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Sri Lanka army takes offensive to cyberspace
123India.com,
January 1.
COLOMBO, Jan 1 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's army Monday launched its own website in a move that will take its war against separatist Tamil Tiger guerrillas into cyberspace. Army chief Lionel Balagalle inaugurated the website (www.slarmy.org) in New Year's day, defence ministry spokesman Sanath Karunaratne said.
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Published: Mon Jan 1 14:36:40 EST 2001
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Upbeat Lankan Army may pitch for Elephant Pass
The Hindustan Times,
Colombo, January 1.
THE SRI Lankan armed forces,which were contemplating the possibility of quitting Jaffna town in the face of a LTTE onslaught in April-May 2000, have now pushed the LTTE back considerably to dominate the Jaffna peninsula. The line of control is now located just north of Kilali and Eluthumadduwal in Thenmarachchi, and north of Nagarkovil in Vadamarachchi.The Jaffna - Chavakacheri Road has been cleared of the LTTE, according to Army Commander,Gen.Lionel Balagalle.
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Published: Mon Jan 1 18:48:28 EST 2001
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Victories over LTTE a 'gift to the nation': Lanka Army chief
India Abroad,
Jan 01, 2001 13:20 Hrs (IST) .
SRI Lanka's army Commander Lionel Balagalle has patted his troops on the back, hailing their recent victories against Tamil Tiger rebels as a New Year "gift" to the nation. In a message to field commanders, Balagalle congratulated them "for a series of successes that have gained complete control of the Jaffna peninsula, north of the line joining Kilaly, Eluhumadduval and Nagarkovil." "This is the gift to the nation from the security forces on the eve of the year 2001," said the army chief.
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Published: Mon Jan 1 14:50:05 EST 2001
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LAcNet.
LAcNet,
January 1.
The LAcNet server is back on line. Please visit
us at the new site for your favourite features
brought about by our dedicated volunteers. As
always please help us improve our services by
your voluntary contributions of funding, donations
and labor.
New Server is Here...
Published: Mon Jan 1 20:18:04 EST 2001
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Sri Lankan president vows to eliminate terrorism in New Year
123India.com,
January 1.
COLOMBO, Jan 1 (AFP) - Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunga marked the New Year with an appeal for peace in her embattled nation, vowing to end corruption and wipe out violence and terrorism. Kumaratunga urged Sri Lankans to shed their differences and work towards peace in a country where more than 60,000 people have been killed in separatist violence in the past two decades.
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Published: Mon Jan 1 14:37:45 EST 2001
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Sri Lanka's Tigers acquire Stinger missiles: report
123India.com,
Dec 31 2000 15:22 IST.
COLOMBO, Dec 31 (AFP) - Sri Lanka's military authorities have found evidence pointing to the use of sophisticated Stinger heat-seeking surface-to-air missiles, a press report here said Sunday. Video footage showing preparations for a rebel suicide bombing against a key navy base in the north-east of the island in October showed a guerrilla carrying a Stinger missile, the Sunday Times newspaper said.
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Published: Sun Dec 31 13:54:27 EST 2000
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COLOMBO READY FOR UNCONDITIONAL PEACE
TALKS: MINISTER
Bernama-Kyodo,
december 31.
The Sri Lankan government
is ready for immediate, unconditional peace talks with Tamil
rebels to end the 18-year-old civil war, Minister of Constitutional
Affairs and Industrial Development G. L. Peiris said in an interview
published Sunday in a local newspaper. "We are waiting to begin peace talks without any conditions...and
we want to start talks now," Peiris was quoted as saying in a short
interview with the Sunday Observer.
More...
Published: Mon Jan 1 16:50:11 EST 2001
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Arthur C Clarke relishes his 2001
Age,
02 Jan. 2001.
Leaning forward in his wheelchair, the 83-year-old man speaks deadpan into the tape recorder: "Testing one, two, three. Testing. This is not Arthur Clarke, this is his clone." As is so often the case with the grand old man of science fiction, it's a fantasy that might well be a reality in the years to come. A Houston-based company called Encounter 2001 has six strands from his thin gray hair and
wants to launch Clarke DNA into space.Although he uses a wheelchair due to complications from polio he contracted in Sri Lanka in the 1960s,the 83-year-old Clarke looks more regal than feeble as he receives a visitor at his home in Colombo a few days before 2001 dawns. Barefoot in a blue Hawaiian shirt and coffee-coloured sarong, he has blended into the casual couture of his adopted South Asian homeland.
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Published: Mon Jan 1 22:01:35 EST 2001
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Sri Lanka moves to assure tourists after resort attack
Australian News,
decemebr 31.
Sri Lanka has appealed to would-be travellers to the country
not to cancel their trips after the murder of a local resort owner
and the gang rape of one his guests.The government has assured tourists they will be safe, and
that security had been stepped up at hotels and tourist
resorts.
More...
Published: Mon Jan 1 16:52:04 EST 2001
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The Aid crisis
Sunday Leader - Infolabs,
December 24.
The news is bad, the outlook bleak. Given the hard talk in Paris last week, it
would be oh, so easy for us to pour scorn on the government, shouting aloud that it returned
empty-handed for a second consecutive year, with aid to Sri Lanka frozen. As much as this may serve
the opposition's purpose, it would be not just immoral, but also inaccurate to do so. The Development
Forum meeting in Paris was not an occasion on which aid was to be doled out; Kumaratunga was not
billed to return to Sri Lanka waving a fat cheque. It was merely an occasion on which potential donors
could voice their concerns and hear the government's answers. In the words of Mieko Nishimizu, the
World Bank's vice president for the south Asia region, it was a "listening and learning" experience,
presumably with the donors listening and the government learning. Pledges, if any, will come later.Clearly, Kumaratunga
gambled that by attending the two-day confab personally, she would lend sufficient charisma to
influence the donors otherwise. Instead, she was called upon to "listen and learn," words that would
have irked and vexed her, for she is unaccustomed to hearing criticism.
For six years she has steadfastly refused to lend an ear to these same criticism being voiced at home.
Sadly for the PA, the donors cannot be censored (like the media back home) or disposed of by a hail of
bullets (like the opposition back home). Sri Lanka is in for a rough time, and we have only
Kumaratunga's arrogant ineptitude to blame for our woes. If only she would learn that one message,
things might just begin to get better.
More...
Published: Mon Jan 1 00:41:39 EST 2001
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Student 'bats' for Sri Lanka
News24,
January 1.
One of the most original
pitch invasions in Test history took
place at Kingsmead on Saturday on the final afternoon of the match
between South Africa and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka had just lost their third wicket, and Marvan Atapattu was
walking off the field. Suddenly, a little earlier than usual, he was passed
by the next batsman in. It was not immediately clear who he was, although he was perfectly
dressed for the occasion, and the South African fielders seemed at a
loss as well.
More...
Published: Mon Jan 1 16:47:25 EST 2001
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Norway for international truce monitoring committee in Lanka
India Abroad,
Dec 31, 2000 14:40 Hrs (IST) .
NORWAY will make a bid to break a deadlock between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels by proposing an international committee to monitor pre-talk de-escalation of hostilities, press reports said Sunday. Representatives of "several concerned nations" would be appointed to the body to keep tabs on a truce, which would include the rebels halting suicide bombings and other attacks outside the embattled Jaffna peninsula. The government will in turn have to lift an economic embargo in the areas under the Tigers' control, the Sunday Leader newspaper said quoting "informed Western diplomatic sources."
More...
Published: Sun Dec 31 13:56:03 EST 2000
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No Attack from LTTE Before the end of truce
Saroj Pathirana in London,
Sunday 31 December 1640 GMT.
LTTE would not attack army positions before the cease-fire, which they
themselves declared, ends, a war expert claimed today. The Sunday Times defence
analyst Iqbal Athas said that although the LTTE had recently acquired more
High-Tech weaponry, it will be counter productive for them to attack the government
forces during the month long cease-fire. Talking to BBC’s Sandeshaya, Mr.
Athas said that the rebels may be preparing for a major attack or a series of
attacks after the truce ends on January the 24th.
Published: Sun Dec 31 11:43:33 EST 2000
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Inflation rate increases to 6.2%
The Island,
January 1.
The annual inflation rate on the basis of 12 months moving
average increased to 6.2 per cent for the year 2000
compared to 4.7 percent in 1999.The Census and Statistics Department said that the
Colombo Consumers’ Price Index (CCPI) for the month of
December, 2000 was 2693.0. This shows an increase of
106.3 index points or 4.1 percent from the November index
number of 2586.7.
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Published: Mon Jan 1 00:29:52 EST 2001
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It's Christmas every day for some people
Sunday Leader - Infolabs,
december 24.
While we have repeatedly highlighted the atrocious and yes, abominable misuse of public office by
corrupt politicians who have no conscience, a careful perusal of the exact benefits each MP is entitled
to, lent a bird's eye view into prizes which perhaps explains why, even murder is justified in order to
win a ballot and be a member of Sri Lanka's parliament.
In fact, our investigation found that not only Sri Lanka's 225 MPs, but an additional 93 who lost at
the last general election, have had the foresight to take all benefits and MP is entitled to, before the
last parliament was dissolved. No one, at the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, which handles the
allotments, can explain what has happened to all this equipment and vehicles to all this equipment
and vehicles misappropriated by nearly 100 ex-MPs.
More...
Published: Mon Jan 1 00:38:21 EST 2001
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LTTE, JVP: The system under siege
Weekend Express-Infolabs,
december 23.
Prabhakaran's pitch was clearly intended for an external audience, and that wasn't the Tamil
diaspora."The Western countries desire peace. They are keen to see a settlement through peaceful means. That
is why they are emphasising that the ethnic problem of the Tamils cannot be solved through war.
That is why Chandrika is releasing clever and intricate propaganda to satisfy western countries. She
is deceiving western countries by using phrases such as 'peace', 'negotiation', 'devolution of power'
and 'constitutional reforms'.... We are proving to the world that we are not against peace talks
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Published: Mon Jan 1 00:35:00 EST 2001
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LTTE man deported
The Hindu,
Monday, January 01, 2001.
A Sri Lankan-born LTTE member, found guilty of
manufacturing a submarine for the Tamil rebels in Thailand, has been
deported by Thai authorities to Norway, the country of his residence. A criminal court in Pukhet, Thailand, found Christy Reginold Lawrence guilty of manufacturing the Submarine and ordered his deportation on Monday, Sri Lankan newspaper, The Sunday Times reported today. He was arrested in April.
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Published: Sun Dec 31 17:12:24 EST 2000
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My support to LTTE will continue: Vaiko
The Hindu (Southern States),
Monday, January 01, 2001.
MADURAI, DEC. 31. The MDMK general secretary, Mr. Vaiko, today asserted that his support for the LTTE would continue, regardless of India's ban on the organisation, though he had to toe certain policies of the Central Government as an ally. Addressing party workers at a meeting held here today, Mr. Vaiko said his support was in view of the ``genocide perpetrated on the Eelam Tamils by the Sri Lankan Army'' and accused the Chandrika Government of increasing the magnitude of violence on the Tamils immediately after the recent unilateral ceasefire announcement by the militants. The Sri Lankan Government would never render justice to the Eelam Tamils, he claimed and added that the former stood exposed to the international community now, by disregarding the ceasefire offer.
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Published: Sun Dec 31 22:03:27 EST 2000
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S Africa confident for second Test against Lankans
Times of India (Breaking News),
december 31.
South African captain Shaun
Pollock is confident his team are capable of
beating Sri Lanka in the second of three
Tests starting Tuesday at Newlands in Cape
Town.Pollock said South Africa had dominated
the drawn first Test which ended in
Durban Saturday and believed they would
have won if the whole fourth day was not
rained out.
More...
Published: Sun Dec 31 14:09:14 EST 2000
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Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka seeks donations to tighten security
123India.com,
Dec 31 2000 14:37 IST.
COLOMBO, Dec 31 (AFP) - Donations are being sought to beef up security at one of Buddhism's holiest shrines following a devastating suicide bomb attack at the Sri Lankan-based temple almost three years ago, officials said Sunday. Police were unable to provide full protection to the 16th century Temple of the Tooth in Kandy because of a lack of money, police officials said, acknowledging they were seeking public donations.
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Published: Sun Dec 31 13:55:04 EST 2000
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Sri Lankan troops link Jaffna Peninsula's two largest cities
MSNBC,
december 31.
Government
troops have re-established a road link
between Jaffna Peninsula's two largest
cities after forcing Tamil Tiger rebels to
retreat from the area, military officials
said Sunday.The road connecting the region's main city, Jaffna, to
Chavakachcheri, the second largest city, came under
military control late Saturday after government troops
forced the rebels out of the area, defense spokesman Brig.
Sanath Karunaratne said.
More...
Published: Sun Dec 31 14:04:34 EST 2000
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"Lankan Tamils dumped in Siberia"
The Hindu NUS,
22.30 hrs (IST) on December 31, 2000.
London, Dec. 31. (PTI): Twenty-five Sri Lankan Tamils were dumped in the Siberian wasteland of Kazakhstan by a "businessman" who promised to help them emigrate to Germany, media reported here today. The stranded Tamils were found by Kazakh border guards four days later when they were carrying the body of a group member who had died from exposure to cold, the Sunday Telegraph reported. Police in Pavlodar in northern Kazakhstan said the Lankan Tamils were misled into believing they were in Germany.
More...
Published: Sun Dec 31 13:53:25 EST 2000
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Sri Lanka appoints new navy chief
India Abroad,
Dec 31, 2000 16:40 Hrs (IST) .
VICE Admiral Daya Sandagiri, a Sri Lankan Navy veteran of 34 years standing, will take over as the country's 14th chief of naval staff Monday, the defense ministry said. Sandagiri, who has been director of naval operations under four navy commanders, is a graduate of India's Defense Services Staff College in Wellington. Before his 1984 graduation from Wellington, he was trained on two Indian naval carriers -- INS Valsura for a sub lieutenant technical course and the INS Venduruthy for specialization in gunnery.
More...
Published: Sun Dec 31 13:52:44 EST 2000
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Community remembers victims of
gang violence
Toronto Star,
december 28.
They were promising students who stayed out of trouble.They had loving families.And they were each gunned down in gang violence in
the city.Kapilan Palasanthiran, 19, Sujeevan Sritharan, 18, and
Rishikesan Selvarajah, 17, were remembered in a vigil
last night at the doughnut shop, at Bridletowne Circle
and Finch Ave. E., where Palasanthiran was killed in a
drive-by shooting three years ago yesterday.
More...
Published: Sun Dec 31 01:39:14 EST 2000
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‘New millennium starts midnight tonight’
India Abroad,
Dec 31, 2000 19:20 Hrs (IST) .
SCIENCE fiction writer Sir Arthur C. Clarke has asked the world to celebrate the ‘real beginning of the new millennium’ from midnight Sunday night. "The intelligent minority of this world will mark January one, 2001 as the real beginning of the 21st century and the third millennium," the Britain-born writer said in a statement. Sunday is an important day as it is the last day of the second millennium but those who celebrated the event last December can also join in tonight's celebrations.
More...
Published: Sun Dec 31 14:26:41 EST 2000
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