U.S. welcomes end of Emergency Regulations

The United States has welcomed President Mahinda Rajapaksa's announcement in Parliament that the Emergency Regulations will lapse at the finish of August.

The United States said further that this is a significant step towards normalizing life for the people of Sri Lanka, & reflects over years without terrorist activity after the defeat of the LTTE.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa proposed to the Parliament yesterday (25) that the emergency regulations require to be repealed. "I am satisfied with the fact that there is no require to extend emergency regulations for the administrative activities of the country now", they noted while making this proposal. The country can function democratically under the ordinary law, they further said.

Biggest slice for Jaffna development

The largest sum has been apportioned for the development of Jaffna district, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa told in a gathering held at the Jaffna Library on 25th August 2011.

The Minister pointed out that Rs five,140 million has been apportioned to the Jaffna district while Rs two,100 million has been apportioned for development activities in the Kilinochchi district. They requested officials to invest these money in an appropriate manner to fulfil community needs.

The minister instructed the officials involved in development activities in the area, not to make use of money given by the government on useless things without understanding the needs of the community.

" These development activities are not linked to the election and these activities will be carried out till Jaffna becomes of the most developed cities in the country," Minister Rajapaksa said.

The public have selected lovely leaders for the area, Minister Rajapaksa said.

They pointed out that the President's largest achievement is providing the Northern community their voting rights and letting them select their own leaders and representatives.

"It is now time for other parties to get-together with the government and create the area and fulfil the needs of the community," they added.

"All all year long, government representatives were in charge of development activities in the Northern Province," they said.

President proposes to repeal emergency regulations

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a special statement yesterday, (25 Aug) proposed to the Parliament that the emergency regulations require to be repealed.

"I am satisfied with the fact that there is no require to extend emergency regulations for the administrative activities of the country now", they noted while making this proposal.

The state of emergency was in effect since 2005.

The country can function democratically under the ordinary law, they further said.

The President said that there was no require to maintain the state of emergency as security in the country has now been consolidated

Moreover, opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe appreciated the President's order to remove the state of emergency.

SL highlights 'Channel 4 News' role in C4 episode

'Producer and broadcaster different, Tamil Diaspora leadership evident'

The government of Sri Lanka alleges the Channel 4 News, based at the Independent Television Network (ITN) building, 200 Grays Inn Road, London, WCIX8X, had produced a controversial documentary - 'Sri Lanka's Killing Fields' - at the behest of those hell-bent on undermining post-war reconciliation efforts.

Channel 4, which telecasted the documentary on June 14 and Channel 4 News were two different organizations involved in an operation spearheaded by the UK-based Global Tamil Forum (GTF) to discredit the Sri Lankan military.

Responding to a query, intelligence sources said that in spite of the Channel 4 being the broadcaster, which commissioned the documentary, the Tamil Diaspora was behind the operation. Sources said that both Channel 4 and Channel 4 News had no reason to target the government of Sri Lanka until the Tamil Diaspora moved in, with some disgruntled elements throwing their weight behind the project.

Officials said that those involved in the GTF project, including some British MPs, had made an abortive attempt to thwart the deportation of a group of Tamils citing 'Sri Lanka's Killing Fields' as evidence of ongoing repression targeting minorities.

Sources said that Channel 4 based at 124, Horseferry Road, London SWIP 2TX, had nothing to do with research, production and presentation of the 50-minute documentary.

UK based sources said that Jon Snow, who presented 'Sri Lanka's Killing Fields' and Sri Lanka critics, Jonathan Miller and Krishan Gurumurthy, were employees of Channel 4 News at the ITN building. Sources alleged that those behind the documentary had articulated that the real trouble began in September 2008, whereas eelam war IV erupted in mid 2006.

Snow in his introductory remarks said that the ITN had spent two years on the project

Army headquarters pointed out that by September 2008, the LTE had lost the entire Eastern Province and was rapidly losing its hold on the Vanni west.

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa told The Island that nothing could be as ridiculous as the Channel 4 News allegation that the government had forced expatriate relief workers out of the Vanni to make way for the military to target civilians. "They couldn't be unaware the ICRC remained in the eastern part of the Vanni even in January 2009," the Defence Secretary said.

The ICRC told The Island it quit Puthukudirippu in January 2009 following the battle for Kilinochchi. The Army regained Kilinochchi on January 1, 2009.

Responding to Al Jazeera regarding 'Sri Lanka Killing Fields' UPFA National List MP Prof Rajiva Wijesinha recalled how former British Foreign Secretary David Miliband played politics with the Sri Lankan issue for his personal gain and that of the Labour party at the last parliamentary polls. Wijesinha cited US diplomatic cables originating from US mission in London leaked by Wiki Leaks as evidence of Miliband's appalling conduct.

Wijesinha alleged some Sri Lankans based in Germany had been involved in the Channel 4 project.

External Affairs Ministry sources alleged that 'Sri Lanka Killing Fields' had been produced especially for a screening at the recently concluded UN Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva.

Courtesy: The Island

Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya pays tribute to Sinha regiment war heroes

Sri Lanka Army Sinha Regiment (SLSR) commemorated War Heroes who sacrificed their life for the Motherland. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya the Commander of Sri Lanka Army attended the time as the leader Guest.
The Army Commander was welcomed by the Regimental Commander of the Sinha division Major General D.R.A.B. Jayathilake and was accorded a guard produce and a guard of honour by the officers and soldiers of the division
It was followed by a floral compliment to the SLSR Monument in commemoration of SLSR War Heroes. replacement General Jagath Jayasuriya and Mrs. Jayasuriya placed floral wreaths and paid their tribute. The Senior Officers, officers, other ranks and relations members of the fallen War Heroes followed them.
Afterwards Lieutenant General Jayasuriya read out a communication sent by Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa the Secretary of Defence for the time. The Army Commander used that chance to share a pair of views with the family members of War Heroes there
Towards the end of the days programme Lieutenant General Jayasuriya planted a tree sapling in the SLSR building as the token of reminiscence The Army Commander also laid a base stone for a new SLSR museum structure and declared opened the new residential accommodation for SLSR soldiers.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and Mrs. Manjulika Jayasuriya, President Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) later on distributed learnings among children of War Hero families. Commander interacted with several press and answered questions connected to wellbeing of War Heroes.

All restrictions on A9 highway lifted

The government has lifted all restrictions imposed on civilian travel on the A9 street enabling citizens to travel freely to and from Jaffna and additional parts of the country.
"Any citizen can now journey on the A9 Road using either private transport or public transport with no restrictions whatsoever," Senior Presidential Advisor, M.P. and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force for Northern Development Basil Rajapaksa said.
Accordingly civilians can travel to and from Vavuniya and Jaffna between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. With the forthcoming Christmas and New Year holidays people could visit their relations in Jaffna, Rajapaksa said.On a special instruction from President Mahinda Rajapaksa the A9 Road was opened for the community on November 13, enabling the transport of merchandise to and from Jaffna. Initially travel was allowed on a special permits issued by the Ministry of Defence, Law and Order. With improvements in newly liberated areas the Government tranquil the limits imposed on civilians.
On March 02, 2009, almost after 24 years, the Government officially re-opened the A9 Road to convey services of Security armed forces. Even though the 2002 truce provided for unarmed troop transport through the LTTE-dominated areas on the A9 Road, the Government and the safety Forces decided not to use that ability considering the risks involved. though with the complete liberation of the A9 Road and the North, the Sri Lanka Army is now able to securely transport unarmed and transport weapons men as well as material via A9 road passing Medawachchiya.
The A9 Road was for the time being opened following the Ceasefire agreement but the LTTE maintained road barriers and checkpoints and charged high duty from the public who used the road. The road was completely closed in August 2006 due to LTTE attacks.
Courtesy : Sunday Observer

Housing project for resettled people with Swiss aid

The Swiss government has agreed to grant financial support for construction of accommodation system 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 administration of Sri Lanka. The progamme will be launched in the start of year 2010 and expected to complete by the end of same year. The government also expects to carry on with the programme more broadly dispersal into other regions with international aids.
Several housing schemes will be constructed in Thenmarachchi D. S. Division and Maravanpulo village as the first phase of the scheme and the project will be implemented by the Swiss Development Cooperation
Earlier, the Government of Switzerland had granted assistance to the Government of Sri Lanka to rebuild houses in Matara and Trincomalee districts where had been badly affected by the Tsunami tragedy
A memo of understanding for Housing building scheme in Jaffna district was signed between the governments at the Ministry of money and Planning. Dr. P. B. Jayasundera desk to the Ministry of Finance and Planning and W. K. K. Kumarasiri, Secretary to the Ministry of Nation Building- and communications Development represented the Sri Lanka while the Government of Switzerland represented by Ruth Flint Ambassador of Switzerland signed the agreement.