SL Puwath - Hot news in Sri Lanka

NAM summit focus on global financial crisis

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:59:00 +0000

President makes statement today

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will attend the 15th summit of Heads of State of the Non-Aligned Movement that opens in Sharm El-Sheikh, today (July 15) at the Maritime Congress Center, which will focus on issues facing the developing countries due to the current word economic and financial crises caused mainly by the policies of the developed countries of the West.

The gathering 117 nations from across the world will see the re-endorsement of the basic principles of the NAM.

At today's NAM summit the Chair of NAM will be handed over to the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak from the President of Cuba.

President Rajapaksa is due to address the general debate on International Solidarity for Peace and Development, that will be held this afternoon. The topic of the debate is the Current Global Economic and Financial Crises, where the focus will be on new approaches to addressing these crises that affect the entire world and mainly the developing countries.

The subject of terrorism and strategies to combat it will also feature prominently in the debates and discussions during the current NAM summit.

This is the first NAM summit and major international conference attended by President Rajapaksa after Sri Lanka's successful military defeat of the LTTE and separatist terrorism in the country after 30 years.

The members of NAM will also discuss the need to combat terrorism worldwide which safeguarding national sovereignty from outside pressure.

Sri Lanka's President has a very busy schedule today with several bilateral meetings, scheduled on the sidelines of the NAM Summit. Among them is a meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon. Later today where the focus is expected to be Sri Lanka's progress in widening democracy after the defeat of the LTTE, the conditions of the IDPs in the North and the government's plans to re-settle and rehabilitate them in 180days and the assistance that UN can give in the re-settlement and rehabilitation process.

President Rajapaksa is also expected to have bilateral talks with the President of Serbia, Boris Tadic and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Gilam, today.

Courtesy: President Media Unit

Gates says Lanka poised for greater growth

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:05:00 +0000

President commends ICTA, Microsoft for removing
language barriers in computer applications with the launch
of Sinhala interface pack

Microsoft founder Bill Gates on Monday expressed his optimism that

Sri Lanka

“is poised for greater economic growth and development” and expressed the global giant’s support since much of future prosperity would be fueled by the use of software and the power of IT.
Positive sentiments by Gates, one of the world’s richest entrepreneurs, were conveyed to none other than President Mahinda Rajapakse via a special audio visual message at a ceremony to handover a plaque incorporating the first copy of the Sinhala Language Interface Pack (LIP), from Microsoft and ICTA, paving the way towards making significant progress in Rural ICT adoption in Sri Lanka.
The presentation was part of Microsoft and ICTA efforts to mark the “Year of English and IT Services” this year.
Gates said he was “very excited to learn about plans for the year which have a clear focus on IT, because this initiative demonstrates” that President Rajapaksa, and his government recognize the extraordinary potential that information technology has to dramatically improve people’s lives in the country.
“

Sri Lanka

has an advantage though, with a government that’s committed to investing further in IT, as outlined in President Rajapaksa’s vision statement. Like President Rajapaksa, I am optimistic that the country is poised for greater economic growth and development and much of that will be fueled by the use of software and the power of IT.

Sri Lanka

’s high literacy rate, at over 90%, and its high standards of education and healthcare give it a strong economic foundation. The country’s IT literacy rate is nearing 20%, which represents a significant jump from 8% only a few years ago. English language speaking skills are also a crucial part of the foundation for future growth. I am pleased to see that the government has identified the importance of English language skills by declaring 2009 the Year of English and IT Services,” Gates said in his message.
He also emphasised that on its part, Microsoft stands ready to fully support the initiative and

Sri Lanka

’s broader IT-objectives over the long term. The theme of the work we do in

Sri Lanka

is “Creating Employability.” Through our Partners in Learning and Community Technology Skills Programs and our other initiatives, Microsoft has partnered with educational and non-governmental organisations in Sri Lanka to bring IT skills and training to over a million people across the country. These efforts have reached students, teachers, academia, rural communities, IT professionals, and migrant workers. To date, Microsoft has invested over 450 million rupees in

Sri Lanka

towards these programs and plans similar investments over the coming years. We have already made Windows Vista Sinhala enabled, and we are currently localizing our Office Suite for

Sri Lanka

,” he said.
“Microsoft’s presence in

Sri Lanka

continues to grow in many ways, and we are committed to deepening existing partnerships and building new ones. Working together, there is a lot we have already achieved, and much more that we’ll accomplish in the future,” the Microsoft Chairman said.
At the same ceremony, President commended the ICTA for removing the language barriers in computer applications.
Being impressed with the first copy of the new local language interface software to him the President said that it was the intention of the Government to further enable the rural people to use the computer particularly in local languages.
The President also emphasised the importance of increasing indigenous contents available through the computer.
Through the e-Sri Lanka programme the Government intends to ensure that the benefits of ICT accrue to every citizen of this country. The President pointed out the importance of enabling every citizen to have access to the benefits of ICT without language being a hindrance.
The President also commended Microsoft for the steps taken by it for making the local language software freely available to all Sri Lankans.

Cartoon

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:56:00 +0000

Chief of Defence Staff, Commanders assume duties

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:56:00 +0000

Sri Lanka marks a historic day today (July 15) in the sphere of the defence sector with three key personalities in the Sri Lanka Armed Forces, Chief of Defence Staff, General Sarath Fonseka, Army Commander Lt. General Jagath Jayasuriya and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe assuming duties after they were appointed to these posts by President Mahinda Rajapaksa with effect from today.

General Sarath Fonseka who led the Sri Lanka Army to liberate the country fully from the clutches of the LTTE terrorists, killing its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran including all its top rung leaders, yesterday relinquished his duties as the Army Commander after handing his sword to his successor Major General Jagath Jayasuriya.

The Sri Lanka Army accorded him a guard of honour at the Army Headquarters.

General Sarath Fonseka is due to assume duties today as the Chief of Defence Staff succeeding Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera at the Joint Operations Headquarters at 11.17 a.m.

The outgoing Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera will also be present to relinquish his duties.

General Fonseka is the first person to take over this powerful position of Chief of Defence Staff which is akin to the post of a Deputy Defence Secretary, with wide range of powers vested in this position after the Chief of Defence Staff Act was passed in the Parliament.

The powerful institution of the Chief of Defence Staff will comprise a staff of 300, including six Majors General of the Sri Lanka Army, and a Rear Admiral from the Sri Lanka Navy and an Air Vice Marshal from the Sri Lanka Air Force.

He will also be the Chairman of the Committee of the Chief of Defence Staff which is comprising the Army Commander, Navy Commander and the Air Force Commander. The CDS has been entrusted with the powers to coordinate matters relating to prepare operational plans, military intelligence and various other functions of the Armed Forces.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Army Commander Lt. General Jagath Jayasuriya and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe will also assume duties in their respective position this morning.

Lt. General Jagath Jayasuriya, an illustrious Army officer from the Armoured Corps will be the 19 th Commander in the Army which was formed in 1949. He had served more than 30 years in the Sri Lanka Army holding key posts. He was the Security Forces Commander Vanni at the time he was promoted to the rank of Lt. General and appointed as the 19th Army Commander by the President.

Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, a professional Navy officer with a service of 35 years, will take over the command of the Sri Lanka Navy succeeding Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda during his tenure, ten LTTE floating warehouses were destroyed bringing fame to the country at international fora.

He was the second in command of the Navy and was about to retire from the Navy with the completion of 55 years at the time President elevated him to the high command of the Navy with an extension of one year service.

He also held key appointments in the Navy including the Eastern Area and Northern Area Commander of the Navy making his innovative contribution to the Navy including that of the introduction of fastest loading and unloading process of a ship which enabled to load and unload 3,000 troops plus cargo within 15 minutes.

Courtesy : Daily News

President Rajapaksa gave practical scope and depth to non-alignment- Minister Bogollagama

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:58:00 +0000

Speaking at the NAM Ministerial Meeting at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on 13 July Foreign Minister Bogollagama praised Sri Lanka's heroic security forces for defeating the world's deadliest terrorist group and rescuing civilians and securing fully the north and the east of Sri Lanka. "This achievement was possible because of the single-minded commitment, vision and perseverance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has reunified Sri Lanka under one flag, further strengthening its territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty, as well as the liberties of people in the north and the east."

He also paid glowing tribute to the late Prime Minister, Madam Sirimavo Bandaranayake, stating that she was instrumental in entrenching the principle of non-alignment in Sri Lanka's Foreign Policy. "This policy today", the Foreign Minister added, "continues to be upheld by President Mahinda Rajapaksa who has given it practical scope and depth in Sri Lanka's engagement with the outside world."

In his speech at the interactive debate on "solidarity for peace and development", the Minister identified terrorism as one of the major challenges to peace and stability of states, and urged the international community to shed double standards in fighting terrorism. Stressing that global challenges required collective responses, Bogollagama called upon the Non-Alignment Movement to show leadership in advancing such collaborative efforts.

The two-day Ministerial Meeting which began 13 July, preceding the 15th NAM Summit scheduled for the 15th and 16th July 2009, was addressing priority issues such as financial and economic crisis, threats to international peace and security, reforming of the United Nations and the international financial architecture as well as poverty alleviation.

On the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting today, Minister Bogollagama met his counterparts from South Africa and Iran. Ministers of State of Pakistan and Colombia also paid bilateral calls on the Foreign Minister.

Courtesy : Ministry of Foreign Affairs

SLAF uncovers hand grenades, claymore mine in search operation - Trincomalee

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:58:00 +0000

A special operation group of the Sri Lankan Air Force uncovered 03 hand grenades and a 5kg weighing claymore mine during a search and clearing operation conducted in general area Kantale, Trincomalee yesterday (July 13).

Further search operations are continuing in the area.

General Fonseka bids farewell to take up CDS appointment

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:20:00 +0000

Commander of the Army General Sarath Fonseka who added an indelible chapter to the military history in Sri Lanka after crushing LTTE terrorism handed over the office of the Commander to his successor, Major General Jagath Jayasuriya this morning (14) in accordance with military traditions.

General Sarath Fonseka is to take reins as new Chief of Defence Staff tomorrow (15) at the Joint Operations Headquarters (JOH) after a formal military ceremony. Tuesday (14) morning's ceremony at Army Headquarters was meant to bid farewell to the outgoing Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka.

General Sarath Fonseka on arrival at the Army Headquarters premises was accorded a Guard of Honour by soldiers of his own Sinha Regiment. He afterwards inspected the parade in the company of the parade commander.

Later on, during a tea party thrown by the Army Headquarters, the outgoing Commander walked to some of his senior officers and Other Ranks to share a couple of thoughts with them on the eve of his departure from the Army.

His address to the officers afterwards was largely centered on military achievements and numerous sacrifices made by members of the Army for the sake of the country. The sacrifices done in the recent victories remain unmatched. He also thanked all the parties who helped the Army to achieve this feat.

After the address, General Fonseka left the Army Headquarters premises amidst good-bye cheers from his soldiers who gathered on both sides of the road leading to the Main Gate to bid farewell to this great warrior and military leader who led his men to put Sri Lanka Army among leading armies in the world map.

Courtesy: Army Media

US help for IDPs

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:38:00 +0000

US help for IDPs

(By : Nadira Gunatilleke)

The American Government will provide Rs. 200 million worth ambulances, medical equipment and other items to Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry under an agreement signed between the Ministry and the American Embassy yesterday, a Ministry spokesman said.

He said Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry Acting Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayatilleke and American Acting Ambassador James R. Moore signed the agreement representing Sri Lanka and the US. After signing the agreement, Moore had stated the US Government will work together with the Sri Lankan Government to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to resettle the IDPs in their original homes and to bring back the past prosperity to the Northern Province.

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva thanked the American Government and people of America for their continuous support. He stated that the items received by Sri Lanka under the agreement will be distributed among 20 hospitals in welfare villages. Priority has been given to Vavuniya and Cheddikulam hospitals. The items have already reached the Colombo harbour.

Acting Public Affairs Officer of the American Embassy Glen Davis, Chief Officer of Defence Corporation Maj. Jose L. Oroozo and Ministry officials were present at the agreement signing ceremony.

Courtesy : Daliy News

President Rajapaksa gave practical scope and depth to non-alignment- Minister Bogollagama

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:38:00 +0000

Courtesy : Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Food stocks brought from India are being directed to the Welfare Villages in Vavuniya

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:37:00 +0000

These stocks were brought to the country in the "Cape Colorado" vessel from the Chennai Harbour. The Sri Lanka Red Cross said the stocks will be despatched to the Welfare Villages in Vavuniya within this week. It includes rice, flour, sugar and varieties of grains. The ship, with the 650 metric tons worth about 16 million rupees, reached the Colombo Harbour last weekend. The stocks in 27 containers are being examined by the Customs. The Indian Red Cross has agreed to foot the required custom duties.

Inner Wheel Club to assist IDPs

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:37:00 +0000

Inner Wheel Club to assist IDPs

(By : Walter Liyanarachchi)

The Inner Wheel Club of Colombo South is committed to assist the resettled IDPs in the North and it has been considered as one of the prime duties in the social service list of the club, Inner Wheel Club District Chairman, Swarna Soysa said.

She was addressing the installation of 10th President, Nalayini Sivalingam and the 9th anniversary celebration held in Colombo.

"While performing that service, we also should help women and children to live with dignity and overcome the difficulties that they are faced with. In Sri Lanka we still have 14 percent of children who do not enter school at the age of five years. These children may never enter school or they may never have a proper education. It is mainly due to the lack of education that most girls ruin their future. With education they can overcome many hurdles and attain the freedom that they yearn for, she said.

The Inner Wheel movement started in Sri Lanka with one club. When we bifurcated in 1985 we had only eight clubs. Now after 25 years of bifurcation we have 18 clubs.

The growth of our clubs depends on us and we should strive harder to increase our membership strength," she said. The Inner Wheel Club President, Nalayini Sivalingam said that as an international women's organisation it is only fitting that we give priority to projects involving women and children.

This year's theme of our International Inner Wheel, 'Help bring Hope' is suitable at a time when people are undergoing hardships due to natural and man-made disasters all over the world. The district project for this year is planned to help bring hope to 18 families of widows and their children to overcome their dire needs and to help the children to be educated and become good citizens, rather than end up as misfits of our society.

Courtesy : Daily news

Special credit scheme to develop North

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:36:00 +0000

Special credit scheme to develop North

*Rs.3,000 m earmarked to be disbursed initially under loan scheme

*Loan Scheme envisages meeting investment needs of people

President Mahinda Rajapaksa officially launched a Special Development Credit Scheme titled 'Awakening North' which is exclusively designed for the development of the Northern Province by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) at a meeting at Temple Trees yesterday with CEOs of Banking Institutions to discuss the contribution of the banking sector in the Northern Province development.

Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa MP, Deputy Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, CEOs of participating credit institutions and senior bank officials attended the meeting.

CBSL has introduced a Special Loan Scheme under the title 'The Awakening North' to provide credit facilities for capital investment for the resumption of economic activities in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, micro and small enterprises. This could boost the livelihood development of the people in the Northern Province.

Rs.3,000 million is earmarked to be disbursed initially under the Loan Scheme at a concessionary rate of interest among the eligible Micro, Small and Medium scale Enterprises (MSMEs) through Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) identified by the CBSL. The Northern Province comprising the districts of Jaffna, Killinochchi, Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu, covers a land area of 8,290 sq. km, represents 13.5 percent of the total land area of the country.

The estimated population is around 1.3 million or approximately six percent of the total population of the country.

Accordingly, the new Loan Scheme primarily envisages meeting the investment needs of the people to restart their livelihood activities. Under this scheme, they could obtain facilities from the banking sector to commence new income generating activities (IGAs).

The Northern Province has many resources. Its natural resources including forests, agricultural land, wetlands, lagoons, bays and places of tourist attraction would provide a solid base for economic development in the Province. The major irrigation schemes, - Iranamadu, Giants Tank, Muthuaiyankaddukulam, Pavatkulam, Thannimairippukulam and Vavunikulam, and other minor irrigation schemes spread out in the Province will facilitate the agricultural and livestock development activities of the people. There are many viable IGAs already identified to restore the livelihood of the people, with the assistance of the banking sector. Even under the conflict situation, the Northern Province produced 10 percent of the total annual paddy production of the country.

In the production of Other Field Crops (OFCs) such as red onions (40 percent of country total), Chilies (10 percent), Green Gram (14 percent), Ground Nut (25 percent) etc., the Northern Province contributes significantly to the total production of the country.

It has been estimated that 129,000 fishermen, representing 20 percent of the total fishermen of the country, live in 219 fishing villages in the Northern Province. The total fish production in the Northern Province stood at 25,900 MT, representing 12 percent of the country's total in the year 2006.

This shows that IGAs in the fisheries sector could be developed substantially in the coastal areas with the provision of banking facilities to the potential borrowers in the Northern Province.

Under the proposed Loan Scheme, credit facilities would be available for agriculture and related activities, livestock development projects, fisheries and related activities, micro and small scale enterprises and trade and other self- employment projects.

The PFIs are requested to provide 90 percent of the total sub project cost, subject to a maximum limit of Rs. 200,000 per borrower.

The rate of interest to the borrower is 12 percent and the repayment period could be extended up to the maximum of five years including a maximum grace period of six months depending on the nature of the activity. The PFIs are eligible to obtain refinance from the CBSL in respect of loans granted under the scheme at six percent per annum.

The following Financial institutions which operate branches in the Northern Province, have been identified as the PFIs under "The Awakening North" Loan Scheme.

Bank of Ceylon, People's Bank, Hatton National Bank, Commercial Bank, Seylan Bank and SANASA Development Bank.

The PFIs are permitted to provide credit facilities to eligible borrowers to commence new income generating activities or to expand their existing IGAs.

As usual, the prospective borrowers are required to provide at least 10 percent equity contribution of the estimated cost of the project.

The borrower could bring the equity capital in the form of cash, kind, material or managerial capacity. Security/collateral for such borrowing could be determined by the PFIs in negotiation with the borrower according to the creditworthiness of the IGA and the respective borrower.

The Loan Scheme could be made a part of the efforts of the Government to rebuild the Northern Province.

The Regional Development Department of the CBSL will be responsible for the implementation of the Loan Scheme. The Loan Scheme will be in operation with effect from July 2009.

Courtesy : Daily News

New labour offices for Northern towns

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:35:00 +0000

New labour offices for Northern towns

(By : Chamikara Weerasinghe)

New labour offices will soon replace the old offices in Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts with action taken by the Labour Relations and Manpower Ministry to construct them anew.

Labour Relations and Manpower Minister Athauda Seneviratna yesterday said the Labour Ministry has taken action to construct new buildings as part of the Government's program to develop the North under the Uthuru Vasanthaya program.

Seneviratna said his Ministry will spend Rs. 21 million for the proposed development of labour offices in Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu.

International Labour Organisation (ILO) is also assisting with funds and technological aspects, he said. "Most buildings currently used as labour offices in the North, are in a dilapidated condition due to three decades of separatist LTTE terror," the Minister said.

"The Government will restore them under its Northern Spring development plan.

Seneviratne said they plan to complete the project in two phases.

"We have taken measures to speed up the process to complete its first phase by 2010," he added.

Courtesy : Daily News

British Foreign Office feeds Times false figures in campaign to recover from defeat inflicted at Human Rights Council in Geneva

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:35:00 +0000

British Foreign Office feeds Times false figures in campaign to recover from defeat inflicted at Human Rights Council in Geneva

The above headline is clearly an exaggeration, but it is based on the style of reporting adopted recently by the Times of London in its coverage of Sri Lanka. Following its extraordinary assertion, at the end of May, that over 20,000 had been killed in the conflict area, it seemed necessary to examine the motives behind such whopping untruths. The investigation revealed a culture of secretiveness and propagandist zeal that is not of course novel, given the role that some newspapers have played in the past in supporting British adventurism, as instigated by particular political parties.

An expedition to London found that the Times itself was unwilling to provide access. Like Channel 4, which had been equally fraudulent, it kept its doors tight shut. However four other journals and two TV channels were more open, and provided some explanation of the deceit practiced by the Times.

'The Times is in the pocket of New Labour,' said one senior journalist. 'They get all their material from the Foreign Office.'

Another journalist speculated that the British Foreign Office was furious at the own goal it had achieved in Geneva, when its efforts to instigate a Special Session against Sri Lanka, and then to have a critical resolution passed, backfired when the whole Third World combined to administer a stinging rebuke. Even the Americans had advised against such folly, but thinking that Britain had asserted its primacy with regard to South Asia over the new American administration, David Miliband had forged (that being the operative word) ahead. Failure had then prompted a determination to take revenge, hence the unleashing of the Times.

Other commentators however opined that Foreign Office professionals had not been in favour of the move, and that more seasoned diplomats, though they had had to succumb to New Labour pressure, were pleased that the rebuke had allowed greater weight to more enlightened professional opinion. Their view was that positive engagement, based on British concern for Human Rights, but without any devious political agenda, which could also be seen as threatening to India, would achieve more in ensuring that Sri Lanka adhered to its traditional policy of neutrality.

Though for some weeks the saner minds in the Foreign Office had seemed to prevail, the latest effusion in the Times suggests that its handlers are once again champing at their own bits. Now the claim is that 'about 1,400 people a week are dying at one of the big internment camps,' This is attributed to 'Senior international aid figures', though as usual the Times is unwilling to name these mythical figures.

The response of the UN Resident Coordinator to this claim was 'Ridiculous', and he could not even guess as to how the Times had arrived at this figure. It was possible he said that a zero had been added on, but even 140 was higher than the actual figure. Currently it averages under 5 deaths a day, while in the period from May 1st it has been 618 altogether, with higher figures in May when there was an influx, just as there had been averages of over 10 a day in the first few days after the massive influx of April 20th onward. 618 deaths in 75 days out of a total of nearly 300,000 people is not especially strange, and well within the SPHERE norms for such situations.

The Times, or perhaps its minders, who have smuggled in their agents in the guise of aid workers (at massive salaries, it should be noted, and relentlessly disruptive of the good work of most aid agencies), knows how to introduce figures by sleight of hand. The figures it now confidently attributes to the UN were leaked, and that from tentative extrapolations, and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes has made it clear that they were never formally issued because they were only estimates. Holmes went further in totally repudiating the Times claim about over 20,000 dead, when he said that it had no basis in anything said or recorded by the UN.

In fact the Times had cleverly tried to insinuate that the UN was responsible for that figure by first citing the leaked UN figure of 7,000 for the first four months of the year, and then using a semi-colon (how Orwell would have relished that!) to assert that there was an average of 1,000 a day over the next two weeks. Some gullible papers had then claimed UN authority for the 20,000, though fortunately that canard has now been nailed, and when it recurs, generally only in the Times, it is now attributed to the Times alone.

The reason for the current attack may be related to the admission of doctors who had been in the conflict area that they had lied about casualty figures under Tiger pressure. That this was happening had been evident at the time but, though the Sri Lankan government had noted this, the Times and its allies had cited such figures as gospel. It was only after the admission of the doctors that the Times finally noted that 'It would be surprising if the Tigers, who were no slouches when it came to the manipulation of the media, had not attempted to modify the doctors' testimonies'.

This belated admission was made however only to claim that the Tigers and the Government are just like each other. What is bizarre is that, if the Times, albeit through a series of what are in effect self-effacing double negatives, grants that the Tigers got the doctors to make things up, it now blames the government for having the doctors issue a corrective. Such correctives would never have been necessary if the Times and its minders had made it clear from the start that the figures cited by the doctors under Tiger duress were unreliable.

And, interestingly enough, even this concession seems to be missing from later versions of the article, since obviously nothing should take away from the assault on the government. After all the doctors had been brought into play over the 20,000 figure, even though it had nothing whatsoever to do with them. Any study of the chronology would have made that clear, but the Times assumes that its readers are not going to study anything, and that the bigger the lie, and the more diabolical the insinuation, the more likely it is that it will be repeated by gullible followers.

Thus the Times claims that 'The United Nations found that more than 7,000 civilians were killed between January and May. Subsequent aerial photographs of beach graves, revealed in The Times, suggested that the figure was more than 20,000. World outrage embarrassed the Colombo Government. The doctors were swiftly arrested and nothing further was heard of them until Wednesday.'

This ignores the fact that the 'revelation' in the Times, passed off as having UN authority, occurred at the end of the week in May in which the New Labour initiative in Geneva had so dismally failed. The doctors had been arrested over 10 days earlier, as they escaped the conflict zone together with thousands of other civilians when Tiger resistance finally collapsed, and the cadres stopped - to a great extent if not totally - firing on the fleeing masses they had held hostage for so long. This hostage taking, it should be noted, was with the connivance of the Times and its Tiger sympathizers (as described by senior Sri Lankan journalists) such as Marie Colvin.

Why does the Times love the Tigers so much, to the extent of suppressing initially and subsequently what they did with the doctors? Why does it hate the Sri Lankan government to the extent of telling ridiculous lies, as described by senior responsible aid officials? Why does it twist evidence and chronology, hell bent it seems on attacking the government with no regard for journalistic or even basic human ethics?

The answer obviously lies in its political agenda. No wonder that a senior British diplomat, when told that a Conservative victory was anxiously awaited, said the sentiments were widely shared. A professional Foreign Office needs better leadership than it has now, it needs better agents than the Times in its current phase of amoral secretive falsehood. It is no wonder that other journalists said there was no reason to worry about the Times, since its circulation was very small. But still, as with Browning on Wordsworth, Byron on Venice, those who remember past glories can only weep at what the current management of the Times has done, in enslaving past glory to New Labour manipulation. To paraphrase the Times itself, 'It would be surprising if New Labour, who are no slouches when it came to the manipulation of the media, had not attempted to pervert the reporting of the Times'.

Prof Rajiva Wijesinha

Secretary General

Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process

SLRCS to help distribute Indian relief in Vavuniya

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:35:00 +0000

SLRCS to help distribute Indian relief in Vavuniya

(By : Rafik Jalaldeen)

The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society is making arrangements to despatch 650 metric tons of relief items sent by the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) for IDPs in Vavuniya.

SLRCS Deputy Director General Suren Peiris said the SLRCS is awaiting documents from India for customer clearance and security checking to take over the relief items received from the IRCS in 27 forty foot containers.

"As soon as we receive the customer clearance documents, we will be able to despatch the relief items to the IDPs in Vavuniya", Peiris told the Daily News.

He said that the distribution of relief items would be done by the SLRCS under the guidance of the relevant authorities of the Government soon after receiving the necessary security clearance.

The relief items include rice, flour, dhal, noodles, chickpeas, tin food, tin fish, cereal, sugar, tea, biscuits, SMA milk powder, baby food, Juice, dry food and medicines. "The value of relief items is over Rs.16.7 million", he added. Peiris noted that the SLRCS with support of the Movement Partners and Partner National Societies had been providing relief items and services for the IDPs that include water, food, ambulance services, sanitary facilities, and admission packs for pregnant women and babies, six mobile health units and services of 400 volunteers to help hospital staff.

"The consignment of relief items is considered as a donation from the Indian Red Cross Society and we have received the government's consent for its distribution amongst the IDPs in Vavuniya", he said.

Courtesy : Daily News

Northern road development in full swing

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:34:00 +0000

Northern road development in full swing

(By : Chaminda Perera)

Economic activities and people to people contact between the North and the South will propel with the development of the road network in the Northern Province after 30 years.

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has used its fullest potential to achieve road development targets in the province soon. According to RDA General Manager R.W. Ramjet Prefacer, the reconstruction of Mannar - Pooneryn road is in progress with the participation of 17 contractors and each contractor should complete a stretch of kilometer within three months.

The Government has allocated Rs. 500 million for this 85 kilometer road development project supervised by the RDA. He said the Army with technical assistance from the RDA is in the process of reconstructing the A35 and A34 highways while three main bridges are also being constructed in the province.

Sangupiddi bridge connecting the Jaffna peninsular with the mainland and Arippu bridge in the Mannar district are also being constructed by the Authority, he said.

He said the Navy is also involved in widening and developing the Puttalam-Mannar road.

"The construction of access road to Madhu Church is progressing," he said. The RDA has also focused on the reconstruction and development of the A9 highway and feasibility study are being conducted by the officials. This 200 km road development project is estimated to cost Rs. 100,000 million.

Courtesy : Daily news

Farewell call on HE the President by Chief of Defence Staff

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:06:00 +0000

The Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal GD Perera VSV USP ndc psc called on HE President at the Temple Trees this morning (13).

Air Chief Marshal GD Perera will be relinquishing his duties as Chief of Defence Staff on 15th July 2009. The Secretary Defence Mr.Gotabaya Rajapaksa was also present at the occasion.

New Appointments made by His Excellency the President

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:31:00 +0000

The present Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka was today appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff. He took oaths before President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Janadhipathi Mandiraya today.

This appointment, effective July 15, 2009, is made in accordance with the powers vested in the President by the Chief of Defence Staff Act No. 35 of 2009.

Consequent to this appointment, Major General Jagath Jayasuriya was appointed as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, effective July 15, 2009.

The present Commander of the Navy Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda was appointed as the National Security Advisor to the President, from July 15, 2009.

The present Chief of Navy Staff Rear Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe has accordingly been appointed as Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, effective July 15, 2009.

The current Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and Competent Authority for the Internally Displaced Persons in the North, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri took his oaths as the new Governor for the Northern Province today - July 12, 2009. Accordingly, Mr. Dixon Dela who was Governor of the Northern

Province was appointed as the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in the Maldives, effective today - July 12, 2009.

Media Division

Presidential Secretariat

July 12, 2009

Access to IDPs improved, UN reports

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:30:00 +0000

According to the latest UNHCR report the United Nations humanitarian wing has observed a significant improvement in humanitarian access to IDP sites in the North.

It also says that the UN World Food Programme (WFP) had delivered nearly 880 metric tonnes of food to IDPs in Vavuniya.

The Common Humanitarian Action Plan for Sri Lanka is 44 per cent funded, with some $69 million received out the $155 million required, the report said.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the Government has addressed some concerns he raised during his recent visit to Sri Lanka over humanitarian access to the camps.

Courtesy: Presidential Media Unit

Airport Public View Gallery re-open from Aug 01

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:30:00 +0000

The Public View Gallery at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake will re-open to the public from August 1, Airport sources disclosed today.

This gallery was closed to the public by the authorities at the airport for many years following terrorist threat posed by the LTTE.

The Colombo Airport came under attack from the LTTE several times.

Following the elimination of LTTE terrorism and with the dawn of peace, airport authorities have decided to restore the gallery to the public.

The public could now view their kith and kin leaving the country from this gallery.

Courtesy: Government Information Department

President to Muslims: Join hands in nation building

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:52:00 +0000

Maximum security for Community:
[Click to magnify/shrink]

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama Organisation felicitated President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a ceremony at Temple Trees on July 7. All Ceylon Jamaiyyathul Ulama President Ash-Sheikh I.M. Rizvi Mufthi hands over a plaque to the President. - Picture by Chandana Perera.

The Government has provided maximum security and protection to the Muslim Community while helping them to win over their rights. Since the Government has fulfilled all its responsibilities by the Muslim Community it is now up to them to join hands with the Government to rebuild the nation, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The President made these observations addressing a delegation of the All Ceylon Muslim Scholars Association at a meeting held at Temple Trees on Tuesday. Nearly 1,500 persons including Muslim Theologians and businessmen attended the meeting. President Rajapaksa who noted that the Muslim Community had faced an unprecedented catastrophe and destruction for nearly 30 years added that the Government was committed to erase the shadows of that dark era and grant them all their rights.

The President said an interested party was trying to spread fear into the minds of the Muslim Community by spreading a lie to the effect that the Government which suppressed terrorism was now on a mission to suppress Muslims and requested the Muslim Community to understand the Government efforts to improve their lot without falling prey to such malicious rumours.

The President who asserted that the Government was committed to bring justice and solace to any individual or section of society subjected to unfair treatment called upon everyone to stand for the truth by dismissing untruth.

"My sole ambition and objective is to resettle all displaced persons in their former lands and build a country where all can live in peace and harmony devoid of any petty differences as to race, religion or caste," the President added.

Several Muslim delegates who expressed their sentiments that no previous government was able to protect and safeguard Muslims when nearly 20,000 Muslims were evicted from Jaffna within two hours and the terrorists killed a large number of Muslims at Kattankudy.

They said President Rajapaksa and his Government was a blessing not only for Muslims but the whole nation as Muslims had been provided with full protection under their administration. The Muslim businessmen handed over to the President a donation to be credited to the 'Api Wenuwen Api' war heroes fund. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera, Service Chiefs, IGP and the Director General of the Civil Security Force were also present.

Courtesy: Daily News

Neil Marine Ltd donates for Api Wenuven Api fund

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:52:00 +0000

[Click to magnify/shrink] Neil Marine Private Ltd has made a cash donation to the Api Wenuven Api fund.

The cheque worth of one million rupees was handed over to Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a charm function held at the Ministry premises this evening (Jul 9). Mr. P.N. Fernando and Mr. A.R. Mathew attended the occasion representing the company.

Api Wenuwen Api fund has been raised by the Ministry of Defence Sri Lanka for the welfare of war heroes in the armed forces and the police.

Philanthropist family helps disabled war hero

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:51:00 +0000

Mr. Mohan Perera and his family have donated 125,000 rupees to Lance Corporal PS Kumara, an Army infantrymen disabled in action. The donation was facilitated by the Seva Vanith Unit of the Ministry of Defence. The MODSVU sources said that the soldier would be able to buy a sophisticated artificial limb with the donataion.

The members of the donor family handed over the cash cheque to the disabled soldier at the Ministry premises on Wednesday (Jul 8). Chairperson of the MODSVU, Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa, deputy chairperson, Mrs. Indu Rathnayake were also present at the occasion.

Canada to support post conflict development in Sri Lanka

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:51:00 +0000

Canada pledged its assistance to Sri Lanka's post conflict development, acknowledging that Sri Lanka had gone through an extremely difficult period with terrorism for nearly three decades, the pledge was made by Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada during a meeting with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.

He observed that the IDP facilities are fulfilling the needs and noted that the process of improving the conditions were ongoing. He opined that the resettlement of the displaced at the earliest would positively contribute to the reconciliation process.

He recalled the manner in which the Members of the Canadian Parliament refused to meet with the demonstrators who blatantly exhibited insignia of the proscribed organization. Obhrai observed that such action demonstrated Canada's commitment to Sri Lanka's fight against terrorism.

Parliamentary Secretary Obhrai stated that following the visit to the IDP camps and the discussions held with Sri Lankan officials and other agencies he had been able to get a better understanding about the ground situation in Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Minister explained that the Government of Sri Lanka is investing heavily in the north to rebuild infrastructure and carry out de-mining to enable the displaced to return to their original habitat.

Courtesy: PRIU

57 Division troops unearth hidden LTTE military hardware in Kilinochchi

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:50:00 +0000

Troops of the 57 Division have unearthed a hoard of hidden LTTE military hardware during search operations conducted in general area Visuamadukulama, yesterday (July 8).

According to finalized military reports, troops have uncovered 21 anti-personnel (AP) mines, and 03 other improvised explosive devises (IEDs). List of items uncovered during the clearing operations.
Items

Quantity

T-56 (LMG) assault riffle bipod

01

Shot gun

01

Hand grenade pouch

01

T-56 magazine pouch

01

12.7 mm ammunition drum

02

GMPG tripod

01

130mm projectile

01

Meanwhile, 57 Division troops have found around 1000 mortar primer chargers and 03x rocket propeller grenade (RPG) bombs in a separate search and clearing operation conducted in general area Pulliyampokkanal.

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President to Muslims: Join hands in nation building

Neil Marine Ltd donates for Api Wenuven Api fund

Philanthropist family helps disabled war hero

Canada to support post conflict development in Sri Lanka

57 Division troops unearth hidden LTTE military hardware in Kilinochchi

President commends ICTA, Microsoft for removing
language barriers in computer applications with the launch
of Sinhala interface pack