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International Cricket update
Monday, July 27, 2009
Mervyn ready to face legal action (Video)
Saudi court frees insolvent Lanka driver
IMF defends Sri Lanka loan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund defended a $2.6 billion loan to Sri Lanka on Monday saying it is aware of human rights concerns by donors but the funding is needed to prevent a devastating balance of payments crisis.
The loan was approved by the IMF board on Friday with opposition from several countries including the United States, Britain, Germany, France and Argentina, which expressed concern at human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.
"In Sri Lanka's case they have been hit by the global crisis and the IMF's mandate is to address and ward off balance of payments crises," IMF mission chief to Sri Lanka, Brian Aitken told reporters on a conference call.
"The balance of payments crisis sounds rather dry but it really would have a devastating impact on the economy and on the people, particularly the most vulnerable," he added.
Aitken said the IMF was in regular contact with humanitarian groups and diplomats over human rights worries.
Months after the end of the civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the Sri Lankan government continues to hold thousands of Tamils displaced by the fighting in detention camps, according to Human Rights Watch.
Aitken said none of the IMF funding would be directed through the government budget. Instead, the entire loan is going toward rebuilding the central banks currency reserves, which have been drained by the collapse in global trade that has affected the country's mainstay garment industry.
"The hope is that the loan provides a framework in which multilateral and bilateral donors can support the reconstruction effort directly," he added.
He also said it was important that Sri Lanka's foreign exchange policy remained flexible to meet targets for rebuilding international reserves to at least 3.5 months of imports by the end of the 20-month program.
"The program is targeted to increase reserves and the exchange rate under those circumstances needs to be flexible to respond to changes in foreign exchange flowing into the country," Aitken said.
Aitken said as the global crisis dissipates, Sri Lanka's growth should rebound quickly on the back of post-war rebuilding. He said the IMF agreed with the central banks' forecast for economic growth of 3 percent for 2009. Source by : Daily mirror
Heshan Unamboowe sets new record
Air link between Lanka and Nepal to be resumed
Indo-Sri Lankan Economic Cooperation: Contemporary Scenario
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Local bacterium to fight mosquitoes introduced
Dr. Ms. Radhika Samarasingha of a Sri Lankan institute has successfully cultured a bacterium which can control the breeding of mosquitoes. The Sri Lanka Institute of Technology today handed over the bacterium to a local private company for distribution to the public.
The Baccillus turengensis or BT is endemic to
Interpol wanted criminal KP gains limelight courtesy ‘notorious’ Channel 4
Taxes, budget cuts to meet IMF conditions -Dr. Harsha de Silva
Summary of Cabinet Decisions -23rd July 2009
Full Pension Benefits to Disabled Military Personnel
Cabinet granted approval to a memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Minister of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order allowing provisions of full pension benefits to the service personnel who have been medically boarded out due to disability caused as a result of operational duties, terrorist activities and law enforcement duties. S.B: lankaenews
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Presidential pardon for 1800 deserters
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Displaced will remain in camps till Tigers are filtered out
U.S. officials raid Jackson doctor's office
SLAF turns to tourist flights
Sri Lanka’s air force announced Wednesday it would run domestic flights to meet an expected surge in tourism following the end of nearly four decades of fighting with the LTTE.
Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said fixed-wing aircraft would operate from the capital
A helicopter service will also operate to Sigiriya, a 5th century rock fortress declared a world heritage site by Unesco.
Air fares from Rathmalana;
Sigiriya Rs. 9,000
Rathmalana Trincomalee Rs. 15,100
“Initially we will operate a thrice-weekly service,” Nanayakkara said, adding the flights would start within a week.
Sri Lanka’s air force has a fleet of transport helicopters and aircraft that played a key role in the military’s victory against Tamil Tiger rebels in mid- May.
Military officials said the air force was gearing up for a peace time role serving an expected increase in tourists visiting the island nation. At the height of fighting, the government banned all domestic commercial flights fearing that Tamil rebels could use a hijacked aircraft to carry out attacks. Source by: ada derana AFP
Air Force conducting defence exercise
The Air Force is conducting an air defence exercise using low flying craft in Rathmala, Colombo and Katunayake from 7pm to 9.30pm. ada derana
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Dilshan doubtful for ODI series
Sri Lankan batsman T.M. Dilshan is doubtful for the five-match ODI series against Pakistan after fracturing his right index finger and having several stitches above his left eye on the second day at the SSC. Dilshan has been keeping wicket in the series in Prasanna Jayawardene’s absence. Source by: ada derana
Solar eclipse begins in Sri Lanka
Maoist leader warns of LTTE-style attack on Singh, Sonia
The pamphlet signed by one Anupamji, who claims to be a member of the state’s Ghatshila Sub Zonal Committee has asked the Congress’s members in Parliament and the Assembly to quit within a week. The provocation for the letter seems to be the Centre declaring the CPI (Maoist) a terrorist organisation. “P Chidambaram not only talks about finishing Naxalites in Jharkhand but in the whole country. If he has the guts, he should come to Jharkhand. Naxalites are no toys that they can be broken by playing games. He should give up his end Naxalite plan. Otherwise, the outfit will sentence him to death,” it says. (Indian Express)
Galle MC Opposition Leader killed
EXCLUSIVE: Drama unfolds at Colombo Uni; students carry knives instead of pens
Clashes erupted today at the Colombo University that resulted in the first and third year Arts faculty studies being suspended until further notice. This exclusive video shows the events that unfolded today at the campus premises. The Ada Derana cameraman was there to capture police discover a knife from one of the raucous students. Source by : ada derana
Video
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Chaminda Vaas to retire from Test cricket
CSE trading floor reopened
SLMC member’s house attacked in Valaichchenai
Lanka says accepts IMF loan in LOI- Minister
When asked to confirm that the letter had been sent, Siyambalapitiya said: "Yes."
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Satellites can spot tsunamis, US study finds
WASHINGTON, July 15 (Reuters) - Satellites can spot the leading edge of a tsunami, U.S. government researchers said on Wednesday in a study that might lead to better ways of detecting the giant waves and get people out of their way.
They went back and looked at satellite images in the Indian Ocean as the December 2004 tsunami raced across to destroy coastlines in Thailand, Sri Lanka and elsewhere. They found clear patterns in the water.
"We've found that roughness of the surface water provides a good measure of the true strength of the tsunami along its entire leading edge," Oleg Godin of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Boulder, Colorado, said in a statement.
Source By: © Thomson Reuters 2009
Sri Lanka's new Army Chief vows to re-focus military
(Lanka-e-News 15.July.2009 8.15PM) Sri Lanka's new army chief took up his post Wednesday vowing to "re-motivate" his 200,000-strong force and build a peacetime military following the crushing of Tamil Tiger rebels. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, 50, said his first priority would be the military's new role in supporting a massive reconstruction effort in areas once held by Tiger separatists. "We have to transform them from fighting to other things," he said at the tightly guarded army headquarters here. "We have to re-motivate them." Source by: Lankaenews |
Harry Potter works box office magic
US interested in India’s role in Sri Lanka
“We believe India has a tremendous opportunity and a growing responsibility, which they acknowledge, to play not just a regional role but a global one as well,” she said.
“How they choose to define, that we will explore in-depth during the course of our discussion,” Clinton said ahead of what she described as a “very broad, comprehensive dialogue” with India during her five-day visit starting Friday.
“It’s the most wide-ranging that I think has ever been put on the table between India and the United States,” Clinton said. Source by : Daily mirror
Strong winds lash Kurunegala
Pakistan, Sri Lanka agree on Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Prime Minister Gilani also said Sri Lanka was the largest recipient of free military training from Pakistan with a large number of training courses annually offered by Pakistan Armed Forces. He said Pakistan was willing to further assist Sri Lanka in enhancing the capacity of its armed forces. Source by Daily mirror
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Murali fit to play third Test: Doc
Sri Lanka wins 3 Test series against Pakistan (Watch Highlights Video)
UK committed to help Sri Lanka- Mike Foster
Mike Foster allocated £3 million to help support the first stages of recovery from the conflict and prepare for displaced civilians to return home from the camps.
Conditions in the camps are improving, but are still basic. As humanitarian access has increased, aid agencies have been able to set up emergency health services and deliver urgently needed medicines and food. Source by: Daily mirror
Second largest asylum seekers to Switzerland from Sri Lanka
While claiming that there has been a sharp rise in the number of people applying for asylum in
No firing on Indian fishermen since Jan - Chidambaram
The Indian Government today confirmed that the Sri Lankan Navy has not shot any Indian fishermen after various arrangements were put in place since January this year. Replying to a question on coastal security by the T K S Elangovan, North Chennai MP, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, however, conceded that fishermen were being arrested. “They are arrested, and I have conceded it earlier. Thereafter, there is an arrangement by which we secure their release,” said Chidambaram. Source By: Ada derana
Monday, July 13, 2009
Moves to bring back CBK to Parliament?
There are moves to bring back former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga back to Parliament, political sources indicated today (July 13). While stating that the news is nothing new, they pointed out that it was initially mooted prior to the voting of the 2008 budget in 2007.
Sources close to Mangala Samaraweera’s Ape Jathika Peramuna (AJP) said though initially it was agreed to bring back Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (CBK) to Parliament, the decision was deferred after the Supreme Court (SC) rulings against her in certain cases and in one such case by the SC ordering her to pay compensation.
With her popularity at low ebb, the move to bring her back to parliament was shelved. With Mangala Samaraweera forming his new party and calling for a broader alliance against the Rajapaksa government, the move has been renewed with the UNP leadership too agreeing for such an alliance. Mr. Samaraweera’s AJP has not faced any real test to identify its voter base and many were curious as to who or what his trump card was. Now, according to sources close to these two parties, the trump card may well be former President CBK. Source By : Ada derana
Michael Jackson ‘had two gay lovers’, new book claims
Jackson’s affair with the builder, who was in his early 20s, began in Las Vegas in 2007, according to Halperin. “He rarely left his residence, but when he did, according to one of Jackson’s closest confidants, it was to meet a boyfriend at a run-down motel.
“Michael would leave the house in disguise, often dressed as a woman, and would go to meet his boyfriend at a motel that was one of Vegas’ grungiest dives. Michael was broke. He struggled to put food on the table for his children. It was all he could afford then.”
Halperin added: “A close aide of Jackson who confirmed the affair to me said that he had no knowledge of what went on behind closed doors at the motel. But the aide said Jackson would dress as a woman after midnight to meet a worker employed by the city of Las Vegas.”
The second man was an aspiring actor, working as a waiter, who visited Jackson’s Hollywood Hills home almost every night for three weeks during a short but passionate affair, Halperin said.
The author’s claims, in the book Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson, were reported by The Sun. (The Telegraph) Source By : Daily Mirror
The Man Who Tamed the Tamil Tigers
-Time Mag. interview with President Rajapaksha |
(Lanka-e-News 13.July.2009 5.30PM) Sri Lanka's 26-year civil war between the government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) came to a dramatic end in May with a decisive military victory and the killing of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the Tigers' fearsome leader. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the man who tamed the Tigers. Now his task is to heal a nation still divided by tensions between the majority Sinhalese and the minority Tamils. In a rare, wide-ranging interview, Rajapaksa, 63, talked with TIME's Jyoti Thottam at the President's official compound in Colombo on July 10. Source By : Lankaenews interview with President Rajapaksha |
Canadian Tiger suspect to appeal against extradition
Updated @ 13/07/2009 09:22 PM
Sri Lanka turns to microfinance to rebuild war zone
Updated @ 13/07/2009 06:23 PM
Sunday, July 12, 2009
LIOC dismisses price increase claims
LIOC Managing Director K.R. Suresh Kumar this morning vehemently denied having told that weekly newspaper that he sought a price revision. “Neither did I ever propose a committee of such nature. I have not made any such demand or proposal after the recent fuel price increase effected by the Government”, he added.
He further said that he had not met Petroleum Minister A.H.M. Fowzie after the recent fuel price hike nor the Ministry Secretary, W.P. Ganegala to discuss any issue as claimed in the media. Source by: Daily mirror
Jackson murdered for his 1 billion pound fortune - sister
In a new twist to the controversy surrounding Michael Jackson’s death, his sister La Toya has claimed that the ‘King of Pop’ was murdered for his 1 billion pound fortune as “he was worth more dead than alive”.
Her claim comes just two days after the chief of
La Toya said she and the family are convinced her brother’s apparent drugs overdose was “foul play” by a shadowy group out to get their hands on his 1 billion pounds fortune, the News of the World reported.
“Michael was murdered. And we don’t think just one person was involved. Rather, it was a conspiracy of people. I feel it was all about money. Michael was worth well over a billion pounds in music publishing assets and somebody killed him for that. He was worth more dead than alive,” the newspaper quoted La Toya as saying.
The 53-year-old claimed that the pop icon, who died at the age of 50 on June 25, was fed a series of addictive drugs to keep him submissive and controlled.
“Michael had many needle marks on his neck and on his arms, and more about those will emerge in the next few weeks. But nothing has changed my mind that this was murder and I won’t give up until I find out what killed my brother,” she said.
PTI
Kelaniya PS Chairman’s house attacked
Friday, July 10, 2009
Microsoft, Windows Vista goes Sinhala
Basil to oversee Madhu Feast to a grand scale in August
Sri Lanka names unchanged squad for 2nd Test
Updated @ 10/07/2009 03:59 PM
Ravi indicted in case
Updated @ 10/07/2009 11:23 AM
Sri Lanka's former rebels undergo retraining
(Lanka-e-News 10.July.2009 2.15PM) They begin each day saluting the national flag of the country they had vowed to defeat or die trying. Gone are the cyanide capsules that, like all Tamil Tiger rebels, they had worn around their necks for use if captured by the Sri Lankan military. In their place hang religious symbols -- a substitution that perfectly reflects the image Sri Lanka wants the world to see: Its former enemies on the path to redemption and rehabilitation. More than 300 former members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) -- including children forcibly recruited by the rebels -- are undergoing rehabilitation in tightly-guarded, state-run camps. |
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Lions led by lions can win any war, says Army Commander
If any persons disputes or ridicules the victory of the
The General was speaking while attending the launch of Tissa Ravindra Perera’s book ‘Vanni Avasan Maha Satana’ – The final great battle of Vanni, this evening (July 09).
Adding further, General Fonseka, quoting an Arabian saying, said, “If an army leader is a camel and the soldiers are lions, a war cannot be won. If all are camels too, a war cannot be won. If the army commander is a lion and the soldiers are camels, there is a possibility, but if the army commander is a lion and the soldiers too are lions, any war can definitely be won.”