Go to again LTTE controlled areas.-Sri lanka Gov. decided

The Government has now decided to allow UN officials to escort food convoys to LTTE-controlled areas.
Two weeks ago The government ordered the UN and other humanitarian agencies out of the Wanni.

Human Rights activist lawyer’s home attacked

The home of leading human rights activist J.C. Weliamuna came under a grenade attack in the early hours of this morning (Sept. 28th).

Two grenades had been hurled at the premises at Kohuwala around 2.00 am, but only one had exploded.

No one has been injured, while there is minor damage to the house and the property.

Mr. Weliamuna, executive director of Transparency International Sri Lanka, has appeared in many HR cases in the Supreme Court and also is an activist against corruption in the state.

Sri Lanka's war entering tragic phase- Canadian MP

Sri Lanka's war entering tragic phase- Canadian MP

Canadian MP and Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae says Sri Lanka's war is entering a tragic new phase as the Sri Lankan government issues an official warning that the government can no longer 'guarantee' the safety of aid workers in the north and east, and encouraging them to leave the area.

"As violence between the government and the LTTE spirals out of control once again, the country's once admired democratic institutions are buckling under the strain. The number of deaths in the fighting is now estimated at 75,000...There is much that the warring parties in Sri Lanka can do to reverse this situation. A complete ceasefire and a return of the government, the LTTE and others to the negotiating table could reverse the escalating violence," Rae said on his website.

France says Sri lanka govt. has obligation to protect civilians

France says Sri lanka govt has obligation to protect civilians

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union, France, welcomed the meeting of the Co-Chairs of the 2003 Tokyo Conference held on 24 September in New York in relation to the current civil war in Sri Lanka.

This meeting, which brought together representatives from the European Union, United States, Japan and Norway, has enabled a broad consensus to be reached on the assessment of the situation on the ground, France said in a statement

LTTE attack TMVP camp

LTTE attack TMVP camp

The LTTE attacked a TMVP camp deep in the Batticaloa jungles this morning killing one TMVP cadre and injuring at least eight others.

Security forces continued advances in the combined Mullaittivu-Kilinochchi battlefront

6 LTTE terrorists killed, LTTE body recovered in Wanni fighting

Security forces continued advances in the combined Mullaittivu-Kilinochchi battlefront Saturday (Sep 27), reportedly killing 6 terrorists and recovering a terrorist body, according to military reports received.

4 terrorists were killed during fighting ensued between troops and LTTE, West of Mankulama, at around 1p.m. Subsequently, troops have recovered a slain LTTE body along with 2 T-56 assault riffles, sources said.

Also, a terrorist was reported killed and another injured in general area West of Akkarayankulama, when troops forced into an LTTE bunker defence.

Meanwhile, an LTTE terrorist was killed sniped in the same area .

Read more:www.defence.lk

Air Strikes at female 'black tiger' training facility- Kilinochchi

Air Strikes at female 'black tiger' training facility- Kilinochchi

Sri Lankan Air Force fighter jets have launched a precision air strike at the LTTE's main, female 'black tiger' training facility located at Rathnapuram, in Kilinochchi, Saturday (Sep 27), at around 12.15p.m.

according to defence.lk."The target was located 1.5km East of the A-9 trunk road and North of the Iranamadu Tank", Air Force Spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.

According to the Air Force Spokesperson, the target was acquired on real-time ground information received.

The site is known to be the main female black tiger training and coordinating facility and a most frequented location by LTTE's intelligence wing chief, Pottu Amman, military sources said.

Read more :

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080927_05

But according to tamilnet.com a civilian was killed and at least two, including a child, were wounded in Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) attack in Iraththinapuram, a suburb of Ki'linochchi town, Saturday around 12:30 p.m.
tamilnet has repoted The ICRC office, which was recently relocated from Ira'naimadu junction, is situated around 150 meters away from the bombed locality. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan defence ministry claimed that the attack was a 'precision air strike' against an LTTE target.








Child wounded in SLAF attack at Ki'linochchi hospital(Pictures:Tamilnet)

Bomb hits India market shoppers

India -Delhi bomb blast, a boy dead 15 injured

A young boy has been killed and 15 people injured after an explosion ripped through a flower market in India's capital New Delhi.

The market, in the Mehrauli area, was packed with shoppers when, according to eyewitnesses, two men drove up in a motorcycle and dropped a package.

Police have described it as a low intensity explosive device.

Witnesses said blood and broken glass littered the streets, and one man said his brother had taken five people to hospital.

Some of the injured were in serious condition while six others had been admitted to hospital in critical condition, the Press Trust of India said.

Two weeks ago, five bombs ripped through busy shopping areas in Delhi, killing at least 20 people. Nearly 50 were killed in Ahmadabad in July.

Police say they have arrested the head of a group claiming the attacks.

Mohammed Arif Sheikh, described as the founder of the Indian Mujahideen (IM), was arrested along with four others, Mumbai (Bombay) police said on Thursday.

BOMB ATTACKS IN INDIA IN 2008

27 September: Bomb blasts kills one in Delhi

13 September: Five bomb blasts kill 18 in Delhi

26 July: At least 22 small bombs kill 49 in Ahmedabad

25 July: Seven bombs go off in Bangalore killing two people

13 May: Seven bomb hit markets and crowded streets in Jaipur killing 63

Central Bank names and shames six fraudulent finance operators

Central Bank names and shames six fraudulent finance operators

The Central Bank has deemed that the following six organizations and individuals are engaged in fraudulent financial operations: Okanda Finance (Private) Ltd, Sakwithi Ranasinghe (House Construction Pvt. Ltd) , Piyadasa Ratnayake, Nadini Finance (Pvt.) Ltd, D.K Udayasiri and Sriyawi Homes and Lands Investments.

According to the Central Bank notice these individuals and institutions are not authorized to conduct finance business by accepting money from the public as deposits or in any other form and the lending of money on interest and/or the investment of money in any manner.

Why did not take action to against these companies

These particular companies had been advertising through print and electronic media (TV and Radio) encourage people to invest the companies for a long period whereas the Central Bank of Sri Lanka did not take stringent action against these fraudulent companies .many people have been invested there hard earned money with these companies up to now. The people question why Central Bank did not take action to against these companies

President mahinda meets Nepali PM Pushpa kamal in New York

President mahinda meets Nepali PM Pushpa kamal in New York

The newly elected Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal met President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (24), in New York on the sidelines of the 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly currently in progress at the UN headquarters. Prime Minister Dahal in his discussion with President Rajapaksa stated that the Government of Nepal is fully committed to working towards achieving the expected goals of the SAARC as arrived at during the recently concluded 15th SAARC Summit in Colombo. While both parties agreed on initiating an air route between Lumbini and Colombo, Sri Lanka also expressed willingness to help train Nepali students at Sri Lankan medical institutions and extending cooperation to the Government of Nepal in upgrading their health sector. Another decision was reached at the discussion to grant Nepali Bhikkus an opportunity to pursue their higher studies in Sri Lankan academic institutes.

India-US in last nuclear push

Indian PM Manmohan Singh is due to meet US President George Bush amid frantic efforts to win US Congressional support for the two countries' nuclear deal.

The controversial accord needs to be rushed through Congress before lawmakers conclude this year's session to campaign for November's elections.

Correspondents say its ratification will be a complicated process.

US officials hope Congress will approve the deal before the two leaders meet later on Thursday in Washington.

Congress goes into recess at the end of this week.

"We will not let the Tamil community be held hostage to terrorism" -- President Mahinda Rajapaksha tells UN

"We will not let the Tamil community be held hostage to terrorism" -- President Mahinda Rajapaksha tells UN

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, addressing the 63th Session of the United Nations in New York today (24), said "the Government would not and cannot let an illegal and armed terrorist group, the LTTE, to hold a fraction of the population, a part of the Tamil community, hostage to such terror in the northern part of Sri Lanka and deny those people their democratic rights of dissent and free elections."

The President, who pointed out that terrorism is a fast spreading phenomenon, observed that the United Nations has a grave responsibility to save today's and succeeding generations, from this new and continuing menace.

63rd UNGA Opening Ceramony

63rd UNGA Opening Ceramony

President Mahinda Rajapaksa attened 63rd UNGA at UN Headquaters on 23rd morning,Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Health Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva,Education Minister Susil Presmajayantha , Foreign Secretary Dr.Palitha Kohona, UNPR Mr.palihakkkara, were also in the picture, SG of UN Mr.Ban ki Moon and US president Adress the opening session
(pix Suadth Silva)

Norway always welcome to assist Wanni civilians through Government channels - Srilanka President

Norway always welcome to assist Wanni civilians through Government channels - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a discussion with the Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim, reiterated that the Government of Sri Lanka welcomes Norwegian assistance to bring relief to the Northern masses.

The President also said that such initiatives can be successfully implemented through the Government channels direct to the needy since a stabilized mechanism has been put in place to assist the Wanni civilians.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 63rd UN General Assembly sessions in New York yesterday (Monday 22). Mr. Solheim was accompanied by Jon Hansen Bauer, Special Envoy associated with the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission.

Discussions on current developments in Sri Lanka included President's approach towards a sustainable peace and the need to eliminate terrorism. It was shown that the Government's current policy mirrored the developments taking place in the East, with the defeat of LTTE terrorism there.

The President brought to notice of the foreign delegates that despite the requests made to the LTTE, the terrorists continue to use civilians as a human shield to prevent Security Forces advancing into enemy-held territory.

The Sri Lankan delegation at the bi-lateral discussion comprised Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and the Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Palitha Kohon

President Rajapaksha arrived in new York to attend UN General assembly

President Rajapaksha arrived in new York to attend UN General assembly


President Mahinda Rajapaksa who arrived in New York to attend the 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) being welcomed by four Sri Lankan children. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama was also present. Picture by Sudath Silva

EU does not have anti Sri Lanka agenda - Ferrero-Waldner

EU does not have anti Sri Lanka agenda - Ferrero-Waldner



The European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, in an open letter has rubbished the assumption that the EU has an anti-Sri Lanka agenda and also said she was dismayed to see several articles in the Sri Lankan press criticizing the European Commission and in particular personal attacks against the Commission’s former Head of Delegation in Colombo, Ambassador Julian Wilson.

President to address UNO

President Mahinda Rajapakse will leave to New York to participate at the 63rd summit of the Heads of State to be held on 23rd of this month.
He is expected to address the summit where more than 100 leaders of state will participate.

Air raids on four tiger strong points at Kilinochchi



Four raids were carried out by Sri Lanka Air Force targeting terrorist gathering points in the Killinochchi District yesterday states Media Centre for National Security (MCNS).
One raid targeted a point 2 km northwest to Akkrayankulam at about 1.00 p.m. yesterday using M.I. 24 helicopters. Another point 3 km north of Akkrayankulam was raided at 12.00 noon using fighter jets.
Jet fighters were also deployed to attack two other tiger gathering points at northwest of Nachchikuda and east of Kokawil.

High Priest of Koneshwran Temple killed

High Priest of Koneshwran Temple killed

The High Priest of the Thirukoneswaram Hindu Temple in Trincomalee, Sivasri Kugarajah Kurukkal was shot down by unidentified gunmen at Vidyalayam Road in the town of Trincomalee yesterday around 6.00 p.m. The 43 year old priest was riding a motorbike when he was shot.

President Rajapaksha to meet Erik Solheim in USA.

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is in New York to participate in the UN General Assembly is to meet Norwegian Foreign minister Erik Solheim says 'Norwegian News' today.

Solheim was the Norwegian Special Envoy for Sri Lanka during the early period of the 2002 ceasefire and the peace process brokered by Norway. He was replaced by John Hanssen-Bauer whose request to visit Kilinochchi to meet the Tamil Tiger was turned down by the Sri Lanka government a few months back.

Former President Dingiri Banda Wijetunga passed away

Former President Dingiri Banda Wijetunga passed away at the age of 92 at the Kandy General Hospital yesterday morning.

He was the third Executive President of Sri Lanka and held the position from May 1, 1993 to November 12, 1994 following the assassination of President Ranasinghe Premadasa.

He was appointed the Prime Minister by President Ranasinghe Premadasa in 1989 surprising many in the government at the time.

D. B. Wijetunga was born on February 15, 1916, in Mangalagama of the Yatinuwara area. He received his primary education at the Weligalla C.M.S. primary school and secondary education at St. Andrew’s College, Gampola.

President leaves for UN General Assembly

President leaves for UN General Assembly


President Mahinda Rajapaksa left for New York yesterday (September 19th) to attend the 63rd General Assembly of the United Nations Organisation, which commenced on September 16th.

President Rajapaksa is to address the UN General Assembly on September 23rd.

Secretary to the President - Lalith Weeratunga and head of the UPFA media unit - Minister Dallas Alahapperuma accompanied the President.

Colombo Int'l Book Fair

Colombo International Book Fair-2008 start today at the BMICH in Colombo (Sept. 20th). Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association is organizing the annual event in its 10th year.

The nine-day event will be open for the public from 9.00 am to 9.30 pm, and from this year, a free of Rs. 10 will be charged per entrant.

The Sri Lanka Book Publishers'Association initiated the first national book fair at National Art Gallery in 1999.

In 2001, the book fair was shifted to BMICH and title changed to Colombo International Book Fair with the participation of Indian and British publishers.


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Vatican Cardinal says Catholics should be grateful to President or liberating Madhu -

Vatican Cardinal says Catholics should be grateful to President or liberating Madhu


-

The entire Catholic community in Sri Lanka should be grateful to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for liberating the historic Madhu Shrine from the terrorists and restoring to the Church, Vatican Cardinal Francis Arinsay said when he called on the President at Temple Trees yesterday(Sep 16).

President Rajapaksa said the adherents of all religions in Sri Lanka always act with mutual understanding and commended the patronage extended by all religious leaders in this connection.

A delegation from the Asia region for the Liturgical Convocation of the
Catholic Church called on President Mahinda Rajapaksaat Temple
Trees yesterday. The Leader of the Delegation His Eminence Francis
Cardinal Arinze, Prefect of the Congregationfor Divine Worship and the
Discipline of the Sacrament, Vatican State, Rev. Mario Zenari,
the Titular Archbishop of Zuglio and the Apostoli Nuncio
in Sri Lanka, Rev. Malcom Ranjith, Secretary of the congregation
for Divine Worship and the Disciple of the Sacrament, Vatican
City State, Ministers Milroy Fernando, Neomal Perera and S
arath Gunarathna were present. Picture by Chandana Perera
tual understanding and commended the patronage extended by all religious leaders in this connection.

"The Security Forces liberated Madhu Shrine to further consolidate the religious freedom and peaceful co-existence among fellow-citizens. The Security Forces were cautious enough to conduct their operations to ensure no damage would be caused either to the Madhu Church or the nearby buildings," the President said.

Although the retreating terrorists inflicted damage to the Church, the Security Forces renovated the buildings and handed back to the Church authorities to conduct the religious observances, he said.

Cardinal Arinsay said only after his arrival in the island he was able to see the actual situation.

"Sri Lanka is blessed with natural beauty," he said.

Vatican representative in Sri Lanka, Archbishop Mario Senari, Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith and Ministers Milroy Fernando, Pandu Bandaranayake, Dayashritha Tissera, Sarath Kumara Gunaratne and Neomal Perera were also present.

LTTE leader Prabakaran suspected hideout air attacked

Prabakaran suspected hideout air attacked



Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets launched successive air strikes at key LTTE locations in Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu including a 'high profile' LTTE hideout located in the Vattakachchi area, today (17) at around 6.35a.m.


The targets were acquired with precision on reliable ground information received Air Force Spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.
The target at Vattakachchi area has been identified as a secret LTTE hideout and was engaged on real-time information received of the presence of a key LTTE figure, defence intelligence sources said. This is a site most frequented by the LTTE chief, and LTTE is expected to remain tight lip on the casualty figures, defence observes state.

Explosion inside bus at Colombo .Horton Place

Explosion inside bus at Horton Place


A bomb had exploded inside a bus at Horton Place. The passengers had been evacuated before the explosion took place. Four people have received minor injuries.

UN completely out of Kilinochchi

UN completely out of K’nochchi



Citing a statement issued by him, BBC Sandeshaya reported the UN has received assurances from the LTTE that UN and humanitarian agency staff remaining in Kilinochchi can leave.

India -New Delhi Blast

New Delhi Blast

New Delhi Blast
A day after five blasts rocked the Capital, the Delhi police today claimed to have gathered “vital clues” on the terrorist attacks which left more than 25 dead and over 100 injured. Official sources put the death toll at 21.

A senior police officer said based on these clues, they were confident of tracking down the perpetrators of the ghastly act.

More:http://online.wsj.com/article
/SB122137427839032987.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/default.stm

More Pictures:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7614412.stm

A Million Flee as Huge Storm Hits Texas Coast

Slide show http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/09/12/us/0912-IKE_3.html

Hurricane Ike lashed the Texas coast Friday night with 110

mile-per-hour winds as it churned toward this city and threatened to devastate Galveston and other towns along the Gulf of Mexico with a wall of seawater 20 feet

high.By late in the day, more than a million Texans had left their homes for safer pl aces inland, but tens of thousands decided to tough it out, and the authorities feared that those people had put their lives at risk. Officials in Galveston, on a vulnerable barrier island, estimated that 40 percent of the city’s 57,000 residents had ignored an order to evacuate.

As many as 100,000 homes could be inundated by the wall of water expected to hit the coast, federal officials warned, and millions of people could be left without electricity.

Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis: 'The Emerging player of the year' at ICC awards

Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis: 'The Emerging player of the year' at ICC awards

Sri Lanka's spin sensation 23-year old Ajantha Mendis was named as the emerging player of the year at an awards ceremony held by International Cricket Council (ICC) in Dubai, on Wednesday.

Speaking to media Mendis said “I am delighted to win the award, it is an honour to play for Sri Lanka and I hope to continue playing for my country for a long time to come.”

At the same ceremony, the Sri Lanka cricket team too won the 'Spirit of Cricket' award. It is the second year in a row that Sri Lanka won this award under Mahela Jayawardena's captaincy.

Other winners of the 2008 ICC Awards:

• Cricketer of the Year: Shivnarine Chanderpaul, West Indies
• Test Player of the Year: Dale Steyn, South Africa
• ODI Player of the Year: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India
• Emerging Player of the Year: Ajantha Mendis, Sri Lanka
• Associate Player of the Year: Ryan ten Doeschate, Netherlands
• Twenty20 International Performance of the Year: Yuvraj Singh, India
• Women's Player of the Year: Charlotte Edwards, England
• Spirit of Cricket: Sri Lanka
• Umpire of the Year: Simon Taufel, Australia

Japan hit by Magnitude 7 quake

Two powerful earthquakes have struck the north-eastern Indonesian Moluccas islands and Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, triggering tsunami alerts.

The first, which had a magnitude of 6.6, occurred at 0902 (0002 GMT) about 120km (75 miles) north of the city of Ternate, the US Geological Survey said.

THe quake is reported to have hit at 9.21 am local time off the eastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island at a depth of about 12 miles. A 4-inch tsunami rippled at the shore about 35 minutes after the quake.

Earlier a warning had been issued for a 20-inch tsunami along the eastern coast of Hokkaido and the northeastern coast of Japan's main island of Honshu. The warning was lifted about an hour later.

"There was some light shaking, but it was nothing major," said Yukio Yoshida, a police spokesman in Hokkaido.

Authorities temporarily advised about 10,600 residents of Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture, about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northwest of Tokyo, to evacuate their homes, and ordered people to stay way from beaches throughout the region.

World economic growth may slow to 1-1.5% in 2009: UNCTAD

World economic growth may slow to 1-1.5% in 2009: UNCTAD

GENEVA, (AFP) -

World economic growth could slow to 1-1.5 percent in 2009, about half of the projected 2.9 percent growth for 2008, the UN trade and development body's chief economist said on Thursday.

In its latest annual report, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) assessed that in mid-2008, the global economy was already “teetering on the brink of recession”, impacted by financial markets turmoil, commodity price hikes and huge exchange-rate swings.

dreaded Rat fever races on--117 deaths up to August

dreaded Rat fever races on--117 deaths up to August

Leptospirosis, widely known as rat fever, is raising its vicious head again with 117 deaths being reported up to August this year while only 34 deaths from the entire country were reported last year, Health Ministry Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Prabha Palihawadana said.

She said some 3,700 Leptospirosis infected patients were reported up to August this year while only 2,600 patients were reported last year it.

Dr. Palihawadana said the Unit would take immediate measures to prevent the spread of this deadly disease, and that the Prophylaxis antibiotic tablets were dispatched to health officers and hospitals in the affected areas.

She said most of the cases had been reported from paddy farming districts but there appears to be a significant number of new cases being reported from Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara in the Western Province, Matale and Kandy in the Central Province, Matara in the Southern Province and Kegalle in the Sabaragamuwa Province. “The danger is that the cause of the disease is not only water contaminated by rat urine but also from water contaminated by the urine of infected cattle, goats, dogs and cats,” Dr.Palihawadana stressed.

Heavy rain in Sri lanka

Heavy rain in Sri lanka
A depression in the lower atmosphere over Sri Lanka is the cause for the heavy rain being experienced in several parts of the country. More rain expected.

Weather Forecast
Department of Meteorology - Sri Lanka

Weather Forecast for 5th September 2008

Issued at 5.30AM on 5th Sep2008

There will be showers at several places in the Western And Central provinces and in the Gall and Matara districts.

Thundershowers will develop at a several places in the Uva,Eastern and North-central provinces during the afternoon or night.
The nearest towns of Sri lanka over,which the sun is overhead today(5th) are Wadduwa, Balangoda and Okanda about 12.09.

Weather Forecast for sea area around the island during the next 24hours (Issued at 5.30am 5th Sep.2008)

There will be showers or thundershow at several places sea areas around the island.Winds will be 20-30Km/h(moderate) and South-westerly direction. The speed may increase up to 40Km/h in the South-eastern and Gulf of Mannar sea areas.
South-eastern and Gulf of Mannar sea areas will be slightly rough and elsewhere sea areas around the island will not be rough.

Civilians should be allowed to move freely to liberated areas" - UN

Civilians should be allowed to move freely to liberated areas" - UN

With the announcement of the Ministry of Defence that a "humanitarian corridor" has been established to assist the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the non-liberated areas in the North to move to liberated safe areas, the United Nation's Resident Representative in Sri Lanka states that such people in need should be allowed to move without any hinderance.

Issuing a public statement, the UN Representative, Neil Buhne said that any displaced person is entitled to freedom of movement according to international principles; they can move where and when they want, in search of safety and assistance.

The LTTE has been continuously accused of using civilians as a human shield in the areas where the security forces are confronting the terrorist. Despite all the factual evidence of LTTE using civilians to prevent military attacks the terrorists have continued to coerce people living in areas under their control to prevent them from fleeing to liberated areas.

Pakistan PM's motorcade attacked

Pakistan PM's motorcade attacked

Shots have been fired at the motorcade of Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, although it is not clear if he was in the convoy at the time.

Interior ministry officials said the car was on its way to collect Mr Gilani from Islamabad's airport.

Earlier, his press secretary told the BBC that unidentified gunman fired on Mr Gilani's car as he was travelling from the airport into the city.

It is not clear who carried out the attack, which is being investigated.

Mr Gilani's government is grappling with a growing threat from Islamist militants.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7595572.stm

LTTE Asian propaganda channel terminated

In response to the continuous requests made by Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Hong Kong based management office of Asia- Sat Telecommunication Company explicating that the Tamil Cultural Programmme is a pro-LTTE channel, the officials of the said company have terminated the transmission of Tamil Cultural Programme TV Channel through their Asia SAT 3S Satellite.

The decision was officially informed to the Sri Lanka embassy in Beijing by the officials of Asia-Sat Telecommunication.

Air Force hits LTTE fighter boats

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets pounded two LTTE fighter boats, defence sources said.

The boats were anchored close to the Alampil Beach near Nayaru Lagoon at the time of the air attack carried out this morning.

According to confirmed reports from the Air Force one boat was completely destroyed while the other suffered heavy damage.

Political parties propose constitutional amendments

Political parties propose constitutional amendments
In a new initiative to expedite the establishment of Independent Commissions and introducing new provisions to the 17th Amendment a group of legislators representing all political parties in the government and the opposition have proposed a set of new amendments to the Constitution.

Import duty concessions for five commodities for migrant workers waived

Import duty concessions for five commodities for migrant workers waived

Concessions for Sri Lankan migrant workers returning on import duty pertaining for purchasing five commodities at the airport have been waived since Sep 1st 2008.

Initially, the tax concessions were waived for seven commodities but later the washing machines and four burner cookers were removed from the list. These items can be purchased with duty concessions further.

Duty concessions have been waived for all kinds of air conditioners, deep freezers, CRV televisions with screens wider than 29 inches and LCD TVs with screens wider than 32 inches under the new custom regulations.

Mallavi Liberated -Troops reaching another victory; t

Troops reaching another victory; three-fourth of Mallavi captured

Reaching to another decisive milestone, troops of the 57 Division, engaged in a noble mission to liberate the Wanni civilians from LTTE clutches have brought control over more than three-fourth of the LTTE's nerve center, Mallavi, about 3.5 km East of Tunukkai by last evening, 1 September.

The Mallavi town, said to be the native place of the terror leader Prabhakaran's wife, Madivadini, has about a 1 km long main street with boutiques and shops on both sides of the town center, Army sources said. A few more adjoining vulnerable areas located in the Mallavi town are yet to be cleared, the sources added.

The area had been a strategically important location of the LTTE terrorists. Mallavi is also the nearest route to enter Kilinochchi for the Security Forces from Wanni.

Mangala for democratic leadership in SLFP

Mangala for democratic leadership in SLFP

“Fifty seven years ago, the SLFP helped catalyse a new change and a shift in Sri Lankan politics. Fifty seven years after, the SLFP needs a change today, to save itself for the future,” says MP Mangala Samaraweera, leader of the SLFP Mahajana Wing issuing a statement on the 57th Anniversary of the SLFP.

While accepting the SLFP did change course in Sri Lankan socio-economic life, when it was launched by the late S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in 1951 and also placed Sri Lanka as an independent nation in foreign policy working as a non-aligned country, Mr. Samaraweera says the SLFP now needs a change in its leadership to take Sri Lanka to the future as a knowledge based, democratic society.