coverage from Sri Lanka to the world. They have covered many countries such as, Asia, Europe, Middle-East, African countries, Russian Federation and Australia.
They hope to expand their channel throughout the world and extend channel hours, to 24 hours.
Srilakvahini has been a satellite provider to more than 140 countries and now it expands to Australia due to the high demand in the country. Srilakvahini is a Sri Lankan channel, also produced by Sri Lankans. Srilakvahini is presently connected through Thai com satellite which gives them a chance to communicate throughout the world. Srilakvahini has joined hands with LBN so that all Sri Lankans also could enjoy this channel.
'Our main objective is to make all Sri Lankans in other countries feel at home by joining Srilakvahini,' Srilakvahini Director Rohan Pieries said. He also said that it's a pride for them as their staff members are all Sri Lankan citizens. They have a range of programmes for every person to enjoy.
They do not charge monthly rentals as it is a free channel. Srilakvahini has one of the largest coverage from Sri Lanka to the world. They have covered many countries such as, Asia, Europe, Middle-East, African countries, Russian Federation and Australia.
They hope to expand their channel throughout the world and extend channel hours, to 24 hours.
Lankan jumbo to Armenia
Sri Lanka will donate a she elephant to Armenia in response to a request by the Armenian Government to consolidate bilateral friendly relations between the two countries.
The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted in this connection, the Government Information Department said.
Director General National Zoological Gardens H. Dissanayake said accordingly a nine-year-old she elephant named 'Asokamala' from the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage will be sent to Armenia shortly.
He said as a reciprocal gesture Armenia has pledged to offer further training to Sri Lankan veterinary surgeons and gift a set of its endemic animals to Sri Lanka.
The Cabinet has approved a memorandum submitted in this connection, the Government Information Department said.
Director General National Zoological Gardens H. Dissanayake said accordingly a nine-year-old she elephant named 'Asokamala' from the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage will be sent to Armenia shortly.
He said as a reciprocal gesture Armenia has pledged to offer further training to Sri Lankan veterinary surgeons and gift a set of its endemic animals to Sri Lanka.
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