Day: 4 November 2014

Sri Lanka government will NOT be having talks with India regarding the presence of Chinese

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The government will not be having talks with India regarding the presence of Chinese attack submarines in Sri Lankan waters, Minister of Petroleum Industries Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said. Chinese submarines are both diesel and nuclear-powered and some can fire ballistic missiles. Whilst one docked in the Colombo Port on 15 September, the other is in Palk Straits waiting to dock at the Colombo Port. This expansion of Chinese presence in Sri Lanka, including military ties, has vexed the Indian authoritieswho have repeatedly expressed, at the highest levels, their strong reservations…

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Only Elections Commissioner is clueless

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By Rathindra Kuruwita The date of the Presidential election is known by all main astrologers in the country although the Commissioner of Elections is still clueless, Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) said. The fact that everyone, apart from all the bureaucrats responsible for holding elections, are talking about the Presidential election to be held in January, is an indication that it is the politicians and astrologers who decide the dates for crucial elections. This is a severe blow to people’s faith in the credibility of elections, CaFFE said. …

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Government is to reject SLMC demand

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The Government says it will not agree to a separate administrative district for Muslims as such a move could create more instability in the country. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) led by Minister Rauff Hakeem has reportedly made such a proposal to the Government. Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne, speaking in Parliament today, said that a majority of Sri Lankans want to live within a united country and not a divided country. “Not just in the East but there are several Muslims in the Central province as well. If we…

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”’Ashamed’ to function as a Minister of the UPFA government” says Hakeem.

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Minister of Justice and Leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Rauff Hakeem said his party would not take ‘positions’ or ‘privileges’ into consideration when making decisions on the presidential election. Addressing a public meeting in Potuvil, Hakeem had said the present government had done nothing for the Muslims of Sri Lanka. “We will only think about the Muslim community of the country when making a decision,” Hakeem said just months ahead of the presidential election. There are many speculations in the media that the leadership of the Sri Lanka Muslim…

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Indian envoy in Lanka assures ‘unstinted support’ to fishermen

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COLOMBO/NEW DELHI: India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka today met the five Indian fishermen, who have been sentenced to death by a court here for alleged drug trafficking, and assured them of “unstinted support” by the government to secure their early release and repatriation. Indian envoy Yash Sinha, who visited Welikada Prison in Colombo this morning, met the five fishermen at the Superintendent’s office where he handed over some clothes and toiletries and enquired about their welfare, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said in New Delhi. “He (Sinha) assured…

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VCK Cadre Burn Effigy Of President Rajapaksa In Tiruchi

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A section of members of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) were arrested after they burnt an effigy of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Thiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, on Monday. The VCK cadre has taken this step to condemn the death sentence handed out to five Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Colombo High Court recently. Police sources said a group of 31 VCK functionaries headed by the party’s urban district secretary Arasu set afire an effigy of Mr. Rajapaksa near the central bus stand when they were arrested. They were later…

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Modi govt ‘playing’ with lives of Indian fishermen: Vaiko

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  Modi govt takes back UPA appeal against HC order in Godhra train case Modi govt has stuck to path laid out by UPA, says Rajan No alliance with DMK as of now, MDMK leader Vaiko says NDA, UPA failed to curb farmer suicides Reversal of UPA order will raise critical drug prices: Congress CHENNAI: Slamming the NDA government on fishermen issue, BJP ally MDMK on Tuesday said it is “playing with the lives of Indian fishermen” and its UPA-like approach towards Sri Lanka had emboldened Colombo to treat them…

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Court rejects bail application for Malaka

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The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today refused to release Minister Mervyn Silva’s son Malaka Silva on bail and further remanded him till November 11 over an incident which occurred at a night club over the weekend. The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) is investigating the incident involving Malaka Silva. Statements had been recorded from eyewitnesses at the RnB night club at Duplication Road in Colombo where Silva had allegedly assaulted a Scottish national. The police said that initially a complaint had been made at the Bambalapitiya police station saying Malaka Silva was assaulted by…

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TNA rejects claims on links to suspect

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The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) refuted claims it is linked to an individual who was arrested recently for distributing blank forms in the North to obtain statements for a UN led investigation on Sri Lanka. A TNA statement said that some media reports have falsely suggested that the TNA, through a senior TNA official named Alva Pulle Vijendrakumar alias Sun Master, is involved in a scheme to provide fabricated evidence to the OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka through the distribution and collection of forms. “Vijendrakumar is not a TNA official, nor is…

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If our proposals are not implemented, Will decide to quit alone or with others

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While the controversy ridden coal deals have become the talk of the town, former Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka comes out with many revelations and allegations of corruptions related to power and energy. Mr. Ranawaka who is also the Technology and Research Minister hints at the crucial decisions his party, the Jathika Hela Urumaya has to take if the UPFA Government fails to implement their proposals.    Jatika Hela Urumaya (JHU) is now functioning as an Opposition within the Government. It appears to be on the verge of quitting…

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GTF News Update – 1st to 3rd November 2014

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THE SUNDAY LEADER  **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED** Probe Team To Accept Late Submissions <http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2014/11/02/probe-team-to-accept-late-submissions/>   THE NATION  **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED** Koslanda landslide: TNA wants team appointed for children’s welfare <http://www.nation.lk/edition/latest-top-stories/item/34891-koslanda-landslide-tna-wants-team-appointed-for-children%E2%80%99s-welfare.html>   CEYLON TODAY  **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED** TNA Parliamentarian visits landslide victims  <http://www.ceylontoday.lk/51-76868-news-detail-tna-parliamentarian-visits-landslide-victims.html>   COLOMBO PAGE Sri Lanka Tamil Alliance to meet Muslim party tomorrow <http://www.colombopage.com/archive_14B/Nov03_1414997806CH.php>   THE NATION  **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED** Northern, Eastern citizens to be included in supplementary electoral register <http://www.nation.lk/edition/news-online/item/34854-northern-eastern-citizens-to-be-included-in-supplementary-electoral-register.html>   NDTV  **COMMENTS CAN BE POSTED** Chinese Submarine Docks in Sri Lanka Despite Indian Concerns…

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