Sri Lanka commemorates the 5th anniversary of deadly tsunami
ColomboPage News Desk.
Sri Lanka today paid tribute to the thousands of people died from the devastating tsunami that hit the island on the Boxing Day of 2004.
The country observed a two-minute silence from 9:25 to 9:27 a.m. today to remember the more than 40,000 people died in the catastrophic tsunami five years ago which also destroyed over 130,000 houses and rendered nearly a million homeless.
Today is also marked as the National Safety Day. A ceremony was held this morning at the Kurunegala Provincial Council Auditorium under the patronage of Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka to mark the day.
Later in the day the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre will hold a tsunami preparedness drill at 3.00 p.m. in 10 districts.
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message to mark the National Safety Day said the day is recognized to educate and sensitize the public about disasters, disaster mitigation, prevention, and early warning which will help them respond properly and strongly to disasters such as a tsunami.
The 2004 tsunami caused by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake under the Indian Ocean near the west coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra affected 13 districts in Sri Lanka on a bright sunny morning taking the beach goers, tourists, fishermen, and residents near the shore without a warning.
Ministry of Disaster Management says all the victimized families have been provided with homes now, 5 years after the disaster. The government has constructed over 130,000 houses with the financial and material support from foreign countries and many non governmental organizations, the Ministry said.
The government says it has provided all necessary facilities to the tsunami hit families to restart their livelihoods. All disaster hit hotels and schools have been reconstructed and functioning at present, the authorities say.
The Ministry recently installed a multi-million dollar early warning system along the country's beaches. The Disaster Management Center (DMC) of Sri Lanka held its first natural disaster drill in July this year. Sri Lanka also took part in the tsunami exercise organized by the UNESCO in October to test the tsunami warning system.
Read:http://www.colombopage.com/archive_091/Dec1261806738CH.html
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Foriegn news
Father of pakistan's 133rd birth anniversary celebrated
The 133rd birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was celebrated across the country on Friday with the pledge to make the country a true democratic and welfare state.
The day started with special prayers in mosques for prosperity and progress of the country. The main function was held in Karachi where a smartly turned out contingent of cadets from Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul took over the guard duty at the Quaid’s mausoleum.
This was followed by the laying of floral wreaths by representatives of the three armed services. President Asif Ali Zardari visited the mazar, laid a floral wreath and paid homage to the Founder of Pakistan. The President was accompanied by Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan.
Father of pakistan's 133rd birth anniversary celebrated
The 133rd birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was celebrated across the country on Friday with the pledge to make the country a true democratic and welfare state.
The day started with special prayers in mosques for prosperity and progress of the country. The main function was held in Karachi where a smartly turned out contingent of cadets from Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul took over the guard duty at the Quaid’s mausoleum.
This was followed by the laying of floral wreaths by representatives of the three armed services. President Asif Ali Zardari visited the mazar, laid a floral wreath and paid homage to the Founder of Pakistan. The President was accompanied by Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan.
Pakistan Media tour -Part 1
VIST TO PAKISTAN
A group of journalists from Sri Lanka were afforded opportunity to visit Pakistan. The opportunity was provided by the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo.And sponserd the tour by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) . Editor of SRI LANKA TODAY(http://www.newsonline24.blogspot.com/ ) Sumith Mayadunne participated in the visit.
This was a step in strengthening the friendship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This article is the first in a series of articles on the visit to Pakistan.
MEMORIES OF A DISTINGUISHED LEADER (Quaid-i-Azam mausoLeam)
By Sumith Maydunne
Present Pakistan land has a long history which runs for Indu Valley civilization.
But, at that time the land was known as India. The Mohanjodaro and Harappa era which we read in the history had created the above civilization thousand and thousands years ago.
Then, Pakistan was not a separate country. In 1947, when Pakistan was identified and recognized as a separate country, the above said land which had a great civilization was passed to new country Pakistan.
Sindu River i
s the closest natural gift for the Indu Velley civilization. It floats over 1600Kms and joins the Arabian Sea in Karachi in the southern part of Pakistan allowing the expansion of that civilization.
Great and Historic land
Sri Lankan media team got a chance to visit this great and historic land recently and the tour had been organized by the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo and host by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) . The media team was provided opportunity to visit the major important places of the county and study on those places. This is the first of a series of articles written on the tour.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah who was a lawyer by profession is t
he founder activist to have a separate county named Pakistan in the world map. gratefully remember his name.
It was 1858; the British rulers took Indian region under their .
Control.
Supported and led by Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and a group was leading the campaign against British rulers to receive the independence for India.
Birth of Pakistan
Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru represented the India’s Congress Party and Ali Jinnah represented the India’s Muslim League. The Muslim league which asked the same recognition for the Muslims in India later developed the idea to an Interdependence regime for Indian Muslims.
Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru represented the India’s Congress Party and Ali Jinnah represented the India’s Muslim League. The Muslim league which asked the same recognition for the Muslims in India later developed the idea to an Interdependence regime for Indian Muslims.
Later Jinnah requested for a separate land for the muslims of India.
British rulers
had to work on the request and the area where majority of Muslims lived in India was named as Pakistan.The area included present Pakistan and Bangladesh. The date was August 14, 1947. India was given independence a day after Pakistan was given separate administration powers on August 15, 1947.
Distinguished Leader
As we earlier mentioned it was Muhammad Ali Jinnah who is the founder of Pakistan. Without his efforts, there would not be a Pakistan on the world map today.
Pakistani citizens even today after 63 years of independence gratefully remember his name. They consider that founder of the nation should be respected from tradition to tradition.
The fact is proven by the Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s memorial in Karachi where Pakistan’s commercial city. His remains are there and the place has bean named as Quaid -i-Azam Mauso-Leum. People respect it as a national asset and da
ily meritorious activities are conducted under the supervision of relevant appointed officials.
As Pakistan was setup, Ali Jinnah was appointed as the first Governor General of the country. From that date, he had spent all his time to have a meaningful independence for the Pakistan people. But unfortunately, he died with T. B after a year of independence in the country. Ali Jinnah who was born as an Indian on December 25th, 1876, died on September 11, 1948 as a Pakistan citizen. (Picture: Alli Jinnah with Mahathma Ghandi)
He was named the as the Founder of Pakistan and the Father of the Nation. Pakistani citizens treat him as their Great Leader. In their language (Urdu) they say “Quaid-i-Azam” which means the Great leader. Even after 63 years of his demise, Pakistani citizens still treat him.
While Indonesia became the world’s most Muslim populated country, Pakistan is the second largest Muslim populated country.
Highst respect and care
Sri Lankan media team’s tour begins at the memorial erupted for the commemoration of the Pakistan Great Leader Ali Jinnah. The memorial has been set up on a small hill in Karachi in a place where considered as the heart of Karachi town. The place is maintained with highest respect and care.
Karachi is very famous for this memorial as it has been nicely erupted and preserved. Although the Karachi town has also been invaded by the urbanization, this memorial has been maintained adding an extra interesting to the town. Anyway, the memorial is 10 kilometers far from the busy town of Karachi. It is a peaceful area. Being at a high ground it can be viewed from very far. Islamic culture is well displayed in this area.
The memorial which has bean built using white marbles is 75 feet tall. The length is 75 feet. Great leader Ali Jinnah’s remains lie here. The decorations here sometimes are donations from other countries. A
beautiful chandelier /Fascinating lamps inside have been donated by the Chinese government.
The Pakistan citizens who come to visit the place engage in a small pray, keeping their hands on their chests. The memorial is a multistory creation and guests are allowed to come and respect the great leader being in the top floor.
Tri-forces salutation to the memorial takes place all 24 hours. Forces personal have been kept in four sides and salutation teams are changed in every four hours. This special salutation process takes
pace from the date of memorial was erupted there. First four months of the year, salutation is conducted by the Pakistan Army, next four months by the Air force and next four is by the Navy are conducted.
Twenty four hour salutation on Quaid-i-Azam Mausoleam
The significance is whatever the regime in power in Pakistan; all the governments have allowed and facilitated the tradition of Salutation to the memorial of Ali Jinnah. They have taught other world that Political parties have nothing to do when they are to respect a national leader. This message is conveyed to the entire world in this fashion.
This historic
creation has been designed by architect Yayiha Merchan. The construction works have begun in 1966 and the memorial has been completed on June 1971.
The project manager Major S Arther Mir speaking to the Sri Lankan journalists said that the king of Iran; H.E. Shah graced the opening ceremony. He also said that strengthening the relationship of both counties he donated precious tiles from Iran to fix in the walls of the memorial.
(Picture:Left Side-Major Arther Mir speaking to the Media team)
The place is also used to hold several national festivals. Among them, Pakistan National day, Independence Day, Great Leader’s birth anniversary and death anniversary.
Further Pakistan citizens also respect Ali Jinnah’s younger sister as the
Mother of the Nation. Her birth 
and death anniversaries are also held here.
The memorial is situated in an area of 61 acre land. The museum in the memorial has Ali Jinnah’s some used dresses, vehicle and number of equipments used by him.
Ali Jinnah’s memorial is one of the major places which foreigners never forget to visit. Though he died over 63 years ago, still he lives in the hearts of Pakistan people. We felt that the respect which the Pakistan people offered to him will remain in the future too.
VIST TO PAKISTAN
A group of journalists from Sri Lanka were afforded opportunity to visit Pakistan. The opportunity was provided by the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo.And sponserd the tour by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) . Editor of SRI LANKA TODAY(http://www.newsonline24.blogspot.com/ ) Sumith Mayadunne participated in the visit.
This was a step in strengthening the friendship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This article is the first in a series of articles on the visit to Pakistan.
MEMORIES OF A DISTINGUISHED LEADER (Quaid-i-Azam mausoLeam)
By Sumith Maydunne
Present Pakistan land has a long history which runs for Indu Valley civilization.
But, at that time the land was known as India. The Mohanjodaro and Harappa era which we read in the history had created the above civilization thousand and thousands years ago.Then, Pakistan was not a separate country. In 1947, when Pakistan was identified and recognized as a separate country, the above said land which had a great civilization was passed to new country Pakistan.
Sindu River i
s the closest natural gift for the Indu Velley civilization. It floats over 1600Kms and joins the Arabian Sea in Karachi in the southern part of Pakistan allowing the expansion of that civilization.Great and Historic land
Sri Lankan media team got a chance to visit this great and historic land recently and the tour had been organized by the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo and host by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) . The media team was provided opportunity to visit the major important places of the county and study on those places. This is the first of a series of articles written on the tour.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah who was a lawyer by profession is t
he founder activist to have a separate county named Pakistan in the world map. gratefully remember his name.It was 1858; the British rulers took Indian region under their .
Control.
Supported and led by Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and a group was leading the campaign against British rulers to receive the independence for India.
Birth of Pakistan
Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru represented the India’s Congress Party and Ali Jinnah represented the India’s Muslim League. The Muslim league which asked the same recognition for the Muslims in India later developed the idea to an Interdependence regime for Indian Muslims.
Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru represented the India’s Congress Party and Ali Jinnah represented the India’s Muslim League. The Muslim league which asked the same recognition for the Muslims in India later developed the idea to an Interdependence regime for Indian Muslims.
Later Jinnah requested for a separate land for the muslims of India.
British rulers
had to work on the request and the area where majority of Muslims lived in India was named as Pakistan.The area included present Pakistan and Bangladesh. The date was August 14, 1947. India was given independence a day after Pakistan was given separate administration powers on August 15, 1947.Distinguished Leader
As we earlier mentioned it was Muhammad Ali Jinnah who is the founder of Pakistan. Without his efforts, there would not be a Pakistan on the world map today.
Pakistani citizens even today after 63 years of independence gratefully remember his name. They consider that founder of the nation should be respected from tradition to tradition.
The fact is proven by the Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s memorial in Karachi where Pakistan’s commercial city. His remains are there and the place has bean named as Quaid -i-Azam Mauso-Leum. People respect it as a national asset and da
ily meritorious activities are conducted under the supervision of relevant appointed officials.As Pakistan was setup, Ali Jinnah was appointed as the first Governor General of the country. From that date, he had spent all his time to have a meaningful independence for the Pakistan people. But unfortunately, he died with T. B after a year of independence in the country. Ali Jinnah who was born as an Indian on December 25th, 1876, died on September 11, 1948 as a Pakistan citizen. (Picture: Alli Jinnah with Mahathma Ghandi)
He was named the as the Founder of Pakistan and the Father of the Nation. Pakistani citizens treat him as their Great Leader. In their language (Urdu) they say “Quaid-i-Azam” which means the Great leader. Even after 63 years of his demise, Pakistani citizens still treat him.
While Indonesia became the world’s most Muslim populated country, Pakistan is the second largest Muslim populated country.
Highst respect and care
Sri Lankan media team’s tour begins at the memorial erupted for the commemoration of the Pakistan Great Leader Ali Jinnah. The memorial has been set up on a small hill in Karachi in a place where considered as the heart of Karachi town. The place is maintained with highest respect and care.
Karachi is very famous for this memorial as it has been nicely erupted and preserved. Although the Karachi town has also been invaded by the urbanization, this memorial has been maintained adding an extra interesting to the town. Anyway, the memorial is 10 kilometers far from the busy town of Karachi. It is a peaceful area. Being at a high ground it can be viewed from very far. Islamic culture is well displayed in this area.
The memorial which has bean built using white marbles is 75 feet tall. The length is 75 feet. Great leader Ali Jinnah’s remains lie here. The decorations here sometimes are donations from other countries. A
beautiful chandelier /Fascinating lamps inside have been donated by the Chinese government.The Pakistan citizens who come to visit the place engage in a small pray, keeping their hands on their chests. The memorial is a multistory creation and guests are allowed to come and respect the great leader being in the top floor.
Tri-forces salutation to the memorial takes place all 24 hours. Forces personal have been kept in four sides and salutation teams are changed in every four hours. This special salutation process takes
pace from the date of memorial was erupted there. First four months of the year, salutation is conducted by the Pakistan Army, next four months by the Air force and next four is by the Navy are conducted.Twenty four hour salutation on Quaid-i-Azam Mausoleam
The significance is whatever the regime in power in Pakistan; all the governments have allowed and facilitated the tradition of Salutation to the memorial of Ali Jinnah. They have taught other world that Political parties have nothing to do when they are to respect a national leader. This message is conveyed to the entire world in this fashion.
This historic
creation has been designed by architect Yayiha Merchan. The construction works have begun in 1966 and the memorial has been completed on June 1971.The project manager Major S Arther Mir speaking to the Sri Lankan journalists said that the king of Iran; H.E. Shah graced the opening ceremony. He also said that strengthening the relationship of both counties he donated precious tiles from Iran to fix in the walls of the memorial.
(Picture:Left Side-Major Arther Mir speaking to the Media team)
The place is also used to hold several national festivals. Among them, Pakistan National day, Independence Day, Great Leader’s birth anniversary and death anniversary.
Further Pakistan citizens also respect Ali Jinnah’s younger sister as the
Mother of the Nation. Her birth 
and death anniversaries are also held here.The memorial is situated in an area of 61 acre land. The museum in the memorial has Ali Jinnah’s some used dresses, vehicle and number of equipments used by him.
Ali Jinnah’s memorial is one of the major places which foreigners never forget to visit. Though he died over 63 years ago, still he lives in the hearts of Pakistan people. We felt that the respect which the Pakistan people offered to him will remain in the future too.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Birth anniversary on 25th December
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah – Man of great vision in South Asia
We have, undoubtedly, achieved Pakistan and that too without war and practically by moral and intellectual force and with the power of pen which is no less mighty than the sword and so our righteo
us cause has triumphed.” These are the words of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan and Father of the Nation, broadcast from Lahore on 30th October, 1947 after the creation of Pakistan. These words not only sum up the entire history of the Pakistan Movement, but are also an indicator to the personality and finding philosophy of the ‘Great Leader’ without whom this new sovereign state would not have come into being on the 14th August, 1947.
The Quaid-i-Azam or the ‘Great Leader’, as the nation called him to show their reverence and gratitude, transformed politics into statesmanship by bringing into play the elements of sincerity of purpose, truthfulness and indomitable courage in standing by the high principles of moral integrity and a wisdom which is granted only to those whom destiny makes immoral. His mind and heart were clean and therefore he never adopted devious means even in the face of treacherously dicey situations or while dealing with difficult and slippery adversaries wherein persons with lesser faith in their principles and a weaker commitment to their cause would have been tempted to ‘stoop to conquer’, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was not the one who could be tempted, persuaded or pressurized to deviate from his righteous path. He was a selfless leader. His people knew fully well that worldly gains or personal benefits had no place in his scheme of things. After all, he was the man who, in his will, gave over his entire poverty in India to a Bomby school and to a hospital.
On becoming the first Governor General of Pakistan, he made it known to one and all that he wanted to build Pakistan into a modern, forward looking democratic state based on the concept of equality, fraternity and social justice. He unfortunately did not live long to guide the Pakistani nation and to shape the destiny of the newly born state in accordance with his own ideals and dreams. Already tired, exhausted and sick, he, much against the advice of his doctors, was unwilling to take rest or minimize his responsibilities. He knew that his people and country needed his guidance and he was ready to lay down his life in their service. The long and strenuous struggle for the creation of Pakistan had drained out his entire energy and it was only his strong will which was carrying him through.
The author of the book ‘Freedom at Midnight’ says, “ He made on effort, whatsoever , to follow his doctor’s advice . He was not going to let his rendezvous with death cheat him of his other rendezvous with history. With extraordinary courage, with an intense and consuming zeal that sent his life’s candle puttering out in a last harsh burst of flame, Jinnah longed for his life’s goal.” The great leader departed on the 11th September , 1948 after fulfilling his mission of creation of Pakistan.
Born in Karachi merchantile family on 25th December 1876, he received his early education in the city of his birth. Later, he joined the Lincoln’s Inn to become the youngest Indian barrister to be called to the bar. Quickly he rose to a position of great prominence and became an outstanding lawyer. Believing firmly in freedom and independence, he joined the Indian Congress, a political party professing to struggle against the alien rule. Later, getting disillusioned with its unjust policies towards Muslim, he left the Congress, joined Muslim League, in 1916, and became president of the All India Muslim League, a political party dedicated to the independence of India and the welfare of Muslims. Initially, he endeavoured to bring the Congress and Muslim League together to ensure Hindu – Muslim unity and was instrumental in signing of Congress-League Pact in 1916, a joint scheme for post-war reforms. For a long time, he considered a Hindu-Muslim settlement as a precondition for Indian freedom. To achieve this he participated in several unity conferences, formulated the famous “Fourteen Points” in 1929 as minimum Muslim conditions for any constitutional settlement and attended two Round Table Conferences called by the British Government in 1930 and 1931 to devise a new constitution for India.
The decade from 1920 to 1930 was a decade during which Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah saw many ups and downs. Faced with chronic Muslim disunity. Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was despaired and thought of quitting politics. He went into self exile in 1931 in London only to return three years later at the persuasion of Indian Muslims to take command of the reunited Muslim League.
From then onwards there was no going back for him. During the next few years he organized the Muslims of the sub-continent, brought them on one political platform and broadened his mass support base. Gradually Muslims of India became a power to be reckoned with and by 1939 he had become their sole spokesman.
In 1940, he spelled out the concept of Muslim nationhood, asserting that: “We are a nation, with our own distinctive culture and civilization, language and literature, art and architecture, names and nomenclature, sense of value and proportion, legal laws and moral code, customs and calendar, history and traditions, aptitudes and ambitions, in short, we have distinctive outlook on and of life. By all canons of international law we are a nation.” And on that basis he demanded the setting up of an independent Muslim homeland in the predominantly Muslim northwestern and eastern India.
Despite the vehement opposition of the Congress and the antipathy of the British to his demand, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah organized his movement so adroitly that the Pakistan Movement continued together momentum. Within seven years of the demand, Pakistan was established as a sovereign independent state and Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, then 70, became its first Governor General on 14th August, 1947.
His last message to the nation on the 15th August, 1948, on completion of the first year of his Governor Generalship was-----“Nature…has given you Everything. You have got unlimited resources. The foundation of your state have been laid and it is now for you to build as quickly and well as you can. So, go ahead and I wish you God-speed.
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah – Man of great vision in South Asia
We have, undoubtedly, achieved Pakistan and that too without war and practically by moral and intellectual force and with the power of pen which is no less mighty than the sword and so our righteo
us cause has triumphed.” These are the words of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan and Father of the Nation, broadcast from Lahore on 30th October, 1947 after the creation of Pakistan. These words not only sum up the entire history of the Pakistan Movement, but are also an indicator to the personality and finding philosophy of the ‘Great Leader’ without whom this new sovereign state would not have come into being on the 14th August, 1947.The Quaid-i-Azam or the ‘Great Leader’, as the nation called him to show their reverence and gratitude, transformed politics into statesmanship by bringing into play the elements of sincerity of purpose, truthfulness and indomitable courage in standing by the high principles of moral integrity and a wisdom which is granted only to those whom destiny makes immoral. His mind and heart were clean and therefore he never adopted devious means even in the face of treacherously dicey situations or while dealing with difficult and slippery adversaries wherein persons with lesser faith in their principles and a weaker commitment to their cause would have been tempted to ‘stoop to conquer’, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was not the one who could be tempted, persuaded or pressurized to deviate from his righteous path. He was a selfless leader. His people knew fully well that worldly gains or personal benefits had no place in his scheme of things. After all, he was the man who, in his will, gave over his entire poverty in India to a Bomby school and to a hospital.
On becoming the first Governor General of Pakistan, he made it known to one and all that he wanted to build Pakistan into a modern, forward looking democratic state based on the concept of equality, fraternity and social justice. He unfortunately did not live long to guide the Pakistani nation and to shape the destiny of the newly born state in accordance with his own ideals and dreams. Already tired, exhausted and sick, he, much against the advice of his doctors, was unwilling to take rest or minimize his responsibilities. He knew that his people and country needed his guidance and he was ready to lay down his life in their service. The long and strenuous struggle for the creation of Pakistan had drained out his entire energy and it was only his strong will which was carrying him through.
The author of the book ‘Freedom at Midnight’ says, “ He made on effort, whatsoever , to follow his doctor’s advice . He was not going to let his rendezvous with death cheat him of his other rendezvous with history. With extraordinary courage, with an intense and consuming zeal that sent his life’s candle puttering out in a last harsh burst of flame, Jinnah longed for his life’s goal.” The great leader departed on the 11th September , 1948 after fulfilling his mission of creation of Pakistan.
Born in Karachi merchantile family on 25th December 1876, he received his early education in the city of his birth. Later, he joined the Lincoln’s Inn to become the youngest Indian barrister to be called to the bar. Quickly he rose to a position of great prominence and became an outstanding lawyer. Believing firmly in freedom and independence, he joined the Indian Congress, a political party professing to struggle against the alien rule. Later, getting disillusioned with its unjust policies towards Muslim, he left the Congress, joined Muslim League, in 1916, and became president of the All India Muslim League, a political party dedicated to the independence of India and the welfare of Muslims. Initially, he endeavoured to bring the Congress and Muslim League together to ensure Hindu – Muslim unity and was instrumental in signing of Congress-League Pact in 1916, a joint scheme for post-war reforms. For a long time, he considered a Hindu-Muslim settlement as a precondition for Indian freedom. To achieve this he participated in several unity conferences, formulated the famous “Fourteen Points” in 1929 as minimum Muslim conditions for any constitutional settlement and attended two Round Table Conferences called by the British Government in 1930 and 1931 to devise a new constitution for India.
The decade from 1920 to 1930 was a decade during which Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah saw many ups and downs. Faced with chronic Muslim disunity. Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was despaired and thought of quitting politics. He went into self exile in 1931 in London only to return three years later at the persuasion of Indian Muslims to take command of the reunited Muslim League.
From then onwards there was no going back for him. During the next few years he organized the Muslims of the sub-continent, brought them on one political platform and broadened his mass support base. Gradually Muslims of India became a power to be reckoned with and by 1939 he had become their sole spokesman.
In 1940, he spelled out the concept of Muslim nationhood, asserting that: “We are a nation, with our own distinctive culture and civilization, language and literature, art and architecture, names and nomenclature, sense of value and proportion, legal laws and moral code, customs and calendar, history and traditions, aptitudes and ambitions, in short, we have distinctive outlook on and of life. By all canons of international law we are a nation.” And on that basis he demanded the setting up of an independent Muslim homeland in the predominantly Muslim northwestern and eastern India.
Despite the vehement opposition of the Congress and the antipathy of the British to his demand, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah organized his movement so adroitly that the Pakistan Movement continued together momentum. Within seven years of the demand, Pakistan was established as a sovereign independent state and Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, then 70, became its first Governor General on 14th August, 1947.
His last message to the nation on the 15th August, 1948, on completion of the first year of his Governor Generalship was-----“Nature…has given you Everything. You have got unlimited resources. The foundation of your state have been laid and it is now for you to build as quickly and well as you can. So, go ahead and I wish you God-speed.
Colombo stock exchange reach
Colombo stocks reach another Colombo stocks hit another record high 24th Dec. at the Colombo Bourse due to domestic purchases of blue chips by local investors looking for profitable returns.
The All Share Price Index reached an all time high of 3,292.76 at the end of the trading day up by 0.82% from yesterday's close.
The highly volatile Milanka Price Index closed at 3,777.24 up by 0.88% from yesterday's value of 3,744.33
Total turnover ended at 868 million rupees with 15.9 million shares trading, nearly 13 million shares of domestic purchases.
The market has gained over 110% this year with most growth experienced after the decades-long civil war coming to an end in May 2009.
The All Share Price Index reached an all time high of 3,292.76 at the end of the trading day up by 0.82% from yesterday's close.
The highly volatile Milanka Price Index closed at 3,777.24 up by 0.88% from yesterday's value of 3,744.33
Total turnover ended at 868 million rupees with 15.9 million shares trading, nearly 13 million shares of domestic purchases.
The market has gained over 110% this year with most growth experienced after the decades-long civil war coming to an end in May 2009.
Shut up-Elections commissioner
Shut up
Elections
Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake has instructed senior government officials including Ministry Secretaries not to make media statements advantageous or disadvantageous to any of the candidates in the fray, officials said.
The instruction has also been issued by the Commissioner in a gazette notification to the Central Bank Governor, commanders of the three armed forces and the IGP as well. According to the regulations, none of these officials could participate in TV programmes and talk shows as well.
The copies of this circular had been sent to Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and all the Ministry Secretaries.
The decision has been taken amidst allegations that some government officials are making media statements in favour of the ruling coalition.
Earlier, the Commissioner issued guidelines for the media to be followed in the run up to the election while exploring the possibility of appointing a Competent Authority for the State media.
Besides, he has taken measures to bring several teams of foreign election observers from the Commonwealth Union and the UN to ensure a free and fair election. He also made a request from the European Union in this regard. However, the EU has ruled out the possibility of sending election observers due to budgetary and time constraints.
Meanwhile, JVP parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday that the Commissioner had given instructions to the authorities concerned not to reduce the security of Opposition Common Candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka.
Mr. Dissanayake said that the Commissioner had ordered not to reduce the number of vehicles provided for Gen. Fonseka
Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake has instructed senior government officials including Ministry Secretaries not to make media statements advantageous or disadvantageous to any of the candidates in the fray, officials said.The instruction has also been issued by the Commissioner in a gazette notification to the Central Bank Governor, commanders of the three armed forces and the IGP as well. According to the regulations, none of these officials could participate in TV programmes and talk shows as well.
The copies of this circular had been sent to Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and all the Ministry Secretaries.
The decision has been taken amidst allegations that some government officials are making media statements in favour of the ruling coalition.
Earlier, the Commissioner issued guidelines for the media to be followed in the run up to the election while exploring the possibility of appointing a Competent Authority for the State media.
Besides, he has taken measures to bring several teams of foreign election observers from the Commonwealth Union and the UN to ensure a free and fair election. He also made a request from the European Union in this regard. However, the EU has ruled out the possibility of sending election observers due to budgetary and time constraints.
Meanwhile, JVP parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday that the Commissioner had given instructions to the authorities concerned not to reduce the security of Opposition Common Candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka.
Mr. Dissanayake said that the Commissioner had ordered not to reduce the number of vehicles provided for Gen. Fonseka
no political party has taken any action to protect the voting rights of the IDPs in the North-CAFFE
No political party has taken any action to protect the voting rights of the IDPs in the North-Keerthi tennakoon-CAFFE.
Media spokesman for Campaign for Free and Fair elections (CAFFE), Keerthi Tennekoon regretted that no political party has taken any action to protect the voting rights of the IDPs in the North.
Not only the Elections Commissioner and the govt. officials, but the political parties too have a grave responsibility to safeguard the voting rights of the IDPs in Jaffna and the Wanni Districts.
These parties who are representatives of the people should take crucial measures to provide the IDPs with the right to vote. Yet, a majority of the candidates who are contesting the Presidential elections are indifferent to this need.The deadline for the IDPs in the North to register for polling expires 24th December.Until 22nd Dec. only 2600 had handed over their application forms for the voting in Jaffna. In Wanni only 13, 000 have handed over.
Accordingly, lakhs and lakhs of IDPS in the North will be deprived of their franchise for the upcoming Presidential elections.CAFFE insists that the candidates and political parties must take decisive steps to ensure that these IDPs in the North who have after 30 years got the opportunity to vote shall somehow be secured the right of franchise. Signs of lakhs of IDPs losing their franchise: All the 22 Candidates, political parties silentMedia spokesman for Campaign for Free and Fair elections (CAFFE), Keerthi Tennekoon regretted that no political party has taken any action to protect the voting rights of the IDPs in the North.Not only the Elections Commissioner and the govt. officials, but the political parties too have a grave responsibility to safeguard the voting rights of the IDPs in Jaffna and the Wanni Districts.
These parties who are representatives of the people should take crucial measures to provide the IDPs with the right to vote. Yet, a majority of the candidates who are contesting the Presidential elections are indifferent to this need.
The deadline for the IDPs in the North to register for polling expires tomorrow 24th December.Until 22nd Dec. only 2600 had handed over their application forms for the voting in Jaffna. In Wanni only 13, 000 have handed over. Accordingly, lakhs and lakhs of IDPS in the North will be deprived of their franchise for the upcoming Presidential elections.CAFFE insists that the candidates and political parties must take decisive steps to ensure that these IDPs in the North who have after 30 years got the opportunity to vote shall somehow be secured the right of franchise.
Media spokesman for Campaign for Free and Fair elections (CAFFE), Keerthi Tennekoon regretted that no political party has taken any action to protect the voting rights of the IDPs in the North.
Not only the Elections Commissioner and the govt. officials, but the political parties too have a grave responsibility to safeguard the voting rights of the IDPs in Jaffna and the Wanni Districts.
These parties who are representatives of the people should take crucial measures to provide the IDPs with the right to vote. Yet, a majority of the candidates who are contesting the Presidential elections are indifferent to this need.The deadline for the IDPs in the North to register for polling expires 24th December.Until 22nd Dec. only 2600 had handed over their application forms for the voting in Jaffna. In Wanni only 13, 000 have handed over.
Accordingly, lakhs and lakhs of IDPS in the North will be deprived of their franchise for the upcoming Presidential elections.CAFFE insists that the candidates and political parties must take decisive steps to ensure that these IDPs in the North who have after 30 years got the opportunity to vote shall somehow be secured the right of franchise. Signs of lakhs of IDPs losing their franchise: All the 22 Candidates, political parties silentMedia spokesman for Campaign for Free and Fair elections (CAFFE), Keerthi Tennekoon regretted that no political party has taken any action to protect the voting rights of the IDPs in the North.Not only the Elections Commissioner and the govt. officials, but the political parties too have a grave responsibility to safeguard the voting rights of the IDPs in Jaffna and the Wanni Districts.
These parties who are representatives of the people should take crucial measures to provide the IDPs with the right to vote. Yet, a majority of the candidates who are contesting the Presidential elections are indifferent to this need.
The deadline for the IDPs in the North to register for polling expires tomorrow 24th December.Until 22nd Dec. only 2600 had handed over their application forms for the voting in Jaffna. In Wanni only 13, 000 have handed over. Accordingly, lakhs and lakhs of IDPS in the North will be deprived of their franchise for the upcoming Presidential elections.CAFFE insists that the candidates and political parties must take decisive steps to ensure that these IDPs in the North who have after 30 years got the opportunity to vote shall somehow be secured the right of franchise.
India beats Sri Lanka by seven wickets in 4th one day internationalAP News
Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli struck a century each to guide India to a seven-wicket victory Thursday in the fourth one-day international against Sri Lanka.
The victory clinched the series for the hosts who now hold a 3-1 lead in the five-match tournament.
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first, reaching 315-6 but could not hold off India's pursuit of the target. The hosts eventually reached 317-3 in 48.1 overs.
India was forced to fight off an early onslaught when openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar were dismissed with just 23 runs on the board but Gambhir and Kohli rebuilt the innings with a 224-run partnership for the third wicket.
Gambhir finished the match on 150 not out, a knock that included 14 boundaries, and Kohli scored 107 with 11 fours and a six.
It was the highest run chase in a one-day international at Eden Gardens.
Earlier, Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga scored 118 and Kumar Sangakkara 60 as Sri Lanka set the hosts the imposing target of 316 runs in its 50 overs.
Mahela Jayawardene and Thissara Perera also chipped in with 33 and 31, respectively.
The hosts struck early when Ashish Nehra removed opener Tillakaratne Dilshan for nine as he went for a big hit and was caught by Virat Kohli.
Sanath Ja
yasuriya was also dismissed cheaply, for just 15, when he was caught by Tendulkar off Zaheer Khan, before Sangakkara came in to steady the ship.Together with Tharanga, Sri Lanka's captain put on 126 for the third wicket before Sangakkara was stumped by Dinesh Karthik off the bowling of Harbhajan Singh.
Tharanga was finally bowled by Khan in the 43rd over after smashing 14 boundaries and two sixes.
Play was held up for 26 minutes when the floodlights failed with just four balls remaining of
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
HIV/AIDS among Top 10 crises of the year
HIV/AIDS among Top 10 crises of the year
By MICHAEL ASTOR (AP) –
NEW YORK — Dwindling funding for HIV/AIDS threatens to leave an estimated 10 million infected people without
treatment in the developing world, making it one of 2009's Top 10 humanitarian crises, according to Doctors Without Borders.
Other crises that made the list released by the medical humanitarian group Monday were: governments blocking access to lifesaving assistance in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Sudan; a lack of respect for civilian safety and aid efforts in Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia; and inadequate international funds to fight neglected diseases and malnutrition.
The executive director of Doctors Without Borders' U.S. section, Sophie Delaunay, said the group wanted to alert policy makers not to let down their guards in the fight against HIV/AIDS, which continues to be a crisis despite the advent of life-sustaining treatment.
"When there are
concerning signs of a retreat for access to treatment, it's important to state that HIV/AIDS is an emergency," Delaunay said.
Her international humanitarian organization, also known as MSF for its French name, Medecins Sans Frontieres, began issuing its annual list in 1998 after a devastating famine in southern Sudan went largely unnoticed by the U.S. media.
The list, which does not rank the crises by order of importance, seeks to foster greater awareness of crises that may not receive adequate attention in the press.
Since pledging to support universal AIDS treatment coverage by 2010 at the G8 Summit in Scotland in 2005, many countries, including the United States, have announced plans to reduce or limit funding, Delaunay said.
"In some countries doctors are turning patients away, advised to wait until other patients die," she warned. "What's going to happen is that patients are going to show up at the door of our clinics and there is a high possibility of us getting overwhelmed."
In Sri Lanka, battles between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels left tens of thousands of civilians trapped with only limited medical care this spring after aid groups were banned from the conflict zone.
In Somalia, where 42 relief workers have been killed since 2008, the ongoing civil war forced 200,000 people to flee the capital, Mogadishu, in the first months of 2009.
In Yemen, shelling during fierce fighting between government forces and rebels forced MSF to close the only hospital serving an entire district.
And in the Democratic Republic of Congo, civilians gathered with their children at an MSF vaccination site in the Kivu province were attacked by government forces — a move the group says severely undermined the trust necessary to carry out independent medical humanitarian work.
In Pak
istan's Swat valley, MSF was forced to suspend operations due to violence that saw its hospitals struck by mortar fire and two of the group's workers killed.
The group also flagged the international community's continued neglect of diseases such as Chagas, leishmaniasis, sleeping sickness and the Buruli ulcer that mostly affect the poor in developing nations.
Malnutrition, which causes the deaths of between 3.5 million to 5 million children a year, also was called a crisis. The group said that while the international community spends $350 million each year to fight malnutrition, an estimated $11.5 billion was needed.
"Our teams on the ground are witnessing the very tangible human consequences of these crises directly, either in war zones or in the AIDS and nutrition clinics in which they work," MSF International Council President Dr. Christophe Fournier said in a statement. "We're therefore compelled and obligated to speak out."
MSF provides emergency medical assistance to populations in danger in 70 countries.
By MICHAEL ASTOR (AP) –
NEW YORK — Dwindling funding for HIV/AIDS threatens to leave an estimated 10 million infected people without
treatment in the developing world, making it one of 2009's Top 10 humanitarian crises, according to Doctors Without Borders.Other crises that made the list released by the medical humanitarian group Monday were: governments blocking access to lifesaving assistance in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Sudan; a lack of respect for civilian safety and aid efforts in Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia; and inadequate international funds to fight neglected diseases and malnutrition.
The executive director of Doctors Without Borders' U.S. section, Sophie Delaunay, said the group wanted to alert policy makers not to let down their guards in the fight against HIV/AIDS, which continues to be a crisis despite the advent of life-sustaining treatment.
"When there are
concerning signs of a retreat for access to treatment, it's important to state that HIV/AIDS is an emergency," Delaunay said.Her international humanitarian organization, also known as MSF for its French name, Medecins Sans Frontieres, began issuing its annual list in 1998 after a devastating famine in southern Sudan went largely unnoticed by the U.S. media.
The list, which does not rank the crises by order of importance, seeks to foster greater awareness of crises that may not receive adequate attention in the press.
Since pledging to support universal AIDS treatment coverage by 2010 at the G8 Summit in Scotland in 2005, many countries, including the United States, have announced plans to reduce or limit funding, Delaunay said.
"In some countries doctors are turning patients away, advised to wait until other patients die," she warned. "What's going to happen is that patients are going to show up at the door of our clinics and there is a high possibility of us getting overwhelmed."
In Sri Lanka, battles between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels left tens of thousands of civilians trapped with only limited medical care this spring after aid groups were banned from the conflict zone.
In Somalia, where 42 relief workers have been killed since 2008, the ongoing civil war forced 200,000 people to flee the capital, Mogadishu, in the first months of 2009.
In Yemen, shelling during fierce fighting between government forces and rebels forced MSF to close the only hospital serving an entire district.
And in the Democratic Republic of Congo, civilians gathered with their children at an MSF vaccination site in the Kivu province were attacked by government forces — a move the group says severely undermined the trust necessary to carry out independent medical humanitarian work.
In Pak
istan's Swat valley, MSF was forced to suspend operations due to violence that saw its hospitals struck by mortar fire and two of the group's workers killed.The group also flagged the international community's continued neglect of diseases such as Chagas, leishmaniasis, sleeping sickness and the Buruli ulcer that mostly affect the poor in developing nations.
Malnutrition, which causes the deaths of between 3.5 million to 5 million children a year, also was called a crisis. The group said that while the international community spends $350 million each year to fight malnutrition, an estimated $11.5 billion was needed.
"Our teams on the ground are witnessing the very tangible human consequences of these crises directly, either in war zones or in the AIDS and nutrition clinics in which they work," MSF International Council President Dr. Christophe Fournier said in a statement. "We're therefore compelled and obligated to speak out."
MSF provides emergency medical assistance to populations in danger in 70 countries.
Sri Lanka seizes Tiger rebel ship: navy
Sri Lanka seizes Tiger rebel ship: navy
(AFP) –
COLOMBO — Sri Lanka's military said Monday it had seized a cargo ship suspected of being an arms smuggling vessel used by the defeated Tamil Tiger rebels at an undisclosed foreign port.
Navy spokesman Captain Athula Senarath said the 90-metre (300-feet) long Princess Christina had been captured at a foreign port but refused to reveal the location or identify the country.
"We can't say from where we seized the ship, but we deployed our own crew and brought it to Sri Lankan territorial waters," he said.
Read More:http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gA_Syl5VfjdoQE2LdxDKNSxYi6RA
(AFP) –
COLOMBO — Sri Lanka's military said Monday it had seized a cargo ship suspected of being an arms smuggling vessel used by the defeated Tamil Tiger rebels at an undisclosed foreign port.
Navy spokesman Captain Athula Senarath said the 90-metre (300-feet) long Princess Christina had been captured at a foreign port but refused to reveal the location or identify the country.
"We can't say from where we seized the ship, but we deployed our own crew and brought it to Sri Lankan territorial waters," he said.
Read More:http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gA_Syl5VfjdoQE2LdxDKNSxYi6RA
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