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General is the common candidate – Ravaya |
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2009-11-07 | 12.50 PM |
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Leaders of several opposition political parties have reportedly arrived at a decision to put forward General Sarath Fonseka as the common candidate to contest against President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the next presidential election.
The discussion held at the parliamentary complex on November 4 in relation to this issue had been attended by Leaders of the United National Front Ranil Wickremesinghe, Rauf Hakeem, Mano Ganeshan and Mangala Samaraweera and their decision had been communicated to Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Vijitha Herath of the JVP. |
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General’s security compromised
Sinha Regiment removed from Army Headquarters |
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2009-11-06 | 11.55 PM |
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The Sinha Regiment soldiers assigned to provide security to Chief of Defecne Staff General Sarath Fonseka have been removed on Friday (6) morning. The order was made by the Army Commander following a directive by the Defence Secretary.
Members from another regiment in the Army have been deployed to the Army Headquarters after removing the Sinha Regiment.
The Sinha Regiment has provided security to General Fonseka since he was attacked by the LTTE. |
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US officials questioned the General on Lanka News Web story |
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2009-11-06 | 11.55 PM |
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The US officials had planned on questioning the General on the story carried on Lanka News Web on Lanka News Web stating LTTE Leaders Nadesan and Pulidevan were killed when they tried to surrender following orders received by the Defence Secretary, an official from the Sri Lankan embassy in Washington said.
We revealed through our story that Nadesan and Pulidevan were killed due to an order issued by the Defence Secretary although they had come to surrender to the security forces. |
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Gotabhaya had met with Raj Rajaratnam during his visit to the US |
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2009-11-06 | 11.55 PM |
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Sources from the Sri Lankan embassy in Washington said that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse had met with millionaire businessman in the US Raj Rajaratnam, who is accused of funding the LTTE, for lunch during his brief visit to the US last month and Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake had also participated in the meeting.
Raj Rajaratnam who had lunch with the Defence Secretary was later arrested by the US authorities for insider dealing. |
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Meeting between General and Narayanan in the US |
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2009-11-06 | 11.55 PM |
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General Sarath Fonseka had met with Indian Security Advisor, Narayanan during his recent visit to the US, diplomatic sources said.
Sources said that although the scheduled meeting between the General and Assistant Secretary of the US State Department, Robert Blake did not take place due to Blake’s ill health, the Sri Lankan embassy had assigned several officials to keep a close watch on the General’s moves and the people he met on an unofficial level following orders received by high ranking officials of the Sri Lankan government.
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Clash between Muthuhettigama and Mohan results in suspension of SPC inaugural session |
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2009-11-06 | 11.55 PM |
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The clash between Provincial Councilors of the governing party, Nishantha Muthuhettigama and Mohan C. de Silva for the post of Chairman of the Southern Provincial Council resulted in the inaugural sessions of the Council being suspended till November 19.
Southern Province Chief Minister Shan Wijelal de Silva proposed Mohan C. de Silva’s name to the post of Chairman while the UNP proposed Muthuhettigama’s name for the post. |
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Sri Lanka Military Leaders Banned from Europe |
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2009-11-06 | 12.50 PM |
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According to reliable sources from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the European Union is taking steps to impose travel ban on Sri Lankan military leaders and their immediate families. This is one step closer to preparing a draft resolution in the UN Security Council that would prevent Sri Lankan military leaders and their families crossing any international frontier. |
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President accuses Wimal of betraying Gotabhaya |
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2009-11-05 | 10.30 PM |
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Sources from temple Trees say that President Percy Mahendra Rajapaksa had severely reprimanded NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa for revealing to the country that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had given a statement to the US authorities during his recent visit to the US.
The story about Gotabhaya being interrogated by the US authorities was a secret to the country and the Chief of Defence Staff was unaware of it until he visited the US. |
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Gotabhaya and Basil Rajapaksa should give up US citizenship like the General gave up his Green Card – Bimal Ratnayake |
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2009-11-05 | 10.30 PM |
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JVP parliamentarian Bimal Ratnayake told parliament yesterday (4) that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa should give up their US citizenship in the same way that Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka gave up his Green Card.
Bimal Ratnayake made this statement during the adjournment debate in parliament about General Sarath Fonseka. |
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The General to retire from active military service |
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2009-11-05 | 10.30 PM |
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An official from the Presidential Secretariat told Lanka News Web that Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka, who arrived in the country today (5) would retire from his post shortly.
The official said that although the General had not officially expressed his intention of entering politics, he has been forced to make this decision following the action taken against him by the President and the Defence Secretary. |
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Several SLFP ministers gather around Chandrika against the MR Front |
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2009-11-05 | 10.30 PM |
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Reliable sources say several key SLFP ministers have decided to support former party leader and President Chandrika Kumaratunge shortly as a mark of protest against the dictatorship of the Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) Front.
The group reportedly includes 12 ministers and 18 electoral organizers and they are to join forces with Kumaratunge as soon as either the general or Presidential election is called. Although some members of the group have proposed to join Mangala Samaraweera’s group and contest the next election through the UNF, majority of the members have said they should join the opposition alliance as a separate group. |
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Ranil would not contest at next Presidential election
Decision to field common candidate officially announced |
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2009-11-05 | 10.30 PM |
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The leadership of the United National Front (UNF) has decided not to field a candidate from the party at the next Presidential election and to instead field a common candidate from the opposition with the objective of abolishing the Executive Presidency, a senior UNP parliamentarian told Lanka News Web.
The decision was arrived at a special meeting held between the leaders of the UNF yesterday (4) afternoon. The parliamentarian said the decisions arrived at the meeting are to be communicated to leaders of other political parties including the JVP and a statement was made about the UNF stance at a media briefing today (5).
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Governor confiscates camera after claiming the journalist is a terrorist |
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2009-11-05 | 10.30 PM |
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Northern Province Government Major General G.A. Chandrasiri had confiscated camera equipment worth Rs. 200,000 belonging to one Reuter’s journalist M. Subramaniam, also known as Subu and has failed to return it as yet.
Subu had arrived in Vavuniya on May 14 to cover the former Chief Juustice Sarath N. Silva’s visit to the IDP camps in Vavuniya following an invitation extended to him by the Registrar of the Vavuniya courts. The former Chief Justice had left after visiting the Menik Farm and Ramanathapurma IDP camps. The Major General who was in charge of security and the military police personnel at the camps had summoned Subu to his office and questioned him for about four and a half hours. |
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Dr. Jayalth Jayawardene visits National Youth Front’s London Branch |
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2009-11-05 | 9.30 PM |
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UNP Assistant Secretary and parliamentarian Dr. Jayalath Jayawardene visited the London Branch of the National Youth Front on October 28 on an invitation extended by its Chairman Namal Wijayamuni Zoysa.
Chairman of the UNP’s UK Branch, Dr. Roger Srivasan was a special guest at the occasion. |
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The General arrives in Sri Lanka |
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2009-11-05 | 9.30 PM |
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Sources from the Katunayake International Airport said that General Sarath Fonseka who was to be interrogated by the US authorities today evening arrived in Sri Lanka at 4.25 a.m.
General Fonseka had arrived in the country on SriLankan Airlines flight UL228 from Dubai and had been flown to Colombo from the airport on a Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter. |
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General arrives in the Middle East |
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2009-11-04 | 10.50 PM |
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Reliable sources said the General who left the US yesterday (3) night was scheduled to arrive in a Middle Eastern country tonight. The General is scheduled to arrive in Colombo tomorrow (5) morning.
Sources also said many Buddhist monks and parliamentarians have decided to visit the airport tomorrow to welcome the General when he arrives.
Following the story carried by in our website that General Sarath Fonseka had left the US without responding to any interrogation, the matter was also stated in parliament by JVP parliamentarian Samantha Vidyaratne. |
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Presidential Secretariat orders Election Commissioner not to register UNF |
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2009-11-04 | 10.50 PM |
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UNF Leaders agree to put forward a common candidate to abolish Executive Presidency |
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2009-11-04 | 10.50 PM |
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Lakshman Seneviratne proposes that Ranil be replaced by the General as UNP Leader |
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2009-11-04 | 10.50 PM |
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Sources from the Opposition Leader’s Office said UNP parliamentarian Lakshman Seneviratne had told several parliamentarians yesterday (3) that UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe be replaced by General Sarath Fonseka.
Lakshman Seneviratne had said he would build a discussion within the party to push for this proposal and that it would also be publicized through the media as well. He had also added that the UNF formed by several groups was yet another effort to uplift the image of Ranil Wickremesinghe.
However, it is learnt that the General has so far not decided to join the UNP, but is to resign from his post upon his arrival in the country.
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Bad times for private bus conductors |
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2009-11-04 | 10.50 PM |
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Gemunu Wijeratne |
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The Transport Minister is looking at introducing ticket machines like those used in buses in the European countries to replace the private bus conductors, a Transport Ministry source said. An Indian investor has already handed over a project proposal on fixing local buses with automatic ticket machines to the Transport Minister through the President of the Private Bus Owners Association, Gemunu Wijeratne.
The ticket machines are aimed at cutting costs incurred by the private bus owners by implementing a more efficient system. The ticket machines are to be introduced to intercity buses under the first step. |
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No interrogation in the US
General to return to the island tomorrow morning |
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2009-11-04 | 1.50 PM |
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Reliable sources said Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka who was to be interrogated by the US Homeland Security Department at 4.30 p.m. US time has left the country without responding to any questions posed to him.
The General had left the US at 11.30 p.m. on the 3rd and is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka at 4 a.m. tomorrow (5).
More details on the story will follow.
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No interrogation in the US
General to return to the island tomorrow morning |
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2009-11-04 | 1.50 PM |
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Reliable sources said Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka who was to be interrogated by the US Homeland Security Department at 4.30 p.m. US time has left the country without responding to any questions posed to him.
The General had left the US at 11.30 p.m. on the 3rd and is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka at 4 a.m. tomorrow (5).
More details on the story will follow.
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Senior diplomatic official from Indian High Commission advices SB |
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2009-11-03 | 11.55 PM |
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The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has expressed its displeasure to UNP Organizer S.B. Dissanayake for telling UNP parliamentarians and supporters that the Indian government has pledged to support him and provide financial assistance if he decided to contest at the next Presidential election.
The pro-UNP Irudina newspaper reported on the 15th of last month that S.B. was holding discussions with UNP parliamentarians and organizers where he had said the Indian government had expressed its support to him if he were to contest at the next Presidential election. |
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New political party to be registered for the General |
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2009-11-03 | 11.55 PM |
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Sources from the Election Commissioner’s Department said an application has been made to the Elections Commissioner seeking approval to register a new political party by several opposition political activists with the aim of putting forward General Sarath Fonseka as the common candidate at the next Presidential election.
The newly formed United National Alliance led by the UNP is to also register the Alliance as a new political party with the Election Commissioner’s Department shortly. |
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Douglas involved in extortion |
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2009-11-03 | 11.55 PM |
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Sources from the North say that Minister Douglas Devananda extorted money from fishermen and private bus owners in the North on a daily basis.
The private bus owners have informed senior Army officials that the Rs. 2,000 fare that is currently being charged by each commuter traveling from Colombo to Jaffna could be reduced to Rs. 1,100 if they were not forced pay money to the Minister.
Sources also said the fishermen in the North have constantly complained to the forces of having to pay extortion money to Minister’s henchmen on a daily basis.
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Cargills swindles local businessmen in the name of Mawbima Lanka |
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2009-11-03 | 11.55 PM |
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A senior member of Mawbima Lanka says that the Cargills organization that carries out a publicity campaign claiming to help local producers and businessmen was in reality swindling the innocent local producers.
The source said Cargills has requested its local businessmen to give them a profit margin of 30-35% from the goods purchased by the company and takes between 30-90 days to pay for the goods purchased. Therefore, the source noted that Cargills was in the habit of purchasing goods at cheap prices without making any payment and earned profits by selling the items in their supermarkets. |
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Add Top General to List of Patton Boggs's Sri Lankan Clients |
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2009-11-03 | 11.30 PM | Posted by Brian Baxter |
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UK ‘Sakvithi’ targeting Arugam Bay |
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2009-11-03 | 3.30 PM |
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LankaNewsWeb reliably learns that a Sri Lankan charge for serious fraud in UK is targeting unsuspecting investors in Sri Lanka, Arugam Bay in particular, after swindling nearly 25 million Sterling Pounds in UK.
Upul de Soyza, Hasantha Vibhava Fonseka, Samantha (Sam) Koralage and a US national, known only as Napoli, are accused of collecting millions of dollars from hundreds of unsuspecting ‘investors’, mainly Sri Lankans, for a pyramid scam since late 90’s. |
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Licensed Killers of Sri Lanka in the Ministry of Health |
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2009-11-03 | 11.30 AM |
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Overseas Press Club of America writes to the President |
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2009-11-03 | 11.30 AM |
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H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa
President
Presidential Secretariat
Colombo 1
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Fax: (011.94.11) 243.0590
Your Excellency:
Imagine waking up one day and finding that you cannot speak. No matter what you do, the words do not come; no sound passes your lips. Nor can you write. Your fingers are locked. You are utterly silent, and all your precious thoughts are imprisoned in your mind. You are no longer able |
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Will stand by country without betraying anyone, General tells confidants |
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2009-11-02 | 6.45 PM |
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A key figure among JHU’s international members told Lanka News Web that Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka had firmly informed them that he would not betray any one for personal gains and that he would stand by the country.
The source said a large number of JHU activists overseas have already gathered to support the General following a directive by Minister Champika Ranawaka and that plans are being made to hold a massive protest with the participation of members of the Sri Lankna community living in the US outside the US State Department if the US was going to overstep its limits in relation to the General. |
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Chandrika speaks to Hillary on behalf of the General |
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2009-11-02 | 6.45 PM |
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Former President Chandrika Kumaratunge had spoken to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to know the stance of the US government in relation to moves by the US government to interrogate Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka, a senior official from the Opposition Leader’s Office told Lanka News Web.
The former President who is currently on a personal visit to Paris had made the telephone call this morning. |
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Special legal teams from JVP and JHU to help the General |
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2009-11-02 | 6.45 PM |
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Sources from the Sri Lankan embassy in Washington said that JVP and JHU members residing in the US have organized several well known legal experts to help Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka who is being subjected to interrogation by the US Homeland Security Department during his brief visit to the country.
Although the Sri Lankan embassy in Washington has already assigned a legal company to look into the General’s affairs, these groups have decided to sought the help of additional legal experts as they were dissatisfied the legal team put together by the Sri Lankan mission. |
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Rs 30 million fraud in purchasing three lands by LECO |
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2009-11-02 | 6.45 PM |
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Basil offers financial help to Lakshman |
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2009-11-02 | 6.45 PM |
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UNP sources said Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa has intervened to help UNP parliamentarian Lakshman Seneviratne who is currently facing a financial crisis by paying his bank loans.
Sources said Basil Rajapaksa had helped Lakshman Seneviratne receive ownership of a rock quarry that was almost acquired by the People’s Bank for defaulting a loan payment of Rs. 60 lakhs by helping make the complete payment of the dues to the bank.
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Lake House Chairman claims to be Sakvithi if the President can be Maha Raja |
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2009-11-02 | 12.45 PM |
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The Lake House Chairman has told a journalist attached to the private media station he also works for that he could be Sakvithi if the President could call himself Maha Raja.
Upon being questioned by the journalist as to why he made such a statement, the Chairman had asked if he was not on a higher elevation than the President if he over ruled directives issued by the President in relation to the state media organization. |
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Discolored anti venom still being used |
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2009-11-02 | 12.45 PM |
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The discolored anti venom vials used to treat snake bites found in the Anuradhapura and Hambantota Hospitals have still not been removed from the respective hospitals.
Snake bite victims have not other available treatment than the anti venom and the Health Ministry states that vaccinations prescribed to snake bite victims would be tested to ensure its quality.
Meanwhile, All Ceylon Health Services Union President Gamini Kumarasinghe says the government hospitals are not equipped to test the suitability of the vaccination before prescribing it to a patient and a death that occurs due to a low quality vaccination would be recorded as a death caused by snake bite.
- Ravaya
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Serious action will be taken if the US oversteps its limits with the General – JVP Leader |
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2009-11-02 | 12.45 PM |
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JVP Leader Somawansa Amerasinghe says serious action would have to be taken if the US oversteps its limit in relation to questioning General Sarath Fonseka in granting US citizenship.
“It is alright to subject Sarath Fonseka to the normal routine questions that are posed when looking at the possibility of granting US citizenship. But serious action will have to be taken if this limit is overstepped. We publicly stated at out meeting held on June 4 after the defeat of terrorism in the country that we would intervene if any military or political head or civilian is accused of war crimes and legal action was going to be instituted against them. If such a situation was going to arise, the JVP will take |
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Attempt to arrest the General in the US |
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2009-11-01 | 2.25 PM |
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A senior official from the Sri Lankan embassy in Washington told Lanka News Web that there is an attempt to arrest Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka who is currently on a personal visit to the US and the General is scheduled to meet with officials from the US Immigration and Emigration Department on Wednesday. |
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JHU’s members overseas pledge support to the General |
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2009-10-31 | 8.25 PM |
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Sources from the Sri Lankan embassy in Washington say several active members of the JHU residing in the US have pledged support to General Sarath Fonseka in his endeavors.
Over 20 Sri Lankan doctors, scientists and businessmen who are members of the JHU have met with General Fonseka last Tuesday and have pledged their fullest support and financial backing if he decided to contest at the next Presidential election.
JHU sources meanwhile say that with the news of the possibility of General Fonseka contesting as the common candidate at the next Presidential election has caused a rift within the party. Western Provincial Council Minister Udaya Gammanpila and several monks have said the party needed to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa while Minister Champika Ranawaka and a majority of the monks have said that although steps should be taken to prevent such an eventuality, if the party was faced with such a situation, they needed to back General Fonseka.
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Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium refused international certification |
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2009-10-31 | 8.25 PM |
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The International Athletics Association has refused a request to grant international certification the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium that is being built in Diyagama, Homagama due to the low quality of the artificial running track constructed in the Stadium.
It is learnt that the certification was refused since the track was constructed by a Malaysian company that did not have any previous experience in the respective field. |
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Lake House puts up cut outs claiming the President is no Maha Raja |
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2009-10-31 | 8.25 PM |
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The Lake House Chairman who started to erect cut outs around the country following the end of the war with the LTTE conferring the President with the title “Maha Raja” has now started to put up a new set of cut outs publicizing a comment made by the President during the Southern Provincial Council election that he is not the Maha Raja of the country but the custodian.
Lake House trade unions allege that Chairman Bandula Padmakumara was putting up cut outs around the country promoting the President’s image spending millions at a time when the institution was faced with a financial crisis.
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Johnny and Sajin in secret meeting at Renuka Shanmuganathan’s residence |
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2009-10-31 | 8.25 PM |
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A secret meeting had taken place between UNP’s Kurunegala District parliamentarian Johnston Fernando who also plays a key role in agitating against the party leadership and Presidential Coordinating Secretary Sajin Vaas Gunawardena at the Ward Place residence of well known business agent, Renuka Shanmuganathan.
Renuka Shanmuganathan is the sister of parliamentarian Nirupama Rajapaksa’s husband, Thirukumar Nadesan who organizers poojas to invoke blessings on the President. |
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SB stands against Tissa Attanayake |
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2009-10-31 | 3.15 PM |
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UNP sources say the Opposition Leader has been receiving information about UNP National Organizer S.B. Dissanayake openly criticizing party Secretary Tissa Attanayake with other UNP parliamentarians and party activists.
S.B. Dissanayake had recently invited UNP Kalutara District parliamentarian Lakshman Wijemanne to his residence and requested for his support to oust Tissa as the party Secretary after criticizing him over a drink. |
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Basil makes a list of names of businessmen who earned from the war |
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2009-10-31 | 3.15 PM |
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Sources from Temple Trees said Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa is heading a committee tasked to form a list of names of businessmen who made money from the war. The list it is learnt is being prepared to receive the support of these businessmen for President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the next Presidential election.
One Lalith Piyum Perera has been tasked to collect data related to these businessmen from the Central Bank and the Inland Revenue Department. Lalith Piyum Perera is the Secretary of First Son, Namal Rajapaksa’s organization, Tharunyata Hetak.
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Ravi Karunanayake for Colombo North and Wijedasa Rajapakse for Maharagama |
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2009-10-31 | 3.15 PM |
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UNP sources said UNP parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake had today (30) accepted the letter of appointment from Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe appointing his as organizer of the Colombo North electorate and parliamentarian Wijedasa Rajapakse is to be appointed as the party’s organizer for the Maharagama electorate.
The source further said that the Kotte, Kaduwela and Kesbewa electorates are to be filled by government ministers who are to join the UNP shortly and main coordinator of Corruption Watch, Attorney Shiral Lakthileka is to be appointed as the organizer the Kolonnawa electorate.
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Three parties to sign preliminary MoU of United National Alliance |
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2009-10-31 | 3.15 PM |
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Media censorship on stories and photographs of Anoma Fonseka |
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2009-10-31 | 3.15 PM |
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Sources from Lake House say the Ranaviru Seva Authority Chairman and General Sarath Fonseka’s wife, Anoma Fonseka has also been subjected to a media censorship. Lake House Chairman Bandula Padmakumara has told all editors in the institution not to give publicity to news related to any official work carried out by the Ranaviru Seva Authority Chairman.
The Ranaviru Seva Authority recently launched a website with details of all soldiers who have been killed in the line of duty. The website was launched by Anoma Fonseka and the private media gave some publicity to the event. Several photographs of the event had been carried in the state owned Dinamina newspaper. Upon seeing it, Presidential Media Unit Secretary Vijayananda |
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Tamils' horrific treatment makes them desperate to leave |
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2009-10-30 | 3.20 PM |
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A Tamil child sleeps in a refugee camp in Sri Lanka. The conditions in these camps have been cited as a reason for the exodus of Tamils from the country. Photo: AP |
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The "tough talk" over the case of Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Australia's abrogation of its responsibility to these people in deals with Indonesia (which have turned sour) has left me puzzled and disappointed.
Where was this "tough talk" when Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka were being relentlessly shelled by the Sri Lankan military in the war earlier this year? What practical measures has the Australian Government taken to address the suffering of Tamil civilians in the internment camps in Sri Lanka since the war ended in May? More than 250,000 Tamil civilians have been detained since May in barbed-wire fenced internment camps, where they are subject to massive overcrowding, shortage of food and medical facilities, abductions, including the abduction of children, rape, torture, disease, and when the monsoons set in, flooding.
It is the extreme, so-called "push factors" and the entrenched discrimination against Tamils in Sri Lanka that leads to desperate acts, such as embarking on a dangerous voyage on unsafe vessels. |
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