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News, SL Media UK

Belarus President welcomes his Sri Lankan counterpart with Guard of Honour

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

·         President Rajapaksa receives a warm welcome
·         Holds bilateral discussions with Belarus President
·         Inked eight bilateral documents

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko gave his Sri Lankan counterpart, President Mahinda Rajapaksa a ceremonial welcome before reviewing a Guard of Honour at the Republic Palace in Minsk today on 26 August.  The President of Sri Lanka began his three-day state visit amid a spectacle of pomp and pageantry.

 

As the President’s party arrived at the Belarus President’s official residence, the President and his entourage were warmly welcomed on arrival by the President Lukashenko who was waiting on a large covered dais to greet them. Many senior politicians, Belarus officials and dignitaries stood behind him. The two heads of state shook hands warmly in a physical and symbolic gesture of friendship between Sri Lanka and Belarus.

The Band of the Military Guards then played both Belarus and Sri Lanka’s national anthems. President Rajapaksa and President Lukashenko undertook the inspection of a guard of honour made up of 101 soldiers and three officers from the Belarus Armed Guards.

After the ceremony the party made their way to nearby Republic Palace with other members of the Sri Lankan presidential entourage. Right after the welcome ceremony, the Presidents of the two countries held negotiations in restricted attendance. The meeting heralded the start of a busy round of public engagements and bilateral talks over the coming days for the president. Summing up results of the talks, President Rajapaksa underlined that the sides had discussed prospects of economic and investment cooperation between the two countries and had signed eight bilateral documents at the joint press briefing. The President also noted that he had great hopes for negotiations of the business delegation that accompanied him. During his visit to Minsk, a business forum will be held to work out promising avenues of cooperation. “I hope that businessmen of the two countries will be able to establish relations for the sake of further development of contacts,” noted the President. He also said that he had invited representatives of Belarusian business circles to visit Sri Lanka where the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will be held in November.

President Rajapaksa also invited President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to visit Sri Lanka at his convenience. The President further emphasized that prospects of cooperation between Belarus and Sri Lanka had been sketched out in economy, agriculture, science and technology, education, culture, tourism and several other sectors. The Sri Lankan leader also expressed his special interest in advancing cultural ties with Belarus. Artists from Sri Lanka have already performed at a concert in Minsk. It was a huge success. The Sri Lankan side is ready to welcome Belarusian artists in the near future. President Rajapaksa thanked the Belarusian leader for the invitation to visit his country and the opportunity to discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation. He emphasized the importance of the ongoing visit, because it is the first one in the history of the bilateral relations. This visit confirms the interest of the two states in strengthening mutually beneficial contacts. On behalf of the delegation he expressed appreciation for the warm welcome. “I have come to Minsk as a friend of your country and I want to reaffirm Sri Lanka’s strong determination to promote all-round cooperation with Belarus,” President Rajapaksa said.

President Lukashenko noted that Belarusian-Sri Lankan relations have gained clear positive dynamics recently. Belarus hopes President Rajapaksa’s visit will forge closer links with Sri Lanka – a growing economic power in the South East Asia and an increasingly important trade partner in that region. Belarus Prime Minister will meet President Rajapaksa for talks on Tuesday.

The Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Monitoring MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Russia accredited to Belarus, Udayanga Weeratunga, Provincial Council members Somawansha Kodagoda, Arjuna de Silva, Nousa Fowzie and Additional Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Mrs. Kshenuka Seneviratne were also present.

Pix By: Sudath Silva

News, SL Media UK

‘Sri Lanka Night’ concert in Belarus Capital

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Belarus, former Soviet Union and the Eastern European nation on a three-day official visit, graced the cultural and traditional dancing show, ‘Sri Lankan Night’ at the Bolshoi Opera Theater in Minsk, capital city of Belarus last night on August 25. Sri Lankan cultural show was organised by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia accredited to Belarus as a part of the ongoing awareness campaign launched prior to the President’s visit to promote Sri Lanka tourism under the theme “Sri Lanka- Wonder of Asia”.

Belarus Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Tozik and Cultural Minister Boris Svetlovand many senior government officials accompanied the President to witness the cultural show. The theater was filled to its capacity by Belarus nationals from all walks of life who watched the spectacular cultural display aimed at attracting Belarus tourists to Sri Lanka. Minister of External Affairs Prof G L Peiris, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Sri Lankan Ambassador in Moscow Udayanga Weeratunge were present at the occasion. Chandana Wickramasinghe, an acclaimed dancer and founder of The Dancers’ Guild of Sri Lanka coordinates the cultural shows and dancers under the guidance of Ambassador Weeratunga for these promotional events during the President’s visit. Few Belarus traditional dancing troops also performed in the Sri Lankan show.

Sri Lankan President is scheduled to meet with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko today (26) at 1.30 pm Sri Lankan time. Agreements are to be signed on trade, tourism and economic corporation and also on corporation relating to combating criminal activities. Other bilateral meetings will take place with Prime Minister Professor Mikhail Myasnikovich, Chairman of the National Assembly of Belarus, Anatoly Rubinov and Chairman of the House of Representatives, Vladimir Andreichenko.

The Belarus – Sri Lanka Business Forum will also take place today at the National Library of Belarus in Minsk. President Rajapaksa also accompanied by a delegation of businessmen to attend this forum where the President will be making a speech along with Prime Minister Myasnikovich. This will provide an opportunity for business men and women from both countries to interact and network.

Pix By: Sudath Silva

News

Pillay needs more time to fully assess HR situation

UN Human Rights Commissioner Nawaneetham Pillay said today at the UNHRC office in Jaffna that she had many questions regarding the Human Rights situation in Sri Lanka and that it would take her some time to give a full assessment of the situation in Sri Lanka.

Speaking to a section of civilians at the UN office in Jaffna after a presentation, she said that she was interested to know whether the civilians had been consulted regarding the projects and policies implemented.

Speaking further she said that her mandate of the visit to Sri Lanka was to gather information regarding the Human Rights situation in Sri Lanka.

“ My mandate here is to inquire into the Human Rights aspects and I’m very interested in talking to the people to see if they have been given a position in decision making bodies and whether their voices were heard in the decision making process,” she said.

Ms. Pillay said that it was evident that the population would benefit from the ongoing reconstruction process in the North.
“It is very visible that people will benefit from the steps taken towards reconstruction that is taking place” she said.

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

News, SL Media UK

President Rajapaksa arrives in Belarus

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Belarus this afternoon on August 25, on a three-day official visit to the East European nation. On his arrival the President was warmly received according to the Belarus traditions at the Minsk National Airport by the Belarus Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vladimir Makei. Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Russian Federation accredited to Belarus, Udayanga Weeratunga was present at the airport.

President Rajapaksa’s visit to Belarus is the first by a Sri Lankan head of state to the former Soviet Union country, which became independent in 1991. A landlocked country of approximately 207,000 square kilometers, Belarus shares borders with Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine. The majority of the nearly 10 million population lives in urban areas while the capital city of Minsk is home to about a fifth of the nation’s population.

President Rajapaksa will hold bilateral talks with his counterpart, the President of Belarus Mr. Alexander Lukashenko, and Prime Minister Prof. Mikhail Myasnikovich during his three day stay in Belarus. Other bilateral meetings will take place with the Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Mr. Anatoly Rubinov and the Chairman of the House of Representatives of the Belarus National Assembly Mr. Vladimir Andreichenko. The Belarus-Sri Lanka Business Forum will take place to coincide with the visit of President Rajapaksa who will be accompanied by a delegation of businessmen to attend the Forum where the President will be making a speech along with Prime Minister Myasnikovich. The forum, scheduled to take place August 26 at the National Library of Belarus in Minsk, will provide an opportunity for business men and women from both countries to interact and network. A variety of sectors including tourism, banking, agriculture and textiles, among others, will be represented at the forum. In addition to the political and trade engagements, President Rajapaksa will also visit an automobile plant in Minsk.

Meanwhile Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia accredited to Belarus has organised many cultural and traditional dancing events called ‘Mega Tourism Caravan’ an awareness campaign prior to the President’s visit to promote Sri Lanka tourism under the theme “Sri Lanka- Wonder of Asia” in major shopping malls in the Belarus capital city, Minsk.

The Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris and Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga are accompanying the President on the visit.

Pix By: Sudath Silva

News, SL Media UK

President Rajapaksa inspects Colombo-Katunayake Expressway

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his way to Belarus this morning (25) inspected the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway which is due to open before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November. The construction of the highway is nearing completion and the President had talks with the Project Director and officers involved with the road construction.

The Project Director informed the President that 95 percent of work has already been completed while the rest of the work, such as, traffic signals and other utilities, including communications, water, electricity, sewer and drainage, landscaping; micro-tunnels, street lighting is in progressing at a rapid pace. Presidential Secretariat Chief of Staff Gamini Senarath and and Ports and Highways Ministry Secretary Ranjith Premasiri were among those who attended the inspection tour.

The 26 kilometre long expressway begins from Peliyagoda. There are five interchange points in this six lane expressway at the New Kelani Bridge, Peliyagoda, Kerawalapitiya connecting with the Outer Circular Highway, Ja-Ela and Katunayake.

Around Rs. 45 billion has been spent for the project so far. Construction of the Expressway was implemented with a loan facility extended by China. The Expressway has 42 bridges and 100 large culverts to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. It is Sri Lanka’s second E Class highway and will link the Sri Lankan capital Colombo with Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake.

The Heads of States and other delegates arriving to attend the CHOGM and other allied Conferences to be held in Sri Lanka will be welcomed on this new expressway. The Ministry of Ports and Highways commenced the construction of the expressway in 2008 under the direction of President Rajapaksa.

Pix by: Nishanka De Silva

News, SL Media UK

Belarus is ready to welcome Sri Lankan President

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will begin his three day official visit to Belarus, former Soviet Union country today on Sunday 25 August. Meanwhile Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia accredited to Belarus has organised many cultural and traditional dancing events called ‘Mega Tourism Caravan’ an awareness campaign prior to the President’s visit to promote Sri Lanka tourism under the theme “Sri Lanka- Wonder of Asia” in major shopping malls in the Belarus capital city, Minsk.

During the visit, President Rajapaksa is expected to hold bilateral discussions with the President of Belarus Mr. Alexander Lukashenko, Prime Minister Prof. Mikhail Myasnikovich, Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Mr. Anatoly Rubinov and the Chairman of the House of Representatives of the Belarus National Assembly Mr. Vladimir Andreichenko.

The President will be accompanied by a delegation of businessmen to attend a business forum where President Rajapaksa will be making a speech along with Prime Minister Myasnikovich. In addition to the political engagements, President Rajapaksa will also attend a tourist forum and visit an automobile plant in Minsk.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Udayanga Weeratunga accredited to former Soviet Union nations said President Rajapaksa’s visit will strengthen Sri Lanka’s relationship with Belarus for the benefit of both countries in terms of stability, security, trade, tourim and development.

The President will be accompanied by a delegation of businessmen to attend a business forum where President Rajapaksa will be making a speech along with Prime Minister Myasnikovich. In addition to the political engagements, President Rajapaksa will also attend a tourist forum and visit an automobile plant in Minsk.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Udayanga Weeratunga accredited to former Soviet Union nations said President Rajapaksa’s visit will strengthen Sri Lanka’s relationship with Belarus for the benefit of both countries in terms of stability, security, trade, tourim and development.

Pix by: Sudath Silva

News, SL Media UK

Mirijjawila Export Processing Zone gets new Admin Office

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open new Administration Office of the Sri Lanka Board of Investments (BOI) at the Mirijjawila Export Processing Zone in Hambantota. The new admin office will control all administrative and processing activities for exporting goods of the Mirijawila Export Processing Zone. It is located in close proximity to the Hambantota seaport, Mattala International Airport, international conference hall, oil refinery and the extension of the railway line.

BOI took steps to set up two investment zones in Suriyawewa and Mirijjawila in the Hambantota district under the directive of President Rajapaksa. The project which comes under 430 hectares of land will consist of a sports complex, an information technology park, higher education institutions, a housing complex, tourist hotels and a supermarket complex among other facilities. The government has allocated 280 million rupees only for the Suriyawewa project.

Hambantota District Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said the primary objective of the Hambantota seaport and the Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport is to make Hambantota a hub of economic development in the Southern part of Sri Lanka.  The investment zone will be built to supplement with the Hambantota seaport and Mattala airport development projects. No factories will be set up in the zone and there would not be any harmful environmental impacts due to the construction of the project. He further stated that the Government of Sri Lanka has taken a clear policy decision to take the development which was earlier confined to the Western Province to the rural peripheries for the betterment of grass root level communities across the country. Therefore these EPZs will generate many jobs for local youth thus enhancing the socio-economic status of the people living in nearby districts.

Minister Laxman Yapa Abeywardena, senior officials and local politicians were present at the occasion.

Pix by: Nalin Hewapathirana

News, SL Media UK

Eminent scholar Prof Mendis Rohanadeera commemorated

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

One of the highly respected and prominent intellectuals in the recent past Professor Mendis Rohanadeera was commemorated recently at a special ceremony organised by the Rohanadeera Study and Research Center. The second memorial ceremony of the late Professor popularly known as ‘Giruwaye Maha Praggnaya’ took place at BMICH under the auspices of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. A book of poems, the last creation of Prof. Rohanadeera, was handed over to President Rajapaksa by his wife and family members. An autobiography of the late Professor was also presented to the President at the ceremony. The son of the late Professor, Hariguptha Rohanadeera also presented a collection of the research papers published by Professor Rohanadeera to the newspapers to the President and Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The memorial lecture was delivered by Professor J.B. Dissanayake. Delivering the keynote speech, Professor Dissanayake said Professor Rohanadeera rendered a yeoman service to the society. He said Prof Rohanadeera was a prominent intellectual on Buddhist culture, archaeology and history. Professor J.B. also noted that Professor Rohaneedara’s works threw huge light on various areas in history not only in Sri Lanka but also in Thailand. He also stated that Mendis Rohanadeera’s scholarly works helped to enhance ties between the two nations.

Addressing the gathering Venerable Ellawala Medhananda Thero highlighted that deciphering epigraphs was a hobby of the late Professor. Venerable Thera also stated Professor Rohanadeera was an eminent scholar at local and international levelsand asset to the country. Parliamentarian Dr. J.R.P. Suriyapperuma and veteran artist Jackson Anthony also addressed at the event. They said that late Professor Mendis Rohanadeera was an erudite scholar in the country who attracted many accolades at the local and international level. Venerable Maha Sanga, intellectuals, scholars, many politicians, senior state officials, artists and a large number of invitees were present at the event.

Late Prof Mendis Rohanadeera had served as a Professor of History at the Sri Jayewardenapura University for a number of years. He had been the author of several books, mostly about Buddhist culture, archaeology and history. He had contributed to many programmes in the local television and was instrumental in taking the major role in the programme ‘Maha Sinhalaye Wansha Kathawa’. He was 81 years old at the time of his demise.

Pix by: Udesh Gunarathna

Sports

Boards add T20s to SL’s Zimbabwe tour schedule

Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed its national team will travel to Zimbabwe for a full, 35-day tour, which begins on October 3. The boards have added two Twenty20s to the Future Tours Programme’s schedule of two Tests and three ODIs. Sri Lanka will also play a two-day warm-up match before the Tests.

Both Tests and the first two ODIs will be played at the Harare Sports Club, before the action moves to the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo for one ODI and the Twenty20 matches. The two-day match will also take place in Harare, although the opposition team has not yet been decided.

Sri Lanka are likely to experiment on the tour, continuing their focus on regeneration in this year. Angelo Mathews will lead the team in his first away Test series as captain, and Twenty20 captain Dinesh Chandimal is also in a similar situation

Read more: http://www.espncricinfo.com/zimbabwe-v-sri-lanka-2013/content/story/664589.html

Source: ESPN Cricinfo

News

The visit of Navanethem Pillay

The impending visit of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, can be seen as a great opportunity for the government to improve policies and practices as to Human Rights in this country. I can only hope that this opportunity will be taken, and that she will not instead be seen as a threat.

Unfortunately, some indiscretions early in her career have coloured our perceptions of her. Most notably, back in 2009, when the Council was discussing Sri Lanka at a Special Session initiated by the British – and sadly, it now seems from Wikileaks, supported by the Americans, even though at the time we thought the Americans still had the balanced approach to us they had evinced during our eradication of terror – Navi Pillay made a statement designed to put us in the dock.

She may well have believed what she said at the time, but even worse was her continuing condemnation after the Special Session had passed a resolution essentially endorsing the Sri Lankan position. At the next ordinary session she made a statement that seemed to challenge the Resolution passed by the Council. She was roundly rebuked for this by the Indian representative at Geneva, and I am happy to say that after that she did not do anything that could be considered improper.

However the position she represented at the time is now in the ascendant, but we must acknowledge that this is primarily our own fault. First, we threw away the support we had developed in the Council by ignoring our Third World allies. Instead what held sway was the ideas of the Dhanapala groupies in the Ministry of External Affairs, that you cannot trust Africans, that instead of a policy of Non-Alignment we should stick with what is termed our traditional friends in the West (put most aggressively by Dharisha Bastians when she was fighting the corner of the Western group in the Ministry before she fell out with the government), and contempt for India, all of which are against the Foreign Policy a true SLFP government, with its traditional left leaning allies, should have followed.

Sadly, it is now the Liberal Party which most aggressively puts forward these ideas, which might seem ironic were it not that the Bandaranaike Middle Path is what the Liberal Party is about, whereas the SLFP is now pushed into confrontation with almost everybody by its less cosmopolitan allies.

Our second failure is in failing to fulfil swiftly the commitments made, not only in the Council Resolution which we and our friends supported, but also in the Joint Statement of President Rajapaksa together with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as well as in the Joint Communique with India issued just before. It has now become fashionable amongst the more insidious nationalist enemies of the Sri Lankan people to blame Dayan Jayatilleka for the UN Resolution, but what is found offensive about that is material incorporated from the communiqué for which the Rajapaksas were responsible, and from the Joint Statement for which the President was responsible.

It is nonsense to claim, as these nationalists do, that the President was misled, and to blame Dayan for this. The President, in Kandy at the time, was advised by the Foreign Ministry, and the Secretary at the time, Palitha Kohona, told me that he had cautioned against some elements in the Statement – but not the political commitments about which there was no disagreement – but that the President had instructed them to go ahead. None of his Advisers then pushed him to implementing swiftly what he had agreed to, which led the Secretary General to take action on his own.

The consequences of that action, the Darusman and Petrie reports, are I believe monstrously unfair, not only to Sri Lanka but to the UN system that generally operated well with the Sri Lankan government in the interests of the Sri Lankan people. But since we have not even bothered to refute in detail the claims of those reports – and the Foreign Ministry completely ignored the questions I proposed to them to ask immediately after Darusman came out, precisely because I anticipated the harsher condemnation of the UN that Petrie represents – we cannot complain that they have contributed to two Resolutions in the Human Rights Council which have in effect put us in the dock.

Despite the warning that we received in 2012 we did nothing for nearly a year, except sack Tamara Kunanayagam, whose excellent relations with the Indians and Third World countries were helping to restore the old alliances of 2009 – though her task was made impossible by a massive delegation led by two Ministers who squabbled, and made statements that damaged our cause. It was only swift action by the President’s Secretary that actually got an Action Plan on the table, and then implementation of that was delayed because its architect, Mrs Wijayatilaka, was not even invited to meetings of the Task Force, until its dilatory chief executive was elevated to higher things.

Even now the government should realize, given the terms of the Resolutions, that the most important person Navi Pillay should meet is Mrs Wijayatilaka – but if I know the way the Ministry of External Affairs operates, exacerbated in this instance by the bitter hostility of the Minister to Mrs Wijayatilaka given how he had her removed as Secretary to the Ministry of Justice when she tried to uphold financial probity. So Navi Pillay will not be given the detailed meeting with the LLRC Task Force that is needed.

But I should note that it is possible that will not help. Mrs Wijayatilaka still operates as an instrument of the Presidential Secretariat, which is just too busy to do anything coherently. It has been further weakened now by its most efficient Additional Secretary having also to act as Secretary to the Ministry of Education, given disfunctionalities there – where the headache is solved by changing pillows, three secretaries having to be moved since the 2010 government took office.

The second area of concern to Navi Pillay is Human Rights, but there too we have a black hole. Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe is supposed to be in charge of implementation of the Action Plan, but he is quite powerless as he himself puts it. He appointed me to convene the Task Force to expedite implementation, which was brave of him since I was told that initially Mohan Pieris had expected to have that position too. But though the agencies involved co-operated, actual action was slow, and I had no mandate to push them. We were also handicapped by not having a proper Secretariat, and a few months ago, having first discussed the matter with the Minister, who promised to ask for changes, I resigned when nothing was forthcoming. I have not as yet been replaced.

I do not blame the Minister for not resigning himself, since he is an up and coming young man, with a bright political future, whereas I am in a very different position. But if and when he does meet Navi Pillay, he will have to say exactly what he has been saying for years, and he can no longer present this as the consolidated position of the Sri Lankan government, since he has in fact no mandate for Human Rights, as opposed to talking about them. It is true he is not in the league of the two Pierises as far as the internationals crusading against us are concerned (about whom Patricia Butenis of blessed memory, when I told her not to rely on others but accept what the accredited spokesmen of government said, remarked that the two of them had lost all credibility). But unfortunately it is people like that who Navi Pillay will meet, and Mahinda Samarasinghe cannot commit himself to anything when he meets her that will alleviate her concerns. If only he would put the Bill of Rights on the agenda, as I have long advocated, he might achieve something, but he still remains cautious about that.

Those two areas, in which the government must show action as far as its own Action Plans are concerned, are the most important. But it must also think about ongoing concerns, realizing that we must take remedial action in many areas, not because of Navi Pillay but for our own citizens. While obviously aberrations such as what happened at Weliveriya must be dealt with, we also need a proper framework for action, which is why I continue to believe that things will not get better till we have a Ministry for Human Rights, which could also compass Reconciliation.

If the President will not appoint Mahinda Samarasinghe to this position, he should take it on himself, with Mr Samarasinghe as his Deputy, and more importantly with Mrs Wijayatilaka as Secretary. Mr Samarasinghe can then talk more authoritatively and not keep complaining, and Mrs Wijayatilaka can work even more effectively than she tries to do at present.

By Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha
Source: The Island (Sri Lanka) 

News

Sharma gets reports on Shirani

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has received a number of reports and opinions on the removal of the former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

The documents were received following a request made by the Commonwealth Secretariat, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat Richard Uku said.

“It is Commonwealth Secretariat practice to ensure that the Secretary-General is as well informed as possible when determining the most effective way in which he can assist in politically sensitive situations,” he said.

However he said communications which are provided in confidence to the Secretary-General are treated as internal documents and protected accordingly.

“It would be injurious to the discretion, and ultimately the effectiveness of the Secretary-General if information of this kind were to be released,” Richard Uku said.

Source: Colombo Gazette

News, SL Media UK

Budget 2014: Private entrepreneurs and industrialists meet President

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

Two separate discussions to obtain views and proposals of private sector entrepreneurs and leading industrialists for preparing the budget-2014 were held recently at Temple Trees with the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Presiding the meeting the President said that the government takes all decisions based on the policy of safeguarding local industries and promoting local products. He further requested local industrialists to prepare themselves to produce goods for the export market while protecting the Sri Lankan identity.

The entrepreneurs had stated that they would provide their fullest support to the country’s development. They also pointed out that since the end of war, infrastructure facilities including the road and highway network had developed significantly and it added convenience environment to their industries in conducting healthy businesses.

During meetings with private entrepreneurs and leading industrialists that aimed to obtain their proposals to be considered for the next year’s budget, the President also said that export potential has been increased dramatically as the country has strengthened its bilateral relations with new countries. Therefore new opportunities for local entrepreneurs at the international market have widened due to Sri Lanka’s positive diplomatic relations built up with many countries.

Special attention was focused to use and introduce modern technology to increase the productivity, quality and standard of Sri Lankan manufactures to compete in lucrative and competitive markets. Many leading entrepreneurs representing apparel leather ware and shoes, pharmaceuticals, porcelain, food production, tea and rubber industry, Timber, motor spare parts and many other sectors participated in those meetings.

Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Susil Premajayantha, Athauda Seneviratne, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Reginald Coorey, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Jagath Pushpakumara, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and respective Secretaries to the Ministries participated at the discussions.

Photos by: Nalin Hewapathirana

Sports

SLC appoints shoplifter as national selector!

Sri Lankan cricket enthusiasts, sponsors of the national cricket team and fans are in for a rude shock, as it has emerged that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed a shoplifter to the prestigious position of national selector.

While SLC’s reputation has taken a severe beating over the years due to the politicization and questionable characters running the game, the latest development comes as a crying shame, to an institution that once stood for good governance, fair play and a clean image. What is taking place currently at SLC is simply not cricket.

A bowler was caught shoplifting during a Sri Lanka Under-19 tour of England that featured several cricketers who went onto represent and even captain the country. While SLC had ensured the bowler had nothing to do with the game over the years, this time around this bowler has been brought in as a member of the selection panel of the Sri Lanka women’s cricket team.

While this person had a brief but turbulent career, his sudden rise comes due to his connections to a prominent official at SLC, during whose tenure the board has suffered severe setbacks. ‘The Island’ learns that while the shoplifter has no expertise in women’s cricket, the reason why he was brought in as a selector was to grant him a favour. The top official and the shoplifter attended the same school.

Sri Lankan cricketers being caught for shoplifting is nothing new. During Sri Lanka’s tour of England in 1998, a young spinner was caught for stealing. The captain at that time, Arjuna Ranatunga, gave an assurance that as long as he was the captain the cricketer was never going to play for Sri Lanka again.

The fact that today cricket administrators are encouraging and promoting thieves is an insult to that great name in Sri Lankan cricket annals called Arjuna Ranatunga.

Source: The Islands (Sri Lanka)

Sports

Vidushanka, Dilhani bag bronze medals to increase Sri Lanka’s tally Athletes win four medals

Sri Lanka’s young athletes completed the track and field championship with four medals to help the country increase their medal tally to five medals as Kuliyapitiya Central athlete Dilhani Fernando and St. Mary’s College, Kegalle athlete Anuradha Vidushanka bagged bronze medals in their respective events at the Asian Youth Games in Nanjing China yesterday.

After missing out on a possible medal in the girls 1,500 metres, Fernando won her bronze in the girls 800 metres. Vidushanka reached his personal best of 54.05 seconds to win the medal in the boys 400 metres hurdles behind Thailand’s Thumcha Witthawat (gold – 52.79 sec) and Shooryabi Javad (silver 53.89 sec).

Fernando clocked two minutes and 15.72 seconds to finish third behind Anjana Dhavalu (2:11.47sec) and Malaysia’s Jogindr Singh (2:14.14sec). After producing her personal best in the heats on Wednesday (2:14.16sec) to qualify for the final.

While Seevali Central, Ratnapura athlete Akila Ravishanka won a silver in the boys 110m hurdles on Wednesday, Kathaluwa Central athlete Nirmali Madushika won a bronze in the girls’ 400 metres on Tuesday.

By the end of the penultimate day of the multi sports Games yesterday, Sri Lanka had won a total of four medals. Country’s other medal, a bronze, was won by Mihiliya Methsarani of Sirimavo Bandaranaike Balika, Colombo in girls singles squash. (Dilhani Fernando)

Source: The Island (Sri Lanka)

News, SL Media UK

TNA PS members join with the government

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

Vice Chairman of the Wadamarachchi Pradeshiya Sabha E. Santhasorupan and Vice Chairman of the Point Pedro Pradeshiya Sabha M. Logasinhem met President Mahinda Rajapaksa and pledged their support to the government today on 22 August. Both Tamil provincial leaders are representatives of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) from Jaffna Peninsula. They have crossed over to the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and extended support to the government and became members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) during the meeting with the President at Temple Trees.

The two TNA stalwarts said that they join the government due to the extensive development programme is being carried out in the North by the government after eliminating terrorism. Former TNA local politicians also stated that they will not be able to serve the people in the area while standing with the TNA. Senior Minister Athauda Seneviratne, Ministers Basil Rajapaksa and Susil Premajayanth, Coordinating Secretary to the President (Trade Unions) Sumith Wijesinghe and Coordinating Secretary of SLFP, A.Ariyaratne were present at the meeting.

Meanwhile K.T. Rajasingham, one of the senior most members of the SLFP, announced that he is coordinating the election campaign with the view to ascertain the victory of the 15 candidates contesting in the UPFA ticket in all 5 districts of the Northern Province. He made these remarks at a Press Conference held at the Green Grass Hotel in Jaffna. The UPFA candidates declared that their victory is certain in the forthcoming Northern Provincial Council Election Veteran journalist K.T.Rajasingham further stated that the victory of the UPFA in the North has been already assured while TNA leaders are continuing with their foreign trips and collecting funds from the Tamil Diaspora and also of the secret funds they receive from the international donors with the mischievous intention of bifurcating the country.

Mr. Rajasingham said he joined the Sri Lanka Freedom Party in 1968 and was also the Chief Organizer of the SLFP for Udupiddy Electorate from 1970 to 77. As he was targeted by the militant groups, he was ‘on the run’ till 19 May 2009 the day the Sri Lankan Forces were able to defeat terrorism and the separatism in the country. He said that enough mud have been slung on him, when he was fighting to save the unity and the oneness of the country. After a lapse of 28 long years, he said that he came back to Sri Lanka after the Presidential Election in April 2010 and continued to visit the country on a regular basis and has shown keen interest in country’s reconciliation and development activities.

Pix by: Chandana Perera

News, SL Media UK

Kandy Esala Perahera comes to an end: Perahera Sannasa to the President

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

The traditional ceremony to inform the head of the state on the successful completion of the historic Esala Festival took place at the President’s House in Kandy in the presence of President Mahinda Rajapaksa this afternoon on 21 August. The Perahera Sannasa (Scroll of Memorandum) on the successful conclusion of the Perahera handed over to President Rajapaksa by the Diyawadana Nilame (Chief Custodian) of the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic) Pradeep Nilanga Dela.

According to the traditions, Diyawadana Nilame accompanied by the Basnayaka Nilames of the main four Devalayas reported to the head of the state of the successful completion of the annual Esala Perahera of the Sri Dalada Maligawa and the four Devalayas just after the Day Perahera. The Sannasa formally announce the end of the Annual Sri Dalada Festival to the President and the Perahera was held successfully in keeping with the age old traditions.President Rajapaksa extended his profound thanks on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka to all those have involved in the conduct of the Dalada Perahera in such grand splendour and its successful conclusion. The President thereafter handed over the Sannas Pathraya to the secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga.

After handing over the Sannas Pathraya, the President and the Nilames entered the shrine room and made offerings to the Lord Buddha. The President also posed for a group picture with them. The President thereafter gave food to the baby elephants which are belongs to the Dalada Maligawa. A traditional ceremony was held under the patronage of the President to present awards and certificates of appreciation to artistes who participated in the Perahera. The President also presented certificates to the artistes who performed in the Perahera. The once in a lifetime special Presidential award and cash prizes were presented to 5 artistes while 50 outstanding artistes and 20 dance troupes were also presented certificates and cash prizes. Merit certificates were presented to 50 artistes. 115 special artistes were felicitated. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Governor of the Central Province Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Kandy Mayour Mahendra Ratwatte and many distinguish invitees were present at the ceremony.

The final Randoli Perahera of the Esala Perahera Festival that centres the Dalada Maligawa paraded the streets magnificently last night on Nikini Full Moon Poya Day. The Perahera returned to the Maligawa after proceeding on Dalada Veediya, D.S. Senanayake Veediya and Raja Veediya. President Rajapaksa, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Japanese and Thai princesses and other dignitaries were among the guests of honour to witness the Perahera last night. The water cutting ceremony was held in the Mahaweli River at Getambe at the auspicious time in the early hours this morning. The water cutting ceremony of the Natha, Pattini, Vishnu and Kataragama Devalas was held at dawn today. A large number of people thronged the location to seek blessings. The Perahera of the four Devalas was welcomed at the Heerassagala Bodhiya. The people who participated in the procession were served with refreshments. Members of the Maha Sangha led by Maha Nayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Nayaka Thera and Anunayake of the Malwatta Chapter Most Ven. Niyangoda Wijithasiri Thera were also present. The afternoon procession was also held making the conclusion of the festival.

A notable feature was the large number of foreigners who were present. Sri Dalada Maligawa correspondent says the largest crowd ever to have witnessed the Kandy Esala Perahara, was recorded last night. The final Randoli Perahera was telecasted worldwide live via a special streamline connected to the Sri Dalada Maligawa official website.

Pix by: Sudath Silva

News

ගිනි දවල් ගම්පහ මූල්‍ය සමාගමකට පැන ගනුදෙනුකරුවන් දණ ගස්‌සවා, එක්‌ කෝටි 80 ලක්‍ෂයක රන් මුදල් කොල්ලකා පනිති

ගම්පහ පිහිටි පිළිගත් මූල්‍ය සමාගමකට ඊයේ (21 වැනිදා) දහවල් 1.45 ට පමණ කඩා වැදුණු සන්නද්ධ කොල්ල කණ්‌ඩායමක්‌ එහි සිටි සේවකයන් සහ ගනුදෙනුකරුවන්ට මරණීය තර්ජන එල්ලකර ඔවුන් දණ ගස්‌සවා රුපියල් එක්‌කෝටි අසූලක්‍ෂ හැටදහස්‌ හාරසීයක්‌ පමණ වටිනා රන් ආභරණ හා මුදල් කොල්ලකාගෙන පලා ගොස්‌ ඇත.

මෙම මුදල් සහ රන් ආභරණ එහි සේප්පුවල ආරක්‍ෂා සහිතව තබා තිබූ අතර දෙනෝදාහක්‌ දෙනා බලා සිටියදී මෙම කොල්ලය සිදුකර තිබේ.

පස්‌දෙනකුගෙන් සමන්විත කොල්ල කණ්‌ඩායම පිස්‌තෝලවලින් සන්නද්ධවී මූල්‍ය ආයතනයට කඩා වැදී ඇත්තේ එහි ගනුදෙනුකරුවන් ලෙසිනි.

කොල්ලකරුවන් පළමුවෙන්ම ඔවුන් සඟවාගෙන සිටි පිස්‌තෝල ඉවතට ගෙන ගනුදෙනුකරුවන්ට සහ කාර්ය මණ්‌ඩලයට ඒවා එල්ල කරමින් මරණීය තර්ජන කර තිබේ.

පසුව ඔවුන් සියලු දෙනා දණ ගස්‌සවා සේප්පුවල තිබූ රන් ආභරණ සහ මුදල් කොල්ලකාගෙන ඇත.

කොල්ලකරුවන් අළු පැහැති කැබ් රථයකින් පැමිණ ඇති අතර පසුව ඔවුන් එම කැබ් රථයේම නැගී පලා ගිය බව සිද්ධිය දුටු අය පවසති

මෙම මූල්‍ය ආයතනය පිහිටුවනු ලැබුවේ මීට වසර 3 කට පමණ උඩදීය.

සිද්ධිය වන අවස්‌ථාවේ ආරක්‍ෂක නිලධාරියකුද මූල්‍ය ආයතනයේ සිට ඇති අතර කොල්ලකරුවන් ආරක්‍ෂක නිලධාරියා ද සිය ග්‍රහණයට ගෙන කොල්ලකෑම සිදුකර ඇත.

පසුගිය දින කීපයේ දීම ගම්පහ ප්‍රදේශයේ කොල්ලකෑම් කීපයක්‌ සිදුකළ අතර ඒ සියල්ල මෙම කොල්ල කණ්‌ඩායම විසින් සිදුකරන්නට ඇති බවට පොලිසිය සැකපහළ කරයි.

පස්‌දෙනකුගෙන් සමන්විත ළාබාල තරුණයන් පිරිසක්‌ මෙම කොල්ල කණ්‌ඩායමට සම්බන්ධ වී සිටින බවට තොරතුරු පොලිසියට ලැබී ඇත.

බස්‌නාහිර උතුර භාර නියෝජ්‍ය පොලිස්‌පති එල්. ජී. කුලරත්න, ගම්පහ පොලිස්‌ අධිකාරි විජිත කොමසාරු, පොලිස්‌ අධිකාරි රංජිත් මාසිංහ යන මහත්වරුන්ගේ අධීක්‍ෂණය යටතේ ගම්පහ මූලස්‌ථාන ප්‍රධාන පොලිස්‌ පරීක්‍ෂක ඒ. කරුණාරත්න මහතාගේ මෙහෙයවීමෙන් පරීක්‍ෂණ පැවැත්වේ.

Source: Divaina (Sri Lanka)

News

Daya to review report

Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake is to review the report on Weliweriya which was handed over to him late this evening.

The Report of the findings into the recent Rathupaswala – Weliweriya incidents, complied by a Court of Inquiry, presided by Major General N.A.J.C. Dias, Adjutant General  of the Army was handed over to the Commander at Army Headquarters.

Members of the Court of Inquiry that was appointed by the Commander of the Army on 2 August 2013, include Major General Jagath Dias (President), Brigadier K.J. Jayaweera, Brigadier N.I. de Silva, Colonel T.D. Weerakoon and Lieutenant Colonel W.P.A.D.W. Nanayakkara (Secretary).

Chief of Defence Staff General Jagath Jayasuriya said that the army chief will make some recommendations based on the findings of the report.

“This is not something that can be done in a day or two,” Jayasuriya said just before the report was handed over.

He also said that the police was conducting its own investigations into the incident.

Meanwhile army spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya denied reports that civilians and journalists were “summoned” to give evidence to the army court of inquiry over the incident.

He said that only a “request” was sent out but some people had misinterpreted it as a summons. (by Easwaran Rutnam)

Source: Colombo Gazette (Sri Lanka)

News

Royals at Randoli Perahera (Inc. Photos)

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

The visiting princesses of Japan and Thailand viewed the final Randoli Perahara of the historic Kandy Esala Perahera after paying obeisance to Sri Dalada Maligawa (Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic) in Kandy Tuesday night (20 August) on Nikini Full Moon Poya Day. Her Imperial Highness Princess Tsuguko of Takamado, the eldest daughter of Prince Takamado of the Japanese Royal Family and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand Royal Family are on four day official visits to Sri Lanka joined with Sri Lanka First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and paid their homage to the Sri Dalada Perahera too. The final Randoli Perahera Festival which showcases the pride of Sri Lanka’s culture to the world paraded the streets commencing from the Sri Dalada Maligawa at the auspicious time of 7.51 pm and finally reached the Dalada Maligawa via Raja Veediya. Meanwhile President Rajapaksa was seen near the President’s House viewing the Perahera joining with the Governor of the Central Province Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Chief-of-Staff to the President Gamini Senerath, Kandy Mayour Mahendra Ratwatte, local politicians and their family members. The Ambassador of Royal Thai Embassy in Sri Lanka, Mr. Poldej Worachat and Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Mr. Nobuhito Hobo and their delegations were also present.

The Japanese Princess paid obeisance to the Sacred Tooth Relics at the Sri Dalada Maligawa earlier in the day. The Japanese Princess who arrived at the Maligawa along with President Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was warmly received by the Chief Custodian of the Temple (Diyawadana Nilame) Pradeep Nilanga Dela and joined in offering flowers at the Maligawa. Princess Suguko called on the Malwatte and Asgiriya Mahanayakes and secured their blessings too. The Japanese Princess called on the Asgiriya Mahanayake, the Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Nayaka Thera at the Mangala Uposhithagaraya of the Asgiriya Maha Vihare. Thereafter the Japanese Princess visited the Malwatte Viharaya and called on the Malwatte Mahanayake the Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera and secured his blessings. Expressing views on this occasion Princess Suguko said that her Sri Lankan visit is significant and it will lead to further solidifying many centuries old bilateral ties between the two countries. The Thai Princess who also arrived at the Dalada Maligawa paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic. The President, the First Lady and the Diyawadana Nilame were among those present. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s visit comes at a historic time when the two countries are celebrating the 260th anniversary of the establishment of the Siam Maha Nikaya in Sri Lanka. However the two Princesses are visiting various parts of the country and are participating in many religious observances.

Large crowds have descended on the Kandy City to view the Final Randoli Perahera. All facilities have been extended to the viewers. More than 3000 members of the Police and the Army have been deployed to consolidate the security of the crowds. With the completion of the final Randoli Perahera, the water cutting festival will be held at the Mahaweli river near Getambe in the following day morning. It will be followed by the Day Perahera.

Pix by: Sudath Silva & Lalith Welivitigoda

 

News

3,000 kidney patients in Uva

The Uva Provincial Health Ministry today said it feared that a majority of the 3,000 kidney patients now receiving treatment might be dead within the next six to ten months.

“Some 3,000 kidney patients are receiving medical treatment in Uva Province and their lives are at risk,” Uva Provincial Health Secretary Sandhya Ambanwala said.

She said the investigations carried out by doctors, university professors and health ministry officials had revealed that the disease was caused by the use of arsenic, pesticide and chemical fertilizer. (Palitha Ariyawansa)

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

News, SL Media UK

Visiting Royals pay homage to Sri Dalada Maligawa (Inc. Photos)

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

The visiting princesses of Japan and Thailand paid homage to Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) in Kandy this afternoon (20) on Nikini Full Moon Poya Day. Princess Tsuguko of Takamado of the Japanese Royal Family and the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand met President Mahinda Rajapaksa prior to their visit to the Maligawa. Two separate meetings took place at the President’s House in Kandy. Just after the discussions the President and the First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa accompanied two Royals separately to pay homage to the most venerated temple in the Buddhist world. The two Royals were warmly welcomed by the Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela.

Princess Tsuguko of Takamado and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will have the opportunity to attend the final Randoli Perahera of the Sri Dalada Esala Maha Perahera tonight. The President will host two separate banquets at the President’s House in Kandy in the honour of two Royals Princesses.

Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn arrived in Sri Lanka Monday on a four-day visit at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Her visit comes at a historic time when the two countries are celebrating the 260th anniversary of the establishment of the Siam Maha Nikaya in Sri Lanka, the Bureau of the Thai Royal Household said.

Pictures are seen here Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand and Japanese Princess Tsuguko of Takamado respectively at the Temple of the Tooth today on Nikini Full Moon Poya Day.

Pix by: Sudath Silva

News, SL Media UK

President Rajapaksa participates in the Annual Kataragama Festival (Inc. Photos)

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the Kataragama sacred area last night and participated in many special religious observances and annual Kataragama perahara festival.  The President participated in religious observances at the Katharagama Kiri Vehera Rajamaha Viharaya and called on the Chief Incumbent of the Kiri Vehera and the Chancellor of the Uva University Ven. Dr. Aluthweva Soratha Thera. A pirithchanting ceremony also took place to invoke blessings on the President. Thereafter he attended a Bodhi Pooja and other religious observances at the ‘Ashta-Pala-Bodhi’.

President Rajapaksa then paid obeisance at the Ganadevi Kovil and the Kataragama Maha Devala and secured blessings. Later the President participated in the commencement of the Esala Perahera. A number of special rituals related to the historic Kataragama Esala perahara that are believed to have been performed since Great King Dutugemunu’s era took place. The President offered floral tributes to the perahara casket of relics that was carried by Vasana the tusker and secured blessings. After garlanding the casket the annual Esala Perahera of the Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya took to the streets. Meanwhile the tusks believed to be of Kandula, King Dutugemunu’s elephant were also paraded in the perahara. Chief Minister of the Uva Province and the Basnayaka Nilame (Chief Custodian) of the Kataragama Devalaya, Shashendra Rajapaksa led the Perahera. The perahara entered from the main Wahalkada of the Kataragama Devalaya and paraded the streets and reached the Walli-Amman Devalaya. After the conduct of religious rites, the Perahera then made it back to the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya. Upcountry, low country and Sabaragamuwa Dancing were among the cultural features which added colour and glamour to the perahara.

Maha Sangha headed by Venerable Dr Aluthwewa Soratha Nayaka Thero, many Parliamentarians and local politicians were present at the occasion. Thousands of devotees and local and foreign spectators flocked to Kataragama from all the corners to witness one of the country’s best-known religious pageants.

Pix By: Nalin Hewapathirana

News

ARMY DENIES INTIMIDATING MEDIA – REPORT

A Sri Lankan media rights group accused the military of intimidating journalists who reported a deadly army crackdown on villagers protesting at contaminated water supplies.

The army has been come under pressure after soldiers fired on unarmed locals on August 1 in a village outside Colombo, killing three, as they protested against a factory which they say polluted their ground water.

The Free Media Movement (FMM) said the army summoned reporters, photographers and video persons to give evidence as part of a military investigation into the incident.

“Summoning the journalists who were also badly assaulted by the army to give evidence is seen by us as further intimidation,” FMM convenor Sunil Jayasekera told AFP.

“They (the media) were asked to come to an army camp on Saturday, but they did not comply.”

Jayasekera said the rights group was willing to cooperate with a separate police investigation also under way , but not one conducted by the army considering its own soldiers were accused of wrongdoing.

“We have asked the military to tell us under what law are they summoning the journalists to army camps to give evidence.”

Military spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya denied troops were intimidating witnesses, and said they issued summonses in the interests of a fair inquiry and to corroborate evidence gathered so far.

At least 26 journalists have fled Sri Lanka in the past five years to escape threats, intimidation, violence and imprisonment, according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. At least five journalists have been killed in the same period.

Sri Lanka was ranked 162 out of 179 countries in a recent press freedom index compiled by the Paris-based Reporters without Borders. Media rights groups say journalists have been forced to self-censor their work due to fear of attacks.

Residents of Weliweriya, the village 20 kilometers (12 miles) northeast of Colombo, have also told Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Council of their fear of intimidation following army summonses to give evidence, local media reports said Sunday.

The US and the European Union have condemned the August 1 shooting and called for a speedy civilian inquiry to prosecute those responsible, AFP reports.

Source: Ada Derana (Sri Lanka)

 

Sports

NADEEKA LAKMALI QUALIFIES FOR WOMEN’S JAVELIN THROW FINALS AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sri Lanka’s Nadeeka Lakmali has qualified for the finals of the women’s javelin throw event at the 14th IAAF World Athletic Championships in Moscow with a throw of 60.39 meters today.

Lakmali has already won three gold medals so far at international events this year.

She set a new Sri Lankan record in the Javelin throw event with a distance of 60.64m, at the 20th Asian Athletics Championships held in Pune, India.

She had gained first place in all 3 stages of the Asian Athletics Grand Prix to win gold.

Source: Ada Derana (Sri Lanka)

News

Supporters of Thonda and Digambaram clash

Several individuals were injured and 14 vehicles damaged as a result of a clash between supporters of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) and the National Workers’ Union (NWU) at Commercial Junction in Kotagala yesterday (19), an election monitoring group said.

The CWC and NWU are both constituent parties of the UPFA.

Apparently, the clash had been sparked off when CWC campaign workers were having refreshments at an eatery called ‘Hillcool’, in the Dimbulapatana police area and supporters of the NWU had also gone there.

In another clash that occurred in the Hatton town, yesterday evening, Kotagala organizer of the National Workers Union (NWU) Kumar was stabbed and injured allegedly by CWC supporters, they said.

Despite the fact that the incident occurred in the Dimbulapatana police area, both intra party supporters had gone to the Hatton police station to lodge complaints against each other, the police media unit said last night.

They said that that the police had not received any information regarding anyone being injured as there had been no such complaints, but they were only informed of the clash.

MP Digambaram told media that the conduct of Minister Thondaman was reminiscence of a dictator and brought memories of Velupillai Prabhakaran, who ran his de facto state in the North sometime back.

The monitoring group said that MPs P. Digambaram and P. Rajadurai (NWU) were traveling to Hatton from Nuwara Eliya in a convoy of vehicles, when supporters of Minister Arumugam Thondaman attacked them. Director of Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), Keerthi Tennakoon told The Island that it was the most serious election related incident of violence in Nuwara Eliya.

NWU National Organsier Sridharan had told CaFFE that their Kotagala organizer, Kumar, was stabbed in Hatton Town, while he was leaving home after lodging a complaint with the police. He had been admitted to Glendon hospital, Keerthi said.

CaFFE alleged that due to the influence of Minister Thondaman, law is not properly implemented in the area.

Rajadurai, who recently resigned from the CWC, joined the NWU yesterday. With this latest clash, violent election related incidents rose to nine.

Acting Police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana also said last night that there had been a clash between the two constituent parties of UPFA and about eight vehicles, comprising two defenders and six vans of MP Thondaman had been damaged. (By Madura Ranwala)

Source: The Island (Sri Lanka)

News

Sri Lanka hand-delivers invite to Indian PM

Sri Lanka’s Foreign minister GL Peiris arrived in New Delhi on Sunday to hand-deliver a personal invitation to Dr. Manmohan Singh to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo in November, NDTV reported.

According to the report Prof. Peiris said Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse deputed him to Delhi to convey the hope that India will be represented “at the highest level” for the summit.

Just days ago, tension with Colombo peaked over its arrests of more than 100 fishermen, many of them from Tamil Nadu. Mr Peiris said that the detainees will be tried in his country for entering Sri Lankan waters.

So the Prime Minister will have to weigh the potential fallout of a trip to Colombo among political parties in Tamil Nadu, who accuse his government of not doing enough to hold Sri Lanka accountable for alleged war crimes and human rights atrocities during the final phase of the island’s civil war which ended in May 2009, with the army defeating the rebel Tamil Tigers or LTTE.

In March, the regional powerhouse DMK quit Dr Singh’s coalition. Leaders of the Tamil Nadu party said that at a session of the UN on human rights in Geneva, India had failed to indict Sri Lanka of “genocide.”

Human rights organisations and sections of the Tamil diaspora across the world have accused the Sri Lankan army of indiscriminately killing over 40,000 unarmed civilians, a charge Colombo has vehemently denied.

The Foreign Minister, however, made known his government’s resentment against what he called “excessive interest and intervention from outside” in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka. “The Tamil diaspora  has not given up on its dream of  ‘Eelam’ ( a separate state) and despite the LTTE’s military defeat, the diaspora is using its financial clout to try and isolate Sri Lanka,” Mr Peiris charged, the NDTV report said.

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

News, SL Media UK

President Rajapaksa declares open the Wahalkada at Tissamaharama Raja Maha Viharaya (Inc. Photos)

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open the Wahalkada at the Tissamaharama Raja Maha Viharaya, which was constructed in memory of their deceased parents, father D. A. Rajapaksa and mother Dandina Samarasinghe Dissanayaka, this evening on 16 August.  The President accompanied with Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa representing Rajapaksa family at the ceremony. They also engaged in performing religious observances at the Viharaya.

Chief Incumbent of the Viharaya, Venerable Dr. Devalegama Dhammasena Nayaka Thero bestowed blessings on the President and the Rajapaksa family and delivered the main sermon. The President has also presided over a ceremony to hand over certificates to those who have successfully completed courses at the Vocational Training Centre of the Raja Maha Viharaya. President Mahinda Rajapaksa also paid homage to Sri Sumedharama Piriven Viharaya in Nagarawewa, Tissapura in Hambantota. The President participated the ceremony as the Chief Guest to declare open the Bodhi Prakaraya, Shrine Room and Wahalkada at the Piriven Viharaya. The constructions have been carried out by the soldiers of the 12th Battalion of the Sri Lanka Army under the leadership of Brigadier Nandana Senadheera. After the religious observations Chief Incumbent of the Sri Sumedharama Piriven Viharaya, Venerable Panamure Sunanda Nayaka Thero bestowed blessings on the President. A large crowd flocked to the area to witness the both occasions. The President also had cordial discussions with the devotees and locals who visited the temples.

Pix By: Nalin Hewapathirana & Nishanka De Silva

UK Community News & Photos

Desmond De Silva dazzles London!

The legend celebrated his 50th Anniversary named “The Journey” to an exclusive audience at a dinner dance at the Renaissance Hotel on Saturday 3rd August and by popular demand at a concert on Sunday 4th Aug at the Crystal Club in Wembley.

From the elegant decor to the lovely 3 course menu, and wines, Guests at the dinner dance were treated to an absolutely superb evening. Desmond wowed the audience with his exclusive brand of music. The legend was celebrating his 50 th Anniversary as an Entertainer but he did not look a day older than 50 himself. Having been away from London for over 3 years guests at the dinner dance were heard to comment that Desmond voice, like a good red wine sounded better than ever and his repertoire of songs contained many new songs never heard by London audiences before.

The dance floor was always crowded as Desmond superbly supported by Exceed, gave of his best leaving his fans wanting more and more. The audience were appreciative, fun loving and joyful who were out to have a great evening and they were not disappointed …..it was an evening many will put down as a wonderful experience they would not have wanted to miss.

At the concert on Sunday Desmond was heartened to find his loyal fan base had grown to include a high number of the younger generation. They came expecting to have a good time and they were not disappointed as Desmond sang all the old favourites and some new ones too. Here too the dance floor was always crowded as the younger generation danced to the music of a legend.

Desmond De Silva, the legend can rest assured that his popularity in London has not waned but grown, and that he leaves London knowing that his brand of entertainment is in demand as there is no one who can entertain and have a wonderful rapport with an audience as he, Desmond De Silva, the living legend can deliver to his fans in London and the rest of the world. (Phyllis Van Houten)

Photos by John Pannell

News

Army report on Rathupaswala on Aug 21

The date of submission of the preliminary report of the committee appointed by Army Commander Daya Ratnayake to investigate the events that took place in Rathupaswala on August 1, has now postponed to August 21, informed sources said.

A senior officer attached to Army Headquarters said that the delay was due to the police officers who were to give who evidence before the committee being unable to do so as they had been summoned to the Gampaha courts for the post mortem examinations and to give evidence.

The committee is headed by Major General Jagath Dias, and includes Brigadiers Jayanath Jayaweera, Indunil Silva and Thilak Weerakoon. They were to have handed over their report to the army commander within two weeks.

Evidence had been given by members of the army, including Brigadier Deshapriya Gunawardene. A summary of the evidence is being prepared.
Meanwhile, army media spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya, said that the statements of members of the public would be recorded at the Weliveriya Police Station by the Army’s investigation committee over the next few days.(Indika Ramanayake)

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

Sports

Sri Lanka set to play Day-Night Test

Sri Lanka is set to play the first ever Day-Night Test Match after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) yesterday responded positively to a proposal from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play one Day Night Test Match during the upcoming series between the countries in UAE.

Sri Lanka will travel to UAE later this year and will be involved in a three Test series during the months of December and January. Responding to a query from The Island on PCB’s request, SLC Chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa sounded positive. “When Twenty-20 cricket came into the picture no one liked it but now everyone loves Twenty-20. I believe that Day Night Test cricket also has a place in the game,” Dharmadasa said yesterday.

” But one problem is that we haven’t played any Day Night cricket in the longer format of the game domestically. So our players aren’t used to it. We will speak to everyone concerned and take the right decision,” Dharmadasa added.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews too was asked for his thoughts on the matter. “It’s entirely up to the Cricket Board to decide. We are willing to play and it is up to the Board to decide whether we are going to use the white ball or the pink ball.”

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the locations earmarked to stage the Day-Night Test Match. “The venues are definitely ideal and there is no dew factor involved in December and January,” Nadeem Sarwar, the PCB spokesman was quoted as saying.

It is said that Day Night Test Matches will bring crowds back to Test cricket as well and the time slots have excited broadcasters as well.

The ICC last year approved Day Night Test Cricket, but left it to member boards to decide on the way forward.

by Rex Clementine
Source: The Island (Sri Lanka)
Sports

Sir Ian Botham to walk from North to South

No Ashes contest passes by without the memory of Sir Ian Botham. About to be sacked as captain in 1981, Botham stepped down as England skipper in humiliation after collecting a pair in the Lord’s Test with England trailing 1-0. What happened afterwards is history as playing under Mike Brearly, Botham won England the Ashes singlehandedly 3-1. Knighted in 2007, Sir Ian has stepped up to support several charitable activities including his walks across Europe for Leukemia Research.

Yesterday Sir Ian announced his latest walk from Killinochchi in the North to Seenigama in the South over eight days to support the Sri Lankan youth.

Sir Ian told the media yesterday: “It’s the toughest thing that I have agreed to do. It’s going to be 40 degrees out there. But it’s for a great cause. When I came here soon after the tsunami I was devastated. I have also seen what people have lost in the north due to the war and these things moved me to do something. It’s a tough schedule to keep up, but I am determined. Nothing is going to stop me from completing the Walk,” Sir Ian told journalists in Colombo yesterday.

Funds raised from the Walk called ‘Beefy’s Big Sri Lanka Walk 2013’ will go to the Foundation of Goodness which promotes several charities in the north and south. The charity founded by philanthropist Kushil Gunasekara is supported by several leading Sri Lankan cricketers like Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara and Chaminad Vaas.

Asked how much money he hoped to raise through his walk past several cities and villages including some of the cricket centers like Dambulla and Kandy, Sir Ian said: “If we say one million, everyone will stop with one million. We will try to raise as much as we can. We are pretty good at highway robberies you know.

I have done several tough ones. There was one walk which was 1,000 miles long. Then there was another one which was over the Alps. But, this is going to be the toughest. Everyone is welcomed to join the Walk. But if you do join us please do some training and come and be prepared.”

Sir Ian’s latest walk was in last April for Leukemia Research and it raised a total of 1,600,000 British Pound.

During each day of Sir Ian’s walk in Sri Lanka from November 1st to 9th, he will be joined by other cricket greats like Shane Warne, Michael Vaughan, Sourav Ganguly, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

by Rex Clementine
Source: The Island (Sri Lanka)

Read more :
http://www.beefysbigsrilankawalk.com/assets/1/04_Beefy_s_Big_Sri_Lanka_walk.pdf

News, SL Media UK

Pop icon Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson calls on President Rajapaksa

[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

Rajapaksa at the President’s House last evening on August 14. Jermaine is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of MP Namal Rajapaksa. When Jermaine met President Rajapaksa, he presented the President a book he wrote about his late brother Michael Jackson titled “You Are Not Alone Michael: Through a Brother’s Eyes.”

 

Jermaine Jackson (59) arrived in Sri Lanka on 12 August. On his arrival at the Katunayake airport Jermaine said that he was visiting the island at the invitation of Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa. Jermaine who was considered a confidant of his late brother Michael Jackson said he would be in the country for ‘about three days’. He mentioned that the main intention of his visit was to have a view of the present situation in Sri Lanka since the eradication of terrorism and also to look into investment opportunities in the island.

Jermaine also said that among other objectives of the visit, he would be planning a mega musical concert in the country. Speaking to media Jermaine said the group now known as the ‘Jacksons’ would be coming down to Sri Lanka in due course. “The ‘Jackson Five’ would never be the same without Michael, so it would be the ‘Jacksons’ who would be touring here.” According to reports the purpose of the star’s visit is to consider possible locations for a future concert. Jermaine was accompanied by his wife and two others.

Pix by: Sudath Silva

News

වැලිවේරිය සම්බන්ධව පැය 24 ක්‌ තුළ ජනාධිපති පොරොන්දුවක්‌ දෙන බව දන්වයි – එජාප විරෝධතා ව්‍යාපාරය ඉන්පසු නවතී

වැලිවේරිය රතුපස්‌වල පැවැති ජනතා උද්ඝෝෂණයට වෙඩි තබා සිදු කළ ඝාතනයන් සම්බන්ධව පැය 24 ක්‌ ඇතුළත ජනාධිපතිවරයාගෙන් ලිත පිළිතුරක්‌ ලබාදෙන බවට ජනාධිපති ලේකම් කාර්යාලයේ ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ සහකාර ලේකම්වරියක දුන් පොරොන්දුව මත එක්‌සත් ජාතික පක්‍ෂය ප්‍රමුඛ සමගියේ බලවේගය විසින් ඊයේ (14 දා) සවස කොටුව දුම්රියපළ ඉදිරිපිට පවත්වන ලද විරෝධතා ව්‍යාපාරය අවසන් කෙරිණි.

එක්‌සත් ජාතික පක්‍ෂය, විපක්‍ෂයේ විරෝධතා සිවිල් සංවිධාන සමඟ ඒකාබද්ධව “සමගියේ බලවේගය” ජාතික ව්‍යාපාරය විසින් අදාළ විරෝධතාව ඊයේ සංවිධානය කරන ලද්දේ රතුපස්‌වලදී සිදුකෙරුණු ඝාතනවලට විරෝධය පළකිරීම සඳහාය.

මේ සඳහා විපක්‍ෂ නායක රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ ඇතුළුව විපක්‍ෂයේ විරෝධය නියෝජනය කරනු ලබන සිරිතුංග ජයසූරිය, මනෝ ගනේෂන්, වික්‍රමබාහු කරුණාරත්න, සරත් මනමේන්ද්‍ර, එම්. සුමන්දිරන්, සිරිමසිරි හපු ආරච්චි, හේමකුමාර නානායක්‌කාර, සහ එක්‌සත් ජාතික පක්‍ෂයේ පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රීවරුන් රැසක්‌ද විවිධ සංවිධාන මෙන්ම ජනතාව විශාල පිරිසක්‌ සහභාගි වී සිටියහ.

කොළඹ කොටුව දුම්රියපළ ඉදිරියෙන් විවිධ සටන් පාඨ කියවමින් ආරම්භ වූ මෙම විරෝධතා ව්‍යාපාරය අතර තුර විපක්‍ෂ නායක රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ ඇතුළු පක්‍ෂ නායකයන් පිරිස වේදිකාවක සිට අදහස්‌ දක්‌වන ලදී.

පසුගිය කාලය තුළ වෙඩි තබා ඝාතනය කෙරුණු කටුනායක රොෂෙන් චානක, වත්තල ඇන්තනි වර්ණකුලසූරිය සහ වැලිවේරිය රතුපස්‌වල ඝාතනය කෙරුණු තිදෙනා වෙනුවෙන්ද මෙහිදී පුෂ්පෝපහාර පුදකරනු ලැබීය.

පසුව විරෝධතාකරුවන් ජනාධිපතිවරයාට ලිපියක්‌ භාර දීමට කොටුව දුම්රියපළ සිට ලෝටස්‌ පාර ඔස්‌සේ ජනාධිපති ලේකම් කාර්යාලය දක්‌වා පයින් ගමන් කළ අතර හිල්ටන් හෝටලය අසලදී පොලිසිය සහ කැරලි මර්දන ඒකකයේ නිලධාරීන් විසින් එම ගමන නවත්වන ලදී. එහිදී ඔවුන් වෙත විරෝධතා කරුවන් බිත්තර ප්‍රහාරයක්‌ද එල්ල කළහ.

ඒ අසල නවතා තිබූ පෞද්ගලික බසයක වහලය මතට එජාප පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රීවරුන් වන හරීන් ප්‍රනාන්දු, රවි කරුණානායක, අකිල විරාඡ්, හර්ෂ ද සිල්වා, එරාන් වික්‍රමරත්න, දයා ගමගේ සහ මුජිබර් රහුමාන් ඇතුළුÊපිරිසක්‌ නැග විවිධ සටන් පාඨ කියමින් උද්ඝෝෂණ කරන්නට විය.

අනතුරුව භික්‍ෂූන් වහන්සේ නමක්‌ සහ කෝට්‌ටේ හිටපු එජාප උප නගරාධිපති ඇතුළු කිහිප දෙනකු විශේෂ ලිපියක්‌ රැගෙන කැරලි මර්දන සෙබළුන් අතරින් ජනාධිපති ලේකම් කාර්යාලය වෙත ගමන් කරන ලදී.

පැය භාගයකට පමණ පසුව ඔවුන් නැවත ජනාධිපති ලේකම් කාර්යාලයෙන් පණිවුඩයක්‌ රැගෙන ආ අතර එහි ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ සහකාර ලේකම්වරියක වන සුමේධා බෙම්මුල්ල මහත්මිය විසින් ලබා දෙන ලද ඉහත ප්‍රකාශය මත විරෝධතා කරුවෝ විසිර ගියහ. (අකිත පෙරේරා)

Source: Divaina (Sri Lanka)