CHENNAI: Putting further pressure on the UPA government on the Sri Lanka issue, chief minister M. Karunanidhi on Friday said he was making a 'final request' to the Centre to ensure an immediate ceasefire in the Island nation, the Times of India’s online website said today.
The news item further said:
"I hope the Government would take necessary and immediate action to ensure a ceasefire in Sri Lanka," Karunanidhi said during a special call attention motion in the state Assembly. Otherwise, the DMK would be forced to convene its general council and take "appropriate decision," he warned.
Perceived as a veiled threat to the Congress-led UPA government of which his party is an important constituent, Karunanidhi’s statement in the assembly comes in the wake of a multi-pronged attack launched by Congress allies in Tamil Nadu for its inaction on the Lankan issue.
Editor of the Rivira newspaper, Upali Tennakoon was assaulted and stabbed near Imbulgoda while he was travelling to work in his car this morning,
police said. His vehicle also has been damaged in the attack carried out by unidentified men who had come on motorcycles.
Mr. Tennakoon had received injuries on his face. His wife who was travelling with him also was slightly injuired in the attack.
Sri Lanka levelled the series 1-1 with a crushing win, thanks to a convincing all-round performance in Karachi. Tillakaratne Dilshan hit a sparkling half-century to take Sri Lanka to a strong total, before Nuwan Kulasekara and Muttiah Muralitharan shot out the hosts cheaply. Salman Butt and Shoaib Malik resisted with a 108-run partnership, but Muralitharan removed Malik to trigger a stunning collapse.
Sri Lanka were much more disciplined today. Though they contrived to lose pole position time and again, someone did put up their hand up to help them tide over the various mini-crises. The attacking Dilshan made good for Sanath Jayasuriya's hit-wicket dismissal and Kumar Sangakkara's suicidal run-out. And after Dilshan's exit, Thilina Kandamby - who replaced Jehan Mubarak from the XI in the first ODI - took charge of the run-making, allowing out-of-form captain Mahela Jayawardene to find his bearing.
Two persons including a doctor attached to the Puttalam general hospital were admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo after sustaining severe injuries following a motorbike accident in Puttalam town last night.
Two motor bikes collided and both the riders including Dr. S.M.Nishantha of the Puttalam hospital were severely injured.
A shooting also took place in Pulithawasal, Puttalam where an estate superintendent was shot and injured by unknown gunmen. .
Mahela Jayawardena moments ago broke the record for the most number of catches in One Day International history by a non-wicketkeeper by taking 157 catches today.
The 62nd anniversary celebration of the Sinhala cinema in Sri Lanka will be held at the Cinema Hall, State Film Corporation today (21). It will be inaugurated with religious observances of all faiths at 4 p.m. the same day.
Religious ceremonies here will be conducted to bestow merits on those late artists and also on those living artistes and people who have made unique contributions to local cinema in the past and present.
Sinhala cinema first began with the screening of 'Kadawunu Poronduwa' film on January 21, 1947. It was shown at Gaity Theatre Colombo.
Several popular films are to be screened at various cinema halls islandwide to mark this event. They are free to the public on this day.
A country starved of international cricket for over six months celebrated with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka to take a 1-0 lead in the series, thanks to the efforts of Salman Butt and Khurram Manzoor, who made light work of the 220-run target. Pakistan took full advantage of a jaded Sri Lankan side still circumspect with their form after struggling against weak sides in the recent months. Sri Lanka were outclassed particularly in the batting and the wounds are taking way too long to heal. Their relatively potent bowling attack struggled to script a turnaround for the team's fortunes as a whole and with the first breakthrough coming as late as the 38th over, it was curtains for Sri Lanka.
Pakistan's discipline, impressive for a team denied of opportunities to play as a unit in the last year, carried them through. Save for a poor start with the ball, there were no other signs of rustiness and the positive body language showed they were happy to be back and performing against stronger opposition. - Cric
2 bodies of LTTE terrorists killed during the sea confrontation with Navy, yesterday, were recovered while floating in the seas off Mullaittivu, Tuesday (Jan 20).
According to Naval media sources, an immediate search operation was launched following the fierce gun battle that erupted at around 11.30p.m., on Monday. 4 LTTE attack craft were destroyed by the naval craft on patrol, forcing terrorists to retreat with heavy damages, the sources said. A fast attack craft sustained damages when an LTTE suicide boat exploded during the intense naval gunfire assault, the sources further said.
The Government has planned to initiate an intercity bus service from Colombo to Jaffna shortly.
A spokesman for the Transport Ministry told the Daily News the Government will streamline the passenger bus service in the recaptured areas of the Northern Province with immediate effect for the benefit of commuters.
He said the Government will rehabilitate the A9 road which it had taken full control of after 23 years. The intercity bus service will commence soon after reconstruction work of the A9 road was completed," he noted.
"We have planned to operate five return journeys on the A9 road per day from Colombo to Jaffna," he said.
Meanwhile, a passenger transport service will be initiated from Vanuniya to Jaffna as well. At present, the Vavuniya depot is providing a good service by operating buses on 19 routes for the convenience of those living in these areas.
Pakistan's batsmen have been practising on shorter pitches to try and counter the threat of Ajantha Mendis in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which begins on Tuesday at the National Stadium in Karachi. Mendis, the quickest bowler to 50 ODI wickets, has been a dominant theme in Pakistan's thinking ahead of the short series. Pakistan have come across Mendis twice, once in the Asia Cup and then in the final of the four-nation Twenty 20 in Canada. Seven wickets in 14 overs in the two games means Pakistan aren't wrong to focus heavily on him.
One man who has succeeded against him is Misbah-ul-Haq, who made 76 in a losing cause during the Asia Cup and an unbeaten 23 in the Twenty20 final. The Pakistan vice-captain took 27 runs off 24 Mendis deliveries in Karachi last year, including two sixes and a four, before he was bowled slogging. He believes a similarly aggressive approach might help dent his effectiveness.
"Sri Lankan Tamils are being used as human shields by separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)", former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa said on Saturday (Jan 17).
"In Sri Lanka what happens now, Sri Lankan Tamils captured by the LTTE cannot move anywhere. Tamils were used as shield by LTTE. If LTEE keeps them there then there will be dire situation for Sri Lanka's innocent Tamils..." the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader said, addressing a public rally in Chennai.
Following a meeting held at the presidential secretariat with Key Line Ministers, Governor of the North and Provincial council secretaries, Government agents, Divisional Secretaries and security officials Mr Basil Rajapakse stated that,The Government has made all arrangements to provide relief to IDP’s those coming from Vaunia, Manner, Mulative , Kilinochchi and Jaffna districts, President’s Senior Advisor and Member of Parliament Basil Rajapakse said Saturday (17) at the Presidents Secretariat.
The Government has organized to set up Refugees welfare Centers in Menik Farm I. which has 150 acers Menik Farm II having 450 and Omanthai 150 acres respectively for IDP’s respectively .So far 778 families have been resettled and the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Management had already taken steps to make arrangements for 30.000 families in this regard.
People coming from un-cleared areas into Government controlled areas will be provided with cooked meals, dry rations, drinking water, health and sanitary facilities, electricity, cooking utensils, clothes, infant food and all other essential items. In addition they will also be provided with daily allowance of Rs 100/= for any of their miscellaneous needs.
"Sri Lankan Tamils are being used as human shields by separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)", former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa said on Saturday (Jan 17).
"In Sri Lanka what happens now, Sri Lankan Tamils captured by the LTTE cannot move anywhere. Tamils were used as shield by LTTE. If LTEE keeps them there then there will be dire situation for Sri Lanka's innocent Tamils..." the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader said, addressing a public rally in Chennai. - def. news
Sri Lanka Army 59 Divisions soldiers lead by Brigadier Nandana Udawatta yesterday (Jan 17) entered into the South of Puthukkudiyiruppu jungle areas. According to the battlefield reports, troops have captured a highly fortified LTTE camp and a boat manufacturing factory from the Maruthampuvel area during yesterday's (Jan 17) operations.
Infantrymen of 12 Sri Lanka Light Infantry (12 SLLI) extended their forward boundaries further towards Puthukkudiyiruppu LTTE stronghold amidst intense resistance from the terrorists. Troops following heavy clashes, found 7 bodies of male LTTE cadres along with 7 T-56 riffles with 1000 ammunition and 1 light machine gun (LMG). Troops are now consolidating their positions about 6 km south of Puthukkudiyiruppu.
Three LTTE suspects who were being held at the Anuradhapura prison have escaped early this morning, Police said. A search operation has been launched to apprehend them. - STO
Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara believes Sri Lanka's experience of playing in finals proved decisive as they managed a narrow two-wicket win against Bangladesh in the final of the Tri-Nation Tournament. "It is tough on them [Bangladesh] especially after trying so hard," he said, "but it was not to be. I guess our experience in finals won us the game." Having shot out Bangladesh for 152, Sri Lanka were tottering at 6 for 5 at one stage during the run-chase, but Sangakkara's gritty 59 off 133 balls, along with a cameo from Muttiah Muralitharan, proved to be crucial as Sri Lanka held on for victory.
"I just wanted to bat as long as possible and try to get as close to the target as possible," said Sangakkara. "We rarely see a collapse like that and it was unexpected because we have some of the best batsmen in the world but that's cricket and we had an off day. The key was to try and fight it out."
Sri Lanka Army 55 Division soldiers this evening (Jan 14) liberated Chundikulam, the landmass that links the Jaffna peninsula with the mainland. According to the defence sources, Sri Lanka Army has liberated the whole Jaffna peninsula from terrorist clutches with this victory. Heroic troops of 551 Brigade (1 Gemunu Regiment, 1 Sri Lanka Light infantry and Commandos) joined in accomplishing this mission and it is observed that large number of vehicles including dozers, buses, tractors, canters and boats have been destroyed by exploding most of them by the fleeing LTTE terrorists.
Troops have found the fifth runway constructed by the LTTE, east of Iranamadu tank adjoining the old Kandy road which runs via Olumadu on Wednesday evening, the Defence Ministry said. The runway complex is 50m wide and over 1000m long and is situated in the thick jungle with a massive bunker line and a trench line around the runway complex with mine fields and booby traps, the Ministry web site said. A hanger has been found in the complex.
Over 650 civilians turned up in government controlled areas overnight in an area north of the coastal area of Chundikulam as well in the Paranthan area from the LTTE controlled areas, Military spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara said Wednesday.
Three hundred and thirty three civilians arrived in the Kevil area north of Chundikulam while 322 persons entered the Paranthan area, he said.
The group which arrived in Kevil consisted of 100 males and 133 children.
- ST news
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