Action with a heart Headline Animator
Friday, October 24, 2008
Attempt to attack Office of SL Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai thwarted
At around 15:00 hours on the 23rd October, 2008 an unruly group had attempted to forcibly enter the premises of the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commissioner's Office situated at No. 196, TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 600-018.(News-news.lk)
Sakvithi scam: Chief Legal Officer surrenders
Gangodawila Chief Magistrate yesterday ordered Sharmila Priyashanthi, Chief Legal Officer of the collapsed Sakvithi Financial Institution be placed under protective custody until November 3.
The suspect had been absconding for one month and surrendered to Gangodawila Courts through a lawyer yesterday.
Counsel for the suspect moved for bail for his client. This was refused by the Magistrate.
The suspect had been absconding for one month and surrendered to Gangodawila Courts through a lawyer yesterday.
Counsel for the suspect moved for bail for his client. This was refused by the Magistrate.
Two Sea Tiger leaders killed
Two Sea Tiger leaders attempting to blow up two freighters transporting essential food items and cement to Jaffna from Colombo to Kankesnathurai were killed by the Navy on Wednesday morning in the northern sea.
The Navy fired at the Tiger suicide boats approaching the Nimalawa vessel and destroyed two of their boats on Wednesday around 5.10 a.m. Six Tigers were killed including two Sea Tiger leaders. An LTTE suicide boat was captured and towed to the Mailady jetty.(News-Dailynews)
The Navy fired at the Tiger suicide boats approaching the Nimalawa vessel and destroyed two of their boats on Wednesday around 5.10 a.m. Six Tigers were killed including two Sea Tiger leaders. An LTTE suicide boat was captured and towed to the Mailady jetty.(News-Dailynews)
Quality television
The concern expressed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at some of the programmes aired over certain TV channels would be shared by many TV viewers.
Meeting with a group of artistes to accommodate their suggestions in the upcoming budget the President noted that some programmes telecast over certain TV channels debased moral values and are injurious to the mentality of children.
The President's views will certainly be endorsed by many.
The President was of the view that TV channels should telecast quality programmes and promote indigenous culture and values and espouse the cause of the Motherland.
There is no denying that some of the current TV programmes and particularly those garish soap operas dubbed in the vernacular are jarring on the nerves of the purist to say the least.
Many would agree that these programmes not only lack quality and direction but they are hard to rival for their sheer artificiality. Some of the 'mega' shouting matches that pass off as teledramas telecast on private channels while being completely alien to our culture also foster different values and lifestyles that are not in keeping with our civilised ethos.
True, these soap operas are meant to entertain and are backed by sponsors with commercial interests. But the wrong message conveyed could cause immense damage to our time honoured values and impact negatively on the young audience.
Interestingly it is this type of pot boilers that have been the biggest draw with the local TV audience. These soap operas are even big hits with educated housewives who take leave of their domestic chores if not their senses to be thrilled by the melodrama.
Sadly some of the national television stations too are seen attempting to emulate this tripe dished out to prime time audiences. Not only teledrama even other programmes aired by these channels are not in keeping with the accepted norms particularly those gyrations and contortions involving young couples.
The unbridled commercial bent of these channels is also amply demonstrated by the mega competitions that have created a new culture of 'superstars'. All these programmes have only one aim and that is to rake in the maximum returns .
True the world has moved fast and in today's globalised environment these sentiments may sound old fashioned and obsolete. But one has to take cognisance of the overall impact they would have on young impressionable minds. There is the danger of them being cast off their cultural moorings. Hence the President's concern at the declining standards and the need to foster programmes promoting indigenous culture and moral values.
In a highly commercialised milieu it would not be possible to lay down any rules and guidelines that would restrict such programmes. It is therefore left to the parties concerned to make the first move.
Strangely we do not hear any protests from the members of the clergy at these substandard teledramas and 'super star' shows which certainly do not accord with our indigenous ethos. This is not to say that programmes that entertain should be scrapped. Only that the sponsors should treat with circumspection and consideration the impact these may have on the young.
At the same meeting President Rajapaksa has also stressed the need to develop our cinema, and TV productions to match international levels rather than the wholesale import of English, Hindi and Tamil films. Here what is keeping our productions from securing international markets is not the absence of creative talent but the lack of technical excellence.
We say this because Hindi films that are more or less based on the same themes run to full houses in Western countries. This is chiefly due to the technical excellence of these productions. Therefore what we should concentrate on is to improve on this field to secure a market for our films in foreign countries.
Sri Lanka should also open itself to foreign collaboration in our productions. We should also promote Sri Lanka as a premier film location destination. This would also boost the tourism industry while promoting the country internationally.
All this though will be to no avail without resuscitating our film industry which is in the doldrums. Today cinemas countrywide are closing down at a rapid rate to make way for commercial enterprises. Action should be taken promptly to arrest the decline.
Now that the East is cleared there is a need to provide it's inhabitants with the type of entertainment that were denied to them all these years. It is well known that this segment are avid film goers and the conflict put paid to their entertainment. Measures should be taken to rebuild all cinemas in the province and restart those abandoned during the conflict so that once again they could indulge in their popular hobby.(News-Dailynews Editorial)
Meeting with a group of artistes to accommodate their suggestions in the upcoming budget the President noted that some programmes telecast over certain TV channels debased moral values and are injurious to the mentality of children.
The President's views will certainly be endorsed by many.
The President was of the view that TV channels should telecast quality programmes and promote indigenous culture and values and espouse the cause of the Motherland.
There is no denying that some of the current TV programmes and particularly those garish soap operas dubbed in the vernacular are jarring on the nerves of the purist to say the least.
Many would agree that these programmes not only lack quality and direction but they are hard to rival for their sheer artificiality. Some of the 'mega' shouting matches that pass off as teledramas telecast on private channels while being completely alien to our culture also foster different values and lifestyles that are not in keeping with our civilised ethos.
True, these soap operas are meant to entertain and are backed by sponsors with commercial interests. But the wrong message conveyed could cause immense damage to our time honoured values and impact negatively on the young audience.
Interestingly it is this type of pot boilers that have been the biggest draw with the local TV audience. These soap operas are even big hits with educated housewives who take leave of their domestic chores if not their senses to be thrilled by the melodrama.
Sadly some of the national television stations too are seen attempting to emulate this tripe dished out to prime time audiences. Not only teledrama even other programmes aired by these channels are not in keeping with the accepted norms particularly those gyrations and contortions involving young couples.
The unbridled commercial bent of these channels is also amply demonstrated by the mega competitions that have created a new culture of 'superstars'. All these programmes have only one aim and that is to rake in the maximum returns .
True the world has moved fast and in today's globalised environment these sentiments may sound old fashioned and obsolete. But one has to take cognisance of the overall impact they would have on young impressionable minds. There is the danger of them being cast off their cultural moorings. Hence the President's concern at the declining standards and the need to foster programmes promoting indigenous culture and moral values.
In a highly commercialised milieu it would not be possible to lay down any rules and guidelines that would restrict such programmes. It is therefore left to the parties concerned to make the first move.
Strangely we do not hear any protests from the members of the clergy at these substandard teledramas and 'super star' shows which certainly do not accord with our indigenous ethos. This is not to say that programmes that entertain should be scrapped. Only that the sponsors should treat with circumspection and consideration the impact these may have on the young.
At the same meeting President Rajapaksa has also stressed the need to develop our cinema, and TV productions to match international levels rather than the wholesale import of English, Hindi and Tamil films. Here what is keeping our productions from securing international markets is not the absence of creative talent but the lack of technical excellence.
We say this because Hindi films that are more or less based on the same themes run to full houses in Western countries. This is chiefly due to the technical excellence of these productions. Therefore what we should concentrate on is to improve on this field to secure a market for our films in foreign countries.
Sri Lanka should also open itself to foreign collaboration in our productions. We should also promote Sri Lanka as a premier film location destination. This would also boost the tourism industry while promoting the country internationally.
All this though will be to no avail without resuscitating our film industry which is in the doldrums. Today cinemas countrywide are closing down at a rapid rate to make way for commercial enterprises. Action should be taken promptly to arrest the decline.
Now that the East is cleared there is a need to provide it's inhabitants with the type of entertainment that were denied to them all these years. It is well known that this segment are avid film goers and the conflict put paid to their entertainment. Measures should be taken to rebuild all cinemas in the province and restart those abandoned during the conflict so that once again they could indulge in their popular hobby.(News-Dailynews Editorial)
TMVP will fully support endeavour to defeat terrorism - Karuna Amman, MP
LTTE terrorism should be defeated to enable the people of the North to enjoy freedom like their counterparts in the East said TMVP Leader and Parliamentarian Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan yesterday.
Muralitharan said his organisation will fully support the endeavour to defeat LTTE terrorism adding that smaller parties should rally round to ensure the success of this effort. Muralitharan expressed these sentiments when he met
National Freedom Front (Jathika Nidahas Peramuna) President Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa at his party headquarters in Battaramulla.
He said Prabhakaran was keeping innocent Tamil civilians in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu as prisoners against their wish. No one talked about the LTTE’s human right novations. “We should brief all countries about this situation”. National Freedom Front President Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa said during their meeting the two parties dismissed the political situation in India. Several matters gained their attention during the discussions. Among topics disused were the humanitarian operation in the North to defeat LTTE terrorism, protection of innvient civilians and the present political situation in the country vis-a-vis the Indian factor.
Weerawansa said the two parties would make a united effort towards defeating LTTE terrorism and make use of their interaction to stabilise the cause of democracy.
Parliamentarian Achale Jagoda and Mohamed Muzammil were also present on the occasion.(News-Dailynews)
Muralitharan said his organisation will fully support the endeavour to defeat LTTE terrorism adding that smaller parties should rally round to ensure the success of this effort. Muralitharan expressed these sentiments when he met
National Freedom Front (Jathika Nidahas Peramuna) President Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa at his party headquarters in Battaramulla.
He said Prabhakaran was keeping innocent Tamil civilians in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu as prisoners against their wish. No one talked about the LTTE’s human right novations. “We should brief all countries about this situation”. National Freedom Front President Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa said during their meeting the two parties dismissed the political situation in India. Several matters gained their attention during the discussions. Among topics disused were the humanitarian operation in the North to defeat LTTE terrorism, protection of innvient civilians and the present political situation in the country vis-a-vis the Indian factor.
Weerawansa said the two parties would make a united effort towards defeating LTTE terrorism and make use of their interaction to stabilise the cause of democracy.
Parliamentarian Achale Jagoda and Mohamed Muzammil were also present on the occasion.(News-Dailynews)
Sri Lanka reassures UN on IDP welfare
New York: Sri Lanka yesterday reassured the United Nations that it is steadfastly committed top protect the rights of the residents in the Wanni and ensure their welfare.
This assurance was given when Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe called on UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon at the UN.
The Minister briefed the Secretary General on the progress being achieved by the Government in its effort to promote and protect human rights and also address the humanitarian concerns in the North, a spokesman for the Minister said. He reiterated that the Government remained sensitive to the principle of civilian protection, emphasizing that the Security Forces’ experience in the Eastern Province last year with no civilian casualties provided the best practice, which inspired its ongoing campaign against terrorism in the North.
He stressed that the continuing food supplies to the Wanni with the assistance of the United Nations demonstrated the concern that Government had for the welfare of its citizens and that,
based on the priorities identified by the UN needs assessment mission last week, supply of non-food items would follow. He said there was no withdrawal of UN personnel from Kilinochchi to Vavuniya and it was only a temporary relocation which was taken in consultation with partners, specially to ensure that they faced no risk as military action against LTTE intensified.
Elaborating on the work of the Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Access, which met regularly under his chairmanship to address all operational issues in the humanitarian arena, the Minister conveyed that this mechanism served as a clearing channel for immediate concerns and helped find solutions to several issues then and there. Emphasizing that the measures taken by the Government and the UN in the humanitarian area were reassuring, the Secretary General confirmed that UN stood ready to assist the Government in its effort to continue to improve humanitarian situation and encouraged the Government to continue to remain committed to achieving a negotiated settlement.
The Minister stressed that he had specific instructions from President Mahinda Rajapaksa, following the President’s meeting in New York with UN Secretary General, the support and goodwill to the Secretary General and the United Nations for the humanitarian work being carried out in Sri Lanka in addition to ongoing development work and also to build on the existing bilateral relations.(News-Dailynews)
This assurance was given when Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe called on UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon at the UN.
The Minister briefed the Secretary General on the progress being achieved by the Government in its effort to promote and protect human rights and also address the humanitarian concerns in the North, a spokesman for the Minister said. He reiterated that the Government remained sensitive to the principle of civilian protection, emphasizing that the Security Forces’ experience in the Eastern Province last year with no civilian casualties provided the best practice, which inspired its ongoing campaign against terrorism in the North.
He stressed that the continuing food supplies to the Wanni with the assistance of the United Nations demonstrated the concern that Government had for the welfare of its citizens and that,
based on the priorities identified by the UN needs assessment mission last week, supply of non-food items would follow. He said there was no withdrawal of UN personnel from Kilinochchi to Vavuniya and it was only a temporary relocation which was taken in consultation with partners, specially to ensure that they faced no risk as military action against LTTE intensified.
Elaborating on the work of the Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Access, which met regularly under his chairmanship to address all operational issues in the humanitarian arena, the Minister conveyed that this mechanism served as a clearing channel for immediate concerns and helped find solutions to several issues then and there. Emphasizing that the measures taken by the Government and the UN in the humanitarian area were reassuring, the Secretary General confirmed that UN stood ready to assist the Government in its effort to continue to improve humanitarian situation and encouraged the Government to continue to remain committed to achieving a negotiated settlement.
The Minister stressed that he had specific instructions from President Mahinda Rajapaksa, following the President’s meeting in New York with UN Secretary General, the support and goodwill to the Secretary General and the United Nations for the humanitarian work being carried out in Sri Lanka in addition to ongoing development work and also to build on the existing bilateral relations.(News-Dailynews)
Troops capture Gajabapura
Troops engaged in operations against the LTTE in Welioya sector captured Gajabapura area located north of Janakapura this evening, Media Centre for National Security said.
TNCC welcomes Vaiko's arrest
New Delhi (PTI): Welcoming MDMK chief Vaiko's arrest for his pro-LTTE remarks, the Tamil Nadu Congress on Thursday said all those who support the banned militant outfit should be put behind bars.
"Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi ordered the arrest of Vaiko and his deputy Kanappan. Congress party demands appropriate action against all those who speak in favour of the LTTE.
"We want all such supporters of the banned guerrilla organisation to be dealt with similarly," TNCC president K V Thangkabalu told reporters here.
Tamil Nadu police on Thursday arrested Vaiko, a vocal supporter of LTTE, on the charge of publicly supporting the banned militant outfit.
He said all those who speak in favour of the internationally banned organisation should be condemned.
"We condemn all those who are making inflammatory and anti-national statements strongly," the TNCC president said.
Thangkabalu said Karunanidhi, by arresting the two MDMK leaders, had implemented the will of the people of India.
"Tamil Nadu CM made sure that the law of the land is more important and he implemented the law and the will of the people of India," the TNCC chief said.
He said the Congress had already congratulated Karunanidhi for taking this step.
However, Thangkabalu parried questions on whether the Congress would be part of the DMK-sponsored human chain to condemn "attacks on Tamils" in Sri Lanka.
"Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi ordered the arrest of Vaiko and his deputy Kanappan. Congress party demands appropriate action against all those who speak in favour of the LTTE.
"We want all such supporters of the banned guerrilla organisation to be dealt with similarly," TNCC president K V Thangkabalu told reporters here.
Tamil Nadu police on Thursday arrested Vaiko, a vocal supporter of LTTE, on the charge of publicly supporting the banned militant outfit.
He said all those who speak in favour of the internationally banned organisation should be condemned.
"We condemn all those who are making inflammatory and anti-national statements strongly," the TNCC president said.
Thangkabalu said Karunanidhi, by arresting the two MDMK leaders, had implemented the will of the people of India.
"Tamil Nadu CM made sure that the law of the land is more important and he implemented the law and the will of the people of India," the TNCC chief said.
He said the Congress had already congratulated Karunanidhi for taking this step.
However, Thangkabalu parried questions on whether the Congress would be part of the DMK-sponsored human chain to condemn "attacks on Tamils" in Sri Lanka.
Ramadoss poses nine questions to critics of Eelam Tamil supporters
INDIA(VILLUPURAM) Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss has posed a set of nine questions to critics of the supporters of Eelam Tamils.
In a statement released to the press at Thailapuram near here on Thursday, Dr. Ramadoss stated that if the critics could not find answers they could get them from Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He said the answers would clearly reveal the designs of Mr. Rajapaksa.
The questions are as follows: How many thousands of crores of rupees had the Sri Lankan government, which was set upon annihilating the Tamil race, spent so far in the so-called fight against terrorism?
After Mr. Rajapaksa assumed power, how much money was spent on the warfare? Dr. Ramadoss asked why Sri Lanka, an island nation not facing any threat from the sole neighbouring country India, should go on stockpiling arms. How much had the Sri Lankan government allocated for the development of the Tamil-dominated northern and eastern provinces or in the so-called liberated Tamil areas? What kind of solution did Mr. Rajapaksa actually have to resolve the ethnic issue, though he had been harping on finding a political solution, and, how much or what kind of powers was he ready to devolve to the Tamils?
Dr. Ramadoss pointed out that the India-Sri Lanka pact had clearly stated that the Tamil areas comprised both the northern and eastern provinces. But now why should Mr. Rajapaksa keep the provinces divided?
He alleged that after having conducted fraudulent elections in the eastern province, the Rajapaksa dispensation had installed a puppet Chief Minister there. But why should the former shy away from devolving any powers to the shadow government?
Had any steps been taken for the development of Tamil language ever since the agreement signed in this regard in 1976? Dr. Ramadoss underscored the point that even though the Tamils constituted 25 per cent of Sri Lankan population, their share in government jobs was hardly five per cent and in the police force, less than two per cent.
The Tamils were not at all recruited to the army. In such as situation where is the question of they enjoying equal opportunity and equal rights, he asked.(News-The Hindu)
In a statement released to the press at Thailapuram near here on Thursday, Dr. Ramadoss stated that if the critics could not find answers they could get them from Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He said the answers would clearly reveal the designs of Mr. Rajapaksa.
The questions are as follows: How many thousands of crores of rupees had the Sri Lankan government, which was set upon annihilating the Tamil race, spent so far in the so-called fight against terrorism?
After Mr. Rajapaksa assumed power, how much money was spent on the warfare? Dr. Ramadoss asked why Sri Lanka, an island nation not facing any threat from the sole neighbouring country India, should go on stockpiling arms. How much had the Sri Lankan government allocated for the development of the Tamil-dominated northern and eastern provinces or in the so-called liberated Tamil areas? What kind of solution did Mr. Rajapaksa actually have to resolve the ethnic issue, though he had been harping on finding a political solution, and, how much or what kind of powers was he ready to devolve to the Tamils?
Dr. Ramadoss pointed out that the India-Sri Lanka pact had clearly stated that the Tamil areas comprised both the northern and eastern provinces. But now why should Mr. Rajapaksa keep the provinces divided?
He alleged that after having conducted fraudulent elections in the eastern province, the Rajapaksa dispensation had installed a puppet Chief Minister there. But why should the former shy away from devolving any powers to the shadow government?
Had any steps been taken for the development of Tamil language ever since the agreement signed in this regard in 1976? Dr. Ramadoss underscored the point that even though the Tamils constituted 25 per cent of Sri Lankan population, their share in government jobs was hardly five per cent and in the police force, less than two per cent.
The Tamils were not at all recruited to the army. In such as situation where is the question of they enjoying equal opportunity and equal rights, he asked.(News-The Hindu)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
