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.

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.

LTTE suicide bomb blast near Catholic Church ; five killed - Wattala

LTTE terrorists have carried out a suicide bomb attack near the sacred St Ann's church , Hekitta , Wattla in the north of Sri Lankan capital this morning (Dec 28). According to police sources, a male suicide bomber has exploded himself around 9 AM in front of the Civil Defence Force office on the church road.

Five people have been killed and at least 17 others suffered injuries in the attack. An Army officer and 4 other CDF personnel were among those killed in the bomb blast. The injured have been admitted to Teaching Hospital, Ragama and National Hospital, Colombo. Sources in the Ragama hospital said that 2 of the 10 injured admitted to the hospital are in serious condition.

According to eyewitnesses, the suicide bomber had exploded himself when he was stopped by the security personnel on guard from entering the CDF office.

Petrol Rs. 100 since midnight today, Supreme Court orders

Supreme Court directed the state to reduce the price of a liter of petrol upto Rs. 100 since midnight today.

The Supreme Court considered the price formula submitted by the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance today prior to decrease the price.

Considering a fundamental rights petition filed in the Supreme Court over the price of petroleum, the court ordered the Finance Ministry Secretary to submit a price formula today (27).

Current price of a liter of petrol is Rs. 122.

Cabinet discusses impeachment of the Chief Justice

Lanka eNews network December 26, 2008, 4.50 PM Reliable sources said to 'Lanka-eNews nwtwork' that the cabinet yesterday (26) discussed a proposal to impeach the Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva while the focus of the cabinet was on the Supreme Court ruling to reduce the price of a liter of petrol to Rs. 100.

Our sources said that the proposal to impeach the Chief Justice was moved by a MP who crossed over to the government from the United National Party (UNP). The Minister stated that a similar proposal was brought as he was a Minister of the cabinet of the Ranil Wickramasinghe government. He said that Wickramasinghe had no backbone to proceed with it.

Although a leading figure of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) had supported the proposal but the cabinet did not come to a decision.

The cabinet decided not to decrease the petroleum price since last midnight sans the Supreme Court ruling. A decision in this regard is to be taken at a special cabinet meeting to be held this evening.

Parliamentary select committee proposed to look into the malpractices of Central Bank Governor

United National Party (UNP) is to move for a parliamentary select committee to look into the corruption and malpractices of Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabral.

Kurunegala district UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara says that the proposal will be tabled in January at the first meeting of the parliament in the new year.

MP Jayasekara said that the Central Bank Governor Cabral was charged of having links with pyramid businesses prior to his appointment. The nation should know if there was any investigation against him. The MP further stated that the Central Bank Governor and the Monetary Board headed by him was answerable to scams like Sakvithi's, Danduwam Mudalali's, D,K, Udayasiri's and also the hedging agreement and the Golden Key credit card scam. He added that the Central Bank could not get rid of the allegations through mere publishing of a newspaper advertisement.

MP Jayasekara said that the Central Bank had the responsibility of checking if their directives are being implemented.

He questions the qualifications of Ajith Nivard Cabral to hold the post of Central Bank Governor. He says that Cabral has qualifications only as an accountant. Not only Cabral but other members of the monetary board have no proper knowledge in handling an economy, he says.

‘Malicious elements creating political unrest’

President Mahinda Rajapaksa alleged there were many elements both internal and external working behind the screen to stall the advance of the Security Forces and urged all patriotic forces to support the Government’s effort at this crucial juncture to defeat terrorism.

The President made these comments when he met members of the National Freedom Front at Temple Trees on Thursday, where the two parties engaged in dialogue related to a variety of issues which concerns the country at present.

The President alleged that malicious elements who depended on the LTTE for survival, have already begun to create political unrest by creating many problems to the Government.

Welcoming the NFF to the Government fold, the President noted that all patriotic forces should come to a common understanding at this crucial juncture considering the greater good of the Nation.

The President also hailed the stand taken by the NFF as timely. “As a section of the group which assisted me to obtain the mandate of the people at the 2005 presidential election, I am delighted to see that they had once again come forward to strengthen my hands to create a better tomorrow for the country” the President observed.

President of the NFF Wimal Weerawansa MP, speaking on the occasion said despite various conspiracies to stall the military thrust to defeat terrorism, the Government was doing its utmost to keep the momentum going.

“As one of the stakeholders which had fuelled the 2005 people’s mandate, our group would provide continued assistance to the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government to defeat these conspiracies” Weerawansa added. He also noted that the Security Forces had won 90 per cent of the battle against the LTTE and the remaining 10 per cent too had to be completed without bowing down to pressure.

Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Susil Premajayantha and Dullas Alahapperuma also joined the discussions with NFF members Nandana Gunetilleke, Piyasiri Wijenayake and Kamal Deshapriy

Sri Lanka Navy sinks LTTE logistics ship

Navy sank an LTTE logistics ship along with four other Sea Tiger vessels in the Mullaitivu seas around 2 am yesterday, according to Navy spokesperson, Commander M. Karunaratne.Commenting on the attack the spokesperson told the Sunday Observer that the Sea Tiger logistic vessel which was 40 meters in length was spotted 140 km North-East of Mullaitivu by a Navy off shore patrol craft at 2 am yesterday. “The LTTE vessel was trying to flee when the Navy patrol craft intercepted it. Thereafter the LTTE vessel was attacked and sunk by the Naval craft.

When the LTTE’s logistic vessel was engaged by the Navy, five other attack craft of the Sea Tigers rushed to the scene to defend the medium size LTTE vessel. However, the Navy reinforcements rushed to the spot with Dvora Fast Attack Crafts and destroyed the Sea Tiger boats, Commander Karunaratne said.

He also added that the attack was a remarkable one as the LTTE’s logistics vessel was found to be engaged in monitoring the movements of Navy vessels in the area.Around thirty Sea Tiger cadres aboard the logistic vessel and other five attack craft were also killed in the attack, the spokesperson said.

Parliament supreme in taxation

Effecting changes or fiddling with taxes designed and imposed in the recently passed budget in Parliament by a comfortable majority would badly affect the Fiscal Year 2009, Economists and academics warned yesterday.They pointed out that all financial powers of the State and the Executive were wrested with Parliament.Even the annual budgetary allocation for the vote on the President too had to be approved by Parliament.“Therefore, a budget passed for implementation should not and cannot be changed without approval from Parliament as it badly affects Fiscal Year 2009,” they claimed. Meanwhile, Trade and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardena yesterday stressed that the Constitution, defined Parliament as the country’s legislative organ entrusted with powers on the State financial matters.

Parliament has all authoritative powers to impose taxes on goods or services depending on the anticipated benefits to the country.“Even if the Cabinet wants to change any particular tax, it should be done through approval of Parliament, the Minister told the weekly Cabinet Press briefing held at the Government Information Department yesterday.

“For example, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Government wanted to reduce the excessive tax burden on the people due to food and oil price hikes in the world market in 2007 and 2008.The Government followed the statute and presented an act in Parliament to reduce the taxes imposed on the essential commodities. Under normal circumstances a Rs. 93 tax had to be imposed on each Kilo of imported milk powder.But the Government imposed only a nominal tax of Rs. 5 per Kilo for imported milk powder without burdening the consumers.” In order to reduce the taxes imposed on 12 essential commodities, the President presented the Special Commodity Levy Act to Parliament.

However, the UNP and all other Opposition Parties voted against this Act due to some wrong information spread about this Act.This is the first time that the entire Opposition has opposed an important Act due to lack of understanding, the Minister noted.According to the Constitution, Parliament enjoys the statutory privilege of imposing or introducing tax amendments that are imposed.Hence, the Parliamentary approval for such purpose is compulsory, he added.

“Following the order given by the Supreme Court, the Trade Ministry formulated a price formula on gas considering the interest of both the consumers and the gas companies. As the Minister in charge, I submitted this price formula to the Cabinet. The Cabinet approved it.“No Government can run without imposing taxes. Because the State budget is based on the income levied by taxes,” he said.According to the Minister, during the period from November 2008 to date, the Government has reduced the price of a litre of diesel by Rs. 30, a litre of petrol by Rs. 35 and a litre of kerosene oil by Rs. 20. In addition the Government has reduced a litre of furnace oil provided to the CEB by Rs. 35 and a litre of furnace oil provided to the industrialists by Rs. 25. It has also reduced the gas prices on several occasions. The gas prices will be further reduced on December 31.

Mahela worried about Sri Lanka’s top order batting

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene hopes his deputy Kumar Sangakkara will be ready to solve their top order batting woes when they face Bangladesh in the first test in Dhaka starting on Friday.

Sangakkara had a cut in his right foot and was struggling to wear shoes since Sri Lanka arrived in Dhaka last week to play the two-match test series and a tri-nation one-day tournament involving Zimbabwe and hosts Bangladesh.

Sangakkara, who was the highest run-getter in tests against Bangladesh with 707 runs until he was recently dethroned by South African captain Graeme Smith, also missed Sri Lanka’s only warm-up game that ended on Tuesday.

“He is healing quickly and looks okay now. Hopefully he will be ready before the first test starts,” Jayawardene told reporters.

Jayawardene wants Sangakkara to be back to give his top order batting line up solidity as it looked vulnerable in a warm-up game against the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI.

Though their bowlers excelled in the three-day games and bowled the local side out for 88 runs in the first innings, Sri Lanka’s top order struggled against the largely inexperienced opponents.

They collapsed to 38-3 and needed two half-centuries from late order batsmen Tillakaratne Dilshan and Prasanna Jayawardene to restore their pride.

Sri Lanka finally scored 316 runs in their only innings of the drawn game.

Jayawardene was duly worried about the top order batting. “We bowled very well and our middle order also batted well, though the top order disappointed me,” he said.

Sri Lanka have won all 10 test matches they played against Bangladesh, with seven of their victories coming by an innings margin, but still they endured some anxious moments the last time they toured the country in 2006.

The memory of the last home series gives Bangladesh some inspiration, though skipper Mohammad Ashraful said his players have to give a much improved show to get a positive result against the tourists. “Their bowling is really frightening. Most of the teams have either a good pace attack or a good spin attack, but Sri Lanka are good in both departments,” said Ashraful.

Year 2009 will be Year of Triumph over Terrorism - President

The year 2009 will be the Year of Triumph over Terrorism. Next year we will rid the country of brutal terrorism, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking at a function held at the Presidential Secretariat on December 23 to confer State honours on veteran cinema actress Malani Fonseka who recently won the Golden Peacock Award for the Best Actress at the 99th Indian International Film Festival held in Goa, India.

It was her performance in the film Akasha Kusum which won her the award.

The President also said this film will be screened next year.He added that we could consider artistes who won international awards through the portrayal of Sri Lankan identities as valuable to us than those who earn such awards by bringing disrepute to the motherland.

WFP dispatches largest food convoy since October to the Wanni region

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered the largest food consignment since October to the non liberated areas in Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu districts yesterday (Dec 23). The WFP in press release said that a vehicle convoy carrying 870 tons of food had reached Puthukkudiyuruppu. The WFP is considered to be the world's largest humanitarian agency and the UN's frontline agency for hunger solutions.Next year,WFP plans to feed 98 million people in 77 countries

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFE) today completed its largest delivery of food to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Vanni region northern Sri Lanka since humanitarian convoys began delivering food in October. The convoy delivered 870 tons of food, enough to feed over 230,000 people for a week, to Puthukkudiyiruppu.

Since the beginning of the food convoy operations, WFP - in co-operation with the Government of Sri Lanka and other stakeholders - has dispatched a total of 4,990 tons of mixed food commodities to meet the food needs of an estimated 200,000 to 230,000 IDPs. In addition, a total of 781 tons of rice, locally procured by WEP in the Vanni, is part of the overall food distribution.

Although WFP planned to send 750 tons of food weekly, delays because of technical, administrative and weather-related constraints (security, bad road condititions, flooding) have prevented the full requirements to be met.

WFP is fully committed to continuing the regular dispatches of convoys to the Vanni to ensure that the IDP needs are met, and is receiving consistent support from all stakeholders. This convoy was the eighth to be sent to the Vanni, A ninth one is under preparation with 829 tons of food - enough to feed about 230,000 people for one week.

Intense fighting results heavy damages to LTTE - Kilinochchi

Intense fighting erupted with troops and LTTE terrorists as the troops of 57 Division and Task Force 1 continued their offensive operation to breach the LTTE built earth-bund, the final obstacle and resistance point, few Kilometers away from Kilionochchi yesterday, 23 December.

Following hours-long fighting reported in west of Paranthan, Iranamadu and Adampan area, troops have gained control over 2Km stretch braking the LTTE's earth bund in several locations. Troops continue their operation despite heavy resistance given by the terrorists.According to the available sources, forty-two terrorists were killed and fifty-five others were wounded in confrontations reported in 57 Division while fourteen LTTE terrorists were killed and thirty-two sustained injuries in confrontations reported Task Force 1.Ten army personnel have laid their lives for defending the motherland and forty soldiers sustained injuries in intense fighting ensued breaching the LTTE-built final obstacle.