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Lankan customs to bust smuggling of indigenous birds
Frederica Jansz in Colombo,
8.10 p.m. SLT Wednesday March 21.
Sri Lanka Customs has set up a
special biodiversity unit to bust the smuggling of Sri Lanka's indigenous birds, plants and other
wildlife. The customs say that in contrast to the usual smuggling of ivory and elephant tusks by
foreigners, the country's indeginous birds, insects and plants are also now being smuggled out by
foreign nationals.
A leaflet stipulating that taking such species out of the country is now
forbidden is handed to all tourists when they enter. The country's national bird, the jungle fowl, is
also included in this list. The bird is almost extinct in Sri Lanka and customs officials say that the
species has been previously smuggle out of the country.
Published: Wed Mar 21 19:24:27 EST 2001
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Tea pluckers demand more wages to pluck more tea
Frederica Jansz in Colombo,
2.10 p.m. SLT Wednesday March 21.
Estate workers in the country's Uva Province have demanded an additional
Rs. 6/- for every extra kilo of tea they pluck. The workers usual quota
is
to pluck 18 kilos of tea a day.
The workers made this demand after estate management said yesterday that
the tea pluckers would need to work harder and pluck more tea in
addition
to the regular 18 kilograms. The Planters claim that this is necessary
in
order to bridge a shortfall which occured when thousands of estate
workers
took part in a go-slow campaign which lasted three weeks before their
demands for higher wages was met.
The labourers present demand for an additional Rs. 6/- for every extra
kilo
is being backed by the Ceylon Workers Congress which led the recently
concluded satyagraha campaign. The protest campaign was spurred by
cabinet
minister Arumugam Thondaman who has vowed to resign his portfolio if
Tamil
estate workers of Indian origin are discriminated against.
Published: Wed Mar 21 19:19:00 EST 2001
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LTTE attacks two Naval gun boats.
Frederica Jansz in Colombo,
1.25 p.m. SLT Wednesday March 21.
A suicide attack by the LTTE on two Dvora style gunboats belonging to the
Sri Lanka Navy took place at around 6 a.m. this morning. The attack sank
one boat while 12 sailors on the other were later rescued.
Search operations have continued throughout this morning for possible
survivors. The defence ministry in Colombo confirmed that the attack took
place off the coast of Mullaitivu.
The two dvora gunboats had been moving from Trincomalee to Kankasanthurai
when they were attacked by the LTTE's Sea Tigers.
The suicide cadres had struck the Naval boats at a location, approximately
8 nautical miles East of Mullaitivu at dawn this morning. The defence
ministry said that while one boat sank, reinforcements were rushed from
both Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee. The Sri Lanka Air Force had also
provided close air support.
Search and rescue operations are continuing.
Published: Wed Mar 21 02:53:26 EST 2001
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LTTE Confirms Shifting Headquarters to Vanni
Saroj Pathirana in London,
Wednesday 21/03/01 1205 GMT.
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) has confirmed that their
headquarters has been moved to Vanni, in Northern Sri Lanka. The Lanka
Academic learns that a journalist who contacted LTTE International
Secretariat in London has been requested to contact their Vanni office as
Tamil Tigers are now banned in Britain.
Published: Wed Mar 21 07:06:57 EST 2001
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Speaker bans state TV from parliament for 5 days
Frederica Jansz in Colombo,
1.35 p.m. SLT Wednesday March 21.
Speaker Anura Bandaranaike today banned state television from covering
parliamentary proceedings with effect from today. The Speakers decision
was made after two MP's had brought to his notice that ITN and Rupavahini
had televised parliamentary proceedings with a running commentary on the
entire process.
The broadcasted commentary is seen to be in breach of parliamentary
prvileges. Hence, Bandaranaike maintaines that the state sponsored TV will
not be allowed to cover proceedings with effect from today for five days of
parliamentary sittings.
Published: Wed Mar 21 02:53:26 EST 2001
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Legalize Rights of Our Ancestral Land - Veddha Chief
Saroj Pathirana in London,
Wednesday 21/03/01 1745 GMT.
The proposed Sri Lankan constitutional amendment should clearly define the
rights of the indigenous people of Sri Lanka says the leader of Veddhas. The
Veddah chieftain Uruwarige Vanniya in an interview with the BBC Sandeshaya
said that their ancestral homeland that has now been turned into the
Maduruoya National Park should be given back to them. This has been brought
to the notice of the Junior Defence Minister Anuruddha Ratwatte when he
visited the Veddhas said Chief Vannia. He further said that the Minister?s
promise to get an appointment with the President to discuss this matter is
yet to be fulfilled.
The Veddhas have been living in Sri Lanka for many years. They
were gradually displaced from their ancestral homelands. Most recently,
under the previous UNP regime, many Veddhas were forced to leave their
homeland to live with the Sinhala settlers under the Mahaveli development
program. The Veddhas point out that President Chandrika Bandaranaike
Kumaratunge prior to been elected in 1994, had given a written promise that
their ancestral homeland will be returned.
Published: Wed Mar 21 12:44:32 EST 2001
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Dutch social worker found dead in Colombo
Times of India,
22 March 2001 .
COLOMBO: A Dutch social worker was found slain in
his home Wednesday, the second Dutch citizen killed
here in two months, police said.
The body of Cornelius Offergelt, 58, was found in his
home in Colombo's Moratuwa suburb, near where Dutch
restaurant operator Rudolf Adrianus, 72, was strangled
on Feb. 21, police said.
Offergelt, who had been living here since 1984, was
involved in "social work" but was not working for any
institution or organization, police Inspector H. T.
Chandrasiri said.
More...
Published: Wed Mar 21 17:46:32 EST 2001
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Lankans find coconut debate a tough nut to crack
India Abroad,
Mar 21, 2001 10:45 Hrs (IST) .
MEDITERRANEAN cuisine is redolent with the flavor of olive oil and no Chinese chef will
stir or fry without lashings of sesame oil, but in Sri Lanka where coconut oil is king, the
greasy staple is at the heart of a heated controversy. Doctors, nutritionists and industry lobbyists are bandying arguments for and against cooking with
coconut, the large, husk-covered fruit of the palm that grows in thick profusion along the island's
coastal belt.Health statistics show 333 men and 188 women per 100,000 Sri Lankans die of coronary disease
and healthcare personnel have long advised reducing the use of coconut to cut the risk of
cholesterol-clogged arteries.
More...
Published: Wed Mar 21 09:05:56 EST 2001
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Hollywood producer asks Asian directors to think beyond their countries.
Bandula Jayasekara in LA,
By Bandula Jayasekara in Los Angeles: LA Time.
Hollywood production executive Paul Mason requested Asian filmmakers to look
beyond and bridge the gap between Asia and America. He said, "Asian film
makers could do it. All they got to do is produce films to bridge the gap
between Asia and America." Mason brought the example of 'Crouching Tiger,
Hidden Dragon' directed by Ang Lee, nominated for 10 Academy Awards
including the best director, best picture, best foreign language film, best
original song, best film editing. Ang Lee also won the award for the best
director from the prestigious Directors Guild of America this month.
Academy awards will be held on Sunday the 25th in Los Angeles.
Mason is the Vice President of Viacom, owners of Paramount Pictures. He is
responsible for $ 300 million dollars in annual production. He advised
Asian directors to make movies for variety of cultures. Mason appealed "
Think beyond your countries, there is a wide audience out there in the
world" He described 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' as a beautiful and a
classic movie produced by an Asian filmmaker which has won the hearts of
America and the world. Mason has visited Sri Lanka several times.
Published: Wed Mar 21 12:14:56 EST 2001
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Sri Lankan president in Britain
BBC South Asia,
Wednesday, 21 March, 2001, 13:56 GMT .
The Sri Lankan president, Chandrika Kumaratunge, is in London for talks with the British prime minister 1530 GMT, Tony Blair. No details of their agenda have been released, but it's expected that the Sri Lankan civil war and Britain's decision to include the Tamil Tigers on a list of organisations that the government proposes to ban under anti-terrorist legislation, are expected to be the main points.
More...
Published: Wed Mar 21 09:14:12 EST 2001
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Netherlands Supreme Court dismisses case against President
CDN,
22 March 2001.
A case filed in the Supreme Court of the Netherlands against President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga demanding that
she be arrested and produced before the Court was dismissed, according to reliable information received from The Hague.
Attorney of the Supreme Court, Netherlands Mr. Schoorl had filed this case on behalf of the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees there.
More...
Published: Wed Mar 21 21:32:42 EST 2001
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Norway's Foreign Minister to meet Sri Lanka's President
NorwayPost,
march 20.
Norway's Foreign Minister to meet Sri Lanka's President
Foreign Minister Thorbjoern Jagland will on Tuesday meet Sri Lanka's
President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, in Brussels. The two will discuss
the ongoing peace process in the Asian nation.
Norway's special envoy to Sri Lanka, Erik Solheim, will also take part
in the meeting.
More...
Published: Wed Mar 21 09:15:43 EST 2001
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Sri Lanka recall World Cup hero
BBC Sport Online,
Wednesday, 21 March, 2001, 07:11 GMT .
Sri Lanka have recalled their 1996 World Cup wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharana for the three-match one-day series against England. Kaluwitharana replaces Kumar Sangakkara, who kept wicket in the recently concluded Test series that England won 2-1. Though Sangakkara batted well, averaging 43 with a highest score of 95, his keeping was untidy. Kaluwitharana, who opened the innings with Sanath Jayasuriya in the 1996 World Cup tournament that Sri Lanka won, was sidelined after Sri Lanka's disastrous tour of South Africa last year. The Sri Lanka selectors have not yet announced the rest of the team.
More...
Published: Wed Mar 21 07:54:53 EST 2001
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Sri Lanka axe World Cup hero
BBC South Asia,
Wednesday, 21 March, 2001, 13:59 GMT .
Veteran batsman Aravinda de Silva has been left out of Sri Lanka's squad for the three one-day internationals against England. He has scored 8,430 runs in 275 one-day appearances, including a century in the 1996 World Cup finalDe Silva played in the five-match series in New Zealand earlier this year, which Sri Lanka won 4-1, but is now 35 and the selectors
have decided to look to the future.
More...
Published: Wed Mar 21 09:13:47 EST 2001
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Tigers stage suicide blast to sink navy gunboat
123India.com,
Mar 21 2001 10:22 IST.
Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels staged a suicide attack against two navy gunboats, sinking one of them, the defence ministry here said. Rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) launched the attack against the Israeli-built Dvora gunboats off the coast of Mullaitivu in northeastern Sri Lanka, ministry spokesman Sanath Karunaratne said.
More...
Published: Wed Mar 21 00:51:12 EST 2001
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Urge Sri Lanka to Probe Nimalarajan Murder- RSF Writes to EU Leaders
Saroj Pathirana in London,
Tuesday 20/03/01 1730 GMT.
International Media Campaign Group Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) has
requested European leaders to request Sri Lankan President Chandrika
Kumaratunga to investigate the assassination of journalist Mylvaganam
Nimalarajan. The Lanka Academic understands that while President Kumaratunga
is on a European tour, RSF has brought to the attention of both the German
Chancellor Gerhard Schroder and Romano Prodi, President of the European
Union to intervene with her for a thorough investigation to identify the assassins.
Both letters were made available before the Sri Lankan presidents arrival
for official discussions. The RSF suggests that the aim of her visit was to
raise the question of European economic aid to Sri Lanka as the country's
budget has a big deficit. The RSF letter, signed by Secretary General Robert
Menard, also requests Mr. Prodi to raise the matter of protecting the
freedom of the press and the journalists of the island nation.
"Soon after his assassination, the President personally condemned that act
and promised that investigations will be launched by the security services.
Since then no inquiry has been initiated. It seems important for us that
the conditions for this aid are improvement in the situation of human rights
and notably a real effort by the government in Colombo to put an end to the
impunity for the assassins of Maylvaganam Nimalarajan.
Also, we ask you to intervene with the President so that a thorough
investigation be ordered without any delay in identifying the assassins of
the journalist. We equally demand you to remind the President that certain
emergency laws in the country are in contradiction with the international
obligations of Sri Lanka with regard to Human Rights" the letter also
states.
Published: Tue Mar 20 12:33:32 EST 2001
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JVP alleges politicians are giving government land to friends.
Waruna Karunatilake in Colombo,
2018 SLT 20.03.2001.
The JVP has asked for an adjournment time debate on the alleged attempts by
politicians to give to their friends land that has been cleared after the
Urban Development Authority (UDA) began a campaign to demolish unauthorized
buildings in cities. The JVP says thousands of poor people have lost their
lively good when these unauthorized structures were demolished but now
government politicians were giving these lands to their friends at
extremely low rents.
end
Published: Tue Mar 20 09:26:10 EST 2001
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Sri Lanka battles wildlife take-away
123India.com,
Mar 21 2001 09:13 IST.
Sri Lanka is used to foreigners trying to sneak out ivory or tortoise shells, but officials are increasingly concerned about a marked shift in smuggling towards indigenous birds, butterflies and plants. Sri Lanka's customs department has set up a bio-diversity protection unit to bust the growing trade in rare plants, insects, birds and fish that are indigenous to this Indian Ocean island republic.
More...
Published: Wed Mar 21 00:03:19 EST 2001
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Hindu group to build Afghan Buddha replica in India
yahoo,
march 20.
A Hindu cultural organisation said on Tuesday that
it would build replicas in India of two ancient Buddhist statues destroyed
by Afghanistan's Taliban rulers earlier this month.Sanskar Bharati, an affiliate of the right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak
Sangh (RSS), has zeroed in on a site in India's northern state of Himachal
Pradesh to carve out the statues, said Amir Chand, an senior Sanskar
Bharati official.
More...
Published: Tue Mar 20 15:16:21 EST 2001
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President appoints committee to amend the bribery act
Waruna Karunatilake in Colombo,
1317 SLT 20.03.2001.
President Kumaratunga has appointed a three member committee to amend the
bribery and corruption act to make it more effective. The Committee under
Justice Minister Batty Weerakoon will finalise the amendments, The
Independent Commission on Bribery and Corruption set up in 1994 has proved
to be ineffective with none of those accused of bribery and corruption in
media exposes been prosecuted
end
Published: Tue Mar 20 02:40:22 EST 2001
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Parliament select committee to decide on system for local government elections
Waruna Karunatilake in Colombo,
2015 SLT 20.03.2001.
A Parliamentary select committee is to be appointed to workout a new local
government election system. The Local Government Minister Nandimithra
Ekanayake has proposed the setting up of the select committee after the
government said it wanted the current proportional representation system
changed. The government has proposed the earlier ward system for the local
government elections
Published: Tue Mar 20 09:26:09 EST 2001
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Sri Lanka steps up anti-Tiger attacks
123India.com,
Mar 20 2001 15:31 IST.
Security forces have stepped up attacks against Tamil Tiger guerrillas in northern Sri Lanka and killed another five rebels, the defence ministry said Tuesday. Government troops clashed with a group of rebels from the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at Nagarkovil on Monday evening and killed five of them, the ministry said.
More...
Published: Tue Mar 20 09:05:20 EST 2001
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Sri Lanka seeks cricketing tourists
BBC South Asia,
Tuesday, 20 March, 2001, 13:08 GMT .
Sri Lanka is planning to use the internet and the game of cricket in a new strategy to attract more tourists to the tropical island. The new chairman of the Tourist Board Renton De Alwis is quoted as saying that newspaper advertising would be scrapped, and a personalised approach would be tried through the internet.
More...
Published: Tue Mar 20 10:01:14 EST 2001
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Sri Lanka housing project model for capital market development
Northernlight,
march 19.
The Asian Development Bank has approved an equity investment of up to $360,000 in the proposed NDB Housing Bank, a new market-based financial institution in Sri Lanka. The institution will provide housing finance and help alleviate housing shortages. The institution is an example of the types of projects supported by the Capital Markets team of ADB's Private Sector Group (PSG).
More...
Published: Wed Mar 21 00:44:18 EST 2001
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Lawyer, businessman held for links with LTTE
Times of India (Breaking News),
20 March 2001 .
A lawyer and a businessman
from Batticaloa in eastern Sri Lanka have
been arrested for suspected links with LTTE
cadres manning a safehouse that was busted in
a Colombo suburb last week, police said.Five LTTE militants, including a woman, who
were arrested at the safehouse at suburban
Dehiwala, had told the police during
interrogation that a lawyer and a businessman
from Batticaloa had helped them in bringing
explosives from the east to their den, police
said.
More...
Published: Tue Mar 20 09:06:20 EST 2001
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President's Fund: they get millions
Sunday Times,
March 18.
Payments have been made from the President's Fund to meet the medical and
funeral expenses of Government and Opposition parliamentarians, it was
revealed in parliament.The President's Fund which was initially set up to help the deserving
public had disbursed funds amounting to nearly Rs. 15 million since the PA
government came into office in 1994 and among the beneficiaries were
parliamentarians, according to documents tabled by Government Chief Whip
Richard Pathrana in response to a question raised by UNP Assistant Leader
Gamini Athukorale.
More...
Published: Tue Mar 20 10:34:54 EST 2001
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EU, Sri Lanka Sign Accord on Opening Textiles Markets
northernlight,
march 16.
The European Union (EU) and Sri Lanka signed on Friday an agreement on the liberalization of textiles markets between the two sides. The agreement lifts all textiles quotas set by the EU with Sri Lanka in exchange for tariff reductions by the South Asian nation, said the European Commission, the EU's executive body.
More...
Published: Wed Mar 21 00:46:00 EST 2001
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