Aug 8 (GDI) President Mahinda Rajapaksa met Chinese President Hu Jintao yesterday (07). The Chinese President while warmly welcoming the Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa said that he still remembered the amicable meeting with the Sri Lankan leader during the annual session of the Boao Economic Forum for Asia, held in April in China. President Rajapaksa congratulated the Government of China on hosting the Beijing Olympic Games. more..

Aug 8 (GDI) President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is on an official visit to China appreciated the cooperation extended by the Government of China in Sri Lanka's development activities. President Rajapaksa in a discussion with Chinese Trade Minister, Chen Deming, thanked the Chinese Government for its interest in Sri Lanka's economic development and made special mention about the Puttalam Coal Power Electricity Project, Hambantota Port Development and more..

Aug 8 (LNP) `No one can make God punish me because I am an ardent worshipper of God and Lord Buddha. I am also a strong supporter of the SLFP and I have not contravened the rules and regulations of the party,` Labour Minister Mervyn Silva said in response to a comment made during a press conference on Wednesday by Senior Minister and SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena. more..

Aug 8 (LNP) Methsiri Silva had agreed to give up his fast after receiving a letter of assurance from SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena, delivered to him through Chief Minister Shan Wijelal de Silva. But he said, that he would stick only to liquid foods until the return of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Both Mr. Methsiri Silva and the present Mayor Kelum Seneviratne polled the same number of votes at the last local government polls and there was an agreement that more..

Aug 8 (DN) The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources will celebrate the International Day of the World�s Indigenous People on Saturday (August 9) to recognise the knowledge and the importance of indigenous people. The Ministry will observe the Day with programmes envisioned to strengthen all around participation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous people in areas of of culture, education, health, environment, human rights and social and economic development. more..

Aug 8 (DN) Sri Lanka records the world�s lowest female deaths (95) between the ages of 15 and 65 per every 1000 deaths in 2007 according to a latest report by the World Health Organisation, Sri Lanka also records the world�s second lowest male deaths (234) per every 1000 deaths. Maldives records the world�s lowest number of male deaths (165) according to the same report, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said. more..

Aug 8 (Island) Close on the heels of the World Food Programme (WFP) apologizing to the Government of Sri Lanka for its erroneous statement that 30 per cent of Sri Lankan families go without food for days following The Island�s exposure, the Government of Japan has said that it had donated USD 5 million to the WFP last year to provide food relief to Sri Lankans. The Japanese Embassy said that USD 5 million was released to the WFP last December to provide rice and canned tuna for refugees, more..

Aug 8 (Island) The Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services said that 51,404 families comprising 180,609 persons have been resettled in the Eastern Province. In Batticaloa District 128,750 members of 38,788 families and 12,616 families comprising 51,859 persons were resettled in the Trincomalee District. In Eravur Pattu and in Chenkalady areas 862 families comprising 4,441 persons and in Korale Pattu Kiran 2,025 families comprising 8,046 persons are due to be resettled in Batticaloa District. more..

Aug 8 (LBO) Sri Lanka's inflation would head down faster in the coming months as its monetary authority had started a tightening cycle earlier than the region, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said. "We are one of the few countries to start tightening early," Governor Cabraal said. "We will also see results earlier." He said Indian inflation was still rising. India's wholesale price index rose to 12.01 percent in the week to July 26, up from 11.98 percent a week ago. more..

Aug 8 (LBO) Sri Lanka's trade ministry and the urban development authority plan to build a 15-story government complex in the suburb of Rajagiriya, just outside the capital Colombo. The cost of the project will be around three billion rupees which will be allocated by the state treasury. The new complex will come up on two acres of prime property owned by the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment (CWE), a government organization that buys and retails essential commodities. more..

Aug 8 (DM) The Sri Lanka armed forces has now entered the Kilinochchi district exactly two years after the LTTE launched a massive attack on the military in Mutur and Kattaparichchan in the Trincomalee district. With this entry the Sri Lanka armed forces is heavily pressurizing the LTTE in the district, where the headquarters of the LTTE is located. On August 1, 2006, the military successfully repulsed a major LTTE attack on the Mutur and Kattaparichchan military bases. more..

Aug 8 (DM) Pulling off a major shocker, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) authorities have not offered an annual contract to the star pace bowler Lasith Malinga as the rest of the country�s top players signed their contracts last week ending a long-drawn dispute over the issue, SLC sources told �Daily Mirror�. Malinga who is known around the cricketing world for his unusual bowling action as well as for his flashy hairstyles has been omitted from the list for unknown reasons, but more..

Aug 8 (IANS) Ten Indian fishermen, who were serving prison sentences here for possessing explosive materials while fishing in Sri Lanka's territorial waters, will be deported back to India in two groups, officials said here Friday. The first batch of five Indian fishermen, who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in 2006, were released from a Sri Lankan jail earlier this week and are expected to be deported by Monday, diplomatic sources said. more..

Aug 8 (AP) Fresh fighting between government forces and Tamil Tiger separatists across Sri Lanka's embattled north killed 17 rebels and four soldiers, the military said Friday. Separately, Tamil rebels accused government troops of firing artillery shells into a hospital deep in rebel territory overnight, killing one infant and wounding 16 people. The military denied the claim. Fighting has escalated on this Indian Ocean island in recent months with The latest more..

Aug 8 (AFP) Security forces shelled rebel territory in northern Sri Lanka on Friday, killing an infant and wounding 16 other people, the Tamil Tiger guerrillas said. Security forces hit the Mullaittivu area early Friday using artillery, the LTTE said. "Indiscriminate and widespread shelling by the Sri Lanka army... left a baby dead and 16 people injured," the rebels said in a rare statement on casualties. more..

Aug 8 (IANS) A sudden spurt in the arrests of Tamil Tigers and their Indian associates in Tamil Nadu indicates the growing dependence of the Sri Lankan group on India to source its war materials, official sources say. Amid serious military setbacks in Sri Lanka, the LTTE appears to have stepped up efforts to procure a variety of goods and equipment from Tamil Nadu. Since July 1, seven Indian and Sri Lankan Tamils each have been taken into custody in Tamil Nadu. more..

Aug 9 (DW) The LTTE's Charles Anthony and Imran Pandian units launched a massive attack on the 57 Division at Kalvilan, 2km southwest of the strategic town of Tunukkai on Tuesday. Around 500 cadres attempted to breach the SLA line established by advancing small groups. Fighting started around 10am and continued will 8pm the same day (5). As the fighting raged on, Tigers attacking in full force with all their might seemed to be gaining some ground. more..

Aug 9 (LG) Security Measures as well as lavish cooperation being provided by members of the Armed Forces and the Police for smooth conduct of civil administration in the Jaffna peninsula were closely reviewed and commended by Mr Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence when he visited Jaffna yesterday morning (7), accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka and a few others. more..

Aug 9 (LG) The recent explosion of hot air in the media about �1983� ran in all directions, with the usual claque beating their chest and wailing, as loud as they can, to take the moral high ground. Not surprisingly, the major thrust of opinions expressed arrived at the one-sided conclusion that the sole cause of it was the Sinhala south going on the rampage with a nudge-and-a-wink from the state. more..

Aug 9 (LG) I am writing this article in response to brother Saybhan Samat�s thought provoking piece of writing about the future of Malay Muslim community in Srilanka: I read his article in the Srilanka Guardian and my eyes are full in tears: Brother Samat�s writing opened my eyes and provoked my thought to write something about pathetic conditions of our fellow Malay Muslims in Srilanka. more..

Aug 9 (LG) Late Mr.Maheswaren, Colombo District UNP Parliamentarian, addressing the Parliament once cautioned the law enforcement officials, that they would have to account for, if there was connivance, if any, with acts of violence such as abductions, extra judicial killings and the demanding of ransom. He cautioned that they would be held responsible for being indifferent in the discharge of their duties due to pressures exerted on them. more..

Aug 9 (LG) People are facing economic crisis as a result of high cost of living. It is the accusation of the entire people that proactive steps are not taken to reduce the economic burden of the people. Meanwhile, it can be noted that taxes and fees are increasing. Government hopes to collect money from a series of taxes on people who own cars, mobile phones, standard light bulbs and firms that use telecom transmission towers. more..

Aug 9 (CI) Dilhara Fernando, the Sri Lankan fast bowler who has just recovered from a leg injury, has been retained in the one-day squad for the five-match series against India and the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Medium-pacer Farveez Maharoof returns for the Champions Trophy while Lasith Malinga remains on the sidelines. Sri Lanka have named virtually the same squad which won the Asia Cup last month. more..

Aug 9 (CI) Dammika Prasad's raw pace pulled India back after an explosive start, whereupon the spinners took charge of the game, as has been their wont over the course of the series. India's middle order failed again, as they fell from 51 for 0 in seven overs to 198 for 9, after which Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma frustrated Sri Lanka for one ball less than 20 overs - the longest partnership of the innings, and at 51 runs also the joint highest. more..

Aug 9 (GDI) While categorically denying the allegations leveled by Pro-LTTE media, that the military has fired artillery on Mullaittivu District hospital defence authorities dismissed this allegation as an attempt to tarnish the image of the Security Forces as the terrorists are on the verge of losing their main strongholds. �The latest ruse by the Tigers has come to the fore with the publication of a story in their mouthpieces Friday (8) morning, more..

Aug 9 (GDI) Second Kumbal Perahera of the Kandy Esala Perahera which is the biggest attraction of Kandy will parade the streets of Kandy today, a spokesman of the Sri Dalada Maligawa told www.news.lk. The Perahera will start from the Sri Dalada Maligawa facing the East at 7.36 p.m. and proceed along Dalada Veediya, D.S. Senanayake Veediya, Raja Veediya and return to the Dalada Maligawa along the Maligawa premises. more..

Aug 9 (GDI) Civilians arriving in the liberated areas in North seeking protection of the security forces after escaping from the grip of Tiger terrorists are accusing the LTTE for continuous forcible conscription of children as combatants. It is also reported that the LTTE terrorists have intensified their campaign to conscript children as they are rapidly losing ground to the advancing troops of the security forces. more..

Aug 9 (LG) The crimes that are being committed in the Eastern Province are being carried out not by tiger organization but by Pillayan's group suspect masses in the province. The Easterners say the killing of a police officer at Batticaloa on the 5th and the claymore attack at Thoppigala on the 6th confirm their suspicions. They point out that Pillayan's group is on a move to take revenge from those who were an obstacle for them at the PC election. more..

Aug 9 (LG) Yet another amazing media poll result hit Tamil Nadu on July 31st, the state where in the past media polls predicting the ascendancy of some political personalities have ended up changing political equations forever! This time round it is by the Vikatan Group of publications which had, just the week before, announced a poll to ascertain what the common �Tamilian� thought and felt about the trajectory that Sri Lankan Tamil issue should take. more..

Aug 9 (LG) UNP M.P. S.B. Dissanayake said, the Rajapakse Govt. which signed agreements at the recent SAARC summit to combat terrorism is unleashing the worst terror on its own people. Judging by the conduct of its Ministers, its Police Force and its candidates in relation to the forthcoming Sabaragamuwa and North Central province elections, it is very clear that the Govt. which has become so desperate and sure of elections defea, is not only fomenting lawlessness and a reign of terror, but more..

Aug 9 (LG) The fishermen have to obtain their passes daily from the navy personnel at the point where they set out into the sea. One day recently 10 of them went about 5 minutes later than the others and were assaulted rudely by the navy personnel. The next day too 8 men went late and they too got assaulted. (Place not divulged for fear of reprisals.) They are allowed to fish only within a limited area. One day two boats were drawn by the current some distance outside the limit. more..

Aug 9 (LG) This is a year beaded as a necklace with anniversaries. Some are past us, some ahead. Some are international, the others national. Some are of heroism, others of tragedy and darkness. All are significant. All teach us something, provide occasions for reflection. Internationally it was the 40th commemoration of the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, the student uprisings of May 1968 most significantly in Paris, the 80th birth anniversary of Ernesto Che Guevara, and more..

Aug 9 (LG) We are publishing here without any editing or alteration a document sent to us by Tamils for Justice in Washington DC, USA as one sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on their behalf by their attorney Bruce Fein April 3, 2008. The document speaks for itself. We understand Attorney Bruce Fein no more represents Tamil for Justice but has decamped to a group in Toronto who have set up Justice for Thamils as a counter move to Tamils for Justice. more..

Aug 9 (LG) The past three months has seen such a flurry of activity and controversy never seen before in Sri Lanka, since the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Pact by Rajiv Gandhi and J.R.Jayawardene. This would have sealed the fate of Srilanka in terms of Indian dominance 17 years ago if not for the brave Srilankans who had the courage of their convictions not only to oppose the treaty, but also to defend the sovereignty of the nation by fighting the foreign military presence. more..

Aug 9 (BBC) The Government Agent (GA) in the Mulativu is among the injured after a shell attack allegedly launched by the military, officials said. Additional Government Agent in Mulativu, S Partheeban, told BBC Sandeshaya that GA Emilda Sukumar and wife of the District Medical Officer (DMO) were among the injured. A small child was killed and at least 18 others have sustained injuries in the incident. more..

Aug 9 (BBC) Journalist union leaders accused the government of interfering with police investigations over continuous threats to media by Minister Mervyn Silva. Five media organisations, opposition politicians, trade unions, Buddhist clergy and political activists joined the protest in Colombo on 08 August. The protest was triggered by the recent attack by Minister Silva and supporters on Sirasa television journalists on Monday in Kelaniya. more..

Aug 9 (LBO) Central bank has started online sales of old and commemorative coins which are sought after by collectors worldwide, with old notes also put on the block soon, a top official said. Governor Nivard Cabraal said old notes would also be made available to collectors in the near future and an assessment of the stocks and their market value was now underway. "We will be putting limited quantities of notes and coins on sale every year," Cabraal said. more..

Aug 9 (TW) UNHCR has expressed deep concern over civilian displacement in Vanni. The UNHCR says efforts by humanitarian agencies to replenish the stocks are hindered by the strict restrictions on the transport of goods into Vanni. UNHCR spokesperson Ron Redmond said, �Allow humanitarian access to the affected population so they can be provided with much-needed assistance in a timely manner and in line with international humanitarian law and practices�. more..

Aug 9 (BB) After being accused by a fellow Sri Lankan rapper for allegedly supporting terrorist groups, M.I.A. has finally responded, denying the accusations out right. Earlier this week, we reported that Sri Lankan hip-hop artist DeLon had posted a new track and accompanying video, remixing M.I.A.'s single "Paper Planes," in which he claims she uses imagery from the LTTE, a Sri Lankan terrorist group. more..

Aug 9 (LD) Political parties, trade unions and civil society organizations today (Aug. 08th) demanded the government immediately �caged Mervyn Silva, the stray dog who bites journalists.� The call came at a protest organized in Colombo by the Five Media, where a large number of participants vehemently condemned the Labour Minister for his continuous attacks against the media. more..

Aug 9 (VOA) The U.N. refugee agency is expressing deep concern over the safety of thousands of families fleeing fierce fighting in the north of Sri Lanka, as the conflict between government forces and the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam reaches new heights. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from UNHCR headquarters in Geneva. The U.N. refugee agency says the situation in Sri Lanka is becoming increasingly dire. more..

Aug 9 (LBO) Sri Lanka's clothing industry, one of its top export earners, is acquiring more marketing skills as fears grow over the looming loss of duty free access to European markets. The industry is being advised to hire more people with marketing skills and know customers better in order to be prepared for the loss of European Union trade concessions owing to human rights concerns. more..

Aug 9 (DW) The Tamilnet website, manned by Pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora 'journalists' continues inventing news stories favorable to their losing war. In one of its recent and most blatant lies, the website announced on Tuesday, August 2008, that '23 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and four wounded in a Claymore ambush at Periyavaddavaan in Tharavai (Thoppikkal) area in Batticaloa district Tuesday evening around 6:30'. more..

Aug 9 (LD) All suspects of the recent assault incident on Sirasa journalists, including Labour Minister Mervyn Silva, would be arrested in accordance with yesterday�s (August 08th) court order, says police spokesman, SSP Ranjith Gunsekara. Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Thilakarathne yesterday ordered the Peliyagoda HQI to arrest all suspects involved in the incident that occurred at the opening of the Kelaniya flyover and produce them before courts immediately. more..

Aug 9 (LD) Four persons, including former North Central Provincial Councillor R.M. Punch Banda Rathnayake have been admitted to the Polonnaruwa Hospital after a clash between two groups of the United Peoples� Freedom Alliance (UPFA) at 10.00p.m. on August 07th. Mr. Rathnayake was a former North Central Provincial Councillor on Housing, Sports, Rural development and Women�s Affairs. more..

Aug 9 (LD) A JVP activist in Eheliyagoda, Mr. Lalith Hettiarachchi is in critical condition after being shot by unidentified gunmen at 4.00 a.m. today, party propaganda secretary, Vijitha Herath says. Speaking to �Lanka Dissent�, the JVP MP said that Mr. Hettiarachchi was decking up the Eheliyagoda town to welcome the party�s Chief Ministerial candidate, Chameera Koswatta, who was due to attend a rally today, when a group who arrived in a �Defender� jeep shot him. more..

Aug 9 (LD) Two police inspectors attached to the Commission to Investigate Allegation of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) have lodged a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court, challenging a hasty transfer order by the IGP, issued during an investigation on the assets of a government minister. Following a compliant received by the CIABOC, these two police officers have worked on an investigation pertaining to assets worth Rs. 450,000,000. more..

Aug 9 (LD) The state is set to lose Rs. 200 million in revenue due to the new driving license that will be introduced by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV) soon, Transport Ministry sources said. The government presently earns a minimum income of Rs. 510 through the issue of a driving license. With the introduction of the new license, the entire Rs. 1,650 charge will go to a South African private firm, the sources said. more..

Aug 9 (IFRC) The community-based health programs of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, supported by the Canadian Red Cross, continue to make a significant impact in the lives of residents affected by the tsunami and by conflict. �Red Cross branches participating in the programme have the poorest health and socio-economic indicators in Sri Lanka,� says Amir Aziz, psychosocial delegate for the Canadian Red Cross in Sri Lanka. more..

Aug 9 (LT) The government has ordered that all unauthorized buildings and houses at Orugodawatta be removed before the 11th of this month. The government states the structures are a threat to national security. As a result a large number of families who live in temporary as well as permanent houses would lose their homes. The government has not taken any measures to make available any houses or compensate them. more..