China assures full support to Pakistan

China assures full support to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (APP): China has assured full moral, financial and material support to Pakistan in the wake of situation arose after terrorist attacks in Mumbai (India). China in a message to Pakistan’s top slot said that the country would assist Pakistan in any situation to overcome the problems and challenges being faced by it.
The Chinese leadership is in constant contact with Pakistan to know the nature of assistance the latter requires and ensure its immediate availability.
However, according to officials sources, Pakistan is self-sufficient in defence and it is impossible for any state of the world to harm the country.
They said Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force are well equipped to protect the homeland.

Pakistan president Zardari assures India of full cooperation in investigating Mumbai terror attacks

President Zardari assures India of full cooperation in investigating Mumbai terror attacks

President Asif Ali Zardari has assured India of Pakistan’s full cooperation in investigating the Mumbai Terror attacks. But let the evidence come to light and investigation take its course, he said. Speaking at Karan Thapar’s ‘Devil’s Advocate’ programme, Zardari said there was miscommunication with India over sending ISI Director General to India. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during a telephonic talk with him yesterday, had requested for sending “Director”.
“There was a miscommunication... We had announced that a Director will come from my side.. That is what was requested by the Prime Minister and that is what we agreed,” he said.
“It is too early for the Director Generals to meet at the moment. Let the evidence come to light, let the investigations take its course. Then perhaps there is a position where the Directors General could meet,” Zardari said.

Source: High Commission office in Colombo

Good relations with India in Pakistan’s interest: Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi

Good relations with India in Pakistan’s interest: Foreign Minister Qureshi

Indian government has yet not provided any evidence to Pakistan regarding the Mumbai incident
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Sunday that good relations with India is in the interest of Pakistan. In an interview with CNN, he said “The government feels good neighborly relations with India are in the interest of Pakistan”.
“Pakistan has said the premier intelligence agency will cooperate with India in probing the Mumbai incident as our hands are clean we have nothing to hide and nothing to be a shamed of”, the Minister said
Shah Mahmmood Qureshi said Pakistan itself is the victim of terrorism and both the countries can jointly defeat menace of terrorism.
To a question the Minister said Indian government has yet not provided any evidence to Pakistan regarding the Mumbai incident.
Qureshi said Pakistan would take action against a groups or individuals if Indian government provided proof or evidence against them.

Sri lanka journalists team leaving for Pakistan on a special media tour

A team of Sri Lanka journalists leaving for Pakistan on a special media tour

A team of Sri Lanka journalists comprising seven journalists left for Pakistan yesterday (30thNov.) evening.
This tour has been organized by Pakistan High commission office in Colombo in Sri Lanka.

This media group will visit cultural, historical and tourist places ,media instutets in Pakistan. And they will meet and discuses VIP’s of chamber of Commerce, political field and government officers in Pakistan.
Our special correspondent Mr. Chandana Wijekoon (picture) is accompanying in this tour. The reports submitted by him will be made available for our www.newsonline24.blogspot.com readers.

Today is World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day

Today(1st December) is the World AIDS Day, a day especially set aside for awareness creation on what is arguably the world's deadliest disease.
This is also an occasion to remember the victims of AIDS and to educate the general public on the causes of the disease as well as methods of prevention.

The World AIDS Day also focuses on generating a more understanding and sympathetic society regarding victims. It is estimated that over 33 million people live with HIV/AIDS the world over, with 90% of reported cases being in developing countries. Over 2.1 million children under the age of 15 are said to be living with HIV/AIDS. It is also estimated that at least 4000 Sri Lankans live with AIDS

President mahinda rajapaksa arrived in ROME

Sri Lanka President arrived ROME

President Mahinda Rajapaksha arrived for oneday visit to Rome in Italy on 30th. SriLankan Ambassador Mr.Hemantha Warnakulasooriya welcome President and Madam Shiranthi Rajapakshe at Fumicino Intenational Airport. Foreign Minister Mr.Rohitha Bogollagama, Mrs.Warnakulasooriya also in the pictures

Presidnet meet XVI Pope Benedict

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to meet XVI Pope Benedict at the Vatican today (01) at 9.00 pm Sri Lankan time during the brief visit to Italy.

H.E. The President will leave on a four day official visit to Turkey afterwards.(PIX: Sudth Silva)

USA extended the ban on LTTE

USA extended the ban on LTTE

US extended the ban on LTTE for five more years since it considers it as a terror organization.US first banned LTTE in 1997 and it was extended in 2003 for fivemore years until 2008. US State Department has informed the Colombo US ambassador that the ban will be effect until 2013.India also banned LTTE for two years recently.

TMVP boycotts All Party Conference

TMVP boycotts All Party Conference

Tamil People's Liberation Tigers (TMVP) has decided to boycott future meetings of All Party Conference in protest of the rapid increase of killings in the Eastern province charging that the government is responsible for the situation.

TMVP Secretary E. Kaileswararajah has informed this decision i writing to the Chairman of the All Party Representative Committee Thissa Vitharana.

Previously Karuna Amman participated in the deliberations of the All Party Representative Committee but the TMVP says that his future participations will not be party representation.

Maharashtra Chief minister also resign

Maharashtra Chief Minister also resign

Vilasrao Deshmukh said he was awaiting a Congress party decision. His deputy, RR Patil, has already resigned.

Correspondents say there are calls for more resignations amid questions over whether all the gunmen have been found.

Attackers with guns and bombs targeted multiple locations from Wednesday, killing at least 172 people.

On Monday, Mumbai began to return to normal with markets and schools open and heavy traffic on the streets.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief minister resign

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister resign

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Monday to own up moral responsibility for the Mumbai terror siege that killed at least 183 people.

"Patil tendered his resignation to Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh in the morning owning up moral responsibility for the Mumbai attack," Patil's aide said.

"He has gone by his conscience and decided to step down," the aide said.

Patil, who was also the state Home Minister, had drawn flak for his remark that "small incidents like this do happen in big cities," a reference to the Mumbai terror attack that began on Wednesday and went on till Saturday.

Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil resigns

Indian Home minister Shivraj Patil, under tremendous criticism over a spate of terrorist attacks in the country since last year, has resigned from his post in the wake of the Mumbai terror strikes. Patil has said that he felt obliged to take "moral responsibility" for the brutal attacks in Mumbai, an official government source said.

Finance minister P Chidambaram will take over as the new home minister and the finance ministry will now be under the direct charge of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

National Security Advisor Narayanan also resigns

India’s National Security Advisor, M.K. Narayanan handed in his resignation today following the lead of Minister of Home Affairs Shivraj Patel. Both faced heavy criticism for the handling of the Mumbai terrorist situation as well as previous terror attacks hitting a string of major Indian cities.

Sri lanka Army captured kokavil

Sri lanka Army captured kokavil

After 28 years Army gained full control over this area
Troops of Sri Lanka Army 57 division today (Dec 1) reached long awaited milestone on1 their march into terrorist dens in Wanni with the liberation of the Kokavil town.

According to the battlefield sources, troops launched an offensive early last morning extending their forward boundaries towards east of the A-9 (Jaffna-Kandy) road. Infantrymen of the 57 division first reached the A-9 at a location few kilometers north of the Kokavil town and then turned the thrust southwards destroying all remaining LTTE strongholds down to Mankulam.

This is the first time after 28 years Army gained full control over this area, the sources added.

Floods subside in Jaffna; Security forces lend humanitarian assistance

Floods subside in Jaffna; Security forces lend humanitarian assistance

Heavy floods that affected the Jaffna peninsula last week have started subsiding. Sea transport that was suspended due to the adverse weather conditions is expected to resume today. According to official reports, 118,273 people belonging to 32,026 families have been displaced by floods.

The worst affected DS divisions are Jaffna, Uduvil, Delft, Kopay and Karaveddi.

"To provide immediate relief services Rs 11 million has been allocated. The Ministry is ready to provide further assistance if required" said, Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

The Sri Lanka Army on the instructions of Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, continues to provide assistance to those affected. As the floods are subsiding the Road Development Authority with the assistance of the Army has started repairing the Pannai coastway that connects Kayts Islands with the mainland.

Meanwhile, a boat service is being operated to transport people between the islands and the inland.