The access road to the Madhu Shrine which was liberated from the LTTE terrorists after 30 years will be commissioned on August 14 on orders of leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The annual Madhu Church festival will be held on August 14 and 15, for the first time after eliminating totally terrorism in the North. Therefore, this chance would advantage thousands of pilgrims attendance the feast from a variety of parts of the country, a Spokesman from the Highways and Road Development Ministry told the Daily News.
The construction work on the main road heading to the holy Shrine has already been completed as an a accelerated project by the Government at a cost of Rs.132 million.
Accordingly, the make bigger of road from Puliyadirakkam to Madhu Shrine (11km) on the Medawachchiya-Mannar-Thalaimannar main road ( A14) has been broaden upto six meters.
In addition to the main right of entry road to the Madhu Shrine, three by-roads including the march road (0.85km),interior road (3km) and circular road (4km) within and approximately the Madhu Shrine had also been reconstructed under the management of the Highways and Road Development Ministry and Road Development Authority, he said.
The renovation had been carried out by five restricted contractors.
The Government will rebuild the roads within the region of Madhu Shrine previous to the pilgrimage begins.
Courtesy: Daily News
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Both Army & Navy Chiefs meet Mullaittivu Military Chiefs
Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and Navy commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe together flew to Mullaittivu area Saturday (08) morning, in order to plan out new security measures and inquire into the needs of newly establish Security Forces Headquarters (SFHQ) Mullaittivu. This is their first visit to Mullaittivu after they assumed duties in their own commanding capacities. They were conventional on arrival by the Commander safety Forces Headquarters (SFHQ) Mullaittivu Major General Nandana Udawaththa.
Commander of the Army was accorded a Guard create and Guard of Honour at the entrance to SFHQ(M). Lieutenant General Jayasuriya later on spoke to all officers at SFHQ (M) hall. The visiting Commander also planted a Mango sprout in the premises to signify his primary visit after the Humanitarian Operations.
Afterwards, Army Chief visited 59 Division where he addressed the officers and armed of the division and declared open the new Welfare shop.
By that time Navy Commander after conclusion of his commitments go back to the SFHQ (M). Major General Nandana Udawaththa Commander SFHQ (M) obtainable mementoes to both of them as token of their kindness visit to the area. The two visiting commanders left their signatures on the VIP book at the SFHQ (M) before living Mullaittivu.
The Commander of the Navy inspecting the Guard of Honour Commander of the Navy reviewing the operational readiness of the Eastern seas with the Operational Staff
Commander of the Navy after inspecting 'FARA lll' Commander of the Navy being presented with a memento
Courtesy : Sri Lanka Army
Commander of the Army was accorded a Guard create and Guard of Honour at the entrance to SFHQ(M). Lieutenant General Jayasuriya later on spoke to all officers at SFHQ (M) hall. The visiting Commander also planted a Mango sprout in the premises to signify his primary visit after the Humanitarian Operations.
Afterwards, Army Chief visited 59 Division where he addressed the officers and armed of the division and declared open the new Welfare shop.
By that time Navy Commander after conclusion of his commitments go back to the SFHQ (M). Major General Nandana Udawaththa Commander SFHQ (M) obtainable mementoes to both of them as token of their kindness visit to the area. The two visiting commanders left their signatures on the VIP book at the SFHQ (M) before living Mullaittivu.
The Commander of the Navy inspecting the Guard of Honour Commander of the Navy reviewing the operational readiness of the Eastern seas with the Operational Staff
Commander of the Navy after inspecting 'FARA lll' Commander of the Navy being presented with a memento
Courtesy : Sri Lanka Army
Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington hosts "Peace Forum"
A special gathering of peacemakers explored the subject "A New Vision for Peace in the 21st Century," held at the residence of the Ambassador of Sri Lanka on July 30th 2009 in Washington DC. The Sri Lankan Embassy partnering with Universal Peace Federation (UPF) International and UPF-USA obtainable a program which introduced the core principles and practices that can facilitate the creation of a earth in which people of every race, culture and religion can live jointly in peace.
At long last, the three decades of military conflict in Sri Lanka has ended, and the government is looking to establish a sustainable peace for their people. For this cause, Thursday's agenda was particularly timely and moving.
An overflow crowd of diplomats, Ambassadors for Peace and new visitors, encountered the exotic Sri Lankan atmosphere of the Ambassador's house and were welcomed by Ambassador Wickramasuriya himself, and his cordial staff. A delicious array of Sri Lankan foods and famous Ceylon tea was served for the reception, as precious relations and new friends were made.
Mistress of Ceremonies: Tomiko Duggan, Director of the (UPF) Office of Embassy Relations, Washington, D.C., welcomed the spectators and introduced the gracious host for the evening, the H.E. Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Ambassador of Sri Lanka. After showing a beautiful film of Sri Lanka, the Ambassador communal sincerely about his country as it savors a hard won peace and at the similar time faces post disagreement challenges.
Ambassador Wickramasuriya greeted us the customary way, "Ayubowan," which means, "May you live long". Sri Lanka is the oldest democracy in Asia and rich in culture; however, nearly three decades of the recent civil war, which ended in May this year, caused a large amount of displaced families to live in the government-run centers. Now that peace has returned, the government has launched an determined plan to rebuild 80,000 new homes for those move people, who "have a right to voluntary return, in security and dignity, to their original places of residence." They have also just completed a assignment to remove 1,000 land mines near the northern city of Jaffna . In conclusion, he stated that now is the time to heal old wounds. The Ambassador invited everyone to visit Sri Lanka . It is a happy place, full of a new liberty and excitement for a prospect of peace, happiness and prosperity.
Mr. John Dickson, a Committee Chairman with the World Trade Centers friendship, Inc., shared his thoughts on the topic, "Peace and Stability through Economic Growth and Development" Mr. Dickson praised Sri Lankan government for appointing an diplomat from the private sector, noting the practical and effectual natural world of the Ambassador's appearance. Mr. Dickson went on to give particulars the association flanked by business, peace and stability.
After an inspirational musical appearance and an introductory video to UPF, Mr. Jim Flynn, Secretary General of UPF-USA delivered a complete synopsis of the main beliefs of peace building and reconciliation which are the central pillars of UPF's work of establishing peace throughout the world.
At the close of the program, new Ambassadors for calm were appointed and welcomed to UPF's global network of peacemakers by the Washington area Secretary General, Ms. Gail Paine. Sri Lankan Ambassador to U.S, H.E. Jaliya Wickramasuriya, was chosen as an Ambassador for Peace, while two other Sri Lankans were among seven the newly appointed Ambassadors for Peace.
Ambassadors for Peace are a global network of leaders representing the spiritual, racial and ethnic diversity of the human family, as well as all disciplines of human try. They stand on the ordinary ground of communal principles, committed to the path of promoting reconciliation, overcoming barriers, and building peace.
Cross section of peacemakers Ambassador Wickramasuriya addresses the gathering of peacemakers
Courtesy: Embassy of Sri Lanka - Washington DC
At long last, the three decades of military conflict in Sri Lanka has ended, and the government is looking to establish a sustainable peace for their people. For this cause, Thursday's agenda was particularly timely and moving.
An overflow crowd of diplomats, Ambassadors for Peace and new visitors, encountered the exotic Sri Lankan atmosphere of the Ambassador's house and were welcomed by Ambassador Wickramasuriya himself, and his cordial staff. A delicious array of Sri Lankan foods and famous Ceylon tea was served for the reception, as precious relations and new friends were made.
Mistress of Ceremonies: Tomiko Duggan, Director of the (UPF) Office of Embassy Relations, Washington, D.C., welcomed the spectators and introduced the gracious host for the evening, the H.E. Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Ambassador of Sri Lanka. After showing a beautiful film of Sri Lanka, the Ambassador communal sincerely about his country as it savors a hard won peace and at the similar time faces post disagreement challenges.
Ambassador Wickramasuriya greeted us the customary way, "Ayubowan," which means, "May you live long". Sri Lanka is the oldest democracy in Asia and rich in culture; however, nearly three decades of the recent civil war, which ended in May this year, caused a large amount of displaced families to live in the government-run centers. Now that peace has returned, the government has launched an determined plan to rebuild 80,000 new homes for those move people, who "have a right to voluntary return, in security and dignity, to their original places of residence." They have also just completed a assignment to remove 1,000 land mines near the northern city of Jaffna . In conclusion, he stated that now is the time to heal old wounds. The Ambassador invited everyone to visit Sri Lanka . It is a happy place, full of a new liberty and excitement for a prospect of peace, happiness and prosperity.
Mr. John Dickson, a Committee Chairman with the World Trade Centers friendship, Inc., shared his thoughts on the topic, "Peace and Stability through Economic Growth and Development" Mr. Dickson praised Sri Lankan government for appointing an diplomat from the private sector, noting the practical and effectual natural world of the Ambassador's appearance. Mr. Dickson went on to give particulars the association flanked by business, peace and stability.
After an inspirational musical appearance and an introductory video to UPF, Mr. Jim Flynn, Secretary General of UPF-USA delivered a complete synopsis of the main beliefs of peace building and reconciliation which are the central pillars of UPF's work of establishing peace throughout the world.
At the close of the program, new Ambassadors for calm were appointed and welcomed to UPF's global network of peacemakers by the Washington area Secretary General, Ms. Gail Paine. Sri Lankan Ambassador to U.S, H.E. Jaliya Wickramasuriya, was chosen as an Ambassador for Peace, while two other Sri Lankans were among seven the newly appointed Ambassadors for Peace.
Ambassadors for Peace are a global network of leaders representing the spiritual, racial and ethnic diversity of the human family, as well as all disciplines of human try. They stand on the ordinary ground of communal principles, committed to the path of promoting reconciliation, overcoming barriers, and building peace.
Cross section of peacemakers Ambassador Wickramasuriya addresses the gathering of peacemakers
Courtesy: Embassy of Sri Lanka - Washington DC
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
ACF criticism of Govt should be viewed against its own culpability -- SCOPP
The Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) has expressed astonishment at what is calls "the effrontery of Action Against Hunger (ACF)" which claims it has no trust in a Government investigation into the massacre of 17 of its workers two years ago, and has therefore closed its Colombo office and left the country. The SCOPP media release also states the following:
The decision was taken to leave after questioning at the investigation made clear the manner in which the agency had forced its local staff, contrary to UN regulations about caring for local workers, to go into a dangerous area when some of them had even asked for leave to avoid this. Though the workers pleaded to leave the danger area soon after they had been sent in, they were forced to stay on despite a massive LTTE attack which led to days of intense fighting.
At the press conference in Colombo after the massacre was discovered, way back in August 2006, journalists questioned the role of ACF and its local and foreign executives who had made the ill- advised decisions, and asserted that they were responsible for the deaths. Requests for an open inquiry into what had happened were ignored, and the UN which was also asked to intervene in this regard did not assist to make clear the wider responsibility for the tragedy.
Subsequent efforts to raise the issue were met by wild allegations that ACF was being held responsible for the murders, while there was no response to requests that the culpability of ACF, in contravention of international norms concerning care for local staff, be examined.
Requests for reasonable compensation for the victims, whose families were awarded a nugatory proportion of the salary expatriate staff receive, have also been ignored.
Some of the anger and despair of Sri Lankans had begun to emerge during the inquiry, which may explain the hasty departure of ACF. Its pitiful attempts to blame the government inquiry, which it had observed without criticism for over a year previously, should be examined in the context of its own culpability, which has remained shrouded even though it was initially raised anxiously by journalists and human rights organisations at the time of the deaths.
The Peace Secretariat did not pursue its view that an independent inquiry into the ACF action was desirable, since it seemed reasonable to await the results of the national inquiry.
However, the current ACF stratagem of finger pointing to conceal its own role should be addressed firmly, and it is hoped those who care about the victims, Sri Lankans and others, will at least now request an independent inquiry into the matter with full compensation for the victims the release said.
Courtesy: Government Information department
The decision was taken to leave after questioning at the investigation made clear the manner in which the agency had forced its local staff, contrary to UN regulations about caring for local workers, to go into a dangerous area when some of them had even asked for leave to avoid this. Though the workers pleaded to leave the danger area soon after they had been sent in, they were forced to stay on despite a massive LTTE attack which led to days of intense fighting.
At the press conference in Colombo after the massacre was discovered, way back in August 2006, journalists questioned the role of ACF and its local and foreign executives who had made the ill- advised decisions, and asserted that they were responsible for the deaths. Requests for an open inquiry into what had happened were ignored, and the UN which was also asked to intervene in this regard did not assist to make clear the wider responsibility for the tragedy.
Subsequent efforts to raise the issue were met by wild allegations that ACF was being held responsible for the murders, while there was no response to requests that the culpability of ACF, in contravention of international norms concerning care for local staff, be examined.
Requests for reasonable compensation for the victims, whose families were awarded a nugatory proportion of the salary expatriate staff receive, have also been ignored.
Some of the anger and despair of Sri Lankans had begun to emerge during the inquiry, which may explain the hasty departure of ACF. Its pitiful attempts to blame the government inquiry, which it had observed without criticism for over a year previously, should be examined in the context of its own culpability, which has remained shrouded even though it was initially raised anxiously by journalists and human rights organisations at the time of the deaths.
The Peace Secretariat did not pursue its view that an independent inquiry into the ACF action was desirable, since it seemed reasonable to await the results of the national inquiry.
However, the current ACF stratagem of finger pointing to conceal its own role should be addressed firmly, and it is hoped those who care about the victims, Sri Lankans and others, will at least now request an independent inquiry into the matter with full compensation for the victims the release said.
Courtesy: Government Information department
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