The Moscow Film Festival has turned down a request to cancel the screening of a documentary
on female suicide bombers of Sri Lanka.
The movie ‘My Daughter the Terrorist’ by Norwegian director Beate Arnestad’s was to be screened last evening. Sri Lankan embassy representatives have alleged that the movie glorified suicide attacks.
21 watchdogs representing Europe, Asia, Africa and many other countries including Venezuela, Paraguay, Somalia, Ukraine and Moldova have signed the letter UNSG, Ban Ki Moon
The Feast of St.Anthony’s Kochchikade, Colombo will be celebrated today. The statue of St. Anthony is scheduled to be taken in procession at 6.00 p.m. after the celebration of Holy Masses in all three languages. The first Mass, in Tamil is scheduled for 8.00 a.m. the second in Sinhala at 10.00 a.m. and the third in English at 12 noon. This picture of the illuminated Church was taken Wednesday night (.pix by Joseph Ranmuthgugala from island)
inda Rajapaksa is attending a Commonwealth leaders meeting in London.
No support to the government hereafter, says JVP
JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath said that the JVP would not support the government in future and it supported the government in the past to defeat the Vanni Tigers and not to suppress media and democracy.
Addressing a press conference held in Colombo Library and
All Govt. schools closed for two days |
All government schools will be closed tomorrow and day after owing to the threatened teacher trade union action, the Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said moments ago. |
JVP to go to courts against dissolve two provincial councilsThe JVP is to go to the Supreme Court against the government’s decision to dissolve the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial councils and against the negligence of police regarding the Arrachchikattuwa attack on participants of two protests organized by the party.
JVP MP Vijitha Herath today charged the government for directly and knowingly supporting the LTTE by arousing continuous racism and racial riots and also holding unwanted elections.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa met Deputy Malaysian Prime Minister and Defence Minister Dato Najib Tun Razak on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Summit for the Re-structure and Reformation of International and UN institutions, in London yesterday.
The talks between President Rajapaksa and the Deputy Premier had been cordial and centred on bilateral relations between the two countries.
President Rajapaksa was also expected to meet British Opposition Leader David Camron later yesterday.
President Rajapaksa arrived at the official residence of the British Prime Minister accompanied by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.
The meeting of the Commonwealth heads of States on “Reform on International Institutions” was held at the Cabinet room at 10 Downing Street.
| Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh |
| Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh (1-0) in a South Asian Football Federation Championship first round match at Sugathadasa Stadium . |
| Troops surround LTTE's strategic 'One Four Base' | | |
| The security forces have gained control of five LTTE strong points surrounding the LTTE's strategic 'One Four Base', defence sources from the Wanni front confirmed. It is reported that at least 17 terrorists were killed and more than 35 wounded during clashes that erupted on Sunday (08) as Army infantry and armour battalions forced into LTTE bunker positions located north of Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa at Welioya during a multi-pronged offensive launched in the morning. Meanwhile 7 soldiers are reported to have laid their lives during the confrontation while 19 others were reported wounded, Military Spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. One soldier is also reported missing, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said. |
Sri Lanka beat Bhutan in football |
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Sri Lanka beat Bhutan 2-0 in a South Asian Football Federation championship first round match at Sugathadasa stadium today evening. The scorers were Chathura Gunaratne and skipper Chathura Maduranga. |
| UK and France condemn bus blast |
| While condemning the bus blast in Colombo, British Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown said a sustainable solution to Sri Lanka's conflict can only emerge through a just political process involving all communities and stressed that this cannot come from violence. In a statement Lord Brown expressed the necessity to “end the senseless loss of lives caused by such acts of violence and for all parties to the conflict in Sri Lanka to take responsibility for the protection and safety of the civilian population.”“My thoughts and condolences are with the victims and their families. There is no justification for practices which target civilians or puts them in danger,” he added.Meanwhile, France in a statement also said that it was appalled to learn of the attack on a bus in Colombo. A Foreign ministry Spokesperson for France said, “We offer our condolences to the victims’ families. France strongly condemns this heinous attack and assures the Sri Lankan authorities of its solidarity.” |
Air Force attacks LTTE leaders' meeting place - Puthukkudiyiruppu Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets bombed an LTTE leaders' gathering place located in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area around 1.20 this afternoon (June 7). Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara speaking to defence.lk said that the targeted location was an identified command centre of the LTTE located 3km North East of the Puthukkudiyiruppu .
He further said that the Air Force had received reliable information that a meeting of LTTE leaders was taking place at the command centre at the time of the attack. The exact damage caused to the enemy is yet to be ascertained, he added.
Statement by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the bomb explosion carried out by the LTTE at Katubedda in Moratuwa, today (June 06, 08).
Today's explosion at Katubedda once again shows the LTTE's brutality and lack of respect for human life.
I extend my sympathies to the families of those killed, and offer the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem and all deities for the speedy recovery of all injured.
While unreservedly condemning this repeated act of outrageous brutality by the LTTE, in its cowardly strategy of targeting innocent civilians, I note that this is further proof of the LTTE's frenzy at its major military setbacks in the North, and the loss its hold in the Eastern Province.
In the past weeks alert members of the public have shown commendable courage and responsibility in spotting bombs in vehicles and public places, helping to seize hidden explosives, and arrest persons believed to be associated with the LTTE's programme of terror.
The continued targeting of innocent civilians by the LTTE must earn the outrage and opprobrium of all civilized societies, who can now see the reality of the LTTE's unvarying commitment to violence and terror to achieve its narrow objectives.
This once again brings into focus the continuing battle Sri Lanka faces with the forces of terror in our efforts to safeguard democracy and civilized life.
This brutality also shows the efforts of the LTTE to provoke a backlash against the Tamil people, from which it hopes to gain, although the Tamil people themselves are held in thrall by the terror of its so-called liberator.
I call on the people to remain calm and not give in to deliberate provocations aimed at fanning communal hatred and violence, remain vigilant against the forces of terror, and continue to assist the Police and Security Forces in the task of eradicating terrorism from our country.
Policy Research & Information Presidential Secretariat Colombo
PAST MEMORIES of the ancient grandeur were recalled with respect, as beats of Ranabera (drums) rent the air when the Nation stood in silence at the dawn of Saturday (7th June), the much-revered "War Heroes Day". The national event was exclusively meant to pay tribute to brave soldiers of the tri-services (Army, Navy & Air Force) and the Police who continue to defend their motherland at the expense of their own lives.
The D-Day is also dedicated to the memory of thousands of War Heroes who have laid their lives while in action or gone missing. This year's main ceremony was to get underway at the Sri Jayawardenapura Parliament Ground this evening (7) where a special permanent War Hero monument, erected on behalf of them, was to be unveiled by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. for more details http//:www.defence.lk
| Respect civilian life – AI tells LTTE |
The London based human rights group Amnesty International (AI) is calling on the LTTE and other armed groups to comply with the rules of international law and to respect civilian life. An Amnesty International statement said: "At least 23 people have been killed and many others injured in two bomb attacks in Sri Lanka. According to press reports, one bomb exploded on a busy commuter bus at Katubedda, near Colombo, on 6 June, killing 21 civilians, injuring at least 60 others. The second attack targeted a bus in the central The authorities blamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the attacks. While no group has publicly admitted responsibility for the attacks, they bear the hallmarks of LTTE attacks. Amnesty International has repeatedly condemned abuses by the LTTE, including killings of civilians, hostage-taking, torture and other abuses, and has called for an end to such abuses and for those responsible to be brought to justice in conformity with international law.
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| Suspect arrested in connection with the Blast in Polgolla | | |
| A suspect believed to have been connected with the bomb explosion that occured in Polgolla a short while ago has already been taken into custody, police sources said. A search is now under way in the area. | |
The LTTE terrorists have carried out a cowardly bomb attack inside a public transport bus around 3.50 p.m in Pollgolla, Kandy today, June 6.
The bus, bearing number cp HG 7503, was plying from Waththegama to Kandy, and the explosion occurred near the Teachers' Training School in Polgolla, sources said. More than 20 civilians were onboard when the bomb exploded.
According to the available information 2 civilians were killed while another 20 more suffered injuries due to the explosion. Kandy hospital sources said 6 victims suffered injuries have already been admitted to the hospital following the explosion.
Meanwhile, a suspect believed to be have connection to the bomb explosion has already been taken into custody, police sources said. A search is now underway in the area.
Earlier, in rush hours this morning, LTTE terrorists exploded a claymore mine targeting a another public transport bus killing 20 civilians and injuring more than 60 others.
A bomb has been exploded in a bus near the teachers training school at Polgollain Kandy short while ago, The bus from Matale to kandy.Six persons injured and hospitalized
Today morning a a bomb blasted in a bus at Katubedda . 21 died and 64 injured in that case.
More information will follow.
| Two Moratuwa Uni students arrested |
| Two Moratuwa University students were arrested by the Army moments ago in connection with the Katubedda blast. |
| Passenger Bus blast in Moratuwa |
| There has been a bomb blast on board a passenger bus in Moratuwa a short while ago. The blast has occured near the Katubade campus. |
War veteran and civil engineer Keith Best OBE, of Chessingham Gardens, off Tadcaster Road in York, designed and built the centrepiece of the 1957 film, which scooped seven Oscars, including Best Picture.
While the bridge was constructed by prisoners of war in two months, the actual one built in Sri Lanka by Mr Best for the filming took eight months, with the use of 500 workers and 35 elephants.
It was demolished in a matter of seconds, and the total cost was £85,000 pounds, equivalent to more than £1.2 million in today's money.
Mr Best died on Sunday after losing his battle against cancer.
Born in 1923 in Sheffield, Mr Best was in the parachute regiment during the Second World War and was dropped behind enemy lines in France before D Day.
He was captured by the Germans and put in a prisoner of war camp for a year until it was liberated.
After the war he finished university and trained as a civil engineer before starting work with a company called Husband's in Sheffield and went to work for them building bridges in Sri Lanka.
It was while out in Sri Lanka that he was asked to work on the iconic bridge, which was 425ft long and 50ft above the water.
The film, which was directed by David Lean and stars Alec Guinness and Jack Hawkins, uses the construction of the Burma-Siam Railway in 1942-43 for its historical setting.
The movie deals with the situation facing British prisoners of war who are ordered by their Japanese captors to build a bridge to accommodate the railway.
The blockbuster shows the British soldiers' instinct is to sabotage the bridge but they are persuaded that the bridge should be constructed as a symbol of British morale, spirit and dignity in adverse circumstances.
Mr Best's son, Clive, remembers how his dad argued with Hollywood producer Sam Spiegel to let him build the bridge in the first place. He said: "Sam Spiegel wanted to build a model to save money, but they managed to convince him to build a life-size bridge.
"They based it on the Fourth Bridge, but had to build it out of wood from the surrounding jungle and then when it was built my dad had to push the button to blow it up.
"They got just one shot at it and the first time the train went across they didn't blow it up because of a mix-up with the cameras.
"The train was derailed at the other end and they had to take months out to get it back on track."
Mr Best went on to work for a firm of civil engineers in Durham and in 1983 he was awarded the OBE for building bridges.
He retired to York in 1991 and wrote his memoirs, Best Endeavours in 1992. In his spare time he loved sailing and sailed Dragon Keelboats.
Mr Best married his wife, Maire, in 1947, who died in 2000. The couple are survived by their three children, Sally, Jonathan and Clive and three grandchildren - David, Louise and Naomi.
Pictures by --Daily mirror and lankadeepaBomb explosion between Dehiwala and Wellawatta rail track
18 civilians injured
A bomb exploded in a the rail track between Wellawatta and Dehiwala railway stations this morning(04). It is believed that the bomb had been triggered off targeting the Colombo bound highly crowed passenger train.
According to the available information, explosion occurred around 7.10 a.m.
The director of the Kalubowila teaching hospital said that 18 civilians, 15 males and 3 females, who suffered minor injuries have already been admitted to the hospital following the explosion.
The railway track had been slightly damaged due to the blast, Police Spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said.police have arrested one suspect in connection with the Dehiwala bomb blast. They are yet to ascertain whether he carried out the blast.
