Pakistan two navy ships arrive inColombo port on a goodwill mission

Two Pakistani Naval ships returning from China arrived in  Colombo port today on a three-day visit


Pakistan Navy Task Group comprising PNS Sword Class Frigate PN Ship Shamsheer and Combat Support Fleet Tanker PN Ship Nasr reached Colombo after participating in the Brunei Fleet Review 2011.

In accordance with naval traditions, the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) ceremonially welcomed the ships and the crew on arrival. Various events have been planned for the visitors during their stay in Colombo.
According to SLN, PNS Shamsheer is a guided missile frigate with a displacement of 3143.9 tons. It is 123 meters in length and carries a complement of 28 officers and 215 sailors. The ship has a state of the art weapons and surveillance system and is commanded by Captain Ahmed Farooq.

PNS Nasr is a fleet oil tanker with a displacement of 21850.7 tons. It is 170.45 meters in length and carries a complement of 23 officers and 296 sailors. It is a Combat Support ship which supports extended operations of Pakistan Navy. The ship is commanded by Captain Ovais Hyder.
The visit is a part of a cruise to enhance defense relations and goodwill between the two countries, Pakistan news agency APP said.
Such visits are part of regular exchange Port Calls between the two navies that bolster the cooperation between the two countries.
Pakistan is a close ally of Sri Lanka and Pakistan Navy regards cooperation with Sri Lankan Navy is of paramount importance.
The visit will open new avenues of bilateral cooperation between the two friendly navies and garner the existing strong bonds of friendship between the two countries, a statement said.

London Violence

Riots spread across Britain as London calms

Britain's worst riots in decades raged into Wednesday as youths ran amok in Manchester and the industrial Midlands but London was quiet with 16,000 police swamping the streets to stem violence.
In Manchester, Britain's third-largest city, youths smashed shop windows and looted shops and chased photographers away from the scene in what police described as the city's worst violence in 30 years.
Elsewhere, hooded rioters set fire to buildings in West Bromwich and Wolverhampton in central England and a police station in nearby Nottingham was firebombed, although there were no reported injuries.
Looters also targeted shops in the second city of Birmingham for another night and 200 rioters pelted police with missiles in the northwest city of Liverpool as the nation faced up to a fourth day of unrest.
But in London there was no repeat of the wave of violence which left parts of the capital in flames on Monday night, as vigilante mobs took to the streets to defend their communities.
Police were bracing for more trouble after what they said was the worst night of disorder in living memory in the British capital, and their numbers were ramped up from 6,000 to 16,000 on Tuesday night as Prime Minister David Cameron vowed to do "everything necessary to restore order to the streets".
Shops in many parts of London closed early and put down their shutters on the advice of the police.
Scotland Yard said early Wednesday that 768 people had been arrested in London for violence, disorder and looting.
The focus of Tuesday's violence was Manchester in northwest England, where police were driven back by gangs of hundreds of youths who covered their faces with scarves and ski masks.
Gangs smashed their way into shoe shops and set fire to a girls' clothing store in the city centre.
Two raiders smashed the glass entrance of the Arndale shopping centre, central Manchester's main shopping mall, allowing hundreds of youths to pour into a shop and emerge with armfuls of clothes and shoes.
Looters cleared out an electrical store as powerless police watched on while other gangs squared up to officers and shouted obscenities in their faces, an AFP correspondent reported.
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan of Greater Manchester Police, who joined the force after moving to the city in 1981, called the scenes "senseless violence and senseless criminality on a scale I have never witnessed before."
There were similar scenes in Birmingham, and in the neighbouring town of Wolverhampton youths clashed with riot police brandishing shields.
West Midlands police, which arrested 109 people over Tuesday's disturbances, said it was investigating reports that a shot had been fired during the disorder.
Despite the unrest, police and cricket officials announced that the Test match between England and India, due to take place at the nearby Edgbaston ground, would begin as planned on Wednesday.
In London, hundreds of Sikhs camped out overnight Wednesday to defend the community of Southall in the capital's west.
The group, some dressed in traditional clothing, organised motorcycle patrols and monitored the train station for troublemakers.
Similar mobs of football supporters congregated in Eltham, south London, in an effort to deter looters.
An AFP reporter witnessed a gang of around 150 men running down a street in Enfield, at the centre of much of the previous trouble, shouting "England, England, England".
In a development which will do nothing to calm tensions, Britain's police watchdog said it found no evidence that Mark Duggan -- whose shooting by police last week was the catalyst for the riots in London -- had fired a gun at officers.
In a pre-planned operation, armed officers stopped the taxi in which Duggan, 29, was travelling in the multi-ethnic district of Tottenham in north London. Shots were fired and Duggan died at the scene.
Duggan's family said they were "completely gutted" by the findings and called for "answers" from the police.
Despite the controversy surrounding the shooting, Cameron warned rioters: "You will feel the full force of the law."
Scotland Yard Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stephen Kavanagh said the rampage by hundreds of hooded youths was "unprecedented" and police resources were stretched "to an extent I have never seen before".
He said plastic bullets -- used during sectarian unrest in Northern Ireland but never before in mainland Britain -- have been considered to stem the tide of unrest.
The violence has raised questions about security ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games, and it prompted the cancellation of Wednesday's friendly between England and the Netherlands at Wembley Stadium.
A 26-year-old man found with a gunshot wound to the head in a car in Croydon died in hospital on Tuesday, police said, becoming the first fatality of the riots.

Buddhist archaeological sites in Pakistan

Buddhist archaeological sites in Pakistan

by Chandana Wijekoon 

Only a few people have a true understanding of Buddhist sites in Pakistan which is acclaimed as a truly Islamic People's Republic. This is because only a small group of people in Pakistan get to read and understand reports on the Buddhist sites in their country.
Therefore, I believe that it is timely to make an analysis of the archaeological sites in Pakistan and the measures which are being taken to safeguard them.
Taxila is the old capital of the State of Gandhar. It is a location with ample sunlight and is situated in an ideal and precious block of land. It is considered that the site was in existence in the 6th century BC and this has been determined by archaeologists who have unveiled a plethora of artefacts ranging from coins, play pots, jewellery and other creations. It is due to these reasons that the UNESCO has declared it as a World heritage site. It is also an open museum.
There are, still the vestiges of ancient Buddhist civilisation along with 12 stupas and a large number of Chinese and Burmese dagobas efforts of the Pakistan archaeological authorities and their attempts to conserve them should not be underestimated even in the light of the impossibility to trace their roots.
The efforts of intellectuals, archaeologists, and tourists who roam the site have enabled the dissemination of various studies, unfolding the Buddhist heritage of Taxila, which is an ancient site sandwiched between the banks of the Indus river. Rawalpindi and Peshawar both belong to this site.
This is indeed an idyllic site which is around 100 kilometres in length from east to west and 70 kilometres from the Northern slope to the south it is enveloped with mountains. On the Northern
range is the Buher, Swat, Dir and Bajaur mountains and the first capital of the area was Pushkalawathi which is known as the Charshada town. It extends to the cities of Taxila, Manik Yala city and the Jhelum city. It was at that time that the art of Ghandhar originated between the first and seventh centuries BC.
It is also considered that the origin of Taxila was during King Darius I between 422 and 586 BC. It was also approximately in 327 BC that King Alexander the Great travelled in the Indus River through the city of Attock to extend his military operations to Central Asia and he arrived in Taxila, Chronicles have unfolded that King Chandragupta who was also considered as the first King of the area and that he extended his reign from Northern to Southern India and also to Hindu Kush in North Afghanistan  .
Emperor Asoka has also ruled the State of Gandhar. It was his unbridled devotion to Buddhism that it also spread to North India as well. But his kingdom could not be extended beyond to what it was till then, following his demise. From the end of the 3rd century BC to first century BC, Gandhar has also been a part of the Kingdom of Bactria as well. The area that was known as Bactria is now the Bolkh region in Northern Afghanistan.
The Thushanese who were known to have been immigrants from China have endorsed their power in Ghandhar from first century BC to third century AD. King Kanishka who was a pious Buddhist was also instrumental in enforcing a series of Buddhist traditions within the Gandhar region. There were a series of monuments which evolved in that time.
According to archaeological evidence, there had been the evolution of the Greeko-Roman culture also which have been embedded into the culture during that time and they have also given priority for Buddhist civilisation as well.
Gandhara is the name of an ancient kingdom (Mahajanapada), located in Northern Pakistan and Eastern Afghanistan. Gandhara was located mainly in the valley of Peshawar, the Potohar plateau and on the Kabul River. Its main cities were Purushapura (modern Peshawar), literally meaning 'City of Man' and Takshashila (Modern Taxila)
The Kingdom of Gandhara lasted from early 1st millennium BC to the 11th century AD. It attained its heigh from the 1st century
to the 5th century under the Buddhist Kushan Kings. The Hindu Shahi, a term used by history writer Al-Biruni to refer to the ruling Hindu dynasty that took over from the Turki Shahi and ruled the region during the period prior to Muslim conquests of the 10th and 11th centuries. After it was conquered by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1021 CE, the name Gandhara disappeared. During the Muslim period the area was administered from Lahore or from Kabul. During Mughal times the area was part of Kabul province.

Coordinated efforts required to combat terrorism in SAARC region:Pak Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik

Coordinated efforts required to combat terrorism in SAARC region:  Pak  Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik

(APP) - The fourth South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Interior Ministers’ Conference was a good platform to discuss regional anti-terrorism strategy and would go a long way in combating this menace due to which entire region is suffering. Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik, who presided over the important meeting as Chairman, remained busy during his stay and met with Prime Minister of Bhutan, Jigme Yoser Thinley and other Ministers on the sidelines of the Conference, held in Thimphu from July 21-23. Home and Interior Ministers, Secretaries and other relevant officials of SAARC including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, and Nepal attended the Conference.

In his address to the conference, Rehman Malik emphasized coordinated and concerted efforts to combat terrorism and money laundering.



He suggested that there is need for constitution of a SAARC Pol on the pattern of Interpol.

He had said there was also need of a SAARC Commission with the objective to promote harmony and at the same time a joint Task Force need to be formed to control incidents of pirates in Indian Ocean.

The Minister said Pakistan, its people and armed forces had offered great services and sacrifices in the war against terrorism and to prevent the terrorists from fanning out to other parts of the country as well as the whole region. The war against terrorism would continue till its elimination, he added.

He said Pakistani people are suffering due to terrorism for the last 10 years and experienced 7,485 bomb explosions out of which 3,800 were suicide bombings. More than 35,000 innocent Pakistanis have lost their precious lives in the war against terror.

Rehman Malik also informed the Conference that Pakistan was following three-D policy to combat terrorism and said Pakistan has further improved rules and regulations regarding border control and immigration in the country.

The Interior Ministers of SAARC region appreciated the address of Rehman Malik, in which he ably highlighted the efforts of Pakistan in the war against terrorism and extremism.

On the sideline of the fourth SARRC Home Ministers’ Conference, Rehman Malik called on Prime Minister of Bhutan and conveyed him the messages of good wishes from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.

Malik said he offered Pakistan’s support to Bhutan in the areas of police training, anti-money laundering efforts and for making computerized identity cards and machine readable passports.

Prime Minister Jigme Thinley appreciated and recognized Pakistan’s contribution and sacrifices in the anti-terrorism drive and said Pakistan’s proposals for eliminating the menace of terrorism were useful.

Rehman Malik also met with his Indian counterpart P.Chidambaram and discussed matters relating to mutual interests.

He affirmed that his ministry was working toward an early visit of a Judicial Commission from Pakistan to India which would take place at an early date. Upon his arrival from Bhutan, Rehman Malik told mediapersons that Pakistan had given a suggestion in the Conference to work on proposals regarding money laundering, drug money and other issues which all related to terrorism.

Pakistan’s Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik said that SAARC can play an important role in war against terror as it represents one fourth population of the world.Talking to Pakistan Television (PTV) he said that it is very crucial time as people are suffering especially due to terrorism. The whole region of SAARC is suffering from it. Some are suffering heavily while some comparatively less, he added.Malik said that terrorism is the common problem of all SAARC member states and we should make common strategy to eliminate this menace from the society.

He said that Pakistan, its people and armed forces have offered great services and sacrifices in the war against terrorism to eliminate terrorists from country as well as the whole region. The war against terrorism would continue till its elimination, he added.

Minister said that Pakistan is doing its best to eradicate terrorism but Pakistan cannot alone do it. All SAARC states should come forward to help Pakistan and we should make a common strategy against our common enemy, he added.

Malik said that there is a track financing to the terrorists and the leads go beyond the boundaries of Pakistan. Terrorists are moving with strategy and planning therefore we have all to work together to fight this menace

“I am sure, the decisions taken in SAARC will go all the way with positively, cooperation and working our ways and means in practical terms,” he said.









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Pakistan -India dialogue on Kashmir should Not be for the sake of dialogue: Pakistan Foriegn Minister

Pakistan -India dialogue on Kashmir should

Not be for the sake of dialogue: Pakistan  Foriegn Minister

(APP): Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar has said that Pak-India dialogue on Kashmir should not be for the sake of dialogue but it should yield constructive results. “Pakistan believes in the resolution of Kashmir issue as per the wishes of the Kashmiris in the light of UN resolutions on Kashmir,” she said during her meeting with the JKLF leader, Yasin Malik at the State Guest House here Monday.

The Foreign Minister invited JKLF leaders for a meeting prior to her departure to attend Pak-India ministerial level dialogue to be held on July 27 in New Delhi.

Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, Salman Bashir and JKLF leaders, Muhammad Rafique Dar and Saleem Haroon were also present.

Ms Khar added that genuine Kashmiri leaders should be part of the dialogue process on Kashmir issue, adding that the concerns showed by the Kashmiri leadership would be raised during the meeting with her Indian counterpart S M Krishna.

She, while talking to the Kashmiri leaders, said that Kashmir movement was real movement comprising sections of Kashmiri society and Pakistan fully supports the movement, adding the government was on the same page with the JKLF leadership on Kashmir.

The Minister said that concept of tripartite meeting on Kashmir was based on the suggestions of the Kashmiri leaders that no dialogue could produce results without the inclusion of genuine Kashmiri leaders in the dialogue process.

Earlier, Chairman JKLF, Yasin Malik approved of the dialogue process on Kashmir between Pakistan and India, adding that Kashmiris have concerns on the dialogue due to their non-inclusion in the process.

He said that India must announce time-bound dialogues in order to make the dialogue process credible and acceptable to the Kashmiris.

He demanded time-bound dialogue process, participation of the Kashmiri leadership in the dialogue process and recognition of the independence movement by India after the Kashmiris have unilaterally showed transition from a violent freedom movement to a non-violent movement.

Yasin Malik admired the CBMs initiatives between Pakistan and India, adding that the CBMs have created a healthy atmosphere in the region.

Later, the Foreign Minister had a one-to-one meeting with the Kashmiri leader.

‘Sri Lanka Expo’ in March 2012

‘Sri Lanka Expo’ in March 2012

‘Sri Lanka Expo - 2012’ exhibition is scheduled to be held from 28th to 30th March, 2012 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Exhibition Center, Colombo, Sri Lanka, under the theme, “Lets join hands with Sri Lanka, the Asian Hub.”

The Export Development Board says that organizing the event after 15 years has been appreciated by many quarters.
This year’s exhibition would ensure a platform to exhibit a large number of high quality goods and services of Sri Lanka, via more than 300 exporters and the participation of about 1000 foreign buyers are expected.

According to the Export Development Board, the principal objective of the event is to introduce and promote Sri Lanka as a commercial hub that enables a promising environment for trade affairs, investment opportunities and tourist industry.

Sri Lanka also looks forward to use this exhibition as a strategic event in achieving the export target of $ 15 billion by 2015.

Products related to the industries of tea, garment, rubber, information technology, gem and jewelry, food and beverages, spices, coconut, electricity, and services of ship building and repairing will be showcased at the exhibition.

Kalubowitiyana export qulity Tea for Sri lankan concumers

Kalubowitiyana export  qulity  Tea Sri lankan concumers

By Suneetha Perera



Mrs.  Malani Peiris , Secretary, MPI  is  opening the Marketing Division and

and Sales Centre.      Also in the picture  is  Mr. Donald Abeysundara,  Chairman  of KTFL.

 Kalubowitiyana Tea Factory Company Ltd.,under Ministry of Plantation Industries, the pioneer for production of CTC tea in Sri Lankan opened the Marketing Division and Sales Centre at Pelawatte, Battaramulla on 6th May 2011.

The vision of President, Mahinda Rajapakse ‘s Mahinda Chintana and the idea of Minster of Plantation Industries Mr. Mahinda Samarasinghe, the Kalubowitiyana Tea Factory Ltd. Introduced Export Quality “Single Origin Tea” (unblended) to the Local Market.

There are 7 Labels of “ Kalubowitiyana Tea” according to your taste.

Single OriginTea

CTC 

1. KING ‘S TEA

2 QUEEN ‘S TEA

3  BROWN LABEL 6 RED LABEL

ORTHODOX

4 ORANGE LABEL

5 YELLOW LABEL

6 RED  LABEL

7 WHITE LABEL

Gilani for Due acknowledgment of Pakistan’s Share of Successes in War on Terror Terms Democracy in Pakistan Crucial f or Regional Stability

Gilani  for Due acknowledgment of Pakistan’s Share of  Successes in

War  on Terror Terms Democracy in Pakistan Crucial f or Regional Stability

Pakistan appreciates that UK realizes crucial role of Pakistan’s in the peaceful settlement of Afghanistan along the lines that no negative fall out effects Pakistan or any other country of the region after the scaling down of international forces .Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani acknowledged this support in a meeting with Mark Philip Sedwill the UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan who called on him, here, today. Prime Minister asserted Pakistan’s  stance that West should draw  a  clear cut  road map and  framework  for  an Afghan led  solution ... While elaborating upon international cooperation  on war against terrorism  the prime Minister pointed out that despite high level of cooperation from Pakistan including intelligence sharing due recognition has not been accorded to Pakistan for its share in the  victories  in the war on terror but when ever there is any failure the onus is  directed towards Pakistan. 

He called upon international community to consider Pakistan as   partner in real sense having share in both successes and failures.  He said that the impact of this attitude was contrary to the support that Pakistan requires to strengthen democracy in Pakistan which was vital in defeating terrorism. Only democracy, he added, can help Pakistan in sustaining political support and stabilize the economy much needed to confront the security challenges which threaten international peace.
Mr. Sedwill assured that the British government is fully cognizant of Pakistan’s concerns in the scenario for settlement of Afghan issue .and would like to work more closely with Pakistan. UK he mentioned clearly understands Pakistan’s point of view as well as its strengths and influence for peaceful settlement of Afghanistan solution.  He further added that call for enhancing Pakistan’s trade with EU and beyond should be seen as a strategic issue rather than a simple economic issue. Prime Minister Gilani further added that cross border incursions were being carried out by the elements who do not want Pakistan and Afghanistan to come  closer and work together  for stability in the region.  He emphasized for checking these incursions to avoid derailment of close brotherly relations between the two countries, While referring to two tier Joint Commission on Reconciliation that has  been set up by  Pakistan and Afghanistan he said that inaugural meeting of the first  tier level of the commission led by the chief executives of two countries was held in Islamabad had helped to establish better understanding on both sides. The first  meeting of the Joint Commission’s  second tier level which was held in Kabul on June 29th this year also showed positive outcome  he added. The Prime Minister congratulated Mr. Sedwill on his appointment to his present position. He expressed confidence that his appointment that would be helpful in promoting peace in the region due to his knowledge and understanding of both the countries acquired through serving in both Afghanistan and Pakistan during his diplomatic career. The Prime Minister called upon the international community to focus on stability and peace in Afghanistan in the post 2014 scenario as  the region can not afford Afghanistan plunge into chaos  again. He said that Pakistan was trying to fight the menace of terrorism despite heavy odds but need international support to sustain its commitment. Dwelling upon parameters of Pakistan’s policy on Afghanistan, he said “ our position is very clear ,we want a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan through  a smooth transition. Pakistan he added believes in non –interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. The Prime Minister emphasized that the West needs to have a clear roadmap and hoped that the time  before the  Bonn Conference would be  utilized to the maximum to draw a strategy that ensures peaceful and prosperous  Afghanistan after the  possible wit drawl of ISAF forces in 2014.  

President presenting netball shooter Tharjini Sivalingam with a special cash award

 The President Mahinda Rajapaksha  presenting netball shooter Tharjini Sivalingam with a special cash award of Rs. 500,000 for her excellent performance at the recently concluded World Netball Championship.

Peace Economic Dividend

 Peace Economic Dividend
http://www.lbo.lk/fullstory.php?nid=103344303
Sri Lanka is seeing a peace dividend in the form of lower interest rates, taxes, inflation and higher capital expenditure after a 30-year war ended, Treasury secretary P B Jayasundera said.

He said defence expenditure which was about 5.0 percent of gross domestic product during the war years, has now dropped to 3.0 percent. "We managed the budget under stress, because the country was at war," Jayasundera told members of the Joint Apparel Association Forum, an industry body.
"So we had fairly high defence expenditure, sometimes as high as five percent of GDP. It has now dropped to three."
Spending Trends
In 2010, defence spending fell to 190 billion rupees or 3.4 percent of GDP as the economy expanded compared to from 3.9 percent of GDP in 2009.
"So this number is going to go down, because we no longer spend money on aircraft, buying ammunition or military hardware," Jayasundera said.

"Probably we have to build little bit capital stock to have fairly high tech security. "But since there is no war threatening the existence of the country itself, we can have planned defence expenditure like any other country which will also be conducive for national development."
For 2011 defence spending was originally slated at 214 billion rupees or 3.4 percent of forecasted GDP. But spending was upped last month by another 20 billion rupees to build a new defence headquarters, taking the share up to about 3.7 percent.

However the government is selling land where military facilities were earlier sited, to raise funds.
Sri Lanka's citizens have taken up arms against the state three times since independence from British rule, amid a steady erosion of economic freedoms, civil liberties and rule of law.
Sections of the Sinhalese majority have engaged in armed rebellions twice and the Tamil minority once. However analysts say since 1977, a series of economic freedoms have been restored, leading to higher growth.
Rebuilding
Jayasundera said the government was now investing heavily in infrastructure and re-building the war torn areas.
"Where do these savings go now? It is going for development," Jayasundera said.
The government is investing rapidly, people can see it. All over where you go you can see a bridge and irrigation scheme; Jaffna KKS (a town in the north) or down south."
The government has maintained capital spending to about 6.0 percent of gross domestic product. This year about 1.1 billion rupees would be spent on roads alone.
A finance ministry report said earlier that the military itself was now engaged in reconstruction activities. Health expenditure previously used to treat injured soldiers, were now diverted to the general public.
He said in the last budget the government has abolished a series of 'nuisance' taxes resulting in a 15 billion rupee revenue loss. He said as a result, transaction costs related to a series of taxes were no longer there for businesses, not counting the nuisance value.
"Road barriers are not there," he said. "Interest rates have come down. War risk is not there. Now these nuisance taxes are not there.
"No separate provincial national taxes. So I am sure this saving must be somewhere. This saving is with the economy now. So it has to produce the real activities."
Sri Lanka's inflation is now on the high side of single digits and lending rates in the low double digits.

THE BOOK LAUNCH- Mass Media & Social ConsciousnessBook

THE BOOK LAUNCH

Mass Media & Social ConsciousnessBook
By Suneetha Perera

(Special Correspondence-
Sri Lanka Today)

The book “Mass Media & Social Consciousness” the written by Journalist, Chandana Wijekoon was launched on 22nd June 2011 at Auditorium in National Library and Documentation Centre, Independence Avenue, Colombo 07 , Sri Lanka.
Chandana Wijekoon is working as senior journalist at Associated News Papers Ceylon Ltd., (Lake House). He has written & published 03 books of Mass Media. He has lot of experience as a journalist.
In attendance at this book launch a number of important representatives of Government, Diplomatic Mission of other Foreign Representatives, Colonel Khurram Hassnain Defence Advisor, Sri Lanka & Maldives (High Commission for Pakistan), Lieutenant Colonel Khorram Lajevardi, Military attaché (Embassy of the Islamic Republic Iran), Mr. Hokuto Kaya. 1st Secretary, (Embassy for Japan) and lot of journalists of Media Organizations.
The Chief Guest was Mr, Dew Gunasekera, Hon. Senior Minister of Human Resource and Chief Secretary of Sri Lanka Communist Party. The Chair person was Professor Sunanda Mahendra and also Dr. Tudor Weerasinghe, Rector, Sri Pali Campus, Colombo University , Senior Jounarlist Mr. Mohan Samaranayake, Chairman, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation addressed this special occasion.

Talent |Identitification camp in Kilinochchi

Talent Identitification camp in Kilinochchi

The Talent Identification Camp which is jointly conducted by the Ministry of Sports and the Department of Sports Development is held these days, from the 15th to the 17th of July 2011.




 Minister of Sports, Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Hon. Namal Rajapakse, Member of Parliament and Ms. Tharjani Shivalingam, Co-Captain of the Sri Lanka Netball team being welcomed for the Talent Identification Camp.






 Ms. Tharjani Shivalingam conducting a session for possible netball players at the Talent Identification Camp.









 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sri Lanka's North records highest Economic Growth

Sri Lanka's North records highest Economic Growth

Sri Lanka's Northern Province which was badly hit by war has had the highest rate of economic growth last year The North's gross domestic product grew 22.0 percent last year, against 12.1 percent in 2009, the Central Bank said in an analysis of provincial GDP.

The Eastern Province, which had also been affected by war, came fourth with a growth of 18.7 percent after the North-Central Province which grew 20.3 percent and Sabaragamuwa Province which grew 19.1 percent.
In 2009, it was the eastern province which had the highest rate of growth among provinces, expanding 13.4 percent.
The Bank said that in line with improvements in country’s economic environment, all the provinces reported a double digit growth rate last year. Its data showed a sharp growth in industry in the Northern Province, which has increased to 14.2 percent of GDP in 2010 from 9.3 percent in 2009.
The services sector has expanded faster in the east, rising to 48.4 percent of GDP in 2010 from 43.6 percent in 2009.
"As in the past, the Western province contributed significantly to GDP in the country, as most of the economic activities that relate to sea port, air ports, banking and financial institutions and business centers are still centralized in the province," the statement said.

Jaffna becoming popular for dairy products

Jaffna becoming popular for dairy products
 The Yalco Milk Collecting Centre Yoghurt factory, first of its kind, was set up under Uthuru Wasanthaya Programme in Jaffna..

This project was set up in Thirunelweli in Jaffna as a pilot project under the instructions of Minister Basil Rajapaksa after the end of the war with financial and technical assistance from the Economic Development Ministry to popularize milk productions in the peninsula.
Around 1000 families are benefitted from this project as people from adjoining Nallur, Kopai and other areas are selling milk daily to the factory thereby keeping the factory functioning successfully.

Jaffna famed for agricultural and fishery activities, is now gradually becoming popular for dairy products as well due to the vision of Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

Srilanka media team meet infomation and Brodcasting minister at islamabad

 Pakistan media  tour
 Srilanka  media  team  meet infomation and  Brodcasting   minister at islamabad

By  Chandana  Wijekoon  from  Pakistan

infomation and  Brodcasting minister Dr.Firdous Ashiq Awan meet  sriLanka media  team

Pakistan media tour-- Srilanka media team meet Govener of Punjab

Pakistan media  tour

Srilanka  media  team  meet Governor  Punjab
  By  Chandana Wijekoon From  Lahor

Sri  Lanka media  team  meet Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa.

Chandana Wijekoon(Lake house) handed over to Punjab Governor special book about LTTE teralist activities in  Sri lanka  last 30 years published  by Government Information  Department  in  Sri  lanka

Sri Lanka to build new 'tourist city' north of capital

Sri Lanka to build new 'tourist city' north of capital
Sri Lanka to build new 'tourist city' north of capital Sri Lanka will build a new 'tourist city' in the Western coastal city of Katana north of the capital Colombo, which may draw 1.5 billion US dollars in foreign investments in its first phase.

The development will have four 5-star hotels with 2,300 rooms, an exhibition and convention centre and two shopping malls and be sited on a 80 hectare block of state land. A firm called Asian Resorts & Consortium has been given approval by the cabinet of ministers to conduct a feasibility study.
Information minister Keheliya Rambukwella said it was probably a foreign firm, but exact details were not available with him at the time.

Sri Lanka's tourism development authority has also offered a series of islands off the Western coastal city of Puttalam for private investment. Land has also been offered in the east coast in Kuchchaveli.

Pakistan’s exports to Sri Lanka stood at $ 283.142 m last year: Amin Fahim

Pakistan’s exports to Sri Lanka stood

at $ 283.142 m last year:  Amin Fahim( Minister of  commerce in  Pakistan )  

Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim said Thursday that during 2010, exports from Pakistan to Sri Lanka stood at US $ 283.142 million, while Pakistan imported goods worth  US $ 54.602  million from Sri Lanka. This was stated by the Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim, while addressing a dinner party held  in honour of the visiting Sri Lankan trade delegation headed by its Minister for Industries and Commerce, Rishad Bahtiudeen. The pace of growth was encouraging for both the countries, he said adding Pakistan’s exports are mainly rice, fish, cotton yarn and pharmaceutical goods etc. while imports are limited mainly to tea, fruits and seeds etc.

The minister said creating awareness among the business communities of the two countries about the benefits available to them from the Pak-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) is an effective way to leveraging bilateral and regional trading arrangements.  

Makhdoom Amin Fahim termed the 10th Joint Economic Commission session between Pakistan and Sri Lanka as a welcome development and expressed, Pakistan looks forward to progress on all outstanding commercial and economic initiatives between the two countries. 

Both the counties may extract maximum trade and commercial benefits from the bilateral, regional and multilateral arrangements for the betterment of their people, Amin Fahim stated. 

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Sri lanka media team in Lahor

 Sri lanka  media  team  in Lahore

By Chandana wijekoon Ffrom pakistan

 

 

Lahore City

Lahore is 2^nd largest city of Pakistan, being Pakistan’s industrial and cultural base.  It was wondering it’s always like this!  It was magnificent to see such a splendid scene.  On every electricity pole, there were handing baskets of flowers, different kinds of flowers in many colours.  The middle of the road was also decorated with different kind of flowers.  The Lahore city’s roads were decorated by the Park and Horticulture Authority (PHA) .  According to the information the PHA had almost completed the beautification of the roads at the cost of 1.2 million Pakistani Rupees.  there were more than 700 flower baskets which had been hung from the electricity poles on the roadsides.

Lahore Museum

This museum is the oldest and one of the best in Pakistan.  It was founded on in 1864.  The museum’s first curator was John Lockwood Kipling, the father of Rudyard Kipling, the famous writer who wrote “Kim”.

The different categories of displays ranged from coin collections and paintings to sculptures and religious art.  Among these collections are notable examples of Gandaharan sculpture.  Including the outstanding and deservedly famous bronze sculpture of the “Fasting Buddha” , which is estimated to have been made around the 2^nd century BC in the Lahore Museum collection there were also Thangka painting, statues from Nepal, and one model of a temple from India.

Lahore Fort

Lahore Fort has some similarity to the Red Fort of Delhi and also the Red Fort at Agra in India,  all being built for a dual purpose, as fortifications as well as royal dwellings.   This masterpiece of architecture is another creation of the Mughal Emperors.  It covered a vast area, and was adorned with carvings in the red sandstone and the marble.  There were many colourful works of art to be seen, such a painted frescoes depicting royal pleasures.  Because of this lavish ornamentation, it was easy to see it as being more of a palace than a fortress.  Each succeeding Mughal Emperor had added their own touches to this palatial Fort from 1180 to until the beginning of the British Raj.

Among the places we saw that day were the Alamgiri Gate, Shah Burj Gate, Hathi Paer, Sesh Mahal (palace of mirrors), Naulakha Bunga(so named because it cost Shah Jahan nine lakh, or 900,000 rupees to build).  Khilwat Khana, Paien Bagh and more places.

Sri Lanka media team visited Taxila Museum-Taxila Archeological Site – The World Heritage

Sri Lanka  media  team  visited  Taxila Museum

Sri Lanka  media  team  visited  Taxila Museum in  Pakistan. They  also  visited many Buddhist Archeological sites in  Lahore. 

  By Chandana  Wijekoon from  Pakistan  

Taxila Archeological Site – The World Heritage

Taxila, the ancient city of Gandhara, is now an archaeological site under the sun.  Archaeologists discovered in their excavations here the city ruins, artifacts, coins, pottery, ornaments, and many other objects that could be traced back to the 6^th century BC.  The archaeological museum stands at the entrance-the gate to the ancient city.  The two-story building nestles peacefully in the garden amid natural surroundings.  It was inaugurated in 1928.

At the entrance hall, the genuine votive stupa brought from an outdoor monastery was placed there.  the entrance hall and its both wings contain and showcase many glass shelves, cases, and cupboards of Buddhist art of Gandhara and sculptures, Buddha images, statues, heads, and busts, Bodhisatva statues, artifacts ancient tools, weaponry, pottery, rare coins, archaeological objects and evidence excavated from the sites around.

Remarkably, the stone relief tablets depict delicately the story of Lord Buddha-from his birth of prince Siddharatha when his mother Sirimahamaya stood delivering him from her belly, his leaving from secular world in search for truths, his enlightenment, his first preaching, and at the end his Great Nirvana.  the museum also displays the replica of the Fasting Buddha in his self-mortification-its original is kept in the Lahore Museum.  The Buddha images or busts, whether intact, defective, broken, or impaired by the so-called White Huns, are always the objects of worship and great respect for us, Buddhists.

Taxila in the old days was arguably like a global university where students largely from the age of 16 from the Indian sub-continent, Central Asia, Persia, and the land beyond came for higher learning-linguistics, arts, Dharma, scriptures, the art of government, and other studies.  It may metaphorically be compared to Oxford, Cambridge, or Harvard where students from all over the world prefer to attend for further studies. 

Under the White-blue sky and hot sun, Dharmmarajika monastery stands 3 kilometers east of the museum.  One part of the complex may be called the stupa area, the other the monastery proper.  However, only the ruins now remain, the main stupa was erected over the chamber of the Buddha’s relics, deposited by Kind Asoka the Great,  it was said.  In the 19^th century, the western face of the stupa was somehow broken and the relics were stolen.  Dharmmarajika was named after the designation of King Asoka, namely Dharmmaraj-the king who deeply held faith in Dharma.

In 1917 a casket was dug out here, it evidently contained the relics of Lord Buddha.  The viceroy of British India then presented the relics to the Buddhists of Sri Lanka, which has been since enshrined as the Buddha’s of Sri Lanka, which has been since enshrined as the Buddha’s tooth, contained in a case and covered by a seven-tier golden Chedi, at the Temple of the Tooth in Candy or Sirivattanapura in Sri Lanka.

Most of the major artifacts and objects discovered in the excavations at Dharmmarajika have been kept at the museum.  One silver scroll carries the inscription in Kharoshti that the relics were those of Lord Buddha himself, the scribe was a Bactrian., and reads at the end “ the present king, king of kings, the son of heaven the Kushana”

Jaulian Monastery stands 7 kilometers northeast , of the museum, perched on a hill of some 92 meters high.  Large stupas no longer exist, only the ruins of the walls of the building and many sculptured Buddha images and his major monks, sadly most of the statues were impaired at the hands of the White Huns.  Merely a few survived the demolition intact.

A meditating Buddha statue though with impaired head, chest, and hands have a holed navel.  It was believed this statue was holy with the pwer of blessing for good health.  Faithfuls like to place their finders in that holed navel when praying and wishing for good health and against certain bodily ailments. 

The ancient city of Taxila itself had shown us the ultimate truth-the three characteristics of component thing-namely, existence , transformation, and extinction.