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Pitching In
Ten flood damaged rural health centres in the Matara district were reopened for patients on Thursday, with a US$18,000 USAID aid injection for rehabilitation. The rehabilitation of the health centres were initiated by a US$ 18,000 grant to the SouthernProvince Health Sector Authority of Matara, a US Embassy statement said.rn rnThe grant also provided for […]
Showdown
Guerrilla factions have exchanged heavy gunfire in north-eastern Sri Lanka, in the first major clash since an unprecedented split in the Tamil Tiger movement, military officials said.rnrnFighters of the main Tamil Tiger movement and cadres controlled by a renegade regional commander fired mortars and small arms fire for nearly two hours across the Verugal river, […]
Hope & Pray
The JHU (Jathika Hela Urumaya), will make it a priority to introduce a new law to stop Sri Lankans from being persuaded to change their religious beliefs. The JHU is hoping to stop the islands majority Buddhists from embracing other religions endash mainly the teachings of various Christian sects now operating freely all over the […]
Eastern Battle
Casualties were suffered on both sides in the first major clash since a split in the guerrilla group, the pro-Tiger Tamilnet.com website said.rn rn Forces of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were advancing on positions held by those loyal to the renegade regional commander V. Muralitharan, and there were casualties on both sides, […]
Not Fair
Flour Mill giant Singapores Prima Ceylon Ltd has filed papers for arbitration against the government for failing to honour two clauses in its agreement.A fresh deal signed by the government and Prima in April 2001, specified that flour giant will not be discriminated against any other company/person engaged in the producing wheat flour.rn rnThe government […]
Checklist
The Joint Business Forum on Wednesday, while expressing support for the newly elected Freedom Alliance, rolled out what it saw as a list of priorities for the new government. The top business grouping identified the peace process, the economy, bribery and corruption and infrastructure development as priority areas for the next UPFA government.rn rnIt also […]
Bad Boys
Transparency International urged for accountability past the polls, with less than ten of the over 5600 candidates that contested, discharging statutory duties to disclose assets and liabilities before the election. The corruption watchdog rapped local politicians for the lack of commitment to fight corruption in the electoral process, including abuse of state resources.rn rnldblquote TISL […]
Cosmetic Changes
President Chandrika Kumaratungas United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Party is still struggling to secure a Parliamentary majority but they are already looking at forming a Constituent Assembly within the next two months – to tinker with the Constitution. ldblquote A date has not been set aside to form a Constituent Assembly but it should be […]
Musical Chairs
The election of nine Buddhist monks in Sri Lankas elections has sent parliamentary officials scrambling to make suitable seating and dining arrangements for the “honourable venerable.”rnThe saffron-robed monks elected from an all-clergy list put forward by the radical National Heritage Party also known as the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) require special chairs and a vegetarian […]
Nail Biting
Local financial markets took a beating on Tuesday, which saw the equity and currency markets come under pressure, while bond dealers opted not to trade.Markets reacted sharply to the new government led by President Chandrika Kumaratunga, largely due to uncertainties surrounding its economic and reform agenda.rn rnKumaratungas United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) secured 105 seats […]