Eezham Tamil coastal areas intensively encroached by Sri Lanka

Eezham Tamil coastal areas intensively encroached by Sri Lanka[TamilNet, Friday, 01 July 2011, 05:34 GMT]
Occupying genocidal Sri Lanka opens up the coastal areas of Eezham Tamils for intensive �invasion� of Sinhala fishermen and �tourism� fat cats of the south. The latest target is the eastern coast of Mullaiththeevu and Jaffna districts as well as the islands off Jaffna, news sources from Jaffna said. While thousands of Sinhala fishermen, officially permitted by Colombo, encroach the eastern coast of the northern province to deprive local fishermen, the islands off Jaffna are encroached in the guise of tourism. A large block of prime land at Chaaddi in the Kayts Island, which earlier had the memorials of the LTTE fighters who laid down their lives for the independence of Tamils, is now claimed by John Keells, a Sinhala hotel corporate based in Colombo.

Thousands of Sinhala fishermen have now occupied the eastern coast of the Mullaiththeevu and Jaffna districts from Kokku�laay to Vadamaraadchi East. The local fishermen in these stretches are losing their economic opportunities and livelihood almost completely.

�Permits� issued by genocidal Sri Lanka�s defence ministry and fisheries department systematically facilitate the �invasion� of the Sinhala fishermen.

The Mullaiththeevu coast is also turning into a �tourist� place for the fishermen of the south.

Meanwhile, the islands off Jaffna in the Palk Bay are targeted for Sinhala colonisation in various ways ranging from military camps and Buddhist �pilgrimage� to tourism catered by hotel groups in the south.

Large plots of private and public lands in the islands off Jaffna are now either taken over or encroached by some business firms of Sinhalese in the south.

The coastal strip at Chaaddi in the Kayts Island has white sand dunes stretching to a long distance. Chaaddi in Tamil means the land left to lie fallow. The cultivation lands and settlement at this place were abandoned long back due to creeping sand dunes.

But Chaaddi is an important archaeological site. Artefacts ranging from protohistoric and early historic period to the times of medieval Chinese trade were found at this place. The place is also a major pilgrim centre for Muslims and Christians of Jaffna.

The LTTE had a cemetery for heroes at this place, which was destroyed by the SL Army in the 1990s, but it was rebuilt during the peace years. The occupying SL Navy once again razed down the memorials recently. This land and the heritage stretches are now claimed and occupied by John Keells, a Sinhalese-owned hotel corporate having business in the island and in The Maldives.

The local people are shocked to see the new signboards planted at this place, announcing the building of a star tourist hotel by the Sinhala hotel group.

In many other places in the peninsula, camps and bases for the occupying military are built over razed-down cemeteries of the LTTE heroes. At Chaaddi, John Keells is doing the job, local people commented.

Besides John Keelles, many other groups from the south have also encroached the heritage lands at Chaaddi. The local people have no sea front now.

Snatching away the power of the nation of Eezham Tamils to develop their land in the way they like is what called �development� and it is to this �development� the diaspora is asked to �creatively� collaborate by some in the West, said a social activist in Jaffna.

Meanwhile, The Netherlands embassy in Colombo that is funding the Army-Archaeology combination of Sri Lanka for the �tourism promotion� of the Dutch fort in Jaffna is said to have proposed to extend its archaeological courtesy to Chaaddi also. Informed sources say that container-loads of tulips have gone from The Netherlands to grace a family occasion of Mahinda Rajapaksa recently.

Chaaddi in Kayts is not the only example. Similar situation prevails in the Kaarainakar Island and in the other islands.

Kaarainakar associations and individuals in the diaspora provide aid to improve water resources and to reclaim saline areas as agricultural lands in the island whenever they could spare money after spending on temple extravaganzas. But the SL Navy in Kaarainakar is planting mangrove in the island to �improve the environment� for tourism or for the protection of its bases.

According to Sri Lanka Government Agent in Jaffna, Mrs. Imelda Sugumar, more than 350,000 �tourists� come to Jaffna peninsula each month.

Apart from those who come from the south to see the �subjugated� Jaffna, the number also includes the diaspora visitors.

Mrs. Sugumar said that the tourist hotels are needed for the visitors, but the coastal areas are getting polluted.

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Sri Lanka: Eezham Tamil political detainees face severe mental torture

Eezham Tamil political detainees face severe mental torture[TamilNet, Friday, 01 July 2011, 06:11 GMT]
Eezham Tamil political detainees kept in the prisons of Sri Lanka in the south as well as in the north without any cases filed against them for years are severely affected psychologically, medical sources examined them when they were brought to Jaffna teaching hospital said. Under unbearable mental stress some of the detainees attempted to escape this week, but they were re-arrested. One of them who attempted escape was swimming for a whole day to avoid detection and later he was re-arrested on information while hiding in an abandoned building.

Thousands of Eezham Tamil political detainees are kept for a very long time running into years in the custody of occupying Sri Lanka without cases filed in the courts.

Colombo is either still unable to find grounds to frame cases against them or it wants the detainees to suffer more time in the prison than what punishment a court could give them.

 

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Sri Lanka: Civil society groups in Karnataka meet to voice against Eezham Tamil genocide

Civil society groups in Karnataka meet to voice against Eezham Tamil genocide [TamilNet, Friday, 01 July 2011, 06:13 GMT]
Forum Against War Crimes and Genocide, comprising of several civil society organisations of Karnataka state in India convene a public meeting on Saturday evening at Student Christian Movement hall in the state�s capital Bangalore to voice against �War Crimes and Genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.� The meeting will screen the Channel 4 documentary �Sri Lanka�s Killing Fields.� Writer, Mr. G. Ramakrishna will deliver the keynote address and will launch the state chapter of the forum. Sometimes back, people in Hubli-Dharwad, the second largest city in Karnataka too held a demonstration in support of Eezham Tamils.

Karnataka State Committee of the Forum Against War Crimes and Genocide, People Democratic Front, Alternate Law Forum, Dalit Self Respect Movement, Pedestrian Pictures, Karnataka Students Organisation, Karnataka Jana Sakthi & Karnataka Vidhyarthi Vedike, Samatha Vedike (All India Progressive Women�s Association, New Socialist Alternative � Tamils Solidarity, National Coalition of Human Rights Organisation, All Karnataka Tamil Movements & Parties, are the joint organisers of the meeting.

Besides Mr. Ramakrishna, the other speakers are Human Rights Defender Mr. Nagragare Ramesh (Introduction), Bangalore University Professor, Paul Newman (Brief on Permanent People�s Tribunal and UN Advisory Panel Report), Professor Haragopal (�Sri Lankan Model� of State Oppression), journalist and writer Mr. Kumar Burudaikutti (Historic Struggle of Tamils in Sri Lanka), Mr. Venkatesan of Save Tamils Movement (�Genocide��Never Again), and Mr. Khalid Waseem (Kashmir and Eelam Nationality Struggle).

 

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MARKSS Healthcare takes part in the Annual Scientific Sessions organized by SLMA

Sri Lanka News-Adaderana-Truth First - MARKSS Healthcare takes part in the Annual Scientific Sessions organized by SLMA    July 1, 2011  11:11:AM --> Home Archives Feedback Contact Us --> Print this -->

MARKSS Healthcare takes part in the Annual Scientific Sessions organized by SLMA July 1, 2011  12:16 am

MARKSS Healthcare (MARKSS HLC) represented the Medical Importers exhibition in conjunction with the Annual Scientific Sessions organized by the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), the national professional medical association in Sri Lanka.

More than 30 medicine and medical equipment importers were present at the exhibition held at Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo. The latest medicine and medical equipment attracted the attention of many local medical practitioners of all grades.

Mr. Mihir P. Shah - Director and Mr. V. Ramasundaran � Business Consultant of Naxpar Group India, Distribution partners of Markss HLC were present at the exhibition. Markss Healthcare is one of the fastest growing pharmaceutical companies which imports cardiac medicine, antibiotics, anti -cancer drugs, food supplements and anti-dehydration drugs.

Photo Caption: Dr. R. Ajanthan General Secretary SLMA and Consultant Pediatrician Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in close observation at the Markss Healthcare exhibition stall of the newly launched Paedicare ORS, the One and Only Ready to Drink ORS available in Sri Lanka. Share this article with a friend

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Recepient(s) Your Name  > State media gets cricket broadcasting monopoly > Hambantota bid praised by Comm Games officials > Sri Lanka bow to ICC ban on government interference > Govt. will not increase fuel prices at present > VIDEO: Higher education in SL at a standstill > Hambantota bid praised by Comm Games officials > UN warns of action in absence of Lanka probe > Sri Lanka bow to ICC ban on government interference > Upali Darmadasa new SLC Interim Committee Chairman > Sri Lanka to allow Chinese Yuan in international transactions Copyright © 2010/2011 Ada Derana. All rights reserved.

Bus fare hike effective from today

All bus fares both private and SLTB to be increased by 7.6%today as announced on June 23. Accordingly the minimum bus fare would be Rs. 7.

Hambantota bid praised by Comm Games officials

Commonwealth Games officials on Thursday praised the bid from the Sri Lankan port town of Hambantotato host the multi-sport event in 2018.

 

Sri Lanka�s southern port town Hambantota and Australia�s Gold Coast are theonly bidders for the 2018 event, having lodged their bids with the CommonwealthGames Federation in Kuala Lumpur last month.

 

�We have been impressed with the vision for SriLanka and Hambantota and now have a clear view of where the hosting ofthe Commonwealth Games could fit within that vision,� said Louise Martine, thehead of the evaluation commission, at the end of a four-day evaluation visit.

 

She said the proposal of staging the Commonwealth Games in Hambantota is an �excitingone and, given the development of the relevant infrastructure, will provide aunique games experience for the athletes and other games client groups.�

 

The commission�s visit to Sri Lanka follows last week�s visit to the morefancied Gold Coast in Australia, which has most of its sporting infrastructurein place as opposed to Hambantota which is still in its planning stage. Itemerged on the sporting scene only this year when it hosted two World Cupcricket matches.

 

It lies on Sri Lanka�s southern coast � an area that was severely damaged inthe 2004 tsunami � and has no international airport and no internationalhotels.

 

Much of the landscape is still covered by thick forests and lush ricefields.

 

Martine said her officials met the people in Hambantota and those involvedin developing the city.

 

�We noted substantial progress and have no doubt about the resolve todeliver the necessary infrastructure by 2016,� she said. �The leadership shownby the national and district governments is impressive. The alignment ofagencies around the national, regional and games vision is equally impressive.�

 

The commission will release its report on the two bid cities by Oct. 11, amonth before the vote to select the host at the federation�s general assemblyin St. Kitts and Nevis.

 

Sri Lanka hopes to spend up to $6 billion on games projects, a colossal sumfor a country that is still recovering from a 26-year civil war.

 

Ajith Nivad Cabral, the governor of Sri Lanka�s central bank and co-chairmanof the Commonwealth bidding committee assured that the country is up to thetask of making all its plans real.

 

�We want to assure you not only we are showing you what�s here on paper andwhat�s here on a model, but we have got on our hearts the desire and the willto make it happen,� he said. �We will deliver all our promises.� AP reports.

Sri Lanka bow to ICC ban on government interference

Sri Lanka said on Thursday it would fall in line with anInternational Cricket Council (ICC) directive aimed at banning governmentinterference in national cricket boards.

 

Sports minister Mahindananda aAluthgamage said an electionwould be held in January for the Sri Lanka Cricket Board which, for the pastseven years, has been appointed by the government.

 

�We will abide by ICC rules,� Aluthgamage said.

 

The governing body, holding its annual meeting in Hong Kong,announced a ban on countries making political appointments to national boards,vowing to free the sport from undue government influence.

 

As well as Sri Lanka, the reform, which allows the ICC tosuspend a member country for non-compliance, will impact Pakistan andBangladesh.

 

In Pakistan, the president is the national cricket board�spatron.

 

All member boards have been given until the next ICC meetingin June 2012 to implement the new ruling and a further 12 months - to June 2013- before any sanctions will be considered, Times of India reports.

UN warns of action in absence of Lanka probe

The UN�s human rights chief warned Sri Lanka not to take too long in probingwar crimes allegations, saying failure to carry out a credible inquiry couldlead to international action.

 

�There is now a high level of expectations expressed by member states that SriLanka should seriously inquire into these allegations� of prisoner executionsand assaults, said Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

 

�But this should not be an open-ended process,� she stressed, noting that aprevious Sri Lankan internal inquiry �failed to complete its task, neverpublished its report and never led to a single prosecution.�

 

�If that should be the case again, there is an intention for the internationalcommunity to take further action. I certainly believe that the Human RightsCouncil should actively consider this matter,� said Pillay.

 

Pressure has mounted on Colombo since Britain�s Channel 4 broadcast adocumentary that showed what it said were prisoner executions and bodies offemale Tamil fighters who appeared to have been sexually assaulted.

 

A recent UN report accused government forces of war crimes, alleging that theyexecuted rebel leaders who had surrendered.

 

An estimated 100,000 people were killed in the nearly four-decade-long Tamilseparatist conflict, which began in 1972.

 

Pillay�s remarks echoed that of the United States, which on Tuesday urged SriLanka to move quickly to address allegations of war crimes.

 

Colombo has questioned the authenticity of the Channel 4 footage but said thata local panel, known as the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, wouldtake action if the allegations are proven, AFP reports.

Body of suspected MSD officer found in Borella

A body of a man suspected by the police to be a constable ofthe Ministerial Security Division (MSD) was found today (July 1) at Cotta Road inBorella, police stated.

Private security firms get common uniform

All officers employed at private security firms in Sri Lanka must wear acommon uniform from today, the Government Information Department said. This hasbeen done in under the new guidelines issued by the Defence Ministry.

Insurance for Lankan Farmers

Insurance for Lankan Farmers[ Friday, 01 July 2011, 04:12.21 AM GMT +05:30 ]Sri Lanka has decided to allocate Rs. 317 million as a source for the payment of pension to farmers until a stable pension fund to provide better benefits to farmers is established.

The cabinet decided to establish a stable Citizens Pension Insurance Fund that will provide more benefits for those employed in agriculture, fisheries, transport, construction activities and in self-employment sectors.

The cabinet approved the allocation proposed by the President in his capacity as the Finance Minister until such time the new pension fund is established.

Currently, the Agriculture and Agrarian Insurance Board implements the Fishermen's Pensions Scheme and the Social Security Benefit Scheme.

The relevant legislation for the purpose is being prepared by the Legal Draftsman.

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Ranil Wickramasi​nghe to meet UN General Secretary

Ranil Wickramasi​nghe to meet UN General Secretary[ Friday, 01 July 2011, 04:14.10 AM GMT +05:30 ]UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon is to meet opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe in New York next week.

According to thesources, this meeting is scheduled to take place on 5th July and comes amidst allegations of human rights violations being committed in Sri Lanka during the final stages of the war.

Ranil Wickramasinghe left for the US this week meet US senators and other officials and discuss Sri Lanka.

Wickramasinghe was also to attend a meeting of the International Democrat Union (IDU) for which he is a vice chairman.

The IDU Executive Committee is meeting in Washington DC this week.

The Washington meetings of the Executive and Standing Committee on Foreign affairs will include briefings by high-level US speakers on a wide range of issues, including both domestic and foreign policy.

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UN's Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay warned Sri-Lanka

UN's Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay warned Sri-Lanka[ Friday, 01 July 2011, 04:17.24 AM GMT +05:30 ]The UN's human rights chief yesterday warned Sri Lanka not to take too long in probing war crimes allegations, saying failure to carry out a credible inquiry could lead to international action.

"There is now a high level of expectations expressed by member states that Sri Lanka should seriously inquire into these allegations" of prisoner executions and assaults, said Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

"But this should not be an open-ended process," she stressed, noting that a previous Sri Lankan internal inquiry "failed to complete its task, never published its report and never led to a single prosecution."

"If that should be the case again, there is an intention for the international community to take further action. I certainly believe that the Human Rights Council should actively consider this matter," said Pillay.

Pressure has mounted on Colombo since Britain's Channel 4 broadcast a documentary that showed what it said were prisoner executions and bodies of female Tamil fighters who appeared to have been sexually assaulted.

A recent UN report accused government forces of war crimes, alleging that they executed rebel leaders who had surrendered.

An estimated 100,000 people were killed in the nearly four-decade-long Tamil separatist conflict, which began in 1972.

Pillay's remarks echoed that of the United States, which on Tuesday urged Sri Lanka to move quickly to address allegations of war crimes.

Colombo has questioned the authenticity of the Channel 4 footage but said that a local panel, known as the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, would take action if the allegations are proven. The UN's human rights chief Thursday warned Sri Lanka not to take too long in probing war crimes allegations, saying failure to carry out a credible inquiry could lead to international action.

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Govt. will not increase fuel prices at present

Sri Lanka News-Adaderana-Truth First - Govt. will not increase fuel prices at present    June 30, 2011  07:39:PM --> Home Archives Feedback Contact Us --> Print this -->

Govt. will not increase fuel prices at present June 30, 2011  04:18 pm

The government has no intention of increasing domestic fuel prices at present, Petroleum Industries Minister, Susil Premajayantha stated.

This statement came in reply to allegations made by UNP Chief Organizer and Gampaha District MP John Amaratunga that the government was preparing another fuel hike.

The Minister charged that the UNP were attempting to help certain businessmen hide fuel stocks, to cause a fuel shortage and to scare the public about price hikes.

Government has spent Rs.8585 mil​lion to obtain approval to organize Common Wealth Games

Government has spent Rs.8585 mil​lion to obtain approval to organize Common Wealth Games[ Thursday, 30 June 2011, 01:31.41 PM GMT +05:30 ]Sri-Lankan government has spent Rs.8585 million to obtain approval to organize Common Wealth Games in Hambantota Sri-Lanka.

According to the sources, the government has taken various steps to hold 2018 Common Wealth Games in Sri-Lanka and sources also said Rs.264 million had been paid to the British company to carry out advertisements this regard.

US$46.2 million had been spent for printing the books which explain the government’s plans regarding the organization of the event.

However UNP MP Harsha De Silva said total expenditure of the organization of the Common Wealth Games will be Rs.440 billion.

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Genocide was never carried out in Sri Lanka - Tamara Kunanayaka​m

Genocide was never carried out in Sri Lanka - Tamara Kunanayaka​m[ Thursday, 30 June 2011, 01:35.42 PM GMT +05:30 ]Sri Lanka says genocide was never carried out in Sri Lanka and such allegations are being raised purely to justify external intervention.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Cuba Tamara Kunanayakam said that cries of genocide were heard only during the last phase of the war and only when the military defeat of the LTTE became possible.

In an interview with the Venezeula newspaper “Correo del Orinoco” the Ambassador said that allegations of genocide were raised merely to save the LTTE from military defeat in 2009.

“If one takes a closer look at the definition of ‘genocide’ in the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, you will have a hard time finding evidence that there was intent on the part of the Government of Sri Lanka to destroy, in whole or in part the Tamil community,” she said.

She also stressed that during the war, government forces were engaged not against the Tamil community, but against a terrorist organisation that fought a relentless and ruthless war for separation.

She also said that both the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) and the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) do not represent the Tamil Diaspora and the entire Tamil community.

The Ambassador said that both organisations were formed by international leaders of the earlier LTTE and comprise of LTTE front organisations and their supporters in various Western countries.

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Special police raid in Puttalam

Special police raid in Puttalam[ Thursday, 30 June 2011, 01:37.29 PM GMT +05:30 ]The Puttalam police carried out a special raid in the district this morning.

During the raid thirty three suspects were arrested for engaging in the several offences in the area.

According to the police all these suspects were arrested following a sudden raid carried out today in several areas which fall under the Puttalam police division.

These raids were carried out in Kalpitiya, Mundalama, Saliyawewa, Nawagathegama, Karuwalagaswewa, Anamaduwa and Wanataviluwa.

Meanwhile, separately the police also raided a kassipu den in Puttalam and seized several items used to produce liquor illegally.

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Seeman has power to contest in the Sri-Lankan election -S.V.Sekar

Seeman has power to contest in the Sri-Lankan election -S.V.Sekar[ Thursday, 30 June 2011, 01:38.57 PM GMT +05:30 ]Actor and the former Mylapore division MLA S.V.Sekar said leader of the Nam Thamilazar Party Seeman has power to carry out protest against the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime by contesting in the Si-Lankan eletion.

He made this statement during a media briefing in Iroad this afternoon.

He further said people hate the joint ruling of TMK and Congress. Most of the voters expected a change in Tamil Nadu in such situation ADMK government will carry out its work in a proper manner as it carryout its work during the ruling period of 2001 and 2006.        

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Grievances of Tamils in Sri Lanka legitimate -Manmohan Singh

Grievances of Tamils in Sri Lanka legitimate -Manmohan Singh[ Thursday, 30 June 2011, 01:42.16 PM GMT +05:30 ]Terming the grievances of Tamils in Sri Lanka as legitimate, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said India’s efforts was to persuade the Sri Lankan government to ensure that all are treated as equal citizens as what is happening there has a domestic dimension.

During an interaction with a group of editors, Dr. Singh said he has discussed the issue with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who has “good cooperation” and was conscious of the complexity of the issue.

The Prime Minister also talked about India’s “good” relations with Bangladesh, saying the government there has helped in apprehending anti-India insurgents. Dr. Singh said he would like to visit that country.

External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna is going to visit Dhaka next week during which he will discuss important bilateral and regional issues with the Bangladeshi leadership.

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State media gets cricket broadcasting monopoly

Cabinet has decided to grant the television and radiobroadcasting rights of International Cricket matches played in Sri Lanka andoverseas to State Media only.

Lankan authorities to crackdown on Sri Lanka-Maldives drug network

 

From right to left: Athif, Shafaz, Athik and Shaheem. PHOTO/ POLICE

As a result of the recent breakthrough in a high profilenarcotics case in Maldives, the Sri Lankan Police has commenced investigationsinto a large scale drug trafficking network which is operated in Sri Lanka andMaldives.

Currently plans are being made by the police departments of the two countriesto coordinate with their investigations in order to thwart the ongoingnarcotics trade between Sri Lanka and Maldives.

This move comes in the light of the recent arrest of four key Maldivian drugtraffickers who had been using Colombo as a transit point to smuggle narcoticsinto Male.

The four who were arrested on June 23, by a special Maldivian narcotics team inan operation code named �Challenge�, have been identified as Hussein Athif,Ibrahim Shafaz Abdu Razzaq, Hussein Athik and Ismail Shameem who have beeninvolved in the smuggling of drugs via Colombo to Male since 2005.

A senior official from Sri Lanka�s Police Narcotics Bureau told Haveeru thatthe Sri Lankan officers have been coordinating with police officials in Maleand are continuing with the investigations on the recent arrests.

�Our department has been sharing information with the Maldivian authorities andwe have been working together with the objective of completely destabilisingthe Maldives-Lanka drug network. We have been successful in arresting many ofthose Sri Lankans and Maldivians who have been involved in this network,� hesaid.

�We have currently gathered vital details related to how the Maldives-Sri Lankadrug network operates and details on those who are involved in traffickingdrugs from Sri Lanka to Maldives. We suspect that amongst those involved arehigh profile Sri Lankan underworld gang leaders who are currently in ourcustody,� he said.

�We have interrogated many of these suspects and have also gathered severalleads from our informants. In the recent case we hope to also question theowners and shopkeepers of the money transfer agency which is in Colombo,� hesaid.

The Maldivian police recently revealed that money to a Sri Lankan based dealerwas sent through an authorised moneychanger A.J.E Emporium in Male, whicheventually transferred the money to a Sri Lankan money transfer agent, Gallery,which is a jewellery store located in a prominent shopping complex in Colombo.

In the backdrop of this finding by the Maldivian police, the Sri Lankanauthorities are currently probing if the money transfer agent, Gallery had beendirectly connected to the trafficking of the drugs.

On March 15, Haveeru exposed how sleuths from Sri Lanka�s Police NarcoticsBureau, had identified Maldivians residing in Sri Lanka who have been involvedin an international operation concerning the trafficking and distribution ofdrugs such as heroin, marijuana and hashish.

In the investigations conducted by the Police Narcotics Bureau, the fourMaldivians nationals who had been arrested had been identified previously. TheSri Lankan police investigations also revealed that the four Maldivians inquestion had been having close links to Sri Lankan drug lords who had beenwanted for the distribution of large quantities of heroin and hashish.

In 2008, two Sri Lankans were arrested with heroin, worth over US$1 million, inhidden compartments in their luggage as they entered the Male InternationalAirport. Last year the Sri Lanka�s Narcotics Bureau arrested a Maldivian womanwho was carrying 9kg of heroin.

Sri Lanka receives a bulk of its drugs, especially heroin from dealersoperating in India and Pakistan who use Sri Lanka as a trans-shipment hub forthe trafficking of narcotics, Haveeru reports.

CAA earns Rs.35m in raids and fines this year

TheConsumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has earned more than Rs. 35 million throughfines this year from conducting various raids around the island while it hasearned more than Rs. 6 million in fines within this month alone.

 

Abulk of the fines were imposed on retailers for failing to display prices,selling products for more than the maximum retail price and the sale of expiredproducts, the CAA stated.

 

Italso stated that the primary focus has been on shops in the Colombo, Matale,Monaragala, Anuradhapura, Ampara, Puttalama, Kandy and Kalutara Districts.

Upali Darmadasa new SLC Interim Committee Chairman

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Upali Darmadasa to be appointed as the new Chairman of theSri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee, confidential sources told Ada Derana ashort while ago. The new Interim Committee will be appointed tomorrow.

 

On June 22, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage toldAda Derana that he was �positively considering a change of administration andan election of office bearers at Sri Lanka Cricket after the current tour ofEngland�. He added that after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 most of the SriLanka Cricket Interim Committee members have shown interest to step down.

Strict action against material harmful to human health - Ministry of Health

Strict action against material harmful to human health - Ministry of Health[ Thursday, 30 June 2011, 07:56.13 AM GMT +05:30 ]No person shall import, manufacture, transport, advertise for sale, export for sale, sell, package, store, use or distribute any food packaging material or article which under normal and foreseeable conditions is injurious to human health, deteriorating the organoleptic character of food or changes the nature, substance and quality of food, with effect from July 1st , the Health Ministry said in a statement.

The statement adds that, every person who manufactures or imports any material or article intended to be used for the packaging of food shall be certified by the manufacturer to the effect that the raw material used in the manufacture of the packaging material or article meets the required quality or grade in compliance with international standards and that the packaging material or article is of food grade quality.

The Ministry adds that strict action would be taken against those who contravene the law.

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India, Lanka hold first Army-to-Ar​my staff talks

India, Lanka hold first Army-to-Ar​my staff talks[ Thursday, 30 June 2011, 07:59.17 AM GMT +05:30 ]India and Sri Lanka began their first Army-to-Army staff talks on Wednesday to bolster bilateral military cooperation with joint exercises and training programmes.

The three-day talks, led by Sri Lankan military secretary Major-General HCP Goonetilleke and Indian Army's additional director general (international cooperation) Major-General I P Singh, will chalk out the programmes to be undertaken by the two armies over the next one year.

"Such interactions will result in a more robust and pragmatic defence cooperation," said an official. India over the last several years has trained thousands of Sri Lankan personnel at its military institutions ranging from Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairengte (Mizoram) to School of Artillery at Devlali (Maharashtra), apart from providing specialized naval courses in gunnery, navigation, communication and anti-submarine warfare.

The importance of the talks can be gauged from the fact that India has similar staff talks with only nine other countries, namely US, UK, Israel, France, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Singapore.
 

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Shooting between two UPFA members

Shooting between two UPFA members[ Thursday, 30 June 2011, 08:02.49 AM GMT +05:30 ]A clash erupted between two UPFA members in Kaduwela, Nawagamuwa this morning resulting in gunshots being fired, the police said.

Police media spokesman Priyashantha Jayakody said that both UPFA members opened fire on each other but no one killed or injured.

However at least two vehicles were damaged in the shooting incident, the police spokesman added.

The Nawagamuwa police are investigating the incident.

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Be aware when buying lands in Sri-Lanka - Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon

Be aware when buying lands in Sri-Lanka - Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon[ Thursday, 30 June 2011, 08:06.01 AM GMT +05:30 ]The Minister of Lands and Land Development, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon warned people by asking them to be extra careful when buying lands in certain districts in the island.

The Minister added that there were a lot of Government lands in the below mentioned Districts and that he was made to aware of a racket where state lands were being sold.

The Minister also went on to say that the racketeers were showing fake deeds to entice buyers.  

The Minister also pointed out this alleged racket is carried out in Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Rathnapura, Moneragala, Nuwaraeliya, Ampara, Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

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Mosque clears girls

Mosque clears girls[ Thursday, 30 June 2011, 08:08.52 AM GMT +05:30 ]Mosques in the eastern Sri Lankan town of Kattankudi have made public announcements exonerating two teenage girls accused of watching pornography.

The loudspeaker announcements were made following a court order.

A group of men allegedly beat up the 17-year-olds last week after they came out of an internet cafe in Kattankudi, a mostly Muslim town.

The father of one of the girls says they were accused of watching pornography - a charge the girls deny.

Mohammad Yusuf Abdul Razak told the BBC that the issue had been blown out of proportion because of an earlier announcement made from mosque loudspeakers that that two girls had been viewing pornography.

Mr Razak said that a group of men forcefully took his daughter and the other girl to a local house and beat them up, before taking them to a local Islamic office.

"After that, an announcement was made from a mosque using loudspeakers that two girls were caught doing wrongful things," Mr Razak said.

After hearing this announcement, Mr Razak says, a large crowd gathered and started to denounce the girls.

Police finally intervened and the girls were taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries, he said.

Local Muslims deny making announcements regarding the girls from a mosque. But they agreed on Wednesday to comply with court orders to broadcast the exonerations.

"Today we made announcement from about eight or nine mosques covering the whole area of the Kattankudi town," said Mosque Federation Chairman Mohammad Ibrahim.

"The crux of the message is the girls have not been found guilty of any wrongdoing and are innocent. Local people should help those girls and their family to live in peace."

Police are yet to trace the main accused. But Mr Razak said that he was happy with the retraction.

"I want to thank the judge for restoring our honour," he said.

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SAARC agricultur​al conference is schdule to be held in Sri-Lanka

SAARC agricultur​al conference is schdule to be held in Sri-Lanka[ Thursday, 30 June 2011, 08:11.18 AM GMT +05:30 ]The South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation conference on exchange of information regarding pesticides will commence tomorrow in at the Inservice Training Institute in Gannoruwa, Peradeniya of the Kandy district in Sri Lanka.

The conference will be held until July 01 with the participation of the scientists from the SAARC countries.

SAARC Agricultural Center based in Dhaka and the Department of Agriculture of Sri Lanka jointly organizes the conference.

A consultative workshop on SAARC pesticide information sharing network will be held to discuss the standards and effects of the pesticides use in SAARC countries.

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Foreign revenue through land sale to be transferre​d to Treasury

Foreign revenue through land sale to be transferre​d to Treasury[ Thursday, 30 June 2011, 04:12.47 AM GMT +05:30 ]The Deputy Minister of Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena stated that all income received through the sale of lands to foreign companies will be directly transferred to the Treasury and debited to the Treasury account no.6000.

He made this announcement during a media briefing at Colombo yesterday (29).

The Minster stated that the construction of two luxury hotels in Colombo and Hambanthota is currently underway and that the government has earned a sum of US$ 125 million from the Shangrila Company through the sale of land for their project. Furthermore the government has also received a sum of US$136 million from the sale of land to the AVIC Company.  

He further claimed that a foreign company has been provided with a land area of 510 acres for the development of the Kuchchaweli Tourist Zone and that plans are under way to construct a 2500 roomed hotel complex in the zone. 

The Minster further stated that despite the land being sold to a foreign company 2.5%- 5% of the total income will be used for the development of the residents in the area.  

He further stated that the development of the Kalpitiya tourist zone is currently underway and that no family living in the area will be evacuated.

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JFA gets patent rights for Sunbird Technology

Pan Asia Bank opens a branch in Peradeniya

Pan AsiaBank further expanded its branch network today (June 30) with the opening of its51st branch in Peradeniya, at No 767, Sirimavo Bandaranayake Mw.Peradeniya.

 

Theinauguration of the new branch was marked by the Chief Guest his lordship RajaPushpakumara - Mayor of Kandy municipal council and the guest of honour Mr.A.G. Weerasinghe � Chairman Pan Asia Bank.

 

Pan Asia Bank has already opened nine brancheswithin the year, and continues its vigorous expansion drive with a view ofachieving 25 new branches in 2011 and 100 branches by the end of 2012.

 

Pan Asia Bank takes pride in its customer centricfocus and will be offering a highly personalized service, competitive depositand loan rates and an array of novel banking products including Champion Saveraccount with a very attractive interest of 8% for a savings account, threetypes of minor savings accounts, Gold Loans with the highest advance amount upto Rs 41,000/- per sovereign, and leasing at the lowest market rate down to 1%.

 

Pan Asiabank Peradeniya branch is headed by Mr. Anuradha Wickramasinghe. The branchwill be opened from 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays and from 9am to 1 pm on Saturdays.

India, Lanka hold first Army-to-Army staff talks

Sri Lanka News-Adaderana-Truth First - India, Lanka hold first Army-to-Army staff talks    June 30, 2011  11:37:AM --> Home Archives Feedback Contact Us --> Print this -->

India, Lanka hold first Army-to-Army staff talks June 30, 2011  10:36 am

India and Sri Lanka began their first Army-to-Army staff talks to bolster bilateral military cooperation with joint exercises and training programmes.


The three-day talks, led by Sri Lankan military secretary Major-General HCP Goonetilleke and Indian Army�s additional director general (international cooperation) Major-General I P Singh, will chalk out the programmes to be undertaken by the two armies over the next one year.


�Such interactions will result in a more robust and pragmatic defence cooperation,� said an official. India over the last several years has trained thousands of Sri Lankan personnel at its military institutions ranging from Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairengte (Mizoram) to School of Artillery at Devlali (Maharashtra), apart from providing specialized naval courses in gunnery, navigation, communication and anti-submarine warfare.


The importance of the talks can be gauged from the fact that India has similar staff talks with only nine other countries, namely US, UK, Israel, France, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Singapore, Times of India reports.

EXCLUSIVE: Substandard petrol causing havoc

An emergency shipment of petrol which was proven to bebelow the required standards has caused great financial damage to the publicand the government, the Secretary of the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya stated.

 

Following several complaints of malfunctioning vehicles inthe country, Ananda Palitha of the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya told Ada Derana thata shipment carrying petrol below the necessary standards for use had come tothe Colombo Harbour between June 18 and 20 and had subsequently beendistributed for consumption.

 

He stated that the shipment was brought to Sri Lanka withthe approval of the Petroleum Ministry Secretary�s approval following fears ofa potential fuel shortage. The decision was also taken while Ceylon PetroleumCorporation (CPC) Chairman Harry Jayawardena was out of the country.

 

Palitha explained that the depleting stock had prompted thecalling of tenders for shipments of fuel in order to maintain stocks for thenext three months. However, Ministry Secretary Titus Jayawardena had cancelledtwo of the tenders which had in turn threatened to create a shortage, he said.

 

The Secretary had then received cabinet approval for anemergency shipment of oil which had allegedly been the cause of themalfunctioning vehicles.

 

He further stated that apart from the extra cost to thegovernment in terms of shipping charges and harbour fees, leaks in theSapugaskanda pipelines through which this oil was pumped had caused muchwastage due to several leaks. He alleged that it had not been pumped throughMuturajawela to avoid detection of its poor quality which was known to theauthorities.

 

He added that the oil had been distributed around theisland to CPC and other fuel stations while another 1500 metric tons are stillbeing pumped from the ship.

 

Furthermore, over 125 pumps in over 50 sheds around the islandhave been disabled due to the nature of the oil while the anti-rust paint coatingin the oil bowsers had heated up while transporting the oil. Upon lab testingthe oil was found to be of very low quality which experts tried to remedy byadding certain chemicals into it. However, the 90 octane petrol that has beenpumped into vehicles around the island has caused malfunctions within one totwo weeks.

 

The Petroleum Ministry stated that the fuel had been boughtfrom a leading state owned company in the Middle-East of which the quality of fuelhad not been a problem.

 

Petroleum Ministry Secretary Titus Jayawardena stated thatupon tests conducted on petrol samples collected from 15 sheds it was shownthat only two of the samples had shown signs of low quality.

 

He said that poor standards of practice at the fillingstations could also have been the reason for these vehicular malfunctions whileadding that if it had been a problem with the fuel, many more complaints shouldhave been made.

 

Many vehicle manufacturers have also complained that brandnew vehicles which had been purchased were returned to the company uponmalfunction.

 

Mr. Jayawardena stated that complaints had only been madeby owners of trishaws and motorcycles while it was yet to be proven that thepetrol was harmful to other vehicles.

Anchor Institute Symposium Highlights importance of mother�s nutrition during pregnancy

Sri Lanka News-Adaderana-Truth First - Anchor Institute Symposium Highlights importance of mother�s nutrition during pregnancy    June 30, 2011  10:00:AM --> Home Archives Feedback Contact Us --> Print this -->

Anchor Institute Symposium Highlights importance of mother�s nutrition during pregnancy June 30, 2011  12:31 am

Renowned World Health Organisation consultant addresses health care professionals on the role of good nutrition throughout Sri Lankan women�s key life stages.

Colombo, June, 2011: The Anchor Institute, the research arm of Fonterra Brands Lanka, recently hosted a symposium in Colombo to share new insights with health care professionals into the role of nutrition at key stages of a woman�s life, focusing on pre and post pregnancy.

These were delivered by guest speaker, Prof. Timothy Green, an associate professor of Food, Nutrition and Health at the University of British Columbia, Canada and a consultant to the World Health Association and Fonterra, amongst many other nutrition and dietetic association�s in Asia and internationally.

Attended by over 200 healthcare practitioners, the session focused on recent advancements in nutrition during pregnancy, including, the benefits of consuming adequate amounts of nutrients such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). This was supported by international evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of food fortification with specific nutrients such as iron and folate to help pregnant women and new mothers improve the health and wellbeing of themselves and their babies.

�Many women are unaware that they have very specific nutrient needs during and after pregnancy to help maintain their health and the optimal growth and development of their unborn or new baby. For example, during pregnancy mothers need to increase their folate levels especially in early pregnancy to assist the foetus� development and prevent birth defects. They also need nutrients like calcium, fibre and protein to stay fit and healthy throughout their pregnancy,� said Prof. Green, speaking at the event.

Fonterra Brands Lanka Managing Director, Achyut Kasireddy explained; �Fonterra�s Anchor Institute has a network of leading experts who are passionate about helping children, mothers and their families reach their full health potential by providing the very best in dairy nutrition. We work closely with leading academics and healthcare professionals to understand the latest health trends and nutrition developments so that we can ensure that our dairy products contribute in the best possible way to keep families healthy and well-nourished.�

The Anchor Institute has provided nearly Rs 10 million in research grants to institutions to conduct studies in Sri Lanka. This research has provided vital insights into areas such as the nutritional status, dietary intake and subsequent deficiencies of school children, particularly those in vulnerable and rural communities. Additionally, the Institute facilitates many scientific nutrition forums to share knowledge and best practices among healthcare professionals. Through this collaboration, Fonterra strives to make an active contribution to the Government�s mission to increase health status as part of its national, social and economic development. 

About Fonterra: Fonterra is a global leader in dairy nutrition � the preferred supplier of dairy ingredients to many of the world�s leading food companies. Fonterra is also a market leader with our own consumer dairy brands in Australia/New Zealand, Asia/Africa, Middle East and Latin America.

The farmer-owned New Zealand co-operative is the largest processor of milk in the world, producing more than two million tonnes of dairy ingredients, value added dairy ingredients, specialty ingredients and consumer products every year. Drawing on generations of dairy expertise, Fonterra is one of the largest investors in dairy based research and innovation in the world. Our 16,000 staff work across the dairy spectrum from advising farmers on sustainable farming and milk production, to ensuring we live up to exacting quality standards and delivering every day on our customer promise in more than 100 markets around the world.

About Anchor: ANCHOR� is a leading global brand for high quality dairy nutrition. ANCHOR� products are (in Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan it is known as FERNLEAF�) sold in over 65 countries worldwide. Its range of products includes milk (liquid and powder), butter, cheese and yoghurt.  ANCHOR� is sourced from New Zealand, a country ideal for milk production.  New Zealand cows feed on nutrient rich pastures, drink clean, sparkling water and breathe fresh, pure air everyday ensuring that the milk produced is one of the finest in the world.

Fonterra�s iconic ANCHOR� brand is the best-known brand in Sri Lanka and the number-one selling full cream milk powder in the country. Together with its renowned RATTHI�, NEWDALE� and ANLENE�, all Fonterra products are known for their goodness, quality and reliability.

Anchor Institute: The Anchor Institute conducts and supports research in a range of scientific areas to bring the best in dairy nutrition to families the world over and is an expert in understanding the complexity of milk and isolating components that can be used for specific health benefits.

The Anchor Institute has funded numerous human trials, including a large-scale human clinical trial that investigated the benefits of fortified milk on children�s health. This trial showed that children who drank Anchor 1+ that was fortified with Nutri-care� (a nutrient bundle comprising vitamins A, C, E, selenium, zinc and iron) were up to two times better protected against common childhood illnesses such as fever, diarrhoea and chest infections.

About Prof Green: Prof. Green is a consultant for many regional and international agencies including WHO and was the Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of New Zealand Dietetic Association, Associate Editor of the Nutrition and Dietetics, and was a Peer Reviewer for many international journals including the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Journal of Food Composition and British Journal of Nutrition. Currently, he holds many positions in regional and international Nutrition and Dietetic Associations.

Prof. Green, an Associate Professor of Food, Nutrition and Health at the University of British Columbia, Canada; main expertise lies in the field of research into the beneficial effects of vitamin consumption during pre and post pregnancy.

Photo caption: Fonterra Brands Lanka Managing Director, Achyut Kasireddy (left) and guest speaker, Prof. Timothy Green, associate professor of Food, Nutrition and Health at the University of British Columbia, Canada and a consultant to the World Health Association and Fonterra. Share this article with a friend

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Recepient(s) Your Name  > No emergency decision regarding Sri Lanka > Mosques exonerate Kattankudi girls > VIDEO: Foreign revenue through land sale to be transferred to Treasury > Sri Lanka to allow Chinese Yuan in international transactions > Six Lankan men rescued from human-trafficking syndicate in Malaysia > Mosques exonerate Kattankudi girls > Sri Lanka to allow Chinese Yuan in international transactions > US warns Sri Lanka on war crime charges > VIDEO: Foreign revenue through land sale to be transferred to Treasury > Police investigate attack on teenage girls in Kattankudi Copyright © 2010/2011 Ada Derana. All rights reserved.