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:
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.
GENEV
A, (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.
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
Civilians should be allowed to move freely to liberated areas" - UN
Pakistan PM's motorcade attackedShots 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
Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets pounded two LTTE fighter boats, defence sources said.
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.
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.
ARMY TROOPS ENTERED MALLAVI AREA IN MULATIV
The death toll in an earthquake in south-west 
The 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck at 1630 local time (0730 GMT) on Saturday, close to Panzhihua town in 
ams carrying stents, quilts and rice to the area were being hampered by heavy rain.
Xinhua reported that more than 250,000 houses had been damaged or destroyed by the latest quake and some people had been trapped in the ruins.
More than 150,000 people had fled their homes, and state broadcaster CCTV showed evacuees
including children and elderly people lying on plastic sheets in a school field in Panzhihua.
"Locals in
the county rushed out into the open. Cracks appeared on house walls and many windows were broken," said one local official.
Aftershocks continued in the day following the earthquake, with one later on Sunday measuring 5.6 magnitude,
Communications were reported to be disrupted, making it difficult for authorities to accurately assess the extent of the damage.
Major reconstruction efforts have been under way in
The epicenter was at the juncture of Renhe District in Panzhihua and
Another LTTE stronghold captured
Nepalis' messages to Prachanda Nepal's new government, led by former Maoist rebel leader Prachanda, has been in office for one week now. Despite the end of the civil war, the country is still faced with huge social and economic problems.
Here, people in Nepal compile their messages to Prachanda setting out their priorities for the nation.
Read civilians messages
Justice and Peace Commission writs to UN Secretary General Its president Fr. James Pathinathan handed over the memorandum to the Resident Representative of the UNHCR in Wanni on August 26th.
The appeal notes that epidemics were threatening the people in the absence of sufficient medical facilities.
The JPC staged a protest march, joined by hundreds of people, including religious heads that began from Kilinochchi St. Theresa’s Church.
Hand grenade explosion in Batticaloa prison-7 prisons injured.
angala calls for a joint opposition alliance
Secretary of CaFFE Senaka Wattegedara has informed the Free Media Movement that in addition to Mr. Tennakoon's transfer from the Faculty of Social Sciences, he is to face a disciplinary inquiry.
Five Media, including the FMM, said in a statement that this constituted an infringement of fundamental and freedom of expression rights.
Mr. Tennekoon acted as CaFFE spokesman during the recent polls for the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces.
Quoting from the establishment code of universities, the statement said campus staff has the right to express their political viewpoints.
Five Media said it considered the action as politically motivated, and urged university authorities to halt exacting revenge from Mr. Tennekoon.
Vaas claims victim number 400
Chaminda Vaas moments ago became only the fourth person in ODI history to pass the 400 wicket mark during the 4th ODI against India in Colombo. Yuvraj Sign became his 400th scalp edging one to short midwicket. Murali is second highest ODI wicket taker with 314 wickets to his name.
One-Day Internationals
Most wickets in career
| Player | Span | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Ave | Econ | SR | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasim Akram (Pak) | 1984-2003 | 356 | 18186 | 11812 | 502 | 5/15 | 23.52 | 3.89 | 36.2 | 17 | 6 |
| M Muralitharan (Asia/ICC/SL) | 1993-2008 | 314* | 16988 | 10974 | 478 | 7/30 | 22.95 | 3.87 | 35.5 | 13 | 9 |
| Waqar Younis (Pak) | 1989-2003 | 262 | 12698 | 9919 | 416 | 7/36 | 23.84 | 4.68 | 30.5 | 14 | 13 |
| WPUJC Vaas (Asia/SL) | 1994-2008 | 322* | 15763 | 11003 | 400 | 8/19 | 27.50 | 4.18 | 39.4 | 9 | 4 |
| SM Pollock (Afr/ICC/SA) | 1996-2008 | 303 | 15712 | 9631 | 393 | 6/35 | 24.50 | 3.67 | 39.9 | 12 | 5 |
| GD McGrath (Aus/ICC) | 1993-2007 | 250 | 12970 | 8391 | 381 | 7/15 | 22.02 | 3.88 | 34.0 | 9 | 7 |
| A Kumble (Asia/India) | 1990-2007 | 271 | 14496 | 10412 | 337 | 6/12 | 30.89 | 4.30 | 43.0 | 8 | 2 |
| J Srinath (India) | 1991-2003 | 229 | 11935 | 8847 | 315 | 5/23 | 28.08 | 4.44 | 37.8 | 7 | 3 |
| ST Jayasuriya (Asia/SL) | 1989-2008 | 420* | 14256 | 11305 | 310 | 6/29 | 36.46 | 4.75 | 45.9 | 8 | 4 |
| B Lee (Aus) | 2000-2008 | 173 | 8853 | 6955 | 303 | 5/22 | 22.95 | 4.71 | 29.2 | 11 | 8 |
I will retire soon - Susanthika
No hurry for snap poll-President
LTTE terrorists launch abortive air raid at Trincomalee navy campAccording to Navy sources , the navy base was alarmed on an approaching terror aircraft by Sri Lanka Air Force around 9 PM. After few minutes, naval troops detected the aircraft and engaged it with anti air guns . The machine gun fire caused the aircraft to make away without entering into the naval dockyard, said the sources.
However, the terrorists managed to drop two improvised bombs into the navy camp. The sources said that only one out of two bombs was exploded. 10 sailors suffered injuries due to the explosion.
.The Museum is housed in the Kataragama Devalaya premises and built at a cost of Rs 65million with financial assistance from the Netherlands.
The Supreme Judicial Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has upheld the objection filed by the attorney of Sri Lankan housemaid, Rizana Nafeek against the death sentence imposed on her and returned the case file to the Dawadmi High Court, the Foreign Ministry in Sri Lanka said in a statement.
Rizana had been arrested on 22nd May 2005 by the Police in Dawadmi, a town located 220 km west of the capital, Riyadh and charged with the murder of the infant son of her employer, left in her care. Rizana, who had recently arrived in the Kingdom and 17 years old at that time, claimed that the child had choked to death during bottle feeding. However, the Dawadmi High Court had sentenced Rizana to death in June 2007, upon conviction for the murder of the infant, based on her initial confession to the Police, which she had subsequently retracted in Court.
The Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh arranged the law firm of Kateb Fahad Al – Shammary to represent Rizana, with the financial support of the Hong Kong based Asian Human Rights Commission. The lawyer had filed objections against the verdict of the Dawadmi High Court to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) in Riyadh, the highest judicial body in Saudi Arabia. The SJC has upheld the objection of the lawyer pertaining to the initial translation of Rizana’s statement to the Court, upon which the death sentence had been issued. The SJC has returned the case file to the Dawadmi High Court, which is expected to take up the case for hearing on Saturday, 30th August 2008.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Embassy officials in Riyadh have visited Rizana at the Dawadmi Jail on 17th August and found her to be in sound physical and mental condition. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has directed the Embassy to closely monitor developments of this case and extend all possible support and cooperation to Rizana’s lawyer.
of the party's Working Committee.
results unacceptable Janaka alleges fraud  |
| |
| North Central Province UNP chief ministerial candidate, Janaka Perera said yesterday he did not accept the election results as genuine or that the election was conducted in a free and fair manner. He charged that there was violence, thuggery, intimidation and arson attacks against the UNP in the entire district even on election day. “The ballot boxes were brought to Anuradhapura counting centers at 5.30 p.m. but the counting only started only at 8.30 p.m. There was a three-hour gap and anything could have happened during these three hours. Therefore I do not accept the results in Anuradhapura,” he said. However he noted he would continue to serve the people in the North-Central Province and fight the new administration in the province on behalf of the voters, he said. |
The mandate received by UPFA at PC polls is one given to the troops and not for the jumbo Cabinet or corruption, National freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa said while ago addressing a press conference in Colombo.
Somawansa
The governing United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) emerged victorious at Saturday’s North Central and Sabaragamuwa provincial council elections and President Mahinda Rajapaksa termed it as a “victory for the motherland.”
The UPFA has secured 20 seats with 307,457 votes in the North Central Province and 25 seats in Sabaragamuwa polling 472,789 votes while the main opposition UNP polled 205,284 in the North Central Province getting 12 seats and 346,321 votes in Sabaragamuwa getting 17 seats.
The JVP was only able to obtain 26,738 votes in the North Central Province obtaining one seat and 19,068 votes in Sabaragamuwa winning two seats.
“I see the convincing victory by the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) at the elections to the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils held yesterday as a victory for all our people who love our motherland.
“It is an election where the country has won. While thanking the people of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura, and Kegalle Districts and all others, who contributed to this victory, I call upon them to enjoy their success in peace,” an elated Presdient Rajapaksa said.
“I express my humble gratitude for the new people’s mandate given to the “Mahinda Chinthana” through the free and fair election held yesterday.
“There is no doubt that public opinion represented in the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces is the opinion of the entire country. While the majority of our people have been able to defeat the many vicious efforts of forces that were ranged against the country, the strength and morale that our heroic troops will receive from this victory in their battles to finally end the bloody terrorism from our country is immeasurable.
“My government and I give foremost place to the country, and its people. This public mandate has given greater strength and courage to expedite and energise our march to protect the country and awaken the people.
“I repeat the plea I made to you in the Presidential Election of 2005 to help build a country that is free of the differences of political party, colour and all such differences.
I wish to state that the door remains open for those who have delayed to join us on that march,” the President added.
Voting to elect representatives to the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils closed at 4.00 pm today (Aug. 23rd), with a turnout of between 65 and 70 percent, said the Elections Secretariat.The sealed ballot boxes are being transported to counting centres by now, while the counting of postal votes is underway.
Research suggests that men from polygamist cultures live 12 per cent longer than those who limit their affections to one woman at a time.
Sheffield University researchers uncovered the 'benefits' of polygamy by scrutinising World Health Organisation data on marriage practices and on life span.
The analysis shows that men who live in countries where it is common to have more than one wife tend to outlive their monogamous counterparts.
The finding took into account a country's economic situation to minimise the effect of better nutrition and healthcare in monogamous Western nations.
It is thought that the pressure of having to provide for a big families may lead to men taking better care of their bodies and their health. They may also benefit from the care and attention of several wives.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1047659/Why-having-extra-wife-lead-longer-life.html
Susanthika fails to enter finals
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) demanded immediate intervention by Sri Lanka's President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, to order an end to Labour Minister Mervyn Silva's anti-media campaign of interrogation and violence against Sirasa TV.
According to the Free Media Movement (FMM), an IFJ affiliate, Minister Silva reportedly organized a protest with about 100 people outside the Sirasa TV station in Colombo on August 11 to call for a ban on the broadcaster.
Sirasa TV has consistently reported on a series of verbal and physical attacks by Silva against journalists, most notably a violent confrontation between the Minister and the news director of the state-run Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) in December 2007.
More recently, Silva assaulted journalist Thushara Saliya Ranawaka and video cameraman Waruna Sampath, on August 4 while they were reporting on a bridge opening in Kelaniya. Silva’s verbal threats against them were recorded on a camera, which was reportedly confiscated by the Minister.
Political observers say the minister is emboldened by the support of President Rajapaksa and his government turning a blind eye to his roguish behavior. They say the minister brings the party to disgrace by his thuggish actions.
Sri Lanka's premier weight lifter Chinthana Geethal Vidanage was the most successful competitor of Group "C" of the Olympic weightlifting under 69 Kg category. Chinthana had an aggregate of 293 kilograms in the 'snatch' and 'clean and jerk', which is a newSri Lankan record.
Chinthana, who clinched the gold medal in 62 kg weight lifting event at the Commonwealth Games in 2006 in Australia also set up three records at the 33rd National Sports Meet held recently.
Chinthana was born in Polonnaruwa on the 31st of December 1981 and began his weight lifting career in 1996 when he was placed fifth at the Junior Weight-Lifting Nationals.
A Colombo Magistrate yesterday ordered the police to arrest all suspects involved in the alleged assault on Sirasa photo journalists and the grabbing of their camera equipment in Kelaniya recently.
Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Thilakarane made the order after the Peliyagoda Police told court that they had recorded statements from the complainant Waruna Sampath and several other eye witnesses to the incident that took place during the opening of the second stage of the flyover .
According to the complainant a team of journalists headed by Waruna Sampath had visited the venue to cover the opening ceremony on an invitation made by Highways Ministry Media Secretary Shirantha Ellawala Premawardena by fax. The team of journalists comprised Waruna Sampath, his assistant cameraman Deeptha Ranasinghe and Provincial reporter Asela.
| Air Force bomb Tiger locations |
| The Air Force said it had bombed a LTTE Supply base in Vishwamadu, Kilinochchi, a radar point at Nagasiwanturai, Poonaryn and an intelligence camp in Puthukuduirrippu, Mulaitivu both last night and this morning. |
The President visited the Olympic Village and met the Sri Lankan team competing in the Games and wished the good luck at the forthcoming sports extravaganza.
Eight Sri Lankan athletes will compete in six sports in the 29th 2008 Summer Olympics which will continue until Augst 24.
| UN wants SB's civic rights restored |
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| Traditional August Madhu feast cancelled |
 The traditional Madhu feast scheduled to be staged this month has been canceled, Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph said in a press statement.He said that the Sacred Statue of Our Lady of Madhu will be taken to its original place of Madhu Church and enthroned after due penitential and purification service. |
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) of the United Nations has called for the restoration of the civic rights of S.B. Dissanayaka as well as the payment of compensation.