Monthly Archive for March, 2008

Page 2 of 2

Arugambay Seaweed

Published on 09/03/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, press coverage and wild life. 0 Comments

Government gets tough on …..
By Nadia Fazlulhaq

In the wake of reports that an academic attached to a research institute had allegedly attempted to smuggle samples of endemic plant genes out of the country, Environment Minister Champika Ranawaka has said steps will be taken to plug the loopholes in the law to curb bio-piracy.

He said that under Sri LankaA?a??a??s wildlife laws, it was an offence to export plant or species substances without the prior approval of the Conservator General of Forest.A?a??A?Bio-piracy has been taking place in the country for many years. Since plants are quarantined, those who are involved in bio-piracy take gene extracts in capsules masqueraded as lipsticks or perfumes, though a small quantity of ten millilitres is allowed,A?a??A? Mr. Ranawaka said.

Plants protected for patents

Forest Conservator General Sarath Fernando said permission should be obtained if a researcher wants to extract a gene sample to take abroad for research purposes.A?a??A?The professor who was nabbed recently had obtained no permission to either conduct a research or make a sample. It is a violation of the law,A?a??A? he said adding that an export sample should be inspected by Forest Department officials who would give a no-objection letter to the Customs.

According to Mr. Fernando, a regulation passed in 2002 under the Forest Ordinance says that the export of gene samples should be done with the prior approval of the relevant authorities. The regulations were passed in order to preserve Sri LankaA?a??a??s exclusive patent rights over endemic flora and fauna.

Mr. Fernando said if these samples were sent abroad for research purposes, there should be a clear-cut agreement over intellectual property rights if some medicinal drug was developed using Sri Lankan plants.A Customs official said that taking abroad a rare endemic plant without a permit is an offence.A?a??A?Professors and academic involved in research should know that there is a set of guidelines and procedures to follow when taking these samples abroad,A?a??A? he said.

When asked to give specific details of the recent case, the official say Seaweed collected from Arugambay Purchase lanoxin medication and Kirinda had been taken to labs in Kandy and cultured before gene samples were extracted into a capsule.A?a??A?Plant chromosomes sent abroad are used in the production of medicinal drugs and later patent rights are claimed on plants which are sometimes rare and endemic to Sri Lanka,A?a??A? the official said.

After the professor was nabbed at the airport, Customs official said they raided the labs of the Institute of Fundamental Studies and found about 40 chromosomes or gene samples. The samples had been sent to the Government Analyst, the Customs official said. The IFS is governed by a board whose Chairman is the President of the country. It was established under Parliament Act No.55 in 1981.

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When contacted, IFS Director Keerthi Tennakoon denied the allegation that an IFS professor had tried to smuggle the plant substance.A?a??A?He was taking a sample to US for research. Customs have the right to seize the product,A?a??A? he said.

source:
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080309/News/news0019.html

IIGEP’s decision

Published on 09/03/2008 in Blogs, people, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

* Sri Lanka government says IIGEP’s decision hasty
Saturday, March 8, 2008, 6:57 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Mar 08, Colombo: The decision taken by the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) to wrap up their operations at the end of this month is hasty and regrettable, Sri Lankan government said.

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“Sleeping Tigers”

Published on 09/03/2008 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, people, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

Muslim militancy rears its head in theA?A?east

March 9, 2008 by lrrp

While right-thinking Muslim leaders, not succumbing to this pressure, have tried to get the frustrated youth to involve themselves in politics instead, others have made use of them A?a??a?? and continue to do so even today A?a??a?? for crimes. This is an open secret in the east.

In a worrisome development, amid violence and threats in the east, there are confirmed reports that say Muslim extremists are abandoning their previously quiet lifestyle for armed resistance.

Several attempts by a few Muslim leaders in the east to conceal this fact has failed as the extremists, mostly youth, who have been ignored by society, are insistent on carrying arms and fighting for their lost rights.

It is known that the creation of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) itself was in order to prevent Muslim youth from embracing arms. This is a clear indication that the Muslim youth have been longing to embrace militancy, similar to Tamil militancy, with a view to protecting their interests.

The majority of Sri LankaA?a??a??s 1.3 million Muslims live in the east and a section of the community has been overtly exerting pressure on Muslim politicians and leaders to deal with the LTTE militarily.

Open secret
While right-thinking Muslim leaders, not succumbing to this pressure, have tried to get the frustrated youth to involve themselves in politics instead, others have made use of them A?a??a?? and continue to do so even today A?a??a?? for crimes. This is an open secret in the east.

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Muslims have never clamoured for regional power

Published on 09/03/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

Only a few are chosen as power players to mould and make political parties from behind the screen in politics. They may not be popular in politics but certainly make others popular through their skills and expertise. One such person who has been active in the Sri Lankan politics is A. M. M. Naushad, son of former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ninthavur M. I. M. Majeed and son – in – law of also former MP for Ampara M. A. Abdul Majeed. He is today the UNPA?a??a??s convener for Eastern Province and Chairman of the Eastern province Political Affairs Committee. He is also a member of the UNPA?a??a??s working committee.

Naushad who was one time a High Command member of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) says if the TMVP was not armed today, the UNP would have participated at tomorrowA?a??a??s election in Batticaloa. Accusing the TMVPA?a??a??s alliance with the government, Naushad told The Nation that the non participation of the UNP at tomorrowA?a??a??s election was to protest against the governmentA?a??a??s efforts to legitimise the TMVP through a working arrangement both parties have arrived at. He also declared that the UNP in the future will not align with smaller parties to contest election, but instead, added, if smaller parties desired to contest with the UNP, they should do so under the UNP symbolBy Wilson Gnanadass
Following are excerpts:
Q: How would you describe the support to the UNP by the Muslims in the East at present?
A: The UNPA?a??a??s support per se in the East among the Muslims is not something that can be quantified from what has happened since 2001. Up to the year 2000, the UNP had Muslim elected representation in Trincomalee and Batticaloa while in Ampara there was a National list MP. Thereafter with the electoral arrangements made with the SLMC, there has been no UNP organisation at electoral level, even though Ali Sahir Moulana and thereafter Myown Mustapha, were nominated on the National list. This has been due to the fact that the SLMC has always aligned with the governing party, and this has basically kept the people with them for want of political patronage. The SLMC will admit that their success at the 2001 and 2004 general elections in the East was as a result of them being able to rope in the UNP vote base.

Q: The UNP on your recommendation is not contesting the local polls scheduled for tomorrow. Why?
A: The assumption that the UNP decided not to contest in Batticaloa on my recommendation is incorrect. I as the Provincial Convener, having assessed the ground situation and the happenings in the district, was of the opinion that a free and fair election cannot be held in the Batticaloa district, with one contesting group being armed and working along with government forces. I am of the opinion that the UNP contesting at Batticaloa would only legitimise an illegal exercise. There was a lot of discussion in the party over this, and the final decision was taken by the party that it should stay out as a protest against the actions of the government.

Q: Had the TMVP contested the election unarmed conditionally, would the UNP have contested the election?
A: If the TMVP sheds its arms and enters the democratic stream of politics I would definitely be spearheading a move to work with them for the benefit of the Tamil speaking people of the area, because the TMVP comprises Tamil youth of the Eastern Province who have an important role to play in deciding our future.

Q: But the people who have been used to vote for the elephant symbol are being deprived. They say the UNP should have contested the election.
A: This decision was not taken just by the hierarchy of the party, but also on the feed back given to the party by the organisers of the district, after having consulted their supporters. In fact during the run up to the nominations, there were many reports of former UNP candidates and prominent supporters being coerced by the TMVP cadres to either contest on their list or stay away. It was a decision based on the sentiments of the people and the position of the party with regard to the activity of another wing of the LTTE in the district.

Q: Would this lead to the erosion of the UNP vote base in the East?
A: The UNP vote bank in the East has been of recent past based on the position the party faces vis a vis the national issues. The UNP is the only party that has a clear position with regard to the rights of the minorities in a negotiated settlement to the national issues. Therefore it cannot be said that decisions taken in the interest of democracy and the rights of people would erode the vote base of the UNP.

Q: What is the UNPA?a??a??s position regarding the governmentA?a??a??s plan to hold Provincial Council elections?
A: The party has just initiated discussions on this issue, and there will be a series of meetings during the course of next week with organisers of the area, after which the Political Affairs Committee of the party would take a decision.

How much atarax for anxiety Q: Do you think a Provincial Council election is necessary at present given the escalation of violence in these areas?
A: Any attempt at giving power to the people in the regions is welcome, provided a level playing field can be assured by the government in power, so that the people of the area can freely make their choice of who should govern them.

Q: The UNP is accused of involving in, A?a??E?patch work politicsA?a??a?? in the East by the SLMC. How do you view this accusation?
A: I am really amused at this accusation if there is any. Because today the SLMC is holding seats in the East only because of the UNP not nominating Muslim candidates of their own, at elections at the request of the SLMC. And in fact, the UNP not contesting the local poll in Batticaloa, is also to the advantage of the SLMC, which the SLMC will be reluctant to concede. This has actually damaged the support of the UNP. The UNP has now realised that patch work agreements with smaller parties does not help in the long run. Hence the decision to reorganise and revitalise its vote base among the minorities in the North and East.

Q: Does it mean that the future elections will be contested by the UNP without aligning with smaller parties?
A: The UNP has taken a decision that it is open to alliances with like thinking parties for an election, or for the formation of the government without surrendering its identity in the regions. This would effectively mean that any like thinking party wanting to align with the UNP would have to contest under the UNPA?a??a??s symbol, without restricting the UNPA?a??a??s need to field its own candidates as well.

Q: But is it possible under the existing electoral system to win an election without aligning with smaller parties?
A: If you go back to 1989, with the emergence of the SLMC in the East with its founder leader at the helm and at the height of its popularity, the UNP still won the Ampara and the Trincomalee districts which formed the backbone of the SLMC support at that time. So alliances with parties with a view to come into power compromising the founding principles of national parties has cost them dearly and lessons learnt are what is now the compelling factor.

Q: Has the UNP identified the needs of the people in the East and if so what are they?
A: Basically the primary need of the people in the East is peace. With peace coming in, mobility, access to their livelihood, investments in infrastructure, and maximising the resources of that area which has remained untapped for the last 30 years, would also come in automatically.

Q: What are the measures taken by the UNP to deliver this to the Muslims?
A: The UNP has very clearly in its election manifesto spelled out how it would address these issues. If you look at the manifesto of the 2005 Presidential election, 2001 and 2004 General elections the development of the East and bringing peace to the area has been given the highest priority. And once the UNP assumes power it will definitely be working on swiftly implementing its plans. But for all this to happen, honorable peace within all communities has to come.

Q: You were one time SLMC High Command Member. How do you see the performance of the SLMC now?
A: My joining the SLMC was a result of the persuasion of the Ampara district Mosque Federation that declared all Muslim political forces in the district should contest under one banner. At a meeting held at the Ranmuthu hotel subsequently, I was the first to get up and declare that I would unconditionally agree to work with the SLMC, which I was doing even at that time as a member of their Constitutional Council in an independent capacity. I was even willing to contest the election if the party requested me to do so. This was a need of the day as we had to make an effort to consolidate the Muslim voice to strengthen the communityA?a??a??s demand for independent participation at the peace process.

But this did not work out. Thereafter having joined the SLMC, I worked to ensure that the party realised the mood of the people and in keeping with reality take up positions that could eventually ensure that the community had its fair share in any negotiated settlement to the ethnic issue. Unfortunately the power politics of the current proportional representation system and the fact that the SLMC had been corrupted by power and absolute power during the 1994 to 2000 period, I realised it was difficult for the party to work towards the basic founding principles of the party. This is why the SLMC, even after having received a majority of the Muslim votes at every election, has not been able to hold on to its representatives who were elected on a mandate which is very dear to the Muslims of the North East. So the end result has been that today the party support if analysed statistically will show a very sharp decline in the North and the East. The latest episode of the SLMC deciding to join the government to save the party and thereafter leaving the government, dividing the party, proves that the party is now drifting, and unable to basically work towards maintaining its vote base among the people of the North East, who have continuously hoped that the party would deliver on its promises.

Q: Does the UNP recognise the SLMC demand for a separate administrative council for the Muslims in the East?
A: The cry for a separate council by the SLMC or for that matter Muslims of the East should be seen as a part of the whole problem because it is more a reactionary call than something that has evolved over time. The Muslims have in the history of the country never clamoured for regional power. This has come about by the non-inclusion of their aspirations by both the majority communities; that is the Sinhalese and the Tamils, though the Tamil leadership has been pointing a finger at the Sinhala majority. They have not turned that finger towards themselves and seen that they were repeating that same behaviour towards their minority, that is the Muslims of the North and East. The very same reasons attributed by them for autonomy is what is echoed by the Muslims. So this cry will not be sustained if an inclusive process evolved, which is just and equitable to all communities. The UNPA?a??a??s position is that we have to build a national identity. And it is on record that should the resolution of the North East conflict be conditional to the merger of the North and East, then the just demand of the Muslims and Sinhalese should also be met.

****

source:
http://www.nation.lk/2008/03/09/inter2.htm

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“No Private Schools”

Published on 09/03/2008 in Blogs, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

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“Selective perception” has failed HRW in presentation of facts

The annual report of the Human Rights Watch 2008 contains a Chapter on Sri Lanka which has failed to distinguish between a democratically elected Government which has reaffirmed its commitment to promote and protect human rights while combating an unprecedented challenge of terrorism, and the LTTE, a fascist terrorist group recently branded as one of the worst of such groups in the world by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the USA.

Despite the Government of Sri Lanka maintaining an open dialogue with the international community and INGOs, including the Human Rights Watch (HRW) regularly, it fails to acknowledge any positive steps taken by Sri Lanka to enhance protection in a situation of emergency. Senior Ministers and high officials from Sri Lanka have had discussions with the Human Rights Watch in New York and Washington in September 2007 where they have amply explained the measures the Government has taken to uphold human rights in an extremely difficult situation of fighting a ruthless terrorist group to rid innocent civilians from the clutches of subjugation of this outfit.

The Human Rights Watch has placed selective focus on some civil and political rights, avoiding entirely any mention of GOSL’s considerable achievements in providing economic, social and cultural rights, including to all citizens in the North and the East.

The Human Rights Watch appears to ignore the fact that since independence the Government has provided a free and comprehensive national education system, including schools, non-formal education institutions, and technical colleges. The salaries of teachers, administrative, clerical and elementary staff are met from state funds.

There are no private schools in operation in Kilinochchi, Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara and Trincomalee. Schoolchildren in these areas are entirely dependent on Government run schools for their primary and secondary education, which the Government continues to provide. Every single teacher is funded by the Government.

There are an estimated 1848 functioning state funded schools with over 700,000 students in the North and the East. These schools include 411 in Jaffna, 94 Buy biaxin xl in Kilinochchi, 93 in Mannar, 187 in Vavuniya, 102 in Mullativu, 314 in Batticaloa, 388 in Ampara and 259 in Trincomalee. Thus 18.9% of the schools administered by the Ministry of Education are located in the North and the East. The scope of the education service provided by the Government of Sri Lanka is apparent, for instance in the latest report of the UNHCR on Welfare Centres in Jaffna, which indicates that 1251 of 1252 Primary Level children are in school in these centres, and 1434 out of 1716 among secondary school children.

State hospitals and State run health care centres provide a totally free service – both preventative and curative and are funded by the Government. The State meets the recurrent costs of doctors, nurses and minor employees, including salaries, drugs, equipment and the maintenance of hospitals. In the North and the East, there are over 53 Hospital institutions with more than 4427 hospital beds providing free curative healthcare.

The Human Rights Watch does not take into account any of the achievements of the Government in providing numerous welfare and protection programmes for migrant workers, especially women migrant workers including their families. The Human Rights Watch appears to proceed from some abstract “standards which has little relevance to the conditions on the ground in a developing country”. It is unfortunate that the Human Rights Watch continues to use developed country standards, which are used only selectively in the case of developed countries, in criticising developing countries.

Vague accusations proliferate in the report such as “indiscriminate firing” “unnecessarily preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid” etc., which are not borne out by the facts. The rationalisation undertaken by the Government in consultation with INGOs and NGOs seem to have escaped HRW completely.

Sri Lanka’s Security Forces are fully trained to take every precaution against harming civilians. The ICRC has imparted international humanitarian law (IHL) training to Security Forces since over 20 years, such that over 90% of forces are now fully trained in IHL. Since 2006, most deaths have been among combatants (especially Government forces) while most civilian deaths have been caused by LTTE bomb blasts such as on buses at Kebbetigollawa, Nittambuwa, Seenigama and Chettikulam and even in Shopping Complexes at Nugegoda. The LTTE gunned down civilians fleeing the bus bomb in Buttala.

Sufficient information is available on Sri Lanka websites (SCOPP/Commissioner General for Essential Services) regarding provision of essential supplies to North and East. HRW fails to acknowledge that throughout the years of conflict, humanitarian and developmental needs of the civilian population of the North and the East, including in conflict areas, were continuously met by the Government of Sri Lanka together with some assistance from the donor community. The administrative machinery including the free national health, education and infrastructure facilities in conflict areas are continuing to be maintained by the Government despite the fact that the LTTE siphons of such funding for its own illegal purposes.

The Government of Sri Lanka is presently taking all steps to provide the essential services that people need in the uncleared areas. In fact, even today the Government Agents in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, LTTE dominated districts, are actively delivering all essential services. The salaries and pensions and other expenses of these services are fully met by the Government, and the Government also monitors these activities to ensure that the services reach the people as expeditiously as possible. However, given the hazardous ground conditions that prevail in these areas it is necessary for the LTTE to cooperate to ensure that these efforts are made more effective. Already, massive programmes for housing, roads, bridges, electrification, livelihood development, hospitals, and schools have been planned. The completed projects and other projects in progress and in the pipeline are valued at approximately 1,250 Million U.S. Dollars. This is a massive sum, and the investment of such an amount would need stable ground and safe conditions that are essential for the effective realization of the benefits of this vast investment.

HRW analysis of the situation of internally displaced persons (IDP) is therefore, flawed with exaggerated figures quoted and failure to acknowledge the success of GOSL in speedily resettling IDPs in their own homes after evicting the LTTE from the Eastern Province, whilst providing assistance in food and livelihood support etc. Sri Lanka has expended considerable resources over the last many years in caring for IDPs affected by both conflict and tsunami.

Despite repeated Government requests for specific information, HRW has not supplied any ‘credible evidence’ on any complicity by GOSL Security Forces with the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulugal (TMVP), a breakaway group of the LTTE. Accusations are vague and unsubstantiated and tend to reflect the propaganda line of detractors of the Government. Today, the TMVP is making the difficult transition to a political party, having registered with the Commissioner of Elections for the local government elections in the Eastern Province.

Courtesy: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

10 Muslim civilians in Pottuvil

Published on 08/03/2008 in Blogs, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

How much is abilify at costco Sri Lanka: Diovan cheaper alternative Statement of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights on the decision by the IIGEP to wind-up their operations in Sri Lanka

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka – Geneva – Switzerland

07th March 2008

The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP), is a unique structure hitherto not encountered in any fact finding exercise anywhere in the world and is mandated to function over a period of one year. On 30 November 2007, the IIGEP by its letter addressed to His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa, communicated its decision to end its mandate by the end of March 2008. The IIGEP embarked on its work in February 2007 which means that, within 8 to 9 months of the commencement of its mandate, and prior to fulfilling a full year, such a decision to quit was taken.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights regrets the haste with which this decision was taken, especially in the context of the public inquiries that have started and are ongoing in two important investigations, namely: the investigation into the deaths of 17 aid workers belonging to the Action Contre La Faim in Muttur and the killing of 5 youths in Trincomalee. Public inquiries into the slaying of 10 Muslim civilians in Pottuvil are also due to commence shortly.

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S Lanka rapped over ‘disappeared’

Published on 06/03/2008 in press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments
S Lanka rapped over ‘disappeared’

Sri Lankan soldier with civilians in Colombo

The security forces are accused of abducting hundreds of people

Sri Lanka’s government is one of the world’s worst perpetrators of enforced disappearances, US-based pressure group Human Rights Watch (HRW) says. Noroxin shipping An HRW report accuses security forces and pro-government militias of abducting and “disappearing” hundreds of people since 2006.

Many of the missing are young Tamil men targeted on suspicion of links to Tamil Tiger rebels, HRW says.

Sri Lanka’s government says HRW has exaggerated the scale of the problem.

Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona says there has been a “steady decline in disappearances over the last 12 months” because of new measures taken by the government.

“Unfortunately Human Rights Watch has tended to exaggerate the real situation,” Mr Kohona said.

He said the group’s “unfair” report was based on unsubstantiated claims and “anecdotal evidence”, while the government’s own investigations into disappearances were proceeding quickly.

Tens of thousands have died since separatist Tamil Tiger rebels began fighting the Sri Lankan government more than three decades ago.

‘Inadequate response’

HRW said several hundred cases of disappearances had been reported since 2006, when fighting between the Tamil Tiger rebels and the government intensified.

The rights group said the majority of cases “indicate the involvement of government security forces – army, navy or police”. Eurax quanto costa

The group said pro-government armed Tamil groups – such as the faction led by renegade rebel commander Col Karuna – had also been implicated in the abductions and disappearances.

While most of the victims were members of Sri Lanka’s ethnic Tamil minority, HRW said, some Muslims and Sinhalese had also been targeted.

These included journalists, aid workers, clergy and teachers, HRW said.

Many of the missing were feared dead.

HRW said the Sri Lankan government’s response to the disappearances had been “grossly inadequate”.

It urged the government to reveal the whereabouts of the missing and prosecute those responsible.

The rights group said the number of disappearances carried out by the Tamil Tigers in government-controlled areas was relatively low.

But it said, the Tigers were responsible for targeted killings, forced child recruitment, bomb attacks on civilians and the repression of basic rights in areas they controlleds

source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7280050.stm

LankaFirst – Newsletter v. 06.03.08

Published on 06/03/2008 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, press coverage and presse-deutsch. 0 Comments

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MIA at Arugambay

Published on 03/03/2008 in Blogs, people and press coverage. 0 Comments

MIA in Sri Lanka (Part 2 – The finale)

Part 2 – The finale

In my last post I spoke of sea urchins putting at end, or at least a temporary end, to my travels around Sri Lanka. In this post you will discover that this may not have been such a disaster after all.

Originally I had intended to travel to Matra the day after surfing in Mirissa and catch a bus inland to Wellawaya. My aim was to reach my familyA?a??a??s rubber plantation, but as you read in the last post, the sea urchins had other plans. I woke up in my Uncle CharithA?a??a??s bungalow the morning after the SUA (sea urchin attack) to hear that a bus near Wellawaya had been bombed leaving many casualties and fatalities behind. Devastated as I was to be sitting there, nursing my swollen and bandaged feet, I could not help but thank those sea urchins for perhaps sparing me the cruel faith that those on the bus had suffered. For the moment I was benched and could not walk, but I would soon recover and set forth again, and as you will learn, lady luck would smile upon me twice more.

Two weeks after SUA, I was travelling again. This time I was staying with my Uncle Lal in Arugam Bay, a chilled surfing town on the east coast that boasts some of the best surf in Sri Lanka. This however was the off season, which explained why there were no other travellers on the beach or in the town. The other reason for the lack of tourism, may have been the fact that there recently had been LTTE activity in the surrounding districts and that there were soldiers now stationed every 100m on the 40km stretch of the main road into and out of town. Lucky for me, my Uncle was there as engineer working with an NGO to build a bridge and water treatment station (the tours were very informative and enjoyable, I assure you), which meant travelling to and from Aruguam Bay was relatively pain free, for me that is. The locals need to get permits from the police station to drive vehicles in and out the town while all the passengers aboard the buses need to disembark produce ID and have their bags searched. The whole process can take up to 3 hrs to get through the 40km stretch. I managed it in an hour and a bit.

Leaving Aruguam Bay Purchase prazosin hydrochloride I headed west to my familyA?a??a??s rubber plantation just passed Wellawaya, my intended destination before SUA. There I spent a very relaxing week enjoying all that hill country life has to offer. My hosts, and what wonderful hosts they were, were my Uncle Lalith, and his wife Aunty Daritha, their naughty but lovable son Vilhan and of course my other Aunty Bundi. They, like all of my relatives in Sri Lanka, looked after me with greatest love and care.

While on the plantation I indulged in many taxing pursuits such as; going through the hundred year old historical documents connected with Rosebury Estate (the name of the plantation) these incredibly included a death certificate of old Englishman, perhaps former owner, who died of gang green in lunatic asylum, nice! another past time was learning about the running and management of the rubber plantation, from labor management to when and how the trees are tapped; but most favourite of all past times was driving the old Morris Minor Traveller around, cue videoA?a??A?

Unfortunately this video is all I have to show for my travels outside of Colombo as the portable hard drive I was carrying around failed when I returned to Colombo which meant all the photos, which included sporting a hard hat and fashionable fluorescent jacket while stood next to half finished 140m bridge and one where I am giving 3 year old Vilhan a stylish Mohawk hair cut were lost. The slideshow below is of some photos I took when I returned to Colombo. You may be wondering whether I lost everything, well worry not, being the good comp sci geek that I am, I backed everything up before I left Colombo, which was damn lucky. Talking of luck.

Earlier I said that lady luck had smiled twice more on me, well she did, and this is how it happened. When I left Hoodia comprar online Arugam Bay I had intended to travel to Rosebury Estate and then north to the old cities, namely Dumbula, and from there take day trips to the nearby sites. But when I reached Rosebury, I enjoyed myself so much so, that I forgot about heading north to Dumbula. A couple of days later, there was yet another bomb on a bus in Dambula leaving more casualties and fatalities. That is the second time and this is the third. In leaving the hill country I had hoped to take the scenic train that lonely planet lists as one of its highlights. You would think that I would have learnt not to use the public transport by now, but it took yet another bomblast in ColomboA?a??a??s main train station with yet more casualties and fatalities, for me to finally get the message.

When I set out to travel I had always envisaged that I was the master of my own destiny, that I alone decided where and what I did. Sri Lanka taught me that your actions affect those around you and care about you, and whether you like it or not, you have a responsibility to them. I was willing to risk my safety and travel on the trains and buses but my uncle was so worried, he would not allow me to travel alone and insisted that he accompany myself. Looking at his worried wife I realised that I was being selfish and conceded not to travel. I dread to think what might have happened had we taken the train to Colombo.

I did finally leave the plantation and return, hitching a ride with yet another uncle and aunty who had come to visit – I know what your thinking, how many auntys and uncles do I have! well the fact that my mother is one of eight and my father one of ten, should clear things up. When I returned to Colombo, I discovered the shocking news that my grandfather had had a heart attack and was in intensive care. When I spoke to the doctors, they were very clear about the chances my 86 year old grandfather had. It was a difficult time for all. But, I am glad to say that my grandfather, being the stubborn determined man that he is, proved the doctors wrong and was discharged and was back at home 10 days later. In the following days I said goodbye to my grandfather and the rest of the family (all of his children had flown in from around the world, my mother included) and boarded a plane to Bangkok.
source:
http://roshansblog.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/mia-in-sri-lanka-part-2-the-finale/

Jungle rumble

Published on 02/03/2008 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, press coverage and wild life. 0 Comments

Jungle rumble: The battle goes on

By Wasantha Chandrapala

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The duel between man and beast does not seem to have an end and the situation seems to be worsening by the day. The result is that both man and beast die in the confrontation. While an elephant at Dighawapiya area in Ampara district was killed in early February, on the 26th of last month a wild elephant killed a farmer in Ruhunugama village.

Other villages where the menace is rampant in this district are Kotavehera, Suduwella and Vijithapura where at sundown elephants stray into paddy fields destroying crops and other cultivations. According to Wild Life officials already four elephants have been killed in the two months of this year.

A farmerA?a??a??s bicycle mangled by an angry elephant

Speaking on the issue of negligence on the part of the Wild Life officers, Ven. Anuradhapura Dhammarama Thera of the Ruhunugama temple said that so far three villagers have become victims.A?a??A?When his mother was killed by an elephant, her son had shot the animal dead. Much harm is being done to cultivation by marauding animals who stray into villages at dusk,A?a??A? he said.

The thera lamented that no amount of appeals made to officials has met with any success and added that requests for necessary items be supplied to scare the animals away have not met with success either. He appealed to the President to take some action to counter the menace which has caused villagers to leave their homes and go elsewhere.

A person identified as W. Nimal said animals roam at night in the Buddhangala area and requested officials to have an electrified fence erected to tackle the problem. Dighawapi farmers organisation president S.S. Wijekoon said he wanted officials to have an electrified fence erected.

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A Wild Life official blamed humans for straying into animal territory forcing them to invade villages. He, however, said staff was insufficient to fight the menace. According to him areas where electrified fences were needed have been identified and said chief among them were Buddhangala, Ekgalaoya and Dighawapi.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080302/News/news0020.html

Arugam Bay bridge

Published on 02/03/2008 in Money Matters and press coverage. 0 Comments

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Work on Kallady bridge begins

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by Imantha Caldera

Construction work on the new Kallady Bridge at the Akkaraipattu, Batticaloa-Thricondiyadi Road has commenced. An official of the Ministry of Highways and Road Development said, “the total cost of this project is Rs. 700 million, funded by the Japanese Government.

The project is due to be completed within three years”. The Kallady Bridge has two lanes for vehicles with two additional side lanes for cyclists. The length of the concrete bridge is 290 metres and the width is 14.5 metres. Informed sources said that construction work on bridges at Arugam Bay, Oddamavadi, Erakkakandy, Puduwaikattu, Yanoya and Kinniya has started.

Meanwhile, construction work on bridges in Komari, Kallar and Koddaikallara has been completed.

Sources also said that the bridges will be built shortly in Verugal, Ralkuli, Gangei and Upparu. Currently these areas are linked by ferry services. Difficulties in transportation in those areas are expected to ease with the new bridges.

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/03/02/new15.asp

Arugam Bay Water Tower

Published on 01/03/2008 in From our own Correspondent, front page, Ideas, Money Matters and the bay. 0 Comments

One more Tower – One more Land Mark!
At picturesque Arugam Bay. Micardis plus generic substitute
Arugam Bay Water Tower under Construction

Between #61 Fishing Net and #62 Palmgrove Holiday Inn a new, large project is being constructed at present. Where can i buy levothroid
Just South of our “City Centre”, landside, USAID and their sub contractors are well under way to build a new Water Tower and supply system.
This project seems swift and professional in its approach – we’ll keep you posted of its progress.