Feb 20 (SAMN) Concerned over the current state of the conflict in Sri Lanka the Japanese government held several rounds of high level discussions with Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa in Tokyo during the past few days. Both the Japanese Foreign Minister and senior vice Minister of Foreign Affairs met Rajapaksa Monday and exchanged views on the future of the fragile cease fire in Sri Lanka and other related issues. more..

Feb 20 (SAMN) Several members of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Monday came out strongly against reported moves by UNP dissidents to influence President Mahinda Rajapaksa to suspend or dissolve the council. They charged that certain forces advising President Rajapaksa were out to suspend the council and appoint UNPers Sirisena Cooray or Omar Kamil as special commissioner. more..

Feb 20 (SAMN) To prevent the misuse of National Identity Cards by terrorists and underworld figures, the government has taken steps to introduce a tamper proof identity card bearing the owners’ fingerprints, a top official said Monday. The project being planned by the Defence Ministry and the Institute of Technology would cost the government Rs.30 million. more..

Feb 20 (ZN) K Prabagaran of Sri Lanka defeated Simarjeet Singh of India on the 35th hole to clinch the 106th Royal Challenge All India Amateur Golf Championship, on Sunday, the grand finale of Royal Challenge Indian Golf Tour 2006-07 season. Prabagaran, down 0-1 after the first 18, started the second session in style with a birdie on the first (19th of the contest) to level the score. more..

Feb 20 (PTI) The Coast Guard today blew up an LTTE boat seized by them on February 13, at mid sea after finding that the gap between the fibre sheets of the boat was packed with gunpowder and could explode any time. Officials of Central and state agencies supervised the destruction process, a police press release said. The boat was towed by Coast Guard ship `Avvaiyar' to mid sea and blown up. more..

Feb 20 (PTI) Sri Lanka today condemned as an "abominable act of terrorism" the attack on the Lahore-bound Samjhauta Express that killed 68 people and asked the international community to deal with "this affront to civilisation resolutely." "Terrorism is a scourge that affects many nations and the international community must deal with this affront to civilization resolutely," Sri Lanka's foreign ministry said in a statement here. more..

Feb 20 (AP) Sri Lankan air force planes bombed a Tamil Tiger rebel training camp and a gun position in the north on Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said, in the latest violence to hit the country. The LTTE, however, denied any of their military assets were hit in the northern Vavuniya district, and accused the Sri Lankan air force of killing two civilians in the airstrikes. more..

Feb 20 (SAMN) In a bid to stop sea water from seeping through into the Ambatale Tank, workers attached to Water Supply and Drainage Board, Sunday piled on more sand bags at the place where the sea water meets the tank water, for the second day running. The process had to be continued today, as the water from the sea continued to seep through as the water level of the tank continued to deteriorate. more..

Feb 20 (DN) The Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry will celebrate International Women's Day on a grand scale under the guidance of Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda. The Minister will award insurance policies for self-employed women enrolled in 'Sahana', 'Thilina' and 'Isuru' pension schemes, more..

Feb 20 (DN) An underworld gangster was shot dead and another wounded in a fire fight between a police and a two member gang in the Ambalangoda town in the wee hours of yesterday. A police officer was seriously injured in the incident. According to Ariyaratne a police mobile on route patrol noticed two persons moving in suspicious manner on a motorcycle with their faces covered in black helmets. more..

Feb 20 (DM) The inquiries into the assassination of former Minister of Defence Lakshman Kadirgamar, former parliamentarians Nadarajah Raviraj, and Joseph Pararajasingham, Deputy Secretary of the Peace Secretariat K.Loganathan, media personnel Lanka Jayasundara, Sivaram ,and Sujith Lakmal, and the failed suicide attacks on Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse and the Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka have yet to be completed due to the disappearance of the main suspect. more..

Feb 20 (DM) The government will probe allegations of security force involvement in the forcible recruitment of children by the Karuna faction, Radio Singapore International (RSI) quoted UN Special Repertoire Radhika Coomaraswamy as saying. UN special envoy Allan Rock who visited Sri Lanka last November reported that both the LTTE and the Karuna group with the assistance of certain elements in the government security forces had been actively abducting children to train them as soldiers. more..

Feb 20 (GDI) The University Grants Commission (UGC) yesterday released the minimum Z-scores for selections for the university admissions based on the GCE Advanced Level examination of 2006. According to these Z-score rates qualifying students will be admitted to various courses of study in respect of each district. more..

Feb 20 (Reuters) Tigers said on Tuesday that air force jets bombed a village under their control in the island's north, killing at least two civilians, but the military said it was targeting a training camp and mortar post. The air raids in the northern district of Vavuniya came amid a brief lull in Sri Lanka's two-decade civil war, though many analysts and civilians fear the conflict will flare again soon. more..

Feb 20 (Reuters) Saudi Arabia has put the bodies of four Sri Lankans beheaded in Riyadh on display in public in an effort to deter a rising crime wave by foreigners, Saudi media reported on Tuesday. International rights groups have often accused the conservative kingdom, a key U.S. ally, of applying draconian and arbitrary justice, beheading murderers, rapists and drug traffickers in public by the sword. more..

Feb 21 (LBO) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation wants to hedge 300,000 barrels of diesel before the end of the month, but is looking for better upside protection, an official said. Last week it bought an options collar through Standard Chartered Bank giving two dollars of protection below the spot price for 150,000 barrels of diesel for three months starting at 70 dollars. more..

Feb 21 (LBO) Central Bank on Tuesday revised the requirements on single borrower limits to promote better risk management of banks. The new regulations allow individuals or single entities the ability to borrow up to 30 percent of the capital base of the bank. The single borrower limit goes up to 33 percent of the bank’s capital for group companies, more..

Feb 21 (AFP) Sri Lanka's telecom sector soared in 2006 to 7.3 million users, led by a 59 percent jump in new mobile phone connections on competition and falling call rates, the telecom watchdog said Tuesday. Despite a waiting list of around 366,000 for fixed-line phone services, the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission said mobile phones, including GSM and CDMA systems, had allowed rural residents to get phone services immediately. more..

Feb 21 (BBC) On Tuesday, the Amnesty International had appealed to the Saudi Arabia to commute all death sentences. The appeal came after the execution of four Sri Lankan nationals who were accused of armed roberry. In a statement, the International Human Rights organisation say that theye are deeply concerned at the alarming increase in the rate of executions in Saudi Arabia after four Sri Lankan men were executed. more..

Feb 21 (BBC) The main oppsosition in Sri Lanka has accepted 'full responsibility' of signing a truce with the Tamil Tigers. The UNP said then Prime Minister, Ranil Wickramasinghe, signed the ceasefire as attempts by many previous leaders failed to end the bloodshed. Wickramasinghe and LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran signed the Norwegian brokered Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) was signed on 22 February 2002. more..

Feb 21 (Times) TIMES NOW’s Sports Editor Faisal Sharif caught up with Sri Lankan vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara , who was in a mood for some frank speak. FS: How much of a chance would you give Sri Lanka of winning the World Cup? KS: A very high chance. We have the quality and the balance in bowling right now, and we have the hunger. We have tasted success having gone through a tough patch so we don't want to lose that feeling. more..

Feb 21 (LeN) Media Spokesperson of the United National Party Gayantha Karunathilake says when the opposition and the public was expecting a reply from the president to the allegations made to him by then Minister Mangala Samaraweera, the President sacked them from their portfolios using his executive powers. Addressing the media at the opposition leader's office he said that the letter sent to the president too awaits a response. more..

Feb 21 (AT) Though the University of Jaffna was opened for the academic activities on 19 February, students boycotted the lectures after learning that one Krishnar Kamalathas (24) a final year student of the Art faculty was killed in the morning of 18th at Iyathalai , Varany in the Chavakachcheri area. It is now learnt that students may participate in the lectures from the coming Thursday. more..

Feb 21 (AT) A number of impacts limit issuing of Sri Lanka Standard on locally produced fruit products; say two academics of the Department of Agribusiness management, university of Wayaba. According to their recent research findings, researchers S.Rajapaksha and U.K. Jayasingha Mudalige told the results of their research suggesting that factors such as improved technology and availability of skilled labor have the highest impact on more..

Feb 21 (ML) The Karuna group yesterday said that the Tigers were fleeing the Toppigala area, while the latter insisted that they would not give up the area that easily. Karuna Group Spokesperson Azad Moulana said that recent reports indicate that at least 300 Tigers had left the Toppigala area and reached Wanni. "They had used the jungle routes through Habarana," he said. more..

Feb 21 (ML) For more than a year now, there have been indications that the LTTE has been facing difficulty due to its inability to replenish its holdings of weapons and explosives. It has in the past used two main sources for replenishment. Firstly, seizures from the Sri Lankan armed forces during successful attacks. Its last successful encounter with the Sri Lanka Army was in October last year in the north. more..

Feb 21 (ML) Ousted Ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi have decided they will not withdraw any of the charges leveled against the state on the human rights situation in the country, it is learnt. Sources close to Samaraweera and Sooriyaarachchi said President Mahinda Rajapakse has made several overtures to the two members through various intermediaries to settle the internal crisis in government more..

Feb 21 (ML) Oral question time in parliament turned stormy yesterday with the opposition refusing to accept an answer from a non cabinet minister claiming his duties and functions were not gazetted, making it impossible for the House to accept answers offered by "irresponsible authorities." Non Cabinet Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera was shouted down by noisy UNP parliamentarians claiming more..

Feb 21 (TW) Many Tamil people living in Northern areas controlled by the LTTE are faced with the problem of increased tiger conscription. Intensified forcible recruitment since June last year has resulted in an estimated 10, 000 persons being inducted into the LTTE over the past eight months. A significant feature of this recruitment drive is that the bulk of those conscripted are over the age of seventeen. more..

Feb 21 (AT) Tamil Tiger agents are covertly targeting selected houses in Sydney and Melbourne to collect money for their “Final War” in Sri Lanka. Tamils domiciled in Sydney have been told to mortgage their houses and donate a minimum of $50,000. S. Sebasan, the propaganda secretary of the Tiger front in Victoria, who works in the Tax Department, is promoting the “Final War” campaign in 3 CR Community Radio, more..

Feb 21 (M&G) The roadblock was unexpected. Driving to Colombo along Sri Lanka’s south-west coast, we were forced on to a side street by police in Hikkaduwa, one of the island’s main tourist centres. There must have been a multiple crash, we assumed, as the detour along narrow village lanes took us past rice paddies shimmering in the afternoon sun. Back on the coast road, fleets of ambulances racing south seemed to confirm our suspicions. more..

Feb 21 (Reuters) Huddled outside a detention camp in Sri Lanka's far south, relatives of civilians held for months without charge say lives are being ruined by emergency regulations amid renewed civil war. Some with babes in arms, others carrying a few packets of biscuits for a detained husband or brother, they swelter in the burning sun. Most have travelled all night to see loved ones imprisoned for suspected links to Tamil Tiger rebels. more..

Feb 21 (LBO) Saudi Arabia has 'crucified' four Sri Lankans after beheading them, including a man who was told he was only serving a prison-term, media reports from desert kingdom said. Agency reports quoting a Saudi newspaper al-Riyadh said the four Sri Lankans were executed in a busy market square Monday and their bodies were tied to a wooden beams or 'crucified' and put on public display to be a lesson to expatriate workers. more..

Feb 21 (WB) In support of the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts to rehabilitate conflict-affected areas, the World Bank approved today a US$32 million credit to rebuild the lives of the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the Puttalam district in the north west of the island. The Puttalam Housing Project will meet the housing needs, provide safe drinking water, sanitation, more..

Feb 21 (LBO) Every attempt is being made to bring the new companies act into effect from next financial year starting from April 02 making it easier to set up and operate firms, an official said. An advisory committee charged with giving effect to the act met this week to iron out remaining stumbling blocks. more..

Feb 21 (LBO) The crossing of a slice of National Development Bank to a foreign buyer boosted volumes at the Colombo bourse Wednesday, dealers said. The 8.17 million share tranche worth 1.7 billion rupees was believed to have been bought by a fund connected to foreign investor Raj Rajaratnam, with Goldquest selling down its stake further. more..

Feb 21 (LT) According to information divulged by arrested Sinhalese tigers there are Sinhala women tigers who had undergone training in tiger camps. Secretary of Ministry of Defense Gotabhaya Rajapakse says investigations are being carried out to locate the Sinhalese women tigers and soon they would be apprehended. more..

Feb 21 (LT) If the ceasefire agreement is not abrogated in due time President Mahinda Rajapakse would be branded as a traitor in history says Ven. Kalawalgoda Chandaloka Thera, National Organizer of National Bhikku Front. Ven. Chandaloka Thera said Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe has already become a traitor by signing the CFA. more..

Feb 21 (GDI) The President urges the Tamil speaking doctors to voluntarily work in Government Hospitals in the North and East. The President stressed the necessity of more qualified doctors to occupy in East and North hospitals as the government is planning to expand and upgrade the health facilities in above parts of the country in response to the high demand of health services. more..

Feb 21 (GDI) Huge crowds have attended the ‘Maha Shivarathree’ celebrations at the Ponnalai Naguleshwaram kovil in Jaffna on last Friday, 16 February, information from civilians and Army reveals. Ponnalai Naguleshwaram kovil in Jaffna is a Hindu religious arena, which is even popular in India. Thousands of mass is recorded to be presented at the special pooja ceremonies held to mark the ‘Maha Sivarathree’. more..

Feb 21 (GDI) A claymore triggered by the LTTE targeting an Army vehicle kills an eight year old child in Jaffna. On Saturday (17) an LTTE claymore mine exploded attacking an Army vehicle at old gardens road in Jaffna city killing eight-year old Mohan Kapilan who was walking with his parents passing the fateful place. more..

Feb 21 (GDI) Tamil civilians flee LTTE held areas to save their childrern from forced conscription and to escape from the LTTE tyranny. dAround 25 civilians fleeing the LTTE grip in uncleared areas have reached Security Forces controlled area of Nochchikulam, Vavuniya yesterday morning, the Media Centre for the National Security said. more..

Feb 21 (GDI) President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday stressed the importance of expediting agricultural development as per the 10-year development plan of the Government. President Rajapaksa made this observation at the fifth session of the Economic Council convened by him to get expert advice on economic matters. more..

Feb 21 (GDI) Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso announced the 38th Yen loan package amounting to 39.2 billion Japanese Yen (around Rs. 40 billion) offered by the Japanese government to Sri lanka during his meeting with President’s Senior Advisor Basil Rajapaksa on Monday in Tokyo. Rajapaksa is on a visit to Japan on the Japanese Government’s invitation. more..

Feb 21 (AT) The future of Sri Lanka has to be decided by the people of Sri Lanka and by its leaders and not by Norway or any other Party. While a section of the Buddhist clergies are conducting Satyagraha urging the Sri Lanka Government to abrogate the Ceasefire Agreement entered between the Sri Lanka Government and the LTTE on 22 February 2002, more..

Feb 21 (AT) Confidante of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and a man who is considered to be the go between for all written and unwritten agreements between his leader and LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena said his party and leader take the full responsibility of the controversial Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) and vowed to further protect it. more..

Feb 21 (ANN) Sri Lanka's secessionist group Tamil Tigers' attempt to procure a large consignment of urgently needed arms, ammunition and equipment, from one of Sri Lanka’s key weapons suppliers went awry recently. The list is believed to have included a stock of artillery shells and mortars. Authorities had acted swiftly after receiving information on the move. more..

Feb 21 (LNP) The government told parliament yesterday there was no basis to allegations by ousted minister Sripathi Sooriyarachchi of secret deals with the LTTE while Mr. Sooriayarachchi who was in the House at that stage remained silent though he last week said he would soon give details of the alleged deals. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake in response to questions said he could not submit any report to parliament on the allegations as there were no such deals. more..

Feb 21 (LNP) An anti-LTTE organization, identifying itself as the People`s Liberation Front, killed three Tamil civilians, for collecting taxes for the LTTE, in Vavuniya on Monday. The three had been hacked do death and left near the Bandarikulam Hindu kovil. A large banner was hung over their bodies saying that those who collect taxes for the LTTE, in Vavuniya, would be killed in the same manner. more..

Feb 21 (LNP) SLFP Treasurer and Matara District Parliamentarian, Mangala Samaraweera has requested the Chief Government Whip, Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle to notify him of any future Government Parliamentary Group Meetings or discussions. In a letter, the MP has complained that no action had been taken to duly inform him of the Government Parliamentary Group meeting that took place on - (19 ? 02 - 2007) and more..