China calls on India, Pakistan to solve concerned issues through dialogue

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China calls on India, Pakistan to solve concerned issues through dialogue

China on Tuesday expressed the hope that India and Pakistan would resolve bilateral concerned issues through dialogue and consultations.

"We hope to see the improvement of Indian-Pakistani relations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press conference in responding to questions on the south Asia situation.

He said the improvement and development of the relationship between India and Pakistan, both as important nations in south Asia, would help regional peace and stability.

China would, as always, support efforts by both countries to improve bilateral relations and safeguard regional peace, Qin said.

As to last month's Mumbai terror attacks, which killed more than 170 people, Qin said China had strongly denounced the attacks.

"We agree that the international community should cooperate to fight terrorism," Qin said. He said that the identity of the mastermind of the Mumbai attacks awaited further investigation by concerned countries.

He called on India and Pakistan to work together through peaceful consultations to investigate the cause of the attacks and combat terrorism.

"We hope the region will maintain its peace and stability," Qinsaid.

Free innocent Tamils or face ban - President to LTTE

Free innocent Tamils or face ban - President to LTTE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today(Dec 22) called on the LTTE that to release all innocent Tamils it is holding hostage, in bondage and using them as human shields, with the dawn of 2009, and allow them to come to the safe areas provided for them by the Government and the Security Forces.

Failure to do this would lead the Government to proscribing the LTTE with all its consequences for the terrorist organization and will ensure that 2009 is the true Year of Heroism for the troops and also see the wiping out of LTTE terrorism from the pages of history.

He said the only enemy faced by the people is the terrorism of LTTE, and that he will not agree to any ceasefire that will strengthen the LTTE in any form.

President Rajapaksa was addressing religious dignitaries, ministers, senior administrators and leading members of the private sector to thank them for the cooperation extended to the government in this year and to inform them of the progress of the military operations against the terrorism of the LTTE and state of the economy of the country. The meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo.

There is only one enemy in the country, and that is terrorism. The Sinhala people are not the enemies of the Tamils, as the Tamils are not the enemy of the Sinhalese. Separatism and terror is the enemy of all, be they Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims or Buddhists; Hindus, Christians and followers of Islam. All people should come together in unity to fight the savagery of terrorism.

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Security forces rescue 26 Tamil civilians - Pooneryn

Security forces rescue 26 Tamil civilians - Pooneryn
Security forces personnel have rescued a group of Tamil civilians comprising twenty-six including two infants and two children while crossing Kilaly lagoon to arrive at security forces controlled area seeking safety for their lives last Sunday, 21 December.

According to the defence.lk correspondent in Task Force 1, the civilians of Elephant Pass were able to escape LTTE's grip on board a boat flying white flag for their safety. The boat, heading towards Pooneryn carrying 26 civilians, was out of order while crossing Kilaly lagoon putting the lives of innocent Tamil civilians on jeopardy.

Troops of Task Force 1 has immediately reacted once observed a boat flying white flag floating in Kilaly lagoon area and make safe the lives of Tamil civilians who were able to escape LTTE's trapping as a human shield.

capturing a terror strongpoint, 'Sinna-Paranthan'

capturing a terror strongpoint, 'Sinna-Paranthan'

Troops of the Task Force -1 now engaged in counter terrorist offensives West of Paranthan, consolidated 300m further southwards along the LTTE built earth bund cum ditch, reportedly capturing a terror strongpoint, 'Sinna-Paranthan' this morning(Dec 23).

According to Army media, troops faced stiff resistance from LTTE in the battle for Sinna-Paranthan, which is located along the A-35 main road, 6km West of Paranthan Township. Farmers inhabited the village before terrorists dominated the area, the sources said adding that LTTE bunkers and trenches were now seen built in perimeters of the government buildings including a school and the Divisional Secretariat.

End detentions and aid restrictions - HRW

End detentions and aid restrictions - HRW

The Sri Lankan government should stop arbitrarily detaining civilians fleeing fighting in the northern Vanni region and urgently allow humanitarian agencies to return to provide desperately needed aid, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today.

“Hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped in a war zone with limited aid because the government ordered the UN and other aid workers out,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “To add insult to injury, people who manage to flee the fighting end up being held indefinitely in army-run prison camps.

(Sourse:Daily Mirror)

Sri Lanka Cricket dissolved - Minister

Sri Lanka Cricket dissolved - Minister
Sri Lanka Cricket was dissolved by the Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge with immediate effect. He said that the Ministry Secretary will oversee the affairs of the SLC until the new administration is appointed.

Queen of the Sinhala cinema

Queen of the Sinhala cinema
Queen of the Sinhala cinema and recipient of the Golden Peacock Award at the 99th International Film Festival of India, Malini Fonseka was among artistes felicitated yesterday at a reception hosted by Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka at the Prime Minister’s office. Here the Premier expresses delight holding the glittering award shown to him by the screen legend. Picture by Ranjith Jayaweera