Jun 13 (CI) Sri Lanka survived a shocking mid-innings slump and a threatening 66-run partnership between Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq to ease to a 19-run win in their first game of the Super Eights at Lord's. Chasing a modest 151 - after Sri Lanka were shackled by some superb bowling from the spinners - Pakistan's fight was led by their captain, who made a well-paced 50, but three wickets in eight balls, including those of Younis and Shahid Afridi, sunk the chase. more..

Jun 13 (Hindu) President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa escaped “by a whisker” at least three assassination attempts by LTTE suicide squads, thanks to “tightened security arrangements”, said the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) on Friday. In a report posted on its website, the Army said the information came to light in the course of a court inquiry into the Wellawatte (Tamil dominated area in Colombo) suicide bomber’s death. more..

Jun 13 (CI) Pakistan could have been undone by several factors beyond their control at Lord's - an unfavourable D/L situation, a blitz from Sanath Jayasuriya, or a mesmeric spell from Muttiah Muralitharan for instance. But the weather was fair, Jayasuriya fell for 26 and Murali took only 2 for 28. Instead, their defeat was down to issues within their grasp: wayward bowling - Sohail Tanvir was the most culpable - and their notoriously slack fielding, both facets vital to Twenty20s. more..

Jun 13 (CI) The last time these two nations met on a cricket field, Sri Lanka left by helicopter gunship. A scenic bus journey through the tree-lined streets of St John's Wood on Friday no doubt served as a contrasting - and, perhaps, cathartic - experience for those concerned, but the preceding three hours at Lord's proved, in pure cricketing terms, just how little had changed for Sri Lanka in the intervening three months. more..

Jun 13 (LG) It was not only in the recent war theater that the British Government and British authorities opposed Sri Lanka and made every effort to undermine the legitimate aspirations of Sri Lankan masses. When the people’s resurgence took place in the 1950s, shattering Britain’s hidden objectives of remote controlling Sri Lankan affairs through their proxies differing only in the colour of skin, Britain had been hostile to Sri Lanka whenever it became possible. more..

Jun 13 (AT) Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Army – Major General G.A. Chandrasiri who is also the Competent Authority, Northern Region, for the Resettlement of IDPs in a candid discussion on the prevailing situation in the relief villages set up to accommodate IDPs said that assistance from the public has been tremendous with both public and private sector, social service and non-governmental organsiations and individuals across the country more..

Jun 13 (SLW) The Southeast Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute (SEARSOLIN) of the College of Agriculture of Xavier University in the Philippines trains every year rural social workers to promote sustainable development through leadership formation from the grass roots in South, Southeast and East Asia as well as from some countries in Africa and the Pacific Island nations. more..

Jun 13 (Hindu) A mechanism should be evolved to monitor the financial assistance provided by the Centre to the Sri Lankan government for rehabilitating Tamils, said D. Raja, Communist Party of India national secretary, here on Friday. Mr. Raja said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced that Rs. 500 crore would be provided to the Sri Lankan government to help rehabilitate the Tamil civilians in the post-war scenario. more..

Jun 13 (SLW) Whoever shows interests in working in Wanni or any institution or organization committed to this task must give serious consideration to the scourge of landmine blasts, an evil reality of the war that has just come to an end; hopefully peace will be sustained. The primary immediate factors are the return of the Wanni families to their homes, farms and the activities of the community as early as possible. more..

Jun 13 (AT) The world has seen civil wars, revolutions, coups, insurrections, global wars and now terrorism. All throughout civilians have been affected in some way or the other. What makes modern terrorism more lethal than the varying types of conflicts we have faced historically is that terrorism is almost invisible and the terrorist without the gun becomes more dangerous than the terrorist holding the gun. more..

Jun 13 (AT) Sri Lanka Government’s efforts to reconcile, rehabilitate and reconstruct is going on apace in the Vavuniya district, as the IDPs settle down to a normal life, albeit with some difficulties and shortcomings, considering that more than 223,000 persons are provided accommodation, healthcare and education, in addition to every of their need met as far as possible, day in day out. more..

Jun 13 (AT) Patricia Butenis’ role as American ambassador in Bangladesh during her 14-month tenure in 2006/07 provoked widespread controversies and questions about diplomatic propriety. Nevertheless, she continued to be outspoken. Sensing the outrage in many quarters in Bangladesh she however said 'Many may be annoyed by what I am doing or saying, but I shall carry on, as whatever I am doing is for democracy in Bangladesh.' more..

Jun 13 (AT) The warning about the risk of triumphalism came days before the 65th anniversary celebration of D Day, by the leaders of the US, UK and France. In the USA there are annual re-enactments of the battles of the American Revolution – the War of Independence against Britain —and of the Civil War against the Secessionist Confederacy. While the risk of triumphalism does indeed exist and must be cautioned against, more..

Jun 13 (AFP) A British Tamil leader convicted of supplying bomb-making equipment to Tamil Tiger rebels was jailed for two years by a court in London Friday, but the judge described him as a "thoroughly decent man." The judge said Arunachalam Chrishanthakumar -- also known as "Shantan" -- had broken the law for a cause he passionately believed in, supplying equipment which he did not necessarily know would be used for military purposes. more..

Jun 13 (TC) In the beginning, the Rajapakse government characterized its war against the LTTE as part of the global war on terrorism. In the middle, and muddle, it became the war to liberate the Tamil civilians from the clutches of the LTTE. In the end, the war morphed into a despotic assertion of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty against Western interference. In the aftermath of the war, the plight of the Tamil civilians in the Vanni has not improved in spite of their liberation, and more..

Jun 13 (wsws) The Sri Lankan government is continuing to detain and interrogate three doctors—Dr Thurairajah Varatharajah, Dr Thangamuttu Sathyamurthi and Dr V. Shanmugarajah—who risked their lives to provide medical care to thousands of Tamil civilians caught in fighting between the army and the separatist LTTE. With journalists and most aid workers barred from the war zone, the government-appointed medical officers provided a glimpse into the horrific conditions facing more..

Jun 13 (GV) Jagath Weerasinghe is one of Sri Lanka best known and most influential artists (see bio here). He was commissioned by the Sri Lankan government to design the monument ‘Shrine for the Innocent’ as a remembrance for the innocent victims of the ruthless violence that the southern part of the country experienced in the late 1980s and early 1990s and was completed in 1999. more..

Jun 13 (GV) The warning about the risk of triumphalism came days before the 65th anniversary celebration of D Day, by the leaders of the US, UK and France. In the USA there are annual re-enactments of the battles of the American Revolution – the War of Independence against Britain —and of the Civil War against the Secessionist Confederacy. While the risk of triumphalism does indeed exist and must be cautioned against, more..

Jun 13 (GDI) Jun 19 has been declared as the ‘official cleaning day’. However, it’s not just to stop, start with the papers on the floor and, then, on the papers on your desk sort of another humdrum task. Launching an ardent campaign to take hold of the deadly dengue mosquito, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) expects office workers to go a bit further. This time CMC expects them to start with the garbage and proceed towards litter strewn gardens. more..

Jun 13 (GDI) Tangalle Tsunami Warning Towers (TTWT) project has been completed recently. TTWT is expected to monitor seismological and tidal stations to evaluate potentially tsunami-genic earthquakes and disseminating tsunami warning information. Located in Tangalle, TTWT would provide tsunami warning information to the public and other relevant authorities. TTWT has been implemented by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Sri Lanka. more..

Jun 13 (GDI) Each individual has his right to own land, enjoy ownership and the economic benefits that flow from it. Such rights are constantly respected by the SL government. And, it’s high time that the estate worker break the mindset of living in estate owned land forever, Plantation Industries Minister D. M. Jayaratna said. The Minister was addressing a land distribution ceremony handing over more..

Jun 13 (GDI) Sri Lankan farmers will be provided with opportunities to improve their agricultural expertise while working with diverse agricultural groups giving them much exposure to new developments in the sector, Agriculture Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara said initiating a farmer exchange program between Sri Lanka and Israel. Agritech Israel 2009 served as a platform to bring together more than 7,000 foreign visitors more..

Jun 13 (GDI) Many ambitious youth were promised non-existent jobs in Libya on payment of large sums of money as deposits. Hundreds of such job seekers have already been duped in an alleged job scam, according to Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment authorities. They claim that they received complains from a large number of youth who handed over big cash deposits to such crooks. more..

Jun 13 (NST) The number of internally-displaced people in Sri Lanka is increasing every day. Mercy Malaysia president Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood said in March, Mercy Malaysia had deployed a two-member team to the country to establish a working relationship and conduct an assessment. An assessment carried out at Menik Farm located in the Cheddikulam District registered more than 270,000 internally-displaced people. more..

Jun 13 (LG) The real victims of the war that ravaged in the country are/were the innocent civilians of all communities. Whatever the political solution if given will only benefit few people who will come to power and not the civilians in the north and east. In my belief the government could get extensive support and participation of the private sector and the private individuals to expediently bring the normalcy to the civilians in the NE who had suffered immensely. more..

Jun 13 (LG) We have seen recent news reports that a section of New Zealand Tamils supporting the international terrorist organization LTTE has suggested that the New Zealand Government should cancel the Black Caps’ Sri Lankan cricket tour and should also boycott Sri Lankan goods as a retaliation for defeating terrorism within Sri Lanka in the recently concluded war. more..

Jun 13 (LG) It gives me great pleasure to welcome all of you – representatives of every community, faith, profession and age, citizens of friendly state. Today the Russian Federation celebrates its National Day. During many centuries of its history the Russian nation passed various stages: from ancient clan community to feudal and then bourgeois state, great empire, three revolutions, civil war, totalitarian regime and Soviet style society. more..

Jun 13 (LP) The UAV (Unmanned Ariel Vehicle) of the Sri Lanka Air Force will be used to safeguard the coastal line and for other security purposes of the country said Air Force Commander Chief Air Marshal Roshan Gunathilake. Accordingly the UAV will be used to inform the public about the traffic jams and diversions which will be implemented in the future said the Air Force Commander. more..

Jun 13 (LP) More than 12 youngsters, subjected to LTTE extortions and death threats in Norway, were to seek an urgent meeting with Norway's Director of Police Ingelin Killengren since the Norwegian Police have so far failed to take LTTE threats and atrocities with deserving seriousness. The disclosure on Norwegian National Television (NRK) on Wednesday came in the wake of an interview given by the Oslo-based Tamil journalist, Nadaraja Sethurupan, who more..

Jun 13 (LeN) The politburo of the UNP rejected leader Ranil Wickramasinghe’s proposal to form an alliance of political parties led by UNP. The blueprint submitted by UNP General Secretary Thissa Aththanayaka proposed to evelop Platform for Freedom as a political alliance. UNP National Organizer S. B. Disanayaka said after peruse the document that it was an alliance in which Mangala Samaraweera was the secretary and protested it but still emphasized the need of an alliance. more..

Jun 13 (PISL) Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, in his capacity as Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, spoke on behalf of Sri Lanka in the General Debate on the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva today. His statement is carried in full below. Sri Lanka wishes, Mr President, to express its appreciation of the UPR process, both as it has been conducted under your leadership this year, and in general. more..

Jun 13 (PISL) Responding to an intervention by United Nations Watch in the General Debate on the Universal Periodic Review Process in Geneva today, Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights Prof Rajiva Wijesinha commented on the dangers of allowing unaccountable organisations to denigrate the work of the Human Rights Council. His remarks are carried below. more..

Jun 13 (PISL) The saddest aspect of the war of attrition that some prospective donors are conducting against the Sri Lankan government is that its main victims will be the poor civilians who were rescued from the Tigers. It will be remembered that their prolonged captivity was also due in part to the connivance of some Western interventionists in the Tiger strategy of dragging them along with the terrorist forces as they retreated. more..

Jun 13 (LNP) NDB Bank has pledged nearly Rs.9 million to the University of Moratuwa to sponsor Sri Lanka`s first endowed Professor/Senior Fellow in Entrepreneurship. NDB Bank believes an entrepreneurial culture is essential for sustainable development of the country, said the Chief Executive Officer of NDB Bank, Eran Wickramarathne after signing an MoU at the Cinnamon Grand yesterday. more..

Jun 13 (MoD) Terrorists of all countries start their operations against the democratic state by killing police personnel. The LTTE terrorists who have been completely defeated by Armed Forces started their campaign of terror by killing four members of the Police Force at Velvettithurai Road in Point Pedro in 1984. Yet the Special Task of the Police Force had proved that they were capable of instilling more..

Jun 13 (MoD) As the world is abuzz with the resounding triumphs of current military maneuvers against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and allegations against the Sri Lankan Government and its Armed Forces for 'violations of human rights,' Nilakshi Gunatillake speaks to officers of the Armed Forces and all underscore that Professionalism as the key to the colossal wins.... more..

Jun 13 (MoD) Troops conducting search and clear operations in the Wanni areas on Friday (12) uncovered some more LTTE weapons, ammunition and explosives from different locations in Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi and Vavuniya. Sixteen Light Machine Guns (LMG), forty-eight T - 56 weapons, four T - 81 weapons, one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG), one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG), three pistols, one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), seven RPG bombs, more..

Jun 13 (CT) The UNP has proposed that all citizens should get together to create a united Sri Lankan nation. A special proposal adopted by the party says time has come for the unity and the progress of the nation of one identity. Echoing the sentiments expressed by the Right Hon. D.S. Senanayake, who founded the party in 1946, the UNP says this Sri Lankan nation should respect and protect the different religions, languages and cultures of all citizens. more..

Jun 13 (CT) Senior SP Ravi Vaidyalankara has been appointed director of the CID. A past pupil of Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, he is a law graduate. SSP Vaidyalankara is a recipient of specialist intelligence training in the US, Britain and India. A senior officer of the CID, he had led several high profile cases including the attack on the air force camp in Katunayake and the attempt on the life of the Army Commander. more..

Jun 13 (CT) The Department of Immigration and Emigration says there are around 30,000 foreigners staying in the country without valid visas. Most of them have been staying on tourist visas, normally granted for nationals of 84 countries for a 30-day period on arrival at the airport, Department sources said. Most of these foreigners staying illegally are Indians, Pakistanis and Chinese, who are engaged in various professions. more..

Jun 13 (AT) India's new Foreign Minister S.M.Krishna has reportedly turned down a request from Tamil National Alliance delegation led by R.Sampanthan to urge Colombo to stop the restoration of military camps in the North, and to merge the Northern and Eastern Provinces of the island nation, reports from New Delhi said. Sampanthan had told Krishna that Colombo was in the process of setting up military camps in the North and more..

Jun 13 (DN) What Emile Zola in his short story 'For a Night of Love' conveys matters not in appreciation of Sanath Gunatilake's Ekamath Eka Rateka as a movie. What inspired him is Zola's short story and what inspirited the filmgoer is Sanath's cinematic work. What the film reflects in its subtle refined cinematic language is an intrinsic conflict between love and affection. more..

Jun 13 (DN) Being one of the small luxury hotels in the world, the secret to Jetwing's 'Vil Uyana' is definitely its vibrant and astounding wildlife. Tucked comfortably just a few kilometres from the 'World's 8th Wonder' Sigiriya's Lion rock fortress, 'Vil Uyana' is one of the world's first hotels to construct a wetland system to create its very own nature reserve. Nearly 30 species of birds of which 16 are endemic and about 40 species of dragonflies and butterflies call 'Vil Uyana' home. more..

Jun 13 (DN) Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament yesterday that over one million hydrophobia (rabies) cases have been reported during the past four years and 235 patients had died from the disease. The Minister said 380,662 patients had been reported in 2005, 351,092 in 2006, 274,000 in 2007 and 176,000 in 2008. According to the Minister 58 patients had died in 2005, 73 in 2006, 56 in 2007 and 51 patients in 2008. more..

Jun 13 (DN) The mechanism of conducting school term tests and year-end tests, which was introduced by the Education Ministry last year has come to a halt by now. Under that system the question papers were prepared for the whole country by the Education Ministry. The Education Ministry commenced carrying out the term tests last year considering weaknesses that prevailed in the then term test system. more..

Jun 13 (Island) Former interpreter for the LTTE, George Master yesterday gave a long, confidential statement to Court. George Master, born Velupillai Kumar Pancharathnam, was produced before Courts yesterday morning by the Criminal Investigation Department and sought permission to make a confidential statement. On being granted permission he made a three-hour-long statement in Colombo Chief Magistrate Nishantha Hapuarachchi’s office. more..

Jun 13 (Island) In the absence of an independent Police Commission, law enforcement has been further politicized, as seen by recent promotions granted to certain officers, the UNP alleged yesterday. UNP MP, Lakshman Kirialle said that promotions and transfers of policemen, other than the IGP, have to be effected by the Police Commission in terms of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, but President Mahinda Rajapaksa was deliberately delaying constituting the Constitutional Council, more..

Jun 13 (Island) President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been abroad on 18 times from his induction in November 2005 upto September 2008 and his tours had cost country Rs 209,391,756, Parliament was told yesterday in an answer tabled by Chief Government Whip Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to a question raised by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake. more..