For a quarter century, Sri Lanka seems to have been plagued by misfortune, including a brutal civil war between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority. But the conflict finally ended last May, ushering in a more peaceful era for this teardrop-shaped island off India’s coast, rich in natural beauty and cultural splendors.
Keith Bedford for The New York Times
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The island, with a population of just 20 million, feels like one big tropical zoo: elephants roam freely, water buffaloes idle in paddy fields and monkeys swing from trees. And then there’s the pristine coastline. The miles of sugary white sand flanked by bamboo groves that were off-limits to most visitors until recently are a happy, if unintended byproduct of the war.
Among the most scenic, if difficult stretches to reach, is Nilaveli Beach in the Tamil north. While a few military checkpoints remain, vacationers can lounge on poolside hammocks under palm trees or snorkel in its crystal-clear waters. Or they can order cocktails at the Nilaveli Beach
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/travel/10places.html
December 31, 2009
December 28, 2009
Gotabhaya ordered to fire although they came with white flags- Fonseka says again at Rathnapura
Sarath Fonseka reiterated the controversial statement he made to the Sunday Leader newspaper in the rally held in Rathnapura Lorry Park co-organized by the JVP and the UNP. (Watch this video.very interesting))
Sarath Fonseka has scolded Ranil Wickramasinghe
Over the phone while he was reading the Sunday Leader newspaper last Sunday since he was unhappy about the lead story of the newspaper and the way his clarification on the issue was published in the newspaper.
Sunday Leader published a statement of Wickramasinghe who said that he would be the executive Prime Minister of the next government. Fonseka has asked from Wickramasinge to avoid publishing stories like this since the JVP leaders have questioned from him about this scenario. Wickramasinghe has said in response that he has told so since he thought the Tamil and English reading public will vote to Fonseka only if he assures he will be the Prime Minister.
“Do you think the Colombo Tamils and the middle class will vote you? They are afraid of a military officer. They will be out of fear only if I tell that I will win. You make JVP to paste posters. Now they have no big vote base. I deliver this message only to the voters that read Tamil and English.”
Then Fonseka has expressed his displeasure regarding the way his explanation on the lead story of December 13 in which he mentioned about Gotabhaya Rajapakse was published.
“They have only published my explanation. Why haven’t they posted an editor’s comment and admitted it?” Fonseka has asked.
Wickramasinghe has replied to ask the matter from the editor of the newspaper. Then Fonseka has retorted telling that he told it to Wickramasinghe since he was the actual owner of the newspaper.
Sarath Fonseka has blamed the Opposition Leaders angrily before he disconnected the telephone abruptly.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 December 2009 18:26 )
http://www.mawbimasrilanka.com/
Sunday Leader published a statement of Wickramasinghe who said that he would be the executive Prime Minister of the next government. Fonseka has asked from Wickramasinge to avoid publishing stories like this since the JVP leaders have questioned from him about this scenario. Wickramasinghe has said in response that he has told so since he thought the Tamil and English reading public will vote to Fonseka only if he assures he will be the Prime Minister.
“Do you think the Colombo Tamils and the middle class will vote you? They are afraid of a military officer. They will be out of fear only if I tell that I will win. You make JVP to paste posters. Now they have no big vote base. I deliver this message only to the voters that read Tamil and English.”
Then Fonseka has expressed his displeasure regarding the way his explanation on the lead story of December 13 in which he mentioned about Gotabhaya Rajapakse was published.
“They have only published my explanation. Why haven’t they posted an editor’s comment and admitted it?” Fonseka has asked.
Wickramasinghe has replied to ask the matter from the editor of the newspaper. Then Fonseka has retorted telling that he told it to Wickramasinghe since he was the actual owner of the newspaper.
Sarath Fonseka has blamed the Opposition Leaders angrily before he disconnected the telephone abruptly.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 December 2009 18:26 )
http://www.mawbimasrilanka.com/
December 24, 2009
Largest LTTE floating warehouse being brought to Sri Lanka
Under directions of Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the assets belonged to LTTE now being acquired to the country.
As the initial step the seized LTTE arms carrier - MV 'Princess Chrisanta', said to be the largest LTTE arms smuggling ship being escorted to the Colombo Port by SL Navy. The vessel will be entering today, 21 Dec.
The ship is 89m in length and it has been utilized for arms smuggling and human trafficking during the period of war, intelligence sources revealed.
The Sectretary Defence noted that all the assets being acquired will be utilized for the development of the country considering the fact that they all belong to the people of the country.
Intelligent agencies have assisted immense in this regard.
More information will follow...
Future President of Sri Lanka
Retired General S. Fonseka gained popularity for his involvement in the successful humanitarian operation that brought the end to the three decades of bloodshed. Perhaps he did not perceive the fact that his popularity was nothing but a result of an effective propaganda mechanism carried out by the Defence Ministry. Image building of the key personnel involved in the operation was one of the main strategies adopted by the Ministry of Defence in its attempt to rally public support for the war effort.
Unfortunately, for General Fonseka, the popularity was too much for his little mind to deal with. Apparently, he might have thought his popularity as a war hero would be enough for him to win a presidential election. Now, it is too late for him to realise that he has become a pawn of a sinister campaign that sought to destroy our nation.
Read full story.....
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20091218_07
Unfortunately, for General Fonseka, the popularity was too much for his little mind to deal with. Apparently, he might have thought his popularity as a war hero would be enough for him to win a presidential election. Now, it is too late for him to realise that he has become a pawn of a sinister campaign that sought to destroy our nation.
Read full story.....
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20091218_07
December 17, 2009
TRO finance head arrested
(Colombo Lankapuvath December 15) – Finance Division head of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO), an LTTE front organization, in Jaffna, who had lived in IDP centre for months was arrested by the CID on Sunday (13). He is alleged to have provided millions of rupees to the terrorist organization for its war effort.Investigations have revealed that he provided TRO funds to slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, its Political Head S. Thamil Selvan, Bhanu and several key members.At the time of his arrest by a special team of officers in Chunnakam, he lived with his wife.
Read More ....
http://www.lankapuvath.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5181:head-of-tro-financial-arm-arrested&catid=48:security&Itemid=72
Read More ....
http://www.lankapuvath.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5181:head-of-tro-financial-arm-arrested&catid=48:security&Itemid=72
December 10, 2009
December 8, 2009
Security agencies turn spot light on most wanted LTTE arms cum human smuggler
PROFILE
Name Ravishanker Kanagarajah
Alias Shangili
Race Tamil
Sex Male
Age 45 years
Place of Birth Velvettithurai, JAFFNA
Passport number Holds a Sri Lankan passport/claimed refugee status in Canada.
Last known address Toronto, Canada
Nationality Sri Lankan
Occupation Driver
Security and INTEL agencies have turned the spot light on Ravi Shanker Kanagarajah alias Shangili, a most wanted transnational terrorist cum kingpin of overseas based human trafficking and illegal arms smuggling activities.
According to informed sources, Ravi Shankar is also found to be the owner of MV Ocean Lady alias Princess Eashwary, an LTTE floating warehouse extensively used in human smuggling activities- in the outfit's overseas network based in INDONESIA, MALAYSIA and THAILAND. Earlier, on October 2009, Canadian immigration authorities confiscated MV Princess Eashwary (MV Ocean Lady) while smuggling-in 76 bogus asylum seekers into Canadian waters from South Asia. The vessel "Princess Eashwary" is also said to be used extensively for gunrunning activities for the outfit, prior to its military defeat in May, 2009.
“His activities abroad have to be very closely monitored by the Law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the countries where he is taking shelter. It is the responsibility of such authorities to take him into custody and deport to Sri Lanka”, a senior defence official said in reply to a question raised by our correspondent on the possibilities of Shanker’s arrest. “Terrorism is no longer a crime but an extension of war”, he further stated.
According to informed sources, Ravi Shankar is also found to be the owner of MV Ocean Lady alias Princess Eashwary, an LTTE floating warehouse extensively used in human smuggling activities- in the outfit's overseas network based in INDONESIA, MALAYSIA and THAILAND. Earlier, on October 2009, Canadian immigration authorities confiscated MV Princess Eashwary (MV Ocean Lady) while smuggling-in 76 bogus asylum seekers into Canadian waters from South Asia. The vessel "Princess Eashwary" is also said to be used extensively for gunrunning activities for the outfit, prior to its military defeat in May, 2009.
“His activities abroad have to be very closely monitored by the Law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the countries where he is taking shelter. It is the responsibility of such authorities to take him into custody and deport to Sri Lanka”, a senior defence official said in reply to a question raised by our correspondent on the possibilities of Shanker’s arrest. “Terrorism is no longer a crime but an extension of war”, he further stated.
December 7, 2009
We will not ask for anything else from the Government of the President who liberated us say resettled people
We who were liberated from terrorism and given all protection and given a new lease of life will not ask for anything else from the Government of HE the President said the people of Jayapuram area on 04th December 2009 when they met with Hon. Governor, Northern Province.
This was stated by the resettled people of the village of Jayapuram in Poonagary, Kilinochchi when the Hon.Governor met them on his visit to look into their welfare and well-being. The Hon.Governor, Northern Province, Major General GA Chandrasiri told them that in addition to the Rs. 5000 made available to those at the time of their being resettled the Rs. 20000 credited to their Bank Accounts, Hon. Basil Rajapaksa MP, Senior Advisor to HE the President and Chairman of the "Uthuru Wasanthaya" Presidential Task Force on the instructions of HE the President had taken steps to increase it to 45000.
Read full story
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20091207_06
This was stated by the resettled people of the village of Jayapuram in Poonagary, Kilinochchi when the Hon.Governor met them on his visit to look into their welfare and well-being. The Hon.Governor, Northern Province, Major General GA Chandrasiri told them that in addition to the Rs. 5000 made available to those at the time of their being resettled the Rs. 20000 credited to their Bank Accounts, Hon. Basil Rajapaksa MP, Senior Advisor to HE the President and Chairman of the "Uthuru Wasanthaya" Presidential Task Force on the instructions of HE the President had taken steps to increase it to 45000.
Read full story
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20091207_06
December 4, 2009
The Fairy & The Refugee
A beautiful fairy appeared one day to adestitute refugee claimant outside the Australian Immigration Offices.
'My goodman,' the fairy said,
'I've been told to grant you three wishes, since you've just arrived in Australia with your wife and seven children.
'The mantold the fairy:
'Well, in Sri Lanka where I come from we don't have good teeth, so I want newteeth, maybe a lot of gold in them.
'Well, in Sri Lanka where I come from we don't have good teeth, so I want newteeth, maybe a lot of gold in them.
'The fairylooked at the man's almost toothless grin and--
PING !!!
He had a brand new shining set of gold teeth in his mouth!'
What else?' asked the fairy, 'two, morewishes, to go'.
The refugee claimant now got bolder.
'I need a big house with a three car garagein Bondi with eight bedrooms for myfamily and the rest of my refugee relativeswho still live in my country. I want to bringthem all over here.
PING! -
In the distance there couldbe seen a beautiful mansion looking over thebeach with a three car garage, a longdriveway, a walkout patio with a BBQ, anda sparkling inground pool and a Hummer, fullof his nephews playing their music.
'One, more wish, left for you', said thefairy, waving her wand.
I want to be an Australian with nice clothes instead of these rags,
including an akubra hat and nice clothesinstead of this shawl
and I want to have white skin likethe Australians.
'PING! -
The man was transformed, wearing worn outjeans from
Best and Less, a dirty K MartT-shirt and a greasy baseballcap.
He had his bad teeth back and the mansion had disappeared from the horizon.
Best and Less, a dirty K MartT-shirt and a greasy baseballcap.
He had his bad teeth back and the mansion had disappeared from the horizon.
'What happened to my new teeth?' he wailed.
'Where is my new house? Wheres my VisaGold Card?'The fairy said
'Tough luck. Now that you areAustralian,
you're entitled to sweet f-all like the rest of us.And she disappeared
'Tough luck. Now that you areAustralian,
you're entitled to sweet f-all like the rest of us.And she disappeared
December 3, 2009
December 2, 2009
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