Dec 15 (Nation) The Sri Lankan General Sarath Fonseka who led troops to victory, defeating Tamil separatists after decades of war, was replaced on the advice of Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who conveyed to Sri Lankan leadership that he had received credible intelligence about the possible coup against the Sri Lankan government. Well-placed sources in Colombo disclosed to The Nation on Monday that after the annihilation of LTTE, on the night of 21/22 May 2009, more..

Dec 15 (GDI) Minister Rajitha Senaratne analyzing the current role played in politics by retired General Sarath Fonseka as an opposition candidate quipped that Fonseka's character suited a film titled - "Muge Vairaya" (His Vengeance). He said that going by Fonseka's statements that contradict each other, another film titled -"Andare" (Comedian of the Palace) could also be directed for screening with Fonseka in the lead role playing Andare. more..

Dec 15 (GDI) President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that as in the past, even tomorrow he was committed to appear on behalf of the war heroes. He recalled how he appeared on behalf of the war heroes when conspirators were searching for evidence to take them before the War Crimes Tribunal. Addressing Trade Union representatives, the President said that in the past, a certain group was searching for evidence to take the war heroes before the war tribunal. more..

Dec 15 (GDI) MP Nandana Gunatilleke, a former member of the JVP alleged that the present JVP looked much westernized with its' leader in a western attire and the JVP was a part of the conspiracy backed by international agencies to destabilize Sri Lanka. He claimed that the JVP'UNP combination used candidate Sarath Fonseka now dressed in national costume to grab the southern vote and plunder the northern vote by urging Fonseka to make anti-military statements. more..

Dec 15 (TN) Monsoon rains continue to pour down in Jaffna peninsula for the third day Monday flooding the low lying areas, sources in Jaffna said. The most affected by the persisting rain are the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) resettled in Jaffna and those living as permanent refugees evicted by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) because they are located in low lying areas that are easily flooded. more..

Dec 15 (GDI) Minister Lakashman Yapa Abeywardena, today said a committee of representatives would be appointed to clarify and counter the statement made by the former Army commander Gen.Sarath Fonseka to the Sunday Leader newspaper making serious charges against Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. He said the reported statement of Gen.Fonseka was highly derogatory in nature and it has caused irreparable damage to the image of the country. more..

Dec 15 (GDI) Minister Athuda Seneviratna said �Sarath Fonseka is just only a candidate, though Gen.Fonseka or whoever was the Army Commander wouldn�t have won the war without a loyal leader�s direction. Army is just an institution under the government sector. They were only government servants and may capture a regime. If they had strength to capture the Northern Province they could have done it earlier. more..

Dec 15 (LP) Special security has been provided for the Election Commissioners Office at Rajagiriya from yesterday. An additional Police post was enforced to the premises said the Police Headquarters, as a special security measure for the upcoming Presidential Election. Accordingly those who enter the premises will go through a thorough security check. The special police post was established in order to avert any impending threats said Police sources.

Dec 15 (DM) Golden Key depositors started getting some of their money back as some 200 cheques were dispatched to them by the Golden Key Credit Card Company yesterday, a spokesman from the Central Bank said. Under the repayment scheme 3863 depositors are to get their deposits this week although some might not reach their destination that soon warns Central Bank sources. Following the Supreme Court direction, a Committee of Chartered Accountants appointed by more..

Dec 15 (MoD) The Swiss government has agreed to grant financial support for construction of housing scheme for resettled families in Chavakachcheri in Jaffna. The Swiss government will provide 1.25 million USD (approximately Rs. 140 million) as agreed upon to the government of Sri Lanka. The progamme will be launched in the beginning of year 2010 and expected to complete by the end of same year. more..

Dec 15 (PSM) The Mosque situated in Sinnakkadai Beach Road in Jaffna has been handed over to the Muslims of the area by the Army after 13 years. The Mosque was taken for military use in 1996 since it was located within the security zone during the war. The Army have now moved out of the Mosque premises and the local Muslims are trying to resume conducting of prayers again in the Mosque. more..

Dec 15 (wsws) The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Sri Lanka launched its campaign for the January 26 presidential election with a public meeting at Narayana Guru Hall in central Colombo on December 12. Around 100 workers, youth and housewives participated in the meeting which was called at short notice. Wije Dias, the party�s presidential candidate and general secretary, was the keynote speaker. more..

Dec 15 (LG) The Sunday Leader (Dec 13, 2009) interview of General Sarath Fonseka, the challenger of President Mahinda Rajapaksa�s re-election, shook the Sri Lanka government�s carefully built edifice of waging a �humanitarian war� it had built to ward off accusations of genocide and human rights violations committed by the army during the Eelam war. more..

Dec 15 (GV) The first opportunity that the population of this island had to vote in an election based on universal adult franchise was in the State Council elections of 1931 under the Donoughmore Constitution. The people of the other communities voted with much enthusiasm but two large segments of the Tamil population did not. One segment, led by the Jaffna Youth Congress boycotted it because they wanted immediate Independence. more..

Dec 15 (wsws) WSWS reporters spoke with some participants in the Socialist Equality Party�s (SEP) inaugural election meeting last weekend. They expressed disgust at the entire political establishment, wanted to understand the sharp changes in the political situation, and were struck by the socialist alternative outlined by the SEP�s presidential candidate Wije Dias and other speakers at the meeting. more..

Dec 15 (LG) UNP parliamentarian Sagala Ratnayake told S. B. Dissanayake yesterday to notice the logs in his own eyes instead of trying to find specks in others'. He said SB should first explain how he came to own houses in Hanguranketha and Battaramulla. Addressing a media briefing convened by the United National Party yesterday, Sagala was reacting to a charge levelled against him by S. B. Dissanayake recently. more..

Dec 15 (MoD) There are two million voters in the 2008 electoral register who do not possess National Identity Cards. The Government is taking steps to issue them with temporary identity cards to enable them to vote at the forthcoming Presidential Election. All those voters registered in the electoral register 2008 who do not have valid identity cards recognized by the Commissioner of Elections are eligible to be issued with temporary identity cards. more..

Dec 15 (LT) A special communiqu� issued by the Commissioner of Elections says that it is illegal to hold functions at Temple Trees utilizing state property at a time the Presidential elections has been called. It adds that the particular responsible officials in the state sector has been informed that it is a violation of election laws and has requested to stop these activities immediately. more..

Dec 15 (LT) The launching of the �budget pack� on the 11th at Temple Trees which supposed to include 5 essential goods to be distributed during the festive season is entirely an election gimmick of Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse and the project has entirely failed say reports. At the launching ceremony Minister Bandula Gunawardene said, in public, that the �budget pack� was presented to the people during the festive season on a directive by the President. more..

Dec 15 (LT) Minister of Industries Mr Kumara Welgama stated that the prices of commodities have gone up as everything is imported. Speaking at a public rally he requested them to be patient for a while. The Minister further stated that everything done by the Government is not hundred per cent correct and admitted that there are several shortcomings in the Government as well. more..

Dec 15 (AFP) Video footage that allegedly shows Sri Lankan troops executing prisoners during the final stages of its battle against Tamil Tiger rebels was not fabricated, a British newspaper said Tuesday. The video, aired on Britain's Channel 4 in August, was rejected at the time by the Sri Lankan military as fake to discredit security forces who defeated Tamil separatists in May after a bloody decades-long conflict. more..

Dec 15 (LNP) Former Army Commander Gen. (Retd.) Sarath Fonseka`s allegation that he heard from some journalists that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had ordered General Officer Commanding Maj. Gen. Shavindra Silva during the final stages of the Vanni offensive to kill the LTTE leaders who wanted to give themselves up, may lack validity as it is based on mere hearsay, but the fact that a former army chief happened to say it has adversely affected the image of the army. more..

Dec 15 (LNP) The role of IT in education is essential in building a knowledge economy and the Government s objective is to provide IT centres for 6,000 schools by next year. The Education Ministry has already provided IT laboratories for 3,500 schools, Education Minister, Susil Premjayanth told a ceremony to mark the success of the Year of English and IT at the BMICH yesterday. He said that a knowledge based society is needed to radically reform conventional schools and more..

Dec 15 (LT) The �Tharunyata Hetak� (Tomorrow for youth) of President�s son has become a �Thaththata Hetak � Horakamata potak� (Tomorrow for my father & an avenue for me to loot) said JVP MP Sunil Handunneththi. He said, �Recently an advertisement was created using artiste�s in the country. How much money has been spent for this? Usually the minimum cost of a 40-second ad during news telecasts is Rs.140,000. more..

Dec 15 (DBS) If Sarath Fonseka continues to bungle & damages his prospects beyond redemption Ranil Wickremasinghe may have to contest presidency himself. Fonseka adopts contradictory stance of projecting himself as war hero & human rights champion simultaneously. Will he fall between two stools? Fonseka tries to be all things to all people & blundering horribly. Trying to win over everybody will end up in satisfying nobody. more..

Dec 15 (TC) Gen SF argued that all political leaders who were in power before President MR also wanted to win the war, but failed as the army was not led properly. Gen SF therefore always claimed he is the war hero and he alone was responsible in defeating the LTTE and eliminating the LTTE leadership. (Others including the media contributed little bits from here and there, he said lately). more..

Dec 15 (DN) President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday stressed he will never betray the Security Forces and is ready to face any accusation on behalf of the Security Forces that made tremendous sacrifices for the nation. The President was addressing representatives of over 64 Trade Unions at Temple Trees yesterday. He said he will not allow the war heroes to be taken before a war crimes tribunal. more..

Dec 15 (DN) From a War Hero to a Fallen Idol. Is Sarath Fonseka engaged in a ritual of self-immolation when he accuses the army of killing terrorists in action? Fact or fiction, the retired Commander is accusing his own army under his command of war crimes. Is Fonseka disqualifying himself before nomination day by displaying he is not fit to be a Presidential candidate! Will he as the President be an informant against his own army of committing war crimes? more..

Dec 15 (DN) All licensed banks have agreed to reduce their interest rates on credit cards in keeping with the directive issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The banks issuing credit cards will reduce the interest rates in the range - 24-36 percent. The reduction is expected to come in to effect in early February. The maximum interest rate will be 36 percent and customers will benefit from this move, more..

Dec 15 (DN) LOLC (Lanka ORIX Leasing Company PLC) was adjudged the winner in the 'Specialized Banking and Financial Services Sector' at the recently concluded National Business Excellence Awards 2009 conducted by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL). The Group has made a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the country at all levels and this award bears ample testimony of this. more..

Dec 15 (Island) Leaders of the UNF and JVP denied that they had refused permission to the State media to cover their first joint press conference, in support of the common opposition presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka. Responding to a journalist�s query as to why the State media was not permitted in, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Somawansa Amerasinghe and Mangala Samaraweera, said that no one from the said news organizations, had requested for permission to cover the briefing. more..

Dec 15 (Island) Joint Opposition Common candidate for the January 26 presidential election General Sarath Fonseka yesterday filed a fundamental rights violation application in the Supreme Court against the ITN, the Rupavahini Corporation, and the Lake House. The petitioner alleged that those media institutions publicised news items critically abusive of him, the United People�s Alliance and more..

Dec 15 (Island) The Central Bank is continuing its loose monetary policy stance in a bid to stimulate credit growth to the private sector but the Central Bank says an unchecked fiscal deficit expansion could cause inflation to increase and crowd out credit from the private sector. "Overall, the country�s fiscal situation remains precarious, with government budget deficits above 7 percent in each year since 1998 along with persistent current account deficits," more..

Dec 15 (Island) The HSTUA expressed its displeasure over the scant attention paid by the Health Ministry to the rapidly spreading swine flu in Sri Lanka. It accused the Health Minister and his officials of inadequate preparedness to face a possible epidemical outbreak of the A H1N1 virus better known as swine flu. HSTUA President Saman Ratnapriya said his union estimated that there were over a thousand swine flu patients in the country. more..

Dec 15 (DM) Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa said yesterday that specifying the number of ministers in a provincial cabinet was one of the good points of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Mr. Rajapaksa made this point at a meeting organized in support of Western Province Minister Udaya Gammmanpila who is facing a no-confidence motion in the Western Provincial Council. more..

Dec 15 (DM) The Government is to seek the advice of the Attorney General with a view to getting the CID to record a statement from the common opposition candidate Gen. (retd.) Sarath Fonseka regarding the statement he made that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa gave an order to kill LTTE leaders. NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa said that this matter had already been discussed with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and more..

Dec 15 (LT) A smear poster against common candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka is being pasted at present say our reporters. The pasting of this smear poster has begun from Maradana Junction and a group in a vehicle bearing Reg. No. 250-3831 is engaged in pasting the poster says our reporter. The smear poster is regarding the distorted news of the statement that Gen. Sarath Fonseka supposed to have made regarding a telephone conversation Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapakse had made to the battle front. more..

Dec 15 (DM) The Sri Lankan government insists that General Sarath Fonseka was not removed from his post of Army Commander following �external� influence but purely in accordance to the criteria required by the situation in Sri Lanka at the time. A report in The Nation published in Pakistan on Monday claimed that General Sarath Fonseka who led troops to victory, was replaced on the advice of Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh who had conveyed to Sri Lankan leadership that more..

Dec 15 (AT) The TNA MP MK Sivajilingam made money deposit indicating his interest in contesting in the Presidential election which is due on January 26. As the Tamil National alliance was not interested in contesting or making available a Tamil candidate for the Presidential election, MP Sivajilingam will be contesting the elections as an independent candidate. more..

Dec 15 (LP) Finance Division head of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO), an LTTE front organization, in Jaffna, who had lived in IDP centre for months was arrested by the CID on Sunday. He is alleged to have provided millions of rupees to the terrorist organization for its war effort. Investigations have revealed that he provided TRO funds to slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, its Political Head S. Thamil Selvan, Bhanu and several key members. more..

Dec 15 (AFP) Sri Lanka's recovery from a decades-long civil war has been marred by graft, violence and a culture of lawlessness, a corruption watchdog said Tuesday. Transparency International rapped the government -- which crushed the Tamil Tiger separatist rebels in May -- for a lack of democracy, accountability and transparency. "The latter half of 2009 marks a period of hope and potential for Sri Lanka. more..

Dec 15 (CI) The numbers were mindboggling enough. Virender Sehwag and Tillakaratne Dilshan made big hundreds at a frantic lick, but the innings of the match was Kumar Sangakkara's 90 from 43 balls. The decisive spells were bowled by Harbhajan Singh, whose three overs in the middle had gone for 32 runs, and Zaheer Khan, who finished with the most expensive analysis in India's one-day history. more..

Dec 15 (Hindu) Fissures within the pro-LTTE TNA came to the fore following the deposit of money with the Election Commission Secretariat by M.K. Sivajilingam to fight the polls as an �Independent� Tamil candidate. The camps led by the incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the major opposition parties� consensus nominee, retired General Sarath Fonseka were assiduously seeking the support of the TNA. more..

Dec 16 (LBO) Sri Lanka will have to keep pace with global accounting standards to attract foreign investments as competing regional economies like China adopt better book keeping rules and reduce risk premiums, senior auditors said. "Now premiums are coming down. China has to compete with the rest of the world for capital, so now they want to implement international financial reporting standards (IFRS) before the US," more..

Dec 16 (LBO) Famous, if fictional detective John Rebus, finely illustrated graphic novels and sensational pulp fiction are billed to make Sri Lanka�s next literary festival a tourist draw card. Crime writer Ian Rankin will join the who�s who of international literati in Galle, as he talks of the creation and retirement of his fictional hero - the maverick detective John Rebus, made famous in his book Knots and Crosses. more..

Dec 16 (AN) When the Indian Ocean tsunami hit five years ago, Sri Lanka's coastal inhabitants believed they would never recover from the misery, death and destruction that the tragedy brought. In villages and towns along the island's southeast coast,hundreds of families grieved loved ones, tens of thousands of homes, schools and local businesses were devastated and the livelihoods of poor fishing communities were lost. more..

Dec 16 (FL) General elections to the Sri Lankan Parliament are due by April 2010. Call it the fate of the country or the irony of its politics, the year 2009, which began with a bang � with the fall of the administrative headquarters of the separatist LTTE � has ended on a bizarre note. President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced a snap presidential election to seek re-election two years ahead of schedule. more..

Dec 16 (FL) THE Tamil and Muslim minorities, who account for almost 18 per cent of Sri Lanka�s population, are in a dilemma on the options before them for the January 26 presidential election. They have three distinct choices: cast their lot with President Mahinda Rajapaksa; vote General Sarath Fonseka, the recently retired former Army chief who is backed by prominent opposition parties; or field their own nominee. more..