SRILANKA TODAY

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Friday, April 25, 2008

Donations for the Quadruplets


Donations for the Quadruplets




All donations for the parents of the Quadruplets could be made to the Seylan Bank, Mathugama Branch Account Number 0660/1620568/101 of the babies' mother Damitha Nadeeshani. Daily Mirror decided to publish the A/C details due to many of our viewers' interest in helping the needy family to support the four newborn.

JVP sees Indian hand in Govt.- TMVP marriage- Anura Disanayake calls Pillaiyan an Indian agent


JVP sees Indian hand in Govt.- TMVP marriage
Anura calls Pillaiyan an Indian agent

The JVP warned that a UPFA victory at the first ever election to the Eastern Provincial Council would facilitate New Delhi’s plans to install a provincial administration friendly to India.

The breakaway LTTE group contesting the May 10 election on the UPFA ticket would represent New Delhi’s interests, JVP frontliner Anura Kumara Dissanayake, MP, said.

Addressing the press, at the National Library Services Board, Dissanayake asserted that Pilleyan (Sivaneshthurai Chandrakanthan) would be New Delhi’s choice as the Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council administration. Pillaiyan would be India’s man, he said, accusing President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government of giving in to the Indian strategy.

Flanked by JVP trade union heavyweight Lal Kantha, MP, and Trincomalee District JVP MP Jayantha Wijesekera, Dissanayake said the election was being held against the backdrop of increasing Indian focus on Trincomalee. The military had denied entry of civilians to Sampur, a former LTTE stronghold where India planned to establish a coal-fired power plant. He said the military recently prevented Wijesekera from entering Sampur while asserting that India was in the process of increasing her influence in the East.

Addressing public rallies in the East, Pillaiyan who spearheads the TMVP polls campaign in the absence of Karuna, has declared that no one would be able to thwart a Tamil assuming the office of the Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council if they secured the highest number of seats. The tough talking former LTTE commander had said that it was one of the promises given by the government.

Dissanayake said the government, in a bid to cripple the JVP campaign in the East, particularly in the Trincomalee District, had targeted Wijesekera. After failing to keep Wijesekera behind bars on a charge of seizing two vehicles from the Parliament car park, the government cut down on his security, he said. This was an attempt to deny Wijesekera an opportunity to campaign in the East. Declaring that Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake had called for additional security coverage for Wijesekera, the JVP accused the government of playing politics with the security of an MP. Asserting that the MP was now vulnerable to an LTTE attack, Dissanayake warned that if he was targeted they would hold the head of the government responsible.

The JVP also launched a scathing attack on SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem. If the UNP-SLMC combine won the election, it would facilitate the return of the LTTE to the Eastern Province, Dissanayake warned. "Don’t forget that Hakeem negotiated an agreement with the LTTE," he said. His was the only direct deal between a political party and the LTTE, he said, warning of dire consequences if the UNP-SLMC combine took control of the first EP administration. It would be equally as bad as a government victory which would bring an Indian puppet to power in the Eastern Province.

JVP claims govt. violating election laws

JVP claims govt. violating election laws

The JVP charged that the government was violating democratic norms, ethics and election laws by using state resources, man power and defence establishments to win the upcoming eastern PC polls.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

SRI LANKA MUSLIM CONGRESS headquarters raided by police without court warrant

SLMC headquarters raided by police without court warrant



Sri lanka Muslim Congress headquarters, 'Darussalam' in Colombo was raided by the Fort Crime Division this noon.The police had carried out the search without a court warrant.
Party Chairman Basheer Segu Dawood and several senior party members had been at the office by the time of the raid. SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem is currently in Trincomalee on campaign trail.
SLMC contest for the Provincial council election in Eastern Province in Sri lanka . They Contest with the main opposition party (UNPunited national Party)

EU decides to proscribe Internet use by terrorist organisations including LTTE

EU decides to proscribe Internet use by terrorist organisations including LTTE

European Union, at a conference attended by Justice and Interior Affairs Ministers has agreed to proscribe the use of Internet by terrorist and armed outfits in the world, including the LTTE.

The decision was reached at a conference attended by Justice and Interior Affairs Ministers. It is not a secret that terrorist organisations were raising funds and carrying out their propaganda through the internet. The meeting was held in Luxembourg.

Reflecting mounting anxiety that the Internet has become a crucial tool for would-be terrorists, the agreement will make it a crime to disseminate terrorism propaganda through the Internet for recruiting, training and bomb-making purposes.

It was decided to encourage all European Union member nations to enact laws to thwart terrorists and armed groups using Internet. The Ministers were unanimous in stating the intent to put an end to rackets undertaken by terrorist organisations with the help of Internet.

The new rules are aimed at codifying terrorist crimes among countries with very different histories and experiences with terrorism, with the goal of preventing radicalization and helping police locate and arrest suspects in cross-border investigations.

The ministers said in a statement that the initiative would help "equip our legal systems across the EU with the adequate tools to bring to justice the criminals who spread violent propaganda providing terrorism tactics and instructions on how to manufacture and use bombs or explosives to provoke others to commit terrorist acts."

The agreement updates anti-terror laws passed by the European Union after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, in the United States that were aimed at preventing terrorists from exploiting loopholes in various legal systems across the Continent.

It should make it easier for police to shut down Web sites disseminating terrorist propaganda and bomb-making instructions and to identify and pursue proselytizers and recruiters. It could also help courts and administrative authorities to demand that Internet service providers remove information considered dangerous.

Fresh offensive in north, heavy toll

Fresh offensive in north, heavy toll



The military this morning advanced its forward defence lines in Muhamalai to Kilali by 500 metres after a fierce battle. At least 52 LTTE cadres were reportedly killed. The military also confirmed that 15 soldiers were killed and 74 injured.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

JVP Somawansa Faction assaults Lanka e News journalist


JVP Somawansa Faction assaults Lanka e News journalist
A group of JVP Somawansa Faction members attacked Lanka-e-News web journalist Shantha Wijesuriya near Hulftsdorp courts yesterday(21st).
Mr. Wijesuriya was reporting the case against Trincomalee district JVP MP Jayantha Wijesekara who was released on bail today after being held in remand for hijacking two vehicles belonged to JVP Weerawansa Faction MPs.

The JVP Somawansa Faction cadres blocked Lanka-e-News journalist from photographing MP Wijesekara and the two suspect drivers were brought to courts and later the thugs attacked the journalist.

The same journalist was intimidated at the press conference held by the Somawansa Faction after MP Wimal Weerawansa broke away from the party. He was not allowed to report the press conference held to announce the crossover of MP Sujatha Alahakoon from Weerawansa Faction to Somawansa Faction. JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe blamed Lanka-e-News at a television programme later.

TMVP – PLOTE clash in Batticaloa

TMVP – PLOTE clash in Batticaloa

Supporters of the TMVP and PLOTE clashed in Batticaloa last evening injuring at least four people

Election for the Eastern Provincial Council is to be held 10 May

Monday, April 21, 2008

Christian priest killed in Wanni

Christian priest killed in Wanni

A Christian priest, Rev Fr. Karunaratnam, who heads the North East Human Rights Organisation was killed in a claymore blast in Ambalkulam in Wanni .

Air Force jets attack Tiger guns


Air Force jets attack Tiger guns


Air Force jets attacked guns mounted on 3 LTTE boats at Alampil, Mullaitivu this morning, a Air Force spokesman said.
The military claims at least 12 Tigers were believed killed following an air strike on LTTE mortar positions at Adamban in Mannar late last night.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Sri lanka President arrives in China

Sri lanka President arrives in China






President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at Sanya Phoenix International Airport at 11 am(Chinese time) today (April 9).




President who arrived in a SriLankan Airlines regular flight was received by Mr. Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister of China, Mr. Jiang Sixian, Vice Governor of Hainan Province, Mr. Dabo Ye, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Mr. K. Amunugama, Sri Lankan Ambassador to China.


President Rajapaksa was given guard of honour by Chinese Combined Armed Services as was received by a large number of flag and flower waving Chinese youth.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

MINISTER FERNANDOPULLE WAS A FRIEND AND VALUED COLLEAGUE FOR MANY AMERICANS" – USA

MINISTER FERNANDOPULLE WAS A FRIEND AND VALUED COLLEAGUE FOR MANY AMERICANS" – USA



Extending heartfelt condolence to the families and friends of the victims and to all Sri Lankans over the killing of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and others, the Government of United States strongly condemned the terrorists' attack, in a media release issued by the Embassy of United States on April 7, 2008.


The United States denounced this vicious and reprehensible terrorist attack on civilians in the strongest possible terms, and added that its perpetrators have achieved nothing other than to cause further suffering among the people of Sri Lanka.





"The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack on April 6 in Weliweriya, Gampaha District that claimed the life of Minister of Highways and Road Development and Chief Government Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. Also killed in this heinous attack were National Athletic Coach Lakshman de Alwis, well- known marathon runner K.A. Karunaratne, and several other persons, while scores more were injured. Minister Fernandopulle was a friend and valued colleague for many Americans."

Parliament sitting suspended again

Parliament sitting suspended again

  
Another uproar in parliament by the UNP MPs over the appointment of the Acting Secretary General of Parliament led to the parliament sitting being suspended for the second time today.

Appointment of Dhammika not unconstitutional - Speaker

Appointment of Dhammika not unconstitutional - Speaker

  
The speaker suspended the parliament for 10 minutes today due to the disruption caused by UNP MPs coming to the well and protesting the appointment of Dhammika Kithulgoda as acting Secretary General of Parliament. The speaker also added that since the appointment was an acting appointment with a validity period of 14 days it's neither illegal nor unconstitutional.

My party has assassinated me - Wimal

My party has assassinated me - Wimal

  

JVP parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa told parliament today that the party decision to expel him is similar to assassinating him from within the party itself. He also added that the party had decided to officially announce the move after the conclusion of the Eastern Polls.


Friday, April 4, 2008

Raids target Zimbabwe opposition and journalists

WORLD NEWS

Raids target Zimbabwe opposition and journalists

• -- Zimbabwean government forces Thursday began cracking down on the main opposition party, raising fears of a political crisis, according to witnesses and an opposition spokesman.
The forces raided at least two hotels in the capital, including one that houses foreign journalists, a witness told CNN.
Four journalists unaccredited by the Zimbabwean government were taken away, he said.
New York Times Executive Editor Bill Keller confirmed that Barry Bearak, a Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent based in Johannesburg, South Africa, was taken into custody.
"We do not know where he is being held, or what, if any, charges have been made against him," Keller said in a written statement.
"We are making every effort to ascertain his status, to assure that he is safe and being well treated, and to secure his prompt release."



The identities of the other journalists seized in the raid were not immediately known.
State Department spokesman Tom Casey told CNN the United States is calling for the immediate release of Americans seized by Zimbabwe authorities. "We are concerned about the taking into custody of several American citizens," Casey said in a telephone interview. "There is no reason for that. We want to see them released as soon as possible."
State Department officials said they were bound by privacy constraints and couldn't say how many American reporters were taken.
Tendai Biti, secretary-general for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, told CNN that his party's offices -- in another Harare hotel -- were also raided by Zimbabwean forces.
Some of the rooms were ransacked, The Associated Press reported.


• "There's a definite crackdown," Biti said. No one was detained in that raid, he added.
The action targeted "certain people ... including myself," Biti told the AP.
"It is quite clear he has unleashed a war," he said, referring to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
The crackdown came hours after the government announced another delay in releasing some of last weekend's election results, raising fears that Mugabe is trying to come up with a plan to remain in power. Many are predicting a runoff election.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Rauff, Hasen and Bashir resign from parliament seats



Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congres (SLMC)Rauff Hakeem, Chairman Hasen Ali and General Secretary Bashir Segu Dawood have resigned from their parliamentary seats in order to contest the forthcoming Eastern PC elections.
Rauff Hakeem for Trincomalee District, Hasen Ali for Ampara district and
Segu Dawood for Batticolo District will contest for the election They wll contest with UNP alliance under UNP elephant symbol.

Memorandum handed over against war in Madhu area




Around a thousand protestors led by Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph have gone to the Mannar Divisional Secretariat to hand over a memorandum, against both the LTTE and Sri Lankan forces waging war in the Madhu area.

SLMC Hisbullah crosses over to the Govt




Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Batticaloa district strongman M.L.A.M. Hisbullah crossed over to the government and placed his signature for the UPFA nomination list for the Eastern Polls at the President’s House a short while ago.

Monday, March 31, 2008

olympic toarch in china


Chinese torchbearers walk with the Olympic flame upon its arrival at Beijing's Capital International Airport on March 31, 2008. The Olympic flame arrived in Beijing on March 31 from Greece ahead of the official start of the relay, with security tight at the Chinese capital's airport amid concerns over protests.