President Rajapaksha to meet Erik Solheim in USA.

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is in New York to participate in the UN General Assembly is to meet Norwegian Foreign minister Erik Solheim says 'Norwegian News' today.

Solheim was the Norwegian Special Envoy for Sri Lanka during the early period of the 2002 ceasefire and the peace process brokered by Norway. He was replaced by John Hanssen-Bauer whose request to visit Kilinochchi to meet the Tamil Tiger was turned down by the Sri Lanka government a few months back.

Former President Dingiri Banda Wijetunga passed away

Former President Dingiri Banda Wijetunga passed away at the age of 92 at the Kandy General Hospital yesterday morning.

He was the third Executive President of Sri Lanka and held the position from May 1, 1993 to November 12, 1994 following the assassination of President Ranasinghe Premadasa.

He was appointed the Prime Minister by President Ranasinghe Premadasa in 1989 surprising many in the government at the time.

D. B. Wijetunga was born on February 15, 1916, in Mangalagama of the Yatinuwara area. He received his primary education at the Weligalla C.M.S. primary school and secondary education at St. Andrew’s College, Gampola.

President leaves for UN General Assembly

President leaves for UN General Assembly


President Mahinda Rajapaksa left for New York yesterday (September 19th) to attend the 63rd General Assembly of the United Nations Organisation, which commenced on September 16th.

President Rajapaksa is to address the UN General Assembly on September 23rd.

Secretary to the President - Lalith Weeratunga and head of the UPFA media unit - Minister Dallas Alahapperuma accompanied the President.

Colombo Int'l Book Fair

Colombo International Book Fair-2008 start today at the BMICH in Colombo (Sept. 20th). Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association is organizing the annual event in its 10th year.

The nine-day event will be open for the public from 9.00 am to 9.30 pm, and from this year, a free of Rs. 10 will be charged per entrant.

The Sri Lanka Book Publishers'Association initiated the first national book fair at National Art Gallery in 1999.

In 2001, the book fair was shifted to BMICH and title changed to Colombo International Book Fair with the participation of Indian and British publishers.


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Vatican Cardinal says Catholics should be grateful to President or liberating Madhu -

Vatican Cardinal says Catholics should be grateful to President or liberating Madhu


-

The entire Catholic community in Sri Lanka should be grateful to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for liberating the historic Madhu Shrine from the terrorists and restoring to the Church, Vatican Cardinal Francis Arinsay said when he called on the President at Temple Trees yesterday(Sep 16).

President Rajapaksa said the adherents of all religions in Sri Lanka always act with mutual understanding and commended the patronage extended by all religious leaders in this connection.

A delegation from the Asia region for the Liturgical Convocation of the
Catholic Church called on President Mahinda Rajapaksaat Temple
Trees yesterday. The Leader of the Delegation His Eminence Francis
Cardinal Arinze, Prefect of the Congregationfor Divine Worship and the
Discipline of the Sacrament, Vatican State, Rev. Mario Zenari,
the Titular Archbishop of Zuglio and the Apostoli Nuncio
in Sri Lanka, Rev. Malcom Ranjith, Secretary of the congregation
for Divine Worship and the Disciple of the Sacrament, Vatican
City State, Ministers Milroy Fernando, Neomal Perera and S
arath Gunarathna were present. Picture by Chandana Perera
tual understanding and commended the patronage extended by all religious leaders in this connection.

"The Security Forces liberated Madhu Shrine to further consolidate the religious freedom and peaceful co-existence among fellow-citizens. The Security Forces were cautious enough to conduct their operations to ensure no damage would be caused either to the Madhu Church or the nearby buildings," the President said.

Although the retreating terrorists inflicted damage to the Church, the Security Forces renovated the buildings and handed back to the Church authorities to conduct the religious observances, he said.

Cardinal Arinsay said only after his arrival in the island he was able to see the actual situation.

"Sri Lanka is blessed with natural beauty," he said.

Vatican representative in Sri Lanka, Archbishop Mario Senari, Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith and Ministers Milroy Fernando, Pandu Bandaranayake, Dayashritha Tissera, Sarath Kumara Gunaratne and Neomal Perera were also present.

LTTE leader Prabakaran suspected hideout air attacked

Prabakaran suspected hideout air attacked



Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets launched successive air strikes at key LTTE locations in Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu including a 'high profile' LTTE hideout located in the Vattakachchi area, today (17) at around 6.35a.m.


The targets were acquired with precision on reliable ground information received Air Force Spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.
The target at Vattakachchi area has been identified as a secret LTTE hideout and was engaged on real-time information received of the presence of a key LTTE figure, defence intelligence sources said. This is a site most frequented by the LTTE chief, and LTTE is expected to remain tight lip on the casualty figures, defence observes state.

Explosion inside bus at Colombo .Horton Place

Explosion inside bus at Horton Place


A bomb had exploded inside a bus at Horton Place. The passengers had been evacuated before the explosion took place. Four people have received minor injuries.

UN completely out of Kilinochchi

UN completely out of K’nochchi



Citing a statement issued by him, BBC Sandeshaya reported the UN has received assurances from the LTTE that UN and humanitarian agency staff remaining in Kilinochchi can leave.

India -New Delhi Blast

New Delhi Blast

New Delhi Blast
A day after five blasts rocked the Capital, the Delhi police today claimed to have gathered “vital clues” on the terrorist attacks which left more than 25 dead and over 100 injured. Official sources put the death toll at 21.

A senior police officer said based on these clues, they were confident of tracking down the perpetrators of the ghastly act.

More:http://online.wsj.com/article
/SB122137427839032987.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/default.stm

More Pictures:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7614412.stm

A Million Flee as Huge Storm Hits Texas Coast

Slide show http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/09/12/us/0912-IKE_3.html

Hurricane Ike lashed the Texas coast Friday night with 110

mile-per-hour winds as it churned toward this city and threatened to devastate Galveston and other towns along the Gulf of Mexico with a wall of seawater 20 feet

high.By late in the day, more than a million Texans had left their homes for safer pl aces inland, but tens of thousands decided to tough it out, and the authorities feared that those people had put their lives at risk. Officials in Galveston, on a vulnerable barrier island, estimated that 40 percent of the city’s 57,000 residents had ignored an order to evacuate.

As many as 100,000 homes could be inundated by the wall of water expected to hit the coast, federal officials warned, and millions of people could be left without electricity.

Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis: 'The Emerging player of the year' at ICC awards

Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis: 'The Emerging player of the year' at ICC awards

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:

• Cricketer of the Year: Shivnarine Chanderpaul, West Indies
• Test Player of the Year: Dale Steyn, South Africa
• ODI Player of the Year: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India
• Emerging Player of the Year: Ajantha Mendis, Sri Lanka
• Associate Player of the Year: Ryan ten Doeschate, Netherlands
• Twenty20 International Performance of the Year: Yuvraj Singh, India
• Women's Player of the Year: Charlotte Edwards, England
• Spirit of Cricket: Sri Lanka
• Umpire of the Year: Simon Taufel, Australia

Japan hit by Magnitude 7 quake

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.

THe quake is reported to have hit at 9.21 am local time off the eastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island at a depth of about 12 miles. A 4-inch tsunami rippled at the shore about 35 minutes after the quake.

Earlier a warning had been issued for a 20-inch tsunami along the eastern coast of Hokkaido and the northeastern coast of Japan's main island of Honshu. The warning was lifted about an hour later.

"There was some light shaking, but it was nothing major," said Yukio Yoshida, a police spokesman in Hokkaido.

Authorities temporarily advised about 10,600 residents of Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture, about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northwest of Tokyo, to evacuate their homes, and ordered people to stay way from beaches throughout the region.

World economic growth may slow to 1-1.5% in 2009: UNCTAD

World economic growth may slow to 1-1.5% in 2009: UNCTAD

GENEVA, (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.

dreaded Rat fever races on--117 deaths up to August

dreaded Rat fever races on--117 deaths up to August

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

Heavy rain in Sri lanka
A depression in the lower atmosphere over Sri Lanka is the cause for the heavy rain being experienced in several parts of the country. More rain expected.

Weather Forecast
Department of Meteorology - Sri Lanka

Weather Forecast for 5th September 2008

Issued at 5.30AM on 5th Sep2008

There will be showers at several places in the Western And Central provinces and in the Gall and Matara districts.

Thundershowers will develop at a several places in the Uva,Eastern and North-central provinces during the afternoon or night.
The nearest towns of Sri lanka over,which the sun is overhead today(5th) are Wadduwa, Balangoda and Okanda about 12.09.

Weather Forecast for sea area around the island during the next 24hours (Issued at 5.30am 5th Sep.2008)

There will be showers or thundershow at several places sea areas around the island.Winds will be 20-30Km/h(moderate) and South-westerly direction. The speed may increase up to 40Km/h in the South-eastern and Gulf of Mannar sea areas.
South-eastern and Gulf of Mannar sea areas will be slightly rough and elsewhere sea areas around the island will not be rough.

Civilians should be allowed to move freely to liberated areas" - UN

Civilians should be allowed to move freely to liberated areas" - UN

With the announcement of the Ministry of Defence that a "humanitarian corridor" has been established to assist the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the non-liberated areas in the North to move to liberated safe areas, the United Nation's Resident Representative in Sri Lanka states that such people in need should be allowed to move without any hinderance.

Issuing a public statement, the UN Representative, Neil Buhne said that any displaced person is entitled to freedom of movement according to international principles; they can move where and when they want, in search of safety and assistance.

The LTTE has been continuously accused of using civilians as a human shield in the areas where the security forces are confronting the terrorist. Despite all the factual evidence of LTTE using civilians to prevent military attacks the terrorists have continued to coerce people living in areas under their control to prevent them from fleeing to liberated areas.

Pakistan PM's motorcade attacked

Pakistan PM's motorcade attacked

Shots 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

LTTE Asian propaganda channel terminated

In response to the continuous requests made by Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Hong Kong based management office of Asia- Sat Telecommunication Company explicating that the Tamil Cultural Programmme is a pro-LTTE channel, the officials of the said company have terminated the transmission of Tamil Cultural Programme TV Channel through their Asia SAT 3S Satellite.

The decision was officially informed to the Sri Lanka embassy in Beijing by the officials of Asia-Sat Telecommunication.

Air Force hits LTTE fighter boats

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets pounded two LTTE fighter boats, defence sources said.

The boats were anchored close to the Alampil Beach near Nayaru Lagoon at the time of the air attack carried out this morning.

According to confirmed reports from the Air Force one boat was completely destroyed while the other suffered heavy damage.

Political parties propose constitutional amendments

Political parties propose constitutional amendments
In a new initiative to expedite the establishment of Independent Commissions and introducing new provisions to the 17th Amendment a group of legislators representing all political parties in the government and the opposition have proposed a set of new amendments to the Constitution.

Import duty concessions for five commodities for migrant workers waived

Import duty concessions for five commodities for migrant workers waived

Concessions for Sri Lankan migrant workers returning on import duty pertaining for purchasing five commodities at the airport have been waived since Sep 1st 2008.

Initially, the tax concessions were waived for seven commodities but later the washing machines and four burner cookers were removed from the list. These items can be purchased with duty concessions further.

Duty concessions have been waived for all kinds of air conditioners, deep freezers, CRV televisions with screens wider than 29 inches and LCD TVs with screens wider than 32 inches under the new custom regulations.

Mallavi Liberated -Troops reaching another victory; t

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.

The area had been a strategically important location of the LTTE terrorists. Mallavi is also the nearest route to enter Kilinochchi for the Security Forces from Wanni.

Mangala for democratic leadership in SLFP

Mangala for democratic leadership in SLFP

“Fifty seven years ago, the SLFP helped catalyse a new change and a shift in Sri Lankan politics. Fifty seven years after, the SLFP needs a change today, to save itself for the future,” says MP Mangala Samaraweera, leader of the SLFP Mahajana Wing issuing a statement on the 57th Anniversary 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.

12 Lankans arrested in Papua New Guinea

Twele Sri Lankans arrested in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea intelligence officials have arrested twelve Sri Lankan men, alleged to be planning to go to Australia using falsified documents. They say the men are members of the LTTE and were on the run from Sri Lanka.

ARMY TROOPS ENTERED MALLAVI AREA IN MULATIV

ARMY TROOPS ENTERED MALLAVI AREA IN MULATIV

According to military, troops have gained control over key LTTE outposts in the mALLAVI area and positioned tactically in the probable fall of the garrison township, despite heavy resistance from LTTE.

MORE:http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080831_08

China earthquake-32 death

The death toll in an earthquake in south-west China is now at least 32, with 467 injuries, state media says.

The 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck at 1630 local time (0730 GMT) on Saturday, close to Panzhihua town in Sichuan province, near the border with Yunnan. Xinhua news agency said rescue teams 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, China's Earthquake Administration recorded.

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 Sichuan province since the 12 May earthquake, which left about five million people homeless.

The epicenter was at the juncture of Renhe District in Panzhihua and Huili County in Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Liangshan, Sichuan. It was at a depth of 10 km, the China Earthquake Administration said.

Both provinces were severely affected by a devastating earthquake in May which left almost 70,000 people dead.


for more http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/31/content_9745544.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7591152.stm

Another LTTE stronghold captured

Another LTTE stronghold captured
The military today captured the Palamoddai town, an LTTE stronghold in Vavuniya and a one kilometers beach stretch north of Kokkuthuduwai in Welioya after fierce battles.

Nepalis' messages to Prachanda-New Prime Minister collect civilian's ideas

Nepalis' messages to Prachanda

New prime Prime Minister Prachanda collect civilians ideas

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

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7483019.stm

Justice and Peace Commission writs to UN Secretary General

Justice and Peace Commission writs to UN Secretary General

The Justice and Peace Commission in the Wanni has written to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on the plight of internally displaced people in the area.

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 greand explosion in Batticaloa prison-7 prisons injured.

Hand grenade explosion in Batticaloa prison-7 prisons injured.

The police sources says that the Hand grenade explosion in cell number 10 in
Batticaloa prison injuring 4 EPDP inmates on murder chargers . one serious.

But Batticaloa hospital conferms 7 prisons brought to the hospital for treatments in this morning(29th).

Mangala calls for a joint opposition alliance

Mangala calls for a joint opposition alliance

While warning that the victory in the provincial council election would lead to a government dictatorship, SLFP (M) Convenor Mangala Samaraweera called for the setting up of a joint opposition alliance a short while ago. He also added that he would initiate an alternative defence information centre to educate the masses on the real situation of the war.

After election CAFFE spokesman punished by his campus

After election CaFFE spokesman punished by his campus

The University of Kelaniya has given a punishment transfer to its employee Rajitha Keerthi Tennakoon, who is also spokesman for local election monitor Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE).

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

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

I will retire soon - Susanthika
Upon returning to the country today morning from the Beijing Olympics sprinter Susanthika Jayasinghe stated that she would retire from athletics very soon.

No hurry for snap poll-President

No hurry for snap poll-President

President Mahinda Rajapaksha declared that he was not hurry to hold a snap general election as the mandate he had received was valid
up year 2010

LTTE terrorists launch abortive air raid at Trincomalee navy camp

LTTE terrorists launch abortive air raid at Trincomalee navy camp

The LTTE carried out a surprise air attack on the Trincomalee Naval base last night around 9.00pm . The Defence Ministry today stated that 10 Navy personnel were injured after the LTTE air raid on Trincomalee Naval base and harbour.

According 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.

A multi-religious, cross-cultural historical Museum for Sri Lanka in Kataragama

A multi-religious, cross-cultural historical Museum for Sri Lanka in Kataragama

sland's first museum depicting beliefs and cultural strains of all religious faiths represented in Sri Lanka will be ceremoniously opened tomorrow (28),by His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Kataragama.The Museum is housed in the Kataragama Devalaya premises and built at a cost of Rs 65million with financial assistance from the Netherlands.

Central Cultural Fund sources say that very rare pieces of cultural value will be on display here. Since many devotees and local and foreign tourists visit the sacred premises at night the CCF intends to keep the Museum open at night in the interest of such visitors.

It was the wish of President Mahinda Rajapakse to encourage the commerce of cultural interest between the South and the East, and this was a major stimulus for the project.

Court upholds objection against Rizana's death sentence

Court upholds objection against Rizana's death sentence

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.

Janaka and Ranjan to UNP working committe

The United National Party has assigned its two chief ministerial candidates at the provincial polls as members of the party's Working Committee.

Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided that Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera and popular actor Ranjan Ramanayake be appointed to the UNP WC with immediate effect.
(Janaka and Ranjan)

This is in recognition of their contributions and skills shown at the polls for the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils two days ago.

UNP MP Ranga Bandara's office burnt down

Ranga Bandara's office burnt down

UNP MP Palitha Ranga Bandara's office in Anamaduwa was burnt by an unknown gang last night. Police said that the office had been totally destroyed and the damage estimated to be over Rs. 1 million.

Elections free and fair: Monitors

Elections free and fair: Monitors
The main Election Monitors, People’s Action for Free and Fair Election (PAFFREL) and Campaign for Free and Fair Election (CAFFE) yesterday said the elections held in the North Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces were generally peaceful and the few incidents did not have an impact on the final result.

results unacceptable Janaka alleges fraud

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.

Mandate for troops, not for Cabinet or corruption

Mandate for troops, not for Cabinet or corruption
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.