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.

Poll results do not portray true mandate - Somawansa

Poll results do not portray true mandate - JVP Leader Somawansa
JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said today that the Provincial Council Poll results do not portray the true mandate or opinion of people.

Ranjan gets highest preferences

Ranjan gets highest preferences
UNP Chief Ministerial Candidate Ranjan Ramanayake got 130,258 preferences in Ratnapura while UPFA Chief Ministerial Candidate Mahipala Herath got 98,120 preferences in Kegalle at the Saturday’s PCs elections.

President says Victory for motherland

President says Victory for motherland

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.

UPFA won Polonnaruwa

UPFA 6 seats and UNP 4 seats. JVP no any seat in Polonnaruwa District

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) won the Polonnaruwa district in the North Central Provincial Council Election with 107910 (six seats), United National Party with 63265 (4 Seats) while Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) with 7381. No any seat for JVP.