All Blogs
Toothache
Nov 27, 2006 (LBO) – Over half of Sri Lanka’s 19.5 million population suffer from dental problems ranging from cavities to cancer, due to poor oral hygiene and excessive use of fizzy drinks and junk food, the dental authority warned Tuesday. President of Sri Lanka Dental Association (SLDA) Dr Kumar Warnakula says the most prevalent […]
Sri Lanka asks broker Norway if peace process still on
Nov 28, 2006 (AFP) – The Sri Lankan government has written to peace broker Norway to ask if the island’s peace process is over after Tamil rebels declared it defunct, a spokesman said Tuesday.“We want a clarification from the Norwegians if the peace process is still on,” said defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella. The demand was […]
Norway promises engagement, no new initiative for Sri Lanka
OSLO, Nov 28, 2006 (AFP) – Norway on Tuesday said that while it did not see the need for new initiatives, it would remain in contact with both the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers following the rebel leader’s declaration that the peace process was defunct.“We are prepared to assist the parties, but we […]
‘ bid for own state sets stage for war: analysts
Nov 28, 2006 (AFP) – A solemn vow by the veteran Tamil rebel leader that his people will now pursue their own independent state has set the stage for a return to full-scale war in Sri Lanka, analysts said Tuesday.“He has gone for a declaration of war,” former Tamil separatist turned politician Dharmalingam Sithadthan told […]
Sri Lanka PM says peace talks will go on with rebels
HANOI, Nov 28, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s prime minister Tuesday said peace talks with Tamil Tigers will go on and urged the guerrillas to stop “terrorism” a day after the rebel leader said the minority must have an independent state.“There is terrorism and there is negotiations,” said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, speaking during a […]
Rights group accuses Sri Lanka over child soldiers
Nov 28, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka must stop helping a pro-government Tamil rebel faction to recruit child soldiers, a human rights group warned Tuesday.The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) renewed charges that government security forces were assisting the “Karuna” breakaway group to recruit boys and girls as combatants. HRW said its investigations supported […]
Sri Lanka president calls for talks to avert all-out civil war
Nov 28, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka Tuesday offered fresh talks with Tamil Tigers to avert a return to all-out civil war as the top guerrilla leader wrote off the Norwegian-backed peace process.President Mahinda Rajapakse, currently visiting India, said he was ready to have direct talks with Velupillai Prabhakaran, the elusive leader of the Liberation […]
Tigers step up artillery barrage after call for separate state
Nov 28, 2006 (AFP) – Tamil Tiger rebels stepped up artillery and mortar bomb attacks against military bases in the restive east Tuesday, a day after calling for their own independent state.The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) guerrillas fired at security forces in the district of Batticaloa, killing at least one soldier and wounding […]
Taiwan Connection
Nov 27, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Ports Authority has signed a terminal service agreement with Wan-Hai lines of Taiwan to increase container traffic to the island.The three-year Terminal Service Agreement (TSA) will bring in a guaranteed amount of volume for the SLPA, says Irshad Musheen Executive Director of SLPA. “We are actually pleased as […]
Audit Block
Nov 27, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s audit examiners will stop visiting government offices to carry out audit work following on a pay dispute, putting the brakes on the country’s already slow auditing process. “The most important aspect of the state audit mechanisms is the audit examination,” the Union said in a statement. “We wish […]