The Sri Lankan Rugby Sevens team who has arrived here in Hong Kong with the ambition of qualifying for the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens from the Asian region, will clash with wooden spoonists India and the more formidable host nation Hong Kong, later today.
For Sri Lanka, led by experienced three quarter Pradeep Liyanage, the first match-up against rookies India, will not be much of a contest, but the litmus test for them will be the tie against the hosts (HK).
Unlike Sri Lanka, Hong Kong are a vastly experienced Sevens team having taken part in almost all major International Sevens tournaments sanctioned by the International Rugby Board (IRB), hence it is going to be a do or die situation for the Sri Lankans.
Another aspect which could favour the home side will be the fact that they will be boosted by the presence of foreign expats in their ranks and no doubt it will be a very tall order for Pradeep Liyanage’s men to prevail over such a team.
Hong Kong created a stunning upset when they drew with France 21 - all in the reputed Hong Kong Sevens International tournament early this year in HK, and in the same competition in the ‘Bowl’ quarter final they defeated Asian giants Japan 19-14 to make it to the Semi Final, which proves the fact that Hong Kong will not be making up the numbers as far as the RWC Asian Qualifiers are concerned. If Sri Lanka is somehow of the other able to get the better of Hong Kong today, then will lock horns with another top-ranked team, Korea.
But, if they were to lose to Hong Kong, then their next opponents will be Chinese Taipei on Sunday.
It will also be a memorable day for two schoolboys from Isipathana MV, Sajith Saranga and Dinusha Chathuranga as it will be the first time that they will be donning the national jersey abroad.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Women’s Sevens team led by H.A.P. Lankara also will stride onto the field today, with the purpose of qualifying for the Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens from the Asian region next year.
They will first go head to head with China, before meeting Arabian Gulf.
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Saturday, October 4, 2008
UNP trying to scuttle anti-terrorism drive - Cabinet Spokesman
The Government is successfully defeating terrorism and carrying out humanitarian operations while the United National Party (UNP) is trying its best to create trouble and misinterpret Government victories.
The best example is the GSP plus issue. It was the UNP which created it acting like traitors at international level, Cabinet Spokesman and Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said.
Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Government Information Department Auditorium yesterday, Minister Yapa said the UNP which created the GSP Plus issue is now telling that Sri Lanka has violated 27 International Conventions.
The Supreme Court has declared that Sri Lanka accepts 27 International Conventions.
The UNP thinks the people have forgotten who created the GSP issue and how they did it acting like traitors, he said.
Minister Yapa said when the Government was about to eradicate terrorism totally the UNP was trying to destroy it.
The UNP is acting like traitors giving publicity to fabricated stories and misleading the international community.
A UNP MP has said the people will not let the Government sell the war continuously.
This is a foolish statement because the Government is about to finish the humanitarian operation, establish lasting peace and offer relief to the people. They say they are going to complain to the Inter Parliamentary Union, he said.
They acted in a very shameful manner at the Finance Ministry recently, the Minister said.
According to Minister Yapa the UNP's only motive is to grab power.
"They are doing everything with that intention. They have no idea what they are going to do if they come into power. They will do anything to grab power," he said.
Minister Yapa said no country supports terrorism while several countries have banned the LTTE.
The UNP is pointing the finger at the Army Commander because they do not want to see an end to terrorism.
The UNP is trying its best to misinterpret everything. Rights of all citizens have been ensured by the Constitution, the Minister added.
The best example is the GSP plus issue. It was the UNP which created it acting like traitors at international level, Cabinet Spokesman and Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said.
Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Government Information Department Auditorium yesterday, Minister Yapa said the UNP which created the GSP Plus issue is now telling that Sri Lanka has violated 27 International Conventions.
The Supreme Court has declared that Sri Lanka accepts 27 International Conventions.
The UNP thinks the people have forgotten who created the GSP issue and how they did it acting like traitors, he said.
Minister Yapa said when the Government was about to eradicate terrorism totally the UNP was trying to destroy it.
The UNP is acting like traitors giving publicity to fabricated stories and misleading the international community.
A UNP MP has said the people will not let the Government sell the war continuously.
This is a foolish statement because the Government is about to finish the humanitarian operation, establish lasting peace and offer relief to the people. They say they are going to complain to the Inter Parliamentary Union, he said.
They acted in a very shameful manner at the Finance Ministry recently, the Minister said.
According to Minister Yapa the UNP's only motive is to grab power.
"They are doing everything with that intention. They have no idea what they are going to do if they come into power. They will do anything to grab power," he said.
Minister Yapa said no country supports terrorism while several countries have banned the LTTE.
The UNP is pointing the finger at the Army Commander because they do not want to see an end to terrorism.
The UNP is trying its best to misinterpret everything. Rights of all citizens have been ensured by the Constitution, the Minister added.
Essentials reach Wanni civilians
Fifty one lorries with 650 tons of dry rations had reached the Wanni safely and had already started distribution among IDPs under the watchful eyes of the Government Agents, Essential Services Commissioner S.B. Divarathna said yesterday.
Divarathna said the consignment had been unloaded at warehouses in four locations namely Mulleivalu, Pudikudiruppu, Dhramapuram and Kandaveli.
With regard to the route taken by the Convoy Divarathna said they had used the A-34 (Mankulam-Odusuddan) road instead of the A-9 on the instruction of security authorities. The convoy was accompanied by seven expat aid agency workers with five representing the World Food Programme (WFP) and the other two from the UN and NGOs.
They were expected to return yesterday evening. However nine lorries out of 60 sealed after being loaded at warehouses in Vavuniya had been prevented from proceeding to the Wanni as they had contained some illegal items. According to Divarathna two lorries had contained 250 grams of C-4 explosives and a load of batteries hidden inside them.
He said that 250 lorries which belong to traders in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu had been registered with authorities for transport purposes and the two apprehended lorries had belonged to them.
Another convoy of around 75 lorries consisting of 750-1000 tons of food would be sent to the Wanni during next week Divarathna added. This would be the norm during coming weeks with around 1,000 tons of essential items being delivered to the Wanni during the coming weeks Divarathna said. As a contingency plan another 5,000 tons had been stored in Vavuniya for emergency use.
Non food items categorised as being essentials too would be delivered to help the IDPs after the second convoy, Divarathna said. Food is being delivered first on a priority basis.
The normal supplies to traders in the areas which go in 20 lorries on a daily basis to the Wanni was continuing as usual Divarathna added.
Meanwhile Secretary to the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services A.C.M.Razik said that his Ministry was continuing with the support extended to IDPs in the region.
He said that 49,413 families from three districts namely Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya had been provided with essentials worth of Rs.112 million.
“Our Ministry has planned to provide these families with enough stocks to last till December within the next two weeks as a contingency plan,” he added.
Also according to Razik his Ministry has planned to provide newly displaced people with cooked food for one week till they find alternative shelter. This will cost Rs.48 million.
Divarathna said the consignment had been unloaded at warehouses in four locations namely Mulleivalu, Pudikudiruppu, Dhramapuram and Kandaveli.
With regard to the route taken by the Convoy Divarathna said they had used the A-34 (Mankulam-Odusuddan) road instead of the A-9 on the instruction of security authorities. The convoy was accompanied by seven expat aid agency workers with five representing the World Food Programme (WFP) and the other two from the UN and NGOs.
They were expected to return yesterday evening. However nine lorries out of 60 sealed after being loaded at warehouses in Vavuniya had been prevented from proceeding to the Wanni as they had contained some illegal items. According to Divarathna two lorries had contained 250 grams of C-4 explosives and a load of batteries hidden inside them.
He said that 250 lorries which belong to traders in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu had been registered with authorities for transport purposes and the two apprehended lorries had belonged to them.
Another convoy of around 75 lorries consisting of 750-1000 tons of food would be sent to the Wanni during next week Divarathna added. This would be the norm during coming weeks with around 1,000 tons of essential items being delivered to the Wanni during the coming weeks Divarathna said. As a contingency plan another 5,000 tons had been stored in Vavuniya for emergency use.
Non food items categorised as being essentials too would be delivered to help the IDPs after the second convoy, Divarathna said. Food is being delivered first on a priority basis.
The normal supplies to traders in the areas which go in 20 lorries on a daily basis to the Wanni was continuing as usual Divarathna added.
Meanwhile Secretary to the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services A.C.M.Razik said that his Ministry was continuing with the support extended to IDPs in the region.
He said that 49,413 families from three districts namely Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya had been provided with essentials worth of Rs.112 million.
“Our Ministry has planned to provide these families with enough stocks to last till December within the next two weeks as a contingency plan,” he added.
Also according to Razik his Ministry has planned to provide newly displaced people with cooked food for one week till they find alternative shelter. This will cost Rs.48 million.
SLAF targets facilities used by Nadesan, Pottu Amman
Several major air raids were launched by Air Force fighter jets targeting LTTE Political Wing Leader Nadesan’s head office and another location used by intelligence chief Pottu Amman in Killinochchi. The Tigers suffered heavy damage in the aerial attacks.
Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said a major air raid was successfully carried out by the Air Force fighter jets on the LTTE political leader Nadesan’s main office near Killinochchi town.
“The target was 500 m west of Thriarkulam in the perimeter of Killinochchi town and the aerial attack was launched around 9.20 a.m,” he added.
Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets carried out air sorties targeting a secret passage of the LTTE’s intelligence wing leader Pottu Amman located in the Kilinochchi area last afternoon.
The well identified secret passage, used as an intelligence headquarters in Kilinochchi, was located in the general area Kanagapuram, four Km west of Kilinochchi town and was engaged around 2.30 p.m, Nanayakkara said.
The target was precisely taken by the Air Force fighter jets.
“An LTTE movement was observed at the time of the air strike but the presence of Nadesan was not confirmed,” Wing Commander Nanayakkara told the Daily News.
The LTTE high profile complex was severely damaged.
Meanwhile, the Air Force fighter jets pounded an LTTE military facility yesterday morning. It was located one kilometre north of Thriarkulam.
The air raids wBere launched following precise information provided from ground intelligence sources and air surveillance
Former LTTE political Wing Leader S.P. Thamil Chelvan was killed in an SLAF aerial attack on November 2, 2007.
Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said a major air raid was successfully carried out by the Air Force fighter jets on the LTTE political leader Nadesan’s main office near Killinochchi town.
“The target was 500 m west of Thriarkulam in the perimeter of Killinochchi town and the aerial attack was launched around 9.20 a.m,” he added.
Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets carried out air sorties targeting a secret passage of the LTTE’s intelligence wing leader Pottu Amman located in the Kilinochchi area last afternoon.
The well identified secret passage, used as an intelligence headquarters in Kilinochchi, was located in the general area Kanagapuram, four Km west of Kilinochchi town and was engaged around 2.30 p.m, Nanayakkara said.
The target was precisely taken by the Air Force fighter jets.
“An LTTE movement was observed at the time of the air strike but the presence of Nadesan was not confirmed,” Wing Commander Nanayakkara told the Daily News.
The LTTE high profile complex was severely damaged.
Meanwhile, the Air Force fighter jets pounded an LTTE military facility yesterday morning. It was located one kilometre north of Thriarkulam.
The air raids wBere launched following precise information provided from ground intelligence sources and air surveillance
Former LTTE political Wing Leader S.P. Thamil Chelvan was killed in an SLAF aerial attack on November 2, 2007.
Sri Lanka targets Saudis for tourism
Citizens and expatriates from Saudi Arabia have been increasingly visiting or traveling through Sri Lanka.
“There has been a 30 percent jump in tourist and business traffic from Saudi Arabia and we are going to focus more on the Kingdom and the rest of the Middle East as they have great spending capacity, especially in the wake the economic boom,” Sri Lankan Deputy Tourism Minister Faiszer Musthapha told Arab News in an interview at the residence of Consul General Abdul Latiff Mohamed Lafeer yesterday.
This year alone, from January to date, 5,000 Saudis and 10,000 expatriates from the Kingdom visited Sri Lanka, he said, adding that his country is planning a series of road shows in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam later this year to focus on its potential as a tourist resort for Saudi families.
“Saudis are increasingly realizing that the Indian Ocean island is a value-for-money holiday resort, and what interests them is the availability of halal food all over. The island’s starred hotels, which offer 15,000 rooms, all display Qibla direction signboards in rooms,” Musthapha said.
The country has a 10 percent Muslim population and is dotted with mosques.
With wetlands and jungles teeming with colorful butterflies and exotic primates, the island is planning to lure a new type of tourist who prefers wildlife to beach life. It boasts hundreds of lakes and lush paddy fields for visitors to explore.
Musthapha said he expects an increase of 30 percent tourists in 2008-09.
“We do not see the kind of growth in other markets, as the growth in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East is primarily due to oil revenue and economic prosperity. Also, the close proximity is an important factor,” he said.
He said the country is learning from the experience of Malaysia, which through its sustained campaign, succeeded in significantly boosting its tourist traffic. “We are about five hours away by air from Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia is another three hours from Colombo. Our additional effort will be to attract Malaysia-bound tourists to take a break in Sri Lanka.”
Mustapha said Sri Lanka’s major challenge is terrorism, which the country has been facing in its northern and eastern parts. “However, we have eradicated the threat in the east,” he said.
“Some incidents have fueled negative sentiments, but we are earnestly working on promoting Sri Lanka as a safe destination, which is what it really is,” he added.
“There has been a 30 percent jump in tourist and business traffic from Saudi Arabia and we are going to focus more on the Kingdom and the rest of the Middle East as they have great spending capacity, especially in the wake the economic boom,” Sri Lankan Deputy Tourism Minister Faiszer Musthapha told Arab News in an interview at the residence of Consul General Abdul Latiff Mohamed Lafeer yesterday.
This year alone, from January to date, 5,000 Saudis and 10,000 expatriates from the Kingdom visited Sri Lanka, he said, adding that his country is planning a series of road shows in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam later this year to focus on its potential as a tourist resort for Saudi families.
“Saudis are increasingly realizing that the Indian Ocean island is a value-for-money holiday resort, and what interests them is the availability of halal food all over. The island’s starred hotels, which offer 15,000 rooms, all display Qibla direction signboards in rooms,” Musthapha said.
The country has a 10 percent Muslim population and is dotted with mosques.
With wetlands and jungles teeming with colorful butterflies and exotic primates, the island is planning to lure a new type of tourist who prefers wildlife to beach life. It boasts hundreds of lakes and lush paddy fields for visitors to explore.
Musthapha said he expects an increase of 30 percent tourists in 2008-09.
“We do not see the kind of growth in other markets, as the growth in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East is primarily due to oil revenue and economic prosperity. Also, the close proximity is an important factor,” he said.
He said the country is learning from the experience of Malaysia, which through its sustained campaign, succeeded in significantly boosting its tourist traffic. “We are about five hours away by air from Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia is another three hours from Colombo. Our additional effort will be to attract Malaysia-bound tourists to take a break in Sri Lanka.”
Mustapha said Sri Lanka’s major challenge is terrorism, which the country has been facing in its northern and eastern parts. “However, we have eradicated the threat in the east,” he said.
“Some incidents have fueled negative sentiments, but we are earnestly working on promoting Sri Lanka as a safe destination, which is what it really is,” he added.
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