16 arrested in Kurunegala

16 arrested in Kurunegala[ Thursday, 07 July 2011, 04:05.19 AM GMT +05:30 ]The police say 16 suspects have been arrested over an incident which took place in Kurunegala yesterday during a protest by teacher trade unions.

Several teachers who took part in the protest were injured when a gang, which had arrived in a bus, used poles to assault the teachers.

At least 500 teachers took part in the protest near the Kurunegala roundabout yesterday to draw attention to some of their demands.

By this morning the police had arrested 16 suspects over the assault on the teachers and they will be produced in court today.

The Kurunegala police are investigating the incident.

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For the first time Govt. admits 5000 civilians died during the war

For the first time Govt. admits 5000 civilians died during the war[ Thursday, 07 July 2011, 04:10.59 AM GMT +05:30 ]President’s advisor and M P , Professor Rajeeva Wijesinghe yesterday confessed to the fact that he believed about 5000 civilians died during the last phase of the 4th Eelam war between the LTTE and the Govt. armed forces.

He admitted this when partaking in the discussion on the BBC ‘hard talk’ program.

Though the Govt. had been stubbornly stating that during the war no ordinary citizen was killed , this confession by the MP contradicted Govt.’s announcements. When the BBC media personnel questioned on this contradiction , ‘whether isn’t what you said contradictory to what the Govt. had been repeatedly telling ?’ , Wijesinghe replied , the Govt. forces under no circumstances targeted the ordinary citizens when attacking. He added that at that time he was the chief of the peace secretariat , and the figure arrived at was on a personal count by made by him based on the figures reported by the Tamil net compared with the details collected from the security divisions.

In any event , so far no decisions had been taken in regard to granting compensation to the 5000 civilians, but as far as possible immediate action is being taken to put them back in their original places of residence, he pointed out .

Rajeew Wijesinghe also declared that it is appropriate that a probe is conducted into the killings of the LTTE rebels after their surrender to the Forces as alleged by the UN in 2009 and the exposures in the Darusman report.

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Sri Lanka leader says U.K. media “falsified​” facts

Sri Lanka leader says U.K. media “falsified?” facts[ Thursday, 07 July 2011, 04:07.06 AM GMT +05:30 ]A prominent Sri Lankan political figure on Wednesday accused the British media of conducting a hostile campaign against the Sri Lanka Government singling out The Times and Channel 4 for what he described as their attempts to “falsify” facts.

Rajiva Wijesinha, MP, and Adviser to the Sri Lankan President on Reconciliation, said Sri Lanka had been the target of an “astonishing spate of attacks” with several British media outlets appeared “determined to falsify’’.

“The Times engaged in a particularly vicious campaign which another British journalist explained as arising from its association with New Labour…,’’ he said addressing a gathering of expatriates at the Sri Lanka High Commission.

In his presentation `‘Reconciliation in the Context of Channel 4 allegations”, Prof.Wijesinha said the British media coverage had contributed to polarization among Sri Lankans thus hindering efforts at reconciliation. The Channel recently screened a film containing footage that it claimed showed human rights abuses by government forces.

Criticising a Guardian stringer for his “erroneous reports’’, Prof.Wijesinha said:`` His stories had often to be corrected, though he flatly refused to correct the most outrageous of them, when he claimed that 11 women had been found with their throats cut. He confessed that there was no basis for this, and that his source could not be trusted.’’

About Channel 4’s coverage, he said: “From the start it seemed there was a conspiratorial element to it, and their team was soon asked to leave. So it was not surprising that later… they produced the first aggressive attack on Sri Lanka, in the form of a brief clip shown in August 2009. They refused to allow the High Commission to see this in advance, and indeed did not show anyone the video they had received. They even refused to give it to the U.N. Special Rapporteur, who was instead shown another version, different in some particulars, supplied by an outfit called Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka.’’

Prof.Wijesinha enumerated the efforts the Government was making to heal the ethnic divide and, answering questions from the audience, urged expatriates of all ethnicities to come forward and help the Government.

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Doctors in Jaffna protest over disrespectful treatment

Doctors at the Jaffna Hospital today (July 7) have gone onstrike in view of the troublesome situation at the Hospital which is attributedto the behavior of the private security officers, the Government MedicalOfficers Union stated.

 

Secretary of the Union, Dr. Chandima Epitakaduwa stated thatthe security officers had been treating the staff at the hospital in a disrespectfulmanner while stating that if measures are not taken to replace or remove thesesecurity officers by tomorrow (July 8) the doctors of the Jaffna hospital will resign.

SL High Commissioner to meet with Jaya?

Encouraged by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh?s assessmentthat Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was ?fully conscious? of therealities of managing the India-Sri Lanka relationship, Colombo is learnt tohave asked its envoy to engage with the Tamil Nadu government.

 

Moves are afoot, sources said, to schedule a meeting betweenSri Lankan High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam and Jayalalithaa in the comingweeks.

 

The Sri Lankan envoy returned from Colombo on Tuesday andofficials familiar with the developments said this ?reaching out? was aconscious decision taken by the Sri Lankan government.

 

Sri Lanka is quite enthused at the PM?s assessment of theTamil Nadu CM. He had told editors at last week?s interaction, ?I have had goodcooperation with Jayalalithaaji. I raised this matter with her the very firsttime. Whatever be the resolutions that were passed in the Assembly, I found herfully conscious of the complexities and the realities of managing thisrelationship.?

 

Officials said the engagement with the new CM had begun soonafter her landslide victory in the Assembly polls in May. Lankan ForeignMinister G L Peiris wrote a ?congratulatory letter? to Jayalalithaa, wishingher welland indicating Colombo?s intention to ?work with her?. (IE)

Pak, Sri Lanka trade bodies can enhance ties - Bathiudeen

Sri Lanka aims to boost economic, trade and commercial tieswith Pakistan. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister for Industries and Commerce of SriLanka Wednesday said Sri Lanka is Pakistan?s biggest trading partner in SAARCoutside India and we share common perceptions on many regional and globalissues.

 

 

Speaking to business community at FPCCI Bathiudeen said thecurrent bilateral trade volume stood at $338 million, which could be increasewith the help of private sector. He said balance of trade has always been infavour of Pakistan, which was contributing to economic development of abrotherly country.

He said both governments have agreed to provide enhanced opportunities to theprivate sector to interact to benefit from untapped potential. Plans to cementlinks and other steps to further encourage Pakistani investors are on thecards, he added. He invited Pakistani investors to his country saying thatstrong post-war growth potential was an opportunity for everyone.

Pakistanis can get trade concession in all the countries and groupings of whichSri Lanka is a signatory. He informed we urgently need some fifty thousand headof cattle from Pakistan. Raza Khan of FPCCI said 8.1 percent growth, per capitaGDP hike to $2400 and economic freedom standing at 57.1 proved that investorshave trust in policies of Sri Lankan government, Daily Times reports.

Government representa​tives to meet Tamil Nadu CM

Government representa?tives to meet Tamil Nadu CM[ Thursday, 07 July 2011, 04:15.04 AM GMT +05:30 ]Encouraged by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s assessment that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was “fully conscious” of the realities of managing the India-Sri Lanka relationship, Colombo is learnt to have asked its envoy to engage with the Tamil Nadu government.

Moves are afoot, sources said, to schedule a meeting between Sri Lankan High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam and Jayalalithaa in the coming weeks.

The Sri Lankan envoy returned from Colombo on Tuesday and officials familiar with the developments said this “reaching out” was a conscious decision taken by the Sri Lankan government.

Sri Lanka is quite enthused at the PM’s assessment of the Tamil Nadu CM. He had told editors at last week’s interaction, “I have had good cooperation with Jayalalithaaji. I raised this matter with her the very first time. Whatever be the resolutions that were passed in the Assembly, I found her fully conscious of the complexities and the realities of managing this relationship.”

Officials said the engagement with the new CM had begun soon after her landslide victory in the Assembly polls in May. Lankan Foreign Minister G L Peiris wrote a “congratulatory letter” to Jayalalithaa, wishing her welland indicating Colombo’s intention to “work with her”.

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World Indigenous People's Day this year in Vakarai in the Batticaloa

World Indigenous People's Day this year in Vakarai in the Batticaloa[ Thursday, 07 July 2011, 04:13.30 AM GMT +05:30 ]The indigenous people of Sri Lanka are to commemorate the World Indigenous People's Day this year in Vakarai in the Batticaloa district of the Eastern Province.

World Indigenous People's Day will be held on 30 and 31 July and the Sri Lankan indigenous Veddah community leader Uruwarige Wanniyaleththo has extended an invitation to the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa to participate in the ceremony.

This invitation was extended by chief of Uruwarige Wannilaahthto at the President's House in Kandy yesterday.

The Veddah Chief says that all indigenous people living in various parts of the island will be invited for this ceremony.

Vakarai, the area where the ceremony will be held this year is famous for Muhudu Veddah community who makes their living by indigenous fishing.

Vakarai was once the stronghold of the Tamil Tiger rebels in the Eastern Province.

Sri Lanka's state radio Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation reported today the President had focused his attention on the problems of the indigenous people and 500 million rupees had been allocated for the welfare of the Veddah community.

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'Pak, Sri Lanka trade bodies can enhance ties’

'Pak, Sri Lanka trade bodies can enhance ties’[ Thursday, 07 July 2011, 04:09.29 AM GMT +05:30 ]Sri Lanka aims to boost economic, trade and commercial ties with Pakistan.

Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister for Industries and Commerce of Sri Lanka Wednesday said Sri Lanka is Pakistan’s biggest trading partner in SAARC outside India and we share common perceptions on many regional and global issues. Speaking to business community at FPCCI Bathiudeen said the current bilateral trade volume stood at $338 million, which could be increase with the help of private sector. He said balance of trade has always been in favour of Pakistan, which was contributing to economic development of a brotherly country.

He said both governments have agreed to provide enhanced opportunities to the private sector to interact to benefit from untapped potential. Plans to cement links and other steps to further encourage Pakistani investors are on the cards, he added. He invited Pakistani investors to his country saying that strong post-war growth potential was an opportunity for everyone.

Pakistanis can get trade concession in all the countries and groupings of which Sri Lanka is a signatory. He informed we urgently need some fifty thousand head of cattle from Pakistan. Raza Khan of FPCCI said 8.1 percent growth, per capita GDP hike to $2400 and economic freedom standing at 57.1 proved that investors have trust in policies of Sri Lankan government.

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Titus Jayawardena retires from his post

Sri Lanka News-Adaderana-Truth First - Titus Jayawardena retires from his postfunction popupSamsung(pageURL, title,w,h) {var left = (screen.width/2)-(w/2);var top = (screen.height/2)-(h/2);var targetWin = window.open (pageURL, title, 'toolbar=yes, location=yes, directories=yes, status=yes, menubar=yes, scrollbars=yes, resizable=yes, copyhistory=yes, width='+w+', height='+h+', top='+top+', left='+left);}function popupRelief(pageURL, title,w,h) {var left = (screen.width/2)-(w/2);var top = (screen.height/2)-(h/2);var targetWin = window.open (pageURL, title, 'toolbar=no, location=no, directories=no, status=no, menubar=no, scrollbars=yes, resizable=no, copyhistory=no, width='+w+', height='+h+', top='+top+', left='+left);}    July 7, 2011  11:23:AM Home Archives Feedback Contact Us Print this

Titus Jayawardena retires from his post July 7, 2011  08:18 am

The Secretary to the President confirmed that Titus Jayawardena has prematurely retired from the post of Secretary to the Ministry of Petroleum.

Norway’s deafening silence on Sri Lanka is wrong: Aftenposten

Norway?s deafening silence on Sri Lanka is wrong: Aftenposten[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 July 2011, 00:24 GMT]
Sri Lanka is in the middle of a power-game played by India, China and the USA. Norway?s interests in Sri Lanka are insignificantly few. There is no reason why Norway should maintain a deafening silence over the need for an international tribunal on the war crimes that took place in the island. The silence is due to a line of thinking in the Norwegian foreign ministry and especially in Mr Erik Solheim, that it would ?normalise? Norway?s relationship with Colombo. Rather than being in the driver?s seat in demonstrating how concerned Norway is about human rights, it is wrong on the part of Norway?s government to stand along the roadside with a mouth full of dust, says Kristoffer R?nneberg, a foreign affairs journalist of the prominent newspaper Aftenposten, in a commentary column published on Tuesday.

The Aftenposten journalist, who recently serialised WikiLeaks cables related to the conflict in the island, has been critical of both the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers in his coverage over the years.

Following are some excerpts from the article, translated into English from Norwegian:

[...]

Neither the UN Panel report nor the book, The Cage, by the former UN officer Gordon Weiss have generated that much impact among the vast populations as the one achieved by the gruesome documentary "Sri Lanka's Killing Fields," which was recently shown by the British Channel 4.

[...]

The authorities in Colombo say that the criticism against them [on war crimes and crimes against humanity] is a hindrance to the reconciliation process between the Tamils and the Sinhalese. But, this argument is valid, only if they have ever worked themselves on such a process. Instead, they have chosen to militarise the Northern Sri Lanka, where tens of thousands of civilians are yet to gain access to return to their homes.

The Tamil National Alliance is being marginalised [by the government]. The critiques of the regime are forced into silence. Frustration is escalating in that beautiful island.

The Norwegian silence
The Norwegian authorities have chosen to maintain extreme silence over Sri Lanka. However, the Norwegian Foreign Minister was fair enough in answering a question in the Norwegian parliament. The question was initiated by the Right party politician Peter Gitmark this May. At that time, the Norwegian FM, Jonas Gahr St?re, has said that Norway was monitoring the situation carefully, but he was sceptical about the internal investigations of the Sri Lankan government over the alleged war crimes.

The Norwegian FM, well aware of the fact that China and Russia would oppose the move [international investigation] at the power-center of the UN body, also stated: "It is important that the UN Security Council should consciously realise its responsibility."

But, where was the Norwegian reaction after the Channel 4 film? Norwegian diplomats were there when the documentary was screened at the UN Human Rights Council in May, even before its release. But, in contrast to the British and the Americans, Norway didn't react at all.

The Norwegian Foreign Ministry often issues press statements on human rights abuses in countries where Norway has nothing to lose: Iran and Libya are two examples. But, unfortunately, when it comes to Saudi Arabia, China, Russia and other strategically important countries, Victoria Terrasse [the Foreign Ministry] maintains a deafening silence.

Renewed relationship
Norwegian silence over Sri Lanka is caused by the fact that Norway and primarily its Development Minister Erik Solheim are in the middle of a process seeking to "normalise" their relationship with the Colombo government.

A minister from the island is soon expected in Norway and Solheim is aiming to visit the island in the wake of the meeting with the Sri Lankan minister.

Any critical remark against Sri Lanka could harm the [Norwegian] normalisation process [with Sri Lanka]. And dialogue is - as we know - important for this government.

Gordon Weiss describes the mass killings in Sri Lanka as "Srebrenica-moment". There are others who compare it with the Rwandan genocide. Therefore, a UN-appointed special tribunal should be set up to investigate and punish the culprits. If the Sri Lankan government has nothing to hide, they have no reason to fear such an investigation process.

Special tribunal
Norway should spearhead the demand for a special tribunal even if it leads to an outcry in the island. We need to act on the basis of principles. It is difficult to accept arguments that it would cost Norway politically. Our economic interests in the island are insignificantly few.

Sri Lanka is centrally placed in a geopolitical game among India, China and the USA, but that cannot be an excuse for us to ignore the allegations of extreme human rights abuses.

There is no excuse for Norway for not being in the driver's seat of the process [demanding a special tribunal]. It is the way to demonstrate that we are serious in our claim of our nation's concern for human rights. But, we are not in the driver's seat. We are not even in the back seat, but we stand along the roadside with a mouth full of dust. It is wrong.

Related Articles:
05.07.11   War and aftermath raise questions over Tamil strategy of eng..
13.06.11   Colombo continues bilateral ploy to elude international solu..
16.05.11   Aftenposten-Wikileaks shows shallow understanding of US dipl..
29.04.11   ?Solheim transforms from peace facilitator to facilitator of..
27.01.11   Solheim without ?appetite? envisages further involvement
23.09.10   ?Norway wrongs by cooperating with Colombo?
13.09.10   Alternative Development


External Links:
Aftenposten: Norges ?red?vende stillhet

 

Army carries out special investigat​ion to arrest the LTTE supporter

Army carries out special investigat?ion to arrest the LTTE supporter[ Thursday, 07 July 2011, 04:37.39 AM GMT +05:30 ]Criminal Investigation Department of Sri-Lankan Army was able to collect much information about the LTTE net work and migrants Tamils.

According to the sources all these information’s were collected from the laptop of former LTTE political wing leader Tamil Chelvan.

Sources further said this laptop was belong to a resident in Nelson place Wellawatte and was working in a leading computer company in Colombo. Sources also said he helped the LTTE to purchase many technical equipments during the peace time in Sri-Lanka.

However CID officers are carrying out investigations to arrest this suspect but however suspect was escaped from the island.

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Government hopes to achieve victory in up comming Local Council election in the Northern province

Government hopes to achieve victory in up comming Local Council election in the Northern province[ Wednesday, 06 July 2011, 02:49.06 PM GMT +05:30 ]Government has taken several steps to achieve victory in the up coming local council election in Northern Province.

According to the sources high ranking official of the government has organize a special discussions at the Temple Trees this regard.

Through the election canvassing the government is hoping to gain good name among the people in Northern Province.

During the discussion government delegates pointed out by achieving victory in the Northern Province government will be able to solve the problems of war crime in an easy way.

According to the sources during the discussion official has decided to appoint Minister Basil Rajapaksa to administrate all the election work in the province and also they decided to appoint special armed group to cause disturbance to the election activities of opposition parties in the Northern Province, sources said.

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More seven star hotels in Sri-Lanka

More seven star hotels in Sri-Lanka[ Wednesday, 06 July 2011, 02:03.10 PM GMT +05:30 ]The Government today revealed in parliament that seven more grand scale hotel complexes similar Hong Kong based Shangri La luxury hotel project will come up in future.

Senior International Monetory Co-operation Minister Sarath Amunugama today said that this was the first time the government was releasing this information.

Amunugama revealed this during the general debate on the relocation of the Defence Headquarters to Battaramulla. He added the ‘Pentagon’ of Sri Lanka will be located in Battaramulla.

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Government to handover a written proposal on power sharing

Government to handover a written proposal on power sharing[ Wednesday, 06 July 2011, 01:44.49 PM GMT +05:30 ]The government will hold another round of talks with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) today.

The discussion is to be held at the Presidential Secretariat this evening, government sources said.

According to the sources government will hand over a written response to the TNA proposals on sharing the power would be submitted to the discussion today.

The government delegation is also to talk about the power devolution units, sources say.

The government delegation comprises Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Prof. G.L. Peiris, MPs Rajiv Wijesinghe, and Sajin Vaas Gunawardhana. The TNA is represented by MPs R. Sampanthan, the leader of TNA, Suresh Premachandran, Mavai Senathirajah, and M.A. Sumanthiran.

This is the eighth round of talks between the two parties.

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Sri Lanka: Basil-show ‘resettlement’ ends up in further misery and abandonment of IDPs

Basil-show ?resettlement? ends up in further misery and abandonment of IDPs[TamilNet, Wednesday, 06 July 2011, 12:49 GMT]
The Raamaavil camp inmates, who were suddenly herded out in the middle of the night by the occupying SL Army to make a show of ?resettlement? during the visit of the presidential sibling Basil Rajapaksa to Jaffna, are now facing further misery. Staying in two small schools in Vadamaraadchi East, without food or facilities they are left to their own ?resettlement? in their villages, where they find even the foundations of their houses had been dug out. They are abandoned, say TNA parliamentarians who with much difficulty got ?permission? from the SL Army to visit them Tuesday. But it is more than that: they are left in an open prison with discouragement to resettle, where thousands of Sinhala fishermen are ?licensed? to come, commented a social worker in Jaffna, pointing to the strategic significance of the area linking Jaffna with Vanni.



This is happening in the Jaffna peninsula. The thousands of diaspora visitors who now come after paying ?visa? fee (defence clearance money) to colonial Sri Lanka, may not have seen or even heard of these places in Jaffna, the social worker further said.

Vadamaraadchi East is a narrow sandbar that links the peninsula with the Vanni mainland. This area was under the control of the LTTE before the war.

Raamaavil camp inmates have come from several coastal villages of this stretch, such as, Veththilaikkea?ni, Kaddaikkaadu, Nithiyaveddai, Poakka?ruppu, Keavil, Vearaavil etc.

The war-afflicted people were not permitted to resettle so far, as the area was strategically important to the occupying military. They were interned in the Raamaavil camp located near Kodikaamam in the Thenmaraadchi division of Jaffna.

The Saturday midnight herding of the people from the camp and the Sunday noon meeting of Basil Rajapaksa announcing their ?resettlement? was eyewash to the outside world and a campaign for the civic elections, political observers in Jaffna said.

The occupying military is treating the area as an open prison where as it permits thousands of Sinhala fishermen to come there and camp for fishing.

Raamaavil camp inmates are currently staying in two small schools at Veththilaikkea?ni and Veeraavil.

Scrub forest surrounding the village schools was cleared for their stay and one or two of them had snakebites.

As it was heavily raining on Monday, the IDPs including their small children were found drenched.

A one-time payment of 500 rupees (5 US dollars) each was what they got so far and nothing else.

After getting ?permission? from the SL Army with some delays, TNA parliamentarians Sridharan and Saravanabhavan visited the IDPs to give them some food provisions on Tuesday.



Chronology:
06.07.11  Basil-show ?resettlement? ends up in further miser..04.07.11  Midnight ?resettlement? of IDPs for Basil-show04.07.11  SLFP gang comes for campaign after militarily atta..

 

Possibilit​y of SL taken to Internatio​nal Court – Mangala

Possibilit?y of SL taken to Internatio?nal Court – Mangala[ Wednesday, 06 July 2011, 02:58.31 PM GMT +05:30 ]UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera said today that there is a possibility of Sri Lanka being taken before the International Criminal Court (ICC) before the end of this year by the International Community on the allegations of human rights violations leveled against the country during the war.

Addressing a press conference he said that the government has resorted to laughable acts in rejecting the allegations without conducting a proper investigation. He added that the government should be thankful to Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as it was because Sri Lanka did not become a signatory to the ICC when he was the Prime Minister that the present government is safe for the moment.

He noted that even a country that is not a signatory to the ICC could be hauled before it on the recommendations of the UN Security Council.

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British Defence Secretary Liam Fox to visit Sri-Lanka

British Defence Secretary Liam Fox to visit Sri-Lanka[ Wednesday, 06 July 2011, 02:51.56 PM GMT +05:30 ]British Defence Secretary Liam Fox is to visit Sri Lanka later this week, a spokesperson at the British High Commission in Colombo said.

Fox is scheduled to deliver the Lakshman Kadirgamar lecture over the weekend and on the sidelines of the lecture may meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa and External Affairs Minister G.L Peiris.

His visit comes amidst concerns raised by the British government over allegations of human rights abuses being committed in Sri Lanka during the final stages of the conflict.

Fox was initially scheduled to visit Sri Lanka last December but was later forced to abandon his plans following a reported row with Foreign Secretary William Hague, who feared that he would upset Britain's carefully balanced approach to Colombo.

However the UK Ministry of Defence blamed the postponement of his visit on the need for him to extend a visit to the Gulf. A spokesman for the defence secretary told the British media last year "Dr Fox has postponed his private visit to Sri Lanka due to an extension to his scheduled official visit to the Gulf. He intends to carry out an official visit to Sri Lanka next year, during which he proposes to fulfil the speaking engagement that he had planned."

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500 Lankan housemaids are languishin​g in detention camps in Saudi Arabia

500 Lankan housemaids are languishin?g in detention camps in Saudi Arabia[ Wednesday, 06 July 2011, 01:41.08 PM GMT +05:30 ]Reports have emerged that over 500 Sri Lanka housemaids are languishing in detention camps in Saudi Arabia.

The women are staying in these camps with the hope of returning to Sri Lanka.

It is reported that while around 150 Sri Lankan housemaids are in the camp, around 350 are in a safe house which is run by the Sri Lankan embassy in Saudi Arabia.

Newsfirst contacted the Sri Lankan embassy in Saudi Arabia to inquire into these reports.

An officer at the embassy stated that illegal Sri Lankan housemaids who have faced various forms of abuse  in the hands of their employers and those whose visas have expired, are those languishing at these camps.

He noted that immediately after legal proceedings are completed, they will be repatriated.

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Army attack Killinochc​hie youths

Army attack Killinochc?hie youths[ Wednesday, 06 July 2011, 03:55.15 PM GMT +05:30 ]The District organizer of the Tamil National Alliance S.Welamaligithan said Army is carrying out attack against youths who are engaging in the election canvassing in the Killinochchie district.

He also went on to say while attacking the youths military personals are forcing the youths to carry out canvassing only for President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he said.

He further said he has taken necessary steps educate the TNA parliamentarians this regard.

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Ferdinando appointed as BOI Chairman

Sri Lanka News-Adaderana-Truth First - Ferdinando appointed as BOI Chairmanfunction popupSamsung(pageURL, title,w,h) {var left = (screen.width/2)-(w/2);var top = (screen.height/2)-(h/2);var targetWin = window.open (pageURL, title, 'toolbar=yes, location=yes, directories=yes, status=yes, menubar=yes, scrollbars=yes, resizable=yes, copyhistory=yes, width='+w+', height='+h+', top='+top+', left='+left);}function popupRelief(pageURL, title,w,h) {var left = (screen.width/2)-(w/2);var top = (screen.height/2)-(h/2);var targetWin = window.open (pageURL, title, 'toolbar=no, location=no, directories=no, status=no, menubar=no, scrollbars=yes, resizable=no, copyhistory=no, width='+w+', height='+h+', top='+top+', left='+left);}    July 6, 2011  09:47:PM Home Archives Feedback Contact Us Print this

Ferdinando appointed as BOI Chairman July 6, 2011  07:26 pm

M.M.C. Ferdinando was appointed the acting Chairman and Director General of the Board of Investments (BOI) in addition to his post as Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy.

Ranil Wickremasi​nghe met United Nations Secretary

Ranil Wickremasi?nghe met United Nations Secretary[ Wednesday, 06 July 2011, 01:43.07 PM GMT +05:30 ]Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe met United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and held discussions.

The meeting took place Tuesday afternoon at the UN headquarters in New York.

The Opposition Leader has appraised the UNSG on the developments in Sri Lanka and discussed Sri Lanka's response to the report of the Panel of Experts appointed by the Secretary-General.

Wickremasinghe said BanKi-moon has understood the UNSG will pursue the matter until Sri Lanka conducts a credible investigation on the allegations of human right violations cited in the report.

"The problem will not simply go away until Sri Lanka conducts an acceptable (to UN) investigation," Wickremasinghe said.

The opposition leader said the major issues discussed during the meeting included restitution of democracy in the country, upholding human rights and freedom of expression.

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to United States, Devinda Subasinghe who accompanied the Opposition Leader during his visit to New York said it is an opportune time for Sri Lanka to start a high-level dialogue with the United Nations and the United States which is urging the Sri Lankan government to investigate the allegations .

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New rules for lunch packets

New rules for lunch packets[ Wednesday, 06 July 2011, 08:38.08 AM GMT +05:30 ]Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) is to introduce new regulations on the sale of lunch packets along the streets.

Chief Medical Officer of the Colombo Municipal Council Dr Pradeep Kariyawasam said that under the new regulations lunch packets sold along Colombo streets must carry the date and time the lunch was cooked as well as the location.

He also said that the sale of lunch packets more than four hours after the lunch was cooked will be prohibited under the new regulations.

Dr Pradeep Kariyawasam also said that lunch packets transported from outside Colombo must carry a certification from a PHI of the respective area.

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