WHAT'S HOT IN SRI LANKA

Unregulated financial firms still in Business

2009-06-16 | 9.05 PM

Despite thousands of depositors losing out a large number of smaller unregulated financial firms are still in business.

According to the Government Sri Lanka has about two thousand unregulated finance companies.

Mixed Reactions to President from Burma

2009-06-16 | 2.45 PM

Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajapakse who is in Burma with parliamentarians Wimal weeravansa ,Mervin Silva and Rohitha Bogollagama has been receiving mixed reactions.

According to the Irrawaddy on line edition inside sources in Burma said that Burmese military leaders who recently launched a military offensive against Karen rebels in eastern Burma were impressed by Mahindra Rajapakse’s military strategy used against the Tamil Tigers.

Rudra to explore Transnational Government for Tamils

2009-06-16 | 2.45 PM

The International chief of the LTTE has announced that process to establish a "transnational government." Is on the move, reported AFP.

Selvarasa Pathmanathan, popularly known as KP said in a recorded message said that "The struggle of people of Tamil Eelam (the separate state the Tigers fought for) has reached a new state," and "It is time now for us to move forward with our political vision towards our freedom."

The new set up has been called a "Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam."

Beijing’s Growing Foothold in the Indian Ocean

2009-06-16 | 2.45 PM

The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government have received praise and accolades from several quarters after their triumph last month over the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). The total annihilation of this separatist group brought an end to a civil war that has lasted over two decades. The long civil war resulted in the deaths of 80,000 to 100,000 people and over 300,000 displaced (Indian Express, May 30; Internal-displacement.org, June 4). The Sri Lankan victory over the LTTE was made possible by military support from a number of countries who supplied weapons and platforms, training, intelligence and guidance to the Sri Lankan armed forces.

Jaffna residents speak out over increasing military repression

2009-06-16 | 2.45 PM

Jaffna residents in Sri Lanka’s north spoke with the WSWS last week over continuing military repression and the ongoing detention of more than 300,000 Tamils in the Vavuniya internment camps. Many had relatives or friends who were either killed or injured in the fighting between the Sri Lankan army and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) or who are now being held in detention camps.

An unpublished UN report estimates that about 7,000 innocent men, women and children were killed and tens of thousands wounded after being trapped between Sri Lankan military and LTTE forces. The Sri Lankan military showered the so-called “no fire zone” with artillery shells and gunfire during the last weeks of fighting.

Five Sri Lankan journalists in death list

2009-06-16 | 2.45 PM

Number of web sites have exposed a plan to kill five leading journalists covering defense related issues in Sri Lanka. MFSL sources as well as some of the journalists named in the websites, confirmed the news stories as credible.

On 12th June, Asiantribune.com, which has a pro SL government editorial line reported that “according to an alleged confession of a personal security officer, himself a Naval officer, of a very ‘high ranking’ Naval officer,” five journalists are reported to be under threat for reportage during war times. The web site named Ruwan Weerakone, correspondent for Asian Tribune and the Bottom Line newspaper, Prasanna Fonseka – formerly of Lake House and currently with Siyatha newspaper, Tissa

What is Sri Lanka hiding?

2009-06-15 | 10.45 PM

A canadiian coluamist , Lorrie Goldsein has brought a fresh perspective into the Bob Rad deportation- Here is the comment published on Edmonton Sun.

Here is Lorrie Goldsein,

A super Military

2009-06-15 | 9.15 PM

Sri Lanka is on its way to powerful military structure say defence analyst.

According to a new bill presented to parliament by the Prime Minister the newly designed post of “Chief of Defence Staff” will be responsible for the Co-ordination of activities between the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence and the establishment of a powerful defence Committee.

Pressure to implement devolution as promised
Dr VICKRAMABAHU KARUNARATNE Writes

2009-06-15 | 9.15 PM

Internationally, the presence of the old Left (Ministers Dew and Tissa with Vasu) in the government is very useful to Mahinda Rajano. In fact, in the UN Human Rights Council debate, the fact that the government document stood for devolution as a solution to the Tamil national problem helped the government immensely to get the votes of countries such as Cuba. Having won the battle in Geneva now Maha Rajano is facing the wrath of his ‘neo barbaric’ colleagues such as Gunadasa Amarasekara. Gune has said in a press conference that the promise to implement devolution with land and police powers should not have been included in the document placed by the government for the Geneva debate.

“Living” off Internally Displaced People – The Sri Lankan Way

2009-06-15 | 2.30 PM

End of last week, Mr.Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the visionary Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka declared that foreign reserves in the country are “picking up”. He said, “Foreign reserves have picked up in the past several weeks, with money coming from aid flows in remittances and foreign investments. That is to meet the humanitarian needs of nearly 300,000 displaced people in the north”. What a statement?

Diplomacy Defeated

2009-06-15 | 12.05 PM

The foreign Ministry and Defence Ministry have adopted different approaches in deporting the Canadian parliamentarian says the political columnist of Sunday times.

Robert Keith "Bob" Rae, PC, MP for Toronto who was on private visit was deported soon as he landed at katunayaka.

Lanka looks for KP

2009-06-15 | 12.05 PM

LTTEs fugitive leader K Padmanathan’s , details have been widely circulated among other countries says the foreign Minister

“In terms of world opinion and also in relation to how we could counter LTTE terror network forces, there are still some elements at large,” Mr Bogollagama told the media

Former CJ’s Mate in hot water

2009-06-15 | 12.05 PM

A close associate of former chief justice Sarath N silva is drifting in to trouble territories.

Chandra jayatilaka who served as the secretary to the judicial services commission is planning to vacate his post, say informed sources.

TNA crossovers likely

2009-06-15 | 12.05 PM

Several TNA members including parlimentarieans are to crossover to the government

Wanni district TNA Parliamentarian Sivanathan Kishore, who abstained from voting against the extension of the state of emergency is top on the list.

The disappeared

2009-06-14 | 8.40 PM

Murdered, missing, imprisoned in camps...The guns may be silent in Sri Lanka for the first time in 26 years, but the price of peace for the innocent Tamils caught up in the fighting could not be higher ... Dan McDougall travels from the Tamils' UK protest in Parliament Square to the killing fields of Sri Lanka

A foul-smelling monsoon closes in from the north, carrying dark clouds of ash from the Hindu funeral pyres burning along the "Highway for Peace and Unity". At the roadside, translucent glasswing butterflies flutter and dance in the charred iron shell of an old British Leyland bus, its undercarriage ripped apart and shredded like paper by a Claymore landmine.

President takes wings frequently

2009-06-13 | 2.40 PM

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been a frequent flyer
The details were disclosed by Chief Government Whip, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

Rajapaksha has visited 14 countries within the last eighteen months.

Salwar kameez-clad MP put out of parliament.

2009-06-13 | 2.40 PM

TNA parliamentarian from Batticaloa Ms Thangeswary Kathiraman had to leave parliament for violating the dress code of the house.

She was dressed in a salwar Kameez.

According to Sri Lankan Parliamentary dress code, women parliamentarians have to wear saree while inside the Chamber of the House.

IDP camps "national disgrace"-HRW

2009-06-13 | 12.05 PM

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the IDP camps were a "national disgrace”.

"For more than a year, the Sri Lankan government has detained virtually everyone, including entire families, displaced by the fighting in the north in military-run camps, in violation of international law," the group said.

Shanthan jailed for Two Years

2009-06-13 | 12.05 PM

Arunchalam Chrishanthakumar popularly known as Shanthan by the London Tamil community was convicted by a jury at Kingston Crown Court of receiving electrical components for terrorism and a second count of receiving documents for terrorism.

These included guides to underwater warfare systems, explosive ordnance disposal and mine clearance.

Shanthan was given a shopping list of goods to send to Sri Lanka by the LTTE.

IDPs in the North – Citizens of Another Country

2009-06-12 | 10.15 PM

It was only a few days ago, the outgoing Chief Justice, Sarath N.de Silva stated that Vanni IDPs live under appalling conditions. This was already reported in Lanka News Web. He further said, “I openly say this. The authorities can penalize me for telling this.” Our learned readers, we are certain will understand the underlying truth of the above statement. The Chief of the Judiciary of Sri Lanka is afraid of getting “penalized” for telling the truth. What a vibrant democracy, Sri Lanka is? It is well known that nearly 300,000 Internally Displaced People of the North are living under below-minimal conditions and many who have visited the “welfare” camps have stated that the conditions are not suitable for human living.

Prabhakaran self-centredness caused LTTE’s defeat

2009-06-12 | 10.15 PM

LTTE Supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran’s “self-centred leadership” was his “most foolish mistake”, which may have been instrumental in the defeat of the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict, an article said on Friday.

“Prabhakaran’s monumental and self-centred leadership style did not permit the freedom of speech within the outfit which was thought to be his most foolish mistake in his decision-making process,” it said.

Lankan troops recover over 1.5 million landmines in North

2009-06-12 | 10.15 PM

Sri Lankan troops have so far recovered over 1.5 million landmines from the region captured from the LTTE and have expedited the process of demining the areas to facilitate the early resettlement of displaced civilians in the northern region.

The army has launched massive searches to recover the weapons of LTTE, especially claymore mines and other destructive explosives, in the northern areas.

Dayan Jayatilleka commends China

2009-06-12 | 10.15 PM

Speaking at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday, 11th June, during the consideration of China’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report, Ambassador Dayan Jayatilleka made the following statement:
Thank you, Mr. President.

Sri Lanka welcomes the remarks of His Excellency Ambassador Li Baodong, this morning and his continuous role in striving for harmony, balance and fair-play in the Human Rights Council.

Too much celebrations are a prescription for renewed rebellion!

2009-06-12 | 2.45 PM

THE defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam by the Sri Lankan army should be cause for almost universal celebration—whatever its manner. The foreign governments that had banned the Tigers as terrorists and from whose Tamil minorities some of the Tigers’ funds had been extorted are glad to see them beaten. So too are Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese majority, after a 26-year civil war. But Sri Lankan Tamils should also rejoice. They had borne the brunt of the Tigers’ ruthless silencing of dissenting voices, of their pressganging of children and of the bloody consequences of their refusal to countenance any achievable political settlement. Yet the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa is making even moderate Tamils at home and overseas feel its victory as their defeat.

5000 LTTE fighters surrender in 3 weeks

2009-06-12 | 2.45 PM

More than 5000 LTTE fighters and sympathisers hiding among refugees have surrendered in the last three weeks.

Among those who surrendered were LTTE fighters who escaped the ‘no fire zone’ in the middle of May and moved to government-run camps, the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC) said in its latest report. They are currently being held in detention and rehabilitation centres.

Devolution the only way

2009-06-12 | 2.45 PM

The battle for the control of territory between the armed forces of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam has come to an end with virtually the entire leadership of the Tigers, including Prabhakaran, being killed. The victory represents an end to a fratricidal ethnic conflict, which brought about death, destruction and untold suffering to thousands of people, which include Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims. The war has ended, but the immediate task, equally important, is to win peace.

Female suicide bombers: Tamil Tiger teenage girl led the way

2009-06-12 | 2.45 PM

The sudden emergence of female suicide bombers in Iraq in 2007 shocked a country already inured to violence. From late 2007 to late 2008 there were 33 female suicide bombings. In the four preceding years there had been only two or three. But Iraq was not the first conflict to generate women desperate enough to sacrifice themselves.

TNA on Firing line

2009-06-11 | 8.00 PM

Four TNA MPs may have to leave parliament if speaker WJM Lokubandara refuses to grant leave of absence on Friday.

Informed sources say that the TNA parlimenterians are abroad and finding it difficult to return.

Canada displeased with Lanka

2009-06-11 | 11.30 AM

The Canadian government is angry on deportation of Canadian parliamentarian Bob Rae.

Senior parliamentarian Bob Roe was detained after flying into Colombo and put back on the next available flight to Canada.

Government on LTTE Funding Trail

2009-06-11 | 11.30 AM

Sri Lankan officials are on the trail of LTTE funding says the wall street Journal.

Sri Lankan officials have been sifting through computer files, business cards and daily schedules taken from Tamil Tiger offices in the country's north during this year's military offensive says Peter Woncot of wall Street Journal.

Diplomatic Concoction – The Truth is Now Revealed

2009-06-10 | 12.05 PM

“Lanka News Web” exclusively reported a news item on the 29th May 2009 revealing the diplomatic bungles made by a Sri Lankan Ambassador and a Minister by fabricating a story of an “Israeli Proposal” to send an UN and WHO delegation to investigate the conduct of Sri Lankan security forces during the recently concluded offensive against the LTTE, at the WHO forum in Geneva. The news of such an Israeli proposal was given top priority in at least two national newspapers at that time.

Pakistan officials in trouble on SL cricket attack

2009-06-10 | 12.05 PM

Criminal proceedings against all those security officials who showed incompetence and negligence when the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked has been recommended by a parliamentary committee.

The Interior Ministry has been requested to speed up their investigations to arrest all involved in the attack.

Show courage-Indian PM tells Lanka

2009-06-10 | 12.05 PM

The Indian Prime Minister said that its time for Sri Lanka to show courage in meeting the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil community.

He said that the Tamil problem as "larger than that of the LTTE".

“We hope Sri Lanka will show imagination and courage in meeting the legitimate concerns and aspirations of Tamil people to live their lives as equal citizens and with dignity and self-respect," said Prme minister Manmohan Singh addressing the Lok Sabha.

Tamils Diaspora to push for a two state solution

2009-06-10 | 12.05 PM

The Tamil Diaspora is actively strategizing for its next move.

According to the Diaspora organization Tamils for Obama a Two stare solution is top on the agenda.

Sri Lankan envoy presents credentials to President of Portugal

2009-06-09 | 8.50 PM

Splits in Tamil Diaspora

2009-06-09 | 12.05 PM

The Tamil Diaspora in many parts of the West is witnessing splits and fractures. Some are ideological and others are on practical issues.

The pro LTTE Tamil Net website in a special editorial said that it will keep away from

ongoing factional news and debate on Tamil politics.

A Pream Jayanth Move to Curb Protest

2009-06-09 | 12.05 PM

Trade unionist in the education sector say a new circler that makes compulsory for Teachers to support the government is a move to curb dissent and protest.

According to a circular sanctioned by Education Minister Susil Prem Jayanth teachers have to affirm in front of the principal that they will not bring the government to disrepute and not make any statement against the government.

Mass Scale Job losses

2009-06-09 | 12.05 PM

The JVP trade unionist Vasantha Samarasinha says that within the last five months there have been 80,000 job losses.

He put the the indirect job losses at 300,000 as supplementary business such as providing board, lodging and transport to workers was effected.

IDPs in the North – Citizens of Another Country

2009-06-08 | 8.30 PM

Captain Ali to leave without unloading cargo

2009-06-08 | 8.30 PM

The vessel carrying essential food and medical supplies for the displaced in the vanni has been ordered to leave Sri lankan waters.

The Syrian flagged vessel has been asked to leave without unloading its cargo. It was not allowed to enter the Colombo port.

Lankan journalist in exile to meet

2009-06-08 | 8.30 PM

A number of journalists who have fled the country are planning to meet in a European capital this summer.
“We have not decided on a city but Verona in Italy or Brussels in Belgium are possibilities said a convener of the meeting to LNW.

A call for impartial investigations on attacks, guarantees of security and putting a stop to tarnishing reputations by inaccurate reporting are priorities on the agenda say the conveners.

Captain Ali 'safe'

2009-06-08 | 1.15 PM

Appalling Silence on Poddala Jayanta Attack

2009-06-08 | 12.45 PM

According to a senior journalist the silence of many was appalling when senior media editors met the President a day after the attack on Journalist Poddala Jayanta.

“The president said that he will look in to the matter at the next Security Council meeting and that was it” said the senior journalist who spoke to LNW.

London Deputy High commissioner called back

2009-06-08 | 12.45 PM

The Sri Lankan Deputy High commissioner in Landon Sumith Nakandala has been called back to Colombo.

Nakandala undertook the London posting only recently. He is an experienced carrier diplomat who has served in Nepal and India.

The Embassy in London is headed by former Supreme Court judge Nihal Jaysinhia who was given the diplomatic posting only a few months after retirement.

The left on the national question Israel Vs Sri Lanka
Vickramabahu writes

2009-06-08 | 12.45 PM

Some left oriented analysts argue that the biggest obstacle to the international working class and trade unions intervening influentially in the Lankan conflict is not lack of approaches from Tamil polity, but the huge mobilization of almost all groups of working people and their political Representatives ( JVP, CP, LSSP, Vasudeva DLF, SLFP TRADE UNIONS, EVEN THE INDIAN WORKERS OF TAMIL ORIGIN WITH THEIR LEADERS HOLDING CABINET POSITIONS UNDER Mahinda regime, etc ) behind Mahinda Rajapaksa.

They further argue that the entire rural peasantry - without any progressive political leadership on this question- was mobilized by Sinhala bourgeoisie to give away their underlings to provide fighters to the Army.

Lankan girls are quite active

2009-06-08 | 1.30 AM

The Sri Lankan girls are ahead of boys when it comes to the first sexual encounter with sex says a recent Health Ministry survey.

According to the survey Sri Lankan girls have their first sexual encounters at the age of 14 while boys lag a bit behind as they have their first encounter at the age of 15.

‘Sri Lankan Style’ Probe

2009-06-07 | 8.45 PM

Political circles in Colombo have been busy analyzing why Mahinda Samarasinha minister of Human Rights is doing all the talking regarding the Possible UN probe while foreign minister Rohita Bogallagama is not heard very much.

Samarasinha was recently in Geneva and strongly echoed the government position on the refusal of an international probe on human rights violations in Sri- lanka.

Tamil Tigers Defunct, Should be Taken Off Terrorist List
- Tamils for Obama

2009-06-06 | 12.05 AM

The Tamil Tigers are gone, wrote Tamils for Obama in a letter to U.S. officials. Humanitarian organizations that were once accused of being Tiger fronts should be allowed to help the Tamil war victims who need their help.

The letter was sent to Secretary Clinton, President Obama, and appropriate elected officials on Friday, June 5 by Tamils for Obama. The letter said that since the Tamil Tigers are no longer a functioning organization and their leaders are all dead, according to the Sri Lankan government, the Tigers should be taken off lists kept by the U.S. and other governments of terrorist organizations and their supporters.

Vanni IDPs live under appalling condition - Sri Lankan Chief Justice

2009-06-05 | 11.25 PM

(This statement by the Chief Justice was aired with Tamil translation Wednesday night in MTV News bulletin).

Vanni IDPs sheltered in transit centres in Cheddiku'lam cannot expect justice under the Sri Lanka's law. Law of the country does not show any interest on these IDPs. I openly say this. The authorities can penalize me for telling this," said Sri Lanka's Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva when he addressed a public meeting which followed the ceremonial opening of a court complex at Marawila in Negombo district Tuesday. These transit centres are described as internment camps by human rights activists.

Sarath N. Silva further said:

No thanks Dayan says to Navi

2009-06-05 | 9.55 PM

Ambassador Dayan Jayatilleka has said UNHCR High Commissioner Navi Pillay to mind her business in diplomatic language.

Addressing the United Nations Geneva-based Human Rights Council, Sri Lanka's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Dayan Jayatilleka said that there is no need for an international probe.

Protest at Lord’s

2009-06-04 | 1.30 PM

A demonstration against the Sri Lanka cricket team outside Lord's.
(photo courtesy Gurdian)

Tamil protesters stormed the Lord’s calling for the Sri Lankan cricket team to return home and for other international teams to keep away from them.

The protesters were holding picket boards that said “Sri Lankas latest score: 20,000 dead, 300,000 displaced".
The Sri Lanka team had to cancel a match at Oxford due to security concerns.

SRI LANKA: More journalists harassed

2009-06-03 | 11.30 PM

The investigation into the assault on journalist Poddala Jayantha took a new turn when the police arrested and interrogated another journalist who provided the initial information about Mr. Jayantha's abduction. Journalists groups accused the Sri Lankan police of covering up the real culprits of the abduction and the serious assault on Mr. Jayantha.

Mr. Bennet Rupasinghe, a news editor of the Lankaenews.com website, received information about the abduction of Mr. Jayantha and informed the Inspector General of Police. The timely intervention also made it possible for a group of journalist who were meeting President Rajapaksa at the time, to inform him of the incident.

This way pls- Aid workers out

2009-06-03 | 3.30 PM

The UK daily The Times reveals a long list of aid workers who have been deported or asked to leave the country by the government.

The news paper says that new visa rules have been used to get rid of aid workers whom the government suspects to be LTTE sympathizers.

The Norwegian head of Forut, an Oslo-based NGO, was deported on Saturday, while a British employee of Forut was prevented from re-entering Sri Lanka last month.
Two foreigners working for Care International, including a Briton, were forced to leave last month because their visas were not extended, reported The Times sighting local sources.

Towards a total dictatorship……..Remember what we said on the 19th May?

2009-06-02 | 7.25 PM

“There are no more minorities in Sri Lanka, only two national identities; patriots & non-patriots says President” – Ada Derana

Our post on the 19th May 2009 “Towards a total dictatorship” began with the above caption and received an overwhelming response from our readers. Today, we are witnessing what we predicted just after the victory speech was delivered by His Excellency the President, who since then has become “His Majesty the King Mahinda of the Kingdom of Sinhalé (formerly known as Sri Lanka)”.

Schools Closed, Roads Closed…. Tamasha Continues…......

2009-06-02 | 1.45 PM

Anandasangaree says NO

2009-06-01 | 9.35 PM

The leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) V Anandasangaree has turned down an offer from President Mahinda Rajapaksha to contest local elections in the North with the SLFP.

The TULF has aligned itself with the People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) and Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF)

to contest local polls.

Poddala Jayantha, secretary SLWJA abducted and severely assaulted

2009-06-01 | 9.35 PM

Poddala Jayantha, General Secretary of Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association was abducted by an unknown group late afternoon today. He was on his way back home form work and abducted some close to Nugagoda town. Some people who have seen him pushed in to a white van alerted the journalists on the abduction.

Later he was found left on the road side by some people. He had been severely assaulted. Later he was admitted to ICU of the Colombo general hospital. Reports say that he is out of danger.

Army Hunt for Pottu Amman

2009-06-01 | 12.55 PM

The army is investigating the possibility of the Tiger spy chief Pottu Amman being alive.

The army has not been able to recover the body of Pottu Amman who is said to have been fighting along with Tiger leader Velupillal Prabhakaran.

Did UN Cover up?

2009-05-30 | 5.30 PM

The united nations have been coming under fire from international media and human rights organizations for failing in there duties to protect civilians traped in the coflict zone.

French news paper Le Monde accused the UN of covering up the "severity of the massacres" in Sri Lanka.
The Le Monde says that the UN is covering up the massacres fearing that they would be expelled fro Sri Lanka.
The UN in Colombo said on Friday that relations with the government have improved since the visit of Secretary general Ban- Ki -Moon and progress is being made in relief operations.




	© IT Division - Lanka News Web - All rights reserved. Best viewed in 1024x768 resolution We does not host any of the software,videos and other files available on this website This site merely indexes other sites contents.