ceylon: November 2011

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Did Hizballah Beat the CIA at Its Own Techno-Surveillance Game?

The CIA found itself in some rough waters in the Middle East last week. On Thursday, an influential member of Iran's parliament announced that the Islamic republic had arrested 12 "CIA agents" who had allegedly been targeting Iran's military and its nuclear program. The lawmaker didn't give the nationality of the agents, but the presumption is that they were Iranians recruited to spy for the CIA.

N.Sathiyamoorthy -dailymirror.lk

Going by published accounts since the commencement of the talks on January 10, the two sides would side-step pitfalls and potholes until they have been able to remove mutual mistrust that had been the bane of political negotiations on the ethnic issue over the past decades.

Editorial Island.lk

Of that jumbo protest
November 30, 2011, 6:44 pm

All it takes for dictatorships to emerge is lack of democratic resistance. Governments with steamroller majorities bent on subjugating the rule of law, freedom of expression, right to dissent, media freedom––the whole enchilada––to the whims and fancies of ruling party potentates intoxicated with power, must be resisted with might and main for the wellbeing of democracy. Oppositional forces must remain active all the time and react at the first sign of trouble.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced the dedication of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship, which provides students and faculty across the Institute with programs and space to transform their ideas into new business ventures. The newly named and redesigned center aims to foster entrepreneurship at the school and around the world.

A lawyer for Raj Rajaratnam appeared before a judicial panel in a Lower Manhattan courtroom on Wednesday in a final effort keep her client out of prison while he appealed his conviction on charges of insider trading.

Sri Lanka extends on-arrival visa scheme period

Thu, Dec 1, 2011, 01:39 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Nov 30, Colombo: Sri Lanka has extended the period for the on-arrival visa scheme for visitors to the country for another three months up to March 31, 2012.

Scrapping on-arrival visa scheme The Sri Lanka's Immigration and Emigration Department launched the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system from October 01, 2011 to grant prior approval for visa via online for foreign nationals from 78 countries.

The government however, delayed the implementation of the ETA system till January 01, 2012 in order to address concerns raised by various sectors including the tourism sector.

Abducted university student released

Jaffna University Siddha Medicine student, Vetharaniyam Latheesh, who was feared abducted by the occupying Sri Lanka’s military on the Heroes Day evening, Sunday, at Thirunelveali in Jaffna, was released on Monday evening after being taken to a notorious military intelligence outfit directly operated by Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in Vavuniyaa. The release of Latheesh became possible as some Western embassies in Colombo showed interest in his case, news sources in the island said. Jaffna University students, who were harassed by the SL military after a torch was lit atop the university hostel on the Heroes Day, felt relieved and optimistic at the gesture of the international community, university circles said.

Latheesh was abducted by around 6:45 pm Sunday, when he was returning to his Siddha Medicine faculty hostel at Kaithadi in a moped, after visiting a friend in the Balasingham Hall hostel of the university at Thirunelveali, where the Heroes Day torch was lit at 6:05 pm, by unidentified people.

A single event that took place in the University of Jaffna on the Heroes Day, Sunday, has captivated the minds of Tamils all over the world, more than the diaspora functions marked by ever increasing participation of people

SLFP stalwart General Anuruddha Ratwatte

There is widespread discontent among SLFP supporters in the diaspora that he deserved better honours at his funeral.

Sri Lanka Asia Asset share issue gets tepid response

Nov 30, 2011 (LBO) - A share issue by Asia Asset Finance, a finance company that is part of Sri Lanka's Asia Capital group, has drawn a lukewarm response from investors in the stock market which has been sliding in recent weeks.

Sri Lanka port rock blasted

Nov 30, 2011 (LBO) - Chinese contractors building a new port in southern Sri Lanka have finished blasting and clearing a rock blocking the entrance channel whose discovery after construction began had sent the project cost up sharply.

Sri Lanka urged by Japan envoy to probe war crimes charges

Nov 30, 2011 (LBO) - A Japanese 'peace envoy' to Sri Lanka has pressed the island to probe allegations of human rights abuses that led to the loss of duty free market access to Europe.

Sri Lanka firms can diversify with foreign talent

Nov 30, 2011 (LBO) - Sri Lankan firms can diversify into new areas by acquiring international talent when local resources are in short supply, the head of an emerging diversified group said.

"If you don't have a particular expertise are you buy that expertise," LOLC group managing director Kapila Jayawardena told a business forum in Colombo.

How to upload music to a facebook page?

Facebook is considered to be one of the most popular social networking sites that are currently available for the users. It was officially launched in the year 2004 and since its launch it has close to 800 million active users as of now. Facebook enables the users to create their own profiles after registering in the Facebook site and can add friends as well as relatives from across the world and can chat with them.

Washington, Nov 30: Iran's military base, believed to house the country's missile research facility was totally obliterated by a recent deadly explosion when the technicians were at final stages of testing a long range missile, apparently capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Denied permission to talk of SF, Irate Ranil removes Commonwealth tie November 29, 2011, 9:59 pm

By Saman Indrajith

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa yesterday prevented Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe from making a special statement in parliament on behalf of defeated presidential candidate, General Sarath Fonseka.

Speaker: Serious threat to MPs in Parliament Dy. minister suspended over bottle throwing

By Saman Indrajith

The Parliament yesterday suspended Deputy Petroleum Industries Minister, Sarana Gunawardena for a week for allegedly throwing a bottle of water towards UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe during a mini-battle in parliament while the budget was being presented on Nov. 21.

The range of hills out of which the ancient Bamiyan site is carved, in Afghanistan.

AFGHAN WOMEN IN the courtyard of the Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan.

BUDDHA FROM FAYAZ-TEPE, 1st-2nd century. Collection, Tashkent National Museum.

TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHS: BENOY K. BEHL

A journey through Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kalmykia in Russia, along the Silk Route, where Buddhism spread in ancient times.

IT was a wonderful experience to travel across Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and the Kalmykia province in Russia and photograph Buddhist and other cultural sites. With me were my colleagues Sanghamitra Ghosh and Sujata Chatterji.

FAYAZ-TEPE, STUPA NEAR Termez, Uzbekistan. It is wonderful to recall the time when stupas dotted the landscape from Central Asia to South-East Asia.

RECENTLY EXCAVATED BUDDHA from the Mes Aynak site in Afghanistan. In the past, spiritual thoughts deeply pervaded the lives of the people who were touched by Indic culture.

Silk Road

Stupas in Termez

BUDDHIST STUPA AT Zurmala, Termez. The stupas at Termez are among the earliest surviving after those in India

Silk Road

Buddhism in Russia

PAGODA WITH PRAYER wheel, Elista, Kalmykia.

During the final battle in which Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam leader Velupillai Prabakaran was killed, in May 2009.

EVERY time the international community pointed the finger at Sri Lanka's conduct of Eelam War IV, which ended in May 2009, and blamed the government forces for the unacceptably high number of civilian casualties, the government sought refuge in the fact that it had appointed a commission to go into the civil war and the events that took place after the breakdown of the truce with the Tamil Tigers in 2002.

DMK leader T.R. Baalu welcomes party MP Kanimozhi after she was released from Tihar Jail in New Delhi on Tuesday. At centre is her husband Aravindan
DMK MP Kanimozhi was secreted away from the Tihar Central Jail premises here on Tuesday evening much to the disappointment of a battery of photographers, correspondents and well-wishers who waited outside.

Sri Lanka FDIs almost double in first half 2011

LBR,Monday 28 November 2011

Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) flowing into Sri Lanka grew a substantial 98.6 percent to USD 413 mn in the first half of 2011, with the bulk of funds flowing into the tourism sector, particularly hotel and shopping complex projects, a report released by the Central Bank showed.

Stalin's daughter Svetlana dies in Wisconsin

The only daughter of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, Svetlana Peters, who denounced communism after a Cold War defection worthy of a novel, has died in Wisconsin, authorities said on Monday.

Monday, November 28, 2011

I did my job, but this is the first time I have received death threats: Judge Deepali

By Chandani Kirinde
Deepali Wijesundara, President of the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar that convicted former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka to three years imprisonment in the “white flag” case spoke to the Sunday Times on the threats she faced during the trial , after the judgment and other matters.
Excerpts:

Mafia disrupts Colombo tea auctions

Govt. takes action on LLRC recommendations; report in parliament early next month

By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera
A leading buyer of tea pulled out of the Colombo tea auctions this week due to a transport crisis linked to goons connected to a politician. "It was a personal matter between the parties which escalated when the firm stopped buying," a tea broker told the Sunday Times.

Editorial -the sunday times.lk

Lessons learnt and to be learnt
The Government has taken a step back, rather wisely if one may say so, even at this late stage saying it would, after all, investigate any credible evidence there may be in the allegations that International Humanitarian Law violations occurred during the last stages of the military offensive against the LTTE in 2009.

LLRC report: World awaits Govt. response

Well-planned strategy needed instead of ad hoc moves like the mess in the Caribbean
Budget debate and disputes continue in and outside parliament; Ranil regains control of UNP

By Our Political Editor
It is perhaps the largest wooden table in Sri Lanka though it is not for dining or drinking. Unveiled this week, it would easily be one on which many a decision that enters chapters of Sri Lanka's history is made.

Friday, 25 November 2011 01:04

Yet another people uprising in the Arab world is in the throes of being hijacked by western powers with neocolonialist agendas and geo-strategic objectives.
Like the Tunisians and Egyptians, the Syrians too dreamed of democratic freedom that would allow them to elect and reject governments. Their hard-won independence from the French colonialists has been usurped by the military-backed Baath Party regime which has been ruling Syria for nearly five decades.

JVP not allowed to visit A’pura prisoners: Udul

Monday, 28 November 2011 18:57

The attempts by JVP dissidents to visit LTTE inmates in the Anuradhapura prison were thwarted by the prison authorities yesterday, a dissident member said today.

Monday, 28 November 2011 16:04 LNW Exclusive .

Sinnathambi Kanapathipillai Shivamurhty alias Colonel Nagulan, who was taken into custody by the military intelligence units during the latter part of 2009 from Trincomalee, has been killed by the military in a secret camp in Minneriya where he was being held, reliable sources told Lanka News Web.

Military is a profession that respects and hold rich customs and etiquette. It is these customs and etiquette and their resultant ethical behaviour that distinguish a professional military from a bunch of murderers or a terrorist outfit. Moreover for an outfit as such, military ethics may be viewed as something that can be manipulated to gain propaganda mileage. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or the LTTE is one such terror outfit that often deprave military ethics in the meanest manner to further its sinister motives.

Tirantha requests court for a panel of three judges to hear Bharatha Lakshman murder trial

Tirantha Waraliyaddha, Attorney at law appearing on behalf of the aggrieved party in the gruesome murder of Bharatha Lakshman and three others made a request today to the court that a three judge panel shall be appointed for the trial . The Lawyer made this request when the case was called again for hearing today.

President inaugurates ‘miracle’ ;Minister Weerawansa castigates Govt.’s debacle

While Minister Weerawansa was highlighting the grave and unpardonable fault of the Govt. after being forewarned ,of not taking precautionary measures against the cyclonic winds. Strong winds lashed across the South of the ‘Expressway’ and as a result a large number of people suffered severely and a massive loss of property was damaged . The President Rajapakse not worried about this disaster ,inaugurated the ‘Expressway’ at the auspicious time today (27) by driving himself , at the Galle – Pinnaduwa gateway .

Prison officers brutally attack LTTE prisoners

A group of 35 prison officers of the Anuradhapura prison had arrived at about 2.30 p.m. where the LTTE suspects are held in custody , and mercilessly assaulted the suspects with complete impunity .

This govt. does not listen to us: Ven.Malwatta Mahanayake Thero

‘This Govt. does not listen to anything we say. Earlier , we gave support to this govt. But now as the Govt. is on the wrong track , we are disappointed. The Govt. is taking great efforts to open private Universities , and when the Buddhist monks protest against it , they are being jailed . This is something that cannot be condoned’.

Colombo-Jaffna expressway in the offing R. K. Radhakrishnan

Soon after opening Sri Lanka's first expressway connecting the capital, Colombo, with the southern port city of Galle on Sunday, President Mahinda Rajapaksa began the spadework for the next major infrastructure project: An expressway linking Colombo with Tamil-dominated Jaffna.

Mahindra Lifespaces dreamt of turning a bare piece of land into a bustling, self-contained city. The journey so far ...

Two of a kind!

It is Politics even in retirement for former Finance Minister Ronald Joseph Godffrey De Mel as he is captured by the writer reading Margaret Thatcher’s Biography in his vast Charles Drive, Colpetty residence library, flanked by the photographs of him with US Presidents George Bush ( Senior) and Ronald Reagan and wife Nancy.

Could not rely on Iranian promises – Minister

By Saman Indrajith

Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha told Parliament yesterday that as the promises made by the Iranian government to fund the modernization of Sapugaskanda oil refinery were doubtful, the government had to consider alternative sources of funding.

Duminda the victim made a suspect – Hemantha

By Mike Andree

When the Bharatha Lakshman murder case was taken up yesterday, to enable the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital to produce Duminda Silva’s Bed Head Ticket, or cause it to be produced before the Colombo Additional District Judge and Magistrate Prasanna Alwis, President’s Counsel Hemantha Warnakulasuriya, appearing for the suspect Duminda, submitted to Court that the forensic evidence would clearly establish the fact that in spite of the prevaricated evidence, given by Bharatha’s driver, Duminda was the victim.

Census can dispel doubts about civilian deaths – Japan

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Former Japanese peace envoy Yashushi Akashi yesterday said that a recently conducted census in the Northern and Eastern Provinces could help Sri Lanka to establish the number of civilians killed in the final phase of the conflict in 2009.

The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka says it is deeply concerned over the arrest of a Catholic Sister of Indian origin over child abuse allegations.
Sister Mary Eliza who ran a convent in Moratuwa was released on bail under strict condition by a magistrate on Monday.

Tamil prisoners on hunger strike

At least 65 Tamil prisoners in Anuradhapura are on a hunger strike seeking proper protection.
The prisoners have launched a protest after being assaulted by the prison officials on Sunday, former Jaffna district parliamentarian MK Sivajilingam told BBC Sandeshaya.

Sri Lanka's first toll road earns one million rupees within 12 hours of opening

Mon, Nov 28, 2011, 08:35 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

First accident reported

Nov 28, Colombo: The Road Development Authority of Sri Lanka says the country's first toll road, E-01 Southern Expressway, collected a revenue of one million rupees during the first twelve hours of its operations.

University student missing in Jaffna

A student of the University of Jaffna, 27-year-old Vetharaniyam Latheesh, was missing after he left the gents hostel (Balasingham Hostel) of the University of Jaffna in Thirunelveali by 6:45 pm, Sunday evening. The student, studying at the Siddha Medicine department of the university located at Kaithadi, and used to stay in the hostel there, had come to the university hostel in Thirunelveali to meet a friend.

Questions for Sri Lankan Ambassador of Australia: Dr. Senewiratne

If the war is over and the Tamil people have been ‘liberated’ from the ‘terrorists’ and ‘rehabilitated’, then why does the Sri Lankan government still not allow access to international groups in Tamil areas, asks Brian Senewiratne in a hard-hitting series of questions to Sri Lankan High Comissioner to Australia. Dr. Senewiratne, a renowned physician and an Australia based Sinhala expatriate, produced posers to ex-Admiral Thissara Samarasinghe using evidence from the UN report, Channel 4 video and other sources.

Sri Lanka Serendib hotel to re-open under international brand

LBR,Saturday 26 November 2011

Sri Lanka’s Serendib Leisure, the hotels and travel arm of conglomerate Hemas group in a tie- up with Thai based global hotel chain Minor International re-branded one of its hotels under the Minor group’s latest brand ‘Avani’, while similar plans are laid for another of its properties, ‘Kani Lanka’ hotel.

Indian onion farmers hit by state meddling

NEW DELHI, Nov 28 (AsiaPulse) - Moves by the Indian government to further reduce the export price of onion from US$350 a tonne stems from a steep 24 per cent decline in overseas shipments of the staple.

Sri Lanka stocks up ahead of meeting with President

Nov 28, 2011 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's stocks rose more than 2.6 percent ahead of a meeting between stockbrokers and President Mahinda Rajapaksa on thin trading with markets expectations of a relaxation of credit rules.

Sri Lanka railway, public safety opportunities lure Alcatel-Lucent

Nov 28, 2011 (LBO) - Alcatel-Lucent has said it sees big opportunities in post-war Sri Lanka especially in extending its services from the island's telecom sector to railways and public safety.

Sri Lanka Dialog offers asset tracking services

Nov 28, 2011 (LBO) - Sri Lankan celco Dialog Axiata is supplying asset tracking services using satellites for rice millers in the main north-central cultivation region that allows monitoring of vehicle movements and their cargoes.

2G: No more tears for Kanimozhi; gets bail after 6 months

New Delhi, Nov 28: DMK MP Kanimozhi, who was lodged in the Tihar jail for the past 7 months, has been finally granted bail by the Delhi High Court.

By Vikas Banaj Story Dated: Saturday, November 26, 2011 16:55 hrs IST Mukesh Ambani’s dream house is not yet his home

When the richest man in India completed his extravagant 27-storey house in Mumbai last year, it incited a public debate along the lines of‚ “What is he trying to prove?” Now, the chatter involves a different question: Why hasn't he moved in?

Lankans to benefit from Australian move

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)— Australia on Friday loosened its highly charged policy of mandatory detention for asylum seekers who arrive by boat, freeing 27 from overcrowded, prison-like conditions and estimating more than 100 would be released monthly.

Another death in police custody

By Norman Palihawadana

The police are investigating the death of a suspect taken in for questioning in connection with his alleged involvement in a series of robberies in the Jaffna peninsula.

Guards accused of assaulting Tiger detainees Mobile phones found in prison ward holding LTTE suspects

by Dasun Edirisinghe
A search operation launched yesterday in the ward accommodating LTTE suspects in the Anuradhapura prison found 19 mobile phones which had been used even to call overseas.

Commissioner General of Prisons, P. W. Kodippili told The Island last night that the prison officials launched the search operation as it had received

IPs tell IGP how to save police

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The government could no longer ignore the urgent need to renew the outdated traffic spot fines system, which the Sri Lanka Inspectors’ Association believes is one of the primary causes for the entire department being despised by the vast majority of Sri Lankans, a spokesperson for the department told The Island.

SRI LANKA’S government has got its retaliation in first. On April 12th a panel of experts delivered a report to the UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, assessing whether war crimes were committed when the nation’s army bloodily won a long-running civil war against Tamil Tiger rebels early in 2009. The report has not yet been made public, but the government is furious that an independent inquiry took place at all. The report, it says, is “fundamentally flawed” and biased.

Sri Lankan government Minister criticizes construction of expressway

Sun, Nov 27, 2011, 10:26 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Nov 27, Kandy: Political analysts in the country have raised eyebrows in amazement as Sri Lankan Minister of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Wimal Weerawansa, a staunch supporter of President Mahinda Rajapaksa criticized the country's first expressway hours ahead of its official grand opening.

JVP leader admitted that Sri Lanka troops committed war crimes
An opposition party in Sri Lanka that supported the government's war against the Tamil Tigers has called for an investigation into alleged war crimes.
Somawansa Amerasinghe, the leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) says it supports the recent statement by the defence secretary that accountability will be addressed by the government if needed.

Sri Lanka to put a new ship for ferry service between Colombo and Tuticorin

Sun, Nov 27, 2011, 10:40 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Nov 27, Colombo: Sri Lanka is to deploy a passenger ship for the ferry service between Colombo and Tuticorin port of India from next month as the service is presently suspended due to some business issues and for repairs.

Sun, Nov 27, 2011, 01:31 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Nov 27, Galle: Amid religious blessings Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today ceremonially declared open the country's first expressway, The E- 01 Southern Expressway, from Colombo to Galle.

Amidst partnership suppression of Sri Lanka and India against Tamils remembering the heroes who laid down their lives for the cause of Tamil Eelam, the customary Heroes Day Torch was lit in the University of Jaffna this time, exactly at 6:05 PM on Sunday.

Tamil activists assert sovereignty, declare for plebiscite

Leading Tamil activists of the younger generation in Tamil Nadu, Canada, USA and Switzerland, came out with a declaration on Sunday for an international decision to conduct and monitor a plebiscite among the people of North and East descent in the island, in the diaspora and among the refugees in India and elsewhere, in order to decide on the creation of an independent and sovereign Tamil Eelam.

Tata To The World

What do they feed the Tatas for breakfast? Whatever it is, it breeds amazing individuals. When UK minister Oliver Letwin presented the Asia House Business Leaders award to Ratan Tata in London recently, he said that Tata “confers an honour on the prize by receiving it”. Amidst a gathering of the great and the good, and the not-so-good, at the Banqueting House, Whitehall, deputy PM Nick Clegg praised Tata for being “a force for good, not just in India but all over the world”.

The story goes that when Ratan Tata was anointed as head of the Tata Industries in 1981, his uncle, J.R.D. Tata, was constantly asked if the Tata family name was the driving factor behind the selection. According to Russi M. Lala, the historian and biographer of JRD, the Tata patriarch completely denied this when asked, explaining why: “I think Ratan will be more like me.” So here we are again: despite a year-long, rigorous selection process—which served up the promise of searching for a professional to head the $80-billion conglomerate—a 43-year-old insider, Cyrus P. Mistry, is the chosen successor.

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Several government MPs attacked their counterparts of the United National Party (UNP) in parliament during the 2012 budget speech on November 21. UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake claims that Mervyn Silva, Rohitha Abeygunawardane, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Lohan Ratwatte and several others ‘who are well known for their violent antics’, spearheaded the attack.

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga last week delivered a scathing attack on the government’s handling of the former IDPs at a discussion held in the South Asia Policy Research Institute in Colombo.
“You may be satisfied with it (reconciliation process), but I am not,” she said responding to Professor Rohan Gunaratna, who was the guest speaker.

EPF loses, gaming stock market for friends -- Unions

IMPRUDENT INVESTMENTS CITED

By Jayantha Sri Nissanka

Trade unions charge that the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has incurred a loss of Rs1000 million investing in the stock market, and through two transactions that took place recently.

An open letter to the External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris | by Rajasingham Jayadevan

Dear Prof Peiris

November 24, ,London.

Your call for ‘government and Tamil Diaspora partnership’ is viewed with interest and also with considerable scepticism. Viewed with interest because of the realisation of the importance of much needed Tamil Diaspora role in Sri Lanka but regretfully your appeal is also viewed with considerable scepticism due to the age old ranting of the Tamil Diaspora is a ‘LTTE Eelam project’.

Air-rail connectivity has been a key point in the SNCF strategy. While for a 3-4-hour journey, our services compete with airlines, in some other segments, they complement air transport. CHRISTOPHE CHEVET, PROJECT DIRECTOR (INDIA), SNCF

November 27, 2011:

Anand (Gujarat), Nov 26:

Never did representatives of 15 lakh farmers celebrate any birthday the way they did it on Saturday.

On Saturday, Dr Varghese Kurien, Founder of Amul, turned 90. After retirement, he settled down in Anand, the small town he made world-famous through the co-operative movement launched at the instance of his mentor, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel.

Heroes' Day incident-free in Jaffna

R. K. Radhakrishnan

Jaffna remained largely shut down on November 27, ‘Maaverar Naal,’ (Heroes’ Day), even as reports from many places in Europe and Americas indicated that pro-Tamil Tiger outfits observed the day with a series of events.

Alleged Medical Negligence At Lanka Hospitals

By Nirmala Kannangara

Lanka Hospitals formerly known as The Apollo Hospital is to face serious charges of medical negligence following the tragic death of a 24 year old Maldivian who is also a close relative of Maldivian First Lady Laila Ali Abdulla, the wife of the current President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed.
The family of Aishath Eeman Zaki claim she died due to medical negligence at Lanka Hospitals on the evening of November 23 after undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery which removes the gallbladder and gallstones through several small incisions in the abdomen.

Editorial Island.lk

Bumbling and bungling
November 26, 2011, 5:35 pm

The budget week has exposed massive bumbling and bungling in the upper echelons of the government and its bureaucracy. If the domestic sugar industry was the target of the so-called Expropriation Act, a Stock Exchange filing by Pelwatte Sugar Industries PLC last week exposed the ham handed way in which the whole exercise had been attempted. In essence, the law fast tracked into the statute was applicable to under-utilized land granted to an undertaking within 20 years of the Bill that was passed recently by Parliament. But Pelwatte has been granted this land on June 27, 1985, the company claimed in its filing.

Govt. running Pelwatte with state funds

The government has taken over the funding of operations of Pelwatte Sugar Industries PLC taken over under provisions of the Revival of Underperforming Enterprises and Underutilized Assets Act and is pumping its own money to keep the company running.

In a labour of love, nearly 50 years after it was first published, D.B. Dhanapala’s son, D.B. Nihalsingha, has brought out a second edition of his father’s much-loved book "Among Those Present" which has acquired a collector’s imprimatur.

Rajapaksa Government and the Tamil Diaspora: Will the twain ever reconcile?

Rajan Philips

On Nov. 13 I wrote about the intersecting trajectories of the Commonwealth and Sri Lanka. The Tamil Diaspora is entangled with both. Although the Diaspora is of recent origin, the Sri Lankan Tamil problem is as old as Sri Lanka’s independence and its association with the post-colonial Commonwealth. Early days, as I said last week, were halcyon days.

Dumbfounded by the budget

Even though the budget for 2012 coincided with the handing over of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’s report to the president, both the UNP and the JVP showed no interest at all in the latter. Neither party discussed anything at all about the LLRC report or matters arising from it, last week. The national budget was their primary concern.

Sri Lanka can be a top int’l arbitration hub in the region

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

Sri Lanka could be promoted as an international arbitration hub in the region to attract direct foreign investment, says Hiran de Alwis, Chief Executive/ Legal Advisor, Sri Lanka National Arbitration Centre (SLNAC).

The Irrigation Department Ex-Officers’ Association (IDEA) with a membership of more than 300 will inaugurate a scholarship award programme today (27) to benefit deserving students to follow a Sri Lankan University course. The scholarship is named in honour of a former Director of Irrigation who lived and died more than a quarter century ago.

India will have 1,000 business jets by 2020

by S Venkat Narayan
Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, November 26: Indian business tycoons and corporate houses will splurge $12 billion this decade to acquire 450 new business jets to take their total number to an impressive 1,000 designer flying machines by 2020.

Buddhism in Ancient Jaffna

by KAMALIKA PIERIS

According to the Mahavamsa, the Buddha visited Sri Lanka thrice. His second visit was to Nagadipa to settle a quarrel between Chulodara and Mahodara. .Nagadipa is therefore one of the solosmastana venerated by the Buddhists. The present Nagadipa is located at ‘Nainativu,’ a small islet, two by one and a half miles wide, adjoining the Jaffna peninsula. E.T .Kannangara (1984) observed that the meeting between Chulodara and Mahodara would not have been on such a small islet when the Jaffna peninsula was within easy reach. .

Committee of Chartered Accountants accused Mrs. Sicille Kotelawala of illegally transferring money and forming overseas companies with local investments.

by Suresh Perera

In a dramatic development, the Supreme Court appointed Committee of Chartered Accountants (CCA) has sought to pull out of the protracted Golden Key (GK) repayment process with immediate effect saying "it is not in a position to carry on the tasks entrusted to it following the withdrawal of the Central Bank, which acted as the facilitator".

Turn the lamp inwards, Gota tells war crimes accusers

By Shamindra Ferdinando

In the wake of Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) submitting its observations and recommendations to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the government has reminded those pursuing Sri Lanka on the human rights front that excesses on the part of individual soldiers had occurred not only in Sri Lanka, but in many other theatres of operations.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The UPFA alleges the US embassy is increasingly interfering in domestic political issues, thereby undermine the government.

Sri Lanka to get electricity from India through a submarine cable

Thursday, 24 November 2011 13:40 Lanka News Web .

The Indian government has handed a report to the Power and Energy Ministry that states that electricity could be supplied from India to Sri Lanka at concessionary rates through a submarine cable under the sea.

Body of ‘Loku Seeya’ who was abducted by white Van washed ashore

The body of Mohomed Salie Niyaz (Loku Siya), the Ragama Devale marriage broker was found washed ashore at the coast of Akaraipattu, Eastern district , according to reports. The body had been washed ashore 18 days after he went missing. The deceased had been identified by the rag that was on his finger.

SL representative , Dr. Rohan Perera was defeated

The 12 year long membership of Sri Lanka (SL) in the International Law commission which is affiliated to the UN Organization has been lost.

This Commission comprises 34 countries and they are selected by ballot and must have held membership for six years. Last November 17th , when the elections were held , the SL representative , Dr. Rohan Perera was defeated. The commission which was appointed this time will be valid until 31st Dec. 2016.

At the previous elections held in 2000 and 2007 , the SL representative Dr. Rohan Perera was elected polling a significant number of votes , while this time , he polled very few votes

JLF

Govt. sends 60 of KP’s Tamil nationals (LTTE) to London

60 Sri Lankan (SL)Tamils under K P had been dispatched by him on account of Heros Day celebrations to UK , and all expenses had been borne by the SL Govt It is reported that a pro LTTE group of KP which was to celebrate the Heroes’ day celebrations in Excel district , London has cancelled the event.
JLF

Sri Lankan minister opposes decision to devalue the rupee

Sat, Nov 26, 2011, 10:06 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Nov 26,Colombo: National Languages and Social Integration Minister of Sri Lanka Vasudeva Nanayakkara says that he was not supportive of the government's decision to devalue the rupee.

Update:Death toll reaches 17 in Sri Lanka storm, 33 missing

Sat, Nov 26, 2011, 09:38 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Nov 26, Colombo: Heavy rains along with gusting winds that lashed the southern coastal areas of Sri Lanka Friday killed 17 people and left 33 fishermen missing, the National Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today.

Iniyapaarathi conferred with 'Pride of the Nation' award in Sri Lanka

The Government of Sri Lanka led by President Mahinda Rajapakse has conferred the national award “Desamanya” (country's pride or venerable by the country) to Iniyapaarathi, who is accused by the public for playing a key role in the abductions and disappearances of several people in Poththuvil, Akkaraippattu, Thirukkoayil and Vinaayakapuram in the Ampaa'rai district of Eastern Province and who has been accused of war crimes by the United Nations rights bodies for forced arms training to children.

SL Police ‘fixes’ Moothoor murder crime on Tamil Veddahs

Two Tamil males with Veddah background were arrested by the Sri Lankan Police in Champoor Friday evening allegedly for the crime of killing the teacher Miss Kurukulasingham Srivathanion on Thursday. The SL police has allegedly ‘fixed’ the crime, which took place within 200 meters from a Sri Lanka Army post and between two SLA camps while the Tamil teacher was on her way to Paaddaa'lipuram government school from Kaddaipa'richchaan.

Exposing SLA temple sanctions to BBC brings in attack on house in Jaffna

Unknown attackers , opened fire and lobbed grenade and petrol bomb on the house of the head of the civic council (Piratheasa Chapai) of Kaarainakar, Mr Anaimukan Velayutham, a TNA member and a leading trader in Jaffna in the early hours of Saturday, causing minor injuries to his aged mother.

51 p.c. FDI in multi-brand retail ‘fantastic’: Billimoria

Leading NRI entrepreneur Lord Karan Bilimoria has described the decision of the Indian government to allow 51 per cent foreign direct investment in the multi-brand retail sector as “fantastic”.

HIS LORDSHIP: The statues on the campus have many a tale behind them. Pictured here is the one of Sir V. Bhashyam Iyengar, first Indian Advocate-General. Photo: V. Ganesan

K. Chandru

As this historic institution marks the 150th year of its founding. K. Chandru, Judge of the Madras High Court, takes a look at some of its early chronicles.

Chennai — 600 104. This is the pin code allotted by the Department of Posts to the zone occupied by the Madras High Court. Any such “zone” has to have its boundaries. In our land, if there is a boundary, it has its own boundary deity. In the villages, this deity is called the sentinel goddess.

Asylum seekers to be released into community: Australian Minister

Twenty seven asylum seekers who arrived by boat will be released into the community on bridging visas today for the first time, the Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said today.

Editorial Island.lk

Egypt: ‘Swapping ginger for chillies’
November 25, 2011, 8:27 pm

There seems to be no end in sight to Egyptians' woes. Time was when they thought Hosni Mubarak's marathon innings as President was the bane of their country. They resorted to people power and ousted him last February giving, in the process, a turbo boost to the Arab Spring, which has had a domino effect in the region and beyond.

The latest three-wheeler that could carry eight passengers has been introduced to the Sri Lankan market. The Saaj, a Chinese manufactured three-wheeler introduced by Saaj Motor Company Ltd, will dominate the local market soon due to its space and other unique features and facilities, its promoters said.

Is it America’s business to demand release of Fonseka?

Island Online on 25th November reported, "US has warned the government that the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) in Geneva would be moved against Sri Lanka unless the defeated presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka, whom the US considered a political prisoner, is released from prison forthwith". The irony of the story is that it is some "podiyen" of the US Embassy who had raised the issue with a Minister of the Sri Lanka Government.

Does the USA have any moral or legal right to dictate terms to the authorities in the independent sovereign nation of Sri Lanka as to how the latter should conduct its judicial procedures? Obviously not, but going by the heavy-handed, and illegal activities the world’s only superpower had engaged in during the recent past in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Libya, etc. and how the leaders of politico-religious groups and nations have been dragged out from their places of refuge to be gunned down – with the Secretary of State of the mighty USA on one occasion presenting "Veni, Vidi, Vici" from Julius Caesar in its modern day version as "We came, we saw, he died", it is clear that "Might is right" in the USA’s book.

UK has no regrets over defeat of terrorism in SL, says British HC

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The government believes that a visit to the Eastern Province undertaken by British High Commissioner, John James Rankin, is timely, particularly in view of the ongoing attempts by the international arm of the LTTE, including those living in the UK, to undermine Sri Lanka’s post-war development process. Government sources said the three-day visit, which concluded on Thursday (Nov. 24), would have helped the British to make a realistic assessment of the ground situation.

Gale force winds, floods wreak havoc, kill eight

By Lal Gunasekera

Heavy rains and gale force winds that lashed most parts of the country yesterday caused havoc leaving eight persons dead and thousands homeless. Of the eight deaths reported, seven were from the Matara district and the other from Moneragala.

by Kamalika Pieris

When he realized that the Dutch had come to stay, Rajasinha II (1635-87) used a variety of tactics to challenge the Dutch and prevent them from settling down comfortably in their lands. He made it a point to obstruct them in their activities. In the 1640s, the Dutch wanted to take control of Matara disawani. Rajasinha objected to Matara paying its dues to the Dutch and got the disawas to sabotage the payments.

Authoritarianism confirmed: UNP

Sri Lanka’s drift towards authoritarianism is confirmed with the country ranked at 109 in world audits on democracy, only 19 notches short of Zimbabwe ranked at 136, the UNP charged in Parliament today.

'Bikini Girl' Goes Home for the...

Self-dubbed 'Bikini Girl' opts for a bikini pat down over a radiation x-ray when she travels home for the holidays!

Opposition Leader calls on all opposition parties of Sri Lanka to unite to fight against the government

Fri, Nov 25, 2011, 01:20 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Nov 25, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Opposition and United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe calls on every one to cast aside party or any other differences and unite in the campaign against the government.

Sri Lanka exceeds tourism goal for the year

Fri, Nov 25, 2011, 11:38 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Nov 25, Colombo: With the arrival of the 750,000th tourist in the country on Thursday Sri Lanka has exceeded its tourism goal for the year 2011.

According to Sri Lanka Tourism Board this is the first time Sri Lanka has welcomed over 700,000 tourists in a year.

Sri Lanka CID official to visit MP Duminda Silva in Singapore

Sat, Nov 26, 2011, 06:15 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Nov 26, Colombo: An official of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Sri Lanka Police is to leave for Singapore soon to evaluate the condition of ruling party legislator Duminda Silva who is being treated in a hospital there.

Miss Srivathani with garland at World Teachers Day event in her school two months ago
Students, teachers, education officials and members of public in large numbers went in a procession Friday morning from Cheanaiyoor Central College to Champoor Police Station in the Moothoor East in Trincomalee district demanding that the culprits behind the brutal killing of a young unmarried Tamil teacher Miss Kurukulasingham Srivathani that took place on Thursday should be arrested.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

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'Bikini Girl' Goes Home for the...

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