Mar 31, 2009

Microsoft Encarta is ending

Microsoft announced the End of Encarta , its multimedia encyclopedia that started life as a CD-ROM-only product offering way back in 1993. Back then, even a CD-ROM drive was a novelty. A lot has changed in the intervening years, including Internet resources like Wikipedia that tap into the collective knowledge of the world.

Before electronic encyclopedias, most people had to go to the libraries and refer to one or more of the massive volumes. However, encyclopedias of the paper kind began their decline when products like Encarta, Britannica and Wikipedia emerged. Electronic information is easier to search, update and store.

Microsoft will exit its operations of Encarta encyclopedia later this year after losing ground over the years to freely available reference material on the Internet on web sites like Wikipedia.

(Microsoft has lost many of it's branded products because of huge increase of freely available products on the internet)

Encarta websites worldwide, except Encarta Japan, would be discontinued on June or October 31 and Encarta Japan will cease after December 31, Microsoft said.

Encarta and related products still available on Microsft, Microsoft Encarta Home.

Cairn Energy Announces 2008 Results

In 2008, Cairn has focused on allocating its resources to those assets which will drive shareholder value. At 31 December 2008 Cairn had net cash of $898m, positive operating cash flows and net assets of $2.3bn.

The Group’s existing cash resources, debt facilities and cash flow from operations provide adequate funding to complete the core Mangala development project plus the pipeline and to commence first production in 2009. However, Cairn will continue to monitor the credit markets to assess current pricing and may consider expanding its facilities in due course.

Cairn has always maintained a capital structure appropriate for its operations in exploration, appraisal and development. Given the background of global market conditions Cairn decided to strengthen its equity capital base and earlier this month raised a further $161m through a 5% placing of shares.

HIGHLIGHTS

Operational

• Group booked entitlement reserves increased from 170.2 mmboe to 254.5 mmboe
• Gross operated production for 2008: 76,298 boepd (2007: 87,031 boepd)
• Average net entitlement production for 2008: 12,801 boepd (2007: 19,809 boepd)

India
• Phased Mangala, Bhagyam and Aishwariya (MBA) development project on track and funded to deliver first oil from the core Mangala development during H2 2009
• Construction of Mangala Processing Terminal (MPT) underway with four processing trains planned with a nameplate capacity of 205,000 bopd with scope for expansion
• Four processing trains:
• Q3 2009: Mangala production train 1 (30,000 bopd capacity), initial export by trucking
• Q4 2009: Mangala production train 2 (50,000 bopd capacity), export by pipeline
• H1 2010: Mangala production train 3 (50,000 bopd capacity), providing for 125,000 bopd Mangala plateau production
• 2011: Production train 4 (75,000 bopd capacity), providing for 175,000 bopd Rajasthan plateau production.
• Aishwariya production potential upgraded from 10,000 bopd to 20,000 bopd, subject to regulatory approval
• More than 3,000 km2 of acreage secured under long term development contract
• Raageshwari East well, 90 km south of Mangala, flowed 500 bopd on test

Greenland
• Leading material frontier exploration position offshore west and south Greenland
• Processing of 10,000 km of 2D seismic data almost complete
• Additional seismic and well site surveys planned for summer 2009

Financial
• Cairn placing raised $161m
• Profit after tax of $367m including $356m exceptional gain on 4% placement of shares in Cairn India Limited (CIL) (2007 restated: $1,556m including $1,539m exceptional gain on IPO of CIL)
• Cash generated from operations $150m (2007: $155m )
• Group net cash at 31 December 2008 $898m ( 2007: $827m)

Sir Bill Gammell, Chief Executive said:
"Cairn’s Rajasthan development continues to grow in scope and scale as we approach first oil production in the second half of 2009.

The Mangala terminal includes the phased construction of four planned processing trains with a combined production capacity of 205,000 bopd and potential for expansion.

We have established a material frontier exploration position offshore west and south Greenland with 72,000 km2 under licence and the company continues to examine options for early drilling."

Group Production

Cairn’s average gross production during 2008 was 76,298 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) (2007: 87,031 boepd). The Group’s average entitlement production for 2008 was 12,801 boepd net to Cairn (2007:19,809 boepd). The figures below show group production for 2008 on a gross, working interest and entitlement interest basis (including 100% of both CIL’s and Capricorn’s production).

Production (boepd)

Ravva
Gross field: 53,809
Working interest: 12,107
Entitlement interest: 5,711

CB/OS-2
Gross field: 13,778
Working interest: 5,511
Entitlement interest: 4,478
Total 2,612

Sangu
Gross field: 8,711
Working interest: 5,511
Entitlement interest: 2,612

Total
Gross field: 76,298
Working interest: 20,885
Entitlement interest: 12,801

The average realised price per barrel of oil equivalent for 2008 was $63.88 (2007: $39.70). Cairn’s current entitlement interest production is 46% gas: 54% oil. On commencement of production from Rajasthan the vast majority of the Group’s production will be oil.

Group Booked 2P Reserves

The informationbelow shows reserves information at 31 December 2008 on an entitlement interest basis for the Group (including 100% of both CIL’s and Capricorn’s reserves). For accounting and reserves purposes, the Group has used an oil price assumption of $50/bbl for 2009 and $65 for 2010 onwards (real) (2007: $60/bbl (real)).

Reserves at 31.12.07 (mmboe)
India: 169.4
Bangladesh: 0.8
Total: 170.2

Produced in mmboe
India: (3.7)
Bangladesh: (1.0)
Total: (4.7)

Additions in mmboe
India: 65.9
Bangladesh: -
Total: 65.9

Revisions in mmboe
India: 21.3
Bangladesh: 1.8
Total: 23.1

On a direct working interest basis, 2P reserves as at 31 December 2008 have increased by 92.7 mmboe to 348.0 mmboe (31 December 2007: 255.3 mmboe), comprising 346.0 mmboe in India and 2.0 mmboe in Bangladesh. The net entitlement reserves position has also increased by 84.3 mmboe from 170.2 to 254.5 mmboe. This increase is largely due to the booking of Bhagyam and Aishwariya 2P reserves. It also includes an increase in the entitlement to Mangala oil as a result of the increase of plateau offtake rate and the inclusion of pipeline costs following the GoI approval to the moving of the delivery point to the coast. There is also a reduction as a consequence of a change in the Group’s oil price assumption.

India Reserves
With approved Field Development Plans (FDPs) in place for the Mangala, Saraswati, Raageshwari, Bhagyam and Aishwariya fields, net entitlement 2P reserves totalling 240.5 mmboe have been booked for the Rajasthan fields at the 2008 year end. There is a further 12.4 mmboe 2P reserves in the Lakshmi, Gauri and Ravva fields at the year end.

Bangladesh Reserves
The net entitlement 2P reserves for Sangu are 1.6 mmboe at the 2008 year end, compared to 0.8 mmboe at the 2007 year end. The increase has resulted from better than forecast production from a number of wells, well intervention work in Q4 2008 and incremental recovery associated with installation of onshore compression, which is due to commence operation in Q3 2009. A reduction in forecast operating costs has also extended the expected field life. Sangu net entitlement 2P reserves now represent around 0.6% of total booked Group reserves.

Overview of Operations

Cairn India
Rajasthan (Block RJ-ON-90/1) (Cairn India 70% (Operator); ONGC 30%)
Cairn and its JV partner ONGC now have 3,111 km2 under long term contract on the Rajasthan licence of which the main field development area covers 1,859 km2. The Bhagyam and Kameshwari development areas cover 430 km2 and 822 km2 respectively.

The phased integrated development plan for the block, which includes gas, water and pipeline operations, is focused on the Mangala field with the MPT the hub through which all facilities will be connected.

Development - Upstream
In readiness for production in Q3 2009 good progress is being made in the development of the MPT with more than 6,000 workers currently involved in upstream construction activities in Rajasthan.

The well pads to enable first production have been completed and development drilling is well underway with two multi purpose mobile drilling rigs at the Mangala site. The work over rig to complete the wells is also on site. The wells drilled to date support the ramp up production profile for the Mangala field.

Construction of the key facilities and related infrastructure in readiness for the Q3 start is making good progress with all of the key elements to enable production from the MPT now in an advanced stage of preparation. These include key features such as well pads, in-field infrastructure, processing facilities, export facilities and power generation and utilities.

The overall development includes the construction of four planned processing trains with a capacity of 205,000 bopd and scope for expansion:
- Q3 2009: Mangala production train 1 (30,000 bopd capacity), initial export by trucking
- Q4 2009: Mangala production train 2 (50,000 bopd capacity), export by pipeline
- H1 2010: Mangala production train 3 (50,000 bopd capacity), providing for 125,000 bopd Mangala plateau production
- 2011: Production train 4 (75,000 bopd capacity), providing for 175,000 bopd Rajasthan plateau production

Cairn has been able to significantly enhance the reserves, stock tank oil initially in place (STOIIP) and production rates since the original FDP was approved by the GoI in 2006. The key features of the revised Mangala FDP submitted in 2008 and which is now with GoI for approval are:
- A 25% increase in the plateau production rate to 125,000 bopd
- Upward revision of the 2P (P50) STOIIP to 1,293 mmbbls, an increase of more than 20% over the earlier estimated figures
- A 30% increase in the expected ultimate recovery over previous estimates to ~476 mmbbls (a recovery factor of around 37% of 2P STOIIP)

The revised FDP was submitted following further drilling in the development area, along with extensive subsurface and detailed design and engineering studies.

The front end engineering design for Bhagyam has been completed. The Aishwariya STOIIP has increased to 290 mmbbls. The estimated increased 2P reserves is 64 mmboe supporting a plateau production of 20,000 bopd compared to the 10,000 bopd plan approved in 2006. These estimates are subject to regulatory and partner approvals and the implementation of a revised FDP.

Development - Pipeline (Cairn India 70% (Operator) ONGC 30%)
Construction of the ~600 km insulated and heated pipeline is well underway with more than 4,000 personnel involved in the building of the facilities including the terminals.

Approval under Right of Use (ROU) has been obtained in principle from the GoI for the entire length of the pipeline from Barmer to the Gujarat coast. The land for all the above ground installations and the terminals at Viramgam, Radhanpur and the Gujarat coast has been acquired.

The pipeline route through Rajasthan and Gujarat passes through eight districts and more than 250 villages. There are also 35 heating stations under construction along the length of the pipeline plus a terminal at Viramgam, which will function as both a storage and pump station with the ability to distribute to refiners.

Currently there are nine pipeline laying spreads deployed in Gujarat and Rajasthan. To date ~215 km of pipeline has been constructed and lowered.
The pipeline route has ~600 crossings of various types (rivers, roads, rail etc) with all the necessary approvals from the respective statutory authorities in place. In total there are 59 cased crossings of which 36 have been completed with construction underway on seven additional cased crossings.

Construction at the Viramgam terminal is well advanced, with all storage tanks and the main building superstructures nearing completion. The manufacture and delivery of all long lead items are in the final stages of completion and are well in advance of the dates they are required on site to support construction.

Rajasthan - Sales
India currently imports more than two million bopd against a domestic production of 700,000 bopd. The Indian refining sector is growing rapidly and demand for crude oil is expected to increase.

Following final GoI approvals, the route of the Rajasthan pipeline allows access to an existing pipeline infrastructure, with a final coastal delivery point that will afford access to the majority of India’s refining capacity.

The oil from Rajasthan is categorised as medium sweet crude with an average API of 280. The viscosity and pour point are relatively high, but normal for crude generated from this type of onshore lacustrine source rock. The oil must however be kept warm during transportation.

Prior to first production via the pipeline the crude from the MPT will be trucked to the Gujarat coast. The GoI has nominated Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) as purchaser of the crude and is in the process of confirming additional nominees. Currently, Cairn India’s focus is to complete arrangements for crude oil sales in Q3 2009.

In order to facilitate the trucking and sale of oil ahead of the pipeline completion trial runs have been successfully carried out on the route from Mangala to the Gujarat coast.

Kameshwari Development Area (Cairn India 100%)
During 2008 the GoI approved the three discoveries made in Kameshwari West 2, 3 and 6 and the new Development Area of 822 km2.

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)
Cairn has made 25 discoveries in the RJ-ON-90/1 block to date and has established a significant growing resource base in the Barmer basin, currently estimated at around 3.7 billion barrels of oil in place. Cairn continues its efforts to develop this resource base through the application of appropriate cost efficient technologies. The initial focus has been to develop the MBA fields which contain over two billion barrels in place in the Fatehgarh reservoirs, through primary and secondary recovery schemes.

Cairn continues its efforts on the staged and early application of aqueous-based chemical flooding EOR techniques in the MBA fields. Early application of chemical flooding EOR in these fields would be designed to increase the overall recovery from the fields, extend their crude oil production plateau periods, reduce water production, mitigate future decline rates and potentially accelerate crude oil production. Cairn is actively planning to conduct an EOR pilot trial in the Mangala field following very encouraging results obtained from the laboratory and simulation studies. The current assessment of the EOR resource base is more than 300 mmbbls of incremental recoverable oil from the MBA fields.

In addition Cairn continues to evaluate the resources and the development options of the other discoveries, of which the Barmer Hill formation over the Mangala and Aishwariya fields contains around 400 mmbbls of oil in place in tighter reservoir rocks (lower permeabilities). This reservoir has tested oil at rates of up to 250 bopd after stimulation. Analogous fields in the world have been developed with expected ultimate recoveries of 7-20% under primary and secondary recovery schemes. Cairn is planning to conduct pilot activities to evaluate this additional resource potential and associated development options.

Cairn will also continue to consider low cost development options for the smaller fields through the use of cost effective technologies and by leveraging the existing infrastructure.

Cairn India - Producing Assets
Average gross production from Block CB/OS-2 for 2008 was 13,778 boepd (comprising average gas production of 39 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd) and average oil/condensate production of 7,228 bopd).

Oil production has increased from the new wells that were added during the 2008 infill well development drilling campaign.

Krishna-Godavari Basin - Eastern India

Ravva (Cairn India 22.5% (Operator)
Average gross production from the Ravva field for 2008 was 53,809 boepd (comprising average oil production of 41,999 bopd and average gas production of 71 mmscfd).

Production at Ravva is being sustained with the contribution from new wells and successful workovers that were conducted in the 2008 drilling campaign. Further studies are continuing to identify additional in place reserves within the field.

Three new infield subsea pipelines have been installed to overcome pipeline capacity bottlenecks and the commissioning of these pipelines is ongoing to aid production from the field.

Cairn India - Exploration
During 2008 Cairn India operated four of seven wells in which it participated, three of which were successful:
- The RB-4 well in Ravva encountered additional oil sands that were later put on stream at 500 bopd through the Ravva production facilities.
- Raageshwari East-1 in Rajasthan flowed 500 bopd and 0.4 mmscfd on test from Thumbli sands in a separate oil accumulation adjacent to the Raageshwari field.
- The Mangala North-1 well extended the contingent resource in the Barmer Hill Formation for the Mangala field.

Two wells were drilled in CB-ONN-2002/1 and one in each of GV-ONN-2002/1 and GV-ONN-97/1, all of which were dry.

Seismic acquisition included both 2D and 3D seismic in blocks KG-ONN-2003/1, GV-ONN-2003/1 and 2D in block VN-ONN-2003/1. A marine 2D seismic survey was also completed in block KK-DWN-2004/1 in 2008.

Over the next 12 months further drilling and seismic programmes are planned. Drilling is scheduled onshore in the KG basin, with acquisition of 3D seismic totalling 1,800 km2 to commence offshore India and in Sri Lanka.

Capricorn

Capricorn continues to build an asset base for exploration led growth and has strengthened its exploration portfolio by building its acreage position in Greenland throughout 2008.

Capricorn now has assets in South Asia (Northern India, Bangladesh and Nepal), Greenland, the Mediterranean (Tunisia, Albania and pending licence awards in Spain) and Papua New Guinea.

Greenland

Capricorn has acquired a leading frontier exploration position offshore west and south Greenland.

The prospective geological basins around the coast of Greenland are at a very early stage of evaluation with only six offshore and one onshore exploration well having been drilled to date, and most of those during the 1970s. However, the results of these wells, together with more recent onshore geological mapping over the past 15 years, have confirmed the presence of all the essential elements required for the generation and trapping of hydrocarbons.

The Circum-Arctic Resource Appraisal study published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in 2008 estimates significant “yet to find” hydrocarbons within the Arctic Greenlandic basins, recognising Greenland as a potentially very prospective, but under- explored country.

The report contains the USGS assessment of risked potential in the eastern Greenland (31 billion boe)), northern Greenland (3.3 billion boe) and western Greenland – east Canada (17 billion boe) basins. The south Greenland offshore area lies outside of the Arctic Circle and was not included in the survey.
The Greenlandic and Danish authorities are in the process of gradually opening up the Arctic areas of these basins to the industry through competitive bid rounds, whilst other selected areas are available via application.

During 2008, Capricorn completed its obligation seismic work programme for the first licence phase over all six of its operated licences. A 6,600 km 2D seismic survey was acquired in the Disko West blocks Sigguk and Eqqua, followed by the acquisition of a further 1,200 km 2D seismic survey in the southern Kingittoq and Saqqamuit blocks and around 1,780 km of 2D seismic data over the Salliit and Uummannarsuaq blocks (Cape Farewell 1 & 2). Processing of all the collected data is nearing completion.

A Controlled Source Electromagnetic Survey (CSEM) was also acquired in 2008 over the Lady Franklin and Atammik blocks operated by EnCana and the data is currently being evaluated.

Additional seismic and well site surveys are being planned for the 2009 operational season.

Bangladesh

Production and Development
In 2008, the Sangu gas field passed a landmark of 10 years on production, during which time it has consistently demonstrated an enviable record for safety and low cost production. The field is now in decline and during the year, Cairn and its JV partners successfully completed three well intervention programmes and committed to a compression project which is currently being implemented. These measures will help to increase and extend production.

The third well intervention programme carried out on wells 1 and 9 in the Sangu field resulted in an initial 60% improvement in production, and rates are now around 55 mmscfd.

To augment further gas production from Sangu the installation of an onshore compressor is under way and is expected to be operational by July 2009.

Sangu has produced in excess of 440 bcf since production started in 1998. Located in the Bay of Bengal, some 50 km off the coast at Chittagong, the field is the only offshore gas field in Bangladesh. Sangu was one of the largest discoveries in the 1990s, when Cairn was one of the first international companies to start operating in the country. To date, Cairn and its JV partners have invested approximately $1 bn in Bangladesh.
The JV partners in the Sangu field are currently Cairn, Santos and HBR Energy.

Exploration
Following the drilling campaign at Magnama and Hatia earlier in 2008, there have been no further operations in Block 16 and an appraisal programme is being considered.

In Block 5 Cairn and its JV Partner Santos have decided not to proceed into the next phase of the PSC and the block has therefore been returned to the Government of Bangladesh.

Nepal

The security situation in Nepal continues to be monitored closely. Contractual force majeure remains in place on the acreage in Nepal, precluding in-country operations. As soon as the security situation permits, fieldwork will include aerogravity and seismic acquisition.

Other Assets (Tunisia, Albania, Australia, Peru, Spain, Papua New Guinea)

In the Mediterranean, site surveys have been carried out in Tunisia for exploration well locations in both the Louza and Nabeul permits.

An environmental impact assessment is presently underway offshore Albania ahead of a planned 2009 3D seismic survey.

Several licence applications offshore Spain remain pending. As a result of an ongoing rationalisation programme, the exploration permits inherited from Plectrum in Australia (Bremer Basin), Peru and The Shetlands have been either transferred or relinquished.

In Papua New Guinea the Operator (Talisman) has recently completed a 3D seismic survey over the undeveloped Pandora gas field to define better the extent of the gas resource.

Source : OilVoice

Sri Lanka considering pause in fighting

Srilanka Government yesterday 30 March announced that they are considering temporarily pause the army's assault against LTTE to give civilians a chance to safely move to government controlled areas.
Srilanka defense spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says this will be a strategic move to weaken the LTTE. HE also called it as a Humanitarian Pause to make a way to civilians trtapped by LTTE in the No-War zone, to safely move to Government controlled area.

Mar 29, 2009

Security Update : Army killed 26 LTTE Cadres

Srilanka ARMY announced that heavy fightings now occurring in northern part of Srilanka. sturday Srilanka ARMY killed 26 tamil tiger cadres at the Pudukuduirippu area.
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the fighting occurred around Pudukudirrippu and Karaivamulliyakal near Mullativu.

He also added that ARMY now reaching more closely to the Government declared NoFire Zone, which it is held in LTTE controlling area.

ARMY spokesman said that LTTE is committed to fire at Srilankan troops from No-Fire Zone of Pudukuduirippu, however ARMY not counter attacking as the No-fire zone filled with innocent civilians.

LTTE continuing the killing of civilians who are trying to escape from no-fire zone which held in LTTE controlled areas. Last week there were more than 20 innocent civilians killed by LTTE who were attempted to escape from No-Fire Zone. Srilanka ARMY reported that civilians reached to government controlled areas with the dead bodies of their relatives killed by LTTE.

Mar 28, 2009

suicide bomber attack killed 45 in a pakistan mosque

At least 45 worshippers during Friday prayers, killed by a Suicide bomber at a mosque in Khyber,
close to the North-West Frontier Province of capital Peshawar. Sources says death toll could rise to more than 70.

Suicide attack taken place at 30 km from the Afghan border and near a supplying route of Afghanistan troops, sources revealed.

eye witnesses says the mosque was fully packed with worshipers at the time of suicide attack, because it is the Friday worship. The mosque is now turned in to a rubble with remaining few cement columns. So that we can get an idea about the power of the bomb exploded. Bodies could still be buried under the rubble, sources says.

Mar 27, 2009

BPO puts Sri Lanka on the top of global Outsourcing map

"Sri Lanka shares many of the attributes that make India such an attractive location for outsourcing work. These include a low-cost of labor, a plentiful pool of educated and English-speaking workers, high literacy levels, and a legal system that is based on a Western model."

Sri Lanka is some way down the list of global sourcing locations, but its newly created outsourcing trade association believes that the country has the necessary attributes to become a leading center for business process outsourcing. Although the country has learnt much from India's success it must develop its own strengths and focus on attracting high-profile vendors over the next few years.

Sri Lanka's budding offshore industry has inevitably been overshadowed by its larger Indian neighbor, which has been the world's leading sourcing hub for the last decade. However, the market situation is now more favorable, as vendors are increasingly looking to offer services from multiple locations, often using India as a central hub while also delivering services from satellite facilities in Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Sri Lanka has clearly learnt much from India's success; even the name of its newly formed trade association, Slasscom, is clearly modeled on India's own, highly successful Nasscom. However, it is not simply trying to imitate the success of its larger counterpart. Whereas a broad range of both IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) services can be delivered from facilities in India, Sri Lanka has opted to focus on just a few domain areas, including finance and accounting BPO, and knowledge process outsourcing.

The decision to adopt a narrow focus on areas such as finance and accounting is a sensible one. Sri Lanka, with a population of around 20 million people, cannot hope to match the all-round capabilities of India (which has a population of well over one billion) but it does have a significant labor pool of qualified accountants waiting to be tapped. According to figures from the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka, approximately 50,000 Sri Lankans qualify as accountants each year.


Despite these positive qualities, there is much work to be done before Sri Lanka can be considered a major outsourcing location. Competition among nations has never been stronger, with locations in China, Mexico, the Philippines and the Czech Republic, to name but a few, proving themselves capable of delivering high-quality low-cost services.


As well as competition from other nations, Sri Lanka must contend with a number of other challenges that could retard growth. The first relates to infrastructure; telecom costs in the country are high when compared with the rest of South-East Asia, which can reduce the country's cost advantage over its local rivals. Furthermore, its IT and BPO industry is currently heavily centered on the Colombo metropolitan region and there are question marks over the ability of second tier cities to support this kind of work.


To help allay these and other investor concerns, Sri Lanka needs to attract a number of high-profile outsourcing vendors. Currently, significant players with facilities in the country include WNS and RR Donnelley. If Slasscom were able to attract other major players, such as Accenture or ACS, it would provide a significant boost to the country's growth.


Source: outsourcingbpo.cbronline.com

Mar 25, 2009

IPL moved to South Africa

IPL or Indian Premier League’s Twenty20 cricket tournament chairman Lalit Modi announces that IPL's second season will held in South Africa from April 18.
“The overwhelming reason we chose South Africa is primarily the weather,” said IPL chairman Lalit Modi. and this is the final decision.

There are few reasons to play the IPL in South africa. One is Indian Elections would held along with the IPL, so making some security issues. The IPL board also arranged the full live TV broadcasting to facilitate disappointed Indian Cricket fans. 'Supersport Broadcasting' holds rights for the IPL and for international cricket in South Africa.

Mar 24, 2009

Pottu Amman's hide out captured

Today 24/March Srilanka ARMY's 58 Division have captured LTTE Intelligence Wing Leader Pottu Amman's hideout in South of Iranapalai. ARMY says this safe house used by Pottu Amman and Kapil Amman to make their operations.
Troops also found huge amount of AP mines and a Jeep used by Pottu Amman.
Srilankan troops advancing towards LTTE's area and now LTTE cornered to small land.
Government and ARMY beleives they can soon liberalize the whole area.


Mar 22, 2009

Srilanka Rejects LTTE's appeal for ceasefire

Srilanka Government says NO to the LTTE's appeal for an immediate ceasefire.
Earlier, the Political Commissar of the LTTE, B. Nadesan has asked for an immediate ceasefire from the Srilanka Government in an interview with UK's 'Sunday Times' News Paper.

Srilankan Government claimed that LTTE Leader V. Prabakaran and his son Charles Anthony still trapped in Government declared No War Zone and there's no way to hide out or escape from their in.
Nadesan ridiculously attempting for a ceasefire at the last moment to save his leader and Charles Anthony. If Nadesan really wants to safeguard Prabakaran and his son, ask them for surrender to Srilanka ARMY. Srilankan government officials said.

Recently IDP's who were fled from government declared north No War Zone, has confirmed that they have seen LTTE Leader Prabakaran and his son Charles Anthony traveling along the No War Zone.

Mar 19, 2009

Srilanka Allows EU envoys to visit North war zone

Few days ago UN said that suspected war crimes war crimes were being committed in the fight against LTTE. (an unfair statement in our views)
Foreign ministry officials said talks were under way to give a European Union fact-finding mission access to the area, which has been almost totally off-limits to diplomats, aid workers and journalists. According to Srilanka Government EU officials may allow to visit camps that the Sri Lankan government has set up for civilians displaced in north.
EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said she hoped another mission from member nations and the European Commission would be able to visit Sri Lanka soon for an assessment.Neither LTTE nor the Sri Lankan government have until now accepted our appeal for an immediate ceasefire,” she said.

For past few days more than 1500 civilians have fled from the government declared security zone to Government controlled areas though LTTE killing civilians who escaped from their lands.

We have nothing to hide from international community said Srilanka government, and not restricted the access to war zone.

Srilanka Government have already done what they want to do. and only a very small area they have to capture and liberalize the north region. As srilankans living in srilanka we can say Srilankan government doing the war in most fairly way as compared to other countries who committed to war.

Mar 18, 2009

Clinton raised fears for the safety of IDP's trapped in security zone


US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed strong concern for the safety of civilians in the combat zones.

In a telephone conversation with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 13 March, Clinton raised fears for the safety of civilians trapped within the narrow “safe zone”,
As the following Us state Department statement:





Press Releases by the Department of State

Humanitarian Situation in Sri Lanka

Statement by Gordon Duguid, Acting Deputy Spokesman

On March 13, Secretary Clinton called Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa to express the United States’ deep concern over the deteriorating conditions and increasing loss of life occurring in the Government of Sri Lanka-designated “safe zone” in northern Sri Lanka. The Secretary stated that the Sri Lankan Army should not fire into the civilian areas of the conflict zone. The Secretary offered immediate and post-conflict reconstruction assistance and she extended condolences to the victims of the March 10 bombing outside a mosque in southern Sri Lanka. She condemned the actions of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who are reported to be holding civilians as human shields, and to have shot at civilians leaving LTTE areas of control.

Secretary Clinton called on President Rajapaksa to devise a political solution to the ongoing conflict. She urged the President to give international humanitarian relief organizations full access to the conflict area and displaced persons camps, including screening centers.

The United States believes that a durable and lasting peace will only be achieved through a political solution that addresses the legitimate aspirations of all of Sri Lanka’s communities. We call on the Sri Lankan Government to put forward a proposal now to engage Tamils who do not espouse violence or terrorism, and to develop power sharing arrangements so that lasting peace and reconciliation can be achieved.

“Secretary Clinton called Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa to express the United States’ deep concern over the deteriorating conditions and increasing loss of life occurring in the Government of Sri Lanka-designated ‘safe zone’ in northern Sri Lanka,” Gordon Duguid, acting deputy spokesman, said in the statement.

Mar 17, 2009

Srilanka not accept any conditions for IMF loans

Srilanka government is currently in talks with the IMF (International Monetary Fund) about an Emergency loan worth $1.9 billion. Government says that Srilanka is the latest nation seeking help from IMF in the Global Economic Recession.

Srilanka's leading government English news paper yesterday quoted that President Mahinda Rajapaksha denies any conditions offered by the IMF about Emergency Loan.

"We are absolutely clear. We will not pawn or sell our motherland to obtain any monetary aid from the IMF or any other international agency, Neither will we bow down to any conditions or transform our land to a colony"
Rajapaksha tells at a meeting of new government officials.

However Central Bank says it will end talks about IMF negotiations by the end of this March.

In the past IMF has required countries to take steps such as cutting public spending and raising interest rates in exchange for emergency funds. The IMF has closed its Sri Lankan office and IMF officials were not immediately reachable.

Security Update : Heavy Fighting with LTTE in Pudukuduirippu

Recently Srilankan soldiers captured Pudukuduirippu town and now marching forward to the Putumattalan area in north.

Iranapalai junction Captures
Today Srilanka ARMY captured another strategically important 'Iranapalai junction' From the LTTE. ARMY's 58 division troops captured Iranapalai junction after heavy fighting with LTTE.
So that LTTE has lost another important logistics route and ARMY believes that capturing Iranapalai junction will limits further LTTE operations.

LTTE continued to fire from 'No Fire' Zone
Civilians now gathering in the government declared 'No Fire Zone' in Putumattalan area.
Civilians who escaped from LTTE trap says that LTTE killing innocent civilians who were trying to escape from the area. Today a confirmed report from the safe zone says that, people hugely protesting against LTTE demanding safe passage to the government controlled areas. LTTE cadres have shot to few of those protesters and killed.

More civilians fled
Another 1565 group of civilians have fled to the government controlled areas today.
Some of people killed by LTTE while attempting to escape.

ICC World Twenty 20 - England 2009

ICC world twenty 20 series begins on June 2009 at England. matches will held at Lords, the Oval, Trent Bridge & Taunton.

Groups Stage.
Group A: India (A1), Bangladesh (A2), Ireland
Group B: Pakistan (B1), England (B2), Netherlands
Group C: Australia (C1), Sri Lanka (C2), West Indies
Group D: New Zealand (D1), South Africa (D2), Scotland

Super 8 Stage
Lords - Fri 12 June:

  • Australia vs India*
  • Pakistan vs Sri Lanka*

    The Oval - Sat 13 June:
  • Australia vs South Africa*
  • New Zealand vs Pakistan*

    The Oval - Mon 15 June:
  • Australia vs England*
  • Pakistan vs Bangladesh*
  • Mar 12, 2009

    Sri Lanka Cricket Rearranged

    Kumar Sangakkara left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper of Srilanka Cricket team, has appointed as the new captain of Srilanka Cricket team. Spin Bowler Muttiah Muralitharan has been appointed as the deputy captain of Srilanka Cricket.

    Mahela Jayawardene had decided to retire from captainship after the Pakistan Tour 2009. However Mahela was not able to complete the Pakistan tour as unexpected terror attack at Lahore. Sangakkara, Mahela, and several other of the team have injured from the Lahore attack. Srilankan officials announced that all players are now providing adequate treatment and they are getting cured from injures.

    As the captain of Srilanka cricket Sangakkara's first tournament will be the ICC World Twenty20 series in England next June ( from June 12 to 21 ).

    Sangakkara assured that all Srilankan players will play at their best and said that it's an individual responsibility of them. added that Murali is a experienced and one of the best player of Srilankan Cricket team and he deserves for the position.

    In addition the Sports minister of Srilanka, Gamini Lokuge has appointed a new team of officials to the Srilanka cricket board. among them past players are included, to drives to a better future of Srilanka Cricket.

    Mar 11, 2009

    IPL and Security

    IPL winners 2008
    "We will provide top security to all players who participated to the Indian Premier Legue Cricket Tournament. there's no such security holes in India as international Media states", said Lalith Moody the chairman of Indian Premier League (IPL), March 10 - Mumbai.

    He added that rigorous security plan has implemented to tighten the security of all players of IPL. Top International cricket players participated to the IPL tournament, but none of them has questioned yet about the Security of IPL, Moody says.

    After Srilankan cricketers attacked in Pakistan by a terrorist team, many international medias and organisations have questioned about the security of South Asian countries.

    2009 IPL Time Table

    Defending champion Rajasthan Royals will take on Delhi Daredevils in the opening encounter in the second season of the Indian Premier League on April 10.

    The opening match will be hosted in Jaipur, it was announced in a statement issued by the IPL on Tuesday.

    The semifinals will be held in Chennai on May 21 and 22 while the final will be once again hosted by Mumbai on May 24.

    Deccan Chargers will host its matches at two venues, Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi Stadium and the ACA and VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

    Day matches would be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and those at night would be held from 8 to 11p.m.

    The schedule:

    April 10: Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils at Jaipur.

    April 11: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Deccan Chargers at Kolkata; Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers at Chennai.

    April 12: Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab at Delhi; Mumbai Indians Vs Rajasthan Royals at Mumbai.

    April 13: Deccan Chargers vs Chennai Super Kings at Hyderabad.

    April 14: Royal Challengers vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Bangalore.

    April 15: Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians at Mohali.

    April 16: Deccan Chargers vs Delhi Daredevils at Hyderabad; Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals at Chennai.

    April 17: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers at Mumbai.

    April 18: Kings XI Punjab vs Deccan Chargers at Mohali; Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Darevils at Kolkata.

    April 19: Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings at Mumbai; Royal Challengers vs Rajasthan Royals at Bangalore.

    April 20: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab at Kolkata.

    April 21: Delhi Daredevils vs Mumbai Indians at Delhi.

    April 22: Rajasthan Royals vs Deccan Chargers at Jaipur.

    April 23: Royal Challengers vs Kings XI Punjab at Bangalore.

    April 24: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Mumbai.

    April 25: Delhi Daredevils vs Royals Challeners at Delhi; Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab at Chennai.

    April 26: Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Jaipur; Deccan Chargers vs Mumbai Indians at Vizag.

    April 27: Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers at Mohali.

    April 28: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils at Mumbai.

    April 29: Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals at Mohgali.

    April 30: Deccan Chargers vs Royal Challengers at Vizag.

    May 1: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Daredevils at Chennai.

    May 2: Mumbai Indians vs Deccan Chargers at Mumbai; Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajhasthan Royals at Kolkata.

    May 3: Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings at Mohali; Royal Challengers vs Delhi Daredevils at Bangalore.

    May 4: Deccan Chargers vs Rajsathan Royals at Hyderabad.

    May 5: Delhi Daredevils vs Chennai Super Kings at Delhi.

    May 6: Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab at Jaipur; Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians at Kolkata.

    May 7: Royal Challengers vs Deccan Chargers at Bangalore.

    May 8: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings at Kolkata.

    May 9: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians at Jaipur; Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils at Mohali.

    May 10: Deccan Chargers vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Hyderabad.

    May 11: Delhi Daredevils vs Rajsathan Royals at Delhi.

    May 12: Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab at Mumbai; Chennai Super Kings vs Deccan Chargers at Chennai.

    May 13: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers at Kolkata.

    May 14: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings at Jaipur; Delhi Daredevils vs Deccan Chargers at Delhi.

    May 15: Royal Challengers vs Mumbai Indians at Bangalore.

    May 16: Delhi Daredevils vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Delhi; Deccan Chargers vs Kings XI Punjab at Hyderabad.

    May 17: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers at Jaipur; Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians at Chennai.

    May 18: Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Mohali.

    May 19: Royal Challengers vs Chennai Super Kings at Bangalore.

    May 21: First semifinal at Chennai; May 22: Second semifinal at Chennai.

    May 24: Final at Mumbai

    time table source: the hindu

    Mar 9, 2009

    Suicide bomb attack at Matara

    Today a short while ago (at 10.30 A.M) there was a suicide bomb attack at Matara, Akuressa .
    at the moment 10 killed from the blast and nearly 25 another injured from the attack. several Srilankan Government's top ministers also among those injured persons.

    The blast occurred at a place where there was a Milad-un-nabi festival near Jumma Muslim mosque, Akuressa.
    Eye witnesses says the suicide attacker came by a foot bicycle.

    Mar 7, 2009

    TMVP hands over weapons to Srilanka Government

    Today 07March, The Pillayan factor of TMVP handed over their arms to Srilankan government security forces at Webber stadium in Batticoloa. The weapons handed over by TMVP includes 56 T-56 guns, one T-81 gun, 40RPG shells & 6,700 rounds of ammunition.
    The breakover LTTE rebel team , TMVP has recently devided to another two parts as Pillayan team and Karuna team. The leader of the TMVP's Pilliyan factor is the chief minister of Eastern Province. President Mahinda Rajapaksha elected Karuna as a Member of Srilanka Parliament.

    Mar 3, 2009

    Attack on Srilanka Cricket team in Pakistan
















    Yesterday march 03 Srilankan Cricket team attacked by around 12 gunmen in Lahore, Pakistan.
    The attack carried out by gunmen while Srilanka cricket team traveling to Lahore cricket stadium for the day 03-Test Match, with Pakistan.

    Gunmen have used Rocket Launchers, AK47 Rifles and Grenades to carry out the srilanka cricket team attack. Four suspected persons arrested by Pakistan Security forces, connected to attack. and they assured that they will reveal the truth within next 24 hours. Pakistani interior ministry advisor Rehman Malik said that they will complete the investigations on next 48 hours.

    There are 05 Pakistan Policemen killed from the attack and several other have wounded.
    Also six members of Srilanka cricket including Captain Mahela Jayawardene. wounded, but no one has damaged severely except Tharanga Paranawithana who got shot in his chest area. Hospital Sources says that Tharanga also recovering from the injures.
    After the attack Srilanka Bowler Mutthaiyah Muralidaran says their lives saved as the Bus driver bravely drives the bus without stopping. Mahela says that one attacker have launched a motor towards the bus, fortunately it hasn't targeted.

    Cyber Realm