| Wednesday 31 December 2008 |
|
Sri Lanka and Cuba to promote bilateral
trade |
| Sri Lanka and Cuba agreed to promote
bilateral trade links through visits of Sri
Lanka businessmen, participation in trade
fairs and strengthening ties with respective
Chambers of Commerce during the inaugural
session of the Sri Lanka-Cuba Joint
Commission held in Havana recently.
[Full Story] |
|
|
LTTE on its last legs - Strategy Page |
| The fighting around the LTTE capital of
Kilinochchi is apparently attracting the
best fighters the LTTE has left, but these
offensive operations failed, unlike during
the last five to ten years and is one reason
why the LTTE are on their last legs, says
the US based military website, Strategy
Page.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Nominations for CP and NWP close today |
| Nominations for the upcoming provincial
council polls in the Central and North
Western Provinces will close by noon today.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Govt reduces fuel and gas prices |
| The Cabinet presided by President Mahinda
Rajapaksa last evening decided to reduce the
price of fuel and announced a Rs. 16 billion
stimulate economic package to revive the
tea, rubber, cinnamon and garment industries
which will take effect from today.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Monday 29 December 2008 |
|
Palestine & Sri Lanka to train teachers in the first grade and kindergarten |
| Palestine and Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum
of Understanding to train and develop the
skills of teachers in first grade and
kindergarten on the issues of early
childhood to help smooth the transition for
a child from kindergarten to first grade.
[Full Story] |
|
|
LTTE targets Catholics |
| LTTE had abducted 16 children from an
orphanage run by the Catholic Church at
Dahrmapuram in Kilinochchi on Friday (Dec
26), church sources said.
[Full Story] |
|
|
LTTE agent held in Chennai |
| The ‘Q’ Branch police on Saturday arrested
an LTTE suspect who was allegedly acting as
an agent of the LTTE in Chennai, the Hindu
reported.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Friday 26 December 2008 |
|
LTTE orders O/L students to enlist |
| The LTTE had ordered the youth who sat
for the GCE Ordinary Level Examination in
Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts that
they should join the organization to fight
the security forces or face dire
consequences, Military Spokesman Brigadier
Udaya Nanayakkara said.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Karunanidhi warns supporters of banned
organisations |
| Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday
sent out a warning to the supporters of the
LTTE, saying that the DMK government would
not hesitate to take action against those
who voice support and act in favour of
banned organizations, the Hindu reported.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Sri Lankans to remember tsunami victims
today |
| Sri Lankans today will pay tribute to
those who died in the 2004 tsunami.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Wednesday 24 December 2008 |
|
Christmas spirit has special relevance in
Sri Lanka today says President |
| The spirit of love and joy that Christmas
brings has special relevance in Sri Lanka
today as we come closer to bringing down the
barriers of mistrust and overcoming the fear
of terror that have torn our society apart
for so long said President Mahinda Rajapaksa
in a Christmas Day message.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Sri Lanka moves into the Middle Income
Status – WB |
| The emerging economic development in
South Asia is propelling Sri Lanka into the
Middle Income Status, states the World Bank
Annual Report for 2008.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Cabinet to decide on petrol price in January |
| The Cabinet of Ministers met last evening
with President Mahinda Rajapaksa in chair to
decide on petrol price.
[Full Story] |
|
|
PC nominations accepted from today |
| Nominations for the dissolved Central and
North Western Provincial Councils will be
accepted from today till noon December 31,
the Election Secretariat said yesterday.
[Full Story] |
|
|
BOI signs agreements for three new projects |
| The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI)
granted investment approval for three new
projects. BOI Chairman Dhammika Perera
signed the agreements on behalf of the BOI
and formally presented the BOI Certificate
of Registrations to the investors.
[Full Story] |
|
|
NFF supports Government |
| In a response to the invitation recently
extended to all progressives forces by
President Mahinda Rajapaksa to unite with
the Government to build the country at this
decisive moment, the National Freedom Front
(NFF) yesterday decided to support the
Government.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Monday 22 December 2008 |
|
Free innocent Tamils or face ban - President to LTTE |
| President Mahinda Rajapaksa today called on
the LTTE that to release all innocent Tamils
it is holding hostage, in bondage and using
them as human shields, with the dawn of
2009, and allow them to come to the safe
areas provided for them by the Government
and the Security Forces.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Civilian protest against LTTE terrorism in Jaffna |
| Tamil civilians in Jaffna yesterday staged a
massive protest against the atrocities
committed by the LTTE. According to the
Defence Ministry website over 16000
civilians participated in the protest
marched from Kaithadi to Chawakachcheri
displaying banners and placards with slogans
against the LTTE.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Our War Heroes, a shining example of sheer courage - President |
| Our forces had
confronted the most ruthless terrorist out
fit in the world and defeat them, slowly but
steadily, by re-capturing every inch of land
from them.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Saturday 20 December 2008 |
|
India warned of threats from sea by LTTE
terror nexus |
| The Indian High
Commission in Colombo has reportedly drawn
the attention of New Delhi to the danger of
terrorists entering via the sea.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Friday 19 December 2008 |
|
UK recognizes Sri Lanka's right to fight
terrorism |
| The UK condemns the activities of the
LTTE and recognises the Government of Sri
Lanka’s democratic right to fight terrorism,
said Mr. Bill Rammel, Minister of State,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
participating in an Adjournment Debate on
tyhe situation in Sri Lanka in the House of
Commons yesterday (18).
[Full Story] |
|
|
LTTE's call for a ceasefire is not sincere
says President |
| The LTTE has a track record of announcing
ceasefires when they are militarily weakened
and are in need of fresh of supply of arms
and ammunition, and need to re-group and
recruit fighters.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Terrorism biggest challenge to region: SAARC
Gen Secy |
| South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) General Secretary Dr
Sheel Kant Sharma on Wednesday underscored
the need for the implementation of all past
agreements to curb terrorism in the region.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Thursday 18 December 2008 |
|
Mohan Pieris sworn in as new AG |
| Mr.
Mohan Pieris PC was sworn in as Attorney
General before President Mahinda Rajapaksa
at President's House today.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Lok Sabha passes new anti-terror Bills |
| India’s Lok Sabha – the Lower House of
Parliament – yesterday passed two important
Bills in its current moves to combat
terrorism.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Palestinian clerics urge Muslims to support
President Rajapaksa |
| Sheikh Jamal Ali Saleh Suleiman (Sammarah),
Head of the Daawa & Tableegh Center of Beit
– Or Tehta in Ramallah, Palestine has made
an appeal to all followers of Islam in Sri
Lanka to extend their undivided support to
President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his struggle
to unite the country and make Sri Lanka a
prosperous nation.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Wednesday 17 December 2008 |
|
Trawlers off Kochi selling diesel to LTTE
agents |
| As the war between the LTTE and the Sri
Lankan Army is escalating, reports have
surfaced about fishing trawlers off Kochi
coast making the best out of the war by
selling diesel to the LTTE agents at the mid
sea for exorbitant rates, the Express Buzz
News reported.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Tuesday 16 December 2008 |
|
ADB assistance much needed for the
development of North |
| Assistance of the Asian Development Bank
(ADB) is much needed once the North region
is liberated from the clutches of terrorism
soon said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Cuba and Sri Lanka strengthen economic
cooperation |
| Cuba and Sri Lanka inaugurated the first
Session of the Intergovernmental Joint
Commission for Economic and
Scientific-Technique Collaboration on
December 15 to strengthen bilateral
relations between the two countries.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Its time for EU to act against LTTE front
organizations, tells Sri Lanka at the
Europol seminar |
| Sufficient evidence was available that the
operations of front organizations are an
integral part of the LTTE, as seen in recent
action against the LTTE fronts in the US and
Canada said the Sri Lankan Ambassador to the
EU, Belgium and Luxembourg Ravinatha
Aryasinha.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Standard & Poor’s revision without proper
assessment of current developments - CB |
| The Standard & Poor's Ratings Services
(S&P) decision to downgrade Sri Lanka’s
sovereign rating from B+ to B citing certain
concerns is factually incorrect, logically
untenable and grossly misleading said the
Central Bank.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Naxals learning child recruitment from LTTE:
Chhattisgarh Chief |
| The Naxals, a terrorist outfit in India,
are said to be taking lessons from the LTTE
on the use of child soldiers, according to
Indian media reports.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Monday 15 December 2008 |
LTTE abuses civilians in Wanni
Forced recruitment, restrictions on movement put lives at risk - HRW |
| LTTE is subjecting Tamils in the Wanni to
forced recruitment, abusive forced labor,
and restrictions on movement that place
their lives at risk, Human Rights Watch said
in a report released today.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Foreign Minister explains govt’s humanitarian efforts in the North |
| Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has
said that reports of a scarcity of food and
essential items in the Wanni are far from
true. On the contrary, despite prevailing
adverse weather conditions and obstacles
placed by LTTE, the Government has ...
[Full Story] |
|
|
No force can reverse our military victories - President |
| President Mahinda Rajapaksa reiterated that
no force can reverse the unparalleled
victories achieved by the Security Forces
against LTTE terrorism as they are fighting
a war setting an example to the entire world
without facing a single ...
[Full Story] |
| |
| Thursday 11 December 2008 |
|
Sri Lanka gains GSP+ extension |
| The European Union has decided to extend
the GSP+ facility to Sri Lanka for three
years, from January 1, 2009 to end 2011.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Nominations accepted for dissolved PCs |
| Nominations for the dissolved Central and
North Western Provincial Councils will be
accepted from December24 – 31, the Election
Secretariat announced today.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Japan funds to improve livelihoods of Mannar communities |
| The Japanese Government through its "Grant
Assistance for Grassroots Human Security
Project (GGP)" has provided US$ 88, 020 to
improve livelihoods of communities in the
Mannar District.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Europol seminar addresses countering LTTE |
| Europol, The EU police organization
concluded a seminar Wednesday addressing the
subject of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Indonesian President calls for united stand in fighting terrorism |
| Indonesian President, Dr Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono has called for a united stand in
the fight against terrorism. The Indonesian
leader made this remark during a call on him
by Foreign Minister, ...
[Full Story] |
|
|
BBC false report earns WFP apology to Sri Lanka |
| The World Food Program in Sri Lanka has
apologized to the Government of Sri Lanka
over a grossly false comment on the country
by one of its officers broadcast by the BBC,
describing Sri Lanka as a Somalia.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Tamil Nadu unmindful of terror spread in India - Sangaree |
| “Everybody in Tamil
Nadu is unmindful of how fast this risk [of
terrorism] is spreading into the other
States in India. Perhaps the bitter memories
of Hon. Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination are
gradually fading away in their minds… Tamil
Nadu cannot easily forget how his remains
were recovered in pulp.” ...
[Full Story] |
| |
| Wednesday 10 December 2008 |
|
FM highlights threat of terrorism to democracy at Bali Democracy Forum |
| Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogallagama
highlighted the potent and ominous challenge
that many democracies face today, emanating
from the threat of terrorism. He was
speaking at the inaugural session of the
Bali Democracy Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali
today.
[Full Story] |
|
|
New diplomatic appointments to SL Missions abroad |
| The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has
announced the nomination of ambassadors to
five countries, namely Japan, Lebanon,
Brazil, Nepal and Myanmar, among other
diplomatic appointments that have been made
recently. Three senior career diplomats
belonging to the Sri Lanka ...
[Full Story] |
| |
| Tuesday 09 December 2008 |
|
President on 60 years of UDHR
|
| “We in Sri Lanka renew
and reaffirm our committed to upholding the
values and goals proclaimed in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, which also
requires the elimination of terrorism in all
its forms, ...
[Full Story] |
|
New Spring of Development in the North
–
President Rajapaksa |
| Now, in addition to the Negenahira
Navodaya or New Dawn in East we are ready to
launch the New Spring in the North. This is
the New Spring of development in the North.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Central and North Western PCs dissolved |
| The Government dissolved the Central and
North Western Provincial Councils with
effect from midnight yesterday through two
special gazette notifications issued by the
Governors of the two provinces.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Hajj symbolises spirit of unity - President |
| The Hajj symbolises the spirit of unity
when millions of pilgrims speaking different
languages and belonging to different
nationalities and cultures proclaim the same
mission - divinity, unity and greatness of
God, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a
Hajj message.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Monday 08 December 2008 |
|
Budget 2009 passed |
| The Third Reading of the 2009 budget was passed in Parliament today with a majority of 42 votes.
[Full Story] |
|
|
One more bullet-ridden boat found |
| The Indian Coast Guard on Saturday (December 6) recovered one more boat with bullet marks at Arichamuna raising suspicion among officials that the LTTE were sneaking into Tamil Nadu.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Final vote on budget today |
| The vote on the Third Reading of the Budget
will be taken in Parliament today.
[Full Story] |
|
|
SAARC Charter today |
| The main objective of SAARC is the promotion
of the welfare of the people of South Asia
as a whole and the improvement of the
quality of their lives, President Mahinda
Rajapaksa said.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Friday 05 December 2008 |
|
Security forces discover hundred boats at
Alampil |
| According to the MCNS Security forces
yesterday (04) discovered hundred fiberglass
boats used by the LTTE in Alampil area.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Sri Lanka - Turkey target $ 1billion trade |
| President Rizanur Meral of the Turkish
Confederation of Businessmen and
Industrialists (TUSKON) announced at the
Joint Sri Lanka and Turkey Business Forum in
Istanbul yesterday (4) that the two
countries have set a target of $1 billion in
trade over the next three to four years.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Sri Lanka: The emerging centre point for
investment in South Asia |
| ISTANBUL, December 4 – “The current State
Visit of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa to
Turkey would surely mark yet another
important milestone in our bilateral ties.
[Full Story] |
|
|
President returns |
| President Mahinda Rajapaksa returned to
the island today (05) after a successful
official visit to Turkey.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Thursday 04 December 2008 |
|
President invites Turkish investors to Sri
Lanka |
| President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing
the Turkey-Sri Lanka Business Forum said he
was confident that the businessmen and
industrialists will look at Sri Lanka with
positive perspective and invited them to
visit Sri Lanka and experience what Sri
Lanka has to offer.
[Full Story] |
|
|
ADB approves US $ 83 million for Dry Zone Water and
Sanitation Project |
| Asian Development Bank (ADB)
has approved financing to the value of US $
83 million for the Dry Zone Urban Water and
Sanitation Project. Of this amount US $ 23
million will be a grant and the rest will be
a loan payable in 32 years with a grace
period of 8 years.
[Full Story] |
|
|
TMVP signs Action Plan on Child Recruitment |
| The Government, the TMVP, and the United
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) signed an
Action Plan on Monday to ensure that the
recruitment and use of children by the TMVP
comes to an end, and that all children
currently with the TMVP are released and
provided with reintegration assistance.
[Full Story] |
|
|
President to meet Turkish business community |
| President Mahinda Rajapaksa who arrived
in Turkey on an official visit at the
invitation of the President of Turkey will
chair Turkey-Sri Lanka Business Forum today attended by
leading business persons from Turkey and Sri
Lanka to discuss the possibilities of
Turkish investment in Sri Lanka.
[Full Story] |
|
|
‘LTTE is part of problem in Sri Lanka’ |
| Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy
on Wednesday reiterated that the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was part of the
problem in Sri Lanka and could never be made
a part of the solution, according to a news
report in The Hindu today (4).
[Full Story] |
| |
| Wednesday 03 December 2008 |
|
President arrives in Istanbul |
| President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Madam
Shiranthi Rajapaksa arrived at Sabiha
Gokchen Airport, Istanbul a short while ago.[Full Story] |
|
|
Obama committed to eliminate terrorism |
| United States President - elect Barack Obama
told a Washington press conference held on
December 1 to introduce his national
security team that himself and his team “are
absolutely committed to eliminate the threat
of terrorism and that is true wherever it is
found.”
[Full Story] |
|
|
President leaves for Istanbul |
| President Mahinda Rajapaksa who had a busy
schedule at Ankara yesterday (Tuesday 02)
left for the other important Turkish city,
Istanbul, today.
[Full Story] |
|
|
President appreciates Turkish solidarity |
| Sri Lanka has and will always appreciate,
the solidarity shown by Turkey in Sri
Lanka's fight against the menace of
terrorism. This close affinity has been a
telling feature in our bilateral relations,
said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Ankara,
Turkey on December 2 at the Banquet hosted
in his honour by the President of Turkey.
[Full Story] |
|
|
World full of serious challenges – Turkish President Abdullah Gul |
| “Today we live in a
world full of serious challenges. Many of
these affect our countries in varying
levels. But I feel the need to especially
underline one of them, since it consumes
innocent lives, causing enormous damage in
Turkey and Sri Lanka.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Turkey & Sri Lanka in greater resolve to combat terrorism |
| Ankara, Dec 02 - Many importan agreements
and understandings were reached at the
bi-lateral talks that took place between
President Abdullah Gul of Turkey and
President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka at
the Presidential Palace in Ankara yesterday (Dec
2).
[Full Story] |
|
|
No terrorist action can be justified – President Gul of Turkey |
| “Today we live in a world full of serious
challenges. Many of these affect our
countries in varying levels. But I feel the
need to especially underline one of them,
since it consumes innocent lives, causing
enormous damage in Turkey and Sri Lanka.
That is terrorism.
[Full Story] |
|
Finalize global conventions against terrorism
– President at Ankara |
| “Given the terrorism
related challenges Sri Lanka and Turkey
face, our two countries have been
consistently calling for concerted
international action against this menace.
Sri Lanka understands Turkey’s concerns of
terrorism, given its own experience in
dealing with this issue.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Tuesday 02 December 2008 |
Turkey and Sri Lanka to cooperate against terrorism
- President Gul |
| Addressing the media after the signing of
two bi-lateral agreements between Turkey and
Sri Lanka Turkish President Abdullah Gul
said Turkey and Sri Lanka share a common
problem of terrorism and with new progress
in the relationship between our two
countries there is greater cooperation in
facing the challenge of terrorism.
[Full Story] |
|
|
Relief for stranded Sri Lankans in Bangkok |
| Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand and the
SriLankan Airlines have made arrangements to
send home Sri Lankans stranded at besieged
airports in Bangkok.
[Full Story] |
|
|
President arrives in Turkey |
| President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Madam
Shiranthi Rajapaksa arrived at Turkey’s
Esenboga Airport at Ankara last evening (Dec
01) on an official visit at the invitation
of the President of Turkey.
[Full Story] |
|
|
President calls for global action to fight
terrorism |
| President Mahinda Rajapaksa says the
Mumbai terrorist attacks should remind
everyone about the risk of terrorism and the
need for international cooperation to stop
it said President Mahinda Rajapaksa during
an interview with Adnkronos International
(AKI) in Rome yesterday.
[Full Story] |
|
|
US extends ban on LTTE |
| The United States extended the ban on
LTTE for five more years since it considers
it as a terror organization.
[Full Story] |
| |
| Monday 01 December 2008 |
|
President has audience with Pope |
| President Mahinda Rajapaksa who visited
the Vatican this morning (Dec 1) has an
audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict
XVI.
[Full Story] |
|
|
LTTE has nowhere to turn – The Hindu |
| With the imminent fall of Killinochchi, the
LTTE’s administrative headquarters, and with
strategic Ponneryn in the hands of the Sri
Lankan army, the organisation that is banned
or designated as terrorist in some 30
countries has nowhere to turn…
[Full Story] |
|
|
Security Forces liberate Kokavil |
| Troops of Sri Lanka Army 57 division today
(December 1) liberated Kokavil town.
[Full Story] |
| |
