President assures Ranil of political solution

The government is working on a political solution parallel to the war offensives against terrorism, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has assured opposition leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe.

(Picture by Chandana Perera)

The assurance came during talks at the Presidential Secretariat today (Oct. 24th) following the President’s invitation to the opposition leader for discussions on several issues.

The topics that had come up included war offensives in north, protests in Tamil Nadu against same and the Central Indian government's stance on the issue.

Speaking to ‘Lanka Dissent’, a senior official of the opposition leader’s office said the President has emphasized that Kilinochchi would be liberated soon.

The President also agreed with Mr. Wickremesinghe on the necessity of a political solution for the ethnic crisis and the need of cooperation with India in terms of mutual understanding.

Taking up the issue of appointments to the Constitutional Council, Mr. Rajapaksa has agreed to call a meeting with the opposition leader as soon as Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickremanayake returns from an overseas visit.

Leader of the House Nimal Siripala De Silva and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena also attended the meeting.

Sourse : (www.lankadissent.com)

Thamilnadu Law students attack Deputy High Commission of Sri lanka -17 arrested

Law students attack Deputy High Commission of Sri lanka -17 arrested

A group of students of the Madras Law College attacked the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission at Teynampet here on Thursday(23rd) damaging property and injuring a staff member THE HINDU paper has reported. . They raised slogans condemning the killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka P.M. Amza told The Hindu that some youths attacked the security post and tried to forcibly enter the premises. They threw stones, one of which hit a staff member. “We have taken up the issue with the Indian authorities,” he said.

Seventeen students were arrested and later let on bail.

The Sri Lankan Tamils don’t depend on Prabakaran –Jayalalithaa

The Sri Lankan Tamils don’t depend on Prabakaran –Jayalalithaa

Currently a few LTTE cadres are reported to be taking treatment at the hospital in Vellore. So far the government has not responded to this, said Jayalalithaa is a statement issued .

AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa on Wednesday condemned the pro-LTTE speeches made by film directors Seeman and Amir and a few politicians and said supporting the outfit, responsible for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, was an anti-national activity.

“The Sri Lankan Tamils don’t depend on LTTE chief Prabakaran. He is a destructive force. He will make use of the ceasefire only to amass weapons and other things. Who is responsible for the killing of leaders like Amirthalingam and Padmanahbha? It is none other than Prabakaran,” she said in a statement.
Alleging that blatant propaganda in support of the LTTE became rampant in Tamil Nadu whenever the DMK was in power, Ms Jayalalithaa said the propagandists had gone to the extent of articulating objectionable and anti-national slogans like “creation of separate Tamil Nadu” and “ready to take up arms for the cause.”

Basil Rajapaksa to leave for India

President's seiner consultant Basil Rajapaksa to leave for India

Basil Rajapaksa is expected to leave for India later today (Oct. 24th) as a special emissary of the Sri Lankan government to brief New Delhi on the prevailing situation in the island.

The senior presidential advisor will remain in the country for two-days, and will meet with Indian external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee on the final day of his stay.

Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama announced Mr. Rajapaksa's Indian tour at a media briefing at Parliamentary Complex yesterday.

The FM has said Colombo has assured New Delhi of all steps for the protection and welfare of displaced in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi.

An assurance has also been given the Sri Lanka Navy will not harass Indian fishermen who stray into the island's territorial waters, said Mr. Bogollagama.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his recent telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, has stressed his government's commitment for a political solution while eliminating terrorism, he added.

Vaiko remanded till Nov. 6

Vaiko remanded till Nov. 6

South Indian politician Vaiko, arrested on charges of sedition, has been remanded till November 06th.

He is lodged in Puzhal Central Prison, reported 'The Hindu.'

Officials of ‘Q’ Branch CID of Tamil Nadu police yesterday (Oct. 23rd) arrested the MDMK party general secretary and its presidium chairman M. Kannappan on same charges.

Vaiko, who was arrested at his Chennai home, was produced in a city court and remanded to judicial custody.

The charges against them are based on their speeches at a party meeting on the Sri Lankan issue.

Vaiko warned that India extending help to protect Sri Lanka’s integrity would jeopardise India’s own unity and integrity.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu opposition AIADMK staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha today demanding arrest of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi over his alleged support to the LTTE.

Pakistan High Commission in Colombo donated 15 latest computers to the Central Cultural Fund, Government of Sri Lanka.

Pakistan High Commission in Colombo donated 15 latest computers to the Central Cultural Fund, Government of Sri Lanka.

The High Commissioner for Pakistan H.E. Shahzad A Chaudhry, as continuation of the same efforts donated 15 latest computers to the Central Cultural Fund, Government of Sri Lanka.

A small ceremony was held in the High Commission for handing over the computers, (on 9 October 2008)which were received by Prof. Sudharshan Seneviratnae, Chairman of the Fund. Highlighting the importance of closer cultural ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner underlined the need to make better use of the wealth of Buddhist Gandhara heritage so beautifully preserved in Pakistan. Prof. Sudharshan, endorsing the importance of the Gandhara heritage in Pakistan, expressed a strong desire on behalf of the Central Cultural Fund to work more closely with the Pakistan High Commission in this particular area.

The High Commissioner also donated six computers and 4 stitching machines to Mrs. Nawazia Farook, President of the Muslim Ladies Study Circle. Also present on this occasion were other office bearers of the Circle, which is doing useful work in vocational training in and around Colombo.

Pakistan High Commission in Colombo, for the last three years, has been consistently assisting various social sector organizations and the Government agencies in projects related to education, health, vocational training and cultural promotion. As part of this effort, the High Commission for Pakistan has so far established or helped to establish over 30 big and small computer centers throughout the Island. Similarly six full fledged stitching centers have been funded by the Government of Pakistan in various parts of Sri Lanka, to benefit needy women.