President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted that after the lapse of a prolonged period of absolute tolerance and patience and failed negotiations with the LTTE, his Government eventually responded in the language best understood by the terrorists with the strong resolve of not turning back until the very last terrorist is captured.
President Rajapaksa made this assertion when he presided and addressed a mammoth and colourful rally at the Ruwanwella Esplanade yesterday, in support of the UPFA candidates contesting the forthcoming Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council elections on August 23.
“We liberated the Eastern Province and will liberate the North too very shortly. There is no turning back under any circumstances or influence now, until every inch of land is recaptured and each and every terrorist is killed or captured. Our Armed Forces are fighting the terrorists to protect our Motherland at the risk of their lives,” the President said.
“We will fight the war until every citizen, regardless of his ethnicity, Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher or Malay, has the right to live in his Motherland, sans fear nor suspicion, in perfect harmony and unity,” the President reiterated.
He pointed out that it was by no means an easy task and they would have to face daunting challenges and obstacles as they proceed. They would however end up victoriously.
Outlining briefly the sequence of events that transpired since his assumption to office on November 19 up to the closure of the Mavil Aru Anicut by the LTTE, the President pointed out that the people gave him a mandate to re-unite the entire country and make it stable and secure.
Nevertheless, a spree of continuous and heinous crimes were committed in cold blood, against innocent and unarmed men, women and children, and the Armed Forces by the LTTE, sans any breathing space to his Government.
The Government in turn relentlessly and painstakingly strove to resolve the crisis peacefully and amicably with the LTTE, by using all means at their disposal and by a process of continuous dialog and negotiation.
Government delegations were in Geneva twice for talks. Nevertheless, the LTTE rejected all these peaceful paths. It is then that he as the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, had to take decisive action in ordering the Armed Forces to attack the terrorists on all fronts.
From then onwards, the gallant Armed Forces have consolidated themselves and achieved victory after victory and defeated the terrorists.
President Rajapaksa opined that as envisioned in the Mahinda Chintanaya, his Government shifted development which was confined only to the Western Province, mainly Colombo and its suburbs, to the village to uplift the living standards of the village polity too.
Based on this policy, the villagers are now able to fetch enhanced prices for their produce such as Tea, Rubber and other minor crops. They now have fully concreted roads in their villages.
After completion of the main roads his Government has now embarked on a programme to construct all roads at the Provincial Council level. The Government has set aside a colossal sum of Rs 3,000 million for this.
Other Development programmes such as ‘Gama Neguma’ and ‘Maga Neguma’ are also in progress. Several employment-generating programmes in the sphere of tourism among others, are also in the pipeline.
“Place your whole-hearted faith and trust in our Government which is dedicated and duty-bound with responsibility, to protect our ‘Motherland’. Ensure that our Government wins the Provincial poll of Sabaragamuwa convincingly,” President Rajapaksa added.
Ministers Susil Premjayantha, Puthra Sigamany, A.H.M. Fowzie, Dinesh Gunawardena, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Mano Wijerathna, Tissa Witharana, Athauda Senevirathna, former Chief Minister of the Sabaragamuwa Province Mahipala Herath and former UNP Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake also addressed the rally.
This was the third consecutive victorious rally from a series of rallies organised by the Government to garner votes for their respective candidates.
(news from - Daily News)
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Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Cocaine in Sri Lanka
A small portion of Cocaine worth over Rs.150, 000 was detected for the first time after 15 years, by the recently appointed Police Central Anti-Vice Striking Unit Colombo Branch. Cocaine is considered an expensive narcotic circulated among local affluent consumers.
Sri Lanka says it will care for war displaced
A top Sri Lankan official said Monday that civilians displaced by a new wave of fighting in the country's civil war had adequate food and shelter and he vowed to ensure they were cared for as the war intensified.
Tens of thousands of Sri Lankans have been forced to flee their homes in the north in recent weeks as government forces seized large chunks of territory that had been controlled by the Tamil Tiger separatists, international aid groups said.
The Red Cross said health authorities were struggling to meet the basic needs of the displaced. The U.N. said thousands were living under trees. Amnesty International said the rebels appeared to be using the displaced as a buffer against the military and said government restrictions on bringing goods into the area increased the hardship.
Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe denied anyone was living under trees, insisting all those displaced had shelter and saying there were two weeks of food stocks in place to ensure no food crisis developed.
"These are our people. They are Sri Lankan citizens, and we have taken every possible step to ensure ... that they are not abandoned," he said.
Tens of thousands of Sri Lankans have been forced to flee their homes in the north in recent weeks as government forces seized large chunks of territory that had been controlled by the Tamil Tiger separatists, international aid groups said.
The Red Cross said health authorities were struggling to meet the basic needs of the displaced. The U.N. said thousands were living under trees. Amnesty International said the rebels appeared to be using the displaced as a buffer against the military and said government restrictions on bringing goods into the area increased the hardship.
Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe denied anyone was living under trees, insisting all those displaced had shelter and saying there were two weeks of food stocks in place to ensure no food crisis developed.
"These are our people. They are Sri Lankan citizens, and we have taken every possible step to ensure ... that they are not abandoned," he said.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Mihin re-born on President’s order
Mihin Lanka is expected to operate once again with an infusion of US dollars 400 million. The resurrection is to save President Mahinda Rajapaksa any embarrassment, as the budget airline was his idea, a top government source said.President Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to appoint Maga Naguma Company Chairman Jaliya Kulasekara as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mihin Lanka, political sources said.The President had called Kulasekara and asked him to takeover as the CEO, as Sajin Vaas Gunawardana had been a miserable failure and could not keep Mihin flying.The President had asked Kulasekara to provide US $ 200 million and had said that he would find another US$ 200 million to revive the airline which does not fly anymore. Kulasekara, it is reliably learnt, had flown to Dubai with a team of officials to look into the possibility of hiring three aircraft as an initial measure to get the airline up and running, sources said.Meanwhile, President Raj-apaksa had requested Kula-sekara to pick airline professionals to the Director Board, and had said that the earlier board was incompetent because it was comprised of rank amateurs in the airline business .. They had only been enjoying the perks and had made no contribution whatsoever towards the airline, he had said.It is reliably understood that Kulasekara had requested the President that that he would undertake the post only on condition that there is no political interference from any quarter, so that he could make Mihin a profitable venture on the lines of the Maga Naguma Company. When Mihin Lanka collapsed , it recorded losses of over Rs.3 billion and owed Rs.850 million to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation for fuel supplies.Companies that leased flights to Mihin Lanka had also recalled all the flights as Mihin Lanka had failed to settle payments.
Mahanayake Theras laud Govt’s moves to eradicate terrorism
The Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter, the Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thera and the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter the Most.Ven Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera yesterday lauded the Government’s efforts to eradicate terrorism and bring peace to the country.
The Mahanayake Theras made these comments when President Mahinda Rajapaksa called on them and received their blessings at the Asgiriya and Malwatu Viharayas in Kandy yesterday.
Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thera said certain elements were making a futile attempt to achieve narrow and petty political gains by instigating university students while the Forces were making tremendous progress in eradicating terrorism.
The prelate said certain elements with vested interests were striving to create problems and cripple the Government’s endeavour to bring peace to the country by inciting students. “These elements cannot bear when the Government is making progress,” he said.
“They are trying to create rifts among the Sangha. What they want is to cripple the country’s stability and achieve their petty political objectives.
Students should identify these elements and evade them. Parents should find out what their children are doing in the university and no one should be allowed take them for a ride.
The Opposition should not oppose for the sake of opposing. They should get away from this habit of opposing everything what the Government is doing”.
The Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter Most.Ven Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera said the Government succeeded in organising the SAARC Summit despite baseless allegations by certain unscrupulous elements.
The country achieved a great victory by hosting the SAARC Summit and people irrespective of their political affiliations should laud the Government’s efforts, the Thera said. President Rajapaksa told the Mahanayake Theras that certain elements in the south were supporting the terrorists by being behind the students’ protest campaigns.
“I am facing a great threat from terrorists and a terrorist in the guise of protesting students could wreak havoc. Police observed utmost restraint when the students were trying to enter Temple Trees.
When other available means failed, we had to employ force to disperse the students trying to enter Temple Trees. All students violently tried to enter Temple Trees even after five of their representatives were informed that they could have discussions with me. They tried to enter Temple Trees putting my security at stake”.
Elements inciting students to violence and protest have ample opportunities to have their agendas realised. Saving the country from the terrorists should be top on our agenda,” he said.
The President Rajapaksa also called on the Chief Incumbent of the Getambe Rajapavanoramaya Ven Keppetiyagoda Siri Wimala Thera.
The Thera said the President treaded a thorny path to ascend to the top rung of the country and he has patience, fortitude and perseverance to free the country from all woes.
President Rajapaksa also donated three pairs of elephant tusks to the Getambe Rajapavanoramaya yesterday. Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champaka Ranawaka was also present.
The Mahanayake Theras made these comments when President Mahinda Rajapaksa called on them and received their blessings at the Asgiriya and Malwatu Viharayas in Kandy yesterday.
Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thera said certain elements were making a futile attempt to achieve narrow and petty political gains by instigating university students while the Forces were making tremendous progress in eradicating terrorism.
The prelate said certain elements with vested interests were striving to create problems and cripple the Government’s endeavour to bring peace to the country by inciting students. “These elements cannot bear when the Government is making progress,” he said.
“They are trying to create rifts among the Sangha. What they want is to cripple the country’s stability and achieve their petty political objectives.
Students should identify these elements and evade them. Parents should find out what their children are doing in the university and no one should be allowed take them for a ride.
The Opposition should not oppose for the sake of opposing. They should get away from this habit of opposing everything what the Government is doing”.
The Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter Most.Ven Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera said the Government succeeded in organising the SAARC Summit despite baseless allegations by certain unscrupulous elements.
The country achieved a great victory by hosting the SAARC Summit and people irrespective of their political affiliations should laud the Government’s efforts, the Thera said. President Rajapaksa told the Mahanayake Theras that certain elements in the south were supporting the terrorists by being behind the students’ protest campaigns.
“I am facing a great threat from terrorists and a terrorist in the guise of protesting students could wreak havoc. Police observed utmost restraint when the students were trying to enter Temple Trees.
When other available means failed, we had to employ force to disperse the students trying to enter Temple Trees. All students violently tried to enter Temple Trees even after five of their representatives were informed that they could have discussions with me. They tried to enter Temple Trees putting my security at stake”.
Elements inciting students to violence and protest have ample opportunities to have their agendas realised. Saving the country from the terrorists should be top on our agenda,” he said.
The President Rajapaksa also called on the Chief Incumbent of the Getambe Rajapavanoramaya Ven Keppetiyagoda Siri Wimala Thera.
The Thera said the President treaded a thorny path to ascend to the top rung of the country and he has patience, fortitude and perseverance to free the country from all woes.
President Rajapaksa also donated three pairs of elephant tusks to the Getambe Rajapavanoramaya yesterday. Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champaka Ranawaka was also present.
Northern Sri Lanka kills 22 rebels
Air force jets pounded Tamil Tiger fortifications in northern Sri Lanka on Saturday, destroying a rebel bunker line as fighting intensified in the country's civil war, the military said.
Heavy battles Friday across the front lines surrounding the dwindling area controlled by the rebels killed 22 guerrilla fighters, the military said in a statement today.
Heavy battles Friday across the front lines surrounding the dwindling area controlled by the rebels killed 22 guerrilla fighters, the military said in a statement today.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Kandy - Final Maha Randoli Perahera today
The historic Kandy Esala Perahera - Sri Lanka’s biggest cultural pageant - reaches its climax today with the fifth and final Maha Randoli perahera.
The Maha Randoli perahera will start from the Sri Dalada Maligawa at 7.38 p.m. facing North and proceed along Dalada Veediya, Yatinuwara Veediya, Kande Veediya, D.S. Senanayake Veediya, Raja Veediya and return to the Dalada Maligawa along Maligawa Chaturasraya.
The same night the Devale Peraheras will join the Dalada Maligawa perahera at 1.45 a.m. (August 17) and facing South proceed along Dalada Veediya, D.S. Senanayake Veediya to the Gedige Viharaya and after depositing the Sacred Relic Casket there, will return to devales and Maligawa.
The Devale Peraheras will, before dawn, proceed along Peradeniya Road to Getambe Thota for the water cutting ceremony (Diya Kapana Mangallaya).
Thereafter, the devale peraheras will return along the same road to Katukele Sri Selva Vinayagar Temple where the customary rituals will be performed.
During the last nine days unprecedented crowds including several thousands of foreigners witnessed the five Kumbal perheras and Randoli peraheras which paraded the streets of Kandy.
The peraheras were headed by the Peramuna Rala, the Gajanayake atop the elephant and followed by teams of flag bearers, torch bearers, drummers, dancers, singers, Kavadi dancers, bear dancers and other participants.
The Diyawadana Nilame and Basnayake Nilames attired in the garb of Kandyan chieftains walked behind the richly caparisoned Maligawa tusker and tuskers of their respective devales.
The Dalada Maligawa, the Mahamaluwa, Natha, Pathini, Kataragama and Vishnudevales in Kandy were gaily decorated with Buddhist flags and illuminated for the eleven day Esala festival.
The Maha Randoli perahera will start from the Sri Dalada Maligawa at 7.38 p.m. facing North and proceed along Dalada Veediya, Yatinuwara Veediya, Kande Veediya, D.S. Senanayake Veediya, Raja Veediya and return to the Dalada Maligawa along Maligawa Chaturasraya.
The same night the Devale Peraheras will join the Dalada Maligawa perahera at 1.45 a.m. (August 17) and facing South proceed along Dalada Veediya, D.S. Senanayake Veediya to the Gedige Viharaya and after depositing the Sacred Relic Casket there, will return to devales and Maligawa.
The Devale Peraheras will, before dawn, proceed along Peradeniya Road to Getambe Thota for the water cutting ceremony (Diya Kapana Mangallaya).
Thereafter, the devale peraheras will return along the same road to Katukele Sri Selva Vinayagar Temple where the customary rituals will be performed.
During the last nine days unprecedented crowds including several thousands of foreigners witnessed the five Kumbal perheras and Randoli peraheras which paraded the streets of Kandy.
The peraheras were headed by the Peramuna Rala, the Gajanayake atop the elephant and followed by teams of flag bearers, torch bearers, drummers, dancers, singers, Kavadi dancers, bear dancers and other participants.
The Diyawadana Nilame and Basnayake Nilames attired in the garb of Kandyan chieftains walked behind the richly caparisoned Maligawa tusker and tuskers of their respective devales.
The Dalada Maligawa, the Mahamaluwa, Natha, Pathini, Kataragama and Vishnudevales in Kandy were gaily decorated with Buddhist flags and illuminated for the eleven day Esala festival.
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