Dec 3 (MN) A Malton man charged in connection with a North American network that police allege provides weapons to a terrorist group in Sri Lanka has been ordered extradited to the U.S. However, Ramanan Mylvaganam, 31, will remain in Canada while he appeals the extradition order imposed earlier this fall by a Federal Court judge, according to Justice Canada. Mylvaganam remains in custody, and a date to hear his appeal has yet to be set. more..

Dec 3 (Hindu) In the third such incident reported at Dhanushkodi within two weeks, a mysterious Sri Lankan boat riddled by bullets was found at the Sangam Point on Tuesday. The first boat was found on November 19 and second on November 21. Though no one has come forward to claim the boat, there are indications that a few persons may have landed on the shore in the afternoon and taken away the outboard engine. more..

Dec 3 (ABC) The Federal Government has confirmed that a boat carrying 35 passengers and five crew has been intercepted off the coast of Western Australia. The boat was spotted by a surveillance plane yesterday afternoon near Ashmore Island, and then intercepted by the Border Protection Command. The Government says those on board will now be transferred to Christmas Island to be detained and processed. more..

Dec 3 (Dawn) A Sri Lankan bishop has called upon the Indian government to pressure the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam into releasing “thousands of Tamil non-combatants held hostage in the northern region”. Rev Thomas Savundaranayagam, a Catholic whose diocese extends to the conflict-ridden Wanni region, told a newspaper in an interview that he had sought the help of pro-LTTE legislators of the TNA to persuade the Indian government to use its influence with the LTTE for securing the release of the non-combatants. more..

Dec 3 (IANS) Sri Lanka has expressed its willingness to initiate a railway link with neighbouring India via the north-western coastal Mannar Island, which is located a few nautical miles away from India's pilgrim town of Rameshwaram. Transport Minister Dulles Alahapperuma has told Parliament that although there was a "quantitative growth" in all modes of transportation, such increase had not taken place in a uniform manner. more..

Dec 3 (IANS) The distribution of nearly 1,700 tonnes of food and other relief material sent by India for civilians caught up in Sri Lanka ’s war zone is set to begin despite heavy rains.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is coordinating with Sri Lankan authorities as it reaches out to 40,000 distressed families each in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts, areas in the north the Tamil Tigers control. more..

Dec 4 (AHRC) The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that Kegalle jailors illegally detained a man. They asked for money to release him even though there was an order of release on bail from the court on 22 October 2008. When he told another jailor about his illegal detention, he was assaulted and further detained. He was finally released on October 24 requiring hospitalization for over a week. more..

Dec 4 (AHRC) Negombo is just a short distance from Colombo and is far away from the north and the east. However, the extent of the lawlessness that has spread does not reflect that distance. The law virtually does not exist. You can commit murder and get away with it without much of a problem. The best friends that the criminals can have in the area are the policemen themselves. more..

Dec 4 (LR) The valiant Sri Lankan forces are knocking down the den of the terrorist leader Piripaharan after hard way forward shading both sweat and blood, risking their own lives for the mother land. It was not a rosy way but a path full of Jony bombs and death traps in battle front and psyops by NGO, media and political agents funded by LTTE and western allied countries in the other front. more..

Dec 4 (AP) Sri Lankan air force jets bombed two ethnic Tamil rebel positions Wednesday, a day after troops killed three insurgents in separate clashes as they continued their campaign to capture two main rebel strongholds. Fighter jets targeted the rebels at two locations where they had been resisting government troops trying to advance into their de facto capital of Kilinochchi, the military said in a statement. more..

Dec 4 (TN) The United States Government will provide $100,000 for emergency relief to assist people affected by the flooding in the North and the East, said a press release issued by the Embassy of he United States of America. The US donation will be used for non-food relief items and targeted to victims in Jaffna and in the Vanni, where particularly serious flooding has occurred in recent days. more..

Dec 4 (TN) President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government has sidelined Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, a key paramilitary leader operated by the government and the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province, on the utlisation of funds allocated for 'development'. "Pillayan is being treated almost like a political prisoner by the Rajapaksa government these days, especially after the recent protests against the killings," more..

Dec 4 (TN) TNA parliamentarian S. Gajendran, who represents Ki'linochchi district (Jaffna electorate), Wednesday urged the global community to "unreservedly condemn" the Sri Lankan government for deploying cluster munitions against civilians in Vanni in its air strikes and artillery attacks. Appreciating the Norwegian initiative which has led to the landmark treaty on baning the cluster munitions, more..

Dec 4 (LD) As world marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities today (Dec. 03rd), a person who has lost use of both legs went to the High Court against the absence of special facilities in Sri Lanka for the disabled to use and access public and private institutions. The petitioner, Loku Pattiyage Jayantha, cites Sarasavi Bookshop (Pvt.) Ltd. and Kotte Municipal Council as the respondents. more..

Dec 4 (LD) The failure to enact various international treaties ratified by post-Independence governments has resulted in the breach of Sri Lanka's obligation to implement 27 conventions which has become a major obstacle to obtaining the GSP+ concession, said Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Mr. Wickremesinghe said it was clear the government does not want the help of the opposition to obtain the facility through the enactment of a constitutional amendment. more..

Dec 4 (LD) The UNP has responded to a statement issued by Five Media over remarks made by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at a recent media briefing with regard to 'Daily Mirror' newspaper. The statement, signed by UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake says, "The UNP and the people of this country are alert to the double-standards of Five Media which claims to represent media freedom of this country." more..

Dec 4 (LBO) Sri Lanka's state is operating a black market taking an estimated 54 billion rupees a year in profits and discriminatory taxes from petrol users, an opposition parliamentarian has said. Ravi Karunanayake, a member of the opposition United National Party told reporters the landed cost of petrol in Colombo, including freight and insurance was only 28 rupees and 30 cents. more..

Dec 4 (AN) In Sri Lanka people with disabilities number 274,000 out of a population of almost 20 million. Most suffer from different kinds of physical disabilities but quite a few (14 per cent) suffer from mental problems as well. The number of young people tops 87,000 or 31.7 per cent, but their condition has deprived many of them of an education, forced as they are to rely exclusively on their families’ help. more..

Dec 4 (ML) Protect Lanka believes that Sri Lanka has entered a critical milestone in the history of its war against terrorism. For the first time, there is a well focused, planned strategy with adequate resources to dilute and eventually eliminate the forces of terrorism which has maintained a stranglehold on our nation. We are able to exercise our right to protection from terrorism. more..

Dec 4 (Hindu) Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday reiterated that the LTTE was part of the problem in Sri Lanka and could never be made a part of the solution. Criticising the Congress for the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and a delegation of Members of Parliament belonging to Tamil Nadu on the Sri Lankan issue in New Delhi on Tuesday, more..

Dec 4 (AT) "To establish a link of friendship between the two countries; India and Sri Lanka" said, the chairman of the SLBC Mr. Hudson Samarasinghe, clasping his hands in a gesture of unity, in reply to a question posed by the Asian Tribune. He is happy and full of gusto for, the new radio service; "Sri Lanka Vanoli" started only a little over a month ago is already gaining popularity. more..

Dec 4 (PISL) On Friday I was woken to an urgent message from a friend in Australia about the arrest of my old flatmate Damian Green, now a Conservative MP and Shadow Immigration Minister. He had been arrested by an anti-terror police squad, who the Daily Mail in its headline characterized as ‘Terror police’. The alleged offence was that of leaking confidential documents. I have no idea whether anything worse was in question, but more..

Dec 4 (PISL) As the armed forces move nearer to Kilinochchi, the defensive measures brought to bear against them get ever more intense. They also tend to lose sight of rationality. Thus, over the last few days there has been an extraordinary escalation of allegations about an incident that took place in the early hours of November 29th. The Sri Lankan Air Force attacked a Training Camp in the Tiramanthakulam area at around 1 a.m. more..

Dec 4 (BBC) Minister keheliya Rambukwella has denied accusations that the government is using cluster bombs in the battle against the Tamil Tigers. “We will not breach internationally accepted standards “, said minister Rambukwella. Responding to a question as to why Sri Lanka is not among the signatories, he said that he will have to refer to the Foreign Ministry for a specific explanation but it was not uncommon for a country not to sign a treaty. more..

Dec 4 (UN) The top United Nations humanitarian official in Sri Lanka today called on authorities to mount a thorough investigation into last week’s murder of an aid worker in the east of the violence-wracked country – the third staff member from the same relief group to have either disappeared or been killed in the Asian island nation. more..

Dec 4 (LG) Rajasingam Jeyadevan has put across ridiculous questions about EPDP and its leader Douglas Devananda to Dr. T. Rajaratnam in a series of articles written in the Sri Lanka Guardian. DR. T. Rajaratnam has in clear terms replied that he is neither an EPDP member nor authorised by the EPDP to answer on its behalf. However, in view of the fact that we will fail in our sense of duty if those questions remain unanswered, we have decided to clear the misconception embodied in those questions. more..

Dec 4 (LG) I have often read the columns by a writer named Tisaranee Gunasekara (TG) and wondered what she or he is trying to say, although the common thread seems to attack the government for not devolving power. The name itself, Tisaranee, could be a name for the Trinity or for the Buddhist triple gem, and it could be that of a man or a women. Not being one of those upper class Colombo types, but more..

Dec 4 (LBO) Sri Lankan coconut products exporter Coco Lanka said it has achieved energy efficiencies by converting boilers from furnace oil to coconut shells, a by-product. The firm, part of the Renuka Group, said consolidated net profit in the September quarter shot up 163 percent to 43 million rupees from a year ago, according to a statement and accounts released by the company. Coco Lanka group revenue fell 14 percent to 370 million rupees in the same period. more..

Dec 4 (TC) There is a poignant episode in Mahabarata, where Karuna laid on a bed of arrows stitched to every cell of his body yet, he remained alive because of the Karma due to his giving and sacrifice. Knowing only by providing him with that last opportunity for an act of sacrifice Karuna will die, Krishna, the incarnation of moksa itself, was forced to beg for that from Karuna. more..

Dec 4 (MG) A Public lecture organized by the Peace Secretariat for Muslims (PSM) will be held at Hotel Ranmuthu, Galle Road, Colombo - 03 from 5 PM onwards on Friday 5th December 2008.This is one of the series of lectures initiated by PSM. Dr. A.C.L Ameer Ali, Ph,D.(Senior Academic, Business School, Murdoch University, Western Australia) will speak on the topic "Islam in Plural Society”. more..

Dec 4 (MG) It is three years today since Mr. A.L.M. Faleel popularly known as “Botany Faleel” left us. He was killed while serving as Divisional Secretary in Kattankudy by the bullets of the heartless gunmen when he was about to leave his office for Jummah Prayers on that Friday. Born as the youngest child in a middle class family on the first of January, 1965 in the village of Natpiddimunai to Al-Haj Athambawa and Hajiyani Aasiyathummah, more..

Dec 4 (LT) The government, overpowered by India, is engaged in a conspiracy to sell valuable mineral resources of the country at very unfavourable conditions states Parliamentarian Bimal Ratnayake issuing a statement on behalf of the People’s Movement to Protect Mineral Resources (PMPMR). The statement in full: The government, on 7th July this year, signed an agreement to hand over an oil block in Mannar Basin to Cairn Company of India. more..

Dec 4 (GDI) The doctors from the hospitals in the North and East who had stayed away from work from November 17, reported to work today (04), Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition; Nimal Siripala de Silva told www.news.lk this morning. The Ministry has taken steps to redress all problems articulated by these doctors, particularly with respect to their security. He stated that all the doctors are now provided transport to travel to these two provinces from Colombo. more..

Dec 4 (GDI) The G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination for both the new and old syllabuses is scheduled to be held from December 8 at 4,800 examinations centres island wide, according to Ministry of Education sources. More than 290,000 students have applied to sit the exam under the new syllabus while 250,000 candidates have applied under the old syllabus. School candidates who sit the examination for the first time have to produce either their postal identity card or more..

Dec 4 (GDI) Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition, Nimal Siripala de Silva, said in Parliament today that the achievements in the health sector continue to be remarkable, especially since Sri Lanka is a developing country. He pointed out that allocations for the health sector have increased each year since 2007, Rs. 67.5 billion (2007), Rs. 73 billion (2008) and Rs. 81 billion (2009) and that health was No. 3 in terms of priority in the Annual Budget. more..

Dec 4 (GDI) Cabinet approved a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Patali Champika Ranawaka, to introduce regulations under the provision of Section 45(a) of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No 49 of 1993 to prohibit the export of all material, including planting material of betel pepper and related wild species. more..

Dec 4 (GDI) The National Gem and Jewellery Authority together with Sri Lankan jewellery companies participated at the 4th China International Gold, Jewellery and Gem Fair 2008 in Shanghai. Sri Lanka’s booth comprised of Furqan Ali & Sons Gem Exporters, J. A. de Silva & Co. Ltd., Yong Hua Lanka Gems Jewellery Ltd., South Lanka Gem and Jewellery. Companies such as Buraak Jewels (Pvt) Limited, Sparkle Gems, Shan Trading Gem, Queen Lanka Gems and Jewellery, more..

Dec 4 (LP) The Test book distribution day falls today. The main event of distributing text books was held at Nawala, Nugegoda Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya today with the participation of Education Minister Susil Premajayantha. Students will be handed over school textbooks following ceremonies in 9,768 schools throughout the country. Printing and transportation process of school textbooks have now been completed by 98.2 per cent including in the Jaffna area. more..

Dec 4 (LNP) Paul Harris, one time Jane`s Intelligence Review correspondent in Colombo, Sri Lanka who was banished from the island by the government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for exposing the LTTE said, now there is a chance emerging for the international criminal court to bring Velupillai Prabhakaran before justice for personally choosing boys aged 14- 16 as suicide bombers, among other crimes. more..

Dec 4 (SAMN) Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka told Parliament yesterday that the Republican character of Sri Lanka would be changed and the sovereignty of the people affected if Constitutional amendments were made as proposed by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to retain the GSP+ facility. The Prime Minister asserted that the Government would not approve adopting any Constitutional change as proposed by the Opposition Leader, that would make Sri Lanka subservient to whomsoever. more..

Dec 4 (SAMN) Fines totaling Rs 5.47 million have been imposed on persons found smoking in public places and driving under the influence of liquor following Police and Excise prosecutions against 3,897 offenders countrywide from January to October this year. The highest number of offences (804) were detected in Nugegoda. The raids were conducted under the Tobacco and Alcohol Act. more..

Dec 4 (SAMN) The Government said in Parliament yesterday that it spent Rs. 263 million on the 'Deyata Kirulu' exhibition held between February 7 and 10, 2008 at the BMICH. The disclosure was made by Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena in reply to a question by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake followed by cross talk between the Government and the Opposition. Mr. Karunanayake who expressed his surprise at such colossal expenditure, more..

Dec 4 (DN) A total of 75,000 anti-personnel landmines have been removed from areas affected by terrorism, Chairman of the National Steering Committee on Humanitarian De-mining at the Nation Building Ministry N.S. Jayasinghe said yesterday. He said 95 per cent of anti-personnel landmines have been removed from Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts. More than 1,700 persons have lost their limbs due to landmine explosions. more..

Dec 4 (DN) Minister of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development A.H.M. Fowzie stated in Parliament yesterday that the Ceylon Petroleum Cooperation had begun re-negotiating the hedging arrangements with the relevant banks before anyone resorted to court action. The Minister stated that as a benefit of oil hedging one million US dollars was saved in 2007 and 24 million US dollars between March and August 2008. more..

Dec 4 (SAMN) SB Dissanayake filed a rights petition yesterday, challenging the decision of the Commissioner of Elections that he is disqualified from being an elector at an election of the President or of the Parliamentary elections until December 7, 2011. In the petition filed through Attorney-at-Law Gowry Shangary Thavarasha, he cited Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake and the Attorney General as respondents. more..

Dec 4 (DM) Additional currency notes to the value of Rs.51 billion have been put into circulation between November 19, 2005 and November 25, 2008, during the tenure of Mahinda Rajapaksa as President and Finance Minister. This revelation was made in Parliament yesterday by Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardane in reply to a question by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake. During this time, the total face value of the fresh currency notes printed was Rs. 124 billion. more..

Dec 4 (DM) The Government yesterday said that LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is believed to be on the run as troops moving closer towards fully recapturing the Wanni. Defence Spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella also said that credible information had been received that several LTTE cadres have already left areas which are now being targeted by the military in the north. "We know that Prabhakaran is on the run. more..

Dec 4 (Island) The recent Mumbai massacre carried out by a group of terrorists, who arrived by sea, has highlighted difficulties experienced by the Sri Lankan Navy in countering LTTE operations conducted across the Indo-Lanka maritime boundary. The terror raid on India’s commercial capital has also emphasized the importance of a cohesive strategy to counter threats posed by sea-borne terrorists as deployment of naval assets wouldn’t be enough to thwart a planned attack. more..

Dec 4 (Island) The Permanent Commission to Investigate Bribery and Corruption yesterday submitted to the Supreme Court a report on its investigations in respect of the Waters Edge Land deal, which had been declared arbitrary and illegal by a recent Supreme Court Judgment. The Court in the judgment ordered the Commission to investigate the activities of former President Kumaratunga and several other persons involved in this deal. more..

Dec 4 (Hindu) Human suffering and miseries being witnessed in the war in Sri Lanka should not be used as a pretext to call for a ceasefire, since they are part of the LTTE’s strategies, said Arular Arudpragasam, the chairman of the Eelam Revolutionary Organisers (EROS) and Eelavar Democratic Front (EDF). “The LTTE is duty-bound to face the Sri Lankan Army. The war cannot be stopped without fulfilling the objectives that actually led to it,” more..