The Lanka Academic
 
FEBRUARY 17, 2010 EST, USA
 
QUAERE VERUM
 
VOL. 10, NO. 317
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Fonseka denied role in scam: CID
hindu, feb 18. COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Wednesday informed a court that they had a statement from the former Army Chief, General Sarath Fonseka, denying any illegal involvement in the approval of four suspicious tenders to a firm allegedly run by his son-in-law Dhanuna Tilekeratne in his capacity as the then chairman of the tender board.

A local court had issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Tilekeratne on Monday on charges filed by the CID that there were irregularities in the supply of arms to the military by his firm. More...Discuss this story
Published: Wed Feb 17 21:53:25 EST 2010

Jaffna blames India but welcomes investment
ENS, feb 18. JAFFNA (NORTH SRI LANKA): The business community in the north Sri Lankan Tamil-speaking district of Jaffna is ready to welcome Indian investments and development projects amidst them, in spite of the fact that they, like the people of the district, harbour strong anti-Indian feelings.

A Jaffna man blames India for the defeat of the LTTE. “India had failed to stop the last leg of the war between the Lankan forces and the LTTE and prevent the killing of thousands of Tamil civilians,” they complained.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi only enacted a “drama” in support of the Tamils here, they sneered.

However, Jaffna is safe for Indian investors and businessmen, assured R Janakumar, president of the Jaffna Chamber of Commerce.

“We would like Indian companies to participate in the trade fair the chamber is holding from March 27 to 29. It costs only SL Rs 30,000 to book a stall,” he said. More... Discuss this story
Published: Wed Feb 17 23:08:55 EST 2010 Back to the top

S.Lanka frees coup suspects linked to ex-army chief
AFP, Feb 17, 2010. A court in Sri Lanka on Wednesday freed 14 men held on suspicion of plotting a coup with opposition leader and ex-army chief Sarath Fonseka, an official said.

Colombo Magistrate Champa Rajaratne released the men, including 10 retired army officers, as police had failed to indict them since their arrest on charges of a conspiracy after Fonseka lost last month's presidential vote. More...Discuss this story
Published: Wed Feb 17 11:49:15 EST 2010 Back to the top

Freedom under threat in Sri Lanka
 FT, Feb 17. As one drives towards Sri Lanka’s war-torn northern Jaffna Peninsula on the A9 Highway, the island’s main north-south arterial road, the landscape takes on echoes of the Somme, the French battlefield of the first world war... Back to the top
U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Controversial Terrorism Case
 HN, feb 18. The nation's highest court will hear a case that may redefine the difference between humanitarian aid and aiding and abetting terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Qaeda and Tamil Tigers... Back to the top
Tragic triumphalism in Sri Lanka
 Dawn, Feb 18. A YEAR ago, as Sri Lanka’s long and agonising civil war entered its endgame phase, there was little indication that the bloody denouement would make way for the healing and reconciliation that the island-nation so desperately needs... Back to the top
Sri Lanka shares gain on retail buying after steady rates
 Reuters, Feb 17. COLOMBO, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's benchmark stock index rose on Wednesday from an over two-week low led by investment share Environmental Resources GREG... Back to the top
Crackdown Provokes Fears for Sri Lanka’s Democracy - News Analysis
 NYT, Feb 17. NEW DELHI — In a part of the world better known for the interruption of democracy than its stubborn endurance, Sri Lanka has always been something of an oddity... Back to the top
Sri Lanka monks put off meet fearing unrest
 afp, Feb 17. COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka's top Buddhist monks postponed Wednesday a gathering to press for the release from military custody of defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka, citing safety concerns... Back to the top
Lanka opposition launches 'signature campaign' for Fonseka's release
 HT, Feb 17. Vowing to make every effort to secure release of detained ex-army chief and their defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka, Sri Lankan opposition parties on Wednesday launched an aggressive campaign to collect 10 lakh signatures for the purpose... Back to the top
S.Lanka stx down on political, economic woes
 reuters, feb 17. COLOMBO, Feb 16 - Sri Lanka's benchmark stock index fell to its lowest in more than two weeks on Tuesday on concerns on a possible loss of a European Union trade benefit and growing political uncertainty since the arrest of an opposition leader... Back to the top
Sri Lanka slams EU on cutting trade benefits
 AFP, feb 17. COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka criticised Tuesday a decision by European Union nations to withdraw preferential trade benefits from Sri Lanka if it failed to respect human rights obligations... Back to the top
Lanka polls did not fully meet key benchmarks: Commonwealth
 Rediff, Feb 16. The keenly-contested presidential polls in Sri Lanka [ Images ] did not 'fully meet' key benchmarks for democratic elections and the arrest of opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka has increased tension in the country, according to a Commonwealth report... Back to the top
S.Lanka opposition file court challenge to premier
 afp, Feb 16. COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka's former army chief and defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka on Tuesday petitioned the Supreme Court challenging incumbent Mahinda Rajapakse's re-election, his lawyer said... Back to the top
Sri Lankan court frees editor
 afp, Feb 15. COLOMBO — A Sri Lankan court Tuesday freed a senior editor held for more than two weeks under tough emergency laws as the government faced local and international criticism over a crackdown on dissidents... Back to the top
Sri Lanka to face EU trade loss; ready to discuss
 Reuters, feb 16. COLOMBO, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka is prepared to face a European Union withdrawal of its preferential trade benefits that helped to boost the island nation's garment export to the region, a top official said on Tuesday... Back to the top
India uneasy over Sri Lanka's slide
 Asia TImes, Feb 16. BANGALORE - Developments in neighboring Sri Lanka are triggering unease in India... Back to the top
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