| Saturday 30 August 2008 |
|
LTTE targets civilians in bomb blast |
| More than 40 persons have been injured in
a bomb explosion, suspected to be caused by
the LTTE that took place in the busy
shopping area of Pettah in Colombo, today
(30). Initial reports say that all the
injured are civilians.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Sri Lankan Envoy Asian facilitator for UN
Anti-Racism Confab |
| Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Geneva Dr.
Dayan Jayatilleka has been appointed
facilitator to negotiate an outcome document
of the Asian Region, in the run-up to the UN
Durban Review Conference against Racism,
Racial Discrimination and other related
issues.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Friday 29 August 2008 |
Wanni IDPs: Minster refutes BBC story
Bishops disclaim communication to UNSG |
| The story on BBC Sinhala.com which quotes
a purported communication from the “Catholic
Church” addressed to UN Secretary-General
relating to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
in the Wanni, does not present an accurate
picture of the reality on the ground, said
Disaster Management and Human Rights
Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Poverty declines in Hambantota- President |
| Poverty, which stood at 31 percent when the
UPFA came to power has come down to 12.7
percent said President Mahinda Rajapaksa at
the inauguration ceremony of the enhanced
Tangalle Water Supply Scheme.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Sri Lanka has better health facilities - WHO |
| Sri Lanka is among the countries that have
better health facilities than some other
countries with higher incomes said Sir
Michael Marmot, professor of epidemiology
and public health who chaired the WHO's
Commission on the Social Determinants of
Health.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Four suspected LTTE sympathisers questioned
in TN |
| Four suspected sympathisers of the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam from
Kilinochchi who landed at the naval jetty in
Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu on Wednesday were
interrogated by the security officials, the
Hindu reported.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Thursday 28 August 2008 |
|
President appoints Committee on Ministry
Secretaries |
| His Excellency the President has appointed a
3-member committee comprising eminent and
senior officers who currently serve and have
served in the Public Service to Inquire into
representations and complaints to the
President, by and with regard to Ministry
Secretaries.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Government committed to rebuilding national
unity - President |
| Government is committed to rebuilding
national unity destroyed by terrorists for
nearly three decades, said President Mahinda
Rajapaksa at the inauguration of the
Kataragama Museum built with Netherlands
assistance.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Foreign Minister acknowledges Russian
support in the fight against terrorism |
| Russia’s support to Sri Lanka in combating
terrorism nationally, has been steadfast and
well established, observed Foreign Minister
Rohitha Bogollagama when H.E. Mr. Alexey L
Shebarshin, Ambassador for the Russian
Federation paid a farewell call on him at the end of his tour of
duty in Sri Lanka.
[Full Story] |
|
|
BIMSTEC Ministers to focus on terror and
trade |
| Terrorism is set to dominate the agenda when
foreign ministers of seven South and
Southeast Asian countries meet in New Delhi
Friday to firm up a plan for combating the
common scourge and for boosting
intra-regional trade and economic
cooperation, IANS reported yesterday.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Sri Lanka cloves exports hit new high |
| Exports of cloves from Sri Lanka are seen
hitting a record 5,000 tonnes this year with
earnings exceeding three billion rupees, the
Spices and Allied Products’ Producers’ and
Traders’ Association said in a statement.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Govt to end conflict with honor - Foreign
Secretary |
| The government is committed to end the
conflict in an honourable and sustainable
manner as soon as possible, Secretary to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Palitha
Kohona said in a speech at the Asian
Aviation training centre.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Sri Lanka hosts 8th SAARC Trade Fair |
| The eighth South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Trade fair –
2008 inaugurated this morning at the BMICH,
Colombo with the participation of eight
SAARC member countries.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Wednesday 27 August 2008 |
|
Japan and ADB Help strengthens Fiscal
Reforms |
| MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Japan Special
Fund, through ADB, will provide a grant of
$300,000 to help Sri Lanka identify measures
to contain expenditures and increase
revenues in the medium term, in order to
support its fiscal consolidation program.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Sri Lanka seeks enhanced ties with Hungary |
| Bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and
Hungary must be enhanced to a higher level,
observed Foreign Minister Rohitha
Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
when Dr. Geza Palmai, Ambassador for Hungary
paid a courtesy call on Monday (25th August
2008), following his presentation of
credentials to President Mahinda Rajapaksa
earlier in the day.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Spanish Ambassador meets Foreign Minister |
| New Spanish Ambassador Ion de La Riva Guzman
de Frutos called on Foreign Minister Rohitha
Bogollagama yesterday (25).
[Full Story] |
|
|
Navy aborts LTTE air raid |
| Alarmed on an approaching terror aircraft by
Sri Lanka Air Force around 9 p.m. yesterday
(26), naval troops detected the aircraft and
engaged it with anti air guns causing the
aircraft to make away without entering into
the naval dockyard, Navy sources said.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Sri Lanka woos Middle East tourists |
| Sri Lanka is wooing tourists fro the Middle
East, said Tourism Deputy Minister Faiszer
Musthapha, in an interview with Gulf News
last weekend. "We have been focusing on the
region for the last two to three years and
it has paid dividends," the Minister added.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Tuesday 26 August 2008 |
|
No need for polls till 2010 – President |
| The present situation was most favourable
for the government to go to the polls.
However, as the government had a mandate to
be in office till 2010, he saw no reason to
hold an election till then, said President
Mahinda Rajapaksa, today (Aug 26).
[Full Story] |
|
|
Japanese Parliamentarian delegation visits
Sri Lanka |
| A four-member Japanese Parliamentarian
delegation led by Hosei Norota, Member of
the House of Representatives, Chairman of
Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentarians’ Friendship
Association, Former Minister of Agriculture,
Forestry & Fisheries and Former Minister of
Defense, will arrive in Sri Lanka on a
goodwill visited Sri Lanka on August 22 The
purpose of their visit is to promote and
deepen bilateral relations between the two
countries and the peoples.
[Full Story] |
|
|
SL expats urge Sweden govt to ban TRO |
| The Swedish Chapter of the Campaign Against
Separatist Terrorism in Sri Lanka (CASTIS),
has urged the Swedish Prime Minister stop
fund raising activities of the LTTE and ban
the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization in
Sweden.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Monday 25 August 2008 |
|
Five diplomats present credentials |
| Five new Ambassadors presented their
credentials to President Mahinda Rajapaksa
at the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo
this morning (August 25).
[Full Story] |
|
|
FM inaugurates Sri Lanka - German Business
Council in Frankfurt |
| The Sri Lanka – German Business Council
established on the initiative of the
Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Frankfurt
was inaugurated by Foreign Minister Rohitha
Bogollagama on August 21 at the Marriot
Hotel in Frankfurt, Germany.
[Full Story] |
|
|
New UNICEF supported health facilities in
the East |
| The new Maternity & Children’s Ward of the
Pottuvil District Hospital and Regional
Medical Supplies Division (RMSD) in Kalmunai
will be declared open today.
[Full Story] |
|
|
TN police probes arrested drug peddler's
links with LTTE |
| The Tamil Nadu Police was investigating the possibility of Chellappa Saguneswaran’s links with the LTTE,
the sources said.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Sri Lanka condemns terrorist attack in
Pakistan |
| The Government strongly condemned the
suicide bomb attack on an ordnance factory
in Wah, near Islamabad on Thursday (August
21).
[Full Story] |
| |
| Sunday 24 August 2008 |
|
UPFA sweeps in NCP and Sabaragamuwa |
| The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA)
swept the polls in elections to the North
Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils
held yesterday (23).
[Full Story] |
|
NCP & Sabaragamuwa Polls
Convincing victory for the
country - President |
| “I see the convincing victory by the United
People’s Liberation Front (UPFA) at the
elections to the North Central and
Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils held
yesterday as a victory for all our people
who love our motherland.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Saturday 23 August 2008 |
|
The SAARC Summit and myth of Lanka’s
international isolation |
| Sri Lanka is the Chairman of SAARC, the
world’s most populous region. The importance
of SAARC today is also evidenced by the
presence of powerful observer states,
ranging from the USA to China and Iran.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Friday 22 August 2008 |
|
Thunukkai captured |
| The 57th Division of the Sri Lanka Army
captured the strategic LTTE garrison town of
Thunukkai, defence sources said a short
while ago.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Oslo – LTTE relations sour |
| Norway's decision not to hail a truce the
LTTE declared before the
SAARC summit this month seems to have
fuelled a crisis that has for the first time
soured ties between the rebels and Oslo, the
peace facilitator in Sri Lanka, says a press
release issued by the IANS news service on
August 21. According to the news item the
LTTE has in retaliation had commandeered
heavy vehicles belonging to the Norwegian
People's Aid (NPA), an Oslo-based NGO, in
the Kilinochchi district.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Thursday 21 August 2008 |
|
President sends greetings to newly elected
Nepal Prime Minister |
Your election is a reaffirmation of the
values of inclusiveness and pluralism, which
are shared by both our people, said
President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message of
greetings to the newly elected Nepal Prime
Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Amnesty International asked to withdraw its
claim |
| Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary, Ministry
of Disaster Management and Human Rights
referring to the Amnesty International's
latest statement concerning the current
situation in the north of Sri Lanka says
that the government monitors the situation
carefully, and addresses all problems
promptly.
[Full Story] |
|
Govt. never abandoned country’s development
- President |
| Despite the bloody war with the LTTE and the
series of victories achieved, his Government
had never ever abandoned or sacrificed the
country’s development. President Mahinda
Rajapaksa said.
[Full Story] |
|
|
US Pacific Command hosts law exchange
programme for security forces |
| The United State Military Pacific Command
in partnership with the American Embassy in
Colombo conducted a military law exchange
programme to share with the security forces
methods of investigating and reporting human
rights abuses, a US Embassy statement said.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Okaya Electric Industries of Japan to
invests in Sri Lanka |
| Okaya Electric Industries Company, a
public listed company from Japan a
manufacture of electronic components for
noise suppression and surge suppression
signed an agreement with the Board of
Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) to invest in a
high-tech manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Wednesday 20 August 2008 |
|
Japan to join CCHA |
| Japan will join the Consultative
Committee on Humanitarian Assistance (CCHA)
set up by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to
spearhead relief work.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Cultivation allowed in Jaffna HSZ |
| The Government has made arrangements for
the farmers who own paddy lands in the
Ariyalai East High Security Zone (HSZ) to
commence their cultivation activities.
[Full Story] |
|
|
BOI Project to set up world’s first Nano
Technology Park |
| The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI)
has signed an agreement with SLINTec to
develop and manage the world’s first
Nanotechnology Park which is expected to
commence operations in November.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Govt ready to assist civilians fleeing
fighting in the Wanni |
| The Government is committed to assisting
civilians who may be displaced by the
ongoing counter LTTE military operations in
the North and reiterates its firm commitment
to continue providing humanitarian
assistance to the people in the Wanni,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
[Full Story] |
|
|
PC election campaign ends today |
| Campaigning for the North Central and
Sabaragamuwa provincial council elections
which is scheduled to commence on August 23
is to end at mid night today.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Sri Lanka seeks enhanced relations with
Iceland |
| Iceland’s relations with Sri Lanka should
transcend the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA), and
move into broader areas of co-operation for
a more structured and enhanced relationship
between the two countries, pointed out by
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama during
his meeting on Monday with Geir Haarde,
Prime Minister of Iceland.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Tuesday 19 August 2008 |
|
WTM raised millions for LTTE- National Post |
| World Tamil Movement (WTM), a Toronto-based
group has wired more than $3-million to
overseas bank accounts, some of them linked
to the LTTE, before it was shut down by the
government in June for alleged terrorist
financing, said an RCMP report released
yesterday.
[Full Story] |
|
|
LTTE about to be destroyed - Strategy Page |
| LTTE personnel and territorial losses are
accelerating because the LTTE can no longer
maintain a “front line” of bunkers, the
military website Strategy Page said
yesterday.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Indian scholarships for SL teachers under
‘English as a life skill’ initiative |
| Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad will
hand-over scholarships to 40 English
teachers under the Presidential Initiative
‘English as a Life Skill’ at the Indian
Cultural Centre today.
[Full Story] |
|
No turning back until every inch of land is
liberated
- assures President |
We
liberated the Eastern Province and will
liberate the North too very shortly. There
is no turning back under any circumstances
or influence now, until every inch of land
is recaptured and each and every terrorist
is killed or captured. Our Armed Forces are
fighting the terrorists to protect our
Motherland at the risk of their lives said
President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a
rally at Ruwanwella yesterday in support of
the UPFA candidates contesting the
forthcoming Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council
elections on August 23.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Kerawalapitiya coal power plant ready by end
of this month |
The 300 MW Kerawalapitiya electricity
generation plant is scheduled to be
commissioned at the end of this month.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Monday 18 August 2008 |
|
Government to secure future of artistes |
| The Government is committed to improve the
professional and living standards of
traditional artistes and secure a bright
future for them, said President Mahinda
Rajapaksa addressing the Diyawadana Nilame
and artistes who participated in the premier
cultural pageant of Sri Lanka, the Dalada
Perahera at President's House, Kandy on
Sunday August 17.
[Full Story] |
|
|
US $ 390 m Balance of payment surplus |
| The overall balance of payments recorded a
surplus of US dollars 390 million by
end-June 2008, said the Central Bank of Sri
Lanka in a press release issued on August
15.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Zero tolerance towards child conscription -
FM |
| Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told
the UN Under - Secretary General and Special
Representative for Children and Armed
Conflict, Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy that the
Sri Lankan Government has a policy of zero
tolerance towards child soldier recruitment
when thelatter called on him at the Foreign
Ministry on August 15.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Sunday 17 August 2008 |
|
Kandy Esala Perahera ends in splendour |
| The
Kandy Esala Perahera, the biggest Buddhist
festival of Sri Lanka, held annually in
honour of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the
Buddha enshrined at the Temple of Tooth in
Kandy, which draws thousands of devotees,
pilgrims and visitors from abroad, concluded
today (17).
[Full Story] |
| |
| Saturday 16 August 2008 |
|
Firm in resolve to defeat terrorism
- Indian PM on Freedom Day |
| ”We are firm in our resolve to meet the
challenge of terrorism. I urge the State
Governments, all political parties, civil
society groups and social and religious
leaders to cooperate with us in rooting out
terrorism from our country,” said Indian
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, in his
Address to the Nation on Independence Day
(15).
[Full Story] |
| |
| Friday 15 August 2008 |
|
Chinese tourist arrivals up by 7.3% in first
half of year |
| Tourist arrivals from China to Sri Lanka
grew by 7.3 percent in the first half of
2008 over the same period a year ago,
SriLankan Airlines said in a statement
Thursday.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Dam Safety and Water Resources Planning
Project launched at Parakrama Samudraya |
| The Government yesterday launched a Rs.7,
500 million Dam Protection and Water
Resources Management project at Parakrama
Samudraya, Polonnaruwa.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Vienna: Sri Lankans urge EU to act against
LTTE terror |
| Sri
Lankan expatriates in Vienna organized a
protest rally against LTTE atrocities on
Thursday urging the Austrian and EU
governments to denounce terror activities of
LTTE.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Final Maha Randoli Perahera tomorrow |
| The fifth and final Randoli perehera of
the Kandy Esala perehara will parade the
streets of Kandy tomorrow.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Thursday 14 August 2008 |
|
Sri Lankan expats handed over petition to
Pope |
| Sri Lankan expatriates
of Catholic faith living in Italy together
with other Catholics have handed over a
petition to His Holiness ...
[Full Story] |
|
|
SL Mission website becomes the most popular
UN Mission Website in Geneva |
| The official web site of the Permanent
Mission of Sri Lanka has been ranked the
most popular website of all the foreign
Permanent Missions accredited to the United
Nations Office in Geneva (Switzerland),
according to Alexa Web Search Platform, up
from its number two position last week.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Japan funds development projects in Badulla
and Batticaloa districts |
| The Japanese government is funding the
construction of Bridge across Badulu Oya in
the Badulla District and construction of
agro wells and channels in the Batticaloa
District, a Japanese Embassy press release
said.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Security Forces bag LTTE garrison town in
Thunukkai |
| Security forces yesterday took total control
over Kalvilan, a garrison town of the LTTE,
approximately 3kms Southwest of Thunukkai,
defence sources said.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Wednesday 13 August 2008 |
|
Six suspected LTTE operatives detained in
Chennai |
| At least six suspected LTTE operatives were
arrested in a southeastern suburb of the
Tamil Nadu capital Saturday, Tamil Nadu
police said.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Sri Lanka – China relations a role model –
President Hu Jintao |
| Describing Sri Lanka – China relations as a
role model for two countries of different
sizes and political ideologies, Chinese
President Hu Jintao agreed to further
support the upliftment of the socio-economic
standards of the people of Sri Lanka well as
extending assistance for new development
projects.
[Full Story] |
|
|
China accelerates projects in Sri Lanka |
| Li Ruogu, President of EXIM Bank of China
assured completion of Bank assisted projects
in Sri Lanka on time, when he met President
Rajapaksa, during his visit to attend the
opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
[Full Story] |
|
|
China assures uninterrupted and more funding |
| Commerce Minister Chen Deming of China
promised uninterrupted funding and timely
completion of projects undertaken by Chinese
firms in Sri Lanka and also ensured funding
for three new development projects, namely
the Colombo Katunayake Expressway, Puttalam
Coal Power Phase II & III and the Hambantota
oil tank and bunkering project.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Army, Air Force deny LTTE allegations |
| Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka
yesterday refuted allegations by the LTTE
that civilians in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu
are getting killed and injured due to the
shelling of the Security Forces.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Air Force raids LTTE strongpoint at
Kilinochchi |
| The SLAF fighter jets launched air
sorties at a pre-identified LTTE strongpoint
at Cheinkkonmalai, located 9km North of
Vellankulam in Kilinochchi, yesterday.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Tuesday 12 August 2008 |
|
Alston Koch appointed Sri Lanka tourism
ambassador |
| Musician Alston Koch has been appointed as
an ambassador for tourism by Tourism
Minister Milinda Moragoda.
[Full Story] |
|
|
First Randoli Perahera begins today |
| The first Randolil perahera of the Kandy
Esala festival will place along the streets
of Kandy tonight.
[Full Story] |
|
LTTE earns world's second biggest
income
- Jane's Intelligence says |
| The annual income of the LTTE is between US
$ 200-300 million making it the second
biggest income generating terrorist
organization in the world, the August issue
of the Jane's Intelligence Report.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Madhu shrine opens from Aug 12 to 17 |
| The Government will open the Madhu Church
for devotees from August 12 to 17. During
this period 200 devotees will be daily given
an opportunity to worship the statue of Our
Lady of Madhu replaced in her abode in the
church only at noon.
[Full Story] |
|
|
PC polls: Additional two days for postal
voting |
| The Department of Elections announced that
the postal voters who were unable to cast
their votes will be permitted to do so on
the August 14 and 15 for the upcoming
provincial council elections in the
Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provinces.
[Full Story] |
|
|
USAID continues to boost fishing industry |
| The United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) marked the
completion of another of its large-scale
tsunami reconstruction activities, the
revitalisation of the Puranawella fishing
harbour.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Former FM Kadirgamar and Loganathan
remembered |
| The third death anniversary of former
Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, who
headed the LTTE hit-list primarily for his
efforts to get the LTTE banned as a
terrorist organization in many countries
including the United States and the United
Kingdom, falls today.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Monday 11 August 2008 |
|
BOI promotes experimental project to grow
Olive trees |
| The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI)
signed an agreement with Broucke Eco
Enterprises Australia for an experimental
project to grow olive trees to produce olive
oil for the export market on August 7.
[Full Story] |
|
|
LTTE losing support of Tamil expatriates –
Strategy Page |
| The LTTE is losing the support of
expatriate Sri Lankan Tamils, the military
website Strategy Page said yesterday.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Friday 08 August 2008 |
|
LTTE link exposed in credit card scam in UK |
| An English court has jailed a Sri Lankan who
defrauded an entire village apparently in
order to pay back debts to a loan-shark with
LTTE links, IANS reported.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Thursday 07 August 2008 |
|
China to accelerate development projects in
Sri Lanka |
| President
Mahinda Rajapaksa who is in China to attend
the Beijing Olympic 2008 held bilateral
talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao today
(07) at Great Hall.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Armed forces enter Killinochchi and Mulativu
districts |
| Continuing its Northern offensive the Army
has entered the KIllinochchi and Mulativu
districts and its 57 and 58 Divisions are at
present fighting 6 km north of Mallavi, said
Army Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara
during a press briefing at the Media Centre
for National security, Colombo this morning
(7).
[Full Story] |
|
|
SAARC consensus on fighting terrorism |
| The recently concluded SAARC Summit reached
consensus on fighting terrorism and it
deliberated more than any other on the issue
of terrorism, said government Defence
Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella,
addressing the media this morning (7) at the
Media Centre for National Security in
Colombo.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Two more LTTE cadres held in Chennai |
| Two more LTTE cadres, K. Uma Ramanan and A.
Amalan, both from Jaffna , were arrested by
Tamil Nadu police early Wednesday (6) and
sent to judicial custody for possessing an
unspecified quantity of ammonium nitrate, a
chemical fertiliser that can also be used as
an explosive, besides cables and detonators.
[Full Story] |
|
|
President visits Olympic village |
| President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Madam
Shiranthi Rajapaksa visited the Olympic
village yesterday (6) evening. They were
welcomed by the Deputy Mayor Chen Jiang.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Wednesday 06 August 2008 |
|
President attends Beijing Olympics |
| President
Mahinda Rajapaksa left for China this
morning (6) to attend the opening ceremony
of Beijing Olympics as a special guest on an
official invitation by the government of the
People's Republic of China.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Inflation drops to 26.6 per cent |
| The rate of inflation as measured by the
Colombo Consumers’ Price Index (CCPI) on a
year on year basis dropped to 26.6 per cent
in July, 2008 from 28.2 per cent recorded in
June, 2008.
[Full Story] |
|
|
US will continue help to fight terrorism -
Boucher |
| The United States has taken actions to help
the government of Sri Lanka fight terrorism
and it would continue those, said United
States Assistant Secretary of State for
South and Central Asian Affairs Richard A.
Boucher addressing the media in Colombo on
Sunday (3).
[Full Story] |
|
|
LTTE suspect remanded in Tamil Nadu |
| Tamil Nadu police arrested on Tuesday (5) a
Sri Lankan, K. Selvam, suspected to be an
LTTE terrorist, with contraband mobile
phones that are able to trigger explosions.
Later he was remanded in judicial custody.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Engaging with SAARC positive step forward –
Australian FM |
| Engaging regularly with South Asia 's
premier regional body is a positive step
forward, said Australian Foreign Minister
Stephen Smith, issuing a press statement
Monday (4) on the outcome of Australia ’s
participation at the SAARC Summit as an
observer.
[Full Story] |
|
|
SCOPP objects to ACHR generalisations |
| Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary –General
of the Secretariat for Coordinating the
Peace Process (SCOPP) in a press release in
response to the categorization of Sri Lanka
by the Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR)
as the country with the worst human rights
record in Asia takes serious objection to
“blanket generalizations” and “interminable
lists” that “depend on the whim of the list
maker’.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Tuesday 05 August 2008 |
|
Bangladesh to start bilateral FTA talks with
India, SL, Pakistan |
| Bangladesh on Sunday decided to start
bilateral free trade negotiations with
India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, Bangladesh
media reported.
[Full Story] |
|
15th SAARC Summit
President says Thank You |
| President Mahinda Rajapaksa has thanked all
those who contributed to the successful
conclusion of the 15th SAARC Summit which
helped immensely in doing Sri Lanka proud in
the eyes of the world.
[Full Story] |
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| Monday 04 August 2008 |
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Mastermind behind LTTE smuggling operations
arrested |
| The 'Q' branch intelligence wing of Tamil
Nadu police arrested the mastermind behind
smuggling operations for the LTTE and a
senior political activist of the
organisation, yesterday at Uchapatti refugee
camp in Madurai district, Chennai Online
website reported.
[Full Story] |
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Second phase of Kelani flyover opens today |
| The second phase of the Jeyaraj
Fernandopulle Memorial flyover constructed
on the Kandy Colombo road will be
commissioned today.
[Full Story] |
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SAARC summit concludes with leaders pledging
action on food security |
| Leaders of South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) at the
concluding ceremony of its 15th Summit in
Colombo yesterday issued a special ‘Colombo
Statement on Food Security’, pledging action
to ensure region-wide food security and make
South Asia, once again, the granary of the
world.
[Full Story] |
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US pledges support to combat terrorism |
| The United States Assistant Secretary of
State for South and Central Asian Affairs,
Richard A. Boucher yesterday affirmed that
the US will increase its support to the Sri
Lankan government to combat terrorism.
[Full Story] |
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Suspected LTTE cadre arrested near
Rameswaram |
| A suspected LTTE cadre, who landed in nearby
Mandapam in Rameswaram after travelling by a
plastic boat from Sri Lanka, was arrested
yesterday, police said.
[Full Story] |
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Army captured Vellankulam – last LTTE
stronghold in Mannar district |
| Sri Lanka Army captured yesterday afternoon,
Vellankulam, the last Tiger bastion in the
Mannar district.
[Full Story] |
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| Sunday 03 August 2008 |
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The Colombo Declaration |
| The Heads of State or Government of SAARC
reaffirmed their commitment to the
principles and objectives enshrined in the
SAARC Charter.
[Full Story] |
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SAARC Summit took far-reaching decisions on
key issues
- President |
| The 15th SAARC Summit
that concluded has taken far-reaching
decisions on key issues affecting the region
such as terrorism, food and fuel security
and trade, with discussions that had a
strong focus, ...
[Full Story] |
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| Saturday 02 August 2008 |
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SAARC leaders condemn terrorism |
| Terrorism featured prominently in the
addresses of the SAARC leaders at the
inauguration of the 15th SAARC Summit. They
were united in condemnation of terrorism and
warning of the threat it posed to
development of the region.
[Full Story] |
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Arrested LTTE operative came for recruitment
– TN police |
| Thambi Anna alias Thambi Ilamkathir alias
Daniel (46), a key LTTE procurement agent
who was picked up in Chennai by the Q Branch
police on Wednesday, had come to recruit
more suppliers for his network, reported the
Hindu website quoting police sources.
[Full Story] |
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India hands over SAARC chair to Sri Lanka |
| Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh
officially handed over the SAARC
chairmanship to President Mahinda Rajapaksa
in Colombo this morning.
[Full Story] |
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Redouble collective efforts to combat
terrorism – President to SAARC |
| Addressing the SAARC Heads of State and
Government today
President Mahinda Rajapaksa called on them
to redouble efforts for collective action to
combat terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations, remembering it is the
element of interdependence which is crucial
for a durable peace and the protection of
democratic values in the region.
[Full Story] |
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| Friday 01 August 2008 |
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Pakistan firmly supports Sri Lanka’s
territorial integrity – Prime Minister
Gilani |
| The
Prime Minister of Pakistan Makhdoom Raza
Gilani expressed his country’s firm support
for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial
integrity, in discussions with President
Mahinda Rajapaksa, at bi-lateral talks that
are part of the 15th SAARC Summit in
Colombo, today (Aug 01).
[Full Story] |
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Prosperity of India and Sri Lanka closely
linked
- Manmohan Singh |
| One cannot envisage a prosperous India
without strong links with her neighbors, and
the present SAARC Summit in Colombo provided
an opportunity for such a partnership, said
the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan
Singh, in discussions with President Mahinda
Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat
today.
[Full Story] |
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New air links between Sri Lanka and
Bangladesh |
| The
establishment of new air links between Sri
Lanka and Dhaka was among the key items
discussed between the Head of State and
Chief Advisor of Bangladesh Dr, Fakhruddin
Ahmed and Sri Lankan President Mahinda
Rajapaksa at bi-lateral talks held at the
Presidential Secretariat today.
[Full Story] |
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Sri Lanka and Bhutan – the common challenge
of climate change |
| Bhutan
and Sri Lanka share common ideals and
traditions, as well as challenges, said the
Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonpo Jigmi Y
Thinley.
[Full Story] |
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Lumbini Development discussed by Nepali and
Sri Lankan leaders |
| Plans
to develop Lumbini as a major visitor and
pilgrim destination n in South Asia featured
prominently the bi-lateral discussions
between Sri Lanka President Mahinda
Rajapaksa and the Prime Minister of Nepal,
Girija Prasad Koirala at the Presidential
Secretariat today.
[Full Story] |
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Bangladesh Chief Adviser arrives |
| Chief
Adviser of Bangladesh Fakhruddin Ahmed
arrived in Bandaranaike International
Airport Katunayake today to attend the 15th
SAARC Summit from 2-3 August in Colombo.
[Full Story] |
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LTTE base shifted from Tamil Nadu to Kerala-
TN DGP |
| Faced with strict
vigilance along the Tamil Nadu coast and
continuous monitoring of LTTE sympathisers
in the state, the Tamil Tigers have shifted
their smuggling base to Kerala, said Tamil
Nadu DGP K P Jain, New Indi Press website
said.
[Full Story] |
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Arrested LTTE operative a close aide of
Soosai – TN Police |
| The Special Branch of Tamil Nadu police,
which busted a network of procurement team
of the LTTE, has revealed that Vijayaneethan
alias Naveen (26), one of the four Sri
Lankans arrested on Tuesday at Uppur, is a
close confidant of LTTE’s Sea Tigers.
[Full Story] |
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Terrorism to be a criminal offence in the
region |
| The SAARC Council of Ministers yesterday
reached agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance
in Criminal Matters, whereby terrorism would
be considered a criminal offence in the
SAARC region.
[Full Story] |
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Indian PM calls for SAARC unity to combat
challenges |
| Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
stressed upon the importance of cooperation
among SAARC countries to address various
challenges facing the region, including
terrorism, and has expressed confidence that
the 15th summit in Colombo on August 2-3
will provide impetus to many decisions
already taken by the eight member States.
[Full Story] |
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