Destroying these statues do not serve any purpose to anyone. This act by the religious fanatics of the ruling Taliban is nothing but a reversion to medieval barbarism. The Lanka Academic urges everyone to take a strong stand against this ruthless destruction. We urge the highest religious authorities in the Islamic faith and other faiths to appeal to the Teleban leaders to spare these relics of past human glory and achievement. We humbly request all Islamic countries to come together to voice the world opinion to the Taleban leaders in their strongest terms. Many third world nations stood by the Arab world and the Islamic world during various times of crisis important to the Arab world. Now is the time to return the good will.

We urge Lanka Academic readers to write, call or email your political leaders in your respective countries to urge them for immediate action. We specially urge our readers in the Islamic world to prevail upon your local leaders to intervene NOW to stop this barbarism. The time for action is now!!! Published: Fri Mar 2 10:22:52 EST 2001

Mr. Gunadasa said the protesters were furious when the police told them as Arjuna’s party has made the first complaint, and according to that some schoolboys have to be detained!The principal also expressed his concern about a fair investigation as powerful government figures involved.

While many police officers refused to comment, DIG Colombo division Bodhi Liyanage, told Sandeshaya this is not a matter which should be discussed in BBC. "Two parties involved have complained, investigations are carried out"

Bodyguards and servants of Ranatunge family have brutally assaulted students of Maradana Asoka Vidyala yesterday, which left six teenagers in a critical condition. Published: Sat Mar 3 12:37:33 EST 2001

Students of Asoka Vidyalaya, which is situated next to Arjuna’s ancestral home, were practising for the sports meet which was due to be held today. Pubudu Kumarasinghe, a 12th year student described the scene. "The ball accidentally went to Arjuna’s garden while junior cadets were training for the meet. They then requested Arjuna’s mother a couple of times to give them the ball back. By that time, Arjuna’s brother, Prasanna Ranatunge, a Western Provincial Councillor and a member of Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) also arrived the scene on 54-4431 FARGO van and he requested the cadets to come in and take the ball. Mrs. Ranatunga, hailed as a heroine by Sri Lankan media for giving bitrth to Arjuna, started shouting at them and a servant attacked a schoolboy with a machete while Prasanna’s bodyguards followed him !!!"

By that time Arjuna also has been in the seen, the student told BBC’s Sandeshaya. Prasanna’s bodyguards have come into the cadet room of Asoka Vidyalaya and again attacked the students. According to the students the security guards have fired at students, too. When a woman teacher tried to avoid the attack, Arjuna, once known as Captain Cool, shouted at her until she wept, Pubudu Kumarasinghe said.

Asoka Vidyalaya has postponed the sports meeting as students tried to burn the Cricket "Mahagedara". The Lanka Academic learns that Ananda College of Colombo, Arjuna’s ex-school is also planning a huge protest. Published: Sat Mar 3 08:15:23 EST 2001

Sri Lanka's cricket coach, Dave Whatmore, says he is annoyed with some British cricket writers for their disparaging comments about his side after it beat England by an innings and 28 runs in the first cricket test."There have been some unsatisfactory comments made in the aftermath of Sri Lanka's fantastic victory. Much of the post-match analysis was biased and far too one-sided," Australia-born Whatmore wrote on the Crickinfo.com Web site on Friday.We were particularly annoyed, though, by unfounded accusations," Whatmore said of British media reports calling some of the Sri Lankan players cheaters. More... Published: Fri Mar 2 09:15:59 EST 2001