The Government yesterday offered Rs.16 billion stimulative economic package to the consumers to ensure best performance in the commercial agriculture, industrial and services sectors, in the form of a ‘mini budget’ to benefit the entire country in 2009 that dawns tomorrow. Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa along with the key Ministers in the Government briefed the media about this stimulative package after the special Cabinet meeting convened by the President yesterday at 6.30 p.m in which the ‘mini budget’ was unanimously endorsed after it was presented to the Cabinet by the President.
NEW YEAR BONANZA Rs. 16b economic stimulus and concession package
57 Div liberates Iranamdu junction: LTTE flee with heavy casualties
Troops of the 57 Division have liberated the Iranamadu junction this morning (Jan 01) after weeks of fierce battles ensued with LTTE at the Kilinochchi battlefront, Wanni military sources said. LTTE terrorists put-on stiff resistance at the advancing military formations from this vital ground, which is also considered a strategically important terror stronghold along the A-9 trunk road, 6km South of Kilinochchi. Troops of the 574 Brigade ran into the remaining LTTE positions, backed by concentrated armour, artillery and mortar fire from the rear support flanks. SLAF jets and helicopter gunships provided close air support to the advancing infantry battalions during a string of flight missions conducted, since initial fighting that broke out between troops and LTTE in the area
Sri Lanka caught in Indo-Pak row; Arjuna bowls doosra
Sri Lankan sports authorities were forced this week to go to the Foreign Ministry to get clearance for the national cricket team to go to Pakistan next month following a nose-dive in Indo-Pak relations in recent weeks that was impacting on diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan.
The matter had been discussed at the highest levels in Colombo, with President Mahinda Rajapaksa being briefed by Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge on the tour that was suddenly arranged by the now dismissed Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chairman, Arjuna Ranatunga, MP.
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Mr. Ranatunga had agreed to the Sri Lanka team (now touring Bangladesh) to tour Pakistan after India cancelled its scheduled tour following the terrorist attack on Mumbai in November, and tension heightened between the two countries with India accusing Pakistan of allowing terrorists to use its soil to attack India. This week, the Indian Government advised its citizens against visiting Pakistan at all.
According to SLC sources, the Sri Lankan decision had irked Indian authorities, who went public criticising Mr. Ranatunga with whom they had already been having bad relations over the IPL (Indian Premier League) contracting Sri Lankan national players when Mr. Ranatunga wanted them to tour England instead.
These sources said that SLC also received clear signals that Indian authorities were unhappy with the move to tour Pakistan when they were having political problems with that country. They said they treated the Sri Lankan move as a snub on the Indians mainly as a fallout from the IPL issue.
Following this, Sports Minister Lokuge dissolved the Interim Committee of SLC and appointed his Ministry Secretary as Competent Authority of SLC, a first time since the Board was in existence. Minister Lokuge then consulted President Rajapaksa saying that the Pakistan tour had become a diplomatic issue. President Rajapaksa referred the matter to Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.
Minister Bogollagama told The Sunday Times yesterday that he viewed the tour as a "sporting issue", and that Sri Lanka promoted 'people-to-people visits' among South Asian member states (SAARC), and that was why he gave the green light for the tour to go ahead. If indeed there were security concerns, he said, the matter has to be determined by the ICC.
He said there was no diplomatic pressure applied on Sri Lanka by either India or Pakistan. But, a Foreign Ministry statement on Friday conceded that Pakistan's Acting High Commissioner in Colombo, Dr. Fazal-ul-Rahman had spoken to the Minister on Christmas eve and discussed this matter. Both India and Pakistan are important factors in Sri Lanka's military and diplomatic efforts to defeat the LTTE.
Meanwhile, sacked Interim Committee chairman Arjuna Ranatunga's meeting with President Rajapaksa this week yieleded no results, and the President made no change to the Sports Minister's decision to dissolve the Committee. Mr. Ranatunga has now asked President Rajapaksa for another meeting, which has been scheduled for tomorrow (Monday).
The Sunday Times learns that Mr. Ranatunga will make a second and final effort to have the Interim Committee re-instated. It is also learnt that he would make a bid for Sports Minister Lokuge's job itself in the event the President refuses to re-instate the Interim Committee, and him as its chairman. The alternate demands would be an ultimatum, it is learnt.
Last night, Mr. Ranatunga, who is an MP from the ruling party, told The Sunday Times that he would have a press conference on Tuesday, after his meeting with President on Monday and tell the press the position "whatever the outcome".
Police nab hundreds of drunk drivers, intensify checks
A motorcyclist who rode under the influence of liquor was fined Rs. 32,000 after a court found he had no licence, revenue licence and insurance certificate.
The man was charged in the Motor Traffic Courts on Friday as Police began to crack down on the increasing numbers of drunk drivers and motor cyclists.
The Colombo City Traffic Police have successfully prosecuted 489 persons in October for drunk driving, 478 in November and another 433 for the first three weeks of December, Police spokesman Ranjith Gunasekara said.
“There has been a marked increase in road accidents due to drunk driving in the past few months. We are intensifying checks particularly during this festive season to discourage the habit,” SSP Gunasekara said.
The offenders’ driving licences can also be suspended for a month or three months, the SSP warned.
Lanka marks December 2004 tsunami anniversary
The Nation yesterday observed two minutes silence on schedule at 9.42 am in memory of those who were killed by the 2004 December 26 tsunami disaster. The national ceremony was held at Dharmaraja College, Kandy yesterday, declared as the National Safety Day by the Government.
The people in thousands thronged places of religious worship and engaged in prayers and poojas to bestow merit on the victims. They also conducted candle light vigils in remembrance of their kith and kin who lost their lives due to the sudden tragedy.
The Boxing day tragedy affected all irrespective of racial, religious or political differences. Sri Lanka was among the few countries which rose from the debris of tsunami.
Sri Lanka launched a massive rehabilitation drive in the aftermath of tsunami with the assistance of foreign countries and several Non Governmental Organisations.
The tsunami hit train at Peraliya was repaired and operated from Fort to Matara yesterday. Railways General Manager Lalitha Siri Gunaruwan received the train at the Matara station. He said three compartments which were badly damaged by the tsunami tidal waves were placed at the Railway Museum.
A special tsunami commemoration pinkama was also held at a mass graveyard at Akmeemana.
The mourners lit candles in remembrance of their relatives.
