Srilanka Allows EU envoys to visit North war zone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Press Releases by the Department of State

Humanitarian Situation in Sri Lanka

Statement by Gordon Duguid, Acting Deputy Spokesman

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

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

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

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

Srilanka not accept any conditions for IMF loans

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

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

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

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

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

Security Update : Heavy Fighting with LTTE in Pudukuduirippu

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

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

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

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

ICC World Twenty 20 - England 2009

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

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

Super 8 Stage
Lords - Fri 12 June:

Australia vs India* Pakistan vs Sri Lanka* The Oval - Sat 13 June: Australia vs South Africa* New Zealand vs Pakistan* The Oval - Mon 15 June: Australia vs England* Pakistan vs Bangladesh*

Sri Lanka Cricket Rearranged

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

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

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

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

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

IPL and Security

"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

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

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

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.