Daily NEWS Srilanka

The President has stressed that the responsibility of education is to bring out the innate talents in the children.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that the aim of education is to eliminate their weaknesses, bring out their positive traits and mould good citizens. It was the first occasion in a history of 8 decades that a head of state visited the Vidyaratne Pirivena in Horana. The President unveiled a plaque and vested the new auditorium in the students. He recalled that 382 million rupees has been allocated in the budget to uplift education and the objective of education should be to mould children who would be of service to the country.

The President stated that the children are similar to gems. They shine only after cut and polished. He said the responsibility of developing children through education lies not only with the universities. A new technology stream has been introduced to the school curriculum. Student aid has been increased by 117 percent for the Buddhist monks and by 265 percent to the lay students. He said that infrastructure however is meaningless if the children’s minds do not evolve with free thinking.

The books titled ‘Rangabhisheka-2013’ and ‘Kalugantota Natyakaruwo’ were handed over to the President. The President presented a felicitation award to the head of the Pirivena Ven. Opalle Gnanasiri Thera. Members of the Maha Sangha, Senior Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Ministers Bandula Gunawardena, Kumara Welgama, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Nirmala Kotalawala and Parliamentarians Widura Wickramanayake and Duminda Silva were amongst a large number of people who participated.

The fire erupted at a temporary hall set up in the BMICH premises was brought under control.

The hall was gutted shortly before the exhibition of inventions organized by the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission was inaugurated. The exhibition was to be held in three halls and all stalls in the gutted hall were destroyed. Eye witnesses said that the fire was caused by a newly invented cooker that was to be exhibited. Minister Patalie Champika Ranawaka called on the inventors to provide details of the destroyed inventions. The Minister said that the remaining halls will be open to the public tomorrow. Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge arrived at the scene soon after and instructed the officials on the action to be taken.

One inventor stated that the fire started in the stall opposite to his. The canvass caught fire when the cooker was lit. Thereafter the petrol tank caught fire.

Another inventor stated that it was a minor fire when it erupted and they thought it could be doused. Due to petrol, the fire could not be put out with gas. They were more interested in dousing fire rather than saving their inventions.

Minister Patalie Champika Ranawaka stated that the incident would not discourage them. An investigation is being carried out and the rest of the exhibition will be held.

Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge said that many inflammable materials had been brought. Final decision will be made after the tests are concluded by the government analyst. He said that justice will be done to those whose inventions have been destroyed.

The organizers said that damage has not been caused to the stalls that exhibit inventions of school children. Police media spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana commented on the incident at a media briefing held this afternoon in Colombo.

He said that the BMICH or the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Convention hall has not been harmed. It was only the canopy hall that was gutted. The damage will be estimated after the investigations are completed. The fire started in the stall numbered 121. The invention was titled electric, petroleum hybrid cooker.

‘The Last Phase’ a film that depicts the atrocities committed by the LTTE during the final stage of the war has been screened in Europe.

The Last Phase which is based on the final stage of the Wanni humanitarian operation was screened at the European Parliament in Brussels for the first time. The Screening was organised by the ‘the Friends of Sri Lanka’ in the European Parliament. The Sri Lankan Ambassador to the European Parliament P.M. Amza said that after watching the film the Members of the European Parliament understood the problems faced by the Tamil speaking people who were in the grip of the LTTE. The European Union Parliamentarian of the British Conservative Party Geoffrey Van Orden was also in the audience when the film was screened said that the LTTE had done serious damage to the country and he understood a different perspective of the humanitarian operation. The narrator of the film Richard Mundy stated that as a British national he is not agreeing with the statement made by the British Prime Minister David Cameron with regard to Sri Lanka. He said that he lived in Sri Lanka for 11 years he had a first hand experience of the suffering underwent by the Sri Lankans due to the war.

The President has extended greetings to the Maha Nayake Thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya the Most Venerable Napana Pemasiri Thera on his 91st birthday.

He was born on 30th November 1922 and entered the order in 1933 at the Hurikaduwa Sri Vidyasagara Pirivena in Menikhinna. In a message the President stated that the prelate who has been dedicated to the service of the Shasana since that time is a valuable religious leader. The President also appreciated the service rendered by him in the religious sector.

The highest number of tourists in the history of Sri Lankan tourism has arrived during this year.

A steady development has taken place in the tourism sector after the elimination of terrorism. The number of tourists arrived in the country during last year amounts to 1 million 5 thousand 606. The Tourism Promotion Bureau said that this number was exceeded this November. A Russian couple who arrived at the Bandaranaike International airport this morning marked the occasion. A special function was organised to welcome them. Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Rumy Jauffer and others participated in the occasion. The two Russian tourists Belova Tatia and Mikhalev Viteli were presented with a travel package to visit places of interest free of charge. The revenue from the tourism sector has been more than 1.5 million US dollars this year and the Government is expecting a boost. There has been an increase of 17 percent in the tourist arrivals this year. The objective of the Government is to draw 2.5 million tourists by 2016. A number of programmes have already been launched in this connection.

Parliamenatrian Sajin Vas Gunawardena has stated that the UNP members should think deeply about the state of their party before leveling criticism at the government as the party has many leaders.

He expressed this view in Parliament. The Parliamentarian stated that in addition to ushering in peace the President has strengthened people to stand up on their own. He said that more has to be done as production and exports have to be increased. The opposition should think about the state of their party. As a child needs one mother and a father as a party needs only one leader. But the UNP has many leaders today.

The rate of inflation has slowed down.

The rate of annual inflation remained at 6.7 percent by October last year. The Department of Census and Statistics said that the rate has dropped to 5.6 percent this November. It is the minimum value to be reported following last April.

The Sri Lankan students who participated in the International science and mathematical Olympiads held in the Philippines returned to the country.

The students won 4 gold medals, 5 silver medals and 5 bronze medals. Students from 16 countries participated in the tournament. A large number of well-wishers including teachers had gathered to welcome the group of students when they arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake last night.

The number of lives lost during the 30 years of terrorism is difficult to account for.

The dark memories of these incidents will prove to the world the brutality of LTTE terrorism. Thirtieth November 1984 was a day that the tiger terrorists went on a rampage creating shockwaves through the country. They entered the Dollar Farm village early morning and hacked to death 33 innocent villages who were in no way connected to the war, displaying their brutality to the world. Another group of tigers entered the Kent Farm village and ruthlessly killed 29 innocent villagers including women and children in cold blood. On 30th November 1987 three soldiers were killed when the LTTE shelled Muttur area. It was on a similar day in year 2000 that the tiger terrorists attacked the Salamperu area and killed 4 soldiers. On the same day 8 soldiers were killed by the LTTE in a land mine explosion triggered by them in Piramanankulam. Two soldiers lost their lives when the tigers launched an attack on Nayaru area. The LTTE had killed a total of 86 persons on this day including 64 innocent civilians and 20 members of the security forces. Had President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Commander In Chief of the security forces, not put a stop to terrorism, the LTTE would have destroyed the entire country. At present certain forces are up in arms against the President, the Defence Secretary and the gallant soldiers who ushered in freedom to the entire world by eliminating such terrorism. Certain treacherous forces in the country are assisting this western agenda against the motherland. Britain took 40 years to release a report on the killing of 13 innocent civilians. The US took 49 years to produce a report on the ruthless killing of 500 north Korean citizens in 1950. It is ironical that a report is sought from Sri Lanka before the completion of 4 years after eliminating the most ruthless terrorism in the world. This record is meant to prove the LTTE brutality to the world which is difficult to be forgotten.

Seventh of December has been declared as a special day for issuing National Identity Cards for students who sit the GCE (O) Level examination.

The GCE (O) Level Examination is scheduled for the 10th of December. National Identity Cards are being continuously issued for them. Commissioner of Registration of Persons R.M.S. Sarath Kumara said that 400,000 IDs have already been issued. The Commissioner said that IDs will be issued to the remaining students in the coming days. 7th December will be treated as a special day for the issuance of Identity Cards. Commissioner General of Examinations M.N.J. Pushpakumara said that the highest number of students is sitting the examination this year.

The flats renovated at Dias Place and Hulftsdorf under the ‘Jana Sevana –Nagamu Purawara’ programme will be vested in the public tomorrow.

The renovation projects were carried out with the initiation of the Ministry of Construction, Engineering Services and Common Amenities under the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The buildings were renovated at the expenditure of 2.39 million rupees. The housing projects in Hulftsdorf consist of 4 buildings and 95 houses. Three buildings consisting of 38 houses were included in the project carried out at Dias Place. In addition to the renovations, the water tanks are repaired, the landscape developed and sanitation facilities improved.

White Reindeer is a 2013 independent dark comedy film, the fourth film directed by Zach Clark and starring Anna Margaret Hollyman as Suzanne Barrington. After an unexpected tragedy, Suzanne struggles to put her life back together during a sad, strange Christmastime in suburban Virginia. The movie will be released on the 6th of next month.

Sri Lanka Cricket announced that the Premier Limited Over Tournament 2013/2014 will kick off on the 1st of December 2013. This tournament will consist of 45 games. SLC had a special meeting for the respective Club Captains and the match official briefing them on the new regulations and playing conditions that came into effect which will be enforced in this tournament.

Australian Adam Scott moved a step closer to claiming his country’s triple crown as he extended his lead to four strokes with one round remaining at the Australian Open. The world number two has already won the Australian PGA and Masters titles this month and began the day two shots ahead of Rory McIlroy at Royal Sydney. Scott birdied three holes in succession and returned a 68. McIlroy recovered from a double bogey to card a 70 and is four behind Scott. World number 11 Jason Day, who carded a disappointing 74, moved into a share of 10th place with a 66, the joint best round of the day.

Exporters have lauded the Government for the many benefits granted to them from the 2014 budget.

A delegation including the President of the Exporters Association of Sri Lanka Jagath Peiris commended the granting of benefits to them when they met the President at Temple Trees. The budget has provided a raft of benefits to the exporters. The exporters said that this initiative deserves commendation. The future programme of the exporters was discussed at length during this meeting.

President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunge and Finance Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera were present at this meeting.

New Ambassadors for Thailand and Afghanistan hand over credentials to the President. The Ambassadors presented their credentials after arriving in the traditional horse carriages.

Nopporn Adchariyavanich, Ambassador designate of the Kingdom of Thailand handed over his credentials to President Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.

Azizuddin Ahmadzada is the Ambassador designate of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. He too presented his credentials to the President.

Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunge were present on the occasion.

Parliament approves the Second Reading of the 2014 Budget presented with the prime intention of moving forward the country, with a majority of votes.

154 members voted in favour of the budget while 55 members cast their votes against it. Accordingly the Second Reading of the budget was adopted with a majority of 99 votes this evening. All public representatives allied with the Government cast their votes in favour of the budget. The Tamil National Alliance, the United National Party and the Democratic National Alliance voted against the budget.

President Rajapaksa presented the budget in Parliament on the 21st of this month. The debate on the Second Reading then progressed from the 22nd. The debate lasted several days. Minister Basil Rajapaksa joined the debate as the final speaker of the Government group.

The Minister said that there was a breakdown of the economy in the past and the infrastructure in the country were destroyed. There were no proper investments. As such the country was in a very weak state. The North and the East were taken into consideration as Provinces which were under the control of the LTTE following the agreement signed by the current Opposition Leader at that time. The Minister said that when the President assumed office, talks had stalled.

The Minister pointed out that he was making references as many throughout the budget debate attempt to project a incorrect image of the Northern issue to the world. Statements were made that the Government had done nothing to the North. The Northern polity is aware that even people’s representative had no opportunities of visiting the Province. The British Prime Minister who is not in a position to visit the Northern Ireland had been able to visit the North when he was in Colombo. President Rajapaksa when he assumed office the first concrete decision he took was to grant the fertilizer subsidy to the cultivators to make the country self-sufficient in rice.

Minister Rajapaksa said that the Government has today succeeded in granting a vast amount of foreign exchange that was drained out of the country to the farmer fraternity. It should be mentioned the investments made in the country during the Government’s term of office.

The Minister told the House that the Western and Southern Province have been provided 100 percent electricity. In the Central Province it was 96 percent, North Central Province 91 percent, Sabaragamuwa 93 percent, Uva 89 percent, Eastern Province 82 percent, Northwestern 95 percent and the electricity provided to the Northern Province was 72 percent. Only 1051 million rupees had been invested in higher education. But in 2013 it was increased to 4221 million rupees. It is a 300 percent increase. Investments in the health sector had also been increased. In 2013 it was 120,823 million rupees while in 2014 it was 145,546. This, Minister Rajapaksa added is a 255 percent increase.

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has revealed that digitalization will be in place in Sri Lanka next year.

The Minister made this disclosure addressing the media after a discussion with the visiting Japanese Vice Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Masahiro Yoshizaki. Their meeting took place at the Media Ministry. A special Japanese delegation joined the visiting Vice Minister at these talks.

Further expressing his views to the media, Minister Rambukwella said that Sri Lanka would receive many benefits through the digitalization process.

The Minister said that Japan had made submissions for the digitalization process in Sri Lanka. Initially objections were raised saying that there are other suitable strategies. He pointed out that it should be evaluated as what is more suitable and more beneficial for the country and how far it is commercially viable. Test runs are already in progress in the Japanese system. Also the European system has given their analysis. The final evaluation will be decided on the benefits the country will reap. He noted that Japan had said that they are prepared to add more incentives. The Minister also revealed their intention was to complete the programme by the year 2016.

In the meantime, a discussion was held between heads of many media institutions and the Japanese delegation. Secretary to the Media Ministry Charitha Herath, ITN Chairman Rosmand Senaratne and ITN General Manager Aruna Wijesinghe were also present on the occasion.

The Madras High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation filed against Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India.

The Madras High Court yesterday rejected the petition filed seeking the declaration of the Sri Lankan High Commissioner Prasad Kriyawasam as a persona non grata.

L. Lena Kumar, a social activist from Tirunelveli District had filed this Public Interest Litigation. In their order, Justices M. Jaichandren and S. Vaidyanathan observed, “Directions relating to foreign policies and with regard to diplomatic relationships involving foreign countries cannot be issued by this court.

The Bodu Bala Sena held a media briefing recently strongly deploring the statement made by Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarian Sridharan lionizing the dead tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran.

National Organizer the Ven. Vitharandeniye Nanda Thera and General Secretary the Ven. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera, expressing views at the news conference held at the Bodu Bala Sena Operations Office emphasized that the law in respect of persons who embolden separatism should be strictly enforced.

The Ven. Vitharandeniye Nanda Thera said that before three months had passed since the assumption of office of the political front of the terrorist outfit has embarked on an operation with the support of the international community to push the country back to separatism. MP Sridharan who had entered Parliament after given a pledge to respect the constitution has described Prabhakaran as a hero and glorified him. The prelate said that they vehemently condemn this statement. He called on the Government to take legal action against him for contravening the Constitution.

The Ven. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera mentioned that it is very essential to force the Government to take action against those who are encouraging, making statements in breach of the constitution. While totally condemning the statement made by Sridharan, the prelate said that it is not a good example if those who took oaths to heed the constitution, are engaged in an attempt to divide the country.

How can the massive devastation unleashed in the country by the ruthless LTTE terrorist outfit, which had the sole aim of destroying lives, can be forgotten?

The episodes of the dark era are being reminisced to remind the nation of the nature of its brutality and to prevent those who are attempting to return the country to such a period.

The tiger terrorists killed a war hero on 29th November 1983 in the Eravur area and thus commenced their killing spree on this day in the dark period. On 29th November 1986, the ruthless terrorists killed two war heroes in an attack unleashed on Walaha-vidda-wewa. Again on 29th November 1991, the terrorist launched a shell attack in Batticaloa. As a result of this attack, 14 brave soldiers had to make supreme sacrifices on behalf of the country.

The next target of the terrorists on 29th November was a group of gallant soldiers who were on foot patrol in the Palattopur area. Nine war heroes died as a result of this attack carried out in the year 1998. In the year 2000 on a day like today, the blood thirsty tiger terrorists unleashed a mortar attack on Nagarkovil. Two war heroes sacrificed their lives on behalf of the freedom of the country.

The tiger terrorists stormed into the Mahamarikulam village on 29th November 2003, and unleashed an attack on innocent civilians. Three civilians were killed in this incident.

The brutal tiger terrorists who shed blood in the country for three decades had killed five innocent civilians and 33 war heroes on 29th November throughout the fear psychosis period. If the life of the murderous tiger leader was not ended on 18th May 2009 from the Nanthikadal Lagoon in Wellamulliwaikkal by the brave soldiers due to the bold initiatives of President Rajapaksa who is the Commander in Chief and under the guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and save the country, all Communities including the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims would have been deprived of a country.

The people taste the freedom gained at experiencing encumbrances for 30 years due to terrorism. But some alien forces and certain local treacherous forces who cannot bear it are unleashing conspiracies against the country. Countries such as the United States and Britain which claim to be world powers are seeking inquiry reports on the war against the tigers.

Britain took 40 years to submit a report on the killing of 13 innocent civilians by its troops in 1972. US troops which entered North Korea in 1950 ruthlessly massacred more than 500 North Koreans. But the United States took 49 years to give an inquiry report on this massacre. As such is it ethical for Britain and the United States to seek a report from Sri Lanka within four years after routing the world’s deadliest terrorist outfit that plagued the country for 30 years.

It is sad to mention that there are local forces which are going against the country and encouraging Britain and the United States. What is the punishment that such forces deserve? The verdict lies on the nation.

The 2013 Mahabhimani competition organized by the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka enters the final stage.

Competitors from around the country have joined in the Mahabhimani competition which is on the look out for the talented in the construction sector. Several preliminary rounds of the competition covering all the Districts have ended. This is the first time that a competition of this nature is being organized in the country. It is being held under the full guidance of the Ministry of Engineering Services, Housing and Public Amenities.

The preliminary round of the competition for the selection of the best construction mechanic was held at SENEC in Weliveriya. Also a Special Workshop was held at the House Planning and Building Centre in Battaramulla on behalf of the competitors selected for the final round in the respective fields. Veterans in the specific field conducted the workshop.

The funeral of Sri Lankan educationalist R.I.T. Alles is scheduled to take place at the General Cemetery Kanatte on Monday. He passed away last night at the age of 81. His remains will be placed at D.S. Senanayake College from 8 am to 10 am on Monday.

His remains are now lying at his residence at Kuruppu Mawatha, at Cotta Road in Borella, Our special representative said that large crowds are converging on his residence to pay last respects to him.

Mr. Alles was born in Galle on 03rd October 1932. Being the founding principal of D.S. Senanayake College, he was also the Chairman of the Gateway Group. After having his academic studies at St. Aloysius College Galle and and at St. Anthony’s College in Kandy, he started his career as teacher and eventually becoming an assistant principal of Royal College Colombo. He helped to establish the D.S. Senanayake College in 1967. He rendered yeoman service for the education of the children of Sri Lanka.

Many of whom who have pursued studies under him as now holding high positions. The services discharged by him to mould a group of disciplined teachers and a student generation are outstanding.

He was the father of Parliamentarian Tiran Alles, Dr. Harsha Alles, a medical doctor turned cooperate executive in the Gateway Group and of late Malick Alles. He was the husband of Rohini Alles, the Manager of the Gateway Educational Institute. The Funeral of R.I.T. Alles will take place at the General Cemetery Kanatte on Monday afternoon.

Pakistan pacer Muhammad Irfan is set to miss the forthcoming Test and ODI series against Sri Lanka to be played in the United Arab Emirates because of a hamstring injury.

Pakistan Cricket Board officials said on that Irfan had been advised at least four weeks further rest to make a complete recovery from his injury which he sustained during the last match of the series against South Africa in the UAE earlier this month.

The selectors appear keen to have Gul available for selection for the Sri Lanka series after Irfan sustained the injury.

Gamers across Europe and Australia will finally be able to see whether PlayStation 4 lives up to the hype when it’s launched there today. Sony is describing the console its first update in seven years as a great experience from an entertainment and a social perspective. After months of global previews and ever increasing hype, Microsoft finally releases their new PlayStation 4 across Europe and Australia today. Players in the US and Canada have already been enjoying the PS4 since it was launched there on November 15th. The first lucky gamer to get his hands on it was Joey Chiu in New York, as huge crowds lined up outside to buy the device.

It’s all about guns and a lot of action at the box office today with Saif Ali Khan and Sonakshi Sinha’s Bullett Raja. Written and directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, Bullett Raja deals with Uttar Pradesh’s mafia, and political and industrial machinations. The film was initially titled Jai Ram Ji Ki, but was later changed to Bullett Raja at Saif’s behest to better reflect the gangster-theme. Bullett Raja is also partly set and shot in Kolkata. Sonakshi Sinha, who has already co-starred with Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn, now adds Saif to her list of heavyweight heroes. She plays a Bengali girl who wants to become an actress. The movie also features Jimmy Shergill, Vidyut Jamwal, Chunky Pandey, Gulshan Grover and Ravi Kishan.

Tissa Abeysekara’s Abhinandana Commemoration has been held in Colombo under the patronage of President Rajapaksa.

The Commemoration ceremony held to honour the veteran

Cinematographer Tissa Abeysekara was organized at the BMICH premises yesterday. The function was organized by the Tele Creators Circle. The presentation of a collection of articles of Tissa Abeysekera was presented to the President at the Sameepa Roopa Commemoration ceremony.

A documentary titled “Tissa Lakuna” was screened on the occasion. A commemorative stamp was also issued. Minister Kumara Welgama handed over the deed of a land on which the office building of the Tele Creators Circle is to be constructed and the President in turn presented it to the Tele Creators Circle. Several Parliamentarians, artistes and scholars were among those who graced the occasion.

Sri Lanka is geared to carry out the world’s first census on those killed, disappeared and injured and also the devastated property as a result of ethnic, political and terrorist conflicts.

Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration P.B. Abeykoon said that the census will be carried out based on the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. Addressing the media today, he was optimistic that it would be possible to gather genuine information through the census on those killed, disappeared and injured from the year 1982.

Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.C.A. Gunawardena pointed out that the census will be carried out by visiting every household at the Grama Niladhari Division.

Mr. Gunawardena said that they had summoned all officials of the Department at the Divisional Secretariat Divisions to Colombo and given them a training for the conduct of this census. Headed by the Grama Niladhari, he mentioned that they have selected one or two officials based on the number of houses so that they could complete this exercise within a short period.

The New Straits Times of Malaysia has said that the world should display a more positive attitude towards Sri Lanka. It pointed out that no immediate decisions should be taken on the island nation.

In an article to the New Straits Times of Malaysia, journalist John Thio emphasized that foreigners and those who expect progress in Sri Lanka should patiently look at the country. Ferocious incidents may take place during a war. Such things had happened in Sri Lanka. The Malaysian paper asserted that the forward march of a nation cannot be expected until justice is meted out taking into consideration the injustice caused in the war. Whatever the issues the country encountered, the Sri Lankan Government has identified that the rationale for such problems are economic concerns.

The journalist mentioned that the Government has no intention of putting Jaffna into difficulty in a manner that would dim the economic desires of the country.

A special Police team has been deployed to probe the murder of the Chairman of the Delft Pradeshiya Sabha.

Police Media Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said that the team which has already arrived in the Punkudathivu area has begun investigations.

The Police Media Spokesman said that the Chairman of the Delft Pradeshiya Sabha had been murdered on Tuesday and his body was recovered near his house at Punkudathivu. Thereafter the Kayts Police commenced inquiries. The Magisterial inquiry and the post mortem were conducted yesterday. The Judicial Medical Officer of the Jaffna Hospital who conducted the autopsy said that a shot had been fired on his head.

Accordingly inquiries have been started considering it as a killing. It is revealed that the victim was an EPDP member. SSP Ajith Rohana said that the Inspector General of Police had ordered the CID to conduct an investigation. A team of CID sleuths left for the area today. They will be proceeding with the inquiries. It should be mentioned that the people of Kayts were leading peaceful lives and the incident is a threat to the peaceful environment prevailing in the area. As such the perpetrators will not be permitted to escape. The Police Media Spokesman said they will soon be disclosing the suspects of this murder case.

Religious leaders have vehemently condemned the conspiracy mooted by the United National Party summoning of Channel 4 journalists to Sirikotha. They emphasized that the entire nation should maintain a close tab in this respect.

The Ven. Prof. Kumburugamuwe Vajira Thera said the UNP is a party which had leaders such as D.S. Senanayake who loved the country. But it is unfortunate that this party is now engaged in a conspiracy to denigrate the country. He said he is calling on the people to be aware of it.

The Ven. Galagama Dhammaransi Thera pointed out that they totally condemn this group of rogues which directly and indirectly supports terrorism in the country.

Bishop of Kurunegala Rt. Rev. Shantha Francis mentioned that building unity and welfare among the people after a 30-year conflict period is a dire task. As religious leaders, he said that they are fully hurt about the actions of the UNP, which is a leading political party and which has a long history, at a time when the President was discharging his duties in this respect with immense difficulties.

Al Haj Hassan Moulana Moulavi said they totally deplored the actions of local as well as foreign conspiratorial forces which are engaged in an effort to destroy the peaceful environment prevailing in the country.

Rev Fr. Sarath Hettiarachchi said that a handful claiming to be leftists and with buried agendas, under various guises are getting ready to create non-existing problems in the country. They are engaged in slinging mud at the country even in the world. He said that their main intention is to return the country to that dark era.

The Tamil Nadu Police have thwarted attempts made by Sri Lankan refugees to commemorate LTTE martyrs at the Chenkalpattu refugee camp.

A special police team stormed the camp and demolished the commemorative stone. Reports from Chennai said that it removed all decorations put up in yellow and red inside the camp premises. The Special Chenkalpattu Camp, which houses around 100 Lankan refugees, was also thoroughly searched by the special police team, which had banned the commemoration.

The Sri Lankan refugees who had made arrangements for the commemoration chanted slogans against the Tamil Nadu Police and the Government of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, for interrupting the commemoration ceremony.

Sources mentioned that Police officers responding to the Chenkalpattu Lankan refugees, said they would not be allowed to commemorate LTTE cadres as the outfit is proscribed in India.

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Industries and Production Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi has said that his Government is prepared to provide maximum facilities for Pakistani investors to invest in Sri Lanka.

The Pakistani Minister gave this assurance during a meeting with Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Mr. Jatoi said that he would encourage Pakistani investors to invest in sectors such as sugar and pharmaceutical production and the steel industry.

Minister Rajapaksa said that after routing terrorism which plagued the country for 30 years, the Sri Lankan Government was able to hold the Commonwealth Summit successfully. He emphasized that there are many investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and that the Government was frequently prepared to accord all facilities needed by the investors.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Qasim Qureshi and Additional Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development Priyantha Mayadunne joined in this meeting.

Independent Television Network is again honoured with the 2013 Media Service Excellence Award.

ITN which presents quality and current affairs programmes and has won the maximum confidence and trust of the people is again feted with the Excellence Award in the Media Services Sector. Accordingly, ITN has consecutively succeeded in bagging this Award. Chairman Rosmand Senaratne, General Manager Aruna Wijesinghe and Deputy General Manager Marketing Upali Ranjith joined in receiving the Award on behalf of ITN.

Access Engineering (Pvt) Ltd. won the Gold Award at the Awards Festival displaying excellence in all spheres. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority won the Silver Award. The Business Awards Festival was organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka. Japan’s Ambassador Nobohitho Hobo graced the occasion as the Chief Guest at the event held last evening. A large gathering including the ITN management and representatives of the business community was present on the occasion.

The devastation unleashed taking away a heavy toll by the tiger terrorist outfit which spread terror throughout the motherland preventing the forward march of the country, is countless.

If not for the initiatives taken by the brave soldiers to rout the terrorist organization and bring peace to the country, there would have been a possibility of more blood rivers flowing throughout the motherland.

The ruthless terrorists killed two war heroes at Palaly in Jaffna on 28th November 1995 and thus commenced their killing spree on 28th November during the dark era. In the year 1997, also on a day like today, the tiger terrorists exploded a claymore mine targeting a vehicle carrying war heroes. As a result the country lost the valuable services of four brave soldiers in the incident which happened close to the Vavuniya town.

In the year 2000, also on a day like today, the terrorists exploded a high powered bomb targeting a bus plying on the Medawachchiya-Kebetigollewa road. 16 innocent civilians died in this explosion while more than 30 sustained serious injuries. On 28th November 2001, the gallant soldiers succeeded in countering a terrorist attack unleashed on the Dutuwewa Forward Defence Line. However, two soldiers made supreme sacrifices on behalf of the country.

The Nugegoda Junction was the next target of the tiger terrorists on 28th November 2007. They exploded a bomb killing 15 innocent civilians displaying their brutalism to the entire world. Two war heroes also died in this explosion. A terrorist group covertly entered the Neriyakulam area along the Mannar-Medawachchiya area. Their target was a group of war heroes who were on mobile patrol. Two soldiers lost their lives in this attack.

Accordingly terrorism which was rife in the country in this manner, had taken away the lives of 33 innocent unarmed civilians and 23 war heroes during 28th November throughout the fear psychosis period. The gallant soldiers under the bold leadership of President Rajapaksa who is the Commander of Chief succeeded in annihilating terrorism and enthroning permanent peace in the country. The routing of the world’s deadliest terrorist outfit was a severe attack on local as well as foreign forces which embolden terrorism.

Foreign forces loyal to the terrorists, demented by the utter defeat suffered by the tigers, are seeking reports on the operations of the war heroes who liberated the innocent civilians from the clutches of the terrorists. There is no reason for those seeking reports from Sri Lanka to forget the mistakes they had committed in the past.

British forces which killed 13 civilians in the year 1972 took 40 years to submit a report on the incident. It was Britain’s nature. From the 26th to the 29th of June 1950, US forces massacred more than 500 North Koreans and the United States took 49 years to submit a report on these killings.

Isn’t it ludicrous for such powers like Britain and the United States to seek inquiry reports from a country which has ended terrorism and enthroned peace within the last four years irrespective of communal differences. The episodes within the dark era are being reminisced to display the brutality of terrorism.

Minister Rauf Hakeem has expressed optimism that immediate solutions can be found to many issues prevailing in the business sector with the opening of the International Arbitration Centre.

The Minister was addressing the Eighth Annual Convention of the Association of Lawyers engaged in employment. Complexity has surfaced in the business sector with the developments taking place at present. Accordingly, the Minister said that the task of lawyers engaged in employment was also expanding. The International Arbitration Centre has the capability of taking immediate solutions on matters including the breach of agreements.

Minister Rauf Hakeem revealed that it would be established within the first quarter of next year. Chief Justice Mohan Peiris and Attorney General Palitha Fernando were among those present on the occasion.

Sri Lankan and Indian Naval Chiefs agree to exchange experiences of the two countries.

Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy Admiral D.K. Joshi was accorded a Guard of Honour on his arrival at the Naval Headquarters. It was followed by talks between Admiral Joshi who is on a visit to Sri Lanka and his Sri Lankan counterpart Vice-Admiral Jayanath Colombage. At the talks, both Naval Chiefs drew their attention to important matters impacting the two countries. Present on the occasion was a group of senior officers of the Indian Navy.

New Zealand’s Sonny Bill Williams has been named player of the year by the Rugby League International Federation. The 28-year-old forward, the first Kiwi to win the award, beat Australia’s Greg Inglis and Scotland’s Danny Brough to the title. Williams said he felt shocked and “teary” as his teammates rose and performed the haka while he was still on stage after receiving the award. Williams dedicated the honour to them. He has also been in devastating form at the World Cup and will hope to follow up the award with victory in Saturday’s final against Australia at Old Trafford.

Pakistan clinched their first series win against South Africa when they pulled off a thrilling one-run win in the second one-day international in Port Elizabeth. Pakistan scored 262 in 50 overs. Opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad made 102 after Pakistan were sent in to bat under heavily overcast skies. Shehzad hit eight fours and two sixes in a 112-ball innings. Shehzad, who made his first-class debut aged 15, shared a third wicket stand of 124 off 134 balls with Sohaib Maqsood, who made 42 off 59 balls. Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers took South Africa to the brink of victory but they could score only seven runs off the last nine balls, while losing two wickets, to finish on 261 for six needing 263 to win in a game reduced to 45 overs a side by morning rain. The last game of the three-match series is in Centurion on Saturday.

Singer Taylor Swift considers herself lucky that she got to meet Prince William and says he is very funny. The 23-year-old singer performed at the annual Winter Whites Gala at Kensington Palace, to help the charity Centrepoint.

Prince William and his wife, Duchess Catherine, are the current patrons of Centrepoint, the leading charity in Britain supporting homeless young people aged 16-25 years.

The 33-year-old royal joined Swift on stage for an impromptu performance with Jon Bon Jovi at the event. The charity organisation provides a range of accommodation and additional support in health, education and life skills.

The Presidential Commission inquiring into complaints on the disappeared has received 4000 complaints from parents of members of the Security Forces who disappeared in the North and the East during the conflict period.

This has been revealed by Chairman of the Commission Retired High Court Judge Maxwell Parakrama Paranagama.

President Rajapaksa appointed this Commission on 15th August this year, based on the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. Accordingly, this Presidential Commission of Inquiry has been vested with the task of probing disappearances which occurred from 10th June 1990 to 19th May 2009. The Commission is chaired by Former High Court Judge Maxwell Parakrama Paranagama. The other members of this Commission are Mano Ramanathan and Suranjana Vidyaratne.

Although a period of one month had been granted to solicit complaints from the areas concerned through paper advertisements, this period had to be extended for another one month following requests made by the people of the areas concerned. However, the Commission has so far received around 8000 complaints. 4000 of them have come from the Tamil civilians.

The increase in the number of complaints is attributed to the receipt of a number of complaints in respect of one person. The Chairman of the Commission pointed out that all complaints will be probe into until the end and it is revealed that many of those who are said to have disappeared are reported to have gone abroad. Mr. Paranagama announced that the number of complaints lodged by parents of members of the Security Forces who were engaged in operations in the North and the East and had disappeared is 4000.

Also complaints that are not relevant to the Commission had been received and the Commission had taken necessary initiatives to direct them to the related sections.

Responding to a query made as to how long it would take for the release of the report on the disappeared, Mr. Paranagama emphasized that reports of an independent inquiry cannot be expedited to meet the requirements of individuals or organizations.

The Colombo District Court has issued a restraining order against the strike staged by Health Trade Unions.

Colombo District Judge Pradeep Hettiarachchi issued the restraining order against the 48-hour strike launched by the Health Services Trade Union Alliance. He had given this ruling taking into consideration a petition filed by a patient receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital.

Hospital Directors claim that operations at Hospital proceeded as usual, despite a strike staged by officers of health institutions including nurses and paramedics.

The Health Ministry said that it is unreasonable to organize a work stoppage holding the hapless patients to ransom, despite the positive response made to their demands.

Although a handful of opportunists attempted to paralyse the health services in this manner, reports reaching from many parts of the country said that the work stoppage had been unsuccessful. Colombo National Hospital Director Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that the services at his Hospitals were being maintained without any impediments.

Dr. Jasinghe pointed out that 90 percent of the nursing staff reported for duty today. As such there were no obstructions to the work handled by the nurses in the respective divisions. Therefore the patients did not incur any encumbrances and meet their requirements through payments.

A handful of workers had been involved in the strike at the Karapapitiya Hospital. But Hospital Director Dr. Shelton Perera said that treatment services progress satisfactorily sans any disruption.

Dr. Shelton Perera asserted that they did not experience any difficulties are they had drawn up plans needed to meet the services.

Health Superintendent of the Matale District Hospital Arjuna Tilakaratne pointed out that services at his hospital proceeded without any interruptions despite the work stoppage by a handful.

The Health Superintendent mentioned that the OPD functioned as usual. Operations were also carried out without experiencing any hindrances.

In the meantime, Health Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayatilake mentioned that the strike mooted by the workers demanding for another increase in the in the uniform, sudden accidents, overtime and communication allowances which had been hiked within the last six months, is totally unreasonable.

The Health Secretary said that while presenting the 2014 budget, the President further increased the allowances for these groups. The proposals in respect of the demands had been forwarded to the Treasury and necessary action was in progress. When granting some allowances, due consideration has to be given to the entire public sector. Staging strikes holding the patients as hostages is very unfair. He called on the strikers to give up their actions and return to work and enter into negotiations to win their demands.

Jeyapalan who transgressed Sri Lanka’s immigration and emigration laws has been deported.

Indian actor Jayapalan had been holding seminars and issuing statements in the North and East spreading hatred among communities. He was arrested last Friday and entrusted to the Immigration and Emigration Department for interrogation. The Department said that he was deported from the country last night.

Its two years since the opening of the Southern Expressway. Sri Lanka’s first. Also one month has passed since the inauguration of the second expressway, the Colombo Katunayake Expressway.

The Southern Expressway opened two years ago is the first Expressway to be constructed in the island. It was on a day like today, that President Rajapaksa opened the Southern Expressway linking Colombo and Matara up to Pinnaduwa marking another milestone in the country’s road development network. The Expressway which runs from Kottawa via Kahathuduwa, Gelanigama, Dodangoda, Welipenna, Kurundugaha-hethepma and Baddegama to Pinnaduwa is earning a record income from the day of its inauguration and making a notable contribution to the national economy.

The number of vehicles which plied on the Expressway during the last two years was 7.55 million. The total income earned during this period exceeded 2.51 billion rupees. It was exactly a month back that the second Expressway, the Colombo- Katunayake Expressway was inaugurated achieving another landmark in Sri Lanka’s road network development.

The Colombo-Katunayake Expressway which was vested in the people by the President earned a record income shattering the records established by the Southern Expressway. The number of vehicles which plied on this Expressway during this month was 420,000. The income earned exceeded 116.3 million rupees.

It is with gratitude to the Government that the people travel on these Expressways within the shortest possible time, saving their valuable time. The public will be fortunate to travel on the Southern Expressway from Colombo to Matara from next January.

In the meantime plans are afoot to launch work on the Colombo-Kandy Expressway in January next year.

The Government has drawn its dire attention to overcoming gold smuggling carried out during air flights. It is mulling over the amending of the existing regulations.

Customs Media Spokesman Leslie Gamini said that the law will be strictly enforced against those who breach the regulations.

The Customs Media Spokesman said that the Customs at the Katunayake International Airport had succeeded in nabbing several suspects who had attempted to smuggle gold and jewellery out of the country. It was reported that about two days ago, some Sri Lankans had been arrested in India for smuggling gold.

Accordingly, he revealed that on an assurance on a bring back basis a female Sri Lankan passenger leaving the country will be permitted to take 15 gold sovereigns while a male passenger will be allowed only to take five gold sovereigns. He said the Customs would also introduce a new form in which passengers would have to declare the gold jewellery they take out with them. In addition a foreign passenger would be permitted to take the gold declared during arrival in the country.

The Customs Media Spokesman added that stern action will be taken against anyone who violates these orders.

Two more suspects linked to the murder of a Police Constable and his wife in Kamburupitiya have been arrested.

Police Media Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said that they had died while attempting to flee from custody.

The Police Media Spokesman said that a team of officers from the Matara Police arrested two more suspects over the killing of a Police Constable and his wife in Kamburupitiya. Following information revealed by them during interrogation a gun, a bomb and a sharp weapon were recovered from a location close to the Denagama tank within the Hakmana Police Division.

Following the discovery, the two suspects had jumped into the tank with the intention of fleeing. When they were drowning, the Police Officers had rescued them and admitted to the Gangodagama Hospital. But it was reported that before admission that they had died. A Police Officer who was injured in this incident has been admitted to the Hospital.

A majority are still aware of how they were battered by terrorism for three decades. But some still hesitate to accept that this dark period has drawn to an end. However, the episodes of the dark era are being reminised to open the eyes of those who are endeavouring to forget the cruelty of terrorism.

The LTTE terrorists launched an attack on the war heroes on 27th November 1986 in the Omanthai area. As a result two brave soldiers in the incident. They unleashed another massive assault on 27th November 1991. Seven war heroes sacrificed their lives for the country in the attack which targeted a series of bunkers of the war heroes at Welipara in Mamaduwa.

It was again in 1995 on a day like today that the brutal terrorists exploded a bomb in Palaly and killed three gallant soldiers. Again on 27th November 1997, two more war heroes were killed in a confrontation with the tiger terrorists in Vavuniya. Again on a day like today in the year 2000, the terrorists targeted a mortar attack at Nagarkovil killing two war heroes.

November 27th has entered history books as a day throughout the dark era that many attacks had taken place. Five innocent civilians have been killed on 27th November throughout the fear psychosis period while the lives of 24 war heroes had also been taken away by the terrorist during this day.

If the brave soldiers did not succeeded in ending the conflict from the Nanthikadal Lagoon on 18th May 2009 by killing the murderous LTTE leader, under the bold leadership of the Commander in Chief President Rajapaksa and under the guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the country would have been subjugated by terrorism. With the eradication of terrorism, the country is enjoying full freedom for the last four years. Unity among communities has also been built. However, heavy attacks are being hurled by certain foreign forces at the country which is traversing on the path to become “Asia’s Wonder.”

World powers are seeking reports from the island nation on the humanitarian operation. However it is high time for them to make queries for themselves as why there are long delays in submitting inquiry reports on the carnage unleashed by them within their countries. The United States killed more than 500 innocent people in a cruel attack in the Noganri area in North Korea for three days from 26th to 29th July in the year 1950. But the US only thought of submitting a report on this assault 49 years after the attack that is in the year 1999.

The United States and Britain should make query with introspection their own eligibility to seek reports on the humanitarian operation mooted to save hundreds of thousands of lives in the country.

The Kaudulla National Park has become a strong tourist attraction location.

Located in the Polonnaruwa District, the Kaudulla National Park is being attracted by local as well as foreign tourists. About two thirds of the entire National Park is covered with rain water and it is considered a natural Aquatic Park.

The Park which is an oasis of elephants is also rife with dotted deer and moose. There are also birds endemic to the country. There are many varieties of rare birds. It is rich in biodiversity and this has become a main tourist attraction.

Ashes umpires have been told to “stiffen up their act” after tensions mounted in the first Test between England and Australia in Brisbane.

Home captain Michael Clarke was fined for using an obscenity while warning James Anderson to expect a broken arm. Healy, who played 119 Tests for Australia between 1988 and 1999, said that umpires must take more of an active role in calming potential spats. New Zealand’s Billy Bowden, who was dropped from the Elite Panel of umpires in June, has been brought back for the Ashes series.

Anoushka Shankar, daughter of legendary sitarist Ravi Shankar, will visit India next month to promote her new single “Traces of You” from her Indo-Western album of the same name.

The 32-year-old Grammy nominated sitarist’s two city concert in Mumbai and Delhi will take place on December 12 and December 13. Her upcoming seventh studio album is also a remembrance to her late father.

It also features the appearances by her half-sister Norah Jones, noted Hang exponent Manu Delago, world-renowned percussionists Tanmoy Bose and Pirashanna Thevarajah, among others.

Rafael Nadal was named the greatest Spanish sports star in history by readers of a Spanish sports daily.

The winner of 13 Grand Slam’s and the current number 1 in the ATP world ranking, received the award at the Gala for the 75th anniversary of the Spanish sports paper Diario Marca. The tennis ace has enjoyed a fantastic 2013, coming back from a career threatening knee injury to win events such as the French Open, as well as claiming his 25th and 26th ATP Masters 1000 titles in Montreal and Cincinnati, before then winning the US Open, beating Novak Djokovic in the final.

Ashes umpires have been told to “stiffen up their act” after tensions mounted in the first Test between England and Australia in Brisbane.

Home captain Michael Clarke was fined for using an obscenity while warning James Anderson to expect a broken arm. Healy, who played 119 Tests for Australia between 1988 and 1999, said that umpires must take more of an active role in calming potential spats. New Zealand’s Billy Bowden, who was dropped from the Elite Panel of umpires in June, has been brought back for the Ashes series.

Scientists are conducting a study they hope will dramatically increase the number of donor lungs available to patients. They’re using donor organs to find out the best way to preserve the lungs, which unlike other solid organs live for several hours after death.

These lungs are being kept alive by the team of scientists in this laboratory. The team is hoping the medical progress they make here will benefit the many thousands of people who hope their lives will be transformed by a transplant. Researchers believe we’re not reaching the full potential of lung donation and many more could be made available for transplant.

Unlike other parts in bodies, lungs are preserved by the air left inside, it stops the immediate onset of decay.

The Australian government has extended the proscription on the LTTE for another three years.

This has been announced by the Australian Foreign Minister Mrs. Julie Bishop. She said that this initiative has been taken to prevent the raising of funds for terrorist activities in compliance with the relevant U.N. Security Council Resolution. In addition to the LTTE, Australia has also proscribed Al Shabab and I.R.A terrorist organizations as well. Australia has also emphasized that there will be no room for any fund raising by the LTTE in that country.

The Australian Government decided to maintain the LTTE as a proscribed outfit as the Federal Government updated its listing of terror groups and their financiers. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop pointed out that the threat of terrorism to Australia is real and enduring. She has added that the Australian Government remains determined to combat and prevent terrorism in all its forms.

Minister S.B. Dissanayake has emphasized that no one has the authority to talk in Parliament about dead terrorists as heroes or commemorating them. Responding to the Tamil National Alliance in Parliament, the Minister said that queries should be made from those are attempting to inject life to the terrorists as to who transgressed human rights.

The Minister said that all leaders of the TULF, EPDP, TELO and EPRLF were killed by Prabhakaran, who TNA Parliamentarian Sridharan is describing as a hero of the freedom struggle. He also describing the LTTE leader who assassinated leaders such as Amirthalingam and Sabharatnam. The TNA is not talking about de-mining and describes the resettlement as a sham.

The Minister said that he too visits Kilinochchi and families have resettled in these areas. He queried as to who removed the roofs of the houses. It was Prabhakaran who did so. It was Prabhakaran who told the civilians to remove their roofs and follow him. The Minister queried from Parliamentarian Sridharan as to the number of ex-combatants released. They have been granted a pardon while some have been rehabilitated and released from custody.

A high number has been released and re-integrated into society. The Minister revealed this figure as 16,000. The Northern civilians should first query from the MP who is attempting to commemorate Prabhakaran as to where their children are.

United National Party Parliamentarian Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that he too wished to raise objections to the statement made by the TNA MP. He said that all are Sri Lankans and everyone should think as one nation. They are not prepared to protect murderous outfits.

Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara pointed out that no government in any country would permit the request made by the TNA MP to glorify an armed terrorist group. Parents had the right to grieve over the death of their children. But the Minister told the TNA MP that no Government can permit it, if he was attempting to revive the terrorist outfit under this guise.

Lankan Heroes who dedicated their lives for the freedom and integrity of the country battling against colonialists have been commemorated. Notable among them is Weera Keppetipola.

Some of the National Heroes who struggled against the enemies from 1505 to 1948 for freedom of the country were deported. They had to leave their relatives and friends. Branded as traitors, they had to spend a difficult life away from their motherland. Such heroes are being commemorated every year on the 26th of November. Initiatives were taken to remove the word traitor from their name.

The ceremony to commemorate the national heroes was held at the National Museum auditorium this morning under the auspices of Minister T.B. Ekanayake. Awards were presented to representatives of the National Heroes who were deported from the country in the freedom battle in 1818 to Mauritius and also to Malacca in the year 1848, commemorating them. 27 National Heroes including Ehelepola Maha Nilame, Pilimatalawe Maha Nilame, Matthemagoda Disawa, Iriyagama Disawa were deported to Mauritius, while Gongalegodabanda was expelled to Malacca. They also died in those countries. Today was the 196th commemoration of Weera Keppetipola.

A commemoration was organized at the Weera Keppetipola monument near the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy under the auspices of Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa.

Another ceremony to commemorate Weera Keppetipola organized by the Uva Provincial Council was held under the patronage of the Chief Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa. The ceremony was held near the Weera Keppetipola statue in the Keppetipola town.

Minister Johnston Fernando has given an assurance that there will be no price hike in essential commodities during the festive season. He said that a control price would be imposed on rice to maintain price stability. The Minister made these references opening the 280th CWE outlet at Pollatthapitiya in Kurunegala

The Minister said that selling rice at 60 or 62 rupees is not an issue as the local cultivator should be protected. He said the cultivator as well as the consumer should be safeguarded. If not, the farmer will give up cultivation. He assured a shortage of essential commodities will be experienced during the festive season and also the traders will not be permitted to increase the prices of commodities and a stable price will be maintained.

He mentioned that the Government during festive seasons has succeeded in providing essential commodities at reduced prices. The Minister added that during this festive season the traders will not be permitted to increase prices.

The Elections Secretariat has drawn its attention to streamlining the counting of preferential votes at the end of an election.

Expressing views to ITN, Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said that the marking of preferences during an election can be decided only through regulations enacted in Parliament. The Elections Department had no authority to take decisions. He said that they are discussing as to what alternatives can be taken in the counting of preferential votes, particularly doing so in a transparent manner and how to erase the doubt in the voter are being discussed.

He said that they are considering the counting of the preferential votes at the polling booths itself or else undertaking the counting of a particular area at a public place such as a school or a technical college. They are also considering whether every candidate can send a representative to such a place.

If the counting is taking place at a main centre, and if there are 35 candidates, all of them can send a representative each. The Elections Chief said that they were discussing these matters at present.

The Government presented the 2014 budget in the face of the prevailing economic strategies based on the economic mechanism identical to the country.

Senior Minister and Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama said that the budget proposals have been presented to uplift local industries and create a competitive foreign market.

The Minister made these comments joining in a function held in Colombo for the release of the Asia-Pacific Regional Industries and Investment Report.

The Minister said that as a nation Sri Lanka has so far succeeded in achieving self sufficiency in many spheres. The Government constantly took initiatives to embolden local production. As such, taxes had not been imposed on any local product in the 2014 budget.

Action was taken to discourage the import of foreign goods which is a threat to local products. Taxes were imposed on foreign goods to protect the local products. The Minister added that the country had been able to achieve many economic benefits by working within an economy identical to the country.

Archaeologists digging at Lord Buddha’s birthplace have uncovered remains of the earliest ever “Buddhist shrine”. They unearthed a 6th Century BC timber structure buried within the Maya Devi Temple at Lumbini in Nepal.

The shrine appears to have housed a tree. This links to accounts in Buddhist chronicles where – his mother gave birth while holding on to a tree branch. This is the earliest evidence of a Buddhist shrine anywhere in the world. Tradition records that Queen Maha Maya gave birth to the Buddha while grasping the branch of a tree within the Lumbini Garden.

The narrative of Lumbini’s establishment as a pilgrimage site under Ashokan patronage must be modified since it is clear that the site had already undergone embellishment for centuries. The dig also detected signs of ancient tree roots in the wooden building’s central void – suggesting it was a tree shrine. It sheds light on a very long debate, which has led to differences in teachings and traditions of Buddhism.

The number of lives taken away by the ruthless terrorists to quench their thirst for blood after unleashing massive destruction in the country, is countless.

These episodes of the dark era are being recalled to open the eyes of those who are endeavouring to forget the cruelty of terrorism.

A shell attack unleashed by the tiger terrorists on 26th November, 1990 in Batticaloa killed a brave soldier. Thus the ruthless tiger terrorists commenced their killing spree on 26th November during the fear psychosis period. On a day like today in the year 1995, the tiger terrorists launched a ruthless attack on the war heroes commenced the Riviresa Operation to protect the land from the terrorists. As a result 18 soldiers made supreme sacrifices on behalf of the unity of the country.

On 26th November 2007, the terrorists stormed into the Pemathuduwa village and unleashed an attack on innocent villagers killing four of them.

Demented by the heavy defeats they were suffering the brutal terrorists on 26th November 2008 launched an assault in the Andankulam area killing four brave soldiers. In the face of the attempts made by the tiger terrorists to quench their thirst for blood, they had taken away the lives of six civilians and 28 war heroes on 26th November throughout the dark period.

Under the bold leadership of the Commander in Chief President Rajapaksa and under the guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the brave soldiers succeeded in annihilating terrorism on 18th May 2009, by the killing the ruthless tiger leader at the Nanthikadal Lagoon. If not for these efforts, the country would have been subjugated by terrorism.

With the eradication of terrorism, the country is enjoying full freedom for the last four years. Unity among communities has also been built. However, heavy attacks are being hurled by certain foreign forces at the country which is traversing on the path to become “Asia’s Wonder.”

World powers are seeking reports from the island nation on the humanitarian operation. However it is high time for them to make queries for themselves as why there are long delays in submitting inquiry reports on the carnage unleashed by them within their countries. The United States killed more than 500 innocent people in a cruel attack in the Noganri area in North Korea for three days from 26th to 29th July in the year 1950. But the US only thought of submitting a report on this assault 49 years after the attack that is in the year 1999.

The United States and Britain should make query with introspection their own eligibility to seek reports on the humanitarian operation mooted to save hundreds of thousands of lives in the country.

The Annual Graduation of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing has been held on a grand scale at Waters Edge in Battaramulla.

Students who had successfully completed the examinations for National Diploma in Sales Management, Diploma in Brand Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing, Certified Professional Marketer (Asia) and Master of Business Administration (UK) received their certificates at this ceremony. The Status of Practicing Marketer Sri Lanka and Fellow Member were awarded to selected members of the marketing fraternity.

Deputy General Manager (Marketing) of the Independent Television Network Upali Ranjith received the Certified Professional Marketer (Asia) certificate. The Chief Guest at the Grduation ceremony was Vice chancellor of the Colombo University W.K. Hirimburegama. Chairman of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing Gamika de Silva and several officials joined in the event.

More projects are being launched under the 2014 Deyata Kirula national development programme.

36 Rural Maternity Clinics are being established to further expand the health services provided for the people living in very remote areas in the Kegalla District. The expenditure to be incurred on this programme is 432 million rupees. The grants are being provided by the Economic Development Ministry. Construction of the first maternity clinic at Galbokka in the Aranayake electorate commenced under the auspices of Deputy Minister Lalith Dissanayake.

In the meantime, a programme has also been launched to construct 36 Maternity and Child Clinic buildings in the Kegalle District. The construction of the first such building within the Dedigama electorate recently commenced under the patronage of the Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister Mahipala Herath.

“Frozen” is a 2013 American computer animated musical fantasy-comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Snow Queen, it is the 53rd animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series. Featuring the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, and Josh Gad, the film tells the story of a fearless, yet optimistic princess who sets off on an epic journey alongside a rugged mountain man, his loyal reindeer, and a hapless snowman to find her sister, the Snow Queen, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom in eternal winter. The film will go into general theatrical release tomorrow.

Former captain Mahela Jayawardene has opted out of the Twenty20 and one-day international series against Pakistan starting next month citing personal reasons. The two teams are scheduled to play two T20s and five ODIs in the United Arab Emirates starting on December 11. Officials released the squads for the two series which will be followed by a three-match Test series. No major changes have been made in both the limited-overs squads that has Angelo Mathews leading the ODI side and Dinesh Chandimal leading the T20I team.

Ex-England batsman Marcus Trescothick says Jonathan Trott made the right decision to leave England’s Ashes tour. Trott, has left Australia to recover from a “long-standing stress-related condition”. That was also the description used when Trescothick returned home from down under in 2006. Warwickshire batsman Trott endured a difficult time in the first Test in Brisbane, which England lost by 381 runs, scoring only 19 runs in two innings as he struggled against the bowling of Mitchell Johnson.

The President has said that Sri Lanka is a country which highly acclaims freedom and independence and the people of the island are not prepared to be subject to incursions. The President made these observations unveiling a statue of the Vietnamese national leader.

The unveiling of the statue of Ho Chi Ming put up within the Public Library Complex in Colombo, further consolidating state ties between Sri Lanka and Vietnam, took place this morning under the auspices of President Rajapaksa. The President said that this occasion reminisces the past bonds between the two countries. The President recalled the similar attitudes that prevailed from the past between the Sri Lankans and the Vietnamese due to Buddhism.

The President said that the building of a statue of Ho Chi Minh in Sri Lanka is very meaningful. Both Sri Lanka and Vietnam wish to live peacefully and independently. Both countries always opposed invaders. The President mentioned that in the 1970 election manifesto of Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike and when he first contested the Parliamentary elections, they always spoke in favour of the freedom struggle of Vietnam. Also when he made his first speech in Parliament, the President said that he extended his greetings for the Vietnam’s freedom struggle. He recalled that in every international forum Sri Lanka supported Vietnam, endorsing the freedom battle of Ho Chi Minh. He appreciated to be involved in the unveiling of the statue. The President extended the greetings of the people of Sri Lanka to the Vietnamese colleagues.

Addressing the function, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Bing pointed out that the people of Vietnam always recall with gratitude the support given by Sri Lanka for their freedom struggle. The Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister noted that Sri Lanka had a very clear future and it would not take much long for the island nation to achieve development. Among those present on the occasion were many Parliamentarians and local as well as foreign distinguished guests.

The President also joined in viewing an exhibition depicting special photographs of the Vietnamese national leader.

Indian actor Jayapalan who had issued statements in the North and East spreading hatred among communities, violating visa regulations has been arrested. Police Media Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said that stern legal action will be initiated against Jeyapalan who had been apprehended in Mankulam, for transgressing the Immigration and Emigration Act.

The Police Media Spokesman said that he was arrested for violating visa conditions. He was born in Sri Lanka and is currently living in Norway. He had arrived in Sri Lanka on a tourist visa. Holding several meetings in Jaffna he had made statements leading to disunity among communities. He had made statements particularly to provoke the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities.

SSP Ajith Rohana pointed out that he had referred to the importance of establishing a separate state in Sri Lanka merging the North and the East. He cannot issue statements in Sri Lanka or any other unitary country calling for a division. Engaging in such activities after entering the country on a tourist visa is the flagrant violation the Sri Lanka’s Immigration and Emigration Act.

The Police Media Spokesman added that the Terrorist Investigation Division and Immigration and Emigration officials are conducting investigations.

Sri Lanka has called for a global coordinated effort to fight terrorism, over four years after the military defeated the LTTE. The call was made by Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

The Defence Secretary was addressing the 2013 Galle Dialogue International Maritime Conference which opened at the Light House Hotel in the Port City of Galle. Themed “Emerging Maritime Trends in the Indian Ocean” the conference is being attended by marine and naval experts of 35 countries. The address at the first sessions was delivered by President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunge. In his keynote address Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said that some countries are selective in their fight against terrorism. The fight against terrorism is a global one against an enemy defined by its deliberate targeting of civilians to achieve its goal. Terrorism should be crushed wherever it emerges and nations should support each other’s efforts to do so wholeheartedly. Mr. Rajapaksa said there is a need for genuine cooperation among nations at the highest level to defeat terrorism.

The Defence Secretary said Sri Lanka today is a country in the midst of rapid economic development. After having suffered for three decades of war, there is a great pent up potential in this country that is only now being realised. Channelling this potential and ensuring rapid and equitable growth for all our people is one of the primary concerns of the Government in the present era. It is in this context that Sri Lanka has launched an ambitious “5-hub” growth strategy that aims to position the country as a Naval, Aviation, Commercial, Energy and Knowledge hub in this region. Mr. Rajapaksa pointed out that the Naval hub concept seeks to maximise the potential of Sri Lanka’s strategic position at the intersection of major international sea trading routes in the Indian Ocean.

Organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence, the meeting will deliberate on illegal migration and violation of maritime boundaries among other issues.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne has announced in Parliament that the Organized Crimes and Anti Corruption Division has not been dissolved. The Prime Minister made this announcement on the third day of debate on the Second Reading of the Budget in Parliament.

JVP Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake queried as to whether action would be taken to reinstitute the Organized Crimes and Corruption Division which had already been dissolved and whether the lawsuits will be resumed without a breakdown?

The Prime Minister said that the Organized Crimes Division had not been dissolved and that its Director, the OIC and other officials are serving as usual. Measures will be taken in future to further strengthen the Division by absorbing more officials. The lawsuits launched will be continuously carried out and officials who are witnesses and had been transferred will be summoned for the lawsuits.

Wickremabahu Karunaratne who is releasing statements bias to the tiger terrorists based on Dollars of the Tamil Diaspora has issued another statement favouring the tigers.

The Leader of the Nava Sama Samaja Party Dr. Wickremabahu Karunaratne has declared that the blood thirsty tiger terrorist leader Velupillai Prabhakaran should be commemorated.

Giving an interview to the Uthayan newspaper Wickremabahu Karunaratne had announced that he totally endorsed that Velupillai Prabhakaran who devastated the country and slaughtered innocent civilians, deserves commemoration. He announced that he had participated in several such commemorations. If the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna had the right to commemorate Rohana Wijeweera, he had queried from the country as to why there is no right to commemorate Velupillai Prabhakaran. Prabhakaran is a terrorist leader who had brutally murdered innocent unarmed Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim civilians and there are doubts to the nature of Wickremabahu Karunaratne’s treachery of endorsing a commemoration for the LTTE terrorist leader.

History clearly depicts that it is not a surprise as to why persons such as Wickremabahu Karunaratne are working in favour of the tigers as he is used to going against the motherland purely depending on Dollars of the Tamil Diaspora. Wickremabahu Karunaratne is a politico who cannot get a mandate from the people. Even though he is not employed he leads a luxurious life.

As such inquiries should be made as to how he is doing so. He always makes statements as dollars are being spent on his behalf by the Tamil Diaspora and the Non Governmental Organizational Network determined to return the country to that dark era.

He visits Geneva to make statements against the country and he also visits the North to work against the country. He is forming coalitions joining hands with the United National Party to rise up against the motherland rather than forming Governments.

Brutal terrorists are a virtuous lot for Wickremabahu Karunaratne. He is a person who always appears on behalf of the tiger terrorists and raises his voice in the world claiming that human rights do not prevail in Sri Lanka. But it is clearly displayed and proven that there are human rights in the country following the opportunities available for traitors such as Wickremabahu Karunaratne to live in the island sans any issues. This is a query raised by many.

Wickremabahu Karunaratne also played a key role enabling Channel Four to produce another documentary against the country within the UNP Headquarters in collaboration with the NGO Network. Reports related to the many programmes planned within the agenda of Wickremabahu Karunaratne against the country are in place. It will be revealed to the nation in the future. What should be done against such traitors? The decision lies on the hands of the people.