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“Public Day” – Wednesday (9.00a.m. to 4.45p.m.)
SITUATION UPDATE - HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN THE
NORTH
Confidence
and hope for Indo-Lanka bi-lateral relations – Nirupama Rao
The Indian Foreign Secretary Shrimathi
Nirupama Rao who met President Mahinda Rajapaksa today congratulated the
President for his resounding victory in the recent Presidential Election,
said she observed that so much had taken place for the better in Sri Lanka
since she was last here as High Commissioner.
During the meeting at Janadhipathi
Mandiraya she said the victory of the President gave much cause for
confidence and hope for bi-lateral relations between India and Sri
Lanka in the future, and that the Indian Prime
Minister looked forward to an early visit by President Rajapaksa to India.
Read more..
INDEPENDENCE COMMEMORATION IN CANADA
The 62nd Anniversary of
Independence was commemorated at the residence of the High Commissioner
HE Ms. Chitranganee Wagiswara on 4th
February 2010.
The messages of HE the President, Prime
Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs were read by the High
Commission staff followed by special religious observances by the Buddhist,
Hindu, Islam and Christian clergy who invoked blessings for the peace and
prosperity of Sri Lanka and reiterated the need for the Diaspora to put
aside all differences and to unite in rebuilding their motherland.
Following the official ceremony an alms giving was offered to the priests
and other visitors.
Read more..
ADDRESS
BY PRESIDENT MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA ON THE 62ND ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE
Today we celebrate the
anniversary of Independence
after the liberation of the entire country from terrorist threat for the
first time in 30 years. I am proud to proclaim that we are in a position to
raise the flag of Sri
Lanka with dignity in the entire
country.
In 1815, Variyapola Sumangala Thero hoisted our flag on this historic land
after lowering the Union Jack. I wish to pay my respect to the venerable
monks as well as the revered clergy of all religions for their dedication
and commitment displayed to preserve this freedom.
Read more...
62ND INDEPENDENCE DAY
MESSAGE OF HON. PRIME MINISTER
Freedom is desired by all living
beings.
Sri
Lanka enriched by Buddhist values, is a nation which
gives importance to the freedom of the individual.
Inhumane acts of a few in the society violate the
freedom of the entire society. The value of freedom is deeply felt when it
is lost, more than when it is enjoyed.
History shows that there was a period
when Sri Lankans were longing for freedom. And during that period great
national personalities have emerged, who surmounting all barriers had
achieved the coveted goals for the nation.
Read more...
62ND NATIONAL DAY
MESSAGE OF THE HON MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Rising from the shackles of
colonialism 62 years ago and annihilating an almost three decade long grip
of terrorism from our shores eight months ago, we celebrate this
anniversary of Independence
in 2010, with a great sense of oneness and pride. Nearly half of our
country’s contemporary independent history has witnessed a struggle against
the brutal forces of terrorism which sought to tear asunder the very
sovereignty of our great nation gained by our forefathers.
Read more...
NEW YEAR MESSAGE
H.E. Mahinda Rajapakse - President of Sri Lanka
At the dawn of a New Year it is customary to look back on the year
just ended and reflect on our expectations for the next.
We greet the New Year with commensurate pride and satisfaction at our
achievements in the past year when, together as a nation, we overcame the
deadly challenge of terrorism, bringing to an end 27 years of mindless
brutality, debilitating self-doubt, and unforeseen division among our
people. With tremendous sacrifice Sri Lanka prevailed as one, as
we have done repeatedly in our history. This transition into a New Year is
an opportunity to again express our thanks on behalf of the nation to all
service personnel who willingly made the supreme sacrifice and to the
mothers, fathers, spouses and children of those heroes of our time.
Read More..
PRESS RELEASE
In the early hours of 27th
November 2009, an attempt had been made by an unidentified person or persons
to burn down the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple
at 4698 Kingston Road,
Scarborough, known as the Toronto
‘Maha Viharaya’.
On seeing smoke from the Temple, a TTC Bus Operator had informed
the Fire Department. No one has been injured. Extensive damages have been
caused to the temple. This is the second attempt made to set ablaze the
temple this year.
Investigations are being carried out by
the law enforcement authorities.
At a meeting with the Department of
Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFA&IT) today, the High
Commission conveyed the concerns of the Government of Sri Lanka to the
Canadian officials on the incident. The DFA&IT assured that
precautionary measures will be taken to protect Sri Lankan interests in Canada.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Ottawa
27th November 2009
PRESIDENT CONFIDENT OF RESETTLING ALL IDPS BY END
JANUARY 2010 - BASIL RAJAPAKSA
On the directives of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the
Government has made all the necessary arrangements to complete the resettlement
of Internally Displaced Persons in the northern transitional centers by
31st January 2010, Senior Advisor the President, Parliamentarian Basil
Rajapaksa said today (21).
At a discussion held this morning in Vavuniya, Parliamentarian Rajapaksa
said the restrictions imposed on the movement of civilians in the IDP
centers will be lifted with effect from 1st December 2009 to enable
them to freely move to any part of the region, Rajapaksa added.
Meanwhile, the Government announced yesterday (20th) that it has dispatched
equipment and machinery worth over Rs. 2200 million for the welfare and
livelihood activities of the resettled civilians, since the resettlement
process commenced in this year.
The government in its' speedy resettlement programme of IDPs have
already resettled over 100,000 IDPs who took shelter in welfare camps
in the Northern and Eastern regions.
The accelerated resettlement plan of the government has been hailed
worldwide with commendation. The UN Under Secretary on Humanitarian
Affairs, John Holmes who was here on a brief visit was pleased with the
facilities afforded to the people in welfare camps.He pledged the
fullest support of the UN agencies to expedite the resettlement at the
earliest.
ADDRESS BY HON.
ROHITHA BOGOLLAGAMA, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AT THE SRI LANKA EXPATRIATE FORUM 2009
ON 14TH NOVEMBER 2009 AT THE PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARIAT
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of His Excellency the
President of Sri Lanka, I warmly welcome you all this afternoon for an
interactive session on the role the Sri Lanka Diaspora can play in the post
conflict developmental efforts. I am confident that our interactions will
be fruitful in view of the overwhelming response we have received to the
invitation extended by His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa, for this
important event. Read More..
THE WORLD SPICE
FOOD FESTIVAL 2009
The World Spice Food Festival 2009, organized by
Sri Lanka Tourism, unveils a variety of relishing dishes on 5th November,
at the Waters Edge Restaurant in Kotte; beginning nine days of culinary
delights presented by award winning Chefs. The Colombo based culinary
experts of 18 hotels are joined by visiting chefs from Vietnam, Singapore,
Malaysia, Hong Kong and Spain, adding spice to a sizzling event designed to
cater to all tastes.
The main event, the three day Spice Food Village,
is on at Galle Face, on the green, from 6.30 p.m. to 12 midnight on 6th ,7th
and 8th November. This will be followed by the individual hotels
celebrating their very own specialties in a special promotion up to the
14th, with the final celebration on the 15th bringing the event to a close.
The hotels and restaurants which are participating this year at the 4th
World Spice Food Festival are, Galadari (Lebanese), Hilton Colombo
(Asian Sea Food), Hilton Colombo Residencies (Vietnamese), Cinnamon Lake
Side (Singapore), Cinnamon Grand (Spanish), Taj Samudra (Moroccan), Waters Edge
(Indonesian / Balinese), Galle Face Hotel (Malaysian), Holiday Inn (Jaffna
food), Mount Lavinia Hotel (Cuban American), Grand Oriental Hotel (Hong
Kong / Chinese), Ceylon Continental (North Indian), Regina Margharita
(Italian), Nihon Bashi (Japanese), The Mango Tree (Indian), Siam House
(Thai), Raja Bojun (Sri Lankan).
For more details visit: www.worldspicefoodfestival.com
MEDIA RELEASE
October 23, 2009
Several news items have
appeared with regard to the 76 illegal entrants to Canada, now identified as Sri
Lankans, with one of the entrants positively identified as a person wanted
by the law enforcement authorities for illegal activities.
It is the general practice of
such illegal entrants to falsely blame their country of origin in order to
justify their refugee claims. But in this instance, it is interesting to
note that even before the illegal entrants were identified as Sri Lankans,
some with vested interests rushed their lawyers to make statements
blackening the image of Sri Lanka
disregarding the concerted efforts of the Government and people of Sri Lanka,
for rehabilitation and national reconciliation.
Read More..
PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA TO INAUGURATE THE
8TH ASIA COOPERATION DIALOGUE MINISTERIAL MEETING IN COLOMBO
H. E Mahinda Rajapaksa, the
President of Sri Lanka will inaugurate the 8th Asia Cooperation Dialogue
(ACD) Ministerial Meeting in Colombo
on 15th October this year at the BMICH. The theme of this year’s meeting is
‘Spirit of Asia: Global Economic Recovery and Development Prospects’.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama will chair the Ministerial Meeting. A
large number of Foreign Ministers, Deputy and State Ministers of Foreign
Affairs from the 31 member countries are scheduled to attend this Meeting.
READ MORE..
TO ALL EXPATRIATE
SRI LANKANS IN CANADA
His Excellency the
President of Sri Lanka has expressed his keen interest and desire to meet
with and address Sri Lankan expatriate intellectuals, entrepreneurs, professionals
and all others who are willing to contribute to the development of our
mother land.
In this context
he has extended and an invitation to all expatriate Sri Lankans.
READ MORE..
RESETTLEMENT
OF IDPS IS OUR MAIN PRIORITY: BOGOLLAGAMA
The resettlement of the Internally Displaced
Persons in their homes and initiation of their livelihoods are the main
priority of the Government of Sri Lanka elucidated Foreign Minister Rohitha
Bogollagama during his meeting today (07/10/09) with Mike Foster, the UK
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development.
READ MORE..
UN SHOULD NOT INTERFERE IN THE
INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF STATES - PRIME MINISTER AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
"Multilateralism is not about the UN agenda
responding only to the demands of a minority of powerful States, but also
defending the interest of the powerless majority. It is also imperative
that the prohibition reflected in the Article 2 (7) of the Charter that the
UN should not interfere in the internal affairs of States be
respected," said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake addressing
the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York (Sept.
26).
READ MORE..
PRIME
MINISTER RATHNASIRI WICKRAMANAYAKE LEADS THE SRI LANKA DELEGATION TO THE
64TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN NEW YORK
Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayake will be
leading the Sri Lanka
delegation to the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, commencing
22 September 2009. He will address the General Assembly on 26 September
regarding the “Strengthening of Multilateralism and Dialogue among
Civilizations for International Peace, Security and Development” and meet
the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. During his visit he will
also address the Asia Society in New York
on the theme “Sri Lanka’s
Challenges ahead: Post LTTE Scenario and Ensuring Sustainable Peace”.
Read More..
UNITED NATIONS UNDER
SECRETARY-GENERAL IN SRI
LANKA
16 September 2009
On an invitation extended by Foreign Minister Rohitha
Bogollagama, the United Nations Under Secretary General for Political
Affairs, Lynn Pascoe will be visiting Sri Lanka on 16-18 September
2009. The invitation was preceded by a telephone conversation between
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the United Nations Secretary General, Ban
Ki-Moon on 14 September 2009,Aa Foreign Ministry release said..
READ MORE..
GOVERNMENT EXPRESSES
REGRET OVER THE CRITICISM ON TISSAINAYAGAM VERDICT
Some sections of the
international community have regrettably thought it fit to criticize the
verdict given on 31st August 2009 by the High Court on the case of J.S.
Tissainayagam, bringing into question the judicial process and integrity of
judicial officers in Sri
Lanka.
READ
MORE..
THE GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA REJECTS CHANNEL 4
STORY AS CONCOCTED
The attention of the
Government of Sri Lanka has been drawn to a news item telecast on Channel 4
television in the UK
which is also available on the Internet which depicts Sri Lankan forces
allegedly committing atrocities against Tamils.
The Government of Sri Lanka
strongly and unequivocally denies the allegations contained in the video
footage telecast on Channel 4. This footage is diabolical and there is absolutely
no truth in its concocted story which is based on this footage. The
Government of Sri Lanka is of the view that the purpose of the video, which
is evidently orchestrated by LTTE front organizations, is a deliberate and
sinister attempt to cause embarrassment and bring disrepute to the
Government of Sri Lanka in order to disturb the post conflict developmental
and rehabilitation phase.
At a time when the
Government of Sri Lanka is focusing on the reconciliation and healing
process and rebuild the country, the contents of this video appear to be
deliberately intent on tarnishing the sincere efforts and commitment of the
Government of Sri Lanka.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
SRI LANKA HAS GREAT POTENTIAL
FOR ENHANCEMENT OF BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL TIES, SAYS THE FOREIGN MINISTER
BOGOLLAGAMA
Foreign Minister Rohitha
Bogollagama stated that Sri Lanka
is the hub of the Asian Region and Kenya is the hub of African
region and that both the countries have a great potential to enhance their
commercial and business ties and also develop their economies. This was
conveyed during his visit to Nairobi
where he met with His Excellency Kalonzo Musyoka, Vice President of Kenya,
and Hon. Moses Wetangula, the Kenyan Minister of Foreign Affairs.
READ MORE...
BAHRAINI
PREMIER DONATES US$ 1 MILLION FOR IDPS IN SRI LANKA
The Bahraini Prime Minister His Highness
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa has announced a cash donation of US$ 1
million to Sri Lanka
to be utilized for the resettlement and rehabilitation of Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North. The donation together with a
letter from Bahrain
Prime Minister to President Mahinda Rajapaksa were handed over by the
Bahraini Ambassador Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa to the Sri Lankan
Ambassador Sarath Dissanayake at the Bahrain Embassy in Kuwait on 16th
August.
READ MORE..
GLOBAL SUPPORT FOR
LANKA’S ANTI-LTTE DRIVE
- MINISTER BOGOLLAGAMA
In the aftermath of the
dramatic arrest of the self proclaimed new LTTE leader, Selvarasa
Padmanathan alias KP last week, many predictions, locally and
internationally, are surfacing while the government categorically stated
that its close friendship with friendly countries around the world had
helped nab the notorious arms dealer of the outfit.
According to Foreign
Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, the government’s crusade against the
LTTE would never see an end though KP is in the net but would continue
until it hunts down all remaining LTTEers.
In an interview with
the Sunday Observer he said that KP is now in Sri Lanka. Most of the
countries helped take him into custody.
Following are excerpts
from the interview:
Read More..
Courtesy:
Sunday Observer
PROGRAMS FOR IDP
CHILDREN
This year's theme for the International Children's Day
will be "Let us build the Liberated Nation for our children". And
more children's activities would be arranged for the children in the North
and East including programs for children in the IDP camps, Child
Development and Women Empowerment Minister Sumedha G Jayasena told Daily
News yesterday.
The main event would be held in Colombo with the patronage of President
Mahinda Rajapaksa on October 1, with 1,000 children from all parts of the
country participating in it, she said.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/08/12/news32.asp
DISPLACED CHILDREN IN SRI LANKA RECEIVE
MONETARY DONATIONS
Sri Lanka's First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa
participated in the 48th programme of Siriliya Saviya Project at the
Siriliya Saviya Care Centre, in the Menik Farm Relief Village in Vavuniya
yesterday .
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_091/Aug1249996267CH.html
NEARLY 170 EX-TIGER
CHILD SOLDIERS SIT ALS
Nearly 170 former LTTE child soldiers sat the GCE
Advanced Level in Vavuniya yesterday as a result of the Government’s
humanitarian operations to free the North and East people from the clutches
of LTTE terrorism, Examinations Department sources said. The Advanced Level
Examination 2009 commenced in 1,827 examination centres yesterday.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/08/12/news01.asp
MORE BUSES FOR JAFFNA, POINT PEDRO
AND KARAINAGAR DEPOTS
The Government has taken action to expand transport
facilities for people of the Northern
Province.
Buses were provided for depots in Jaffna, Point Pedro and Karainagar.
"We are thankful to the Government for expanding
the transport facilities in the Northern province and it would be a great
help for the people who live in these areas and it will make their
day-to-day life easy," Sri Lanka Transport Board Northern Province
Chief Manager, Ganesh Pullai said participating at the event at Sri Lanka
Transport Board Headquarters to provide buses and spare parts for three
depots in the Northern province.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/08/12/news33.asp
1,263 IDP CANDIDATES
TO SIT EXAM
The GCE Advanced Level Examination starts today with
242,091 candidates sitting the examination. The GCE A/L examination will be
held until September 5.
Among candidates are 198,755 school candidates and
43,336 private candidates sitting at 1,827 examination centres throughout
the island.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/08/11/news11.asp
US DONATES US$ 15 MILLION WORTH FOOD AID TO SRI LANKA
The
United States is
donating food aid worth US$ 15 million to support the early return of the
Internally Displaced Persons sheltered in the welfares camps in Northern Sri Lanka.
A press release issued by the US Embassy in Colombo said the US
Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced that a US$15
million (Rs. 1.724 billion) of food aid consisting of wheat, lentils and
vegetable oil will be consigned to the United Nations World Food Program
(WFP).
This is the agency's and second shipment of essential
food aid this year and it will fulfill the essential food needs of 300,000
people for four months.
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_091/Aug1249910490CH.html
LUXURY BUS SERVICE
TO JAFFNA
A luxury bus service from Colombo
to Jaffna
will be launched soon. Five buses will be allocated under the first phase
of this service, the Ministry of Transport said.
There are plans to operate more luxury bus services from Jaffna to Kandy,
Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Vavuniya
http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11017&Itemid=44
HIS HIGHNESS SHAIKH
KHALIFA BIN SALMAN AL-KHALIFA, THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN
ASSURES SUPPORT TO “REBUILD” SRI LANKA.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama
during a courtesy call on His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman
Al-Khalifa, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom
of Bahrain on 28th July
2009 stated that the Government of Sri Lanka was appreciative of the
support rendered by the Kingdom of
Bahrain which proved to be ‘a good
friend’ during Sri Lanka’s
fight against terrorism.
READ MORE..
13TH
AMENDMENT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN FULL: DR. KOHONA
July 30, 2009
INTERVIEW WITH DR. PALITHA KOHONA
The resolution by the UN Council for Human
Rights (UNCHR) generated a great deal of dissatisfaction. As regards the
neighbourhood, you have received support from Pakistan,
India and China. How
do you view this Asian backing of Sri Lanka at the Council?
It was not only support from Asia,
which has only five votes in the Council. We got 29 votes, due to support
from Latin America and other quarters. The
message is clear: no individual country can be hounded. We must remember
that the UNCHR was established to cooperatively develop a culture of human
rights. The intention was not to put individual countries in the dock. We
hope that the philosophy of the Council will prevail.
Read More..
DONATIONS FOR THE RELIEF AND RESETTLEMENT
OPERATIONS FOR IDPS AND INVITATION
Sri Lanka is on the
threshold of a new beginning. The brutal terrorism that hindered the
country’s development for almost three decades has been eliminated
completely from its soil and the country is in the process of a
reawakening. A large number of reconstruction activities have already been
initiated by the Government. Simultaneously relief operations are underway
to restore the lost opportunities in the regions.
Read More..
HIKKADUWA BEACH FEST IS BACK!
All
set for Sri Lanka’s
biggest beach festival to set Hikkaduwa ablaze
International
DJ acts from “Space IBIZA”, paradise IBIZA” and House orchestra Paris” on
tour for first time in Asia.
Read More..
WE ARE ALL SRI
LANKANS
The following is an
interview with a group of Sri Lankan Diaspora community who are currently
in the country to witness the reconstruction process in the North and East
and to look into the condition of the IDPs
The country is undergoing a healing process after being gripped by a
three-decade long war. Promoting harmony and mutual understanding between
the communities may lay a firm foundation to build the country, the members
remarked.
Read More..
NALLUR KANDASAMY
KOVIL IN FULL GEAR FOR FESTIVAL
While Catholics in
the country are expected to flock the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in
thousands next month for the annual Feast, thousands of Hindus' in the
Jaffna peninsula who were thwarted by the LTTE in exercising their
religious right for several decades will on July 27 flock to the historic
Nallur Kandasamy Kovil in thousands to pay homage with a free mind, reports
from Jaffna said.
According to these
reports, the Hindu religious people are presently engage with the Nallur
Kandasamy Kovil in preparing for the grand festival on July 27, an event
held in high religious esteem and faith by Hindu devotees.
The unofficial
curfew imposed at night time till clearing out operations by security
forces are completed will be lifted during the Kovil festival to enable the
devotees to freely exercise their religous rights.
Security authorities
claim that there is no fear of threat at present in the peninsula and
troops are stationed only to strengthen the security of the people.
The police has been
directed to maintain law and order during the historic festival attended by
Hindus from several parts of the country.
Courtesy :
Government Information Department
NORTH-SOUTH TRADERS,
INVESTORS MEET
The Sri Lanka
Chamber of Commerce and the Jaffna Traders Association met for the first
time in Jaffna
on Friday in order to enhance the trading and investment activities in the
war-torn North.
"The meeting
between the traders and investors of the North and the South is significant
as President Mahinda Rajapaksa is determined to rebuild Jaffna with extensive investments,
agricultural and trading activities." Minister of Industrial
Development Kumara Welgama who presided over the meeting between the
North-South traders said. A 42 member delegation of the Sri Lanka Chamber
of Commerce comprising traders, investors, industrialists and bankers from
the South is currently in Jaffna
exploring ways and means of bridging business and industrial communities of
the North and the South.
Read More ..
SRI LANKA NOT TO
PROSECUTE CHILD LTTE SOLDIERS: RAJAPAKSA
Colombo (PTI): In a
humanitarian gesture to Tamils, Sri Lanka has said that child
soldiers recruited by the LTTE would not be prosecuted, and instead made to
go to schools.
The gesture was announced by the
President Mahinda Rajapaksa who said: "our hearts are not vicious. We
will not prosecute children who are 12, 13 and 14 years of age and were
forced to take up arms."
"We need to integrate them into
society after rehabilitation," he said.
The President pointed out that the
LTTE denied education to young children in the North and East by recruiting
them as combatants to fight a "useless" war.
Mr. Rajapaksa was speaking in the
holy town of Mahiyangana in Badulla District
in the Uva Province on Saturday and he recalled
that when the children in the South studied, the LTTE made the young in the
North carry T-56 weapons.
He said the government has released
all persons of 60 years of age and above in the IDP camps. The remaining
40,000 refugees are children.
"We have freed all those who are
60 years of age and above. We told them to go to their relatives," he
said.
"If I was at an IDP camp, then I
would be freed too," Mr. Rajapaksa quipped.
NO MORE AGED IN IDP
CAMPS - PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA
The government has
released all persons in IDP camps over 60 years in age while turning 40,000
IDP children as students.
President Mahinda
Rajapaksa made these observations on Sunday at a meeting in Mahiyangana, in
the Uva Province adding that at least 80 per
cent of IDPs would be resttled prior to the deadline set.
The President said
his government has given a new life to LTTE child soldiers by
rehabilitating them in vocations of their choice at rehabilitation camps.
Speaking further the
President pointed out that the LTTE denied education to young children in
the North and East by recruiting them as combatants to fight a useless war.
He recalled that
when the children in the South studied, the LTTE made the young in the
North carry T-56 weapons on their shoulders and arms.
He called upon the
support of the people to rebuild the nation as the LTTE had been fully
crushed to restore peace and normalcy.
Courtesy : Government Information Department
SIGNIFICANT
IMPROVEMENT IN HUMANITARIAN ACCESS TO IDP SITES IN SRI LANKA -
UNHCR REPORT
July 10, Colombo: U.N. agencies and
NGOs have observed a significant improvement in humanitarian access to IDP
sites in Sri Lanka's North, as well as a decreased military presence inside
the camps, a recent report released by the UNHCR said.
Read More..
SAARC
MINISTERIAL SUMMIT
ON CHILDREN
SRI LANKAN CHILDREN NOW HAVE HOPE FOR A BETTER FUTURE- PM
July 10, Colombo : Sri Lanka Prime Minister Rathnasiri
Wickramanayaka today said that the eradication of terrorism from Sri Lanka
has a direct impact on its children.
Speaking at the SAARC ministerial summit on
children commenced today for the fourth time in Colombo , the Premier pointed out that
Sri Lankan children now have hope for a better future, free from violence
and destruction.
He said that all the other seven countries in SAARC
region should develop the future of the children as Sri Lanka
is currently doing.
The representatives of all the eight SAARC nations
discussed the welfare of children and their future at the ministerial
meeting headed by the Sri Lanka Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka.
This year's summit was held after a lapse of 13
years as the first such meeting took place in 1986 in India.
The officials of the SAARC region met yesterday and made
the schedule for today's ministerial meeting.
HISTORIC UNITY FOR DEVELOPMENT
AND RECONCILIATION
A historic meeting of all political
parties represented in Parliament, and others too, to discuss the
development and reconciliation needs of Sri
Lanka, following the defeat of terrorism, took place
in Colombo
today.
Leaders and representatives of 22
political parties from all communities met at the invitation of President
Mahinda Rajapaksa in a groundbreaking move to create consensus among
political parties for the tasks of development and reconciliation, giving
priority to the speedy resettlement and rehabilitation of nearly 290,000
civilians at present in relief centers in the North of the island.
This was the first time since the
ethnic crisis in Sri
Lanka erupted into armed conflict more
than 30 years ago, when all democratic parties across the political
spectrum met to discuss national issues.
Read More..
SRI LANKA TAUGHT WORLD THE ART
OF HUMANE OPS - PRESIDENT
(July 06) Today, we pay our tribute
to the heroes who successfully accomplished a military mission that amazed
the whole world and won a great victory. The people call their mission the
second freedom struggle of the nation. As all schools that produced heroes
in this mission receive deserving praise, we can see that Ananda College,
Colombo,
deserves exceptional recognition.
Read More..
SRI LANKA SAFE PLACE
FOR TOURISTS - FOREIGN MINISTRY
(June 29, 2009)
The Foreign Ministry has directed all Sri Lankan missions overseas to
persuade the host countries to lift travel advisories on Sri Lanka
as the country's situation has rapidly changed with the eradication of
terrorism.
Read More..
MASS SRI LANKAN PEACE
MARCH IN LONDON
[UPDATED]
(By: Krishan D.
Bulathsinghala, UK)
It was another jubilant
victory for the patriotic Sri Lankans in the UK
when they took to the streets of London
waving flags of the Lion, yesterday (June 27).
The mass Peace
March was organised to commemorate the dawning of peace in Sri Lanka and to show the strength of the
Sri Lankan Diaspora in UK
who wholeheartedly is grateful of the ending of Terrorism in motherland.
Read More..
Sri Lanka now
seeks to nab LTTE’s Padmanathan (Click here to view)
STUDENT ACCUSED OF
SUPPORTING TAMIL TIGERS LOSES EXTRADITION APPEAL
June 20, 2009, The Canadian Press
A University of Waterloo student has lost his appeal to avoid
extradition to the United States on charges he supported the Tamil Tigers,
who have been declared a terrorist group.
The Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that Ramanan Mylvaganam, who is in
his early 30s and from Malton, Ont., very likely knew he was assisting the
group.
In the decision released Friday, three judges said it could be
"reasonably inferred" that Mylvaganam "knew he was assisting
the LTTE for the prohibited purposes."
Read More..
MOTHER OF WAR HERO GIFTED WITH A WHEEL CHAIR: RANAVIRU
WELFARE PROGRAM GAINS IMMENSE PRAISE
She could not
believe her eyes. Tears poured down her cheeks as Mrs. R.P Rosalin mother
of late Captain (SLA) G.G Nirmal Asanka was gifted with a wheel chair by Secretary
Defence during the 17th secession of the Ranaviru Welfare program held at
the Gampaha District yesterday(June 16).
Read More..
SRI LANKA, THE LAND OF GIVING
Wed,
Jun 17, 2009, ColomboPage
One of the
highlights of my trip to Sri
Lanka was visiting Mihintale on the
Poson Poya Day and serving food in a 'dansala'. This year the Poson Poya
Day was special as the war was over, no terrorist threat and people were
not scared to gather in public places any more.
Read More..
SRI LANKA PRESIDENT
VISITS SHWEDAGON PAGODA IN MYANMAR
June 16, Yangon: Sri Lanka President,
Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa were warmly received
at the world famous Shwedagon Pagoda, in Yangon, formerly Rangoon, on June
15th by the Director General, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Buddhist
Monks, Trustee of the Pagoda, Shwedagon U Ba Shwe and area commanders of
the Myanmar Army.
Ven. Dr.
Bodagama Chandima Thero also in the picture, SriLankan Maha Sanga and
Myanmar Maha Sanga, Sri Lankan Ambassador Newton Gunaratne, President's
sons Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Rohitha Rajapaksa were also present.
Read More..
Courtesy:
ColomboPage
SRI LANKA RELEASES
COMPLETE REPORT ON IDPS
June 16, Colombo: Sri Lanka government has released a complete report on Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) including the total number of the displaced who
are living in welfare centers.
According to the report the
total number of internally displaced persons is 262,632 and out of them
134,464 are women.
There were 287,598 IDPs, the
highest number, on May 11th. Out of them 14,962 were either resettled or
have left the welfare centers to live with their relatives.
The most number of displaced
persons are reported from the Mullaitivu District with 235,386 IDPs.
Another 21,079 from Kilinochchi, 2,778 from Jaffna, 1,864 from Vavuniya, 1,054 from
Trincomalee and 471 from Mannar districts have been displaced due to the
conflict.
According to this report there
are 350 children of less than 10 years old who lost their parents due to
the war.
The total number of students
living in those welfare centers are 58,000 and out of them 250 are
undergraduates.
The government commenced a
special educational program for 700 displaced students in the welfare camps
in Vavuniya who are sitting for the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination this
year and distributed reading material, uniforms, and stationery.
The Education Ministry has
assigned a group of A/L teachers to teach these students and conduct
classes to fully cover the syllabus to prepare them for the exam.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry
has opened a new hospital in the Welfare Centre Zone III and a State
Pharmaceuticals Corporation outlet in the Ananda Coomaraswamy welfare
centre in Settikulam.
UNHCR COMMENDS GOVT'S
GOOD PRACTICES
UN Refugee Agency UNHCR yesterday
welcomed Government's good practices in resettling IDPs in Musali Division
and pledged its commitment to providing support to the Government with
future IDP returns in the North and East.
Read More...
TOP MEDICARE FOR
NORTHERN CIVILIANS
Northern Province, Padaviya Hospital
get 304 medical officers, 986 nurses:
Officials to visit welfare centres
regularly:
The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry
has streamlined medical and sanitation facilities provided to civilians in
welfare centres in the North by posting an enhanced cadre of 304 medical
officers and 986 nurses to the Northern
Province and Padaviya hospitals
Read More..
BANKS GO NORTH
Following the liberation of the
entirety of the Northern Province,
banks have shown a considerable interest in resuming normal banking
operations in the Province. This situation has resulted in many licensed
commercial banks and licensed specialized banks seeking approval to open
new branches and other banking outlets in the Northern Province.
Read More..
TOURISM IN NORTH
DEVELOPS UNDER UTHURU VASANTHAYA
The Government's development program
under Uthuru Vasanthaya will mainly focus on tourism development in the Northern Province.
The Tourism Ministry will soon launch short to medium term development
projects under the Uthuru Vasanthaya program.
Read More..
RS.3.75 BILLION TO
BACK POWER SUPPLY PROJECTS IN THE NORTH
A sum of 3.75 billion rupees has been
allocated for the electrification facilities for the resettled families in the
north under the “Uthuru Wasanthaya” programme, a press release issued by
the Ministry of Power and Energy stated.
Read More..
PRESIDENT SEEKS NEW THRUST
FOR AGRICULTURE IN NORTH
President Mahinda Rajapaksa sees the
need for a new thrust in the agricultural development of the North, as the
people are resettled and they return to their traditional livelihoods,
mainly agriculture.
Read More..
FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SRI
LANKAN IDPS
(June 08) The Sri Lanka
government is planning to create foreign employment opportunities for the
internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in welfare centres in the North
Programme to cultivate all barren lands island-wide
Read More..
NAVY ESCORTS MV CAPTAIN ALI OUT OF SRI
LANKAN WATERS
In accordance with the directives of the Government of Sri Lanka, Sri
Lanka Navy escorted the controversial ship, MV Captain Ali, out of the Sri
Lankan Territorial waters on the 09th of May 2009 allowing it to return to
its port of origin.
The vessel sailing under the Syrian flag was intercepted by the Sri Lanka
Navy on the 04th of June 2009 for violating internationally accepted
formalities followed by merchant ships seeking to enter into ports in Sri Lanka
and as clear grounds existed that the ship was not confirming to the ISPS
Code. The ship was kept at anchor in Sri Lankan waters under Naval
supervision until investigations were completed. Upon interception, the
Navy boarded the vessel and carried out a thorough inspection of the ship’s
cargo to ascertain that it did not carry any warlike materials and the
Criminal Investigation Department interrogated the ship’s crew on their
involvement in the illegal voyage. Throughout its stay, the ship was kept
under close Naval surveillance by SLN patrol craft with round-the-clock on
board security.
Sri Lanka Navy, which is also the designated authority for implementing
International Ships and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Sri Lanka,
is tasked with protecting the territorial waters of the country and upholding
the country’s maritime laws. It remains alert to prevent any unauthorized
intrusions into the country’s territorial waters and provides assistance to
authorities to deal with violators for non compliance.
Sri Lanka Navy
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT
MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA AT THE VICTORY DAY PARADE AND NATIONAL TRIBUTE TO THE
SECURITY FORCES FOLLOWING THE DEFEAT OF TERRORISM
Galle Face Green, Colombo
June
03, 2009
I declare with great
pride and dignity that I have hoisted the national flag in a single country
unified under a single standard. Before me are our armed forces who
astonished the world by their skill in war, discipline, efficiency and
valour. It is with great expectation for the future that I address the Sri
Lankan nation that is having pleasant dreams of bringing about the dawn of
a great and distinguished future.
Read More...
VILLAGERS BACK IN
KONARPANNAI AFTER 19 YEARS
After an interval of 19 years, residents of Konarpannai in
Mannar returned home yesterday (02). In 1990, LTTE separatists ordered them
to leave their ancestral homes within 24 hours, and they fled. “Konarpannai
village population numbers 155 persons from 55 households. And, dry rations
are given for a period of two weeks, which gives them time to get back on
their own feet,” Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Ministry
told www.news.lk.
They are really happy to return once again to their
homes and, with the conclusion of the civil war, there are no fears of
apprehensions in them. Coming back to their homes seem a much relief from
the hassles of being displaced, the official said. The Ministry will
provide assistance in rebuilding their dilapidated houses and they will be
compensated with a stipend to continue their normal lives.
"Once they are resettled
we ensure that they settle and have economic stability,"the ministry
noted, adding that they also look into infrastructure development. "We
look into the need for schools, roads, and other infrastructure vital in
community life,” he further said. Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services
Minister Rishard Bathiutheen, District Secretary Nicholas Pillai and other
officials were at Konarpannai, Mannar participating in the occasion.(JS)
UN DID NOT UNDERESTIMATE CASUALTY
FIGURES IN SRI LANKA, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS
ColomboPage
John Holmes disputed the 20,000 figure reported by Times, saying it was
based on questionable assumptions...
June 02, Colombo: United Nations
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said that the high civilian death
toll in the final phase of Sri Lanka's war given by certain media reports
did not come from the UN reports and are not consistent with the information
the UN has at its disposal.
Briefing the UN General Assembly
on his recent visit to Sri Lanka said that he had consistently and
repeatedly raised the strongest concern over civilian casualties and
strongly rejected any suggestion that the UN has deliberately
under-estimated any figures.
Read More..
High
Commission of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
NOTICE
Announcement of a ‘Public Day’
The
High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Canada is pleased to announce that a
weekly ‘Public Day’ will be held every Wednesday, to enable members of
the expatriate Sri
Lanka community to meet with the High
Commissioner without prior appointment during regular working hours.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Ottawa
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
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