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Commodore Manel Mendis re-assigned to the Navy after being expelled |
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2009-09-16 | 3.15 |
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T.N.G. Mendis (Manel Mendis), who was expelled from the Navy after a Navy tribunal found him guilty of not taking appropriate action when the Galle Naval Base came under LTTE attack and three other charges leveled against him. However, he has once again being re-assigned to the Navy as a voluntary officer.
Manel Mendis was a Naval Commodore when he was expelled from the force. |
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Mahinda Chinthana has created a record in taking loans – Kabir Hashim |
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2009-09-16 | 3.15 |
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UNP parliamentarian Kabir Hashim has said the Mahinda Chinthana has created a world record in taking loans. “We gained independence in 1948. We have taken a certain amount of loans since then. However, loans taken under the Mahinda Chinthana during the last three years, far exceed the amount taken during the past few decades,” he said.
He made this statement at a press conference held today (16) at the Opposition Leader’s office.
He also said, “All these loans have been taken on high inertest rates. It is the people who will have to suffer as a result. Taxes will be charged continuously to pay the loans. Even now taxes have been placed to burden the people. |
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Brokers arrive in Colombo to participate in Central Bank’s gold sale |
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2009-09-16 | 2.30 PM |
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Several foreign brokers have arrived in Sri Lanka following news that the Central Bank was planning to sell gold from its reserves. One Ruwan Pathirana, who is the owner of SATCO Constructions, has brought down these brokers to the country.
Ruwan Pathirana is a close confidante of the President and it was SATCO Construction that built the secret bunker at the President’s House.
Two Maldivian nationals, Mohomad Yusuf and Barkas, who have been asked to play the role of brokers in the gold transaction by Ruwan Pathirana are currently staying at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Colombo. |
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Cultural Affairs Secretary removed following President’s fall |
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2009-09-16 | 2.30 PM |
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The President has ordered the immediate removal of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Ministry Secretary Wimaladasa Samarasinghe after he was blamed for the President’s fall at the State Literary Day held at the Presidential Secretariat.
President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunge after holding an inquiry into the incident that placed the President in great difficulty has said it was due to the negligence of the Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary. |
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Will defeat campaign to tarnish the country’s image – Mahinda Samarasinghe |
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2009-09-16 | 1.00 PM | Hon. Minister addresses the Human Rights Council |
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Namal to get Visumpaya after ridding the place of evil spirits |
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2009-09-16 | 1.00 PM |
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The President has decided to give Visumpaya to his eldest son, Namal Rajapakse and an alms giving for 15 Buddhist monks were given on the 10th in memory of the late Anura Bandaranaike and to rid the place of evil spirits.
Ven. Galabada Cnanissara Thero and 15 monks have participated in the alms giving organized by Minister Mervyn Silva. Apart from Mervyn Silva and the President, Minister Geethanjana Gunawardena, Governor Alavi Moulana, Additional Presidential Secretary Gamini Senarath and People’s Bank Chairman, W. Karunajeewa had also attended the alms giving. |
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JVP trade union leaders distribute leaflets on the struggle to win eight demands |
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2009-09-16 | 1.00 PM |
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Dullas’ thugs attack SLTB protestors |
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2009-09-16 | 1.00 PM |
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A peaceful protest held by Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) employees on the 14th at 12 noon at the Kurunegala North depot against grievances faced by them had been attacked by thugs.
SLTB workers say that Sumith Herath from the Kurunegala South depot and Nissanka from the Mahawa depot, who have been directly involved in the attack, have also been chosen by Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma for an official tour to India. |
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Minister’s proposal to solve financial crisis at SLBC fails |
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2009-09-16 | 1.00 PM |
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The failure of the plan to implement a voluntary retirement scheme to the employees of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) similar to the one introduced to the staff of the Media Ministry has resulted in the Corporation’s administration facing a severe crisis.
Sources say the financial crisis at SLBC has now made it difficult for the administration to pay the employees’ salaries. A sum of Rs. 240 lakhs is spent annually to meet the salaries of 1,035 SLBC employees. Soon after the Treasury refused to allocate funds for SLBC salary payments, the Media Ministry decided to introduce a voluntary retirement scheme to the employees.
Although 192 employees have agreed to take the voluntary retirement scheme, the refusal of the Treasury to pass funds for the purpose for the past eight months has resulted in unrest among the employees who applied for the scheme. The workers who applied for the scheme therefore have had to work for the past eight months without receiving any salary increments and loan facilities. |
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Opposition alliance to be formed on the 27th |
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2009-09-15 | 4.15 PM |
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SLFP and MRP clash over distributing awards at Compaq tournament |
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2009-09-15 | 4.15 PM |
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A clash has taken place between members of the SLFP and the Mahinda Rajapakse Peramuna (MRP) on presenting of awards to winners at the Compaq triangular cricket tournament.
Members of the Cricket Interim Committee representing the MRP have sidelined an SLFP senior and non Cabinet Sports Minister Bandula Basnayake and called on a senior MRP member, Ajith Nivard Cabraal to present awards at the Compaq triangular cricket tournament. |
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Rupavahini advisor Karunaratne Paranavithana appointed as Ratnapura District organizer |
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2009-09-15 | 4.15 PM |
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The President has decided to appoint Advisor to Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Karunaratne Paranavithana as an SLFP organizer to the Ratnapura District, SLFP sources said.
The President has made this appointment following a request made by Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma.
Dullas has also agreed to make Karunaratne Paranavithana appointed as an SLFP electoral organizer. |
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PSD chief blamed for President’s fall |
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2009-09-15 | 4.15 PM |
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Cultural Affairs Minister Piyasiri Wijenayake has blamed the Presidential Security Division (PSD) for the President’s fall at the State Literary Festival.
He said the PSD was in charge of checking the stage and other issues related to the Festival that was held at the Presidential Secretariat and that members from the Cultural Affairs Ministry and the committee on the Literary Festival had to only be at their seats at the given time.
Therefore, he said the Ministry could not take the responsibility for the President’s fall. |
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Maharaja falls off chair at Literary Festival |
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2009-09-15 | 4.15 PM |
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President Mahinda Rajapakse had to leave the State Literary Festival that was held on Monday (14) at the presidential Secretariat without making a speech after he suddenly fell from his chair at the event.
The President had fallen off the chair after he made his way to his seat after lighting the traditional oil lamp. The Presidential Security Division (PSD) personnel have immediately lifted the President and placed him on another chair. |
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Party leaders not informed of Wimal Weerawansa’s sudden trip to Cyprus |
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2009-09-14 | 10.30 PM |
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National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa has made a sudden trip to Cyprus with several businessmen without even informing the other leaders in the party, NFF sources said.
Wimal had left the country on the 12th at 3.15 on flight no. EK 3490 to Dubai and has taken the connecting flight no. EK 1070 at 8.35, Dubai time, to Cyprus. He is scheduled to return to the country on the 16th. |
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Minister Faizer Mustapha forges signature to acquire assets |
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2009-09-14 | 10.30 PM |
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An investigation into fraud and corruption during the two year UNP regime under Ranil Wickremesinghe initiated by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on a directive issued by the Presidential Secretariat has uncovered a file revealing a massive fraud of Tourism Promotions Minister Faizer Mustapha.
According to the secret file, Faizer Mustapha had allegedly acquired shares of a company owned by the son of one Ben Eliyathambi using a forged signature and sold them seven years ago. |
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Ranjan asks if Elections Commissioner has surrendered to Anarakali and Susantha |
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2009-09-14 | 10.30 PM |
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Film and tele drama actor and Opposition Leader of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, Ranjan Ramanayake has in writing inquired from the Elections Commissioner as to why steps have not been taken to temporarily stop the telecasting of tele dramas, films, advertisements and special publicity programmes featuring actresses Anarkali Akarsha and Susantha Chandramali, who are candidates in the forthcoming Southern Provincial Council elections.
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Arrested for operating a brothel, actress Sureni Senarath released due to political pressure |
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2009-09-14 | 10.30 PM |
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Actress Sureni Senarath, who was arrested along with six young girls for operating a brothel under the guise of an ayurvedic spa in Mt. Lavinia, has been released by the police following political pressure.
The six young girls and two other employees arrested by the police from the brothel were presented to court and released on a Rs. 250,000 bail after testing them for sexually transmitted diseases. |
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Cannot betray the struggle of the estate workers – Ramalingam Chandrasekar |
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2009-09-14 | 10.30 PM |
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Chairman of the All Ceylon Estate Workers Union, parliamentarian Ramalingam Chandrasekar says when estate workers were struggling to get their daily wage increased to Rs. 500 regardless of party affiliations, leaders of associations claiming to be trade unions have betrayed them.
Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the agreement reached by the Ceylon Workers Congress with estate owners to a daily wage of Rs. 405 without any consultations with the other unions participating in the struggle was a clear case of betrayal like in the past. |
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Tamils convene in Paris for Global mobilisation |
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2009-09-14 | 10.30 PM |
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Tamil Diaspora representatives from 5 continents assembled in Paris, France between 29 and 31 August to hold
the first convention of the Global Tamil Forum (GTF). The dire situation faced by the Tamil people in Sri Lanka was
discussed and action programs were deliberated to address their immediate needs. Over the 3 days of the
conference GTF constitution was also adopted unanimously by the country representatives. Dr. Nagalingam
Ethirveerasingam (PhD Cornell University) was elected as the President of GTF. |
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Champika Ranawaka forms a team to oppose power devolution |
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2009-09-13 | 7.50 PM |
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JHU theoretician, Environment Minister Champika Ranawaka is in the process of forming a group to oppose the devolution of power beyond the 13th amendment and has already held several rounds of talks with NFF’s Nandana group to muster their support, JHU sources said.
Champika has held a decisive discussion on the matter with one of NFF leaders, Kamal Deshapriya in Kalutara recently. JHU spokesperson Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe had also attended the meeting. |
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Attempt to blame General Sarath Fonseka for losing EU’s GSP+ concession |
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2009-09-13 | 7.50 PM |
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Doubts have been raised over the President’s move to appoint General Sarath Fonseka as the Secretary to Export Development and International Trade Ministry as a time when the country face an imminent threat of losing the GSP+ facility extended to the country by the European Union (EU), army sources close to Fonseka told Lanka News Web.
The source said there were considerable doubts to assume that the government may try to pin the blame of losing the GSP+ facility on general Fonseka in a bid to save its skin. |
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National Rupavahini to promote Anarkali through baila |
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2009-09-13 | 7.50 PM |
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The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation has introduced a new programme called “Vada baila” as part of a campaign to promote Alliance candidate at the Southern Provincial Council elections, Anarkali Akarsha.
The first programme in the series was telecast last weekend. The special guest featured in the programme that day was Anarkali Akarsha. The artists who participated in the programme had been asked to sing baila in praise of Anarkali. |
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Ban on publishing photographs of women on newspapers |
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2009-09-13 | 7.50 PM |
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The government has unofficially informed several newspapers and magazines not to use photographs of women in a provocative manner on the front page of newspapers and magazines.
Director of the Women’s Bureau, Pradeepa Serasinghe said there was no law on the matter, but was made on moral grounds. |
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JVP will not support legislation to destroy democracy – Anura Kumara Dissanayake |
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2009-09-13 | 7.50 PM |
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JVP parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told the media on Friday (11) that the party would not support the Emergency Regulations as the government was using it to destroy democracy and to suppress politicians and journalists who oppose the government. |
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State media paving the way for the government’s dictatorial journey
– Mangala Samaraweera |
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2009-09-13 | 7.50 PM |
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SLFP (M) Wing Leader Mangala Samaraweera says, “The government is on a dictatorial path and is eliminating all obstacles on their path. The state media is in the process of building the necessary views among the public. There is no space for any opposition ideas or debate.”
Mangala Samaraweera made this statement at a press briefing held on Thursday (10). |
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Ministers call for inquiry to investigate bribery and corruption charges leveled against Maga Neguma Chairman |
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2009-09-13 | 7.50 PM |
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Government ministers have held several discussions on the need for a full investigation in to the person called Jaliya Padmaraja Kulasekera, who is the Maga Neguma Chairman and the allegations of fraud and corruption leveled against him.
The Ministers have said that although fraud and corruption are common in the Rajapakse government, the particular allegations leveled against the Maga Neguma Chairman has hampered the Southern Provincial Council election campaign. |
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Karu calls on EU to reconsider its position on Sri Lanka |
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2009-09-12 | 1.15 PM |
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UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya has issued a statement appealing to the EU to reconsider its position and refrains from withdrawing this important trade concession granted to Sri Lanka.
Jayasuriya has said that they are greatly disturbed by reports indicating that Sri Lanka’s deteriorating human rights record may lead to the country losing its Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Plus concessions granted by the EU, following the release of the preliminary investigations report on the country. |
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Plan of Deniyaya palace approved after altering dates |
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2009-09-12 | 1.15 PM |
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Disturbed by the expose in the media of the secret palace being built in Deniyaya, the President’s sister Gandhini’s husband, Thusitha Ranawaka, who owns the land the palace is being constructed had visited the Kotapala Pradeshiya Sabha on the 9th to get the date of the plan changed to one in 2007.
It is also reported that dates in all related documents have been changed accordingly. Disturbed by the revelation of the secret palace made by the Lanka journalists, Ranawaka and Pathmaraja have informed the situation to one Tissa, a former driver of the President who has now been promoted to the position
of Transport Manager. |
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LTTE purchases SLT shares through Ananda Krishanan |
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2009-09-12 | 1.15 PM |
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LTTE’s Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP has said the LTTE had purchased Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) shares, Lanka newspaper has reported. It is also reported that the LTTE has had plans to purchase shares in other state institutions as well.
The JVP and trade unions have earlier raised concerns over the decision of Malaysian Tamil Ananda Krishnan to purchase SLT shares belonging to Japan’s NTT Company at a high price. |
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Commissions amounting to millions taken from printer imported for Lake House |
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2009-09-12 | 1.10 PM |
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It has been revealed that a fraud amounting to millions of rupees had taken place when importing a printer for Lake House. It is reported that the printer that has been imported from an American company at a sum of US$ 1,062,000, which is higher than the actual amount of the respective printer.
In an earlier occasion the Company had tried to import a printer at a cost of Rs. 64 million and had even paid an advance of Rs. 500 lakhs. However, the transaction could not continue any further due to the financial crisis faced by Lake House at the time and the advance money was a loss to the institution. |
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SLFP seniors object to Thilanga’s appointment to Mulkirigala |
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2009-09-12 | 1.10 PM |
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SLFP seniors are disturbed by the President’s decision to appoint Western Provincial Councilor Thilanga Sumathipala to handle the election campaign of the Mulkirigala electorate in the Hambantota District for the forthcoming Southern Provincial Council election.
The President has appointed Thilanga Sumathipala to Mulkirigala and asked him to ensure Susantha Chandramali won the election with the highest number of votes and has appointed Western provincial Councilor Duminda Silva to coordinate the campaign in Ambalangoda to ensure Sajin Vaas Gunwardena’s victory. |
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SLFP seniors disturbed by MRP organizers |
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2009-09-12 | 1.10 PM |
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The Lanka newspaper has reported that many senior SLFP ministers were disturbed by the move to appoint members from the Mahinda Rajapakse Permauna (MRP) as SLFP organizers.
The news report further stated, “The reason is that most of the new electoral organizers are either related or closely associated with the President. It has already been decided to appoint Karunaratne Paranavithana to the Ratnapura District, Sagara Kariyawasam Pathirana to Galle District, Gotabhaya Rajapakse and Sudarman Radaliyagoda to the Kurunegala District, Basil Rajapakse to the Gampaha District and Namal Rajapakse to the Hambantota District.” |
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Opposition Leaders decide to delay naming common candidate for Presidential election |
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2009-09-12 | 1.10 PM |
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The opposition leader who met under the leadership of Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday (10) decided not to name the common candidate of the opposition at the next presidential election until the respective election was announced.
Rauf Hakeem’s SLMC, Mano Ganeshan’s DPF, Mangala Samaraweera’s SLFP (M) Wing and several UNP members attended this meeting. |
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Galle District UNP candidate Nishantha Pushpakumara gets Alliance thugs to attack Shiral |
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2009-09-11 | 12.05 PM |
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Convener of the Corruption Watch Organization, Attorney Shiral Lakthileka, who attended a workshop organized by UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake at the Aradhana Hotel in Galle as Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s representative, has been attacked by thugs affiliated to the UPFA on a directive issued by Galle District UNP candidate Nishantha Pushpakumara, Lanka News Web learns.
UNP sources say the attack was carried out in a well planned manner and that the thugs of UPFA Western Provincial Councilor Thushara Perera were involved in it. |
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Conspiracy to kill Ruwan Ferdinandsz by labeling him as a Tiger
– Corruption Watch |
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2009-09-11 | 12.05 PM |
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National Organizer of Corruption Watch, Provincial Councilor Rohana Gamage said that Mangala Samaraweera’s Private Secretary, Ruwan Ferdinandsz was labeled as a traitor in the Silumina newspaper in order to create the necessary environment to ensure that he too would undergo the fate that befell Lasantha Wickrematunge at the hands of terrorist groups sponsored by Mahinda, Gotabhaya and Basil.
He made this statement at a combine press conference organized by the Corruption Watch and the Development Watch on Thursday (10). |
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Rs. 16,895 million spent on maintaining jumbo Cabinet – Shiral |
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2009-09-11 | 12.05 PM |
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Corruption Watch member Shiral Lakthileka said that each minister in the present government had six secretaries with a sum of Rs. 100,000 spent on each of them on a monthly basis.
He said that each of these secretaries were entitled to a salary of Rs. 25,000, a telephone allowance of Rs. 5,000, fuel allowance of Rs. 15,000 and an official aid at a cost of Rs. 10,000. |
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Protest opposite Fort railway station against media suppression |
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2009-09-11 | 12.05 PM |
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Duminda hurt by attention paid to Anarkali |
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2009-09-10 | 1.15 PM |
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Western Provincial Councilor Duminda Silva is upset that actress Anarkali Akarsha is to contest the forthcoming Southern Provincial Council election and the massive support extended towards her by the President and his eldest son, Namal Rajapakse, Lanka News Web learns.
Duminda Silva had said, “The boss knows very well the problem between Anarkali and me and she is now being put to contest to attack me,” to several of his friends during an event in Kotahena. |
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Head of state angered by Mervyn’s statement on bad period following Sept. 9 |
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2009-09-10 | 1.15 PM |
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The Rajapakse brothers at Temple Trees are angered by a statement made by Minister Mervyn Silva recently that the period following September 9 was bad for the country and the government.
Mervyn Silva made this statement to former UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrema at the wedding reception of the late UNP stalwart Gamini Atukorale’s daughter at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel.
Mervyn had held Malik’s hand and said, “Malik… It is true that it is a bad period for the government and the country after September 9.” |
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President criticizes SLFP seniors with UNP ministers |
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2009-09-10 | 1.15 PM |
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A secret discussion headed by the President had been held to determine if a Presidential election or a general election should be held first after November and before April next year. The discussion was attended by Basil Rajapakse, Gotabhaya Rajapakse, Wimal Weerawansa and three former UNPers who currently hold ministerial portfolios in the government.
The UNP ministers have told the President to first hold a Presidential election as soon as possible after November. They had explained to the president the political advantage he would have if such an election is held. |
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Protest in Colombo calling for the removal of camps in the north |
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2009-09-10 | 1.15 PM |
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JVP makes proposal to President to provide life long protection to the forces chiefs who led the war |
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2009-09-09 | 3.10 PM |
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Defence Ministry informs court of inability to confirm Pottu Amman’s death |
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2009-09-09 | 3.10 PM |
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A special report submitted by the Defence Ministry to the Colombo High Court states that although there is confirmation on the death of LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on May 19 near the Nandikadal lagoon, there is yet no verification received to prove the death of LTTE Intelligence Unit Head, Pottu Amman.
The report was handed over to Colombo High Court Judge Kumudini Wickremasinghe yesterday (8) by Deputy Solicitor General Kapila Waidyaratne when the case related to the assassination of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was taken up for hearing. |
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State funds amounting to millions spent on building palace in Deniyaya
– Sagala Ratnayake |
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2009-09-09 | 3.10 PM |
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UNP Matara District parliamentarian Sagala Ratnayake told a press briefing yesterday (8) that a full inquiry needed to be held into the utilization of state funds and resources to buy a land a build a palace by President Mahinda Rajapakse under his sister’s name.
Sagala Ratnayake said that a tea estate of 50 acres was purchased to build the palace and that Rs. 95 lakhs has already been spent on constructing the road leading to the building.
He also told the media at the Opposition Leader’s office that the state funds were spent to purchase the land, build the palace and the road leading to it. |
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Universities to confer honorary degrees upon the three forces chiefs who spearheaded the war |
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2009-09-08 | 3.30 PM |
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Several universities have decided to confer honorary degrees upon the three forces chiefs and the IGP apart from the President and the Defence Secretary for spearheading the war against the LTTE.
The Colombo University on the 6th conferred upon President Mahinda Rajapakase and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse honorary degrees, Doctor of Law and Doctor of Letters respectively. Although the university planned to confer honorary degrees upon the three forces chiefs who played a key role in the war, the administration decided to shelve the idea following objections raised by the Presidential Secretariat. |
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Increase in Army deserters |
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2009-09-08 | 3.30 PM |
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A senior official at the Army Headquarters told Lanka News Web that following the military victory there is an increase in the number of soldiers deserting the Army.
The official said the reasons for this increase is the slashing of allowances given to them following the end of the war, many continuing to languish under trees in the jungles due to not being assigned into permanent camps, the lack of drinking water and transport facilities. |
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General Fonseka to be appointed a ministry secretary |
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2009-09-08 | 3.30 PM |
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National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa has told several political columnists in weekend newspapers that the President had agreed to a request made by Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka to be appointed as the Secretary of the International Trade and Export Development Ministry.
Prof. G.L Pieris is the Minister of International Trade and Export Development and the permanent secretary of the Ministry, S. Ranugge has been removed from the post. Wimal Weerawansa has proposed Sarath Fonseka’s name to fill the vacancy. |
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ITN’s Sudarman Radaliyagoda to be appointed SLFP Panduwasnuvara organizer |
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2009-09-08 | 3.30 PM |
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The President has decided to appoint ITN Programmes Director, Sudarman Radaliyagoda as the SLFP Panduwasnuvara organizer in the Kurunegala District, sources from the SLFP headquarters said.
The SLFP organizer for the electorate who has served in the position for several decades, former Army officer Dharmasiri Dahanayake has been asked to step down from the post in order to pave the way for Sudarman Radaliyagoda’s appointment. |
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We vehemently condemn the detention of three Lanka journalists
– Ranil Wickremesinghe |
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2009-09-07 | 3.05 PM |
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Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (6) condemned the detention of thee journalists attached to the Lanka newspaper for trying to investigate and expose details of a mansion being built in the Deniyaya electorate with public funds.
Wickremesinghe observed the public had the right to question as to whom and for what purpose mansions are suddenly being built out of the blues. |
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Could support Mahinda again only if he pledges not to go beyond the 13th amendment – Champika Ranawaka |
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2009-09-07 | 1.15 PM |
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JHU Theoretician, Champika Ranawaka has proposed to senior JHU members that before pledging support for President Mahinda Rajapakse at the next Presidential election, a new memorandum of understanding should be signed between him and the JHU that would suit the present and future.
In 2005, the JHU signed a memorandum of understanding with then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse before supporting his Presidential election campaign. |
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UNP Working Committee on the 9th |
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2009-09-07 | 3.05 PM |
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UNP sources say the party’s Working Committee meeting scheduled for the 9th, close to a massive planetary change predicted by astrologers, is expected to be a very decisive one.
The planet Saturn, which is astrologically considered to be the planet that represents misfortune, is to move from the star sign Leo to Virgo at 12.01 a.m. on September 10. |
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General Sarath Fonseka becomes Vice President of Kelani Rajamahavihara dayaka sabha |
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2009-09-07 | 3.05 PM |
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A senior official of the UNP media unit told Lanka News Web that General Sarath Fonseka was unanimously appointed as the Vice President of the Kelani Rajamahavihara dayaka sabha yesterday (6).
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is the President of the Kelani Rajamahavihara dayaka sabha. |
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Will rethink supporting emergency if government does not stop hounding journalists – Anura Kumara Dissanayake |
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2009-09-07 | 12.05 PM |
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JVP parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake says, “Emergency regulations were approved because the laws against terrorism were inadequate. If these additional laws are being used to suppress the media, students and to arrest political activists opposing the government, we have to take a decision about it. The JVP has seriously focused its attention on the matter. The emergency debate will be on Thursday and the party’s politburo would meet and decide on the action to be taken.” |
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White vans behind Muslim nationals |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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Relatives of a 21 year old Muslim youth abducted from Maligawatte in a white van recently claimed they were yet to receive any information with regard to the incident even after lodging a complaint with the Maradana Police.
They said the police was even given the registration number of the van that had abducted the youth.
Police Spokesperson DIG Nimal Mediwaka said a broad investigation has been launched in to the incident.
He also said the number of the van has been given to the Department for the Registration of Motor Vehicles for investigation.
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No need for a Tamil children’s drama festival – Mahinda Yapa |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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Chairman of the Movement to Win a Drama Festival for Tamil Children, K. Mithraratne said a Tamil children’s drama festival is not being held simultaneously to the state Sinhala children’s drama festival.
Although he has been lobbying for a drama festival for the Tamil children with successive Cultural Affairs Ministers since 1998, no minister has still intervened in the matter.
Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said there was no necessity for a drama festival for the Tamil children as they too could participate in the State Children’s Drama Festival. |
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De-mined lands given to those affiliated to government – Mano Ganeshan |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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Parliamentarian Mano Ganeshan says the lands in the Batticaloa District in the East that have been cleared of landmines by the United Nations Development Programme have been given to those affiliated to the government for business purposes.
According to the UN, lands de-mined under the organization’s programme cannot be used for any other purpose other than to resettle the displaced people. The UN has said that by mid 2009, it had completed de-mining in a land mass of 375 square kilometers.
Mano Ganeshan said that since the government cannot be engaged in a mass scale land grab in the north and east if the displaced people were resettled in those areas, it was not interested in resettling the displaced. |
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Police spokesperson does not reveal the owner of land allegedly entered into by Lanka journalists |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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Police Spokesperson DIG Nimal Mediwaka in a statement said the three Lanka journalists were arrested for videoing a bungalow in Deniyaya frequented by the President and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, but refrained from mentioning the relationship between the President and the owner of the bungalow and estate the journalists have allegedly entered into. |
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Chamal’s son Shamindra appointed to SLPA Board |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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Ports and Aviation Minister Chamal Rajapakse’s second son Shamindra Rajapakse has been appointed to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Board with immediate effect and is to be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Authority in the next few days, Ports and Aviation Ministry sources said.
Shamindra currently functions as the private secretary to the Ports and Aviation Minister. Non cabinet Ports Minister Dilan Perera had advised the Minister to appoint Shamindra as SLPA Vice Chairman. |
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Power and Energy Ministry to pay Minister Thondaman’s bank loan |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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The Power and Energy Ministry has been shifted into Minister Arumugam Thondaman’s Saumyabhavan building to prevent it from being taken over by the bank for non payment of loan dues. The Ministry was shifted into the building on September 1.
The Power and Energy Ministry was earlier housed at a building belonging to the Mahaweli Authority. The office in the building is now being used by the non cabinet Power and Energy Minister. The Ministry has to now pay rent for two buildings. |
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Those who spread terrorism are now ministers, journalists are sent to jail
– Vijitha Herath |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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JVP parliamentarian Vijitha Herath said it was ironical that the like of Karuna and Pillayan who were leaders of the LTTE and spread terror carrying arms are ministers in the Mahinda Rajapakse government while journalists like Tissainayagam who wrote about it have been sentenced to jail for 20 years.
The Colombo High Court last week sentenced Tissainayagam to 20 years rigorous imprisonment after being accused of three charges of publishing racial feelings in the North Eastern Monthly magazine. |
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Government destroying Tamil culture in Kilinochchi – Suresh Premachandran |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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Jaffna District parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran says the Mahinda Rajapakse government after claiming the displaced people in the north and east could not be resettled in their hometown due to landmine threats is
in the process of destroying all constructions with Tamil cultural value in the Kilinochchi District and replacing them with Buddhist temples, statues and monuments for dead soldiers.
Premachandran said that all constructions on the 150 yard stretch between Omanthai and Palali on the A9 have been destroyed by the government and that a massive Buddhist temple is being built in Elephant Pass to indicate the invasion of Buddhism in the area.
The cultural hall, the Hindu Council building, the Palmyra handicraft shop and several other buildings of Tamil cultural importance in Kilinochchi have been destroyed by the government.
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Grandson living in JR’s house given to the government |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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Former President J.R. Jayewardene’s residence at No. 66 Ward Place, Colombo 7, for which he had made legal provision to be handed over to the government following the death of the two senior Jayewardenes, is yet to be handed over to the government.
The former President’s grandson Amrik Jayewardene is currently residing in the house. It is learnt that Amrik’s decision to live in his grandfather’s house against his last wishes while owning his own house at No. 1/43, Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7 has caused an internal family feud as well. |
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Basil’s website to attack ministers was launched on August 27 |
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2009-09-05 | 7.10 PM |
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The website mainatianed by Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse to attack government ministers and opposition politicians who cannot be controlled by the Rajapakses was opened on August 27 at the UPFA propaganda office maintained under the supervision of Minister Dullas Alahapperuma.
The office has been opened in a house down Hewa Mawatha (opposite the Museum) in Colombo 7. |
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Plan to permit only journalists supportive of Rajapakses to cover President’s meetings |
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2009-09-05 | 7.10 PM |
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The Presidential Media Unit has decided not to permit any journalist who has a relative in the opposition or has worked against the Rajapakses to cover any of the President’s meetings.
The Media Unit has sent a special form to gather information to every media institution to be filled by the respective journalists who will be covering the President’s meetings and the National Intelligence Bureau is to help the Media Unit verify the information submited in the form. |
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Government heads fear of being accused of war crimes
Defence units doubt a possible sale of video footage on military operations to foreigners |
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2009-09-05 | 7.10 PM |
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The Defence establishment is suspicious of the possibility of journalists who covered the humanitarian operations selling video tapes and photographs to foreign media institutions. Director General, Media Center for National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle has requested the Media Minister to hand over all material related to the military operation to the Defence Ministry.
Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa in turn has ordered the state media heads to immediately take charge of all video footage and photographs related to the military operations. |
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President’s support only for Anarkali and Susantha |
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2009-09-05 | 7.10 PM |
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The battle for preferential votes among the Southern Provincial Council election candidates has already begun and SLFP sources say the President has shown interest in aiding the campaigns of actresses Anarkali Akarsha and Susantha Chandramali.
The President has made necessary arrangements to allocate funds amounting to millions for Sajin Vaas Gunawrdene’s campaign and has also ordered Presidential media Unit head Mahinda Illeperuma to print posters for Anarkali’s and Susantha’s campaigns. |
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Cover up operation gives President free ads on Swarnavahini |
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2009-09-05 | 2.35 PM |
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Managing Director of Swarnavahini, Jeevaka Edirisinghe, who is accused of massive financial fraud that exceeds those leveled against Ceylinco Chairman Lalith Kotelawala, has arrived at an agreement with Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse.
A special discussion on the matter organized by Lake House Chairman Bandula Padmakumara was held recently. Basil had told Jeevaka that the allegations leveled against him would be covered up if he agrees to carry all advertisements forwarded by him to Swarnavahini during the general and Presidential election are telecast free of charge. Jeevaka has agreed to Basil’s proposal in exchange to covering up the charges leveled against him.
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Song banned following astrologers’ advice |
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2009-09-05 | 2.35 PM |
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The President has ordered all state media heads not to use the word “Maharajano” and to stop telecasting the song “Maharajano” with immediate effect.
The President has made this order following advice received by an astrologer monk residing in the Nimala area in Bundala, who has been involved in astrological work with the Rajapakse family for years. |
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State sponsored website to attack ministers |
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2009-09-05 | 2.35 PM |
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Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse is in the process of setting up a website to publish articles against ministers and opposition politicians who do not heed the President and the Rajapakse family members.
The website was initially planned to reveal fraud and corruption, but due to the inability to find a suitable person to manage the website, it has been decided to assign a person affiliated to the government. Although it was decided to appoint Advisor to Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Karunaratne Paranavithana as the editor of the website, Basil had opposed it due to concerns related to Karunaratne’s loyalty. |
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KP arrested and handed over by Malaysian Special Bureau |
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2009-09-05 | 4.30 AM |
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A senior intelligence official told Lanka News Web that LTTE’s Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP was not arrested on August 6 by a joint operation launched by the Sri Lanka security forces and the intelligence units as stated at the time, but was instead arrested by the Malaysian Special Bureau (MSB) and handed over to Sri Lankan security officers at the Bangkok airport.
KP is currently being interrogated under the supervision of the National Intelligence Bureau Chief Major General Kapila Hendavitharana. |
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