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Lanka
calls for int’l support
The Sri Lankan Government last week urged the international
community to recognise that democracies could not take extra
constitutional measures and that political solutions to
conflicts required discussion,...
(See Inside)
Wimal-Pillaiyan in
‘historic’ pow-wow
National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa yesterday
appeared to have found a new political ally in the shape of
Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai...
(See
Inside)
Nimal gets tough
Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has warned that
employees working on casual basis, temporary basis and contract
basis in the...
(See Inside)
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Bosom buddies?
National
Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa and Eastern Province
Chief Minister Pillaiyan illustrate the typical portrait of
bosom buddies, beaming and holding hands for longer than usual
when the unlikely duo met in Colombo officially for the first
time on Saturday, taking many by surprise
(Pic by Ishara S. Kodikara) |
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SriLankan to slap on massive fuel
surcharge
SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka’s national carrier, is set to slap
on a fuel surcharge beginning next month in order to cover
rising...
(See Inside)
Crucial Rajapaksa-NTUC
meeting today
President Mahinda Rajapaksa is scheduled to hold a crucial
meeting with all key trade unions in the country at Temple...
(See
Inside)
Security to go high-tech
for SAARC
With a considerable sum of the SAARC Summit’s Rs. 2.8 billion
budget set aside for security arrangements, the government
has...
(See
Inside)
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NEWS |
TN fishermen may take up arms
over Sri Lanka: CPI
Even while DMK Leader M.
Karunanidhi and MDMK Leader Vaiko are vying with each other to
capitalise on the growing anger in Tamil Nadu against the Sri
Lankan Navy’s attacks on state fishermen, the CPI yesterday went
a step further and warned that fishermen would be forced to take
up arms if the Sri Lankan Navy continued its attacks on them.
Speaking at the Fishermen’s Rights Conference at the coastal
District of Napattinam, Pandian alleged that the Sri Lankan Navy
was deliberately shooting at Tamil Nadu fishermen and killing
them.
“It is the duty of the Indian Navy to protect the fishermen. But
it is not doing so. If such a situation continues, Tamil Nadu
fishermen will be forced to take up arms,” he warned.
(See Inside)
Army gains full control of
village in Mannar
The Army gained full control of the village of Parappakkadanthan
in Mannar yesterday afternoon.
Parappakkadanthan is a village located north of Giant’s Tank in
the east of the Andankulam area, which the Army captured on
Friday. According to information, the captured area is a
developed area
Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that the
troops were able to capture this area after heavy fighting with
the LTTE and the 58 Brigade was engaged in the attack. He said
that the Army had gained the control of a large area belonging
to the rice bowl of Mannar. All LTTE ground access from the
north to Mannar has been cut off.
The captured area includes the Alkaddiweli Cemetery, located
between Andankulam and Parappakkadanthan, used by the LTTE and
several building complexes.
(See Inside)
Jaffna University to enjoy its
very own swimming pool
The
Tharunyata Hetak organisation led by President Mahinda
Rajapaksa’s son Namal Rajapaksa has taken steps to provide a
fully-fledged swimming pool for the Jaffna University.
Tharunyata Hetak Chairman Namal Rajapaksa handed over the cheque
to fund stage one of the project to Army Commander Sarath
Fonseka recently at Temple Trees, who in turn handed it over to
Jaffna GA K. Ganesh and Acting Director of the Physical Training
Section of the University, K. Ganeshanathan.
The proceeds of the Carlton Super Cross Tournament at Tangalle
will be used to fund the project.
The object of the Tharunyata Hetak organisation is to provide
opportunities to young men and women, regardless of
their communal, religious or political differences, in
order to improve their talents and...
(See Inside)
US Embassy to reopen this week?
United States Embassy in Sri Lanka Spokesman Terry White
announced that the embassy would hopefully be reopened to the
public this week, although no final decision had yet been made
to this effect.
He told The Nation that they were yet to receive the lab reports
on the suspicious powder found at the embassy, which led to its
closure last week.
“We hope that we will be able to reopen this week. The lab
reports need more time so there’s no new information at the
moment,” White said.
Meanwhile, the embassy has postponed all appointments of visa
applicants and will reschedule the appointments as soon as the
embassy reopens.
“The appointments will be postponed until we reopen. They will
be rescheduled as soon as possible on an individual basis –
considering an individual’s availability, etc.,” said White.
(See Inside)
Wimal to continue enjoying his
‘crown’
National Freedom Front (NFF) Chairman Wimal Weerawansa claimed
that Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake had assured
him that there was no problem with the NFF using the crown as
its party symbol.
“We met the Elections Commissioner and discussed this issue and
he told us that we could continue using the crown as the party
symbol and that it is not an issue,” Weerawansa said.
He also added that they hope to receive confirmation soon that
the Elections Commissioner would accept the NFF as a registered
political party. The NFF had met with Dissanayake mid this
month.
Last month several concerned parties, including the National
Movement for the Protection of Sri Lankan Heritages, asked the
Elections Commissioner not to allow the use of the crown as the
symbol of a political party.
(See Inside) |
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POLITICS |
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Ranil’s last battle?
 Even
before proper nominations have been accepted for the elections to the
North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils, the polls have been
enveloped in controversy, indicating the significance of this tussle in
the context of the larger political landscape of the country.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, being victorious at the recently concluded
Eastern Provincial Council Poll, is keen on establishing the domino
effect, hoping that one win would lead to another, until all provincial
councils come under the purview of the ruling United Peoples’ Freedom
Alliance (UPFA), thereby setting the stage for general elections.
The first by-products of the UPFA victory in the East are already self
evident. The major opposition party is in the throes of an internal
crisis with an influential section of Parliamentarians seeking the
ouster of Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe from the United
National Party (UNP) leadership,...
(See Inside)
A ‘symbolic’ Opposition, if anything
 Factional fighting within the main opposition party, the UNP,
appears to be reaching a climax, with various groups trying to
establish themselves as the most legitimate one.
Broadly, there are three factions right now, agitating to
introduce reforms into one of the oldest political parties in
Sri Lanka, which, except for between 2001 and 2003, is
languishing in the opposition since 1994.
Ranil Wickremesinghe has been the undisputed leader of the UNP
since 1994, albeit an abortive attempt to oust him by some of
the rebels, when he was in Oslo sometime ago.
Since the departure of President D.B. Wijetunge, Wickremesinghe
has held the reins of the party, with hiccups here
and there,...
(See Inside) |
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NEWS FEATURES |
India seeks clarification about ongoing
war in Sri Lanka
 The
Bible relates the tale of how three wise men of the east
travelled more than 2,000 years ago to Bethlehem and paid homage
to the infant Jesus with gifts such as gold, frankincense and
myrrh.
In a replay with a twist, ‘three wise men’ of India boarded an
Indian Air Force plane in New Delhi and paid a 36 hour visit to
Sri Lanka.
The Indian wise men who arrived in Colombo were not seers or
sages but experienced, senior bureaucrats from the upper
echelons of Indian officialdom.
The Indian trio comprised M.K. Narayanan, the National Security
Adviser, P. Shiv Shankar Menon, the Foreign Secretary and R.
Vijay Singh, the Defence Secretary.
Narayanan led the delegation, as in terms of protocol the
National Security Adviser position...
(See
Inside)Who is to blame?
The education institution, the most important followed by the
family, that helps in shaping a child’s character and moulding a
well-rounded individual, is on the verge of ruin, for want of
discipline.
Although the notion that schools are disciplinary institutions
that instil values with the help of caning and a sound beating
has long been outlawed. the schools are still expected to
inculcate a considerable degree of respect for manners and good
behaviour in students.
Have our schools been successful in this task? Do we see today a
student community that is well disciplined? If not, where have
we gone wrong?
Education Psychologist, Dr. Thilokasundari Kariyawasam believes
that disciplining a child should start at home. She opines that
an individual should be socially and intellectually sound, and
also physically fit. Such a person can be considered a normal
person.
(See Inside)
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We’re not 2nd class, says Serena
 Serena Williams believes the seismic shocks which
saw Ana Ivanovic and Maria Sharapova crash out of Wimbledon
prove beyond doubt that women’s tennis is more than a match for
the men’s.
World number one Ivanovic lost to China’s Zheng Jie, the world
133, 6-1, 6-4 on Friday in the third round, just 24 hours after
third seed Maria Sharapova was dumped out by fellow Russian, and
world 154, Alla Kudryavtseva, 6-2, 6-4.
“Everyone seems to be out to win these days. Everyone wants to
beat a top player,” said Williams, the champion in 2002 and
2003.
“Whenever I go out to play everyone wants to win. They seem to
bring their A game against me.”
Wimbledon women’s matches have always divided opinion.
In 2006, 45 of the 64 women’s first-round matches were
won in straight sets. In the second round of 32
matches,...
(See Inside)Point Blank
Finance no longer an excuse
 It
was quite amusing to read that the Ranatunga led Sri Lanka
Cricket interim committee had settled ‘all financial liabilities
with banks including, pending overdrafts over 600 million (no
currency mentioned) on June 20 with payments received from the
sale of TV rights for the upcoming India tour of Sri Lanka
2008’.
What everyone should realise is that it is this very same
administration that not so long ago had made attempts to cancel
the existing contract Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had with Ten
Sports and replace it with one of their own choice. Soon after
assuming office Ranatunga stated that the TV deal made with Ten
Sports by the previous administration needed to be
investigated due to the lack of transparency and wanted
the Sports Minister to intervene. An inquiry is still
going on by a three-man committee appointed by the
Minister comprising secretary...
(See Inside)
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INTERVIEWS |
 Health Minister in optimistic overdrive!
Health Minister and the newly appointed World Health
Organisation (WHO) President, Nimal Siripala de Silva has given
his reasons for the UPFA’s anticipated victory at the
forthcoming North Central and Sabaragamuwa provincial council
elections. He says though the government could not contain the
rising cost of living, due to international oil price hikes, the
government has been able to develop the rural economy. Citing...
(See
Inside)
"I entered politics to serve the
 people"- Ranjan
From the turmoil within the United National Party (UNP), another
issue cropped up last week, regarding the Chief Ministerial (CM)
candidate for the Sabaragamuwa Province for the forthcoming
Provincial Council (PC) election. Famous tutor, Upul Shantha
Sannasgala, backed off from the post suddenly, creating a vacuum
for the UNP leadership to fill. Meanwhile, famous actor and UNP
organiser for Katana, Ranjan Ramanayake, expressed his desire to
contest in the election. The Nation met with him to find out why
he wishes to vie for the CM’s post from the UNP.
(See
Inside)
"I need to ‘overtake’ myself’, hence CM
is inadequate"- Upul Shantha
 When offered the candidature of the United National Party’s (UNP)
Chief Minister (CM) for the Sabaragamuwa Province, Upul Shantha
Sannasgala declined, saying that he would rather “leapfrog” that
step and serve the UNP as its national organiser instead, a
position presently held by S.B. Dissanayake.
The following is an excerpt of a brief interview with The Nation
during which Sannasgala clarified his stance on declining the
UNP’s invitation.
Q: When you declined the offer to be the UNP candidate for the
position of CM of Sabaragamuwa, you said that you would rather
be the UNP’s national organiser;
(See Inside)
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