Lanka News Reporter - News, Politics

Mervyn Silva not guilty !

2010-09-01T09:52:00.001-07:00

Controversial Srilankan deputy minister Mervyn Silva sacked from his deputy ministerial over tying a Government Servant to a tree, a few weeks ago. Country wide protests aroused over the incidence by various organizations and then President Mahinda Rajapaksha decided to cancel his ministerial position. Also SLFP suspended his membership with the party.

Criticisms not only came from opposition but also from his own party and ministers condemned the Marvyn Silva's low standard actions.

However yesterday 31st of August, the SLFP disciplinary committee decides to grant his party membership back to Mervyn Silva and also decides that Mervyn is not guilty over the incidence of tying a Samurdhi Officer in kalaniya.

further SLFP disciplinary committee said that since Mervyn Silva is now removed from guilty, President Mahinda Rajapaksha will appointed back him as deputy minister of roads.

Munneswaram Kovil's Animal Sacrifice

2010-08-25T08:05:00.000-07:00

Munneswaram Hindu Kovil is one of oldest devoting place for many ethnic groups in Srilanka. Munneswaram is an important place for the srilankan Buddhists too. However Annual animal Sacrifice in Munneswaram Kovil has been took place today despite the large protests of Buddhists and Srilankan Society.

Around 300 goats and nearly 1000 chickens were killed today and sacrificed to Hindu Goads.

A large number of Buddhist monks protested today on this animal killing at Chilaw (Puttalam). However Police stops the march of the Buddhist monks towards Munneswaram Kovil. Then monks then seated on the road and started to continue protest until stopping of animal sacrifice.

National Buddhist Movement said that they have made numerous appeals to government officials to stop this animal sacrifice in the Hindu temple. However officials had not made any positive reactions against the killings.

Munneswaram Hindu Temple's animal sacrifice stopped in 1977. However it has started again and said that it backed by government support.

Sakvithi Ranasinghe Arrested

2010-08-06T03:21:00.000-07:00

Sakvithi Ranasinghe and his wife arrested in srilanka while being disguise. He pretended him self as a Tamil when arresting by Mirihana Police. Sakvithi returned from India two months ago and he arrested in Kaduwela,Nawagamuwa area.

Sakvithi Ranasinghe is the biggest financial fraudster in Srilankan history. He was in financial business, collecting large sums of money by promising high returns and safe(Ponzi Scams). However in 2008 Sakvithi has vanished with all the money. Worth of the money was 9000m Rs collected from Srilankan people.

Sakvithi and his wife have been handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department to carry out further investigations.

Srilanka Parliament Polls begins

2010-02-25T01:09:00.000-08:00

Srilanka parliament polls to be held on 8 April, 2010. So far many political parties have handed over their nominations for each district. However UNP and new JVP alliance (DNA) not yet finalise the nominations and will be expected to handle on the final day of handing over nominations.

JVP and other political parties except UNP who were supported General Sarath Fonseka in the last Presidential polls entered in to a new alliance under the leadership of General Sarath Fonseka. Sarath Fonseka will be contested on Colombo District in this polls.

Meanwhile UNP decided contest to the polls under their historical 'Elephant Symbol' and the leadership of Ranil Wickramasinghe. JVP and UNP discussions on contesting under one alliance have been failed and UNP not entered in to JVP alliance. Many UNP parliamentarians said that they should contest under UNP as UNP is the Srilanka's largest and oldest political party.

Although JVP and UNP contested separately their main intention have not changed and will enter in to a new alliance after the polls.

Meantime Government type says thay are in a stronger position after the winning of presidential polls by President Mahinda Rajapaksha. They also says that thay are expecting majority of seats of next parliament.

Sarath Fonseka Arrested

2010-02-09T01:51:00.000-08:00

Srilankan war hero General Sarath Fonseka arrested by Srilankan Government on Monday Feb, 2010 at his media office in Colombo. Sarath Fonseka arrested by a group of military personals when he was having a discussion with several top political leaders, Somawansa Amarasinghe the leader of JVP, Sunil Handunneththi, Mano Ganeshan the leader of Western People’s Front and the Leader of SLMC Rauff Hakeem. They were just concluded a press confereence at Fonseka's media office in colombo

It is said that ARMY personals are forcefully entered in to the general's office and arrested him. Several other groups of ARMY encircled the General's office before the abduct of General Fonseka.

Sarath Fonsek'a Private secretary Dr. Senaka de Silva also arrested by CID on Tuesday.Sources says that Senaka de Silva was questioning at the moment by CID officers.

Media personal who were at the general's office while he was arresting not allowed to record the incidence. All media equipments seized by ARMY and handed over them after clearing the tapes and records of arrest.

Several organisations of srilanka highly condemned this arrest and violence against the parties who work for the country's democracy.

Sarath Fonseka seeking asylum

2010-01-29T00:39:00.000-08:00

After the defeat of Presidential polls by a margin of 1.8 million votes Sri lanka governemt called back the security staff of General Sarath Fonseka. Sarath Fonseka says that this is unlawful and there are possible threats against his life.

General Sarath Fonseka is the main forrce behind the winning war against LTTE by ending 30 year LTTE terrorism from Sri lanka.

Sarath Fonseka said that he is planning to seeking for asylum from foreign countries. In this manner he mostly preferred to have political asylum in Australia. However he has not yet contacted the Australian embassy on the matter. He also said that government will make every attempt to arrest him on fake alleges and stop his leave from sri lanka.

Sarath Fonseka has owned American Green card lottery and he can consider asylum in America. Fonseka not revealed anything about asylum in America but he concentrate on going to Australia or England.

Sri lanka Parliament will dissolve in next week

2010-01-29T00:29:00.000-08:00

Top minister of SLFP government declared that they are going to dissolve the Parliament in next week. Srilanka government previously announced that they are going to held the election before the April.

Sri lanka government decided to dissolve Parliament under the hot condition of politics and they seeks victory for the SLFP governing types by defeating UNP and JVP.

However People says that SLFP government will not be able to win the election by such a margin of votes received by Mahinda Rajapaksha. Because government minsters not proved that they can develop Sri lanka's Economy and overall development.

What thing they are specialized is making rumors against opposition parties mainly against Ranil Wickramasinghe using State owned medias. People needs the development and not just kiddies words against opposition.

Mahinda wins srilanka election

2010-01-29T00:14:00.000-08:00

Mahinda Rajapaksha won the presidential election by defeating his main opoosition candidate Sarath Fonseka. Mahinda wins by 1.8 million votes margin than Fonseka.
Mahinda Rajapaksha can retain another 08 year duration in presidential position.

However Sarath Fonseka and his supporting parties says they can noit accept the results because election results are computer manipulated. JVP leader Somwansa Amarasinghe said that Computer Manipulation is not a new thing to Mahinda rajapaksha. During a previous election Mahinda Rajapaksha manipulated computer results to increase his voting counts and he said that by his own.

However Mahinda became the president of srilanka once again and he needs to concentrate on Srilanka Economy and Development rather slinging muds to opposition parties.

We hopes he will get supports from opposition parties and will make a real attempt on stopping the corruption and violence.

Srilanka Tamil Terrorist killing video, UN findings

2010-01-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

After the victory of war by Srilankan troops against Tamill terrorists International organizations claimed that Srilanka was engaging in such activities called 'War Crimes' during the war time. There were many unsuccessful attempts and materials presented by them to destroy the Srilanka's reputation among international community.

A one most discussed such issue was a Video footage released by Channel 4, which provided the video by a group called Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka in last August. after a long time silence this video footage story comes back to the light through the United Nations.

Today united Nations (UN) released the findings about the Channel 4 killing video footage. United Nations's Special Rapporteur Philip Alston raised following quotes in the UN report.

"Since the video's release, the government of Sri Lanka has claimed that the video is a fake.

"Over the past four months, I have been engaged in a series of communications with the government about this video, in which I requested it to conduct an independent investigation.

"While the Government initially refused to do so, on 7 September 2009, it issued a response stating that it had commissioned four separate investigations, and that they 'have now scientifically established beyond any doubt that this video is a fake'.

"At the time, I expressed concern about the objectivity of the investigations, in part because two of the 'independent experts' worked for the Sri Lankan armed forces.

"Some of the reports seemed more impressionistic than scientific, and I have never been provided the full version of the reports.

"I decided that it was incumbent upon me to commission independent and impartial evaluations of the videotape.

"I retained three experts: in forensic pathology (Dr Spitz), forensic video analysis (Mr Spivack), and firearm evidence (Mr Diaczuk).

"Together, the reports by these experts strongly suggest that the video is authentic.

"A Sri Lankan expert stated that there was no recoil or movement of the weapon discharged.

"However, Mr Spivack and Mr Diaczuk described the recoil visible on the video, and the way in which the movement was consistent with firing live ammunition.

"A Sri Lankan expert stated that the lack of audio synchronization with the video indicated manipulation. However, Mr Spivack stated that the video/audio synchronization in the video was well within acceptable limits, and that audio can be ahead or behind video, subject to various variables.

"A Sri Lankan expert stated that the movement of the second victim after being shot was not consistent with the normal expected reaction. However, Mr Spitz stated that the movement was entirely consistent with the manner in which the individual was apparently shot.

"A Sri Lankan expert stated that while wind could be heard on the audio, it was not evident in the video.

"Mr Spivack however described multiple places in the video where there is clear evidence of wind.

"Sri Lanka’s experts argued that the footage was likely recorded on a digital camcorder, and not a mobile phone.

"Mr Spivack concluded that the metadata he retrieved from the video was entirely consistent with multimedia files produced by mobile phones with video recording capability, and that it would have been very difficult to alter the metadata."

Sarath Fonseka visits Jaffna

2010-01-02T20:26:00.000-08:00

Sarath Fonseka started his first election campaigns of year 2010 in Jaffna. Majority of Srilankan Tamils living in Jaffna and one of the main source of Tamil Terrorism. However Srilankan Forces with the leadership of Sarath Fonseka as the ARMY commander wiped out terrorism from North and killed the LTTE leader Prabhakaran.

Last time sarath Fonseka visited Jaffna to declare the win of the war against Terrorists. Majority of Tamils in Jaffna hails the Win against terrorism. This time General Fonseka visited Jaffna to secure the Tamil votes in next presidential election.

Saturday, Jan 2010 Sarath Fonseka accompanied by UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe and JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe with several other politicians visited Jaffna to attend election campaign rallies and meet the Tamil Societies in Jaffna.

The Jaffna tour is on an invitation by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). However TNA has not yet officially declared that to whom they will support in the next presidential elections.

Sarath Fonseka Fired it up

2009-12-24T21:36:00.000-08:00

During an exclusive interview with Sirasa TV Gen. Sarath Fonseka revealed that all dealings by President Mahinda Rajapaksha nd Sec. of Security Gotabhaya Rajapaksha.
Sarath fonseka has done few controversial revelation against government and Mahinda.

In this respect Sarath Fonseka Fired up the turbulent political perspective in Srilanka. We will see some strong arguments for and against by various political parties and personnel on Fonseka's comments.

During the interview Sarath Fonseka directly accused to the Gotabhaya Rajapaksha and Mahinda rajapaksha on possible theft of funds and corruptions. He said that there is a large theft of funds of "API WENUWEN API FUND".

Read More at Politic Max.

Rupavahini and ITN heavily slinging mud towards Sarath Fonseka

2009-12-15T08:58:00.000-08:00

This is an abuse of state run media by government. State owned Rupavahini, ITN TV channels and SLBC heavily engaging in slinging mud and publishing evil false reports against Sarath Fonseka. These State medias are properties of people of srilanka. Not private properties of government Ministers or President Mahinda. They abuse srilankans money collected as tax.

Srilankans even blue blooded SLFP supporters are not accept such a crudeness and abuse by State run medias. They should understand that they exhibit such a wild behavior against a world renowned War Hero who committed the life to save our country from bloody terrorists, LTTE.

In addition Sate run Medias such as Rupavahini, ITN, SLBC and Lake House are the free source of advertising for president mahinda Rajapaksha and his beloved son Namal rajapaksha. Namal Rajapaksh'a Tharunyata Hetak organisation greatly engaging in the canvasing of president father.

Finally we should say that people are not anymore accept the government behavior against a War Hero. People of Srilanka kindly asks from government to stop the crude behavior of State owned media and allow people to take fair decisions on each presidential candidate.

Elakiri and Lankanewsweb blocked by government

2009-12-08T09:12:00.000-08:00

Today one of leading Srilankan news web site has published a news saying that Swarnawahini(Swarnavahini TV) sold to Mahinda Rajapaksha's Brother Basil rajapaksha.
After this news it has republished by a member of Elakiri forums.

Swarnavahini on their live@8 news program rejects this news and they said they have not sold swarnavahini to Basil. Further Swarnavahini said that they are going to take action against web sites that published the original news.

After few hours (right now) when I browsing both sites they were suddenly shuts down.
Both web sites shut down at the same time. It is sure that srilankan government ordered Srilanka telecom and other ISPs to block the elakiri.com and lankanewsweb.com.

Sarath Fonseka For presidency

2009-12-03T09:15:00.000-08:00

After a long time break we begun to update our blog again with the recent development stories of Srilanka and mainly srilanka politics. Why politics so important?
Politics is inevitably important for most people despite even in the absence of elections and polls.

However the situation has changed in the srilanka. Srilankans now forwarding towards a major poll. Actually it is the main poll in srilankan politics, which is the Presidential Election. Presidential Election was declared by existing president Mahinda rajapaksha before two weeks ago, despite of the fact that he has the full legal power to act as the executive president for next two years.

The new and most talking political face of the srilanka that is going to present to the presidential polls is General Sarath Fonseka. Sarath Fonseka was the head of the Srilanka ARMY who lead the ARMY towards victory by destroying LTTE terrorists and it's leaders from Srilankan soil.

The attempt taken by General Sarath Fonseka and his followers during the times of bloody wars between LTTE and Srilanka government is really great. ARMY wouldn't won the war if there were no Sarath Fonseka and his courage to win. Political leadership during that times provide great support in order to take courage decisions.

Right after the war President Mahinda Rajapaksha made few adjustments to the ARMY and other security forces. As a consequence General Sarath Fonseka and NAVY and SL Air Force heads were retired and new leader appointed.

After being silent for few months President Mahinda unofficially declared his wish to held a presidential election. No one knows the underlying reasons for such a decision. Government saying the reason behind the fact is 'people asked for a presidential election'. But opposition parties who now joined hands with Sarath Fonseka said that 'President Mahinda knows that he won't win in an election held after two years, so he decided to held the polls little time after the Win of the War.

Now all are prepared for the next presidential polls. Two main presidential candidates are current President Mahinda Rajapaksha and Retired ARMY leader Gen. Sarath Fonseka. Who will win the Presidential War ? No one could tell it before the polls. President says he somehow win the polls and Also Sarath Fonseka and opposition said that they have already won the election. OK we will see who wins the election.

P.B Jayasundara to Play the Drama Again...

2009-09-29T23:09:00.000-07:00

P.B Jayasundara the ex-Treasury Secretary, after a few months back appointed again as the Srilanka Treasury Secretary. P.B. Jayasundara recently appealed the high court to remove the ban of assuming any government posts, that is imposed by ex chief justice Mr. Sarath N. Silva due to dishonest practice by P.B.

However Srilanka president has requested from P.B to assume the duties once again as the Treasury Secretary. Then P.B. accepted the request and appealed the high Court to remove his ban. Current Chief Justice Asoka De Silva has removed the P.B's Ban and allowed to him to assume duties of Treasury.

After assuming duties by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, P.B. Jayasundara called a special meeting with executive officers of the Treasury to discuss the new strategies of the Secretary.

Asian Tribune Printed Tabloid paper from November

2009-09-24T23:48:00.000-07:00

One of the leading Online news paper operated from Colombo, Srilanka, Asian Tribune going to launch their New Printed tabloid Paper from next November. It will be an all color 12-page English tabloid printed and distributed from Colombo once a week.

Asian Tribune authors also hopes to circulate the paper around the world, but initially it will start from Colombo. And the Good news is Asian Tribune printed Paper is come to you for free of charge. Free paper will funded by advertisement and and other one way funds.

Asian tribune or AT claims that they the tabloid will not be an Anti-Government or Political.
"Like AT, the AT Tabloid will be in the forefront of criticizing the authority not with a sense of venom or to settle scores at the personal and institutional level but as a watchdog of people’s interests and national concerns."

We are also wish Good Luck the AT's move to the Printed form.

Honda launched a new robot for easy personal mobility

2009-09-24T23:32:00.000-07:00

Honda Motor Co Yesterday Launched a new robot ("U3-X") that enables people to move around easily to any direction. The U3-X, equipped with the world's first omni-directional driving system, makes it possible to adjust speed and move, turn and stop an all directions when rider leans the upper body to shift body weight, Honda said.

Pics: Reuters

Find news fast with Google fast flip

2009-09-15T00:20:00.000-07:00

If you are a News hunter you may want to find out news all over the world very quickly.
But one of main problem is slow speed of loading pages and time consuming to find out recent news.

However Google recently developed and launched an attractive and modern news finder.
It's called Google fast Flip: http://fastflip.googlelabs.com/
That lets you browse news pages without loading the actual page.
it flips the screenshots of news pages around the world and bring them in to an one page.

It also have a mobile version and this lets people who uses mobile internet to view news items very speedily and select the one that they really wants.
Mobile version of Google Flips: http://fastflip.googlelabs.com/mobile

LTTE's Nuclear access exposed

2009-08-25T03:01:00.000-07:00

Selvarasa Pathmanadan alias KP revealed to Srilankan security authorities that LTTE planned to buy nuclear weapons from West.
KP before becoming the leader of the LTTE after the death of Prabakaran, has acted as head of LTTE's International affairs and Fund controller.

LTTE is the first ever Terrorist organization that heading to obtain nuclear weapons.
Srilankan authorities has also obtained more info from KP which some of them not published yet.

Mobitel to spend over $30 million to cover North and East

2009-08-25T02:49:00.000-07:00

Srilanka Telecom Mobitel says they are heading to North and East by providing mobile communication facilities to those areas. Mobitel the mobile wing of Srilanka Telecom Ltd. is a leading mobile network in Srilanka.

Mobitel says they will spend about $30m to upgrade Mobitel network in post war zone.
Initially Mobitel will cover up Kandy-Jaffna A9 road spending about $5m.

Chief executive Suren Amarasekera said they are expecting to cover Northen area before the end year 2009.

Facebook challenging to Google and Twitter

2009-08-11T23:16:00.000-07:00

Recently Facebook the giant of social networking has taken over 'Friendfeed' that was previously acquired by Google.

You may also know about what is Facebook and Google.
next, what is Friendfeed and what it can do ?

In simple terms Friendfeed is an aggregater of all of your social networking, blog, and other RSS updates. So that people can have all their RSS and other social networking like Facebook, Youtube, Twitter updates in one place.
And also people can subscribes to others updates and news.

So why Facebook bought Friendfeed ?
One key reason is to become a real time search engine rather than Google's regular search.
another may be Facebook wanted to expand it's services over other social networks.
Also they need to became the leader in community networking.

How it affects to Twiiter ?
Twitter is considered as the leader in real time news updates.
With Twitter people can post what just happenning here and there and others can search these updates.Freindfeed is also has a similar feature which people can do real time updates and searches like twitter.
previously Facebook wanted to bought Twitter but the deal did not continue as Twitter is not for sale at that time.

So we can come to an conclusion that Facebook wants to develop a real time search engine that is similar to Twitter. Hence it may affects the Twitter. On the other hand currently people messed up with Google's regular search and they needs to have a real time searches. Friendfeed will do that with challenging to google.

KP new LTTE leader arrested in Bangkok

2009-08-07T01:42:00.000-07:00

KP, Kumaran Padmanadan or Selvarasa Pathmanadan has arrested by Srilankan Intelligence in Bangkok, Wednesday. KP was the LTTE's International smuggle head at the late prbha's time. After the death of the LTTE leader Prabakaran, KP appointed as the new leader of LTTE.

It's said that KP is the person who fulfilled LTTE's arms requirement for years and he also managed all international funds collected by LTTE, worth billions of dollars.

KP was the most wanted LTTE leader after the killing of former leader V. Prabakaran.
This is another successful achievement by Srilanka government in wiping out terrorism from the Island.

Airtel exceeded one million customers in Srilanka

2009-07-30T01:28:00.000-07:00

A leading mobile network in Asia Bharti Airtel has announced that they have exceeded one million customers in srilanka. Airtel achieved this milestone in just 171 days.
In srilanka the competition in mobile networks are really high.However Airtel has able to face the competition successfully and grow their network.

In srilanka leading mobile phone network operators are Mobitel, Dialog, Tigo, Hutch and Airtel. Recently Mobitel has reduced their call time into 2.50 Rs. per miniute to any network in srilanka. following dialog also has reduced their price levels.

Chandrasiri Bandara astrologer arrested

2009-06-26T21:25:00.000-07:00

A Popular astrologer of Srilanka Mr. Chandrasiri Bandara arrested by Srilanka Police due to Publicly predicting of President Mahinda Rajapaksa's immediate ouster from office. Police says that they want to investigate the source of information for his prediction police spokesman Ranjith Gunasekera said.

Police said that Mr Bandara told an opposition meeting that the prime minister would take over as president on 9 September and the opposition leader would become prime minister.

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Tissa Attanayake says that Srilanka heading towards a dictatorship, the only crime Chandrasiri Bandara commited was presenting information that are adverse to the government.

Chandrasiri Bandara is currently conducting a Srilanka's popular TV program "Para Kiyana Tharuka" on Derana TV.

Pakistan won the ICC T20 world cup against Srilanka, at Lords

2009-06-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

Pakistan today won the final cricket match of ICC T20 world cup, against Srilanka. Srilanka were 138 for 6 wickets and Pakistan achieved the 139 by losing only 2 wickets.
man of the match - Shahid Afridi with 54 not out from 40 balls.

Srilanka won the toss and chosen to bat first, however top level batsman were failed in their inning. T.M Dilshan who became a star in the ICC T20 world cup series, has managed to go back to the waiting room without runs.

In their srilanka innings Kumar Sangakkara scored 64 not out and Angelo Mathews showing an all rounder way managed to play with couple of fours and sixes.

Iran Crisis tend to go forward

2009-06-21T04:45:00.000-07:00

There were thousands of street protesters yesterday clashed with police in capital TEHRAN. Police used tear gas and water cannons to swept out protesters from main streets.
Once again US backed Iran opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has warned by Iran government that stop encouraging people to protest in Iran capital. However protesters are still on streets despite government warnings and police attacks.

Watch Videos of Iran protests:
June 20, Tehran capital-video
Iranians in Paris for democracy in Iran
Paris protests against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Protesters collide with Police in Iran

Iran government has banned the international media on reporting from Iran, However facebook, Youtube and twitter receives latest updates of Iran's current situation.
However protesters said that Internet speed is very low and mobile phone connections are interrupting throughout the day.

Obama statement on Iran :
Yesterday, June20 obama made a statement regarding ongoing conflicts in Iran. In his statement Obama urges Iranian President to stop the violence against Protesters.
"The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching. We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost. We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people. The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights.

As I said in Cairo, suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. The Iranian people will ultimately judge the actions of their own government. If the Iranian government seeks the respect of the international community, it must respect the dignity of its own people and govern through consent, not coercion.

Martin Luther King once said - "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." I believe that. The international community believes that. And right now, we are bearing witness to the Iranian peoples’ belief in that truth, and we will continue to bear witness.

For some reason I keep picturing Ronald Reagan speaking about the freedom seekers in Iran, somehow I think he would sound a lot less mushy than President Obama. All he has called for here is freedom of assembly, not freedom to self-govern. That said this is a step in the right direction."

Iran government Yesterday said that they are going to recount the 10% of "ballot boxes.”

04 swine flu patients found in Srilanka

2009-06-18T07:33:00.000-07:00

Health official of IDH (Infectious Diseases Hospital)hospital Srilanka, said that they have found the fourth swine flu patient in srilanka. All these patients are from a single family members who arrived Srilanka in last week from Australia.

After the swine flu alert Srilankan health officials made a special attention on it and takes suitable measures to prevent the spreading of disease to others.

Government says that they have taken their fullest attempt to detect AH1N1 infects at the Airport and Harbor. However some medical representatives accused the government that Swine flu detectors of Airport are out of order at the time.

Srilankan health minister MR. Nimal Siripalada Silva says that he has taken suitable steps on AH1N1 as well Dengue fever. But Srilanka's Medical Practitioners says Minister is almost silence on these two health diseases and failed to take much attention.

LTTE supporter jailed in UK

2009-06-13T05:09:00.000-07:00

Arunachalam Chrishanthakumar the leader and creator of British Tamil Association, sentenced for 02 year imprisonment by Justice Saunders at British Courts.
He were charged with illegal procurement of arms and equipments to LTTE in Srilanka. He had direct connections with LTTE and send illegally bought ammunition to Srilanka with LTTE smuggle route.
The judge has said that this was a deliberate violation of UK terrorism law.

Srilanka Cricket: Victorious entering to the Super 8 in ICC T20

2009-06-10T22:11:00.000-07:00

Srilanka Cricket team lead by Kumar Sangakkara entered in to super 8 in ICC t20 world cup, England. Srilanka made their way to super 8 level matches after successfully defeating the strong Australia Cricket.
Australia team made their way back to the home after losing two games in ICC T20, with West Indies and Srilanka.

Srilanka Yesterday marked another victory by defeating West Indies by 15 runs at Trent Bridge. Jayasuriya's massive inning of 81 runs for 47 balls and T.M. Dilshan's clever batting made the srilanka team stronger before they faced to West Indies.

ICC T20 world cup images

Sarath N Silva Retires, New chief Welcomes

2009-06-09T22:36:00.000-07:00

Former Chief Justice of Srilanka Mr Sarath N. Silva retired on last Saturday after serving nearly 15 years. Just two days before his retirement CJ Sarath N Silva has given controversial decision on 'Srilanka Insurance company' reverting it's ownership back to the Srilanka government.

Next Chief of the court Mr. Asoka de Silva has sworn as 32nd chief Justice in Srilanka last Monday. The ceremonial part of getting in to work will held tomorrow at the Supreme Courts complex in Hulftsdorp.

The Bar Association of Srilanka welcomes the new CJ and they hopes Asoka de Silva will uphold the independence of the Judiciary system in the country.

UN chief urges for Srilanka war crime investigations

2009-06-07T00:14:00.000-07:00

UN chief has asked for an investigation of possible war crimes during the defeating of world's most brutal terrorists organization, LTTE. Ban ki Moon says that international examination of Srilankan military actions needed.

Ban ki Moon says that various international groups has asked him to force the srilanka to accept for a war crimes investigations during the ended war against LTTE.

UN chief says that any investigation should be impartial and open. "Any inquiry, to be meaningful, should be supported by the members of the United Nations, and also should be very impartial and objective".

Meanwhile Ban asked from Sri lanka government to allow for any international inquiry upon the breach of humanitarian laws.

Yaldevi Train Resumes its operations back

2009-06-06T10:41:00.000-07:00

Yal Devi train service which has been suspended for the past 20-25 years, as LTTE activities, today restarts it's journey back.
Yaldevi train today traveled along northern railway track to Thandikulam Rail station which is few kilometers away from Vavuniya.

Srilanka Transportation Minister Mr. Dalas Alahapperuma has initiated the opening ceremony of 'Yaldevi backs'.

LTTE has caused much damage to Yaldevi Express by killing travelers and blasting the railway track.

More resources :
Yaldevi the queen of Express Trains
Princess to reign the northern rails again

Srilankan Forces Celebrates Victory

2009-06-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

Srilanka today celebrates the Victory of defeating terrorism from the island. Celebration ceremony held at the Galle Face Green, Colombo. Representatives from all srilankan armed forces who were contributed to the final battle, participated to the ceremony and paraded there.

Celebration is held as a formal salutation to all security forces for their commitment to bring the war to the end and defeat LTTE terrorism.
Srilanka President has stated that his next step is to protect tamil people and provide the maximum security for them, in his Tamil speech.

President Mahind Rajapaksha has expressed his gratitude to the armed forces and all Srilankan people in their immense support to win the war against LTTE. He also didn't forget to mention the support from the friends outside the island. "I am the proudest Head of State in the world" defeating the one of ruthless and largest terrorist organisation in the world. "Let's begin to build our nation then and we want the support from international community to regain our country" He also added.

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2009-06-03T03:39:00.000-07:00

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UN denies Times Online fake reports

2009-06-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

Last Friday a leading Paper in UK claimed that there were more than 20,000 civilians killed at the final phase of the battle against LTTE. This report directly pointed out the finger on Srilanka government saying that Government hiding the truth. Times Online also said that their report is based on confidential UN Documents about the Srilanka final battle.

Thereafter Times Online and other international magazines highly criticized the Srilanka government and they also said UN should take offensive action over the Srilanka rather than praising the victory.

However United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday denied media reports that the United Nations has covered up a high civilian death toll during the final phase of Sri Lanka's war against Tamil Tiger rebels (LTTE). "I categorically reject - repeat, categorically - any suggestion that the United Nations has deliberately underestimated any figures," ban ki moon told at the General Assembly. "Let me also say, whatever the total, the casualties in the conflict were unacceptably high."

In the last week John Holmes also denied the casualties toll reported by Times Online and French newspaper Le Monde. He said that death toll is just an assumption and no one can say the final death toll.

UK police spent 8 million pound sterling over LTTE demonstrations outside the UK Parliament

2009-05-31T03:18:00.000-07:00

UK LTTE supported Tamils demonstrations for last 1 1/2 months caused to pull almost 8 million sterling pounds, said Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson.

Demonstration caused to police force was extraordinarily stretched. "we have to provide such a level of resources that it is reducing policing on the streets of London" he added.

LTTE supported Tamils backed by several UK MP's , protesting outside the UK Westminster Parliament complex during 44 days to now. UK public accused that they are using flags and slogans of banned terrorist organization of the LTTE. Protest also violates the UK Anti Terrorism laws.
LTTE supporters also taking over the public streets around the Big Ben and parliament causing too much noise and traffic blockades.

In some occasions the demonstrators had made uninvited visits to the Indian High Commission in Holborn and protested there. In one occasion they have pelted stones and managed to break the bullet proof windows of the Indian High commission. Sri Lankan embassy has also faced Similar incidents in several times.

few days ago some MP's of the Parliament said that, LTTE protesters were losing the opportunity of other protesting groups of the UK to protest around the Parliament. They also said that honorable speaker should take measures to stop the illicit demonstrations of LTTE.

Tigers (LTTE) are back, Beware !

2009-05-29T02:25:00.000-07:00

Srilanka's successful Winning over the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), have made a huge painful back hit to tiger sympathizers all over the world. LTTE sympathizers now attempts to come back in to light by spreading bogus news on the internet.
The latest incident is, the Times Online (UK) reported that they have found evidences of killing of more than 20,000 tamils in the last few days of the final battle against LTTE in Srilanka.

The title of the 02 reports of Times Online were "The hidden massacre: Sri Lanka’s final offensive against Tamil Tigers" : Read the report
and second : "Times photographs expose Sri Lanka’s lie on civilian deaths at beach" Read the report

Those two reports claimed that aerial photographs, unofficial documents, witness accounts and expert testimony present a clear evidence of an atrocity that comes close to matching Srebrenica, Darfur and other massacres of civilians.

Times Online Further says "With the world’s media and aid organisations kept well away from the fighting, the army launched a fierce barrage that began at the end of April and lasted about three weeks. The offensive ended Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil war with the Tamil Tigers, but innocent civilians paid the price."

They says that they have obtained UN's confidential documents which says "nearly 7,000 civilian deaths in the no-fire zone up to the end of April, with an average of 1,000 civilians killed each day until May 19, the day after Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Tamil Tigers, was killed."

However top UN officials today said they have not published such documents to public and they don't thinks that the existing of such documents of the UN. Times Online's whole story is based on the two pictures taken at a helicopter, which shows the destruction of the flimsy refugee camp and a more orderly military cemetery, believed to be for hundreds of rebel fighters. So what we clearly understands here is Times Online have taken in to account the deaths of LTTE tiger cadres as civilians deaths so that increase the total.

Here is another quote from Times Online Report about massacre "the arrangement of the army and rebel firing positions and the narrowness of the no-fire zone made it unlikely that Tiger mortar fire or artillery caused a significant number of deaths. “It looks more likely that the firing position has been located by the Sri Lankan Army and it has then been targeted with air-burst and ground-impact mortars,”
Just look at the above time's quaote and what do you conclude ?

A fairly biased report and clear attempt to blame the Srilankan government and it's ARMY.
With an unsuccessful effort to providing a fake picture about the issue to the world.

Srilanka Resolution won at UNHRC

2009-05-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

Srilanka won it's resolution on "Assistance to Sri Lanka in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights" at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva ,27May. Srilanka received 29 votes in favor of the Resolution from UNHRC member countries and just 12 votes against it.

Countries who were supported the Srilanka including China, India, Russia, Indonesia, Philippines, Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, South Africa, and other African countries. The emphasis here is that votes are mostly received from Developing Nations, Political Analyzers says Developing Nations no more act in Prejudice over high power developed nations and this is a good move to demolish the power of US and it's sympathizers on international organisations and committees.

Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe says that "This reflects that the international community is behind Sri Lanka in its endeavour to rebuild the nation and to provide our citizens with equal opportunities”.

The UN human rights council called on Tuesday for an international inquiry to determine if Sri Lankan government forces and Tamil rebels committed war crimes in the last burst of their conflict and Sri Lanka should ensure the full access to displaced people in camps located north.
But in an unusual move, Sri Lanka itself submitted a resolution stressing its sovereign right to act without outside interference, which then Human Rights Council approved.

Human Rights Watch
The "Human Rights Watch" is deeply disappointed with the UNHRC decision of praising Srilanka's resolution rather than opposing it.

Russia Continued to support Srilanka

2009-05-26T21:00:00.000-07:00

President of the Russian Federation Dmitriy Medvedev has assured that Russia will continued to support Srilanka on reconstruction of the country. Dmitriy Medvedev said this in a telephone conversation with President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday 26May.

Dmitriy Medvedev further said that Srilanka is one of the old friend of Russia and there's no doubt of continued support from Russia to rebuild the nation that destroyed by LTTE terrorists for over 30 years.

Srilanka President Mahinda Rajapaksha also expressed his appreciation to Russian President over the amiable support at the UN Security Council and their support to restoration of peace.

Dmitriy Medvedev also have agreed that the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Sri Lanka in this October.

LTTE announced that Prabhakaran is dead

2009-05-25T06:19:00.000-07:00

Today, monday 25May, LTTE acknowledged that their leader has died during fighting between Srilanka soldiers and LTTE rebels. the statement has raised by the LTTE's international Relations head Kumaran Pathmanadan alias KP or Selvarajah Pathmanathan.

KP is top in the list of FBI and Interpol's most wanted arm smuggler in Asia. Also there are rumors that LTTE's next leader will be the Kumaran Pathmanadan alias KP.
Tigers also announced that LTTE's next leader will emerge at the right time.
LTTE international funds are maintained by KP and Srilankan Intelligence believed that he lived somewhere in Malaysia.

Srilankan security forces formally announced on 18 Monday that they have killed LTTE's top leaders including head V. Prabhakaran and naval leader Soosei with intelligence head Pottu Amman in fighting near Nandikadal lagoon, Mullativu.

Meantime Srilanka President Mahinda Rajapaksha requested from International community to take appropriate steps to halt LTTE activities in their countries and arrest KP or Kumaran Pahmanadan.

UN chief Ban ki Moon also stressed that Srilanka's move against terrorism is very successful and International community should aid to support the welfare of civilians displaced in northen area in Srilanka.

LTTE Destroyed, Prabakaran Dead, Srilanka Victory of the War

2009-05-22T11:30:00.000-07:00

Srilankan government officially announced that they have militarily defeated the LTTE Tamil Tiger terrorism which held more than 30 years of time. All LTTE leaders including the head V. Prabakaran who dominated the terrorism have killed by Srilanka ARMY.
Because of the LTTE terrorism, Srilanka has lost more than 80,000 of valuable lives of Tamils and Sinhalese since the beginning of the LTTE in 1970-76.
Srilanka ARMY is proud as they have able to totally defeat the world's top terrorist organization and it's leader V. Prabhakaran.
Here are the recent Milestone of defeating LTTE Tamil Tigers.

May 18 :
Srilanka ARMY officially announced that they have killed the LTTE leader Prabhakaran. ARMY said that Prabhakaran's body found at the banks of Nandikadal lagoon. Karuna Amman the former Vice leader of LTTE have identified the body and confirmed that it is Prabakaran. Several countries including Japan, China, and USA hailed the success of Srilanka Government and most says they are looking forward to grant the developments of Srilanka.
See video of prabakaran's dead body.

May 20: Srilankan Security forces marked the silence of guns. This is the formal end of the war against LTTE, held in Pudukuduirippu where LTTE totally defeated.
See the video of formal end of war and silence of guns by Srilanka.

May 17 : Srilanka ARMY have killed more than 300 terrorists including top leaders.

May 16 :
Family members of LTTE's top leaders have escaped to government controlled areas. Top LTTE leaders' family members came to the other side hiding among Tamil civilians.

May 15 :
ARMY has rescued all of the civilians traped by LTTE in No-Fire Zone. More than 50,000 has rescued. It is said that half of the LTTE cadre mass came to gov. controlled areas seeking ARMY's protection by hiding among civilians. LTTE exploded their own arm stores and vehicles around the no-fire zone. Srilankans begins to celebrate the success of Security forces.

Now all Srilankans' despite their nationality rejoices the new freedom. Victory celebrations and soldier tributes are all over the country. There are few words we often here from Srilankans mouths these days are 'We are now free' 'Victory with Unity' 'We salute our war heroes' 'Build the country with unity' etc. Not only in srilanka but Srilankans live in all over the world celebrates the Victory and all have high hopes on the Srilanka's bright future.

(we have some images and videos of Prabhakarans dead body and other war medias. However it's unsuitable to show them here. follow the links instead)
See video and images of prabhakaran's dead body.

More Videos
Celebrations of victory
Srilanka Victory celebrations video
Celebrations of defeating LTTE
Tribute to Sri Lankan armed forces
Silence of guns by Srilanka Security forces as the war ends.
Formal ceromony of silence of guns

CNN Poll about Srilanka War

2009-05-12T23:32:00.000-07:00

CNN has conducting an Online poll on "Should The International Community Intervene In Sri Lanka? "

http://internationaldesk.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/11/monday-poll/

We request from all of our Readers to Say "NO" to this Poll and forward this massage to every one you know.

LTTE's media network has commenced a heavy international campaigns to spread fake news about the Srilanka issue. We have seen that BBC, Reuters, Al Jazeera has published content directly taken from LTTE terrorists official web site.

There is an ongoing discussions about the Srilanka conflict and Human Rights issue over the International community. Please provide your support to iron out all fake contents.

ARMY is close to the Civilians Point

2009-05-07T05:50:00.000-07:00

Srilanka ARMY today 7, Thursday morning got control of the LTTE's Last earth barrier at the 'No-Fire zone' in VELLAMULLIVAIKKAL area. Srilanka ARMY captured this huge earth barrier although with high resistance from LTTE. ARMY sources reported that LTTE used heavy weapons to stop the ARMY's advancement in the area. ARMY also reported that they lost some soldiers and sustained injuries. ARMY also found a number of dead bodies around the earth barrier.

In addition ARMY is now very close to reach the point where LTTE held Tamil civilians in No-Fire Zone. Asian tribune says it's just another 800 meters to reach the point.
ARMY's 58 division who performed the huge civilian rescue mission now preparing to the it's second kind.

Srilanka defence ministry web site released shocking photo albums of LTTE leader prabakaran and his family. Read the full story

Jayalalitha wants to send Indian ARMY Srilanka to make a separate Tamil State

2009-05-06T22:15:00.000-07:00

Jayalalitha said that they will be sent Indian ARMY to Srilanka to create a separate Tamil State (Tamil Eelam) in the Island Nation, if her alliance wins all the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Jayalalitha told at an election rally at Villupuram Wednesday, May 6. We send Indian Troops to Srilanka in order to make the Tamil Eelam in Srilanka, like what Indira Gandhi did to Pakistan by establising Bangladesh.

Jayalalitha made this remarks as Srilankan ARMY advanced towards the LTTE's hold last land strip.

BBC outrages and Distorts Srilanka Crisis

2009-05-03T22:18:00.001-07:00

BBC reports in past years have led many criticisms within Srilanka and around the world. Srilankans considers BBC as another part of LTTE terrorism, as their fake and wrathful reports about Srilankan crisis.

What we need to say is BBC openly supporting and accepting brutal LTTE terrorism and attempting to make fake picture of the international community over Srilanka government.

We have clear evidence that the BBC's news regarding Srilanka conflicts mainly based on the LTTE's official web site 'tamilnet.com' and other pro LTTE media networks around the world. BBC and 'tamilnet' reports are exactly same to each other. Sources for the most BBC reports regarding Srilanka conflicts are getting from the pro LTTE groups in Lodon.

The question is why BBC deliberately opposing to Srilanka government and Srilankan community. As results of BBC's fake and wrathful reports, Srilanka have lost potential International aids and grants which would used to regain the life of collapsed Srilankan people.

In past few weeks Srilankan government rescued more than 190,000 tamil civilians trapped by LTTE as hostages. LTTE using civilians as a shield to protect from SRIlanka ARMY attacks. However to BBC who crying for LTTE it is just a report containing few text raws, on the other hand BBC can emphasis very small incidents to accuse the Srilankan government and people by making reports spreads over many pages with filthy and fake contents.

On 01^st of May BBC reported that Srilanka government still shelling to LTTE areas, by displaying some UV pictures taken from UNSAT. Read the original article of BBC. However pictures revealed that those marks from shelling happened in few months ago and there is no evidence that they are within the No-Fire zone or evenly within the Srilanka. BBC's reports about srilanka mostly taken from BBC's Srilankan correspondent 'Anbarasan Ethirajan', who represents the Tamils and LTTE.

Few hours ago BBC again reported that 'Sri Lankan army has killed 91 people people and 87 injured by shelling to No-Fire Zone.'
Read the original article.

However reuters reported the same incidence as "A pro-rebel website accused Sri Lanka's military of killing 64 people on Saturday by shelling a makeshift hospital inside the last scrap of land held by the Tamil Tiger guerrillas.The military denied the report. It said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) may have set off explosions near the hospital."

There is a clear difference between the BBC article and Reuters article about the death toll.

However Srilankan government confirmed they have not shelled to those areas after they agreed to stop combat operations to LTTE zone. Government now permitted the international journalists to enter the No-Fire zone, and none of them saying that they have heard any sheling by Srilankan ARMY, including BBC correspondent 'Charles Haviland'

What we understand all these incidences is BBC with other pro LTTE media network uses their full attempt to beat the Srilankan government and people by providing fake and distorted content. LTTE has reached their end and Srilanka says they can destroy LTTE within 30 minutes if there's no any civilians in the LTTE zone. We all know that LTTE has stronger media network around the world based on London (IBC). They all now began the works to spread fake content regarding Srilanka conflict around the world.

BBC now using their full effort to search for evidences that supports accusing to Srilanka government. When they found no such things, they uses fake, modified pictures and other materials mixed with their ego-centric content with full of muddy and filthy words to beat Srilankan government and it's people.

LTTE's Armour plated truck

2009-05-01T05:28:00.000-07:00

Srilanka ARMY got the control of LTTE's improvised armour-plated six-wheel truck on tuesday afternoon. ARMY says that LTTE used this high security bullet proof truck to transport top level LTTE leaders.

The frontal section of the vehicle is same as modern electric train with built in high power antenna. ARMY has found empty biscuit wrappers and water bottles inside the truck.

See more images here

Hacker attack to Srilanka ARMY Web site

2009-05-01T05:09:00.000-07:00

Today 01/may 2009 morning Srilanka ARMY official web site (army.lk) hacked by a group, said LTTE propagandists. The attacker have modified and replaced some pictures of the army.lk web site and attempted to distort some of the information published by the site.

Srilanka ARMY officials said the hacker changed some of the information regarding Srilanka Governments humenitarian missions of resuing Tamil civilians.

The damage to the army.lk web site has reduced as the web site authors taken necessary steps to bring back it immediately. However no evidence found yet about the hacker.

army.lk web site is currently inactive at this moment

Sunday Leader to wait

2009-04-30T21:45:00.000-07:00

Srilanka court extended it's interim order against Sunday Leader newspaper preventing it from publishing news items on Sri lanka Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
Courts ordered to extend the interim order until May 19th.

On 06/December,2008 the District Judge Priyantha de Silva of the Mount Lavinia District Courts issued an enjoining order on a plaint filed by Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa against the Sunday Leader Newspaper preventing further publications carrying references about of him.

Arrest 'Piyasiri Wijenayake" , Awissawella magistrate ordered

2009-04-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

Awissawella magistrate ordered today to arrest the Parliamentarian Mr. Piyasiri Wijenayake upon the murder of the JVP activist 'Nandana Balage' . Nandana Balage assassinated during last western province council election period by an unidentified team.

Murders came in a vehicle owned by 'Jathika Nidahas Peramuna' party member 'Piyasiri Wijenayake'.

We not deny VISA to Swedish Foreign Minister : Srilanka

2009-04-28T12:11:00.000-07:00

Srilanka Had not denied the VISA to Swedish Foreign Minister Mr Bildt.
Srilanka foreign ministry officials says that they can not afford too many top officials at this time.

"At no instance did the Sri Lanka Government deny entry to Minister Bildt. In fact, an invitation had been extended by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, to his Swedish counterpart to visit Sri Lanka in early May," the Ministry statement said.

"Some think they can land up at our airport and expect a red carpet treatment. We are not a colony and neither a bankrupt Third World country."
"We invited the French foreign minister and then the British Foreign minister wanted to join him. We said OK. Then the Swedish minister also wanted to jump in on that bandwagon and we said no," said the official.

"The Swedish minister also wanted to jump on that bandwagon and we said no," the official said.

Mr Bildt told the BBC: "They have said I am not welcome at this particular period of time - they were saying that they can't handle too many people.

Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry said Bildt had not made a formal application for a visa and his plan to visit the island had not been discussed when the joint visits of French and British ministers were considered.

Srilanka Ended Combat Operations, Humanitarian mission continues

2009-04-27T06:53:00.000-07:00

Srilankan Government announced today that they have decided to end SL ARMY's Combat operations against LTTE terrorists.

"Our security forces have been instructed to end the use of heavy caliber guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons which could cause civilian causalities." Defense Ministry has stated.

However Srilankan government's security missions on rescuing Tamil people trapped by LTTE has not ended. We are continuing all our humanitarian operations in the No-Fire Zone.

The defence ministry later clarified that there was no ceasefire and blamed “media illusionists” of twisting the government announcement as if to mean that military operations against the LTTE had been called off.

Karunanidhi's fast political stunt: BJP

2009-04-27T06:47:00.000-07:00

Mr Karunanidhi took an indefinite fast demanding ceasefire in Sri Lanka in the morning but called it off after six hours once the Island government announced that combat operations have concluded.

"Rather than taking tangible steps to rush relief to thousands of hapless Tamils in Sri Lanka, Congress and DMK are indulging in political theatrics," BJP spokesperson Balbir Punj said.

New Delhi: Describing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's fast demanding ceasefire in Sri Lanka as a "political stunt", BJP on Monday said the need of the hour was to take tangible steps to solve the crisis involving Tamil civilians.

He said this was merely a "political stunt" and instead the Indian government should ensure the safety of the Tamil civilians who are trapped in the conflict zone.

Srilankan Government rejects LTTE Ceasefire

2009-04-26T06:05:00.000-07:00

Gotabhaya Rajapakse today has announced that Srilanka rejected the LTTE's appeal for a ceasefire. Further said that there is no need for any ceasefire at this crucial stage on destroying LTTE.

"It must be a joke," Rajapakse told in response to the Tigers' ceasefire, which the rebels said would allow international aid agencies into the conflict zone to help civilians."What is the need for a ceasefire when they are running away? They should first lay down arms, surrender and let the people go," Rajapakse added.

We believes that this is not a declared ceasefire by LTTE, but appealing for a time period for regroup and rearm in the name of protection of civillians.

The Tigers controlled a fifth of the island in late 2006 but are now penned into a coastal area measuring just 10 square kilometres (four square miles).Srilankan Soldiers captured another village on the edge of the Tigers' territory and freed about 500 people held hostage, the government said on Sunday.

So far more than 150,000 civilians have arrived to the Government controlled areas within past few days.

However the UN , United states and other international oraganizations provide fake estimates on damages to civilians by accusing the Srilankan government.

See BBC video here : Civilians fleeing from No-Fire Zone

500$ million Grant from Libya to Srilanka

2009-04-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

Libyan leader Muammar Gadaffi has announced that he will take immediate and maximum steps to grant 500$ million worth loan that was promised by Libyan leader, during the President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to Libya on early April.

Gadaffi has revealed this during a special telephone conversation held with President Rajapaksa last night. A 500$ million amount of loan is much worth to the Srilankan Government at this time. Because Srilanka would make more concern on welfare of the IDP's in North and East, Also this amount can be used to finance the running cost of world's largest Cabinet.

At the telephone conversation Libyan leader has promised that he will visit the Srilanka soon after he got a chance. Gadaffi also congratulated the President on recent successes achieved by Sri Lankan Government in defeating LTTE terrorism.

LTTE leader, Prabakaran may escape in a submarine

2009-04-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

The General-Officer-Commanding 58 Division, Brigadier Shavendra De silva. has stated that the LTTE leader Prabakaran may escape from Srilanka by using a submarine.

He says that Tigers' intelligence chief Pottu Amman and Sea Tiger leader Soosai, might have escaped from the Srilanka with a submarine. However Prabakaran is still in the No-Fire zone of Srilanka.

This information has revealed by surrendered LTTE's former spokesman Daya Master on 22 april to the Srilanka ARMY.

However a naval blockade was put around northern Mullaittivu close to the No-Fire zone where LTTE cadres still had access to thesea.

"Most of the LTTE leaders are keen on escaping the country and surrender to the Srilankan ARMY. But LTTE leader Prabakaran not allowing them to do so. "

Srilankan Government ordered few times to the LTTE in this week to surrender the ARMY and lay down arms. LTTE leader has not responded to Srilankan government calls and still fighting with remaining LTTE cadres in the south area of No-Fire zone at Puthumathalan.

There are 613 LTTE cadres have killed by the ARMY in this week while the massive humanitarian operations on the way.

After the end of the LTTE (report)

2009-04-23T00:08:00.000-07:00

B.RAMAN

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is in its death rattle. It was decisively defeated by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces weeks ago, but a handful of its leadership headed by Prabhakaran has cynically and cruelly prolonged the agony of the Tamil civilians by using them as a buffer and human-shield in order to delay the re-establishment of the writ of the Sri Lankan Government in a miniscule piece of territory (about 20 sq.kms), which has been declared by the Government as a no-fire zone to avoid collateral casualties among the civilians still under the control of the LTTE and to enable them to escape from the clutches of the LTTE.

2. Prabhakaran is a leader with a split personality. During the 26 years he has dominated the Tamil landscape in Sri Lanka, he had shown a remarkable organizing capacity and an ability to motivate his followers to perform virtual miracles. His motivating his cadres to acquire a capability for action by air and sea would go down in the history of insurgency and terrorism as indicating an organizing capability of a high order. The LTTE under his leadership managed to bring almost the entire Tamil-inhabited territory in the Northern and Eastern Provinces under its control. The determined manner in which the LTTE fought against the Indian-Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in the late 1980s and frustrated its efforts to defeat it spoke highly of its capabilities for a conventional warfare.

3.If Prabhakaran had the activities of the LTTE confined to conventional warfare and developed the LTTE as a purely insurgent force, which targeted only the armed forces and not innocent civilians, he would have acquired greater support from the international community for the Tamil cause. The rational side of his personality as illustrated by his organizing capabilities had to constantly contend with a highly irrational side, which drove him to simultaneously take to terrorism of a shockingly brutal kind.

4. The targeted killings by the LTTE of many Sri Lankan Tamil leaders, who were perceived by Prabhakaran as possible impediments to his rise as the unquestioned leader of the Tamil community, and its brutal assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991 were the outcome of the irrational side of his personality. No other Indian leader had done more to help the Sri Lankan Tamil cause than Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Only a sickly and sickening irrational mind could have ordered the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and Laxman Kadirgamar, a highly-respected Tamil leader, who was a senior adviser on foreign policy to former President Chandrika Kumaratunge. The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi on Prabhakaran’s orders shocked Indian public opinion----including public opinion in Tamil Nadu--- and weakened Indian support for the Tamil cause. The assassination of Kadirgamar shocked the Western public opinion and led to the declaration of the LTTE as a terrorist organization by the Western world, thereby denying the last vestiges of Western support for the Tamil cause.

5.As the LTTE faced one defeat after another during the last three years from the Sri Lankan Armed Forces---initially in the Eastern Province and finally in the Northern Province---- the irrational side of Prabhakaran’s personality erased his rational side. His shocking use of the Tamil civilians in order to delay the final end of the counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism campaign undertaken by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces is driven by this irrational streak in him, which now dominates his personality.

6. The prolonged agony of the Sri Lankan Tamils caused by the final bout of Prabhakaran’s irrationality and loss of lucidity in thinking has to be ended. The Sri Lankan Armed Forces, which have shown patience till now and deliberately slowed down their operations, cannot be faulted if they have come to the conclusion that the time has come to liberate the no-fire zone too from the clutches of the LTTE by undertaking limited operations with small arms and ammunition even at the risk of some collateral casualties to the civilians.

7. The desperate attempt of Prabhakaran to use the civilians to protect himself from the advancing Sri Lankan Army can be attributed to the total loss of lucidity in his thinking and his consequent inability to face the bitter truth that he and his organization have been defeated decisively by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and that there is no chance of their staging a come-back. The Requiem for the LTTE could be written without fears of going wrong, should the LTTE stage a come-back as it had done on occasions in the past. It has been defeated beyond recovery. His conventional as well as terrorist capabilities are in shatters. Earlier conventional wisdom that small groups of the LTTE might still be able to keep indulging in sporadic acts of terrorism in different parts of Sri Lanks needs re-consideration. His desperate delaying action at the cost of immense suffering to the Tamils, whose cause he claims to espouse, is meant to give him an opportunity to seek safe sanctuary either in Tamil Nadu or elsewhere from where he could try to re-start his fight against the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. It is in the common interest of India and Sri Lanka that Prabhakaran is finally able to make peace with his Maker by either being killed by the Armed Forces or by taking his own life. A defeated Prabhakaran, if left alive in India or elsewhere, would not be a threat, but could be a nuisance for both the countries.

8. After the final death of the LTTE, which is expected any day, what is the future of the Sri Lankan Tamil cause? Would a Requiem for the LTTE also mean a Requiem for the Sri Lankan Tamil cause? Hopefully not. It is in India’s interest that the LTTE as a terrorist organization is destroyed once and for all, but it is not in India’s interest that the Sri Lankan Government and Armed Forces proceed from the destruction of the LTTE to the destruction of the Tamil aspirations for greater political and economic rights in their traditional homeland and for greater human dignity.

9. Let us not forget that ever since our independence in 1947, the Bengalis of the then East Pakistan, the Balochs and Sindhis of Pakistan and the Tamils of Sri Lanka have been India’s natural allies. It was this reality which persuaded Indira Gandhi to assist the Bengalis of the then East Pakistan to achieve their independence. Even though successive Governments in New Delhi refrained from supporting the causes of the Sindhis and the Balochs, Indian public opinion sympathized and continues to sympathise with their cause. It was sympathy for the Sri Lankan Tamil cause at New Delhi when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister and in Tamil Nadu, which induced India to take up their cause in the 1980s.

10.There is no reason why India should not pride itself and seek to be the paramount power of the region. To emerge and remain as the paramount power, we need natural allies in the region around us. We should not let the legitimate aspirations of our natural allies---whether they be the Sindhis and Balochs of Pakistan or the Sri Lankan Tamils--- be crushed by a brutal regime--- whether in Islamabad or in Colombo.

11. Since 1947, the Balochs rose twice in revolt in favour of independence for their homeland. On both occasions, they were defeated by the Pakistani Armed Forces as decisively as the LTTE by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. The Pakistani leadership brutally used the Air Force against the Balochs to crush their freedom struggle. Undaunted by this, the Baloch people, under a new leadership, rose in revolt for a third time two years ago and their third war of independence is still going on.

12. The remarkable victory of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces against the LTTE was partly due to their improved counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism capabilities made possible by Indian assistance in the form of training and sharing of intelligence and partly due to their emulating the Pakistani Armed forces in the brutal use of the Air Force against people whom they portray as their own. Just as the Balochs were defenceless against the brutal Pakistani air strikes, the Sri Lankan Tamils were defenceless against the Sri Lankan air strikes.

13. The US has used air strikes in Iraq and Afghanistan----but in foreign territory and against foreign nationals. Only three countries in the world have used air strikes in their own territory against their own people---- the Pakistanis against the Balochs, the Russians against the Chechens and the Sri Lankans against the Tamils.

14. President Mahinda Rajapakse has repeatedly promised that once the LTTE is defeated, he would be generous in meeting the political aspirations of the Tamils. He gives the impression of being a sincere man, but will the Sinhalese Army with its head bloated by its success against the LTTE allow him to do so? The indicators till now are not encouraging. Many Sri Lankan officers might have been trained in India, but their mindset and their attitude towards the minorities have more in common with those of their Pakistani counterparts than with those of their Indian counterparts. Therein lies the danger that after winning the war against the LTTE, the Government, strongly influenced by a victorious army, might trey to impose a dictated peace on the Tamils.

15. If the angry Tamils once again look up to India, there is no reason why we should not reciprocate provided a new leadership emerges in the Tamil community and it has drawn the right lessons from the brutalities of the LTTE.

16. The LTTE is deservedly dying, but long live the Tamil cause. (22-4-2009)

( The writer is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai. E-Mail: seventyone2@gmail.com )

Hostages Rescue mission continues successfully

2009-04-22T23:24:00.000-07:00

The largest ever hostages civilians rescue mission undertaken by the Srilankan security forces now successfully continues. To date over 100,000 civilians fled from No-Fire zone to government controlled areas. there were over 40,000 has moved to the protected areas on the first day of the mission started. They were crossed the Nandikadal lagoon on large numbers.

Civilians fleeing to the other side of the No-Fire zone with facing deadly risk of the LTTE. So far for the 02 days LTTE has killed over 50 Tamil innocent civilians who were attempted to escape from No-Fire Zone.

However Civilians moves like a flood in large numbers facing LTTE restrictions. Troops of 58 Division since 6 AM on Monday (Apr 20) to 8.30, 23 Wednesday have rescued a total of 83,429 hostages. Among them were 31,017 children, 27,990 women and 24,422 men.

The LTTE now cornered to narrow border of land in the No-Fire Zone. which covered one side by the Indian Ocean and other side from the Nandikadal Lagoon. It is said that Prabakaran the brutal killer hiding in this narrow strip among civilians. Troops of the 53 Division now heading towards Vellaimullaivaikkal from the West had day long clashes with the terrorists in the Puthukkudduyiruppu East area.

The biggest ever hostages rescue mission in the world

2009-04-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

Today Srilanka ARMY along with Srilanka Air Force and NAVY has been able to rescue more than 35000 civilians trapped by LTTE as hostages in the Puthumathalan No-Fire zone along the coast of Mullaitivu.

This is the biggest ever civilian rescue mission in the world. However there are about 50000 civilians yet to be rescued. ARMY started the mission at 11.15PM Yesterday by entering to No-Fire zone by destroying the huge 7 feet earth bunt built by LTTE. After getting control over the earth bunt spread around No-fire zone, Civilians were begin rush towards the ARMY in large numbers.

See Video Here (wmv) : Civilians fleeing

UAV images transmitted to the Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters clearly shows how civilians were rushing in droves towards army controlled areas and at the same time the LTTE too were firing at the civilians to prevent them from entering Government controlled areas.

Tigers initially fired at the fleeing civilians on the causeway using heavy machine guns, however when Srilankan ARMY stepped into the lagoon to avoid the LTTE gunfire, three LTTE suicide cadres ran in to the civilians and exploded themselves killing 17 and injuring more than 200 civilians.

At the same time Srilanka NAVY has rescued rescued 92 boats with over 1500 civilians onboard in the indian Ocean along the Mulativu coastal area. Navy now escorting boats to the Point Pedro harbor and Pulmoddai.

The mission to rescue hostages has planned for a week and started at yesterday night by entering Puthumathalan No-Fire Zone. Since the start of the mission ARMY head quarters and ARMY control unit were too busy with operations. While President Mahinda Rajapaksha eye witnessed the whole seen at the Airforce headquarters and ordered the ARMY to provide medical and foods to the civilians immediately.

Obama to cut 100$ million within 90 days

2009-04-20T00:31:00.000-07:00

Obama is to gather his full Cabinet together on Monday for the first time as president and challenge it to cut a total of $100 million in the next 90 days. US top officials said.
Obama returned to Washington on Sunday night from the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, focusing on a plan to save government money.

However the official announcement to cut cost has not yet been issued. However, International NEWS agencies said that it's sure to implement such a plan immediately to cope with the United States recession.

As House and Senate lawmakers return from recess this week, they are expected to start reconciling their versions of the fiscal 2010 budget resolution. The president's budget request is $3.67 trillion.

Here are few plans on how to cut domestic cost.
• The Department of Homeland Security's plan to save an estimated $52 million over five years by purchasing office supplies in bulk.

• The Department of Agriculture's effort to consolidate 1,500 employees from seven locations into a single facility in 2011. It's estimated to save $62 million over a 15-year lease.

• The Veterans Affairs Department's move to cancel or delay 26 conferences, saving nearly $17.8 million. Veterans Affairs also will use video-conferencing to cut costs.

We are waiting how Obama and his government can deal with the recession in next few months.

IPL starts today

2009-04-18T01:52:00.000-07:00

India's controversial DLF IPL (Indian Premier League) matches starts today in South Africa.
The first match held between Last year's runners-up Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings and defending champions, Tendulkar’s Mumbai Indians.

Matches will be played in eight different venues over 37 days. The packed schedule involves moving 700 people, including over 200 television and digital media crew.

It is said that IPL is the world's biggest and controversial Twenty-20 series.
IPL involves a huge amount of money. some argues that IPL is not true cricket but rather play for money. This year IPL series has been insured for $286 million.
Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has the highest individual insurance cover of $10.5 million. Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh follow behind with Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya of Mumbai Indians commanding the highest price among overseas players.
We haven't heard such amounts of money in international Cricket until the big bang IPL series.

IPL and Bollywood:
IPL teams are well blend with Bollywood stars in India. Punjab Kings 11 comes with pretty preity zinta and Shah Rukh Khan with Knight Riders.

Watch IPL Online:
Watch IPL Live matches with IPL T20. and with Willow TV. You can watch IPL for free with them. Also available in IPL match highlights and match events with official IPL channel on Youtube.

Here is the refined shedule and timing of IPL 2009 S.A.

Match No.	Between Teams	Venue	Match Date and Time[IST]
1	Mumbai Indians Vs Chennai Super Kings	Cape Town	April 18 4 p.m
2	Rajasthan Royals Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers	Cape Town	April 18 8 p.m
3	Delhi Daredevils Vs Kings XI Punjab	Cape Town	April 19 4 p.m
4	Deccan Chargers Vs Kolkata Knight Riders	Cape Town	April 19 8 p.m
5	Chennai Super Kings Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers	Port Elizabeth	April 20 8 p.m
6	Kings XI Punjab Vs Kolkata Knight Riders	Durban	April 21 4 p.m
7	Rajasthan Royals Vs Mumbai Indians	Durban	April 21 8 p.m
8	Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Deccan Chargers	Cape Town	April 22 8 p.m
9	Chennai Super Kings Vs Delhi Daredevils	Durban	April 23 4 p.m
10	Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Rajasthan Royals	Cape Town	April 23 8 p.m
11	Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Kings XI Punjab	Durban	April 24 8 p.m
12	Mumbai Indians Vs Deccan Chargers	Durban	April 25 4 p.m
13	Chennai Super Kings Vs Kolkata Knight Riders	Cape Town	April 25 8 p.m
14	Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Delhi Daredevils	Port Elizabeth	April 26 4 p.m
15	Kings XI Punjab Vs Rajasthan Royals	Cape Town	April 26 8 p.m
16	Deccan Chargers Vs Chennai Super Kings	Durban	April 27 4 p.m
17	Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Mumbai Indians	Port Elizabeth	April 27 8 p.m
18	Delhi Daredevils Vs Rajasthan Royals	Pretoria	April 28 8 p.m
19	Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers	Durban	April 29 4 p.m
20	Kings XI Punjab Vs Mumbai Indians	Durban	April 29 8 p.m
21	Deccan Chargers Vs Delhi Daredevils	Pretoria	April 30 4 p.m
22	Rajasthan Royals Vs Chennai Super Kings	Pretoria	April 30 8 p.m
23	Mumbai Indians Vs Kolkata Knight Riders	East London	May 1 4 p.m
24	Kings XI Punjab Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers	Durban	May 1 8 p.m
25	Deccan Chargers Vs Rajasthan Royals	Port Elizabeth	May 2 4 p.m
26	Delhi Daredevils Vs Chennai Super Kings	Johannesburg	May 2 8 p.m
27	Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Kings XI Punjab	Port Elizabeth	May 3 4 p.m
28	Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Mumbai Indians	Johannesburg	May 3 8 p.m
29	Chennai Super Kings Vs Deccan Chargers	East London	May 4 8 p.m
30	Rajasthan Royals Vs Kings XI Punjab	Durban	May 5 4 p.m
31	Delhi Daredevils Vs Kolkata Knight Riders	Durban	May 5 8 p.m
32	Deccan Chargers Vs Mumbai Indians	Pretoria	May 6 8 p.m
33	Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Rajasthan Royals	Pretoria	May 7 4 p.m
34	Kings XI Punjab Vs Chennai Super Kings	Pretoria	May 7 8 p.m
35	Delhi Daredevils Vs Mumbai Indians	East London	May 8 8 p.m
36	Deccan Chargers Vs Kings XI Punjab	Kimberley	May 9 4 p.m
37	Chennai Super Kings Vs Rajasthan Royals	Kimberley	May 9 8 p.m
38	Mumbai Indians Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers	Port Elizabeth	May 10 4 p.m
39	Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Delhi Daredevils	Johannesburg	May 10 8 p.m
40	Rajasthan Royals Vs Deccan Chargers	Kimberley	May 11 8 p.m
41	Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Kolkata Knight Riders	Pretoria	May 12 4 p.m
42	Mumbai Indians Vs Kings XI Punjab	Pretoria	May 12 8 p.m
43	Delhi Daredevils Vs Deccan Chargers	Durban	May 13 8 p.m
44	Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Chennai Super Kings	Durban	May 14 4 p.m
45	Mumbai Indians Vs Rajasthan Royals	Durban	May 14 8 p.m
46	Kings XI Punjab Vs Delhi Daredevils	Bloemfontein	May 15 8 p.m
47	Chennai Super Kings Vs Mumbai Indians	Port Elizabeth	May 16 4 p.m
48	Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Deccan Chargers	Johannesburg	May 16 8 p.m
49	Kings XI Punjab Vs Deccan Chargers	Johannesburg	May 17 4 p.m
50	Rajasthan Royals Vs Delhi Daredevils	Bloemfontein	May 17 8 p.m
51	Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Chennai Super Kings	Pretoria	May 18 8 p.m
52	Delhi Daredevils Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers	Johannesburg	May 19 8 p.m
53	Rajasthan Royals Vs Kolkata Knight Riders	Durban	May 20 4 p.m
54	Chennai Super Kings Vs Kings XI Punjab	Durban	May 20 8 p.m
55	Mumbai Indians Vs Delhi Daredevils	Pretoria	May 21 4 p.m
56	Deccan Chargers Vs Bangalore Royal Challengers	Pretoria	May 21 8 p.m
57	Semi Final 1	Pretoria	May 22 8 p.m
58	Semi Final 2	Johannesburg	May 23 8 p.m
59	Final	Johannesburg	May 24 8 p.m

Britains call for an extension : The Island Review

2009-04-17T08:28:00.000-07:00

A Trojan horse of British make (The Island : Srilanka)

The government has acted wisely by rejecting Britain's call for an extension of the humanitarian pause declared in view of the traditional New Year on April 13 and 14. The kneejerk reaction of the LTTE to the government's gesture was to spurn the truce offer contemptuously out of hand and step up attacks on the troops, demanding a 'permanent' ceasefire with international mediation.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has evinced a keen interest in Sri Lanka's conflict. Britain is full of weretigers and Miliband lacks only a striped tail to go with his Tigerine voice. He and others of his ilk like Keith Vaz, MP in the LTTE's pocket are desperate to throw a lifeline to the sinking Tigers.

Miliband and his political bosses are also trying to distract the public attention from the plight of the marginalized sections at home as well as from Iraq and Afghanistan, where they are mired in a never ending war. For them Sri Lanka's conflict has come in handy. They are trying to use it as a fig leaf to cover their humanitarian nudity as regards their war on terror and to keep the LTTE terrorism afloat so that they could continue to have a strong presence in this region on the pretext of conflict resolution.

The Daily Telegraph has reported (see the World View section today) that one in five elderly people in Britain skip meals to save money on food, while two-fifths are struggling to afford essential items. Many of the aged are said to be 'going to extreme measures to cope putting their health at risk'. This has been the dismal record of the Brown government which is trying to export humanitarian concerns to the rest of the world! Charity, they say, begins at home!

The humanitarian situation is bad in the Vanni and it is only natural that the world community is concerned about the civilians trapped there. But, those who weep buckets for them and seek to step in on their behalf must prove their humanitarian credentials first of all. Before undertaking any more humanitarian missions, Miliband ought to make his position known on the plight of the original inhabitants of Diego Garcia, which the British ethnically cleansed to pave the way for an American military base over three decades ago. The people who were banished from that once palm-fringed peaceful island had been living there over 200 years! And they are still demanding that they be permitted to return home, but in vain.

Ethnic cleansing is a grievous crime. The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Miliband, who jointly indulge in firing statements exuding compassion on anything and everything at the drop of a hat, must address the grievances of the people of Diego Garcia. So long as they ignore the woeful pleas of those victims of 'total evacuation', they won't be acceptable as champions of human rights.

It is surprising that even the Human Rights Watch and the Amnesty International have forgotten those hapless people of Diego Garcia. Is it that the championing of their cause is not lucrative for the captains of the Victim Industry?

However, there is no gainsaying the situation in the Vanni is bad and the protection of civilians must be ensured. Is an indefinite ceasefire the solution as suggested by Miliband?

The answer to this question is found in an observation made by Sir John Holmes, UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs on Sri Lanka's situation, in New York on Wednesday. He said: "There seems to be less civilians getting out during the [New Year] pause than before. So it is clear that LTTE did not allow those who wished to leave even if they wished to leave the area during this pause to do so, they seemed to be actively prevented from doing so, perhaps more actively prevented from doing so during this pause, so that is a matter for great regret."

Even if the Sri Lankan government were to agree to an open-ended truce, it is only wishful thinking that it would help secure the release of civilians in the LTTE's clutches. A ceasefire will mean nothing to those people. For, Prabhakaran knows the moment all the civilians are removed to safety, he will be without any protection whatsoever and, therefore, won't let go of them. He is aware that the army is in a position to annihilate the remaining LTTE combatants within hours in total war.

If Prabhakaran is really willing to release hostages he has taken, he should have made use of the recent forty-eight-hour truce the government declared for that purpose.

Even without a truce, he can release civilians by allowing them to shift to the welfare centres.

What Prabhakaran wants is not a pause to release civilians but a protracted truce and a CFA like the one the Norwegians drafted in 2002 granting him unbridled freedom to expand his operations in the North and the East. In other words, he wants to escape death and reverse the battlefield gains of the military through non military means with the help of the British and the Norwegians. It is not that Miliband and other do-gooders are not au-fait with his plans. Instead, they want to help him with his grand design. It is not an end to Sri Lanka's conflict that those sinister elements seek but a means to its perpetuation.

If the Sri Lankan government ever blundered by playing into their hands as the UNF did in 2002, the country would revert to the pre-Mavil Aru position with the passage of time and all the sacrifices the armed forces and people made to defeat terrorism would be in vain.

Next time Miliband calls for a truce, he ought to be asked how Britain would act if Osama bin Laden were to be cornered in a small area taking cover behind civilians. That question may also be posed to all the other 'hawks' in doves' plumage unleashing hell on Afghanistan and advocating human rights elsewhere.

Courtesy : The Island

United States ask for an End to Hostilities in Sri Lanka

2009-04-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

United States Department Spokesman Robert Wood issued a statement saying both sides must immediately return to a humanitarian pause and both must respect the right of free movement of civilians, regarding current confrontations of Srilanka between Srilanka ARMY and LTTE terrorists.

Some National Movements in Srilanka defines this statement as another International attempt to provide time phase to regroup and rearm the LTTE.

Here is the full statement by US Department.

Call for an End to Hostilities in Sri Lanka
Robert Wood
Acting Department Spokesman, Office of the Spokesman
Bureau of Public Affairs
Washington, DC
April 16, 2009

The United States government is deeply concerned about the current danger to civilian lives and the dire humanitarian situation created by the fighting in the Mullaittivu area in Sri Lanka. We call upon the government and military of Sri Lanka, and the Tamil Tigers to immediately stop hostilities until the more than 140,000 civilians in the conflict area are safely out. Both sides must immediately return to a humanitarian pause and both must respect the right of free movement of those civilian men, women and children trapped by the fighting.
The United States calls upon the government of Sri Lanka to assist its Tamil citizens by halting shelling of the safe zone, permitting international monitors to ensure the safe exit of the civilians. The government of Sri Lanka should also enforce international humanitarian standards in IDP camps, grant visas to international aid groups and permit entry into Sri Lanka of international monitors and media access to those camps.
The Sri Lankan government, as the legitimate sovereign power, has before it an opportunity to put an end to this lengthy conflict. A durable and lasting peace will only be achieved through a political solution that addresses the legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lankan communities. Further killing, particularly killing of civilians, will not end the conflict and will stain any eventual peace. We urge the Sri Lankan government to employ diplomacy to permit a peaceful outcome of this conflict. 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.

PRN: 2009/336

Srilankan Government Declared a unilateral ceasefire on last Monday and Tuesday to help provide safe passages to civilians trapped by LTTE as shields. However LTTE failed to accept for Srilankan Government ceasefire and they blocked civilians flee to Government controlled areas.

Sinhala and Hindu New Year Greetings.

2009-04-13T23:29:00.000-07:00

The joyful New year season have arrived.
We wish all people a Joyful and prosperous Happy Sinhala and Hindu New Year.

Srilankans or Sinhala people together with tamils celebrates there New Year in month of April.
Normally The new year day falls to 14th of April. the day and time determined by astrological signs. this happens when the sun moves from the House of Pisces (meena rashiya) to the House of Aries (Mesha Rashiya) in the celestial sphere.

In Sinhala The new year season people are moves to a new life, by forgetting past unhappy memories and this is the season which makes individual relations stronger.

Special Operation to rescue hostages in No-Fire Zone

2009-04-10T20:43:00.000-07:00

Srilanka ARMY collaboration with all Srilankan security forces have captured lands controlled by LTTE terrorists. LTTE considered as one of the top terrorist organization in the world. FBI The United States' top intelligence agency, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) once said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is the most dangerous and deadly extremist organization in the world.

Most terrorist and war experts said that LTTE is a top level guerrilla organisation and hard to defeat. However clever Srilankan boys destroys the LTTE. Only there were few LTTE top heads who were hiding behind innocent tamil civillians with frighten, remaining to destroy. Srilanka's security forces would done the job within next 20 minutes if there were no any civilians at the north No-Fire zone in Pudukuduirippu.

With regard to the problem Srilankan forces have now initiated a strategic operation to rescue hostages trapped by the LTTE. We strongly says that LTTE is killing people who are trying to flee from the No-fire zone. To LTTE there's no mater who they are, they killing any one. Small kids and pregnant mothers were killed by LTTE in recent weeks who were trying to escape from their clutches. Most of the time peoples are coming to the Srilanka Government controlled area passing the Nandikadal Lagoon with taking dead bodies killed by LTTE.

The Sri Lankan Army today at Apr. 10, launched a massive humanitarian operation – the first of its kind anywhere in the world – to rescue the thousands civilians held hostage as human shields within the No-fire zone declared by the government for civilians in the north-east.

ARMY's Senior Officer said that they have specially trained officers and soldiers specially trained to operate this kind of mission, hence it's possible to rescue people without harm. also said that they will liberate Civilians and destroyed LTTE within next few days.

The second target of this Operation Final Countdown, are LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, his deputy and intelligence leader Pottu Amman, his deputy Kapil Amman, the LTTE military intelligence head Ratnam Master and the last of the battle-hardened leader Vellevan.

According to sources, the LTTE’s assets are divided into two main segments. One segment is operated by Kumaran Pathmanadan alias K.P for procurement purposes. The remaining segment is said to be directly operated by V. Prabhakaran himself. This segment includes assets in foreign banks and Prabhakaran is said to be very familiar with internet banking.

The same sources point out that it is very unlikely that Prabhakaran will commit suicide and leave all LTTE assets in the hands of K.P, thus making the Tiger leader’s wife and three children destitute.

Srilankan troops are being inducted into this first ever major humanitarian operation of its kind in the island nation or probably in the world. But the Sri Lankan military hierarchy is confident of success as specialized units, which cannot be identified due to security reasons, are being deployed.

LTTE thret to Sonia Ghandi

2009-04-09T12:56:00.000-07:00

India’s intelligence services have becoming increasingly concerned about the prospect of an election-time attack by the LTTE on top political leaders, including Congress party chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Sources in the intelligence services have told that while there is no substantive intelligence to indicate that assassinations or attacks have been ordered by the LTTE, the inflammatory language being used by the terrorist group’s supporter in India was a cause for concern.

Vaiko, warned of large-scale secessionist violence if Sri Lankan forces killed LTTE chief V. Prabakaran. Read the related full article here.
He made a reference to the assassination of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in Sriperumbudur, and warned India of a secessionist movement if it did not push for an end to Sri Lanka’s anti-LTTE campaign.

The MDMK polemic isn’t the sole cause for concern among the intelligence services. Facing annihilation in Sri Lanka, some analysts fear, the LTTE could unleash violence within India to coerce its political leadership and create conditions where it could set up safe havens in Tamil Nadu.

Source: The Hindu

Vaiko warns of massacre in India

2009-04-09T12:20:00.000-07:00

Vaiko says he will become a slaughter if Srilankan government harm to LTTE leader Prabakaran in any means. The Sikhs could only hurl a shoe, "here we have people who can get bombs. The next generation of youth will not be like me" Vaiko added.

Vaiko warns India that “India would not remain one country” if Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not stop the war and if India did not urge him to stop the war.

Tamil Nadu's MDMK Party general secretary Vaiko on Wednesday warned that Tamil Nadu would witness a bloodbath even if the slightest harm befell Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam leader V. Prabakaran.

Addressing a meeting here to condemn the killing of Sri Lankan Tamils, the MDMK leader said the mind of the people in Tamil Nadu going to explode. It was now a long time since they had forgotten the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, he said.

Vaiko also says that People of Tamil Nadu will visit Srilanka with arms. “If the Argentine-born Che Guevara could fight for the Cubans, why not the youth from Tamil Nadu for the LTTE in Sri Lanka, with whom they have an umbilical cord relationship,” he asked.
He said they would not be cowed down by the police and guns. The LTTE and its leader Prabakaran could not be defeated in the war.

Following photographs and video footages showing Tamil Nadu politicians, including MDMK chief V. Gopalaswamy alias Vaiko and Nadumaran with the LTTE leader V Prabhakaran.

LTTE protests in London and Oslo

2009-04-08T00:36:00.000-07:00

London Protest
Around 400 of dogged Tamils are continuing their protest at London's Parliament Square at this time for it's third day. Protesters are calling for London's help in establishing a ceasefire between Sri Lankan forces and LTTE terrorists.Police arrested seven people on Tuesday during the clashes between LTTE supporters and Police.

London LTTE protest starts on Mondy with around 3000 people forced the closure of nearby Westminster Bridge by staging a sit-in on Monday night. However Now only left around 400 people in London protest. The bridge is now open again.

Several hundred demonstrators stayed all night, blocking roads until police moved them in the early hours, and vowed to continue their protest. Two protesters jumped into the River Thames but were recovered by police boats and taken to hospital.

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz is expected to deliver a letter to Downing Street calling for the situation in Sri Lanka to be debated by the UN Security Council.

Scotland Yard said they had issued "repeated requests" that images representing the Tamil Tigers - a proscribed organisation in the UK - carried by members of the crowd be removed.

One arrest was made on suspicion of carrying a flag supporting a proscribed organisation, under the Terrorism Act 2000. The other six arrests were made for a range of public order offences.

Palitha Kohona, permanent secretary at the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the government could not stop the offensive until LTTE agreed to lay down arms.

"The government wants to preserve the civilians, we want the civilians out, but the only decent thing that the LTTE can do now ... is to let the civilians go," he said. "The solution we have offered is very simple. LTTE must lay down its weapons, and then there will be no need to fire at anybody any more."

Oslo, Norway Protest
In Oslo, several hundred Tamil protesters gathered outside the prime minister's office to demand help from Norway. Police blocked the entrance to the building. An aide to the prime minister met the protesters, Norway government sources said

Taliban Beating a 17, girl in Pakistan.

2009-04-06T01:30:00.000-07:00

Here this is a must watch video. This is what happens when we allow the Taliban to control a region.

This grainy footage appears to show a 17-year-old girl being beaten by Islamic radicals in Pakistan’s northwestern region of Swat, where Sharia law was introduced after the government reached a truce with the Taleban in February.

A local Taleban commander in the militant stronghold of Matta, 25 miles from the regional capital, Mingora, ordered the girl to be flogged a week ago after accusing her of adultery, according to local reporters.

But some residents of Matta have accused the commander of ordering the beating to get revenge after the girl refused to accept his proposal of marriage, the reporters told.

“Please! Enough! Enough!” the girl is heard crying in Pashtu, the language of the tribes who dominate northwestern Pakistan – now the main hub of Taleban and al-Qaeda activity.

At another point, she cries: “I am repenting, my father is repenting what I have done, my grandmother is repenting what I have done...”

The man flogging her is also heard abusing his colleague as he struggles to hold her down and stop her covering her backside with her hands.

“You should hold her tightly so she doesn’t move,” he is heard saying.

President Zardari of Pakistan insists that the truce was made with “moderates” in the region and his officials have even held it up as a model for other parts of Pakistan’s troubled northwest, which borders Afghanistan.

The deal was agreed with Sufi Mohammed, the leader of an outlawed Islamic movement who was recently released after six years in jail for leading thousands of his supporters to Afghanistan to fight American forces in 2001.

He is the father-in-law of Mullah Fazlullah, the 33-year-old cleric who leads the Pakistani Taleban in Swat and is known for propagating his strict interpretation of Islam through pirate FM radio broadcasts.

Pakistani officials argue that many residents of the Swat Valley, which only became part of Pakistan in 1969, have long demanded Sharia law because of the weakness of the secular state judicial system.

However, this footage appears to back up reports from many local residents that the men who have over-run Swat are no more moderate than the Taleban government that ruled Afghanistan until 2001.

It is also likely to reinforce fears that the militants are now using Swat, which is just 100 miles from the Pakistani capital, as a base to spread their ideology and launch terrorist attacks deeper within Pakistan.

(source: Gatewaypundit, timesonline, michaelyon )

Anti Obama rally in Turky

2009-04-06T01:13:00.000-07:00

The protesters say Obama's visit will bring more turmoil to the Middle East.
Demonstrators shout slogans against U.S. President Barack Obama during a protest in Istanbul April 5, 2009. The placards read "Go away Obama".

Demonstrators protest at Taxim square in Istanbul on Sunday April 5, 2009 against the visit of US President Barack Obama.

The posters read 'Obama go home'. President Barack Obama arrives in Ankara, Monday for a two day visit to Turkey.

Pudukuduirippu falls, 450 LTTE cadres died

2009-04-05T22:17:00.000-07:00

Apr 05 : Srilanka ARMY has reached another milestone in Wanni Operations by completely gaining the control over Puthukkudyiruppu, The last remained stronghold of the LTTE. ARMY got the control of Puthukkudyiruppu with facing heavy resistance from LTTE. This is one of the biggest fall back of LTTE in Wanni operations.

More than 250 terrorists have killed on Sunday alone and over 420 has killed in confrontations in last 03 days. ARMY has already recovered 250 bodies of tigers killed on sunday confrontations. Most of those LTTE cadres assigned to the Imran Pandyan and Charles Anthony divisions of LTTE. Slain LTTE leaders were also among them including former bodyguard of LTTE leader Prabhakaran, former Northern region chief and two female leaders.

ARMY intelligence yesterday confirmed that 'Pottu Amman' LTTE's intelligence head have apologized from LTTE leaders on huge dismantle of their cadres. Also reported that Pottu Amman, Theepan and Bhanu have led the LTTE fighting formations and Bhanu has sustained injuries during heavy fightings yesterday.

After the falls of pudukuduirippu LTTE is now only remain 20 sq.km including the No-Fire zone. and a small area of nandikuda lagoon. ARMY officials announced that they are now tactically moving towards those areas.

U.S. Government contributes additional $15 million in emergency food aid for Sri Lanka

2009-04-02T12:50:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated $15 million (Rs 1.7 billion) worth of vital food aid for Sri Lanka to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). The food, consisting of wheat, lentils and vegetable oil, will be distributed to a large number of displaced and conflict-affected people in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.

USAID, the development agency of the U.S. Government, announced that 19,490 MTs (metric tons) of emergency food relief will be used to support WFP activities in the North and East. The USAID donation will include 14,700 MTs of wheat, 3,750 MTs of lentils, and 1,040 MTs of vegetable oil, enough to provide essential food to 300,000 people over four months. The food aid is scheduled to arrive in June 2009.

"USAID is pleased to support WFP's efforts to provide emergency food aid to Sri Lankans who are severely affected by the conflict," stated USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn. "Our donation represents about 21% of the total food aid that WFP has called for this year to meet the needs of IDPs and other conflict-affected people in Sri Lanka. We know that our donation will help WFP provide food aid that benefits people in need in the North and East," she continued.

USAID food is also providing a critical lifeline for thousands of civilians now trapped by fighting in the "No Fire Zone." She noted that approximately 65 percent of the WFP food currently going into the conflict area by ship is provided by USAID.

"WFP highly values this contribution, not only that it is most needed given the current IDP situation in the North, but also because it is most timely, given the status of our pipeline," said Mr. Adnan Khan, WFP Representative in Sri Lanka.

In 2008, USAID provided 28,393 MT of food relief valued at almost $29 million (Rs 3.303 billion).

By focusing on emergency relief requirements and potential returns by IDPs to their homes, USAID's donation supports the WFP Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) titled "Food for Peacebuilding and Recovery in Conflict-Affected Areas." The WFP PRRO assists the Government of Sri Lanka in feeding 1.1 million people through emergency feeding and recovery programs including food-for-education, food-for-work, and mother-and-child health and nutrition.

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency and the UN's frontline agency for hunger solutions. In 2009, WFP aims to feed around 100 million people in 77 countries.

The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided development and humanitarian assistance in developing countries worldwide for nearly 50 years. Since 1956, USAID/Sri Lanka has invested nearly $2 billion to benefit all the people of Sri Lanka.

ADB says Sri Lanka needs to depreciate Rupee value

2009-04-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

ADB officials spoke about Srilanka's economic conditions at a news conference held to mark the release of the bank's Asian Development Outlook 2009 report.

Sri Lanka should adopt a more flexible exchange rate policy and depreciate the rupee to make more competitive exports and better manage the demand of imports, the Asian Development Bank said.

"If the rupee is devalued now it may not have a dramatic impact on exports. But looking at the future when the global economy revives, then Sri Lanka will be in good shape if it has an appropriate exchange rate policy," said Rao, ADB Lead Economist for Sri Lanka.

Rao said two issues of concern are the fiscal deficit and the external account in which the exchange rate policy will play a key role.

"Rather than introducing many ad hoc (import) taxes that distort the market, it is better to manage import demand through exchange rate policy," said Richard Vokes, ADB country director.
"The ADB will argue that we want your exchange rate to be appropriately valued so it maximises exports, minimises imports, and maximises export substitution - a lot of items imported could be made domestically. So you want to try and encourage that."

"Srilanka government's policy space to give a stimulus to the economy was limited because of the large budget deficit and low foreign exchange reserves. Fiscal policy remains a major area of concern because it leaves the government very little room to stimulate the economy.
Sri Lanka's stimulus package is relatively small compared to other countries, the reason being that the government does not have the funds to stimulate the economy further.
But Sri Lanka does not have that fiscal space to be able to stimulate the economy.
Unless a fiscal correction takes place burden of adjustment will be falling on capital spending which means compromising on long-term growth.
So it's important measures are taken to increase revenue and there's some streamlining of current expenditure." Rao said.

"Another thing which reduces Sri Lanka's ability to stimulate the economy is the low level of foreign reserves because the moment you have a large fiscal package it will feed into the balance of payment. With demand for exports shrinking, it will mean further depletion of foreign exchange reserves."

Rao also acknowledged the government faced severe constraints with the biggest spending items being salaries, interest payment on debt and subsidies.

Vijaykanth offers to boycott polls

2009-04-01T21:43:00.000-07:00

Actor-turned-politician and DMDK leader Vijaykanth has renewed his offer to boycott the ensuing parliamentary elections to show his solidarity with the Tamils in Sri Lanka, if the bigger Dravidian parties do the same.

"The DMDK would gladly follow suit if the (ruling) DMK and (the main opposition) AIADMK agree to boycott the elections on the Sri Lanka Tamils' issue. I'm reiterating my earlier offer," Vijaykanth said.

Vijayakanth was speaking in Ramanathapuram, 550 km south of state capital Chennai, at rallies in support of DMDK candidates for the Lok Sabha polls late Tuesday night.

Earlier, before the poll schedule was announced, he had threatened a boycott over the issue.

Charles Anthony injured

2009-04-01T04:17:00.000-07:00

The son of LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran has been confirmed injured at the Pudukudirippu battle front.
He has been injured following a series of heavy artillery which has been inflicted on the LTTE by the Sri Lanka Army’s 58 and 53 Divisions and with Charles Anthony also participating in the firing by the LTTE.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that LTTE Leader could also be in hiding in a protected area within the safe zone which is believed to be restricted now to 21 square kilometres.

Asian Tribune.

Microsoft Encarta is ending

2009-03-31T22:36:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-31T13:34:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-31T12:52:00.000-07:00

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.

Security Update : Army killed 26 LTTE Cadres

2009-03-29T05:08:00.000-07:00

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.

suicide bomber attack killed 45 in a pakistan mosque

2009-03-28T00:52:00.000-07:00

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.

BPO puts Sri Lanka on the top of global Outsourcing map

2009-03-27T01:47:00.000-07:00

"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

IPL moved to South Africa

2009-03-25T12:13:00.000-07:00

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.

Pottu Amman's hide out captured

2009-03-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

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.

Srilanka Rejects LTTE's appeal for ceasefire

2009-03-22T23:21:00.000-07:00

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.

Srilanka Allows EU envoys to visit North war zone

2009-03-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2009-03-18T00:50:00.000-07:00

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.

Srilanka not accept any conditions for IMF loans

2009-03-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-17T04:14:00.000-07:00

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*

Sri Lanka Cricket Rearranged

2009-03-12T11:38:00.000-07:00

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.

IPL and Security

2009-03-11T02:38:00.000-07:00

"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

Suicide bomb attack at Matara

2009-03-09T23:25:00.000-07:00

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.

TMVP hands over weapons to Srilanka Government

2009-03-07T05:22:00.000-08:00

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.

Attack on Srilanka Cricket team in Pakistan

2009-03-03T16:32:00.000-08:00

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.

LTTE Aircrafts Shot Down at Colombo

2009-02-20T22:27:00.000-08:00

Srilanka security forces shot down two LTTE planes yesterday night 20 feb 2009 at Colombo Capital and been able to eliminate the Air raid by Tamil Tigers.

After detection of two LTTE planes by the Radar, Security forces activated the air defence system and Electricity was also cut down immediately of the Colombo capital.

First Air craft shot down by SL Air force and ARMY at Katunayake. Military was made an anti-aircraft fire over the Katunayake International Airport and gunned down the LTTE plane. Tiger Pilot body and the parts of the aircraft was also found in Katunayake yesterday night.

At the same time second LTTE plane has droped bombs on Srilanka Inland Revenue department's Head Quarters. The Aircraft immediately shot down by the Air force and it's remnants were found in the premises of Tax HQ. Two people killed from the incidence and more than 50 has been injured.

Eye Witnesses says there was a blackout in the area and they heard the sounds of continues firing in the air. Some says the firing by ARMY and AIR force was seen as the fireworks of Colombo air, Saturday night.

LTTE should lay down arms: India says

2009-02-19T07:11:00.000-08:00

Indian Foriegn Minister Pranab Mukherjee made a statement on Wednesday that LTTE should lay down arms and allow civilians to safely flow to Srilankan government controlled areas. Further says that LTTE had done much damage to the Tamils in Sri Lanka and they should stop killing innocent Tamil civilians who are trying to escape from LTTE areas. Currently LTTE is holding innocent civilians including women, children and elders as a shield to protect from Srilanka ARMY attacks and to hide behind and counter attacks.
LTTE has hugely lost it's grounds in recent past and shrinks LTTE held areas as the results of Srilankan Security Force operations. Now they limited to a very small area which used to protect themselves and attack SL ARMY by holding civilians.
Mukherjee added that India will not interfere on decisions taken by sovereign government of Srilanka and agrees with the current measures taken by Srilanka government. The Main point of his statement that we should emphasize here is "India continued to support a negotiated political settlement within the framework of an undivided Sri Lanka acceptable to all communities".It clears that India much preferred to an undivided and United Srilankan State.

Meanwhile those statements of Pranab Mukherjee, has shaken the Lok Sabha yesterday. Tamil Nadu members including PMK, MDMK, and AIADMK made great protest over the Indian Governments views of Srilanka's issue. They emphasized that India should intervene on srilanka government to stop the North security force operations. Further they says that "It speaks the language of the Sri Lankan government".

Mukherjee also said that India government has taken their maximum attempt to protect displaced Tamil civilians of North and continued to provide them food and security.

UN warns LTTE

2009-02-16T15:57:00.000-08:00

A report by United Nations says that Tamil Tigers (LTTE) of Srilanka forcibly preventing civilians flee from LTTE controlled areas and killing civilians who are trying to leave the war zone of north.
LTTE used these innocent civilians as human shield to attack Srilanka forces.
Also the statement of United Nations country team in Sri Lanka said there are indications that children as young as 14 are being recruited into the ranks of the LTTE.

UN heavily concerned that one staff member was reported forcibly recruited into the LTTE.
and 15 of its staff and 75 of their dependents, 40 of whom are children, and 35 of whom are women, remain in the same area, having also been prevented from leaving by the LTTE adding that 15 of these children have contracted respiratory diseases.

Most of the reports of of United Nations are based on the testimony from people who have managed to pass over from the LTTE areas. "Tens of thousands of civilians remain in the "Vanni Pocket," including a large number of children. They are experiencing serious shortages of food, medicine, and clean water, and as a result increasing numbers are becoming ill. Efforts to bring in more food and medicines have not yet been successful, and it is imperative that these needs be met,"

Massive Protest by Srilankans in London - 14 feb

2009-02-15T01:03:00.000-08:00

Srilankans live in London have protested yesterday urged British government not to interfere on Srilankan government actions against LTTE. Sources says that more than 100,000 patriotic Sri Lankan Sinahalese,Tamils and Muslims were participated for this protest at the opposite of the Prime Minister's office at Downing Street.It was claimed that one of the largest held protest in London UK and which lasts for nearly five hours.

The protest was organised by ‘The Sri Lankans against Terrorism’. Protesters demanded that LTTE should let the innocent civilians out from their clutches.
Organizers of this demonstration said that the western countries especially Britain is trying to negotiate on behalf of the terrorists at a time Sri Lanka is on the verge of eliminating terrorists.

Moreover they says Srilanka is an Independence state and not any more a British Colony.
So the british government has no any right to interfere on Srilankan government and it's actions.

Watch the video of the srilankans protest here.

LTTE attacked a bus carrying civilians

2009-02-14T07:06:00.000-08:00

Today Feb 14 morning, LTTE attacked a bus carrying civilians who were fleeing from LTTE controlled areas at Pulliyankualam, Vavuniya.LTTE has used hand grenades and small arms to carry out the attack on bus.A 60 year old woman who were mother of two has died from this attack. While another 13 civilians injured, including 04 children. They are now treated at Vavuniya Government hospital.

At the moment the bus was driving by an SL ARMY soldier, who dares enough to drive the bus without stopping saving many civilians. Terrorist first attacked by hand grenades and then started to fire at the bus from 03 directions, sources said.

This is the fourth deadly attack by LTTE terrorists targeting innocent Tamil civilians.
Security persons says investigations are now carrying out to search for LTTE cadres who attacked the bus at Vavuniya.

30 killed in LTTE suicide attack, at Vishvamadu

2009-02-09T05:54:00.000-08:00

A female Tamil Tiger suicide bomber hiding among a group of civilians fleeing Sri Lanka's war zone blew herself up on Monday, killing at least 28 people and wounding 90, Srilanka military said.
"Two officers and 18 others were killed from the army, two officers injured and 48 others injured. Eight civilians were killed and 40 others injured. Many of them are women and children," military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.
Underscoring the challenge the military faces in separating combatants from civilians as the war moves to a final showdown, officials said the bomber was in a group of people being checked for weapons by soldiers when she set off the bomb.
"We are trying to save Tamil people, but LTTE is not allowing us to do that and they have exploded a suicide bomb among civilians," Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa told .

COLOMBO (Reuters)

LTTE Sea Tiger Leader missing after SLAF air strike

2009-02-08T08:25:00.000-08:00

After an series of air strikes conducted by Srilanka Air force fighter jets yesterday 07Feb, for the support of ground troops advancing towards puthukuduirippu, it was reported that the LTTE Sea tiger Leader 'Susei' has gone missing.

SLAF confirmed that artillery gun of the terrorists was destroyed and heavy damages were occurred to the terrorists. Fighter jets also attacked an LTTE hideout located 1 kilometer northeast of Puthukkudyiruppu junction yesterday killing two LTTE leaders and 15 cadres. Another air attack later targeted the LTTE bulldozers digging up the rubble from the previous attack.