State of emergency extended

The state of emergency was extended by another month in Parliament a short while ago, receiving 102 votes in favour and 15 votes against. The United National Party (UNP) had voted against the extending of the state of emergency, together with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) while the Janath Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) had been absent. (YP&KB) (News-Daily Mirror)

Asia Cup in Sri Lanka

Chennai: The Asia Cup ODI tournament will be held in Sri Lanka from June 16 to 25 this year.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Syed Ashraful Huq told The Hindu here on Thursday that only the four Test playing nations of Asia — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh — would take part in the event.
Ashraful, in the city to hold discussions with BCCI Secretary N.Srinivasan, said “The matches will be staged in Colombo and Premadasa Stadium is the likely venue. In all there will be six league games and the final.
“In the last edition of the Asia Cup, we had Hong Kong and UAE in the tournament but we had to shorten the format this time because of the lack of time available for the major teams.”
He admitted Malaysia was in contention to host the championship. “Yes, Malaysia was in the running. Eventually, the ACC has settled for Sri Lanka.” — Special Correspondent (News-Hindu)

Batticaloa Mayoress Sivageetha Prabakaran on the comeback trail

The Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal has decided to meet tomorrow to decide about the political strategy they should adopt in the forthcoming parliamentary general election in the Eastern Province.
Assad Moulana, speaking on behalf of Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillaiyan, the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province, said that the Chief Minister has invited the Party’s Leaders Committee consisting of 17 members , Executive Committee members consisting of 90 members and also the academics and people of the East who command respect in the region for a consultative meeting in Batticaloa.
The spokesman said that the meeting is expected to finalize the strategy they should adopt in the forthcoming parliamentary general election.
He also said that a TMVP delegation is expected to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa on February 10 for a discussion regarding the Eastern Province election arrangements.
The spokes person also said that TMVP has not decided whether they should contest on the TMVP party symbol, boat, or on the UPFA party symbol, Betel. He, however, hastened add that as TMVP is a constituent party of the UPFA, they will only follow the decision taken by the UPFA High Command.
In the meantime Assad Moulana told Asian Tribune that Batticaloa Mayoress Sivageetha Prabakaran has contacted the Chief Minister and indicated that she wanted to rejoin the TMVP.
The spokesman said that the Chief Minister has refused to accommodate her back in the TMVP as she, against advises of everyone, went and joined Sarath Fonseka’s camp during the Presidential election, causing greater embarrassment.
It was told that it was something the Chief Minister and the TMVP was not prepared take it as something that could be simply ignored. (News- Asian Tribune)

Luxury hospitality on Sri Lanka’s west coast

Serene Pavilions, a new venture in luxury hospitality located in Wadduwa on Sri Lanka’s west coast, has joined the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand.Opened at a cost of $US5.5 million in November 2009, Serene Pavilions is a beachside retreat offering 12 lavishly appointed Pavilions with private Butler service set in a seven acre coconut grove facing the Indian Ocean, just a 45-minute drive from Colombo. According to the Chairman of Serene Pavilions, Clive Leach CBE: “The hotel offers an ideal Sri Lankan holiday experience for those seeking luxury, seclusion, tranquillity and exceptional service.”Serene Pavilions Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, Anura Lokuhetty, said: “Becoming a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World will provide Serene Pavilions and Sri Lanka with added worldwide exposure to independent travellers who enjoy highly personalised service, combined with accommodation designed to exacting international standards which also reflects the local history and culture.”The luxurious Pavilions, each with individual private plunge pools, have been designed with an emphasis on space and tranquillity using Balinese and Sri Lankan influences and architecture. The 12 pavilions are interlaced with walkways and water features and have spacious decked outside living areas.Serene Pavilions’ signature centrepiece is The Pavilions’ Restaurant, and The Amritha Bar, which links the garden and pool areas to the beachfront gardens and quiet beach. Within the gardens there is a large swimming pool with four sunken Jacuzzi beds, and a clay tennis court. Also available is the Serenity Spa, the well-equipped Asana Gym and a large Reception Lounge with an exclusive Gem Boutique. The Dhaarana Reading Room is home to the library which can also accommodate small meetings or private events.Paul Kerr, Chief Executive Officer of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Serene Pavilions into the Small Luxury Hotels of the World family. I know that our discerning guests will enjoy the peace and tranquility at the resort – as well as the high levels of privacy. Each hotel applying to become part of SLH undergoes a rigorous inspection and selection process and only five percent of the hotels which apply to join are accepted. This is testament to the high standards of excellence to be found at Serene Pavilions. It is the perfect complement to Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s properties in Sri Lanka.”For reservations and further information visit slh.com and serenepavilions.com. (news- Easier travel page)

An Open letter to the Election Commissioner of Sri Lanka

(February 05, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Recent events following the Presidential election have put you on the negative limelight, due to your confusing and contradicting comments made head down without looking at the audience.Lots of accusations are leveled against you. Some have been denied. The manner in which you are responding to the issues surrounding the conduct and the outcome of the election is further confusing the citizens like me. I plead with you to look at the face of the world at large and tell the truth to the following serious questions.Question 1: According the ‘The Times’ report filed by Jeremy Page ‘The President’s brother and adviser, went to see the Independent Elections Commissioner just before the latter announced the final results. The ministers denied that Basil Rajapaksa was meeting the commissioner, and said that he was asleep at the time, but Ms Wenger said that she saw him leave the Commissioner’s office immediately after the press conference’.My simple question to you is: Did Basil Rajapakse meet you just before the election results were announced? If so, what was discussed or ordered by him?Question 2: Sri Lanka Guardian in its exclusive news reported that you and your wife were held in captivity in the Presidents official residence Temple Trees and intimidated to obtain your consent to announce the government favoured comments on the outcome of the election and also to get your resignation announcement withdrawn.In the public interest and to earn the public confidence, would you kindly confirm by looking at the audience straight on their face without fear or subdued voice, whether this story is true or false.Question 3: The Lankanewsweb in its latest news headlined ‘A group of Army personnel had imprisoned Election Commissioner’s wife and daughter at Water’s Edge on the election day’.Once again in the public interest, will you be able to confirm this story is true or false.I understand that you are not permitted to travel overseas until the General Election is over. If this is not true, will you be able to travel to the UK or any other healthy democratic country and make a public statement on the issues surrounding the election. I am prepared to fund your first class flight ticket for your visit, as I consider your public statement in a respectable place without any fear of recrimination will be very useful for Sri Lanka’s future.Finally, with the very serious accusations levelled against you on the conduct of the Presidential election, how do you expect the citizens of Sri Lanka to consider you are independent to conduct the forthcoming General Election? Will you make a public statement to confirm what action you will be taking to overcome the difficulties you have encountered during the Presidential election to ensure the difficulties are not repeated with your backing?