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White vans behind Muslim nationals |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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Relatives of a 21 year old Muslim youth abducted from Maligawatte in a white van recently claimed they were yet to receive any information with regard to the incident even after lodging a complaint with the Maradana Police.
They said the police was even given the registration number of the van that had abducted the youth.
Police Spokesperson DIG Nimal Mediwaka said a broad investigation has been launched in to the incident.
He also said the number of the van has been given to the Department for the Registration of Motor Vehicles for investigation.
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No need for a Tamil children’s drama festival – Mahinda Yapa |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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Chairman of the Movement to Win a Drama Festival for Tamil Children, K. Mithraratne said a Tamil children’s drama festival is not being held simultaneously to the state Sinhala children’s drama festival.
Although he has been lobbying for a drama festival for the Tamil children with successive Cultural Affairs Ministers since 1998, no minister has still intervened in the matter.
Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said there was no necessity for a drama festival for the Tamil children as they too could participate in the State Children’s Drama Festival. |
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De-mined lands given to those affiliated to government – Mano Ganeshan |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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Parliamentarian Mano Ganeshan says the lands in the Batticaloa District in the East that have been cleared of landmines by the United Nations Development Programme have been given to those affiliated to the government for business purposes.
According to the UN, lands de-mined under the organization’s programme cannot be used for any other purpose other than to resettle the displaced people. The UN has said that by mid 2009, it had completed de-mining in a land mass of 375 square kilometers.
Mano Ganeshan said that since the government cannot be engaged in a mass scale land grab in the north and east if the displaced people were resettled in those areas, it was not interested in resettling the displaced. |
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Police spokesperson does not reveal the owner of land allegedly entered into by Lanka journalists |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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Police Spokesperson DIG Nimal Mediwaka in a statement said the three Lanka journalists were arrested for videoing a bungalow in Deniyaya frequented by the President and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, but refrained from mentioning the relationship between the President and the owner of the bungalow and estate the journalists have allegedly entered into. |
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Chamal’s son Shamindra appointed to SLPA Board |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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Ports and Aviation Minister Chamal Rajapakse’s second son Shamindra Rajapakse has been appointed to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Board with immediate effect and is to be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Authority in the next few days, Ports and Aviation Ministry sources said.
Shamindra currently functions as the private secretary to the Ports and Aviation Minister. Non cabinet Ports Minister Dilan Perera had advised the Minister to appoint Shamindra as SLPA Vice Chairman. |
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Power and Energy Ministry to pay Minister Thondaman’s bank loan |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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The Power and Energy Ministry has been shifted into Minister Arumugam Thondaman’s Saumyabhavan building to prevent it from being taken over by the bank for non payment of loan dues. The Ministry was shifted into the building on September 1.
The Power and Energy Ministry was earlier housed at a building belonging to the Mahaweli Authority. The office in the building is now being used by the non cabinet Power and Energy Minister. The Ministry has to now pay rent for two buildings. |
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Those who spread terrorism are now ministers, journalists are sent to jail
– Vijitha Herath |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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JVP parliamentarian Vijitha Herath said it was ironical that the like of Karuna and Pillayan who were leaders of the LTTE and spread terror carrying arms are ministers in the Mahinda Rajapakse government while journalists like Tissainayagam who wrote about it have been sentenced to jail for 20 years.
The Colombo High Court last week sentenced Tissainayagam to 20 years rigorous imprisonment after being accused of three charges of publishing racial feelings in the North Eastern Monthly magazine. |
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Government destroying Tamil culture in Kilinochchi – Suresh Premachandran |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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Jaffna District parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran says the Mahinda Rajapakse government after claiming the displaced people in the north and east could not be resettled in their hometown due to landmine threats is
in the process of destroying all constructions with Tamil cultural value in the Kilinochchi District and replacing them with Buddhist temples, statues and monuments for dead soldiers.
Premachandran said that all constructions on the 150 yard stretch between Omanthai and Palali on the A9 have been destroyed by the government and that a massive Buddhist temple is being built in Elephant Pass to indicate the invasion of Buddhism in the area.
The cultural hall, the Hindu Council building, the Palmyra handicraft shop and several other buildings of Tamil cultural importance in Kilinochchi have been destroyed by the government.
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Grandson living in JR’s house given to the government |
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2009-09-06 | 3.15 PM |
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Former President J.R. Jayewardene’s residence at No. 66 Ward Place, Colombo 7, for which he had made legal provision to be handed over to the government following the death of the two senior Jayewardenes, is yet to be handed over to the government.
The former President’s grandson Amrik Jayewardene is currently residing in the house. It is learnt that Amrik’s decision to live in his grandfather’s house against his last wishes while owning his own house at No. 1/43, Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7 has caused an internal family feud as well. |
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Basil’s website to attack ministers was launched on August 27 |
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2009-09-05 | 7.10 PM |
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The website mainatianed by Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse to attack government ministers and opposition politicians who cannot be controlled by the Rajapakses was opened on August 27 at the UPFA propaganda office maintained under the supervision of Minister Dullas Alahapperuma.
The office has been opened in a house down Hewa Mawatha (opposite the Museum) in Colombo 7. |
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Plan to permit only journalists supportive of Rajapakses to cover President’s meetings |
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2009-09-05 | 7.10 PM |
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The Presidential Media Unit has decided not to permit any journalist who has a relative in the opposition or has worked against the Rajapakses to cover any of the President’s meetings.
The Media Unit has sent a special form to gather information to every media institution to be filled by the respective journalists who will be covering the President’s meetings and the National Intelligence Bureau is to help the Media Unit verify the information submited in the form. |
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Government heads fear of being accused of war crimes
Defence units doubt a possible sale of video footage on military operations to foreigners |
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2009-09-05 | 7.10 PM |
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The Defence establishment is suspicious of the possibility of journalists who covered the humanitarian operations selling video tapes and photographs to foreign media institutions. Director General, Media Center for National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle has requested the Media Minister to hand over all material related to the military operation to the Defence Ministry.
Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa in turn has ordered the state media heads to immediately take charge of all video footage and photographs related to the military operations. |
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President’s support only for Anarkali and Susantha |
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2009-09-05 | 7.10 PM |
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The battle for preferential votes among the Southern Provincial Council election candidates has already begun and SLFP sources say the President has shown interest in aiding the campaigns of actresses Anarkali Akarsha and Susantha Chandramali.
The President has made necessary arrangements to allocate funds amounting to millions for Sajin Vaas Gunawrdene’s campaign and has also ordered Presidential media Unit head Mahinda Illeperuma to print posters for Anarkali’s and Susantha’s campaigns. |
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Cover up operation gives President free ads on Swarnavahini |
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2009-09-05 | 2.35 PM |
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Managing Director of Swarnavahini, Jeevaka Edirisinghe, who is accused of massive financial fraud that exceeds those leveled against Ceylinco Chairman Lalith Kotelawala, has arrived at an agreement with Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse.
A special discussion on the matter organized by Lake House Chairman Bandula Padmakumara was held recently. Basil had told Jeevaka that the allegations leveled against him would be covered up if he agrees to carry all advertisements forwarded by him to Swarnavahini during the general and Presidential election are telecast free of charge. Jeevaka has agreed to Basil’s proposal in exchange to covering up the charges leveled against him.
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Song banned following astrologers’ advice |
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2009-09-05 | 2.35 PM |
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The President has ordered all state media heads not to use the word “Maharajano” and to stop telecasting the song “Maharajano” with immediate effect.
The President has made this order following advice received by an astrologer monk residing in the Nimala area in Bundala, who has been involved in astrological work with the Rajapakse family for years. |
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State sponsored website to attack ministers |
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2009-09-05 | 2.35 PM |
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Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse is in the process of setting up a website to publish articles against ministers and opposition politicians who do not heed the President and the Rajapakse family members.
The website was initially planned to reveal fraud and corruption, but due to the inability to find a suitable person to manage the website, it has been decided to assign a person affiliated to the government. Although it was decided to appoint Advisor to Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Karunaratne Paranavithana as the editor of the website, Basil had opposed it due to concerns related to Karunaratne’s loyalty. |
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KP arrested and handed over by Malaysian Special Bureau |
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2009-09-05 | 4.30 AM |
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A senior intelligence official told Lanka News Web that LTTE’s Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP was not arrested on August 6 by a joint operation launched by the Sri Lanka security forces and the intelligence units as stated at the time, but was instead arrested by the Malaysian Special Bureau (MSB) and handed over to Sri Lankan security officers at the Bangkok airport.
KP is currently being interrogated under the supervision of the National Intelligence Bureau Chief Major General Kapila Hendavitharana. |
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Event to unveil Army monuments postponed |
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2009-09-04 | 5.30 AM |
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The event organized to unveil three monuments put up in Kilinochchi, Elephant Pass and Puthumathalan in memory of the fallen soldiers, by Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka on Friday (4) has been postponed indefinitely following a directive by the Defence Secretary.
The Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya were to unveil these monuments during their visit to the north. |
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A palace in Deniyaya for Maharaja |
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2009-09-04 | 5.30 AM |
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President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is referred to as “Maharaja” by his aides, is currently building a palace in Deniyaya in the Matara District.
The secret palace came into light following the arrest of three journalists attached to the Lanka newspaper.
The palace is being built in close proximity to the estate belonging to his sister Gandhini in Deniyaya. The architect of the palace located in the picturesque area of Bevaraliya is Channa Daswatte. |
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Buns thrown at Anarkali in Galle |
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2009-09-04 | 5.30 AM |
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Buns had been thrown at actress and Southern Provincial Council election candidate Anarakali Akarsha at a meeting presided by SLFP General Secretary, Minister Maithripala Sirisena at the Galle Provincial Council auditorium on August 26.
Supporters of Balapitiya SLFP organizer Lal Silva, also known as Premalal Navanandana de Silva who were angry that he was not given nominations to contest the election had thrown the buns served with tea at Anarkali. |
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Lakbima editors receive green light to carry articles against government |
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2009-09-04 | 5.30 AM |
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Editors of the daily and Sunday Lakbima newspapers have received the green light to carry articles critical of the government following a decision by the Sumathi Publishers management board to remove the earlier censorship on carrying articles against the government in its newspapers, sources said.
Sources added that although the decision was said to be based on trying to improve the circulation of the newspaper that has seen a decline, the real reason was the President continuing to ignore the Managing Director of Sumathi Publishers and UPFA Western Provincial Councilor, Thilanga Sumathipala. |
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US ambassador to the UN focuses attention on Channel 4 video tape |
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2009-09-04 | 5.30 AM |
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The US government has focused its attention on the video footage telecast on UK’s Channel 4 where several Sri Lankan security forces personnel shoot at several youth who were blindfolded and hands tied behind.
US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said that the US government has already commenced investigating into the incident.
Diplomatic sources say that if the footage that has now been viewed globally is true and not doctored, the US government would take serious action against the Sri Lankan government.
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Three journalists attached to Lanka newspaper arrested for allegedly reporting on a secret Presidential palace |
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2009-09-03 | 9.30 PM |
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The Deniyaya police had yesterday arrested and detained three journalists attached to the Lanka newspaper for allegedly taking photographs of a house being built by the President in one of his sister’s lands in Deniyaya. |
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SNAP organization condemns threats against Paikiasothy |
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2009-09-03 | 9.30 PM |
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The SNAP organization has issued a media release condemning the detention and questioning of Executive Director of the Center for Policy Alternatives, Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu on Wednesday (2) morning at the Katunayake International Airport when he was returning to the country from overseas.
The release sates thus:
“Dr. Saravanamuttu is the Executive Director of the Center for Policy Alternatives the plays a key role in protecting the human rights and democracy in Sri Lanka and is a locally and internationally accepted intellectual. |
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Happy to see senior Army officer’s wife taking over Ranaviru Seva Authority
– Major General Palitha Fernando |
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2009-09-02 | 11.15 PM |
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UNP agrees to JVP proposal on General Fonseka |
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2009-09-02 | 11.15 PM |
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JVP sources said that the UNP has agreed to the proposal made by the party put forward former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka as the common candidate from the opposition at the next presidential election.
The source said the UNP has agreed to a proposal made by the JVP in an unofficial level to support a common candidate focusing on abolishing the executive presidency instead of fielding a candidate from the UNP at the next Presidential election. |
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Namal Aiya didn’t do anything – Anarkali |
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2009-09-02 | 11.15 PM |
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Actress Anarkali Akarsha who is to contest at the Southern Provincial Council election from the Galle District has told several friends that although she agreed to contest due to requests made by the President, First Lady and their eldest son Namal Rajapakse, she “has not received any of the things promised by Namal Aiya.”
Namal Rajapakse had promised Anarkali that he would provide financial assistance for the organizing and publicity for her election campaign as well as provide the fullest support of his Tharunyata Hetak organization. |
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Will teach the Rajapakses an unforgettable lesson at the Southern Provincial Council election – Sajith Premadasa |
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2009-09-02 | 11.15 PM |
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UNP Hambantota District parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa says that regardless of the difficulties that have to be faced at the Southern Provincial Council election, the Rajapakses would be taught an unforgettable lesson while protecting the UNP and its members.
Sajith Premadasa made this statement at a press briefing at the Opposition Leader’s Office on August 31.
He said that although the Southern Provincial Council elections are expected to be a free and fair one as it is held in the President’s area, the governing party has unleashed terror since handing over nominations. |
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Over 10,000 people have disappeared from IDP camps |
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2009-09-02 | 4.30 PM |
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A report sent by Vavuniya District Secretary S.M. Charles to the Deputy Inspector General of Police in-charge of the IDP camp area states that over 10,000 people have disappeared from the camps after surrendering to the security forces.
A census conducted on the displaced persons in the camp along with the register of names who have initially entered the camps through the security forces has revealed the disappearance of over 10,000 persons. |
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Intelligence units suspicious of CIA presence in the country |
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2009-09-02 | 4.30 PM |
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A senior intelligence member told Lanka News Web that the intelligence units have launched a special investigation due to suspicion that several members from the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have entered the country.
The source said the investigation was launched following a tip off received by the Indian intelligence unit, RAW. |
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International award for jailed Tissainayagam |
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2009-09-02 | 4.30 PM |
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The French based media organization, Reporters Without Borders Borders have announced today that journalist J.S. Tissainayagam, who has been sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment, will be the first winner of the Peter Mackler Prize.
The Peter Mackler Prize is a newly-created award for journalists who display great courage and professional integrity in countries where press freedom is not respected. |
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Sri Lanka may lose EU’s GSP Plus due to bad human rights record |
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2009-09-02 | 3.05 PM |
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Sri Lanka may lose a lucrative European Union trade concession, Generalized System of Preference Plus (GSP Plus), for its garments exports based on the initial findings of a EU probe into the country’s human rights record, a senior government official said.
Export Development and International Trade Ministry Secretary, S. Ranugge has said a preliminary report received a week ago has highlighted allegations of human rights violations and torture, stemming from a 25-year war with Tamil Tiger rebels. |
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Mangala asks government to file action in the International Criminal Court if Channel 4 footage is false |
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2009-09-02 | 2.30 AM |
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SLFP (M) Wing Leader Mangala Samaraweera addressing a news conference at the party headquarters yesterday (1) said that the barbaric video footage showing several soldiers shooting and killing several blind folded naked youth telecast on UK’s Channel 4 and later on other international media like BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera, has dealt a severe blow to the country’s image and dignity like never before. |
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Sri Lanka Cricket incurs a Rs. 1 million loss on special security arrangements
for Sri Lanka-New Zealand Twenty-20 match |
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2009-09-02 | 2.30 AM |
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Sri Lanka Cricket has incurred a loss close to Rs. 1 million following the decision to deploy 2,400 security officers for the first match in the Twenty-20 series between Sri Lanka and News Zealand.
It is learnt that the special security contingent includes 1,500 police constables, 500 army personnel and 400 security officers from the Avant Garde security firm. The amount spent on security arrangements for this match thus far remains the highest to be spent on a cricket match. |
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Presidential pardon for journalist Tissainayagam |
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2009-09-01 | 8.50 PM |
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Foreign Ministry sources said that Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has requested the President to grant a Presidential pardon to journalist J.S. Tissainayagam, who has been sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment.
Many foreign diplomats and international organizations have called the Foreign Minister and requested the government to look at the matter in a humane perspective, as the sentence of rigorous imprisonment passed on Tissainayagam yesterday (31) was unjust.
Also, the Presidential Secretariat and the Foreign Ministry had received many fax messages objecting to the court verdict delivered on the Tissainayagam case. |
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JVP’s common candidate proposal may go ahead
Karu says won’t contest next Presidential election |
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2009-09-01 | 8.50 PM |
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JVP sources say the UNP leadership has agreed to the proposal presented by the JVP to put forward a common opposition candidate at the next Presidential election with stern conditions on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
Sources further said that two UNP parliamentarians have already had unofficial discussions with two JVP parliamentarians on the instructions received by the UNP Leader. The JVP has also proposed names of three candidates to the UNP at these discussions. |
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Southern Provincial Council election candidate Sajin uses 31 vehicles with same number plate |
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2009-09-01 | 3.00 PM |
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An Alliance Minister representing the Southern Province told Lanka News Web that the President’s candidate at the Southern Provincial Council elections, Sajin Vaas Gunawardena uses 31 jeeps in his campaign work bearing the same registration number, C-4727.
He also said that the police are unable to take any action against this illegal action, as Sajin is in the habit of misusing Presidential powers.
It is only several VVIPs who have received special permission from the Defence Ministry to use several vehicles bearing the same registration number. |
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Opposition leaders agree to Ranil’s proposals on the alliance |
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2009-09-01 | 3.00 PM |
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The policy proposals presented by UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on the formation of an opposition alliance to contest the general election was accepted by the SLMC, SLFP (M) Wing and the DPF at a meeting held yesterday evening, sources from the Opposition Leader’s Office said.
The meeting that was held at the Opposition Leader’s Office at Cambridge Place was attended by Nizam Kariyappar from the SLMC, Mano Ganeshan from the DPF and Mangala Samaraweera from the SLFP (M) Wing. |
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Tissa wins Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism |
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2009-09-01 | 1.25 PM | JDS |
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"THE REPUTATION OF OUR COUNTRY IS AT STAKE"
– A Statement by the Former Foreing Minister Mangala Samaraweera |
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2009-09-01 | 12.45 PM |
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The battered international image of our country has been dealt another severe blow with the airing by Channel 4 in the UK of a video clip implicating the Sri Lankan government of extra judicial executions. Subsequently, this horrendous video clip was picked up by other mainstream international channels and many other leading international newspapers also gave this shameful news item extensive coverage. |
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Twenty years of rigorous imprisonment for Tamil journalist Tissainayagam |
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2009-09-01 | 12.45 PM |
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The Colombo High Court today sentenced Chief Editor of the Outreach magazine, J.S. Tissainayagam, who was remanded for over 425 days, to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment.
Tissainayagam was arrested by the Terrorism Investigations Department (TID) on March 7, 2008 for allegedly writing and publishing an article that instituted ethnic disharmony and was remanded till today. Colombo High Court Judge Deepali Wijesundera sentenced him to 20 years rigorous imprisonment - a five year imprisonment term each for the first and second charges leveled against him and another 10 years for the third charge. |
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