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Defence Secretary orders Major Siriwardena to “take care of” Mangala and Anura |
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2009-10-27 | 9.30 PM |
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Sources from the Army said Defence Secretary GOtabhaya Rajapaksa has ordered one Major Siriwardena to “take care of” JVP parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and SLFP (M) Wing Leader Mangala Samaraweera within one week. The Defence Secretary it is learnt has promised the Major a position in a Sri Lankan mission overseas if he successfully completes the task. |
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President blocks vehicle that was to be given to the General when he left Army Chief’s post |
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2009-10-27 | 9.30 PM |
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Defence Ministry sources said the President has withdrawn an earlier order given by him to the Ministry asking the vehicle used by General Sarath Fonseka during his tenure as Army Chief be handed over to him when he was leaving the office.
It was also reported yesterday (26) that the President had ordered the Land Commissioner not to sign the deed for the 20 perch land in Colombo that was to be handed over to the General as promised by the President. Following the successful completion of the war against the LTTE, the government decided to hand over 20 perch lands to each of the forces chiefs. |
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SB and Rajitha hold secret meeting |
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2009-10-27 | 9.30 PM |
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Reliable sources said the UNP National Organizer S.B. Dissanayake and Minister Rajitha Senaratne have held a secret discussion on Sunday (25). The meeting had taken place at the residence of a mutual friend, Sunil and Bhadrani Gunawardena, in Dehiwela, Kalubowila.
Minister Rajitha Senaratne had discussed at length of the support that could be extended from the government ranks to S.B. Dissanayake to contest as the UNP candidate at the next Presidential election and the possible measures to be taken to prevent General Sarath Fonseka from entering into politics. |
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Several UNP defectors to the government secret discussions to return to the party |
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2009-10-27 | 9.30 PM |
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A senior UNP parliamentarian told Lanka News Web that several UNPers who joined the government and accepted ministerial portfolios are holding secret discussions on returning to the party and have agreed to join the party fold when either a general or Presidential election is called.
These ministers are to announce that they joined the government with the intention of supporting it to defeat the LTTE and terrorism in the country and now that the war is over, they have decided to rejoin the UNP to take the country towards a development agenda. The ministers it is learnt are of the belief that although President Mahinda Rajapaksa managed to win the war
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Only SLFP unions attend discussion
No salary increments this year – President |
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2009-10-27 | 9.30 PM |
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa had informed members of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) SLFP trade unions during a discussion yesterday (26) that there would not be any salary increments for public sector employees in 2009 due to the expenditure the government has had to incur on the war and the resettlement of the war displaced and that a salary increment would be given with arrears for the employees in 2010. |
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No positive response from President
CPC joint trade union hold emergency meeting today |
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2009-10-27 | 9.30 PM |
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The joint trade union of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) called an emergency meeting today (27) to discuss the future course of action to be adopted to continue agitating for their demands as there has so far been no positive response from the government.
Convener of the trade union, D.J. Rajakaruna told us that they have been unable to meet the President to discuss their issues although they were hopeful of meeting him yesterday (26). |
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Will continue to serve the country even after retiring from the military – General |
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2009-10-27 | 9.30 PM |
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President orders Land Commissioner to hold back deed of land promised to the General following the military victory |
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2009-10-26 | 4.45 PM |
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Sources from the Presidential Secretariat said that orders have been issued by the President to the Land Commissioner not to sign the deed for the land promised to former Army Chief General Sarath Fonseka by the government for spearheading the war against the LTTE.
A few days after the military victory, the President told the media that he had allocated a 20 perches land in Kirimandala Mawatha, Colombo to be handed over to the General. However, sources said the President decided to postpone the handing over of the land due to the ongoing conflict between the President and General Fonseka.
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Former Navy Chief tries to enter parliament through National List and secure a Cabinet portfolio |
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2009-10-26 | 4.45 PM |
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Former Navy Chief Wasantha Karannagoda is looking at entering parliament through the National List after the next general election and securing a Cabinet portfolio and several leading monks are to meet with the President on behalf of Karannagoda to receive approval, JHU sources said.
Wasantha Karannagoda is currently the secretary of the Highway Development Ministry, which is under the purview of the First Lady. Karannagoda’s wife is a close confidante of the First Lady. |
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Minister silent on Rs. 8,000 million fraud at the Railways Department |
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2009-10-26 | 4.45 PM |
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Convener of the Organization for the Protection of Railway Workers Rights and Assets, Sumathipala Manawadu has requested Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma to reveal to the country the steps that have been taken against those guilty of committing a fraud amounting to Rs. 8,000 million at the Railway Department.
Manwadu says the committee appointed by the Minister has determined that the10 traction motor armatures bought at a cost of Rs.32 million have been found to be discarded pieces. Despite the company promising to replace the armatures (the discarded pieces) with new ones no one responsible for the fraud has been identified yet. It has also been revealed that the two |
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Gotabhaya makes special order preventing the use of General Fonseka’s name in politics |
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2009-10-26 | 12.05 PM |
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has ordered the military and Police to take legal action against any individual who uses names of senior military personnel on false stories for personal political gains.
A special statement on this was released on Friday (23). The statement issued by Military Spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara from the Media Center for National Security states personnel in active military duties could not participate in political activities.
The statement said that Section 20 of the gazette extraordinary clearly lays down the punishment that can be meted out under the emergency regulations to those who are engaged in such activities. |
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Government launches operation to entice common candidate |
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2009-10-26 | 12.05 PM |
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The Irida Lanka newspaper has carried a lead story and launched a poster campaign stating several key figures in the government have launched an operation to entice General Sarath Fonseka.
The news report quoting government sources states that the comment made by a key figure in the government of his decision to resign from parliament was in line with the operation. |
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The Sunday Leader editors threatened with death |
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2009-10-26 | 12.05 PM |
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Sri Lanka President's tour in Vietnam utilized for anti-US propaganda |
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2009-10-26 | 12.05 PM |
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This photo published by Sri Lanka's state print media propaganda organ Sunday Observer is clear evidence that the President Mahinda Rajaakse's official tour to Vietnam is aimed at propagating his defying policy towards Western super powers that are questioning the human rights conduct of the country under him.
The caption went as "President Mahinda Rajapaksa observing the photographs of Western war crimes displayed at the Museum of War Remnants in Vietnam during an official visit to the country," |
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Gotabhaya to tighten security for Rajapaksas claiming a possible military conspiracy |
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2009-10-25 | 2.05 PM |
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has decided to tighten security to the President’s family and his own by instilling fear of a possible military conspiracy and has decided to perform a total reorganization of the state intelligence units and Gajaba Regiment Head Brigadier Mahinda Weerasuriya has been appointed as the head of the Operation Center in Colombo (OCC).
The Defence Secretary has decided to locate three battalions of the Gajaba Regiment in Colombo simultaneous to the appointment of Brigadier Weerasuriya as the head of OCC. This is the first time three battalions of the Gajaba Regiment are summoned to Colombo. The Gajaba Regiment is Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s most trusted regiment in the Army and he |
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Tamil Minister launches operation to trap General Fonseka in the US on a Presidential directive |
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2009-10-25 | 2.05 PM |
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A senior UNP parliamentarian told Lanka News Web that information has been received through diplomatic sources about a conspiracy hatched by a Tamil Minister on a Presidential directive to trap Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka in the US on war crimes charges.
General Fonseka is currently in the US visiting his two daughters till November 9 and the conspiracy to trap him on war crimes charges is to be launched during this period. The UNP parliamentarian said the Tamil Minster has organized an internationally based Tamil organization to petition the US courts calling for |
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SLFP LONDON BRANCH SPLIT IN TO TWO |
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2009-10-24 | 4.05 PM |
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A serious split in the SLFP UK Branch has occurred after a committee meeting held at the Lihiniya Restaurant in Criclewood, London.
Meeting was convened by the President of the UK SLFP branch Rani Bulathwela and many of the sitting committee members attended.
During the meeting a resolution was put forward by a member proposing to send a congratulatory message to former President of the branch Sarath Wijesinghe in his appointment as an Ambassador. Rani Bulkathwela vehemently oppose this proposal saying that Sarath Wijesinghe was a crook and should not be congratulated. |
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Ven. Uduwe Thero had informed the General of the President’s decision to remove the Army Chief |
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2009-10-24 | 12.15 PM |
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JHU sources said although Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero had informed General Sarath Fonseka that the President was agreeable to remove Army Chief, Lt. General Jagath Jayasuriya in a matter of hours in order to appoint a person suggested by the General to the post, General Fonseka had not responded favorably to the suggestion.
Upon hearing Ven. Uduwe Thero’s message from the President, General Fonseka had said there was now no point in speaking about what has happened. |
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Let’s make a move, the President is coming |
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2009-10-24 | 12.15 PM |
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa had informed his security personnel during his visit to Matale on the 18th to participate in the felicitation ceremony held for the military personnel from the Central Province that he needed to visit UNP parliamentarian Ranjith Aluvihare in Matale.
The President’s security personnel had then visited Ranjith Aluvihare’s residence and informed the need to check the residence as the President planned on visiting the place to inquire after the well being of Aluvihare’s mother.
A shocked parliamentarian had said he was not informed of any Presidential visit to his residence. |
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Mixed reactions towards the General |
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2009-10-24 | 12.15 PM |
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UNP National Organizer S.B. Dissanayake had told several weekly newspaper editors on Friday (23) morning that he opposed any move to put forward General Sarath Fonseka as the common candidate at the next Presidential election with the support of the UNP. SB had said the UNP in such an eventuality would lose the support of minority parties and communities.
UNP sources say that the recent statement made by DPF Leader Mano Ganesshan that he would withdraw from the opposition alliance in the event General Fonseka was put forward as the common candidate of the opposition at the next Presidential election was backed by SB. |
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President silent on orders made against the General by the US |
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2009-10-24 | 12.15 PM |
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Army sources said the US government had informed the Sri Lankan government through the US ambassador in Sri Lanka that permission could not be given for Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka to attend an international conference of military chiefs scheduled to be held in Hawaii and that neither the President nor the Defence Ministry had made any statement in this regard.
The US ambassador had informed the General of the US government’s decision when they met for a discussion recently. |
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Dhanasiri Amaratunga claims responsibility for removing the General’s photographs and burning them |
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2009-10-24 | 12.15 PM |
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The new SLFP organizer for Dehiwela, Dhanasiri Amaratunga has claimed responsibility for removing General Sarath Fonseka’s photographs put up at the BMICH for the exhibition organized to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army and burning them before the arrival of the President on the day of the opening.
Dhanasiri had made this statement with a group of young boys while attending a wedding at the Mount Lanka Hotel in Mt. Lavinia on the 18th. |
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Johnston denies visiting Temple Trees |
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2009-10-23 | 11.30 AM |
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An e-mail received by Lanka News Web from a personal called J.X. Fernando in relation to a story carried in the website on the 21st, states that he is Johnston Fernando and that the story about him visiting Temple Trees with Minister Mahinda Ratnathileka is false. The e-mail further sates that if he had any desire to meet with the President he could do so directly without anyone’s help and that he could give more information about the issue if a call was made to his mobile phone number.
Editor’s note:
We than J.X. Fernando for responding to the article by exercising his right of reply. |
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President plans on ousting Wimal and getting Somawansa closer to face the General’s challenge |
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2009-10-22 | 10.50 PM |
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Sources from Temple Trees told Lanka News Web that the President has planned to cast aside the National Freedom Front (NFF) from the government in order to rebuild an alliance with the JVP.
The humiliating defeat of the NFF representatives at the Southern Provincial Council, especially the defeat of Wimal Weerawansa’s brother, Sarath Weerawansa, at the election had compelled the President to make this decision. In fact, the President had reportedly said he could just imagine the response Wimal Weerawansa would receive given the number of votes received by his brother. |
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Presidential Media Unit’s Mahinda Illeperuma asks Thilanga Sumathipala to downplay stories in Lakbima |
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2009-10-22 | 10.50 PM |
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Presidential Media Unit Director Mahinda Illeperuma has asked Managing Director of Lakbima newspapers and Western Provincial Councilor Thilanga Sumathipala to reduce the newspaper’s anti-government stance and not to publish any stories or photographs promoting General Sarath Fonseka.
Mahinda Illeperuma who was a former employee of Lakbima had made this request after personally meeting with Thilanga Sumathipala and Lakbima newspaper Editor, Sundara Nihathamana de Mel on Wednesday (21). |
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President facing difficulty in appointing Ministers to Southern Provincial Council |
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2009-10-22 | 10.50 PM |
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The President facing a difficulty in appointing the Chief Minister and the rest of the Ministers to the Southern Provincial Council several weeks after the conclusion of the election.
Prior to the election, the President had promised two of his relatives, Indika who topped the preferential votes list from the Hambantota District and Hemal Gunasekera who topped the list in the Matara District that the person who received the highest preferential votes would be appointed Chief Minister of the Province.
Unfortunately for the President, both, Indika and Hemal topped the preferential votes lists in their respective districts. |
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Jeevan sidelined in hurriedly organized flyover opening |
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2009-10-22 | 10.50 PM |
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The President reportedly made an unannounced visit to declare open the Dehiwela fly over. However, Ministers A.H.M. Fowzie and T.B. Ekanayake and Highways Ministry Secretary Wasantha Karannagoda were present at the occasion. The venue was also decorated with blue flags and balloons.
However, it appeared as if Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga had not received an invitation for the hurriedly sorted out event. Jeevan Kumaratunga is the only minister from the Colombo District representing the electorate.
Sources from Temple Trees said Jeevan Kumaratunga has been sidelined due to his close relationship with former President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
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"The GoSL Should Take Full Responsibility for the Loss of GSP Plus"
– Mangala Samaraweera |
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2009-10-22 | 10.05 PM |
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Hon Mangala Samaraweera shared these thoughts during today’s press meeting. The loss of GSP + would have a most devastating effect on local economy. The negotiations to obtaining GSP + started by Hon. Ranil Wickramasignhe in 2003 and the country was granted these special concessions in 2005 under President Kumarathunga. We have reaped many economic benefits, from the exception of taxes, under this scheme to the EU. Since the granting if GSP + the country has more than doubled its exports to the EU, which had led to growth in the garments, ceramics and fisheries sectors.
The EU is Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, and having duty free access to the world’s largest market through the GSP+ scheme, gave impetus to the Sri Lankan exporters to increase trade with the EU. Sri Lanka currently exports goods and services worth over US$ 3 billion to the EU. The scheme has helped boost exports to the EU, by enabling local manufacturers to remain competitive despite an increasingly competitive global environment. As a result, the value of exports to the EU increased from US$1.8 billion in 2004 to US$2.9 billion in 2009. More than a million Sri Lankans would either be directly or indirectly affected by the loss of GSP +. The loss of GSP + its not merely a numbers game as the government portrays it, and the loss would be a tragic disaster for countless Sri Lankans. Now countries such as China and Bangladesh would make serious inroads into the European export markets, while we would be at the losing end. The innocent poor worker would be the |
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General’s US visit cut short to five days |
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2009-10-22 | 12.05 PM |
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Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka who was to visit the US for three weeks has now cut short his visit to five days owning to important reasons, sources from the Presidential Secretariat said.
The Generals’ scheduled official visit to Hawaii has now been cancelled as a result. Sources also said the General will leave for the US on the 23rd and spend four days in Washington.
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President accuses Minister Piyasena Gamage of helping only his son’s campaign during Southern PC elections |
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2009-10-22 | 12.05 PM |
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Sources from Temple Trees said the President had recently reprimanded Minister Piyasena Gamage of only helping with his son’s campaign during the Southern Provincial Council election. The President had made these statements when the Minister had visited him to inform his son’s victory at the elections.
Sources added that the President was displeased with the outcome of two of his preferred candidates at the election, Sajin Vaas Gunawardena and Anarkali Akarsha.
Minister Piyasena Gamage’s son Randima Gamage polled 77,418 preferential votes and came second in the UPFA list while Sajin Vaas managed to poll 70,627 preferential votes to become fourth in the list. Anarkali Akarsha managed to secure the 10th slot in the list by polling 26,728 preferential votes.
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JVP decides to support General Fonseka as common candidate at Presidential election |
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2009-10-21 | 8.25 PM |
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JVP politburo member and parliamentarian K.D. Lalkantha said the JVP has decided to support the candidature of General Sarath Fonseka if he contests the next Presidential election as the common candidate.
Lalkantha made this statement at a press conference organized by the National Trade Union Center (NTUC) at the Library Services auditorium to inform the media of the future course of action to be adopted by the Center. |
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Minister Aluthgamage complains to President of General Fonseka threatening to hit him |
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2009-10-21 | 8.25 PM |
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A senior official from Temple Trees told Lanka News Web that Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage had complained to the President last evening that Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka had threatened to hit him at the felicitation ceremony for the security forces held in Matale on the 18th.
According to the source, the incident had taken place during the felicitation ceremony held for the security forces personnel from the Central Province. Minister Aluthgamage, who has been making critical remarks about the General had walked up to him in Matale and said, “Ah, Sarath Aiya, how are you now?” The Minister had also said he did everything on behalf of the President to safeguard him.
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Powerful Tamil candidate at the next Presidential election |
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2009-10-21 | 8.25 PM |
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UNP sources said the United National Alliance was looking at the possibility of putting forward a powerful Tamil candidate to represent the Tamil community in the North and East at the next Presidential election.
The decision had been arrived at due to the fear that the common candidate put forward by the United National Alliance may not be able to muster the votes of the Tamil community.
Discussions on putting forward a Tamil speaking candidate at the next Presidential election have already been held with leaders of the alliance of minority parties.
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Prix Bayeux- Calvados awards for journalists reporting on conflict affected areas |
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2009-10-21 | 8.25 PM |
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The Prix Bayeux- Calvados 2009 journalism awards ceremony was held in the French city of Bayeux on October 9
Journalists working in conflict ridden areas around the world are recognized at this award ceremony and many journalists, photographers, writers and filmmakers participated in the event.
The award for Best Photographer was received by Walter Astrada (AFP) for his photographs on the Madagascar political crisis in February 2009.
The award for Best Feature Article was won by the London based Sunday Times newspaper for |
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WORLD PRESS FREEDOM RANKING |
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2009-10-21 | 8.25 PM |
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Political power grabs dealt press freedom a great disservice again this year. A military coup caused Fiji (152nd) to fall 73 places. Soldiers moved into Fijian news rooms for several weeks and censored articles before they were published, while foreign journalists were deported. In Thailand, the endless clashes between “yellow shirts” and “red shirts” had a very negative impact on the press’s ability to work. As a result, the kingdom is now 130th.
The authoritarianism of existing governments, for example in Sri Lanka (162nd) and Malaysia (131st), prevented journalists from properly covering sensitive subjects such as corruption or human rights abuses. The Sri Lankan government had a journalist sentenced to 20 |
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President accepts he is not Maha Raja |
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2009-10-21 | 12.05 PM |
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The campaign carried out recently to liken the President to Maha Raja has been stopped. It is learnt. The President in his speech at the opening of the Kinniya Bridge on Tuesday (20) said he was not Maha Raja.
Earlier about 40 songs calling him Maha Raja including songs like “Long life to Maha Raja” were broadcast on state media while songs praising Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as the second in command were also given equal publicity.
Government members also referred to the President as Maha Raja in parliament. While the campaign was launched from the President’s House, the President it is learnt has now ordered it to be stopped after learning that many people have in fact criticized the tactic. |
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Johnston secretly visits Temple Trees |
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2009-10-21 | 12.05 PM |
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UNP parliamentarian Johnston Fernando who arrived in parliament to attend the sessions was seen leaving the parliamentary complex today (20) morning in Minister Mahinda Ratnathileka’s vehicle.
Reliable sources said the vehicle had traveled to Temple Trees. |
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Sri Lanka pays for contempt of human rights alleging they are Western Christian concepts |
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2009-10-20 | 9.20 PM |
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Areas of concern identified by the EU's ‘Committee investigating the effective implementation of Human Rights in Sri Lanka’ are mainly related not to the government's 'war against terror' as said in most cases but to the overall human rights and democratic situation of the island.
As reported by media EU sources had told the report showed evidence of police violence, torture and breach of labor laws, notably the use of underage children.
Police violence is wide spread in the country and in the most recent incident residents of a coastal village in the outskirts of Colombo city pelted stones at a police station since two village youths that were arrested for a minor incident were brutally killed and their bodies were dumped in the area.
In another incident, the wife and son of a senior Deputy Inspector General were arrested for torturing an IT student in connection with a student clash in a campus where the police officers son studied. |
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Rupavahini Corporation to produce film “Matha” utilizing public funds amounting to Rs. 500 lakhs |
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2009-10-20 | 8.15 PM |
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Minister Rohana Kumara Dissanayake’s wife and children worship the General in front of the President |
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2009-10-20 | 8.15 PM |
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Minister Rohana Kumara Dissnayake’s wife and children have worshiped Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka on bended knee when he accompanied the President and other VIPs to the Minister’s residence in Matale after attending the felicitation ceremony of the forces at the Aluviharaya in Matale. Neither the President nor the other VIPs had reportedly received such a welcome.
A similar situation had occurred even at the felicitation ceremony where the people had welcomed the General on stage with loud applause that lasted for about 10 minutes. The President had reportedly not received such a response. |
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President mixes up small boy at Hela Maha Seya ceremony |
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2009-10-20 | 8.15 PM |
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Lanka News Web learns that the media ploy to capture the President kissing a small child at the ceremony in Anuradhapura to launch the construction of Seyas (dagabos) in every province to mark the military victory had failed when the President had mixed up the children.
The President arrived at the venue after the ministers dug the ground at the auspicious moment and unveiled the name board of the Hela Maha Seya. Drummers were used to play the magul bera and a small boy was used to blow the conch shell. Organizers were ordered by higher authorities to use a small boy from the South to blow the conch shell. The plan was for the President to kiss the small boy from the South and inquire his hometown and upon hearing a name of a Southern town, the President was to say that heroes were born from the South. |
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Dilith Jayaweera spearheads media campaign about Gotabhaya not entering politics |
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2009-10-20 | 8.15 PM |
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Sources from the Presidential Secretariat say that the statement about Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa not entering politics is part of a media campaign spearheaded by Managing Director of Triad advertising agency, Dilith Jayaweera to drown the opposition raised by senior SLFP members against the Rajapaksa family.
Sources said Triad’s media campaign was launched following the mud slinging campaign carried out against Gotabhaya by senior SLFP members in the Kurunegala District as well as members of the UNP following news that he was planning on contesting at the next general |
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Attempt to intimidate the General by accusing him of assassinating individuals |
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2009-10-20 | 8.15 PM |
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Reliable sources say that the President has launched a secret operation to prevent Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka from entering politics by instilling fear in him through charging him with assassinating individuals in Colombo during the period of the war against the LTTE.
Retired Major General Lawrence Fernando has been tasked with preparing the necessary groundwork. The publicity work has been handed over to Vijayananda Herath from the President’s Media Unit and Presidential Coordinator and Secretary to the Office of the Leader of the House in parliament, Attorney Sumith Wijesinghe. |
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Basil appointed leader of the Northern Task Force by President overlooking ministers |
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2009-10-20 | 8.15 PM |
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The President has appointed Basil Rajapaksa as the leader of the task force to resettle the displaced people in the North even amidst protests by senior ministers saying it was not proper for an ordinary parliamentarian to sit at the head chair at meetings.
Other members of the task forces headed by Basil Rajapaksa are Ministers Milroy Fernando, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Premalal Jayasekera, Mahinda Amaraweera, S.M. Chandrasena, Hussein Bhaila, Suresh Vadivel, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Duminda Dissanayake, Jayaratne Herath, Jagath Pushpakumara, Rohana
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Basil launches US$ 300 million project to receive nuclear power from Korea |
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2009-10-20 | 8.15 PM |
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Sources from the Power and Energy Ministry say that senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa is planning on presenting a project of receiving nuclear power from Korea to solve the energy crisis in the country to the Cabinet through the Finance Ministry.
The project is estimated to cost US$ 300 million. Sources said that although the project is to be a joint venture between the Power and Energy Ministry and the Finance Ministry, the Power and Energy Minister has not been clearly briefed about the project.
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Statement issued by Karu Jayasuria, Deputy Leader of the UNP
The denial of GSP concession sound the death knell for the industry |
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2009-10-20 | 8.15 PM |
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We are greatly perturbed by the release of the EU’s final report tied to the all important GSP plus concession for Sri Lanka’s apparel industry and its overwhelmingly negatives prospects. As the UNP has constantly said, the GSP Plus tariff concession scheme granted by the European Union has been a lifeline to the Apparel and Garment Industry in Sri Lanka, which directly employs over 300,000 persons and nearly a half a million persons indirectly. The denial of this concession will severely compromise Sri Lanka’s competitiveness and perhaps sound the death knell for the industry.
It is nothing short of despicable that in the face of this grave national crisis, the government continues to be obsessed with imaginary coups, conspiring about conspiracies and neutralising its opponents rather than getting on with the work of governance. The UNP demands at least now, when so much has been lost, that the authorities begin to conduct itself like a government of the people, representing their interests instead of nursing petty political ambitions. |
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Basil spoke of resigning to bring General into parliament |
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2009-10-20 | 2.00 PM | BRUSSELS, October 19, 2009 (AFP) |
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A senior Presidential Secretariat official told Lanka News Web that parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa made a statement in Matale last week of resigning from his national list slot in the House following instructions from the President who had at the time decided to bring General Sarath Fonseka into parliament.
The President it is learnt had decided on bringing General Fonseka into parliament and appointing him the Cabinet Minister of Highway Development and had informed one of the General’s friends to get his consent for it. However, the President and Basil had been faced with a difficult situation when General Fonseka had declined the offer. |
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