Blast rocked GOR area in Shadman locality of Lahore on Wednesday morning wounding four persons.One woman was died.
According to preliminary reports the blasts occurred near a water tank in the area wounding three persons.
when an explosive-laden car parked under a water tank in GOR-II area exploded. The injured have been shifted to Services Hospital.Rescues teams and ambulances have reached the scene and rescue operation is underway at blasts scene. Police have cordoned off the area.
Police, bomb disposal experts and rescue and relief teams have reached to the area and the injured were being transferred to hospitals.
A power transformer was also exploded after the blast.
According to reports it was a bomb blast and the device was planted in a vehicle.
Growth propelling parts of SL into middle-income status - World Bank
According to the World Bank Annual report 2008 it projects an emerging new reality that South Asia can no longer be characterised as a uniformly low-income region. Growth is propelling several Indian states, along with Bhutan, Maldives, and parts of Sri Lanka, into middle-income status. At the same time, per capita incomes and human development indicators in Bangladesh, Nepal, most of Pakistan, and the lagging regions of India and Sri Lanka are those of low-income countries.
Bangladesh on high alert ahead of polls Bangladesh has imposed the tightest security clampdown ever seen in the country as it prepares for polls on Monday that will restore democracy after two years of emergency government.
Some 50,000 military personnel and 6,000 of the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) force have been deployed nationwide to prevent pre-election violence and combat the threat of attacks by Islamic militants.
"We are fully prepared to make the polls the most peaceful ever," RAB director general Hasan Mahmud Khandaker said. "The campaigns have largely been violence-free and we hope the voting will be peaceful."
More than 600,000 police and paramilitary officers will patrol polling booths to guard against intimidation or rigging -- problems that have dogged previous elections and led to the state of emergency.
China calls on India, Pakistan to solve concerned issues through dialogue
China on Tuesday expressed the hope that India and Pakistan would resolve bilateral concerned issues through dialogue and consultations.
"We hope to see the improvement of Indian-Pakistani relations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press conference in responding to questions on the south Asia situation.
He said the improvement and development of the relationship between India and Pakistan, both as important nations in south Asia, would help regional peace and stability.
China would, as always, support efforts by both countries to improve bilateral relations and safeguard regional peace, Qin said.
As to last month's Mumbai terror attacks, which killed more than 170 people, Qin said China had strongly denounced the attacks.
"We agree that the international community should cooperate to fight terrorism," Qin said. He said that the identity of the mastermind of the Mumbai attacks awaited further investigation by concerned countries.
He called on India and Pakistan to work together through peaceful consultations to investigate the cause of the attacks and combat terrorism.
"We hope the region will maintain its peace and stability," Qinsaid.
Free innocent Tamils or face ban - President to LTTE
President Mahinda Rajapaksa today(Dec 22) called on the LTTE that to release all innocent Tamils it is holding hostage, in bondage and using them as human shields, with the dawn of 2009, and allow them to come to the safe areas provided for them by the Government and the Security Forces.
Failure to do this would lead the Government to proscribing the LTTE with all its consequences for the terrorist organization and will ensure that 2009 is the true Year of Heroism for the troops and also see the wiping out of LTTE terrorism from the pages of history.
He said the only enemy faced by the people is the terrorism of LTTE, and that he will not agree to any ceasefire that will strengthen the LTTE in any form.
President Rajapaksa was addressing religious dignitaries, ministers, senior administrators and leading members of the private sector to thank them for the cooperation extended to the government in this year and to inform them of the progress of the military operations against the terrorism of the LTTE and state of the economy of the country. The meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo.
There is only one enemy in the country, and that is terrorism. The Sinhala people are not the enemies of the Tamils, as the Tamils are not the enemy of the Sinhalese. Separatism and terror is the enemy of all, be they Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims or Buddhists; Hindus, Christians and followers of Islam. All people should come together in unity to fight the savagery of terrorism.
Security forces rescue 26 Tamil civilians - Pooneryn Security forces personnel have rescued a group of Tamil civilians comprising twenty-six including two infants and two children while crossing Kilaly lagoon to arrive at security forces controlled area seeking safety for their lives last Sunday, 21 December.
According to the defence.lk correspondent in Task Force 1, the civilians of Elephant Pass were able to escape LTTE's grip on board a boat flying white flag for their safety. The boat, heading towards Pooneryn carrying 26 civilians, was out of order while crossing Kilaly lagoon putting the lives of innocent Tamil civilians on jeopardy.
Troops of Task Force 1 has immediately reacted once observed a boat flying white flag floating in Kilaly lagoon area and make safe the lives of Tamil civilians who were able to escape LTTE's trapping as a human shield.
Troops of the Task Force -1 now engaged in counter terrorist offensives West of Paranthan, consolidated 300m further southwards along the LTTE built earth bund cum ditch, reportedly capturing a terror strongpoint, 'Sinna-Paranthan' this morning(Dec 23).
According to Army media, troops faced stiff resistance from LTTE in the battle for Sinna-Paranthan, which is located along the A-35 main road, 6km West of Paranthan Township. Farmers inhabited the village before terrorists dominated the area, the sources said adding that LTTE bunkers and trenches were now seen built in perimeters of the government buildings including a school and the Divisional Secretariat.
The Sri Lankan government should stop arbitrarily detaining civilians fleeing fighting in the northern Vanni region and urgently allow humanitarian agencies to return to provide desperately needed aid, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today.
“Hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped in a war zone with limited aid because the government ordered the UN and other aid workers out,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “To add insult to injury, people who manage to flee the fighting end up being held indefinitely in army-run prison camps.
Sri Lanka Cricket dissolved - Minister Sri Lanka Cricket was dissolved by the Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge with immediate effect. He said that the Ministry Secretary will oversee the affairs of the SLC until the new administration is appointed.
Queen of the Sinhala cinema Queen of the Sinhala cinema and recipient of the Golden Peacock Award at the 99th International Film Festival of India, Malini Fonseka was among artistes felicitated yesterday at a reception hosted by Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka at the Prime Minister’s office. Here the Premier expresses delight holding the glittering award shown to him by the screen legend. Picture by Ranjith Jayaweera
India pulls out of tour, Pakistan invites Sri Lanka The Board of Control for Cricket (in) India (BCCI) has sent a letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) informing them that due to current circumstances of relations between the two countries they will pull out of the scheduled tour. With India canceling their tour the PCB had made an official request to Sri Lanka to visit in India’s place. India’s decision has been called ‘disappointing’ but PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said that he hoped Sri Lanka would agree to a replacement series.
No proof of Pakistan link to Mumbai attacks: Zardari
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari insisted in an interview with the BBC on Wednesday that there was no firm proof linking his country to last month's attacks on India's financial centre, Mumbai.
Speaking to the British broadcaster from Islamabad, he said the investigations into the attacks were ongoing and he would "not jump to a conclusion" on who was responsible until they were complete.
New Delhi has fingered "elements" in Pakistan for the attacks that left 172 people dead, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said militants from Pakistan-based group Laskhar-e-Taiba were responsible.
"What we are saying is that we are willing to cooperate -- and you know like anybody else does, that investigation is an evolving process, it hasn't been long enough" to come to any conclusions, Zardari said.
He added: "I think we will hold our judgement till the proper investigation and conclusive evidence is shared between Pakistan and India, and we're hoping that that would happen because we've asked for a joint investigation."
Put to him that the sole surviving gunman has been identified as a Pakistan national, the president said: "No, we don't know that, we haven't investigated that, we are investigating that position.
"There have been disputed positions in the press... I would say the investigation is ongoing and I would not jump to a conclusion."
However, he said his country was prepared to act if links to Pakistan emerged.
"If that stage comes, and when it comes, I assure you that our parliament, our democracy, shall take the action properly deemed in our constitution and in our law," he said.
The latest air attacks on Tami Tiger positions in the north came a day after both sides claimed that they had killed dozens of fighters.
The Sri Lankan army has mounted a big offensive aimed at capturing the town of Kilinochchi, where the rebels have their administrative headquarters.
Despite the military's sustained onslaught the rebels seem to be offering stiff resistance.
Pro-rebel website, Tamilnet said the rebels had repulsed the army's advance and recovered more than thirty bodies of Sri Lankan troops killed in the recent fighting.
The army said more than a hundred rebels were killed in the fighting and that they had captured sections of trenches that the rebels had built encircling the town of Kilinochchi.
Meanwhile, medical officer Prasad Brighton of the Dharmapuram hospital said that a five month s old infant and another person died while fifteen others were injured from the air attacks carried out in the Wattakachi area in Kilinochchi.
There are no independent accounts of the fighting. Anbarasan Ethirajan from the BBC South Asia desk says that the nature of the battle is fast changing - there are reports of increasing hand-to-hand combat causing heavy casualties on both sides.
Some experts believe that the war has reached a decisive stage and the coming weeks will be crucial.
Sri Lanka Economic Growth Slows to 6.3% on Exports
Sri Lanka’s economic growth slowed last quarter as a global recession reduced demand for the nation’s tea, rubber and textile exports.
Gross domestic product expanded 6.3 percent from a year earlier, compared with 7 percent in the three months ended June 30, the statistics department said in Colombo today. Economists were expecting growth of 6.1 percent.
Sri Lanka’s central bank is adding cash into the economy to drive down interest rates and stimulate consumer demand to support growth. The effort may be negated by a downgrade of the country’s credit ratings by Standard & Poor’s yesterday, which can increase borrowing costs.
“Growth in services and the industrial sector may remain sluggish if high interest rates prevail,” said Bimanee Meepagala, an analyst at Eagle NDB Fund Management Co. “The main growth driver would be agriculture, driven by the liberated regions” from the Tamil Tiger rebels.
The brother of the journalist now famous for hurling his shoes at President Bush said his sibling's actions were "spontaneous" and represented millions of Iraqis who want to "humiliate the tyrant."
TV reporter Muntadhar al-Zaidi, in a file photo, was jailed after throwing his shoes at President Bush.
Dhirgham al-Zaidi, who sometimes worked as his brother's cameraman, described the reporter's hatred for the "material American occupation" and the "moral Iranian occupation."
Supporters of Muntadhar al-Zaidi say that his feelings were influenced by watching the agony suffered by everyday Iraqis. Most of the reporter's stories focused on Iraqi widows, orphans, and children, said the brother.
Sometimes the 29-year-old journalist would cry, his brother said, adding that he would be so moved by the tales he reported of poor families that he asked his colleagues to give money to them. On most nights, he returned to his home in central Baghdad after reporting from Sadr City, one of the country's most violent slums and the epicenter of several of the war's battles.
Muntadhar al-Zaidi's reporting for Egypt-based independent television Al-Baghdadia was "against the occupation," his brother said. The journalist would occasionally sign off his stories "from occupied Baghdad."
Yet Dhirgham al-Zaidi said he was "shocked" when he saw his brother hurling his shoes at President Bush at a Sunday news conference after a surprise visit by Bush to Baghdad.
Supreme Court holds S.B.'s name being excluded from the electoral registry
Supreme Court issued a stay order today (16) against the Election Commissioner's decision to exclude S.B. Disanayaka's name from the electoral registry.
The Supreme Court issued the stay order after considering the fundamental rights petition filed by S.B. Disanayaka challenging the Election Commissioner's decision to exclude his name from the electoral list.
After S.B. Disanayaka was subjected to two years rigorous imprisonment for contempt of court, the Election Commissioner excluded his name from the electoral list for seven years until December 05, 2011.
Pakistan territory not to be allowed for terrorists activities says Gilani Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan did not want war with any one, but if it was thrust on the country then the whole nation would stand united.Speaking in the National Assembly before a general debate on Mumbai attacks and the situation arising afterwards, the Prime Minister stressed the need for focussing on the immediate problems of poverty and other issues confronting the region.
“We have to focus on our problems and we don’t want to go into war. But if the war is thrust on us, we will stand united like a respectful nation,” he added.
“Pakistan is not defensive. The nation, the army and the political leadership is united and we can defend our national sovereignty.”
Tamil Tigers Abuse Civilians in Stronghold -Human Rights Watch Report
Sri Lanka's separatist Tamil Tigers are subjecting ethnic Tamils in their northern stronghold, the Vanni, to forced recruitment, abusive forced labor, and restrictions on movement that place their lives at risk, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. (15) The 17-page report, "Trapped and Mistreated: LTTE Abuses against Civilians in the Vanni," details how the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which have been fighting for an independent Tamil state for 25 years, are brutally abusing the Tamil population in areas under their control."The LTTE claims to be fighting for the Tamil people, but it is responsible for much of the suffering of civilians in the Vanni," said Brad Adams, Asia director for Human Rights Watch. "As the LTTE loses ground to advancing government forces, their treatment of the very people they say they are fighting for is getting worse."
Mukhergy’s visit is very good; we cannot solve this problem through angering India -
Opposition Leader Ranil Wicramasinghe
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe says that neither the government nor the parties of the government alliance can oppose the visit of the Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukhergy who is visiting the island on an invitation of the President Mahinda Rajapakse. He points out that the responsibility of the political parties is supporting the mediation of India and paving the way for a political solution. Wickramasinghe pledges fullest corporation of the United National Party (UNP) if the government goes for a political solution.
New Era in pakistan Chandana Wijekoon from pakistan
Though Economic crisis is p reveling in pakistan the Government has taken necessary initiative to uplift standard of living of the people valuation of pakistan rupees has gone up on par with US Dollar. Earlier US dollar was equivalent to Pakistan Rs. 84/- whereas present valuation increased to pakistan Rs.77/- Tourist cities such as Lahor,Karachchi, islamabad were seen it lot of foriegn tourists. Huge development projects are underway in Islamabad including Highways projects and infrastructure developnet projects.
Clearly shows that pakistan is marching towards developed country.
Bush arrives in Afghanistan on surprise visit A Shoe attack to BUSH (AFP) - US President George W. Bush arrived in Afghanistan Monday, after a making a farewell visit to Iraq, according to the White House.
Bush's plane landed in darkness at Baghram Air Base outside Kabul, a reporter traveling with him said.
The US president was to hold talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and address US troops during the visit.
Shoe attack
A journalist hurled two shoes at Bush on his farewell visit to Iraq, highlighting hostility still felt toward the outgoing US leader who acknowledged that the war is still not won.
Muntazer al-Zaidi jumped up as Bush held a press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, shouted "It is the farewell kiss, you dog" and threw his footwear.
The president lowered his head and the first shoe hit the American and Iraqi flags behind the two leaders. The second was off target.
On a whirlwind trip shrouded in secrecy and marred by dissent, President George W. Bush on Sunday hailed progress in the wars that define his presidency and got a size-10 reminder of his unpopularity when a man hurled two shoes at him during a news conference in Iraq.
"This is your farewell kiss, you dog!" shouted the protester in Arabic, later identified as Muntadar al-Zeidi, a correspondent for Al-Baghdadia television, an Iraqi-owned station based in Cairo, Egypt. "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."
Bush ducked both shoes as they whizzed past his head and landed with a thud against the wall behind him.
"It was a size 10," Bush joked later.
The U.S. president visited the Iraqi capital just 37 days before he hands the war off to his successor, Barack Obama, who has pledged to end it. The president wanted to highlight a drop in violence and to celebrate a recent U.S.-Iraq security agreement, which calls for U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq by the end of 2011.
British High Commissioner meets Karunanidhi on Lankan issue
The British High Commissioner to India Sir Richard Stagg met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and discussed with him issues related to Sri Lankan Tamils and security situation in the coastal state.
An official press release described it as a "courtesy call." During the half-an-hour long meeting, the two discussed the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, security situation in the state in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the Tamil Nadu government's preparedness and ability to face the global economic crisis
Terrorists want to create atmosphere of provocation between Pakistan and India: German Minister German Home Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said here on Friday terrorists want to create an atmosphere of provocation and reactions between Pakistan and India and between Hindus and Muslims. Pakistan was also victim of terrorism and it was threatened by terrorists, he said and added it was a difficult situation for the Pakistan government. He hoped that Pakistan government will continue to move against terrorists. Wolfgang Schaeuble, who held talks with Home Minister P Chidambaram and National Security Adviser M K Narayanan, said Pakistan was being encouraged by the international community to cope and fight terrorism as it is a threat to it too. When questioned on the banning of Jamaat-ud-Dawa, he said “it is a right thing.”
Veteran musician Mervin Perera passed away last afternoon (07) while being taken to the KalubovilaHospital. He was 69.
Mervin Perera has many lilting melodies to his credit and was much loved by Sinhala music lovers. He had served as a music teacher at Government schools for a long period of time.
He was a father of three children, was born on September 21st, 1940 at Kuda Payagala in Southern Sri Lanka and received his primary education at the Payagala Roman Catholic School.
Karu's son-in-law Naveen will not return to the UNP
Non Cabinet Minister of Investment Promotion Naveen Dissanayake will not return to th
e UNP although he is the son-in-law of ex- Public Administration Minister Karu Jayasuriya who re-crossed to the UNP on Monday. Following Jayasuriya’s return to the UNP there was widespread speculation that his son-in-law
would follow suit.
Dissanayake yesterday told The Island that his father-in-law returned to the UNP due to some differences he had with President Mahinda Rajapaksa. "I tried my best to bring about a settlement but Jayasuriya was hurt and determined to return to the UNP," Dissanayake said.
Public Administration Minister Karu Jayasuriya resigns While Public Administration Minister Karu Jayasuriya officially announced his resignation from the post last evening and left the government to accept the post of deputy leader of the UNP, the remaining members of the UNP Democratic Group decided to stay with the government.
Mr. Jayasuriya, who issued a statement, said he could not agree with the ideas of this government regarding the economic crisis, though he approved of the steps taken to defeat terrorism: “This economic downturn is becoming a crisis which will greatly affect the people,” he said in his statement. He further pointed out that the government, in which he had held a ministerial portfolio, had not been able the implement the 17th Amendment: “The campaign for the implementation of the 17th Amendment began with a citizens’ committee and later grew into a vast civil movement; and it would be a breach of trust on my part to remain with the government, as the people had placed their trust in me and I, too, was involved in this campaign,” he said.
At the 53rd congress held on Saturday, UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe made an open invitation to the crossed over UNPers to rejoin the party to build the country.
Sri lanka journalists team met many officers in pakistan
Chandana Wijekoon From pakistan
Sri lanka journalist team had mutual discussions higher officials in pakistan. This team was cordially invited by the Assistant Secretary(South Asia) to the ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr.Aizaz Ahamad chaudhry.
He personaly insisted on better coordination between the journalists of the both countries. The team has paid a courtesy call on the secretary of ministry of information and brodcasting Ashfaq ahamad Gondal and Director of ministry of Information and broadcasting Mr. Khalid M. Sarwar and other higher officials.
Sri lanka journalists team has exchanged views with Naeem Chaudry who is the director of APP news.
Queen of Sinhala cinema, Malani Fonseka is to receive the Rajatha Mayura award at 39th International Indian Film Festival Veteran actress,Queen of Sinhala cinema, Malani Fonseka is to receive the Rajatha Mayura award at 39th International Indian Film Festival tonight (Nov. 02nd), for her role in the film `Akasa Kusum`. Malini won this award for her 150th film, \'Akasa Kusum\', directed by award winning director Prasanna Vithanage.
Malani Senehelatha Fonseka (born April 30, 1947 in Kelaniya) is an award-winning Sri Lankan film actress, also known as the "Queen of Sinhalese cinema"[1]. Her cinema career which has spanned many decades began with Tissa Liyansooriya's Punchi Baba in 1968. She first earned recognition, when she won the 'Best Actress Award' at the 1969 National State Drama Festival This was followed by Sarasaviya Best Actress Awards for Hingana Kolla in 1980, Aradhana in 1982 and Yasa Isuru in 1983.[2]
Malini Fonseka who is recognized as the ‘Queen of Sri Lankan cinema’ entered the Sri Lankan cinema after I did. Malani became queen of the silver screen competing with many contemporary actresses.
Although I do not exactly remember the first time I saw her, her debut film "Punchi Baba" was shot at Wijaya Studio. Probably she would have spoken to me during this time which I do not remember. However people in the studio spoke high of her acting abilities in her first movie.
Our first film together was "Parawalau". By this time she was popular after acting in a few movies. Also she hasd already proved to be a talented actress by this time. The first movie we acted together as lovers was "Nidhanaya", which became one of the most distinguished films of Sri Lankan cinema. I played the part of Willy Abeynaike and Malani played the role of Irene. Malini's extraordinary acting skills were polished by it's director Dr. Lester James Peiris. Subsequently Malani and I played the leading roles opposite each other in many movies and as fans named this era as the Gamini-Malini decade in Sri Lankan cinema. Some films were directed by me anonymously.
Malani is qualified with all the qualifications of an actress. She has the ability of understanding a role instantly. She was never hesitant to accept a wise decision given by a director. She understood the postural of any actor or actresses instantly.
Also she inherits something which has not been inherited by any other actress or may be a very beautiful woman. She looks beautiful in every angle.
Malani has not studied acting, just as other prominent Sri Lankan actresses. But it is obvious that she can compete with other international actresses effortlessly. Malani was talented enough to give the Sri Lankan identity to Indian movies copied in Sri Lanka. Therefore her fans saw the Sri Lankan identity through her at all times. This did not even changed when she acted in low class films which she did for her friends as favours.
Malani is not just an actress, but she is a heroine of Sri Lankan Cinema.
Sri Lankan journalists tour to Pakistan Chandan Wijekoon from Pakistan "During the third day of the tour we went to Lahor. Lahor which is people friendly city in pakistan. there situation is tourist friendly." says www our special correspndant Chandana wijekoon over the phone towww.newsonline24.blogspot.com
Here is the Chandan's report
Sri lanka journalists visited important places and TV channels stations in Pakistan.Also they paid tribute to the memorial pillar of late leader of Pakistan Mohomad Ali Jinnah the founder of Pakistan . He is the Father of the pakistan .
Journalists went from Karachchi to lahor by internal flight spending one and half hour.
Sri lanka journalists visitedd two main TV channels stations in Pakistan and had mutual discussions with the pakistan Media personls.
During the third day of the tour the team went to Lahor. Lahor which is people friendly city in pakistan. there situation is tourist friendly.
Sri lankan journalists team paid a visit to Art Council in Lahore.Director of the Art Council said they give helpinghand for the youths to prompote their talent the field of art. Amidst prevailing crisis in pakistan implementsyouth of promotional programs are praiseworthy. Then our team visited India -Pakistan border (wagha border)in Panjab. We able to view the ceremonial closer of Indian Pakistan border gate.
Wagha Border, the Flag Lowering Ceremony is an impressive and exciting ceremonythat takes place every day at the Pakistan-Indian border at Wagha, 29 kms far from Lahore. The ceremony begins with the handshake of the captains of the two countries, followed by a fierce martial and war like drill. Watch this unique
ceremony which will thrill and excite you. You will never forget it.
Tissa nominated for RSF Award The Paris based media rights group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has nominated journalist J. S. Tissainayagam for an award for his principled stand and attitude displayed to support freedom of information.
Heavy Bomb Blast in Lahore
