UlavanNews

More than one million Lankans apply for dual citizenship

2012-12-24T20:52:00.002+01:00

Lankan obtain citizenship in the foreign nations are interested to receive citizenship in SriLanka. Lankans residing in the foreign countries announced immigration and emigration department fail to make favorable response to their application. 30 days visa would be issued for Lankans own citizenship in the foreign nations and also US$50 would be charged this regard. Director of the Immigration and emigration department Chulananda Perera announced they hope to introduce new immigration act to solve this problem.

TID hold continuously investigations against University students

2012-12-24T20:49:00.001+01:00

In the recent past TID officials continuously questioned female students on Jaffna University. Pre day three female students were ordered to visit Vavuniya for investigations. Teachers of the Jaffna University announced parents of these students were aware on this arrest and they face difficulties to collect further information on this investigation. TID officials arrested members of Jaffna University Student council. Later on these officials have order other male and female students of Jaffna University to visit Vavuniya for investigations. This investigation continues for several hours. Last week TID ordered to four female students to visit Vavuniya for investigations. On the next day TID official invited only two students for investigations. On day after tomorrow Vavuniya police officials carried out investigations against other two female students. Police have directly contact the University students and ordered to visit for investigations, university teachers said.

Army warns families at Trincomalee

2012-12-24T20:47:00.002+01:00

Security personals warned people of Thambalagamam village at Tricomalee district in the Eastern province. Military personals warned people not to file complaints at the UN, International organizations on their misplaced relatives, woman raise voice for war affected women said. Group of military personals visited Thambalagamam area on Friday and questioned about members maintained relationship with LTTE organization. She also notes armed groups which abduct their husband and sons urge ransomed to release them currently roaming independent manner in this area. Families which losses their loved once currently suffering from economic crisis. Government officials should step forward to grant compensation for these families. Speaking BBC head of the women organization stated hundreds of families loosed their loved once during the time of 2008-2009 war is the members of my organization. However Lankan government fails to comment on this activity.

Army step out from Iramawil in Kodigamam

2012-12-21T21:53:00.001+01:00

Army evacuated its camp form Iramawil area in Kodigamam and hand over lands towards people. Jaffna district Army Commander Mahinda Hathurusinghe hand over these lands towards 45 families in the area. Secretary of the Chavakatchcheri Pradeshiya Sabaha Mrs.Shanthaseelan, commander of the 52nd military division Maj.Sudharsingh, army officers, religious leaders and civilians were present at this event.

Six members of same family unaccounted: One body rescued

2012-12-21T21:50:00.002+01:00

Six members of same family unaccounted for following an earth slip at an estate in Rattota day before yesterday. Rattota police announced body of this family member discovered today. Six members of same family reported missing due to the earth slip at Nikkoloya area in Rattota on day before yesterday. Body of Shanmugam Sathasivam recovered from a river at Rattota area. Police conduct search operations to find other five individuals.

Sambanthan fail to visit us: President

2012-12-14T22:03:00.002+01:00

President announced government ready to recommence the discussions with Tamil National Alliance. Speaking to newspaper and electronic media heads president stated on previous day I have ordered for the breakfast and waited for the arrival of Sambanthan, however he fail to visit, President said. President made this statement responding to the question raised by the journalist on discussions with the TNA, Earlier Sambanthan promised to hold discussions with us. I hope he was fear over migrated Tamils.

13 Tamil women admitted to Killinochchie hospital suffers from sexual tortures: JMO

2012-12-14T22:01:00.000+01:00

13 Tamil women recently joined to the Lankan Army suffered from the physiological problems admitted to Killinochchie hospital for medical treatment. However Judiciary Medical officer (JMO) stated all these young women were suffering from sexual abuses. Most of these Tamil women have faced sexual torches. It was also revealed Killinochchie hospital was not sufficient to treat these young women due to this doctors received medicines from the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Only the Sinhala doctors were permitted to provide medical treatment for these victims. Parents, nurses, doctors, government officials and ministers were not permitted to visit them. Military personals were deployed in the surrounding of Killinochchie base hospital, Judiciary Medical officer said. However Lankan army announced all these women were suffering from physiological problems.

26 illegal immigrants including Lankan nabbed in Indonesia

2012-12-13T21:51:00.002+01:00

As many as 26 illegal immigrants including a Sri Lankan were arrested by police in Medang Kampai precinct, Dumai, Riau, Indonesia early on Thursday. The immigrants comprise 21 people from Afghanistan, four from Pakistan and one Sri Lankan, who entered Indonesian territory through a small river port in Dumai using a motorboat controlled by Dewa Irawan, 42, a Dumai resident. Police hold further investigations this regard, Indonesian media reports.

TID invite three female university students for investigations

2012-12-13T21:48:00.002+01:00

Secretary of the Jaffna University Teachers Association and the Professor Pushparatnem said officiers of the Intelligence unit has sent letter towards three University female students to visit for investigations. These girls were ordered to visit for TID office at Jaffna district. Among these students two were residents of Vavuniya. The other one is head of the women hostel of Jaffna University. In the recent past TID continuously investigate students of the Jaffna University.

Jaffna woman sentenced for 20 years

2012-12-13T21:46:00.002+01:00

Kegalle High Court today sentenced Rasalingam Thamarai for twenty years for plotting the assassination of Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. The accused is a resident of Thinnaweli area in Jaffna. Rasalingam was accused of plotting to assassinate Rambukwella while he was lodged at a Hotel in Kegalle from November 21, 2007 to February 6, 2008. She was arrested on a tipoff received by Police and was investigated by the CID who took legal action subsequently. Investigation report was submitted to the Kegalle high court today.

Sri Lanka to hold 2013 Commonwealth meeting from November 15-17

2012-12-08T22:42:00.002+01:00

Sri Lanka will host the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo from 15 to 17 November 2013, the External Affairs Ministry announced today. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today have announced the dates for the international forum that will bring leaders of 54 member countries of the Commonwealth to the island. However it was suspecious over arrival of Canadian Prime Minister. Foreign Affairs of the British parliament request the British Prime Minister to boycott theCHOGM summit to be hoisted in SriLanka.

Lankan govt. made several attempts to kill me: Sivajilingam

2012-12-08T22:40:00.002+01:00

A Sri Lankan opposition politician said Wednesday he wanted his government to investigate allegations that an army officer now in Canada had been ordered to plant a bomb at his residence during the island nation’s civil war. M.K. Sivajilingam said he had no trouble believing the former Sri Lanka Army captain, who has told Canadian immigration authorities his colonel had instructed him to leave explosives at the home of the controversial Tamil parliamentarian in 2008. The former MP said in a telephone interview the military had made three attempts on his life during the war and once placed a claymore mine under his steps. He fled the country in October 2008 but has since returned to Sri Lanka. “At that time, especially during the wartime, the Sri Lankan government made several attempts to kill me,” he said. “I escaped so many attempts. Definitely that particular captain’s statement may be right.” Last week Canadian National Post reported Capt. Ravindra Watudura Bandanage had fled to Canada at the end of the war between government forces and separatist Tamil rebels. During his refugee hearing, he said he had been instructed to place explosives and detonators at Mr. Sivajilingam’s home in Colombo. He said he had refused the assignment and was transferred to a unit that conducted search-and-cordon operations that rounded up ethnic Tamils in Colombo. He said he was aware the army was torturing, beating and raping civilians. While there have been mounting allegations that both sides committed war crimes during the final stage of the war, the ex-captain’s account is considered particularly damaging because it comes from a former commissioned officer who served 16 years in the army. The Immigration and Refugee Board ruled the deserter was not eligible for refugee protection because he was complicit in the Sri Lanka Army’s “relentless brutality” towards Tamil civilians. His appeal to the Federal Court of Canada was dismissed last month. The Sri Lankan military has confirmed the captain was AWOL but denied the allegations on its website on the weekend, calling his statement a lie by “a man of dubious repute and questionable integrity towards his motherland.” David Poopalapillai, the Canadian Tamil Congress spokesman, said the deserter’s account “shows once again how deliberately the leadership of the army and the leadership of the government went after the elected officials and also civilians, to harass them and to incriminate them. “It’s a gross human rights violation.” Mr. Sivajilingam was an MP affiliated with the Tamil National Alliance party at the time of the alleged bomb incident. He is now leader of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization. He said he did not know the officer who allegedly gave the order to plant the bomb, identified in Canadian immigration records as Colonel Atapattu. He said several other Tamil MPs were assassinated during the long armed conflict.

Police not permitted to intervene in arrest of Jaffna University students

2012-12-07T23:26:00.002+01:00

Jaffna District Police officer M.C.M.Mohamad announced police officials are not permitted to intervene in to arrest of university students. Addressing the weekly media briefing in the Jaffna police station officer went on to say, TID officials together with police arrested Jaffna University students. However respective police officials stated that they never arrest student at the university compound and they thoroughly condemns the claims. When journalist question this regard officer went on to say, TID officials responsible for these arrests due to this police were not permitted to intervene on this issue.

Britain deports 29 Lankans

2012-12-07T23:19:00.002+01:00

Britain decided to deport 29 illegal Lankan migrants to SriLanka. British Emigration and Immigration department announced all these individuals would be deporting to country by special flight. Among the 29 deportees 25 were Tamil nationals and they were residents of Killinochchie, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Vavuniya and Colombo areas. They have arrived Britain with student and employment visa sources said. Flight carrying Lankans left Heathrow airport and reached Katunayake airport today.

UNP Leadership extension proposal approved, Sajith objects, but says he will support leader

2012-12-01T12:20:00.000+01:00

The proposal to extend the time period of leadership by 6 years has been approved at the UNP convention today. However MP Sajith Premadasa objected this proposal. The proposal was approved with a majority of 4978 voting for and 337 against. However, Sajith Premadasa stated that he will support the opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe at the next Presidential polls, also stating that he will contest if the leader does not contest.

There would be replacement of every dead LTTE cadre or leader

2012-12-01T12:18:00.001+01:00

<“There would be prompt replacement of every dead LTTE cadre or leader as long as the idea of Eelam remained,” Brigadier (retd) Ravi Palsokar quotes Lt Gen AS Kalkat, who commandeered the IPKF in Sri Lanka as having said, in ‘Ours Not to Reason Why’. Pune-based Palsokar, who raises questions on the operational goals of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) 25 years after it was sent to Sri Lanka as part of the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord (ISLA) comments, “Do I detect a hint of exasperation and frustration in the above words of our senior officers? Forgive me, but I do.” Published by Power Publishers ‘Ours Not to Reason Why’ is Palsokar’s narration of commanding the 7 Infantry Brigade in Sri Lanka, the then LTTE citadel, Mullaitivu. Incidentally, it is the same brigade Brigadier John Dalvi commanded in the 1962 operations along the Thang La ridge. And like Dalvi’s ‘Himalayan Blunder’, Palsokar’s book is factual, and raises similar questions, and leaves the interpretation to the reader. In the same vein, Palsokar admits his own occasional errors. Referring to B G Deshmukh’s ‘A Cabinet Secretary Looks Back’, where the then Army Chief General K Sundarji has been quoted as saying that the Indian Army will finish LTTE in 10 days, Palsokar says, “What did neutralise mean? Did it mean LTTE’s capability was not to be entirely destroyed, but only partially so? Were we to go in for Bangladesh-type surrender by LTTE? If we were to ‘finish’ LTTE, we should have used all the strength and firepower at our disposal. Much of the confusion of the task of IPKF stemmed from lack of a clear objective. We went into this adventure with eyes wide open, and the fact that LTTE may have confronted us militarily did not come as a surprise. Yet, two weeks stretched into months…two years.” Palsokar does not forget to name those who fought bravely and lost their lives. This without excusing those in the higher formations who put the soldier in the situation without basic equipment like bulletproof jackets or AK-47 rifles, which even the LTTE had. Palsokar says, “How did we arrive at the figure of 50,000 troops?” Just one ‘arrangement’ – reinforcing all infantry battalions under his brigade with an additional rifle company- narrated by Palsokar is enough to show lack of planning by the higher formations. “The book is not a complaint. I am putting down facts for everyone to judge. My Brigade and IPKF as a whole did not receive the credit. I have written this book to put on record the heroic work of the 7 Infantry Brigade. What I did is on record. 25 years later, shouldn’t anyone above me, political or military, answer as to why the IPKF is not considered to have succeeded,” said Palsokar. div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">

Death sentence for woman with heroin

2012-11-28T21:15:00.001+01:00

A woman who was found guilty for being in possession of 385 grams of heroin was sentenced today( 28) to death by Colombo High Court judge, Mr. Vimal Nambusavam. The person thus sentenced was a woman aged 33. On or thereabouts May 16th, she was arrested by officers of the Kirillapone police narcotics unit and thereafter the AG had filed action against her in the Colombo High Court. The Judge in announcing the verdict said that although such a wrongdoer should be hanged, since no such punishment is operational now, it cannot be done. However, he also said that it was the prerogative President to punish or not to.

Once again Lankan army attacks Jaffna University students: 7 injured

2012-11-28T21:11:00.002+01:00

Military personals and police officials illegally entered to the Jaffna university hostel and carried out attack against students yesterday where the students made preparations commemorate Martyr’s day. Students stage protest against the brutal attack at 11.00 am this morning. During the time of protest protesters have covered their mouth with black cloth. Military personals together with police once again carried out attack against protestors when they tried to march up to main road. Several students were injured from these attacks. However university lecturers hold discussions with security personals and rescued the students. Meanwhile CID official was injured from the stones attack carried out by the students inside the university compound. Group of unidentified persons threw stones towards vehicle of TNA parliamentarian E.Sarawanabawan who has visited the Jaffna University today. At present military personals were deployed in the university premises, sources said. Police officials carried out attack against university students engage protest in Jaffna today. 7 were injured and currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching hospital. Tense situation continues in the University compound and general public were not permitted to visit the site. Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian M.A.Sumanthiran thoroughly condemns joint attack carried out by the army and police against the students of Jaffna University. Military personals entered the women hostel has damaged the beds and doors, MP said.

Petitions filed against ministers Wimal and Rajitha

2012-11-21T21:56:00.001+01:00

Petitions have been filed with the Court of Appeals seeking to the prevent Minister Wimal Weerawansa and Minister Rajitha Senaratne from participating in the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), appointed to probe allegations against the Chief Justice. The petitioners state that a case filed by Minister Weerawansa was withdrawn by him after being taken up several times before Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake and before a verdict was given. An unfavorable verdict was also issued to a fundamental rights petition filed by Minister Senaratne’s wife, the petitions state. Therefore a possibility exists that they would take partial decisions against the Chief Justice within the PSC, and them representing the committee will be bias to one party, the petitioners debated. The judge panel declared that as this cannot be considered as a petition submitted concerning the welfare of society and therefore they should present these facts to the PSC and then possibly the ministers would resign from the committee.

Miliband express concern over unable to end up war in SriLanka

2012-11-21T21:53:00.001+01:00

Former British Foreign minister express concern over unable to end up Lankan war during his ruling period. He also stated he was unable to save the lives of people reported dead in the war. He expresses concern over evacuation of UN from war zones during last stage of war in SriLanka. However Miliband visited SriLanka during the final perhaps of war.

UN Chief Ban Ki-moon second senior: level team to hold investigations on SriLanka

2012-11-16T21:07:00.001+01:00

Ban Ki-moonAfter receiving the United Nations report on the world body’s actions during the final months of the 2009 war in Sri Lanka and its aftermath, UN Chief Ban Ki-moon said that, as an immediate first step, he would organise a second senior-level team to give “careful consideration” to the report’s recommendations and advise him on the way forward. “Other action will follow in short order,” he said. Mr. Ban, in a statement, voiced his resolve for the world body to learn from its findings in order to better serve humanity, especially people caught in conflict. “This finding has profound implications for our work across the world, and I am determined that the United Nations draws the appropriate lessons and does its utmost to earn the confidence of the world’s people, especially those caught in conflict who look to the Organization for help,” he added. The report was produced by an Internal Review Panel, in the wake of recommendation made by another body, the Secretary-General’s Panel of Experts, which he established in 2010 to advise him on measures to advance accountability following the war’s conclusion.

Former LTTE rebels would join Lankan Army!: Military Media Spokesman

2012-11-16T21:01:00.001+01:00

Military media spokesman Brig.Ruwan Wanigasooriya announced the Sri Lankan army is to recruit 100 minority Tamil girls over the weekend, the first time such a large number of Tamils are being recruited. Military spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said that the young girls residing in the Killinochchie and Mullaitivu districts will be enlisted in the Volunteer Force of the Sri Lanka Army and be assigned to serve under a battalion of the Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps. "This is not the first time Tamils are being recruited into the army. The criteria is that they must be Sri Lankans. The significance here is that a large number of Tamils are being recruited at the same time," he informed the Chinese news agency. He also went on to say the Tamil girls are from the northern part of Killinochchi and Mullaitivu and the ceremony to mark the recruitment will be held in Bharathipuram, Killinochchi, a town which was once under the control of the Tiger rebels. Several LTTE members are currently serving in the military intelligence unit. Former LTTE members were also among the 100 minority Tamil girls recruited to the Lankan army. Social activist stated due to poverty and unemployment parents are interested to join their children towards Lankan army. Relevant News Sri Lankan army to recruit 100 Tamil girls

No Tamil, Muslim and Foreign prisoners reported dead at Welikada riots

2012-11-10T21:28:00.001+01:00

Senior advisor of the Ministry of Prison Reforms M.S.Satheeshkumar announced no Tamil, Muslim and foreign prisoners were reported dead at the prison riots reported at the Welikada prison last evening. He thoroughly condemns the news report Medias such as 2 foreign and 3 Tamil prisoners were reported at the Welikada prison clash last evening. He also stated they have indentified the bodies of 27 suspects reported dead at the clash.

Computer literacy for parliamentarians

2012-11-10T21:26:00.001+01:00

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa yesterday made it mandatory for all parliamentarians to be fluent and proficient in information communication technology and computer literacy. The Speaker said that all facilities have been now installed in the Parliament complex for this purpose and requested the MPs to make use of them so that efficiency in parliamentary affairs could be brought up to a higher level. Accordingly all members would be able to log on to a network and terminal store of information pertaining to questions and answers made in Parliament, details and contents of the acts and bills, information on parliament committees.

Indian prisoners in welikada safe: Kantha

2012-11-10T21:23:00.001+01:00

The 33 Indian convicts and the five remand prisoners in Welikada prison were safe, the Indian High Commission said on Saturday morning. Clashes between security personnel and prisoners inside claimed over 25 lives since last evening. “The High Commission has been constantly monitoring the situation since the time the clashes broke out. The Sri Lankan authorities have told us that the Indian prisoners are safe,” High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Ashok K Kantha, said. The Indian High Commission has sought consular access to the prisoners, but this demand has not been acceded to. “We are in touch [with the Sri Lankan officials.] We want to individually ascertain that the prisoners are safe. Hence we have sought access to the prisoners,” Mr.Kantha said. The High Commission has also deputed a senior diplomat to meet prison officials and ascertain the situation in Welikada. “Our main concern is the welfare of Indian prisoners,” he added. The prisoners have been without food or water since last afternoon. The Army had managed to take control of the prison in the early hours of Saturday. One source said that the combing operations inside the prison was being conducted in an elaborate manner, and it is only after this is completed will anyone else, including the Indian High Commission and relatives, be granted access to the prisoners. Many anxious relatives have been crowding in areas close to the prison to get information of their kith and kin. But prison officials have reportedly told them that they will be able to comment on individual cases only later. Some relatives were also at the National Hospital, trying to figure out if their near and dear are among the injured.