63rd UNGA Opening Ceramony

63rd UNGA Opening Ceramony

President Mahinda Rajapaksa attened 63rd UNGA at UN Headquaters on 23rd morning,Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Health Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva,Education Minister Susil Presmajayantha , Foreign Secretary Dr.Palitha Kohona, UNPR Mr.palihakkkara, were also in the picture, SG of UN Mr.Ban ki Moon and US president Adress the opening session
(pix Suadth Silva)

Norway always welcome to assist Wanni civilians through Government channels - Srilanka President

Norway always welcome to assist Wanni civilians through Government channels - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a discussion with the Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim, reiterated that the Government of Sri Lanka welcomes Norwegian assistance to bring relief to the Northern masses.

The President also said that such initiatives can be successfully implemented through the Government channels direct to the needy since a stabilized mechanism has been put in place to assist the Wanni civilians.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 63rd UN General Assembly sessions in New York yesterday (Monday 22). Mr. Solheim was accompanied by Jon Hansen Bauer, Special Envoy associated with the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission.

Discussions on current developments in Sri Lanka included President's approach towards a sustainable peace and the need to eliminate terrorism. It was shown that the Government's current policy mirrored the developments taking place in the East, with the defeat of LTTE terrorism there.

The President brought to notice of the foreign delegates that despite the requests made to the LTTE, the terrorists continue to use civilians as a human shield to prevent Security Forces advancing into enemy-held territory.

The Sri Lankan delegation at the bi-lateral discussion comprised Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and the Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Palitha Kohon

President Rajapaksha arrived in new York to attend UN General assembly

President Rajapaksha arrived in new York to attend UN General assembly


President Mahinda Rajapaksa who arrived in New York to attend the 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) being welcomed by four Sri Lankan children. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama was also present. Picture by Sudath Silva

EU does not have anti Sri Lanka agenda - Ferrero-Waldner

EU does not have anti Sri Lanka agenda - Ferrero-Waldner



The European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, in an open letter has rubbished the assumption that the EU has an anti-Sri Lanka agenda and also said she was dismayed to see several articles in the Sri Lankan press criticizing the European Commission and in particular personal attacks against the Commission’s former Head of Delegation in Colombo, Ambassador Julian Wilson.

President to address UNO

President Mahinda Rajapakse will leave to New York to participate at the 63rd summit of the Heads of State to be held on 23rd of this month.
He is expected to address the summit where more than 100 leaders of state will participate.

Air raids on four tiger strong points at Kilinochchi



Four raids were carried out by Sri Lanka Air Force targeting terrorist gathering points in the Killinochchi District yesterday states Media Centre for National Security (MCNS).
One raid targeted a point 2 km northwest to Akkrayankulam at about 1.00 p.m. yesterday using M.I. 24 helicopters. Another point 3 km north of Akkrayankulam was raided at 12.00 noon using fighter jets.
Jet fighters were also deployed to attack two other tiger gathering points at northwest of Nachchikuda and east of Kokawil.

High Priest of Koneshwran Temple killed

High Priest of Koneshwran Temple killed

The High Priest of the Thirukoneswaram Hindu Temple in Trincomalee, Sivasri Kugarajah Kurukkal was shot down by unidentified gunmen at Vidyalayam Road in the town of Trincomalee yesterday around 6.00 p.m. The 43 year old priest was riding a motorbike when he was shot.

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


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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.