US Election today Night

World News/USA
US Election Night

As Americans cast their votes for a new President, David Dimbleby presents US Election Night live from Washington, with Matt Frei in the studio and reporters in crucial swing states around the country.

Pakistan President to leave for Saudi Arabia

World News/Pakistan
President to leave for Saudi Arabia today (Tuesday)

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will leave for Saudi Arabia Today(Tuesday) on a two‑day official visit for holding wide ranging talks with Saudi leadership and to discuss ways to seek more investment from the Saudi entrepreneurs in energy, infrastructure development, agriculture and industrial sectors.

The President will arrive in Jeddah and hold meetings with Saudi King and exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues during his stay.The President has extensive agenda during his visit to the Holy land. Both the leaders would discuss bilateral, regional and international issues.

Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Ali bin Saeed Awad Asiri said the visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Saudi Arabia would further enhance bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries.He said Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are enjoying cordial and time tested relations. He was hopeful that the visit of Pakistani president would yield positive results.

Both the leaders would contemplate to expedite the implementation of recent agreements inked between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

He said both the leaders would contemplate to expedite the implementation of recent agreements inked between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Pakistan, China to reinforce bilateral ties

World News/Pakistan
Pakistan, China to reinforce bilateral ties
President Asif Ali Zardari and Chinese President Hu Jintao on 15th october (Wednesday) held one-on-one interaction that lasted over one hour with major emphasis on further reinforcing comprehensive strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation in various fields.
President Zardari, Hu emphasize on further reinforcing comprehensive strategic partnership, bilateral cooperation
The over one hour meeting between the two presidents was followed by delegation level parleys.
The Pakistani side was headed by President Asif Ali Zardari, while Chinese President
Hu Jintao led his side at the talks held here at the Great Hall of the People.
The Chinese side assisted President Hu at the delegation level meeting included Foreign Minister Yang Jiech, State Counselor Dai Ping Guo, Governor Peoples Bank of China Zhou Xiao Chuan and other officials.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister for Environment Hamidullah Jan Afridi, Advisor on Interior Rehman Malik, Advisor on Finance and Economic Affairs Shaukat Tareen, Media Advisor to President Farhatullah Babar, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Information Secretary Akram Shaheedi, Secretary General PPP Jahangir Badar and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan assisted President Asif Ali Zardari during the delegation level talks.
In his opening remarks President Hu Jintao showered praises on the efforts and contribution rendered by Bhutto family in the promotion of Pak-China relations.
He further said that the first state visit paid by President Zardari to China as a part of tradition demonstrates the importance Pakistan attaches to the bilateral ties.
President Hu also mentioned special relations of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto with Mao Zhe Dong and Zhou Enlai which he observed played an effective role in the promotion of bilateral relations.
President Hu expressed appreciation for the support and the financial assistance extended by Pakistan for the May 12 earthquake victims of Sichuan province.
The Chinese President also hailed the participation of Pakistani contingent with enthusiasm in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The Chinese President also praised the participation of Bilalwal Bhutto Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in the Beijing Olympics and said it is reflective of the warmth in bilateral relations between the two countries.
Congratulating Asif Ali Zardari on his election as President, President Hu hailed him for his first state visit to China and said it was reflective of depth and warmth in the time tested and all weather bonds.
Reciprocating the opening remarks from his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, President Zardari said the warm welcome accorded to him reflected the level of love and affection of the government and the people of China towards Pakistan.
President Zardari said the high stature leaders from Pakistan and China were the architects of strong foundation of Pak-China relations that strengthened over the period of time, which is the testimony of their sagacious political approach and long term vision.
He expressed the hope that his meeting with the Chinese counterpart during his first official visit will transfuse further resilience and vibrancy in the bilateral relations
taking them to new heights.
Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari was accorded a warm red carpet welcome at an impressive formal ceremony at the Great Hall of the People reflecting the warmth of people-to-people bonhomie and depth of strong bilateral friendly bonds.
The two leaders then ascended the canopied dais and the national anthems of both countries were played, followed by 21-gun salutes. The two leaders later inspected the guard of honour and march past by a smartly dressed soldiers of Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).
After the delegation level talks, both sides signed eleven agreements, MoU and Protocols in different fields with an objective to bolster existing level of cooperation on different areas.
Sourse:

High Commission of Pakistan-Sri Lanka

Pakistan President's First State Visit to China-Very successful visit

Pakistan President's first state visit
Very succesful vist

President asif Ali Zardari was accorded a warm red carpet welcome October 15th at an impressive formal ceremony at the Great hall of the people reflecting the warmth of people-to people bonhomie and depth of strong bilateral friendly bonds.On arrival,president Zardari was received by Chinese President Hu Jintao,who introduced senior Chinese officials and politicians to President Zardari including minister and party leaders.

The visiting President also introduced the members of his entourage to the Chinese President.
The two leaders then ascended the canopied dais and the national anthems of both countries were played, followed by 21-gun salutes. The leaders later inspected the guard of honour and march past by smartly dressed soldiers of Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister for Environment Hamidullah Jan Afridi, Advisor on Interior Rehman Malik, Media Advisor to President Farhatullah Babar, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Information Secretary Akram Shaheedi, Secretary General PPP Jahangir Badar and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan were also present on the occasion.
The two presidents were to hold one-on-one meeting after the welcome ceremony.

Sourse : High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka

'No end till we get Prabhakaran' - President

'No end till we get Prabhakaran' - Sri Lanka President

The Government will declare a ceasefire only if the Tigers lay down weapons and surrender, President Mahinda Rajapaksa told India Today in an interview.

Speaking to India Today Managing Editor Raj Chengappa at Temple Trees, President Rajapaksa said the Forces have Prabhakaran cornered and he will be caught soon. "The day Prabhakaran is caught, military operations would be over. Soon after that we will give a political solution as we did in the East," the President said.

Asked whether the war would be over if Kilinochchi falls, he said: "I don't call it a war. It is a military operation we have launched to wipe out terrorists. Kilinochchi is the LTTE headquarters.

We are also advancing from the East to take Mullaitivu. Progress is slow because we want zero civilian casualties." "Now, one of LTTE's child soldiers is the chief minister and another of Prabhakaran's commanders is a Member of Parliament. But Prabhakaran must be punished for his crimes.

Let's not forget he killed Rajiv Gandhi apart from so many Sri Lankan leaders. He has to undergo trial and if India is interested in having him extradited we will do that," he remarked.

The President recalled how the LTTE used ceasefires to strengthen themselves-buy weapons, firepower, recruit soldiers and make bunkers. "We know they will not honour a ceasefire now. Let them lay down their arms and surrender. We will declare a ceasefire."

He disclosed that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not mention about a ceasefire during their recent telephonic conversation.

"No, he didn't request me to declare a ceasefire. His concern was about the Tamil civilian population. India has been fair. It is focused on the humanitarian issue, especially of the Tamils in the North and the East, which we are taking care of."

"I agree that there can be no military solution. Soon after I took over, we appointed an all party committee to look into this issue. I believe that if the southern political parties, that form the majority, do not accept a political solution then we can't implement it. I don't want to thrust a solution on parties.

If I can have all the parties agree to a solution to solve the problem it would be appreciated by the people. Otherwise there will be riots and no Government will be able to implement it," the President noted.

Asked as to why the Government sent out humanitarian agencies from the war zone, he replied: "We have only prevented those NGOs that were helping the LTTE consolidate, with some even transferring weapons and money.

Plus, when fighting was going on, there was concern about their safety. But we do allow the UN and Red Cross to supply food and medicines, which in any case is distributed by the Government. We are not harassing Tamils. This war is not against Tamils or Muslims. This war is against terrorism. That has to be understood

80% of the war completed – Army Chief

80% of the war completed – Sri Lanka Army Chief
Army Commander Sarath Fonseka today said that 80% of the war has been completed so far and the army had killed some 12,000 LTTE cadres.

APRC final document, when military campaign concludes - Tissa

APRC final document, when military campaign concludes - Minister Tissa Vitharana

The final document of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) will be ready when the present military campaign concludes shortly, APRC chairman, Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana said.

Jayalalitha's convoy attacked by pro-LTTE group

Jayalalitha's convoy attacked by pro-LTTE group

Within hours after the Tamil Nadu Former Chief Minister and AIADMK Chief Jayaram Jayalalitha received death threats from a Canada based LTTE front, her convoy was stoned near Madurai yesterday(Oct 30).

According to Indian News sources, Jayalalithaa had being escorted unhurt but, her car window was broken after stones were pelted as she was on her way from Madurai to Ramnad district.

India’s action on Sri Lanka not satisfactory, says Communist Party of India

India’s action on Sri Lanka not satisfactory, says Communist Party of India
The action taken by the Central government in response to the demand of the people of Tamil Nadu to stop the war in Sri Lanka was neither satisfactory nor promising, Communist Party of India State secretary D. Pandian said on Saturday.

Talking to journalists here, he said India could not wash its hands of the Sri Lankan Tamils issue on the pretext that it was an internal matter of another country.

“When human rights are violated, borders of a country cannot be a stumbling block. In the case of Sri Lanka we have a close relationship with the Tamils.”

Stating that people of Tamil Nadu were ready to donate food and medicine to the Sri Lankan Tamils, Mr. Pandian requested N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, to get permission from Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to distribute the same.

Aid for Tamils; Karunanidhi contributes INR 10 lakhs

Aid for Tamils; Karunanidhi contributes INR 10 lakhs
According to Indian reports, a day after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi appealed to the people to contribute to provide relief for Tamils in Sri Lanka, financial assistances started pouring in, with the Chief Minister himself opening the account with a contribution of Indian Rs 10 lakhs.

After Karunanidhi had announced last evening that the state government wanted to meet the immediate need of the Lankan Tamils for food, clothes and medicines and appealed to the people to contribute generously, DMK Central Ministers and State Ministers made their contributions this morning.

No civilians in Killinochchi - Basil

No civilians in Killinochchi - Basil

MP Rajapaksa, who visited India as a special envoy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said that torrential rains and flooding had affected Tamils displaced by the fighting in the North and that India had pledged to provide food and medicine for them. He added that UN agencies would visit the war zone to assess the situation. “Both countries are proving to be genuine friends. This is true for the people of the two countries too,” Rajapaksa told IANS, a day after meeting External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and other officials. “India has really proved to be a real friend. They are friends of Sri Lanka,” said Rajapaksa. “We found they (India) have understood very well our problems.” “We also realise that we need to do everything we can do for the safety of civilians (in the war zone). We are discussing (this issue with India),” said Rajapaksa. “We want to ensure zero civilian casualties or at least keep it to the very minimum.” Providing a gist of his talks here, Rajapaksa told IANS: “There are certain hardships (to civilians). We agree. We want to minimise them. There are no civilians now in Kilinochchi.

Karuna removed as TMVP political head- Spokesman

Karuna removed as TMVP political head- Spokesman
TMVP spokesman Azad Maulana says MP Karuna Amman is no more in charge of the TMVP political party but continues as its military unit head. He says the TMVP is unhappy with his recent public statements.

Pioneering musician Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa no more

Pioneering musician Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa no more

Pioneering musician Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa passed away last night (Oct. 24th) at Apollo Hospital, Colombo. He was 71. Popularly known as Khemadasa Master, the father of two had been ailing for some time.
Born on 25th January 1937 at Thalpitiya in Wadduwa as the youngest in a family of 11, he was educated at Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya and St. John College in Panadura.

In the field of cinema, he had been accorded the highest number of awards for music direction and composition.

Dr. Khemadasa had used a combination of western classical as well as oriental music styles.

He also contributed to stage plays and tele dramas, including internationally acclaimed 'Manasa Vila', 'Doramadalawa', 'Sonduru Warnadasi' and 'Agni'.

The remains presently lie at his Rajagiriya home at Madinnagoda Road and the funeral takes place at Borella Cemetery on October 27th.

President assures Ranil of political solution

The government is working on a political solution parallel to the war offensives against terrorism, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has assured opposition leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe.

(Picture by Chandana Perera)

The assurance came during talks at the Presidential Secretariat today (Oct. 24th) following the President’s invitation to the opposition leader for discussions on several issues.

The topics that had come up included war offensives in north, protests in Tamil Nadu against same and the Central Indian government's stance on the issue.

Speaking to ‘Lanka Dissent’, a senior official of the opposition leader’s office said the President has emphasized that Kilinochchi would be liberated soon.

The President also agreed with Mr. Wickremesinghe on the necessity of a political solution for the ethnic crisis and the need of cooperation with India in terms of mutual understanding.

Taking up the issue of appointments to the Constitutional Council, Mr. Rajapaksa has agreed to call a meeting with the opposition leader as soon as Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickremanayake returns from an overseas visit.

Leader of the House Nimal Siripala De Silva and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena also attended the meeting.

Sourse : (www.lankadissent.com)

Thamilnadu Law students attack Deputy High Commission of Sri lanka -17 arrested

Law students attack Deputy High Commission of Sri lanka -17 arrested

A group of students of the Madras Law College attacked the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission at Teynampet here on Thursday(23rd) damaging property and injuring a staff member THE HINDU paper has reported. . They raised slogans condemning the killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka P.M. Amza told The Hindu that some youths attacked the security post and tried to forcibly enter the premises. They threw stones, one of which hit a staff member. “We have taken up the issue with the Indian authorities,” he said.

Seventeen students were arrested and later let on bail.

The Sri Lankan Tamils don’t depend on Prabakaran –Jayalalithaa

The Sri Lankan Tamils don’t depend on Prabakaran –Jayalalithaa

Currently a few LTTE cadres are reported to be taking treatment at the hospital in Vellore. So far the government has not responded to this, said Jayalalithaa is a statement issued .

AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa on Wednesday condemned the pro-LTTE speeches made by film directors Seeman and Amir and a few politicians and said supporting the outfit, responsible for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, was an anti-national activity.

“The Sri Lankan Tamils don’t depend on LTTE chief Prabakaran. He is a destructive force. He will make use of the ceasefire only to amass weapons and other things. Who is responsible for the killing of leaders like Amirthalingam and Padmanahbha? It is none other than Prabakaran,” she said in a statement.
Alleging that blatant propaganda in support of the LTTE became rampant in Tamil Nadu whenever the DMK was in power, Ms Jayalalithaa said the propagandists had gone to the extent of articulating objectionable and anti-national slogans like “creation of separate Tamil Nadu” and “ready to take up arms for the cause.”

Basil Rajapaksa to leave for India

President's seiner consultant Basil Rajapaksa to leave for India

Basil Rajapaksa is expected to leave for India later today (Oct. 24th) as a special emissary of the Sri Lankan government to brief New Delhi on the prevailing situation in the island.

The senior presidential advisor will remain in the country for two-days, and will meet with Indian external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee on the final day of his stay.

Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama announced Mr. Rajapaksa's Indian tour at a media briefing at Parliamentary Complex yesterday.

The FM has said Colombo has assured New Delhi of all steps for the protection and welfare of displaced in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi.

An assurance has also been given the Sri Lanka Navy will not harass Indian fishermen who stray into the island's territorial waters, said Mr. Bogollagama.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his recent telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, has stressed his government's commitment for a political solution while eliminating terrorism, he added.

Vaiko remanded till Nov. 6

Vaiko remanded till Nov. 6

South Indian politician Vaiko, arrested on charges of sedition, has been remanded till November 06th.

He is lodged in Puzhal Central Prison, reported 'The Hindu.'

Officials of ‘Q’ Branch CID of Tamil Nadu police yesterday (Oct. 23rd) arrested the MDMK party general secretary and its presidium chairman M. Kannappan on same charges.

Vaiko, who was arrested at his Chennai home, was produced in a city court and remanded to judicial custody.

The charges against them are based on their speeches at a party meeting on the Sri Lankan issue.

Vaiko warned that India extending help to protect Sri Lanka’s integrity would jeopardise India’s own unity and integrity.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu opposition AIADMK staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha today demanding arrest of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi over his alleged support to the LTTE.

Pakistan High Commission in Colombo donated 15 latest computers to the Central Cultural Fund, Government of Sri Lanka.

Pakistan High Commission in Colombo donated 15 latest computers to the Central Cultural Fund, Government of Sri Lanka.

The High Commissioner for Pakistan H.E. Shahzad A Chaudhry, as continuation of the same efforts donated 15 latest computers to the Central Cultural Fund, Government of Sri Lanka.

A small ceremony was held in the High Commission for handing over the computers, (on 9 October 2008)which were received by Prof. Sudharshan Seneviratnae, Chairman of the Fund. Highlighting the importance of closer cultural ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner underlined the need to make better use of the wealth of Buddhist Gandhara heritage so beautifully preserved in Pakistan. Prof. Sudharshan, endorsing the importance of the Gandhara heritage in Pakistan, expressed a strong desire on behalf of the Central Cultural Fund to work more closely with the Pakistan High Commission in this particular area.

The High Commissioner also donated six computers and 4 stitching machines to Mrs. Nawazia Farook, President of the Muslim Ladies Study Circle. Also present on this occasion were other office bearers of the Circle, which is doing useful work in vocational training in and around Colombo.

Pakistan High Commission in Colombo, for the last three years, has been consistently assisting various social sector organizations and the Government agencies in projects related to education, health, vocational training and cultural promotion. As part of this effort, the High Commission for Pakistan has so far established or helped to establish over 30 big and small computer centers throughout the Island. Similarly six full fledged stitching centers have been funded by the Government of Pakistan in various parts of Sri Lanka, to benefit needy women.

Political solution needed - India

Political solution needed - India

The Indian government says a political solution is what is needed for Sri Lanka’s national question.
In a statement issued on 16 October, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the solution should be based within the framework of united Sri Lanka.

“India will do all in its power to achieve this goal, to ameliorate the humanitarian conditions in Sri Lanka and has been making representations to the Government of Sri Lanka at several levels,” the statement added.

India has also raised serious concern over the civilians caught in the conflict.

Same views

“It is essential that their rights be respected, that they be immune from attacks, and that food and other essential supplies be allowed to reach them,” Mr. Mukherjee’s statement said.