newslanka.org

Dec 31, Colombo: Sri Lanka government has decided to reduce the bus fares with immediate effect subsequent to the reduction of diesel prices again.

Bangladesh fights back in 1st Test, now 370/6 needing 151 more runs to win against Sri Lanka on Day 5. M Ashraful 101. SL 293 & 405/6-JNW

Dec. 31 (Bloomberg) — Sri Lanka unveiled a 16 billion- rupees ($141 million) stimulus package that includes cutting retail fuel prices and removing some taxes to shield the economy from a global recession.

Dec. 31 (Bloomberg) — Sri Lanka announced a 16-billion rupees ($141 million) stimulus package late last night, including cutting retail fuel prices and removing some taxes to protect the economy.

Displaced residents in Jaffna and civil society organizations have accused the Government Agent (GA) of Jaffna and the Palaly Military High command of deliberately delaying implementation of Supreme Court’s order to begin resettlement inside designated areas within the High Security Zone (HSZ) in Valikaamam North, sources in Jaffna said.

Mallaakam magistrate Ms. Sarojini Illankovan allowed bail on surety Tuesday for six persons detained by police arrested during a cordon and search conducted by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police three months ago at the Saiva temples in Maasiyapiddi following a clash in the area, sources in Jaffna said. The eleven taken into custody [...]

The Pakistan Cricket Board said Sri Lanka’s proposed itinerary for it to visit clashes with the Pakistanis’ tour to Bangladesh in March. Pakistan Cricket Board director general Javed Miandad said he was hopeful the issue with Sri Lanka will be resolved soon.

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fired artillery shells have again hit Ki’linochchi hospital Tuesday evening between 3:50 and 4:00 p.m., initial reports from the town said. Hospital building was damaged in the shelling. Meanwhile, close-exchange of gunfire was reported in Paranthan area.

(Lanka-e-News, December 30, 2008, 11.55 PM) The cabinet decided to reduce petrol price by two rupees since midnight today (30). The government announced that the trishaws would be issued petrol Rs. 20 less than the normal price…

Two Sri Lanka Special Task Force (STF) members were killed and six injured in an attack by Liberation Tigers at 7:40 a.m. Tuesday in the Ukanthai forest area in Poththuvil Police district when the Liberation Tigers ambushed an STF group deployed to conduct a large scale combing operation in the forest area, sources in [...]

Vowing that his government would restore `all that was lost due to terrorism`, Sri Lanka`s President..

Sri Lanka’s government may re-impose a formal ban on the Tamil Tigers amid escalating fighting in the island’s north, official sources said on Tuesday.

Dec 30, Colombo: Sri Lankan government in the year has settled several foreign commercial loan obligations amounting to US $ 175 million reducing its exposure to foreign exchange risk, the Central Bank said today.

Karachi: Cricket authorities here have a fresh problem to deal with after Sri Lanka asked for a changed itinerary with lesser matches for their forthcoming tour of Pakistan. A senior Pakistan Cricket Board official revealed that Sri …

Dec 30, Colombo: In a strong move to cut cost of living and strengthen the economy Sri Lanka government has slashed prices of fuel and reduced the allowances received by the legislators including the President.

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) troopers in Oorkaavattuirai (Kayts) arrested 12 fishermen fishing with Sri Lanka Army issued fishing pass Monday morning on Paalaitheevu seas close to the islets of Jaffna. The SLN confiscated the passes, 36 boats, fishing equipment and the catch from the 12 fishermen and took them to their base in Oorkaavattu’rai.

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Mukamaalai informed Kodikaamam police that a soldier’s body with gunshot wounds was found in Mukamaalai area Saturday. Chaavakachcheari magistrate on being informed of the death visited the site and conducted the inquest into the death. The 18-year-old soldier had been sent to Mukamaalai FDL from the SLA 52nd Division located [...]

Mallaakam magistrate Ms. Sarojini Illankovan allowed bail on surety Tuesday for six persons detained by police arrested during a cordon and search conducted by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police three months ago at the Saiva temples in Maasiyapiddi following a clash in the area, sources in Jaffna said. The eleven taken into custody during [...]

Pakistan’s already troubled quest to organise some international cricket
has run into further obstacles after it emerged that Sri Lanka’s players
would like to push forward the tour in order to get some rest. If agreed, however, there might emerge a likely clash with Pakistan’s ODI tour to Bangladesh, currently scheduled for early March.

Cricket authorities here have a fresh problem to deal with after Sri Lanka asked for a changed itinerary with lesser matches for their forthcoming tour of Pakistan.

Dec 30, Colombo: The deadline for filing nominations to contest the Central and North Western Provincial Council elections ends at noon tomorrow (31).

Dec 30, Colombo: In the first ever address by a Sri Lankan Head of State to the Tamil people in their own language Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa today vowing to restore all that was lost due to terrorism asked the people of the northern Jaffna peninsula to forget the past and live in unity.

Kantale magistrate accuse two senior prison officers of contempt of court for failing to produce a suspect.

ICC says it is for Sri Lanka officials to decide whether to go ahead with the proposed Pakistan tour.

Pakistan’s already troubled quest to organise some international cricket has run into further obstacles after it emerged that Sri Lanka’s players would like to push forward the tour in order to get some rest. If agreed, however, there might emerge a likely clash with Pakistan’s ODI tour to Bangladesh, currently scheduled for early March.

ICC says it is for Sri Lanka officials to decide whether to go ahead with the proposed Pakistan tour.

Govt says will reduce expenses by Ministers & MPs by 10% & 5%, President & PM by 15%; economic support for tea, rubber & tourism sectors-JNW

(Lanka-e-News, December 30, 2008, 9.15 PM) New Attorney General Mohan Peiris says that creating crisis in a time the war that pushed the country into a precipice is coming to the end will be a draw back…

(Lanka-e-News, December 30, 2008, 9.15 PM) Several groups that will file nominations for the Central Provincial Council election are to challenge the legitimacy of the nomination of United National Party (UNP)…

Dec 30, Colombo: Heavy clashes raged across Sri Lanka’s war torn North as troops expanded their defence lines in the battlefields with the Air Force attacking LTTE targets in support of the troops.

Price of Diesel reduced by Rs 10 per litre, petrol by Rs 2 per litre, petrol for three-wheelers by Rs 20-Minister Gunewardene-JNW

Price of Shell gas 12.5 gas cylinder reduced by Rs 166 from midnight tonight, Laughs gas cylinder reduced by Rs 276-Minister Bandula Gunewardene-JNW

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fired artillery shells have again hit Ki’linochchi hospital Tuesday evening between 3:50 and 4:00 p.m., initial reports from the town said. Hospital building was damaged in the shelling. Meanwhile, close-exchange of gunfire was reported in Paranthan area.

Dec 30, Colombo: Sri Lanka at the moment has several burning issues. On one side the military is fighting a costly war to eliminate the brutal LTTE rebel organization and bring the land under control.

Bangladesh, led by their captain Mohammad Ashraful, may have extended the first Test against Sri Lankans to the fifth day in Mirpur, but the visitors are confident of wrapping up a win on Wednesday.

Dec 30, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (29) held discussions at the President’s Office with the tea small holders on the issues their industry is facing due to the drop in demand for tea globally.

Heavy clashes have been reported in Sri Lanka’s northern battle front as the troops extended their forward defense lines, Ministry of Defense said here Tuesday. “Heavy clashes have been reported between Army infantrymen and the terrorists in the North of Mulliyawali from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday as troop extended their forward boundaries [...]

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful hit an unbeaten half century Tuesday for his team to need another 267 runs to beat Sri Lanka on the final day of the first test with six wickets in hand.

(Lanka-e-News, December 30, 2008, 6.10 PM) People’s Liberation Front (JVP) parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Disanayaka says that not only the economic recession but also exceptional causes are…

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful made his eighth Test half century to frustrate Muttiah Muralitharan and Sri Lanka in the first Test in Mirpu.

COLOMBO: Those who claim that nine million petrol users, works out to four per cent of the population, obviously do not know basic mathematics, Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said Monday.

New Delhi : Expressing disappointment over the slow implementation of devolution package in Sri Lanka, Indiaon Tuesday asked Colombo to expedite the process as it voiced concern over the humanitarian situation in the island due to the war between the army and LTTE.

Karachi : Cricket authorities here have a fresh problem to deal with after Sri Lanka asked for a changed itinerary with lesser matches for their forthcoming tour of Pakistan.

It was indeed a landmark moment when the shareholders of Ceylinco Finance PLC unanimously voted at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 30/12/08 at the Rajabojun, Colombo 03 in favour of the merger of Ceylinco Finance and its own subsidiary Asian Finance Limited, which clears the path for Ceylinco Finance to obtain license from the [...]

The Government yesterday offered Rs.16 billion stimulative economic package to the consumers to ensure best performance in the commercial agriculture, industrial and services sectors, in the form of a ‘mini budget’ to benefit the entire country in 2009 that dawns tomorrow.

Cabinet decided today (30) to bring down the prices of gas and several petroleum products with a view to strengthening the economy and bringing relief to the consumer, Minister of Trade, Marketing Development, Consumer Affairs and Cooperatives, Bandula Gunawardena announced in a special media briefing held a short while ago at the Government Information [...]

The UNP yesterday accused the government of extorting money from the business community for its provincial council election campaign.

Sri Lanka are still closing on victory in the first Test despite improved resistance from Bangladesh.

COLOMBO (AFP)–The Sri Lanka military has received the bodies of 17 soldiers killed while fighting Tamil Tiger rebels in the island’s embattled north, the defense ministry said on Tuesday.

Tamil Tiger rebels hand over the bodies of 17 Sri Lankan army soldiers to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Muttiah Muralitharan took three wickets to strengthen Sri Lanka’s chances of winning the opening Test against Bangladesh here on Tuesday despite a fighting 70 not out by skipper Mohammad Ashraful.

Sri Lanka were poised for victory in the first Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur despite meeting unexpected resistance today. Having set the home side an improbable 521 to win, Sri Lanka had high hopes of finishing off a Bangladesh side which made just 178 in their first innings.

Bangladesh need 267 more to win the first Test against Sri Lanka after closing day four in Mirpur on 254-5.

MUTTIAH Muralidaran took three wickets to strengthen Sri Lanka’s chances of winning the opening Test against Bangladesh despite a fighting 70 not out by skipper Mohammad Ashraful.

Set an improbable 521 to win, Bangladesh’s batsmen put up a fight led by captain Mohammad Ashraful.

The Sri Lanka military has received the bodies of 17 soldiers killed while fighting Tamil Tiger rebels in the island’s embattled north, the defence ministry said on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) troopers in Oorkaavattuirai (Kayts) arrested 12 fishermen fishing with Sri Lanka Army issued fishing pass Monday morning on Paalaitheevu seas close to the islets of Jaffna. The SLN confiscated the passes, 36 boats, fishing equipment and the catch from the 12 fishermen and took them to their base in Oorkaavattu’rai.

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Mukamaalai informed Kodikaamam police that a soldier’s body with gunshot wounds was found in Mukamaalai area Saturday. Chaavakachcheari magistrate on being informed of the death visited the site and conducted the inquest into the death. The 18-year-old soldier had been sent to Mukamaalai FDL from the SLA 52nd Division located [...]

A 62-year-old Tamil trader was abducted by unidentified persons Monday when the trader was returning to his shop in Pettah from his residence located in Dias Place in Colombo after lunch, according to complaints lodged with the Vaalaiththoddam Police by his relatives.