Monthly Archive for July, 2008

Page 3 of 4

Notebook of a Nobody

Published on 05/07/2008 in Blogs, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments
The Island
The culture of impunity rides on

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by Shanie

Abductions and arbitrary arrests are once again reaching alarming proportions, together with extra-judicial killings by all sides involved in our little dirty war. Often, abductions are followed by beatings (as in the recent cases of media persons) or mysterious disappearances. Pious statements of condemnation and “explanations” from apologists ring hollow because there is no redress for the victims and their families. Nobody is charged with these offences and the usual excuse is that there was no evidence or that no eye-witnesses have come forward. This certainly is not the professionalism that we expect of the law enforcement authorities. Our Police have had an enviable record in cracking complex crimes in the past. But now a culture of impunity exists when it comes to crime associated with political figures. It gives rise to a feeling shared by many that these crimes are being committed on the direction of political powerful masters.

Take the case of Joseph Pararajasingham, who was killed as he attended Christmas Mass at the Batticaloa Cathedral in 2005. There were several eye-witnesses who identified the killer but the Police have chosen to release this suspect. A Commission of Inquiry headed by High Court Judge Mahanama Tillakaratne was appointed to investigate this and similar crimes. We do not know what conclusions the Commissioner has arrived at. In any case, the report released in 2007 is presumably gathering dust in the PresidentA?a??a??s Office. The family has understandably lost any faith that the killers will ever be brought to justice.

But this is not an isolated case. Hundreds have been abducted and have disappeared; many have been openly killed. All parties A?a??a?? the LTTE, TMVP, EPDP and the security forces A?a??a?? are widely believed to be responsible for one or the other. The killing of the innocent students in Tricomalee, the aid workers in Mutur (both in the Trincomalee District), the Tamil and Muslim civilians in Allaipiddy (Jaffna District), in Pesalai (Mannar District) and Pottuvil (Ampara District), in the Farm School in the Vavuniya District, and the spate of civilians killed in bus bombings in Kebittigollawa (Anuradhapura District), Buttala (Moneragala District) and in several areas of the Colombo District show that terror from all sides covers all parts of the island. The cited incidents are only the ones that are well known. There are daily incidents of terror that are a part and parcel of the life of civilians in the North and East. Elsewhere, a fear psychosis is building up.

Community Level Peace Building

These abuses of human rights cannot be left for self-correction by the very forces engaged in these abuses. The civil society, the media and even our religious leaders have been basically intimidated into near silence. Nobody likes to be beaten up or incarcerated without charges for months. Except for a few with discernment, the public are deprived of access to the stories of abuse. History has shown that genuine peace building must grow as a peopleA?a??a??s movement. In MarcosA?a??a?? Philippines and in SuhartoA?a??a??s Indonesia it was peopleA?a??a??s power which overthrew repressive regimes. In South Africa and Northern Ireland, a peopleA?a??a??s movement supported by international pressure helped to restore peace and democracy. Such a peopleA?a??a??s movement is what this country needs at this stage. We need civil society and religious leaders who will challenge A?a??E?traitorA?a??a?? labels (as President Rajapakse courageously did during the 1988 insurgency) to give leadership to the people undergoing trauma.

Prof. Daya Somasundaram, then Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Jaffna and co-author with his colleagues in the University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) of the Broken Palmyrah, addressed the 2002 Annual Sessions of the Jaffna Science Association. What he stated in the context of Jaffna in 2002 is valid for the country as a whole today. He said: A?a??E?Community level peace building activities have to be initiated. The mode of thinking and acting has to change from a conflict-habituated system of suspicions, grievances, ethnocentrism, violent solutions and confrontation to a peace system with give and take, accommodation, flexibility, forgiveness, non-violence and a wider world-view. A fixed belligerent posture should not be engineered or orchestrated, but a creative response allowed to grow independently and spontaneously from below. Only then can genuine peace be sustained.”

Somasundaram is quite right that new initiatives need to taken at the grassroots. We should think anew and take a broader view of understanding the mind and frustrations of the A?a??E?otherA?a??a??. The media should set an example in this, despite the dangers involved. Too often, our media, particularly the Sinhala and Tamil media, do not promote the themes of national harmony and the respect for the human rights of all communities. Inconvenient truths are suppressed or worse, distorted. The media can be an indispensable tool for promoting public respect for democracy and human rights. Self censorship as practised now, for whatever reason, defeats the purpose for which the media exists A?a??a?? to disseminate knowledge and awareness. Chauvinism, from whomever it emanates, needs to be exposed for the harm it does to the future of our country.

Apologists and Red Herrings

We referred earlier to the case of 17 ACF workers who were killed in Mutur. This is being investigated by the Government appointed Commission of Inquiry (CoI). But it is indeed a pity that Prof Rajiva Wijesinha in a newspaper article this week has again returned to the theme of blaming the ACF for not withdrawing its workers from Mutur earlier. To borrow a phrase from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, it is obscene to draw this red herring. 17 young persons have brutally shot and killed in cold blood. We should find and punish the killers of this heinous crime. The University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) by meticulous research have been able to present evidence that identifies the killers. We should assist the Commission of Inquiry to investigate independently, including the evidence presented by the UTHR (J), and make their findings. It is truly obscene for this liberal turned apologist to draw a red herring by trying to shift the blame on the ACF. The ACF may or may not have exercised good judgment in keeping its staff in Mutur on that fateful day. The ACF exists to provide assistance in precisely such situations but this was an extraordinary situation, which the local management may not have realised. But that is not the real issue. These young persons have been brutally murdered. The real issue is to identify and bring their killers to justice.

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Whilst on the Mutur massacre, it may be pertinent to refer to another red herring that has been drawn in respect of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry headed by retired Supreme Court Justice. An eleven member International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) headed by retired Indian Supreme Court Chief Justice P N Bhagwati were present as international observers and to assist the CoI. The IIGEP withdrew earlier this year citing various reasons why they felt that the CoI may not be able to arrive at the truth. One of the reasons they gave was that there was a conflict of interests in the counsel from the Attorney GeneralA?a??a??s Department being closely involved in the collection and preparation of evidence and leading the questioning of witnesses. At least one of the leading counsel for the CoI had reportedly advised some of the original police investigations that are to be examined by the CoI. Counsel for the security forces whose conduct is under investigation have predictably drawn a red herring by accusing one of the Commissioners of a conflict of interest and accusing the Chairman Udalagama, a person of undoubted integrity, of misconduct. Are these 17 young persons and their families entitled to justice. There have been disturbing reports of the intimidation of witnesses, some of whom have had to flee the country. Others have simply refused to come forward out of fear.

Bishop Lakshman Wickremesinghe

Soon after the 1983 pogrom, and shortly before his death, Bishop Lakshman Wickremesinghe gave a stirring and oft-quoted pastoral address to his flock at Kurunagala. What he said then still remains valid after twenty five years: “The urgent demands of our national crisis must overcome personal, party and petty interests. We must pray for and support those who are trying to build convergence in the midst of divergence. Renewed dialogue between the Sinhala and Tamil leadership should not be delayed. The possibility of renewed violence remains in the background like a dark shadowA?a??A?. A genuine sharing of power between the majority and minorities has to emergeA?a??A?. There must be a real determination to reach a settlement. Otherwise, there will be increasing disorder along with increasing dictatorship.

source:
http://www.island.lk/2008/07/05/features6.html

No bridge too far against LTTE barbarism

Published on 04/07/2008 in Money Matters, people, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

Last Tuesday President Mahinda Rajapaksa travelled to Arugam Bay in the East for the ceremonial opening of the bridge that links Pottuvil, Arugam Bay and Panama. It replaces the former bridge over Arugam Bay that was “destroyed” (sic) in the tsunami of December 2004.

The $10 million bridge is considered the flagship project of the US GovernmentA?a??a??s $134 million tsunami reconstruction assistance programme in Sri Lanka and will provide an important boost to economic development in the Eastern Province.

Apart from this demonstration of the friendship between the United States and Sri Lanka, this bridge is also a symbol of the GovernmentA?a??a??s commitment to develop the East, and its opening was very much in sync with the Negenahira Udawa or Eastern Re-awakening programme.

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Arugam Bay bridge

This was one more practical example of the PresidentA?a??a??s policy of going ahead with development, despite the huge costs and other problems caused by the ongoing military operations to defeat terrorism.

With this new bridge the people in vast areas of the East that were largely separated will be brought much closer and many opportunities will be opened for more economic activities in these areas.

It is the importance of this bridge in improving the living conditions of people in the East, and giving them the opportunity to fully enjoy their liberation from the terror of the LTTE that prompted the President to be there in person for this event.

It is possibly the symbolism that the new Arugam Bay Bridge and its ceremonial opening gave to the GovernmentA?a??a??s efforts towards help realize the aspirations of the people of the East that made the LTTE pick on this particular event to attempt an attack on the PresidentA?a??a??s entourage, hoping it would be able to get at the President himself. The attempt failed. What was struck in the failed attempt was a back up helicopter that had gone to re-fuel after the choppers that brought the PresidentA?a??a??s party to the event had safely landed at Arugam Bay.

This was not a military event. It was also an event with diplomatic presence, including Evan Feigenbaum, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, who was there because of the US contribution for the new bridge, both in funds and expertise.

This was a peaceful event that was intended to provide better living conditions for the people of the East, including its Tamil people, whose liberation the LTTE claims it is fighting for.

In considering all of this, the LTTEA?a??a??s action last Tuesday in targeting a chopper of the PresidentA?a??a??s entourage, albeit one that had no passengers and was returning from fuelling, can only be seen both as a gross act of cowardice as well as one of monumental folly.

Cold-blooded

TULF leader V. Anandasangaree put this act of the LTTE in perspective when he described it as barbaric conduct, and showed how such acts can compel the whole world to join hands to crush it.

In a statement issued from Paris, the TULF leader and UNESCO Madanjeet Singh laureate on tolerance and non-violence, while condemning the attack, sought to tell Velupillai Prabhakaran that this attempted assassination was not less foolish than the cold-blooded murder of the former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, masterminded by the LTTE leader.

His statement warned Prabhakaran that, this type of barbaric conduct on your part, which is virtually a challenge to the International Community, must cease immediately and the LTTE should agree for talks with the Government and lay down arms unconditionally.

At this rate they will lose even the little sympathy the International Community has for their cause – and not for them – resulting in the whole world joining hands to crush them completely. The developments that are taking place in different countries clearly show that this will take place sooner or later.

Whatever the LTTE may think of the GovernmentA?a??a??s strategies of development and seeking to give the people of the East the real fruits of their liberation from Armed Oppressors, there is ample evidence to show that the policy of the President and this Government lays stress on development, and especially the importance of connectivity and easier transport to achieve the tasks of development.

It was not long ago that the Government opened that other important bridge at Manampitiya, a new bridge that replaced the old rail-road bridge that was also washed away in the tsunami.

This was also an important opening to the East and is already showing the benefits it has brought to the people, especially in improving their economic conditions.

Road Builder

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The very word A?a??E?bridgesA?a??a?? indicates the bringing together of people and communities, of crossing barriers. They are a means of closer interaction among people who may have been separated for too long due to physical barriers.

As much as bridges reduce distances and bring people closer, making a significant contribution to the economic development of an area, they also help bring about understanding among people who have been kept apart for long, not only because of terrain, but also due to divisive politics and Armed attempts at destabilisation of the State and moves for separation.

The barbarism of the LTTE would not want to see any bridges built that would bring the people of this country together again, and take them on the path to peace and prosperity. The mindset of the terrorist does not want to see the divisions that they have either caused or exacerbated among communities heal, and the roots of tolerance and understanding take hold.

The terrorist, especially Prabhakaran and the LTTE, would think it best to kill off both the message and the messenger, the message being that of peace, understanding and reconciliation, and the messenger in this instance being the President, who having given the leadership to the liberation of the East from the clutches of terror, is actively working towards developing the region to give opportunities for advancement to the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim communities there.

More bridges will have to be built for this, and so it will be, despite the displeasure this may give to the LTTE.

Moving from bridges to roads, although there are many who say that there has been no development under this Government, this charge is contradicted when one sees the amount of work it has done in the area of providing better road facilities to the people.

If the British Governor Barnes gained repute as the Great Road Builder of Ceylon, it could well be that Mahinda Rajapaksa will rightly earn the honour and reputation of being the greatest road builder since independence.

This is best seen in the rural areas where there are literally thousands of kilometres of concrete surfaced roads, where once there were only cart tracks or paths where no vehicle could travel, bringing a great boon to the often neglected rural people.

This is also true of the national highways, where the road surfacing in most areas has been improved and new roads have been built or are being built where there was none earlier. Midst all this there is certainly a shortcoming seen in the roads maintained by the Provincial Councils.

This is a matter that will have to be addressed very soon both by the Government that allocates funds for development work of the PCs, as well as the public who will have to make the PCs more answerable to them on matters of development, especially road building and maintenance.

In the task of bringing people together the decided policy of this government includes the building of more than 200 bridges, which will contribute a great deal to bringing people and communities closer, making a positive impact on their livelihoods and economic opportunities, as well as paving the way for peace and understanding, whatever the LTTE or those opposed to such progress may feel about it.

Last stand

While Anandasangaree says the LTTEA?a??a??s barbarism would soon result in the whole world joining hands to crush them completely and that developments already taking place in different countries clearly show that this will take place sooner or later, there are more reports of the LTTEA?a??a??s growing weakness in the light of the military operations to eliminate terrorism from the country.

The latest such report is from A?a??E?Strategy PageA?a??a??, the authoritative website on military matters the world over. Earlier this week A?a??E?Strategy PageA?a??a?? reported that with more and more civilians living in North sneaking into Government controlled areas, the LTTE has mobilised everyone and everything for what appears to be a A?a??A?last stand,A?a??A? adding that A?a??E?Most of the Tamils in the North donA?a??a??t want to be a part of that [last stand], but opposing the LTTE can get you killed. So those who can are fleeing.A?a??a??

According to A?a??E?Strategy PageA?a??a?? most of the LTTE recruits are poorly trained, led largely via threats to themselves and their families and suffering from low morale. There is little ammo, because of the Navy blockade and the destruction of most of the LTTE boats.

The Government artillery and Air Force are finding more targets, thanks to the interrogation of captured or deserted LTTE fighters, and the long range army patrols inside LTTE territory.

By containing the LTTE to a small portion of the northern coast, the rest of the country has prospered. GDP was up 6.8 per cent last year, and is headed for a seven per cent increase this year,A?a??a?? it further said.

This analysis of the LTTEA?a??a??s increasing military weakness is supported by a writer in the Observer Magazine, special section of The Observer, one of the UKA?a??a??s leading mainstream Sunday newspapers, well known for its independent reporting and analysis. Euan Ferguson writing in last SundayA?a??a??s (June 29) issue of the Observer Magazine describes how the LTTE in its frustration at being thwarted in their attacks on the Government and military, are going for the softest targets of all, the impoverished working people of Sri Lanka.

He gives detailed accounts of how A?a??E?the LTTE, essentially pinned down in two territories, have taken to bombs, on trains and on busesA?a??a??, and that: A?a??E?Desperate tactics have been adopted by the Tigers, but there are increasing signs that by targeting innocent civilians they are fast losing whatever sympathies they once had within the majority Sinhalese populationA?a??a??. Not very far from what Anandasangaree states:

It adds that there has for long been fundraising in the UK for the LTTE; with the Sri Lankan Government estimating that 70m pounds is raised annually in Britain, despite the LTTE being a proscribed organization there.

Bus bombs and suicide killings

Writer Ferguson who has visited Sri Lanka for a second time (the first being in the aftermath of the tsunami in December 2004) describes in considerable detail, not seen by most wire service reports and those of quick-stop, fly-by-night foreign correspondents, how the LTTE targets the civilian population of Sri Lanka, especially its use of bus bombs and suicide killers, as it fails to make any gains in direct confrontations with the countryA?a??a??s Armed Forces.

The number of incidents reported show the writer has spent some time in Sri Lanka and had bothered to visit some of the sites of the tragedies caused by the LTTEA?a??a??s increasing barbarism.

Here are some relevant excerpts about the LTTEA?a??a??s bus bombs and suicide killings from the article titled A?a??E?Lost in ParadiseA?a??a??:

A?a??A?Here are not only the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) but their offshoot, the Black Tigers, the suicide squads. According to JaneA?a??a??s Information Group, between 1980 and 2000 the Tigers had carried out a total of 168 suicide attacks on civilians and military targets, easily exceeding those in the same period by Hezbollah and Hamas combined.

And, now, today, thwarted in their attacks on the Government and military, theyA?a??a??re going for the softest targets of all, the impoverished working people of Sri Lanka. The gloves came off again at the start of 2008, with the Government vowing to break the Tigers within a year.A?a??A?

A?a??A?For all those decades of suicide practice, youA?a??a??d think they might be getting the hang of it by now. But in ColomboA?a??a??s Fort Railway Station, a few weeks before my visit, it all went wrong again.

A female suicide bomber, coming off a train from the south, was spotted acting oddly by police – too many clothes for the cloying heat – and fled from the turnstile back into the station. By platform three she sat down and exploded. She took 11 others with her. The 11 dead included half a high school baseball team, and 92 were injured.A?a??A?

A?a??A?Indrani Fernando, saw a suspicious bag left under a seat near the back. When no one claimed it I told the crew and shouted at people to get off,A?a??a?? she says.

The bus halted in the middle of a junction and everyone filed off and began walking away, rather quickly, and the police were called.

Twenty seconds after the driver and conductor had climbed off, the bomb exploded: 10 passers-by were injured, among them children. Indrani later took a congratulatory call from the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, thanking her for her vigilance. I go to see the bus, towed two miles away. The carcass is eviscerated, skeletal: no one would have survived.A?a??A?

A?a??A?Just before I arrived in Sri Lanka, another bus had been blown up a couple of kilometres outside Dambulla, an ancient holy rest-stop on the journey to the East. The 18 killed were almost all pilgrims, and included children.

In the remote southern town of Buttala the rebels had recently failed to kill most of the passengers on a bus with a simple bomb; so they gunned down 32 of them as they fled, in flames.

A?a??A?Desperate tactics have been adopted by the Tigers, but there are increasing signs that by targeting innocent civilians they are fast losing whatever sympathies they once had within the majority Sinhalese population.A?a??A?

A?a??A?And the rebels, essentially pinned down in two territories, have taken to bombs, on trains and on buses.A?a??A?

A?a??A?The night before I fly out I wander down to the beach at Colombo. Within a couple of weeks, it turns out, this unconscionable little war will have erupted ever faster.

A suicide bomber exploded successfully at the start of a marathon just outside Colombo, killing 13 (including a Government Minister). Then a parcel was left on the overhead rack of a bus leaving the depot at Piliyandala, just south of the capital: the fireball killed 24 and injured scores.A?a??A? (Courtesy: Observer Magazine UK)

Attacks on media

The new IGP Jayantha Wickremaratne has a major task at hand, with those who attacked journalist Namal Perera and the Political Affairs Officer of the UK High Commission Mahendra Ratnaweera (a person who is very close to the media) virtually handing him the first big case in his new office.

One hopes that the time Wickremaratne spent as Media Spokesman for the Police would make him more understanding of the situation that prevails, and the worries that journalists and media organisations face today.

While the number of attacks on journalists has been increasing in recent months, and the Police apparently drawing blank on all of them, the IGP will no doubt see the new urgency in tackling this issue with the PresidentA?a??a??s own statement made at Arugam Bay last Tuesday, the day after the attack of Perera and Ratnaweera, when he referred to the existence of a conspiracy to jeopardise and smear the name of the Government through the attacks on journalists.

It is now the task of the Police to get to the bottom of this conspiracy, which one hopes will see the end of this spate of attacks, that is certainly not helping in giving a good image to Sri Lanka and the Government, however sceptical some may be of the reasons for these attacks.

Going by the record so far, it is evident that it is not the number of police teams involved in any probe that matters, but the quality of the personnel and the direction given by those at the top of the Police. IGP Wickremaratne has thus found the best opportunity to prove his mettle as a police officer committed to upholding the Rule of Law.

source:
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/07/05/fea02.asp

Rock the Point – Party in Arugam Bay

Published on 04/07/2008 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, parties, press coverage and services. 0 Comments

Posted on July 1, 2008 by goofyfoot

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A road trip to a sexy weekend of sun,surf,and moonlit rave set on one of the most exotic & beautiful places in Sri Lanka is on the cards for 100 very lucky people!!!

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Tickets are limited! ~ Invitees only!
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Let the Rave Bus take you on a riotous road trip to an outdoor beach/lakeside rave on the beautiful East coast of Sri LankaA?a??A?

Dj Shiyam & Dj Yazz will be messing with your head, sending shivers down your body with grooves from heaven & hell from Friday night onwards!!!

Surfing ,swimming & water fun finds a new meaning on this beachA?a??A? (bring your own gear)
Frolick around beach bonfires under a moonlit skyA?a??A? A?E?A?
Reasonably priced food & beverages available on site.

Camping areas & showers are available on location
A sleeping bag will do if you fancy chilling under the stars as the weather is great! A?E?A?
Please bring your own tents if you wish to camp out.
DonA?a??a??t forget your swimming gear !!!

The Rave Bus A?E?A? A?E?A? A?E?A? takes off from MacDonaldA?a??a??s Rajagiriya @ 9.00 a.m. on the 17th of July 2008.
Complimentary refreshments will be served on the bus for the onward journey.
Bring all you need along with you as there will be limited stops.
(No shopping stops!)
The return journey will start @ 10.00a.m. on Sunday the 20th of July 2008.
Please be on time as there will be no refunds on tickets if you miss the bus at either point!
The bus will terminate at MacDonaldA?a??a??s Rajagiriya.

Tickets : Entrance only ~ Rs: 1000/-
Rave bus return ticket only~ 3500/-

TICKETS SALES WILL BE FROM THE 27th OF JUNE TILL THE 10th OF JULY ONLY!!!
Arugam bay residents please call
Nuria (0776958407) or Susana (0779497005) for tickets. Please call in time to avoid disapointment.

source:
http://www.goofyfootholidays.com/rock-the-point/

Rock the Point

Published on 03/07/2008 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, front page, parties, people, press coverage and the bay. 0 Comments

Daily Telegraph -UK-

PottuVille Point

A famous, most beautiful surf (& Party-!) spot in eastern Sri Lanka just to the north of Arugam Bay.

Here is YOUR chance to enjoy the beautiful setting of The Point!
The resort has been selected to host a private, three day Party in mid July, 2008!

Tickets to the event as well as transport from Colombo are by INVITATION only.
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Non Facebook users may need a password to see the above page.
Available from the Rock-the-Point hot line:( +94…)

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Phone:
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Email:
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The above photo was selected by the the Daily Telegraph, London and published in March, 2008; see link below.
What a location for a 3 day Party weekend!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/core/Slideshow/slideshowContentFrameFragXL.
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Senior U.S. State Department official visits Sri Lanka

Published on 03/07/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

Purchase indinavir side Thursday, July 3, 2008, 11:32 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka. How much does lamictal cost uk

July 03, Colombo: Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Evan Feigenbaum visited Sri Lanka June 30 and July 1 as part of the U.S. governmentA?A?A?s regular, ongoing consultations with the Sri Lankan Government, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo announced.

He participated with President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the ceremony to open the Arugam Bay Bridge on July 1.

An Embassy statement said during his visit, Feigenbaum also met with senior Government of Sri Lanka officials, including Acting Foreign Minister Hussein Bhaila, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Foreign Employment and Defense Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella, Secretary of Defense Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, and Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona. He also met with representatives of Sri LankaA?A?A?s leading political parties.

Highlighting that the United States and Sri Lanka have long been partners, Feigenbaum said his meetings helped to further the ongoing dialogue between the two countries.

A?A?A?We continue to have strong concerns about human rights and pressures on the media,A?A?A? Feigenbaum said.

He noted, however, the formation of a ministerial committee to address concerns raised by journalists over their safety and independence. He commended the Government for its role in the release by the TMVP of nearly forty former child soldiers and stressed the importance of releasing all remaining underage combatants.

Reiterating his governmentA?A?A?s support Feigenbaum said the United States will continue to assist in Sri LankaA?A?A?s development, including in the East.

source:
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/July3113229SL.html

Surf the Nation’s Blog on Arugam Bay

Published on 03/07/2008 in Blogs, people and press coverage. 0 Comments

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Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Well hello friends. It has been a while since i have updated this thing. For those of you who do not know, I was just in Sri Lanka for a month, and now i am in Bali for another month-both with surfing the nations. So I feel really out of touch with everyone. I guess that happens when you are in a fishing village for a month and can’t really use the internet. But I want you all to know what Ive been up to. I’ve decided that hopefully in the next few days I will write more on here and give you lots of details about Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka. So this first blog started out as an email to my parents but then i decided i would fill everyone in…it’s written really sloppily, but thats how i always write so i hope you do not mind. This first one is just about Arugam Bay and the set up of it.
So. Arugam Bay. It’s a little fishing village. I really didn’t realize that it was so small until we left. Arugam bay is on the east side of the island. we arrived in colombo and took a 10 hour ormore bus ride to the opposite side of the island, all on semi bumpy roads. Pottovil is a bigger town next to Arugam bay. We drive through Pottovil which is one main strip that has tailer stores-i don’t know. where they make your clothes, little convenient stores that have laundry soap, crackers, water and fruit, fruit stands and restaurants. nothing is nice and new with air conditioning, everything is hole in the wall style stores. at the end of pottuvil is a new big bridge that was at the end of being built. It is the nicest thing we saw pretty much our whole drive..pretty much in all of sri lanka maybe haha. but arugam bay is on the other side. obviously arugam bay is a bay and the whole little town is shaped around the bay. we lived towards the middle/beginning of the bay (Surfing the nations has property there). the street is lined with lots of rotti stands, which is like sao bing yo tiou (for people from taiwan)-the outside bread type stuff…and i pretty much ate that for breakfast lunch and dinner. for breakfast it was two plain ones for 20 cents, lunch was maybe a vegetable or egg and vegetable rotti, and dinner was koti rotti which is rotti cut up with some veggies mixed in. so i really got my fill of carbs! so the street has lots of these little greasy hole in the wall rotti shops, probably at least 20 hotel/bungalos that have no people staying in them and little stores. i guess oprah has a hotel out there-Tri star, but no one was even staying in it. when we got there there were only a handful of tourists and 25 of us…ahha. but by the time we left the tourist season had picked up. At the end of the street (or where arugam bay kinda ends) is a buddha in a glass box that renee likes to call the buddha information center…take a left there and a 1 minute walk down a broken road and it opens up to the ocean. boats are lined everwhere with men who act as though they have never seen elbows and calves (It’s a strict muslim community so we women were dressed in skirts below the knee and loose t-shirts the whole time…we were really longing for some freedom from frumpy clothes!)…then a little walk around the bay and you are at the point! there is only one surfing point in arugam bay so pretty much the five tourists that were there for a nice surf vacation were quite shocked the first morning we were there and 20 people crowded the point. so yeah…oh yeah. i can give you more details about the property (this would be so much easier if i could show you pictures right now, but i obviously can’t!) the property. it is the first property off the street and then there is one property right behind us and then the beach. we have a front entrance that is a gate (kind of i guess) and then a side door..we only use the side door and the alley that it is off of has a nice view out to the ocean. so our property is half lined in bricks and then half fenced in by palm frawns.i think that is what they are called. its palm branches woven together to make pieces to make fences, roofs, shade, walls, everything. and the property is one piece of land. i’m not exactly sure how big it is. it’s not big, but its not small. on the property is palm trees, a house- a cement house with two bedrooms, a (i don’t even know what itis called) but its like a shadey area…a cement slab with a roof on top…so that is where all our meetings were and if anyone was on the property this is where they were sitting because it was too hot in the sun. then we have a well, which was my favorite part because i loved pulling the bucket up with the dirty water to flush our toilet or to water the plants. I could pretend that i had left this modernized world and was living the origional way..the property also has .a bathroom and a shower. the shower is super sick, its got the palm frawn wall setting and has trees in it and then a cement slab for where you can stand and shower. but we didn’t shower there becasue the water is brown and dirty-something was wrong with the well…so they either gotta dig another well or wait for 3 months till the whole town gets clean water. our first two days there we used thed irty water but we decided it would probably be better to use our neighbors-aloha cabanas showers instead. then we had 7 tents set up around the property where we all slept. My bags were covered in sand by the time I left.
so that is the set up of A Bay. As for daily life. A regular day was wake up between 6:30 and 8 (my tent always woke up early because we were right next to the door and all the boys were always at dawn patrol-morning surf-and would wake up right when the sun came out) the first week i was there i ate at aloha cabanas every morning, milk tea and a jaffle (like a bananna panini) but then that became too expensive($3.00) . so i would have my quiet time with some milk tea, and then we would usually have a meeting around 9 or 10-have worship, testimony and a little bible study. the last week or so we were studying galations so we would read a chapter as a group and dig into it, and then by this time it is about noonish and the surfers would surf and us non surfers would hit the ocean and do a little body surfing or just getting refreshed by the water…then we started work on the property. i was on the alley team (we cleaned the alley and the name just stuck) and so we pretty much had no jobs because we werent painters or good with construction..so we would just go and chill with people in the community. One day a bunch of us girls bought ice cream for the Why Not family (i’ll tell you more about them later). we got close with two families that lived right next door to eachother. the Ali family and the Why Not family. (the why not family had a restaurant that we ate at everynight called why not. cuz why wouldn’t you eat there-great local prices and good food) the Ali family is the family that made me fall in love with Arugam Bay the most. there are 4 older girls, two boys and a 3 year old girl. By the time we left the three oldest girls were married and pregnant, and rodja is 18 and probably soon getting married. we’d go over and they would make us tea and we would just sit. not really talk because there’s a big language barrier, but we would just kinda talk and laugh. they always fed us strange snacks…like berries that made our mouths extremely dry. they tasted like unripe bananas. the Ali family’s dad, who we called papa is something big with at the mosque. A Moula (sp?) i think is what it is called. I don’t really know what that means, but he was something important at the mosque. So his family was run by strict Muslim rules. This means that the women of the house were never allowed to leave the house except to cross the street to get water from their neighbor’s well. This means they were really happy to have us over at any time of the day. The people of Arugam bay were so so welcoming and friendly (sometimes its hard to tell if its genuine or whether they just are wanting to be friends with stn so they can get money…) but the Alis are genuine friends, people with STN have known them for years. We couldn’t really communicate that well with the girls. Rodja spoke a bit of english so it was always a challenge to know what was going on. On the day before we left we were supposed to go berry picking with the family in their garden but we told them we couldn’t get there until 10:30 instead of 9:00..when we arrived the berry pickers were gone..the time change was lost in translation (this was one of our favorite phrases)…it was kinda okay though because it was going to be an hour walk in the blistering sun. While we were there Falilah, the 3rd daughter got married out of no where. she had a “boyfriend” that she married. we’re not sure exactly how the ceremony was supposed to go or what exactly was going on but i was just so happy to be able to be apart of a muslim/sri lankan wedding. And then there was the Why Not family. We met them one day while we were sitting at the Ali’s place and we saw some little kids peeping through a crack in the fence. Renee went over to talk with them…an hour or so later we were all sitting around like..where is renee?! we weren’t sure if maybe she had left to go home because of a bad case of diahrea (this happens a lot here..people will just dissapear to the bathroom) or where she could have been…but we found out that she had been trapped next door by the 15 kids that live there. So since then we became friends with the little girls (they’re about 15 and younger) and spent a lot of time at their place. One day Renee and i got to do laundry with them-not in a washing machine, but by hand…it made me happy.
So i’ve had enough of typing for today. I will continue tomorrow or some other day to tell you more about life in A Bay.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. We really felt them!

source:
http://speckinthewind.blogspot.com/2008/07/well-hello-friends.html Costco children’s motrin

Knocked out by a tsunami, a bridge is rebuilt, raising hopes in tourism

Published on 02/07/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters and press coverage. 0 Comments

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Sri Lankan helicopter hit by suspected rebel fire in country’s east

Published on 02/07/2008 in press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

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The helicopter was one of the two that escorted a third helicopter that was carrying President Mahinda Rajapaksa helicopter earlier in the day during an official visit to the area.

The helicopter was struck in Ampara district, 360 kilometres east of the capital, on Tuesday afternoon as it was heading to a nearby airbase for refueling after the president arrived at his destination safely.

Air force spokesman Janaka Nanayakkara confirmed that the helicopter had been hit by surface-based fire, but did not say whether rebels were responsible.

Rajapaksa was at a ceremony to open a bridge built with US government assistance in Arugambay when the helicopter was hit. He flew flew back to Colombo later in the day.

The Sri Lankan government has declared that the eastern province has been recaptured from the rebels, but journalists in the area say that small groups of rebels still operate in the area.

The military is currently carrying out operations in the northern province to clear rebel held areas.

source:
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/southasia/news/article_1414366.php/Sri_Lankan_helicopter_hit_by_
suspected_rebel_fire_in_countrys_east

Anyone can take a bullet

Published on 02/07/2008 in Blogs, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments
AN SLAF helicopter took ground fire which forced it to make an emergency landing due to fuel loss in Ampara today. This goes on to prove that having high-end electronic counter measures do not compensaste for operator negligence in any situation, and particularly when in a war. A few well placed shots from an old G3 rifle can easily bring down a helicopter, and the LTTE units often carry plenty of similar or even greater fire power.

The SLAF also carried out a heavy raid against a gathering of the Tamil Tiger air assets today. The extent of the damages caused to the Tigers in this attack and a number of other similar well targetted attacks over the past few days remain unknown while there is much guessing about a high ranking terrorist being either killed or disabled.

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source:
A?A?http://srilankaairforce.blogspot.com/2008/07/anyone-can-take-bullet-when-it-is-war.html

Lanka leader’s helicopter shot at

Published on 02/07/2008 in press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments
Bell helicopter

Helicopters are routinely used by the Sri Lankan army

A helicopter that had just flown the Sri Lankan president to a ceremony and left him there was hit by gunfire soon after taking off again.

A statement from the army said the aircraft had to make an emergency landing, and was found to have a bullet-hole in one of its fuel tanks.

It is not clear who shot at the helicopter over the Ampara region, in the east of Sri Lanka.

The area is not close to territory held by the Tamil Tiger rebels. Purchase azulfidine generic

Police say that the incident happened shortly after President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been dropped off at a public rally to re-open a bridge that had been demolished by the 2004 tsunami.

A statement on the Sri Lankan army website said that the Bell 412 helicopter was engaged in “logistic work” when it was attacked, but managed to land safely thanks to a a “timely detection of the technical fault”.

Independent state

Meanwhile the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has withdrawn from the Omanthai crossing point between government and Tamil Tiger lines in the north of the island after what it called an explosion.

The ICRC says that it will resume work as soon as security in the area is assured.

Air force fighter jets had carried out several bombardments in the Vanni area – which includes Omanthai – on Tuesday and local officials said one bomb fell within 500 metres of the crossing point.

The air force says there was some bombing in the area, but it was 5km (three miles) away from the crossing.

Correspondents say that traffic and passenger movements in the area will come to a halt without the presence of the ICRC.

Tamil Tiger rebels have fought for a generation for an independent state for the Tamil minority in the island’s north and east.

About 70,000 people have been killed since the civil war began in 1983.

Violence in the island increased after the government formally pulled out of a ceasefire agreement in January.

source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7484195.stm Purchase arcoxia side

USAID Completes State-of-the-art Bridge in Sri Lanka

Published on 02/07/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2008
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov

SRI LANKA – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) today marked the end of its flagship tsunami reconstruction project with a new bridge across Arugam Bay Order procardia medication .

The $10 million span-constructed by USAID in partnership with Sri Lanka’s Road Development Authority under direction of the Ministry of Highways-is a gift from the American people, replacing the original bridge destroyed by the tsunami and the first of its kind in Sri Lanka.

Meetings with residents and community leaders in Pottuvil and Ulla to discuss the construction resulted in a modern steel-and-concrete structure common in the United States but never used in Sri Lanka. The design made the bridge less expensive, faster to build and more durable.

“For decades to come, this bridge over Arugam Bay will symbolize the commitment of the American people to help Sri Lanka rebuild and grow economically after the tsunami,” James R. Moore, the U.S. charge d’ affairs said at the opening ceremony. “It will bear witness to our support for stability, democratic governance, economic growth and development in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province.”

About 80 percent of the bridge’s workforce was recruited locally, providing jobs for the surrounding communities. It’s expected the new connection will boost the local economy by providing easier access to the 64 hotels in the Arugam Bay area, said Rebecca Cohn, USAID’s mission director. “We’re proud of the community involvement which showed all of us that by working together we could complete this very ambitious project.”

Sri Lanka’s President, Mahinda Rajapakse, T.B. Ekanayake, minister of highways and Hon. S. Chanrakanthan, chief minister of the Eastern Provincial Council, were among the dignitaries presiding at the bridge’s official opening.

For more information about the USAID and its programs in Sri Lanka, visit www.usaid.gov.

source: Purchase renagel side
http://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2008/pr080701.html

Bell 412 shot in fuselage

Published on 02/07/2008 in Blogs, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

The bell 412 chopper that transported President Mahinda Rajapakse to Arugambay at around 12.30pm today made an emergency landing after it suddenly ran-out of fuel. It later transpired that the chopper’s fuselage was drilled by a few bullets resulting in the said loss of fuel in mid-air. President Rajapakse was not on board the chopper at the time of the incident.

The chopper was shot four times on one of its fuselages using an MPMG while it was flying over Kanjikudichchiaaru in Pottuvil after refueling at Ampara Airforce Base at Uhana. The 412 is used for VIP transport while the 212 is used for troop transport. Incidentally, 7 mortar bombs fell on the Sengamuwa STF camp today morning, fired also from Kanjikudichchiaaru.

Yesterday the 58 and 57 Divisions joined together at Pallimadu to commence the march towards Veduthalthivu. On Saturday, the Sri Lanka Army received a large quantity of arms and ammunition from a friendly country in Eastern Europe.

The stock included a large quantity of 122mm rockets used by RM-70 Czech-made MBRLs and a stock of ammunition and spare parts for BMP series APCs. The sale was secured following a visit last November.

A controversy arose over the procurement of another large stock of RM-70 Rockets a few months ago after a Human Rights group misinterpreted them for guided missiles. The rockets were by then removed from the said country and was later safely received by the Army.

source:
Bactroban costo http://defencewire.blogspot.com/2008/07/bell-212-shot-in-fuselage.html Voltaren how much

Government copter attacked

Published on 02/07/2008 in press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

B. Muralidhar ReddyCOLOMBO: A helicopter providing logistic support to Sri Lanka President Mahinda RajapaksaA?a??a??s aerial convoy to the eastern region took a A?a??E?hitA?a??a?? in Amparai district on Tuesday afternoon.

According to reliable sources, the helicopter made an emergency landing. It was part of a three-copter convoy carrying the President to Arugambay Cheap alesse reviews Purchase temovate e for opening a bridge connecting Pothuvil and Arukam Kudaa.

A?a??A?The President and his entourage have returned safely. The incident occurred when the helicopters were on their way back from a base for re-fuelling. It is immediately not clear what hit the helicopter that provided logistic support to the Presidential convoy. The claim by the pro-LTTE web site that the helicopter came under rocket fire is baseless. It could at worst have been hit by small arms fire.

A?a??A?The schedule of the President and his entourage was not affected. They returned to Colombo safely. It is true that as a matter of abundant caution the helicopter that carried the President returned to Colombo via the sea routeA?a??A?, a senior official told The Hindu.

The Sri Lanka Air Force claimed it pounded an LTTE base at Ampakaman area, eight km northeast of Mankulam junction on Tuesday morning. Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said eight fighter jets were used.

source:
http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/02/stories/2008070254601200.htm

VVIP Transport hit by small arms fire

Published on 02/07/2008 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, Money Matters, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

VVIP Transport hit by small arms fire

A VVIP transport helicopter (Bell 412) was forced to perform an emergency landing in Ampara today, when it ran out of fuel in mid air. The unexpected fuel loss was caused by a bullet that is suspected to have been fired using a low caliber weapon. The damaged aircraft is said to be in repairable condition. The chopper was assigned to facilitate VVIP transport related to the President’s visit to Arugam Bay in the Eastern province.

Meanwhile 8 bombers of the SLAF launched an air attack on a special training base of the LTTE north east of Mankulam. The raid was conducted at 6am in the morning. Casualty details are not available as of now.

In other news, the Air Force has flown several night time missions using its bombers during the past 2 weeks. The bombers flew over Kilinochchci, the de facto capital of LTTE, at least 3 times but did not engage in any bombing raids.

Posted by DefenceNet at 7:20:00 PM

21 comments:

Pakka-Lanka said…
Thanks DN

Was any VVIP in the helicopter when the emergency landing took place?

July 1, 2008 8:38 PM
Pakka-Lanka said…
“The bombers flew over Kilinochchci, the de facto capital of LTTE, at least 3 times but did not engage in any bombing raids.”

DN,

Good to know that we are keeping up with day/night air attacks.

What is the purpose of bombers flying over ‘Nochchi without any raids? Is it to demoralise the enemy by demonstrating our air superiority? Or are they mere practice runs in the night before the fire works are dished out? Value your comments.

Cheers.

July 1, 2008 8:46 PM
Pakka-Lanka said…
If the chopper was damaged by small arms fire, it means there is a residue of LTTE activists in the liberated areas who could pose a significant threat. What if the chopper caught fire and was destroyed? We must act as if the chopper was destroyed and do whatever we can to rid the cleared ares of any residue of LTTE.

July 1, 2008 8:53 PM
Pakka-Lanka said…
This post has been removed by the author.
July 1, 2008 8:53 PM
ranilb5 said…
Mannar and Vavunia fronts are merged into a single battle front ranging over 75km according to Defence.lk

This is a great news I have been waiting to hear for a long time….
Now we are strong and have lesser chances to failures…

Looser fakakaran, our boys are coming!!!!

July 1, 2008 9:20 PM
abarip said…
pakkaya-lanka,
It was a VVIP chopper because it had a VVIP on board. If not it would have been a ‘nikang’ chopper!

July 1, 2008 9:26 PM
DefenceNet said…
“What is the purpose of bombers flying over ‘Nochchi without any raids?”

Perhaps for testing purposes.

July 1, 2008 9:36 PM
DefenceNet said…
“Was any VVIP in the helicopter when the emergency landing took place?”

No it was returning to the ceremony after re-fuelling.

“It was a VVIP chopper because it had a VVIP on board. If not it would have been a ‘nikang’ chopper!”

It was a VVIP chopper because it was assigned for VVIP transportation. That does not mean a VVIP has to be present inside the chopper all the time 🙂

July 1, 2008 9:43 PM
lankanews said…
DN,

Is it a Bell 212 or 412?
http://www.army.lk/fulsit.php?idx=989
says it is a Bell 412.

Thanx

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LKDOOD said…
DN thanks for the update

July 1, 2008 9:58 PM
Theraputtha said…
why 8 bombers? was the target area wide-spread? or SLAF wanted no near-death escape for any of enimies?

July 1, 2008 10:11 PM
Qrious said…
Thanks Defencenet,

At least we know what happened.

July 1, 2008 10:20 PM
Strategic Thinking said…
did anyone see the bbc article that one of the airforce bombers dropped one near the ICRC office in Omanthai?

July 1, 2008 10:24 PM
DefenceNet said…
“Is it a Bell 212 or 412?’

A 412 as mentioned in the article.

July 1, 2008 10:49 PM
lankanews said…
A 412 as mentioned in the article.
Thanx DN.

ICRC temporarly withdraw from Omanthei entry/exit point after SLAF attacked today evening.

lankadeepa.lk

July 1, 2008 11:06 PM
LKDOOD said…
DW:

“..The chopper was shot four times on one of its fuselages using an MPMG while it was flying over Kanjikudichchiaaru..”

Army must flush out the attackers in Kanjikudichchiaaru

July 1, 2008 11:07 PM
Thambapanniya said…
Sign up
http://www.defence.lk/rsa/reportknowledge.asp

July 1, 2008 11:19 PM
silentknight said…
Thambapanniya,

welcome to DN!…

lets destroy these ltte MF’s using a collective technological knowledge base,…..

if SLAF needs help with a home varient of a “spooky” ,..count me in,…..

jolly good son!,….

July 2, 2008 12:09 AM
hemantha said…
Weapons captured in Mannar.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MSM15tklLQM

July 2, 2008 12:24 AM
LKDOOD said…
[tamilnet]

A9 gateway to Vanni closed after SLAF attack

Following the closure of the gateway, all transportation including civilian transportation and humanitarian supplies have come to a halt.

July 2, 2008 12:46 AM
LKDOOD said…
with the A9 closed

new front opening along the A9 ?

July 2, 2008 12:58 AM

Post a Comment

source:
http://defencenet.blogspot.com/2008/07/vvip-transport-hit-by-small-arms-fire.html

USAID Completes State-of-the-art Bridge over Arugam Bay

Published on 02/07/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

Colombo, 02 July, (Asiantribune.com): The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) today marked the completion of its flagship tsunami reconstruction project A?a??a?? the new bridge across Arugam Bay A?a??a?? in the presence of President Mahinda Rajapakse.

The $10 million Bridge is a gift from the American people to the people of Sri Lanka, and will replace the original bridge that was destroyed by the 2004 tsunami. The state-of-the-art bridge has been constructed by USAID in partnership with the Road Development Authority under the aegis of the Ministry of Highways.: Minister of Plan Implementation P. Dayaratne; U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan Feigenbaum; U.S. ChargA?A? dA?a??a??Affairs James R. Moore; President Mahinda Rajapaksa; Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council Sivanasathurai Chandrakanthan; U.S. Agency for International Development Director Rebecca Cohn.: Minister of Plan Implementation P. Dayaratne; U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan Feigenbaum; U.S. ChargA?A? dA?a??a??Affairs James R. Moore; President Mahinda Rajapaksa; Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council Sivanasathurai Chandrakanthan; U.S. Agency for International Development Director Rebecca Cohn.

While expressing gratitude to the US government President Rajapaksa pointed out that unity was essential in order to obtain the support of the international community and called upon everyone to set aside differences and join the common cause of ridding the country of terrorism and developing those areas that had already been liberated from the clutches of terrorists.

“The endeavour and commitment of the government is to ensure the victory of the people amidst any challenge,” said President Rajapaksa addressing the gathering.

“The government has initiated massive development programmes while liberating people from the clutches of terrorists and this development drive cannot be abandoned despite many conspiracies including attacks on journalists,” President added.

He said the Arugam Bay bridge is was milestone of the Nagenahira Navodaya (Eastern Awakening) development programme and this bridge brings many benefits to the communities engaged in agriculture, fisheries and other industries.

Speaking further President said that despite the difficulties confronted along the way, the Government was determined to continue the efforts until the ultimate goal is achieved. Arugam Bay BridgeArugam Bay Bridge

The US Embassy press release reveal that the design is a combination of steel and concrete, which made the bridge less expensive, faster to build, and more durable. This technology is often used in the United States, but has not previously been used in Sri Lanka. A?a??A?For decades to come, this bridge over Arugam Bay will symbolize the commitment of the American people to help Sri Lanka rebuild and grow economically after the tsunami,A?a??A? U.S. Charge dA?a??a?? Affairs James R. Moore said at the opening ceremony. A?a??A?It will bear witness to our support for stability, democratic governance, economic growth and development in Sri LankaA?a??a??s Eastern Province.A?a??A?

USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn highlighted the community involvement in completing this project in her opening remarks, explaining that approximately 80% of the workforce was recruited from the local communities of Drug delivery allopurinol Order serpina blood Pottuvil, Arugam Bay and Panama, giving local citizens direct economic benefits from this project.

In addition, numerous meetings with the people and community leaders in Pottuvil and Ulla were organized to discuss the bridge construction. A?a??A?We are proud of the level of community involvement, which showed all of us that by working together, we could complete this very ambitious project,A?a??A? Ms Cohn said. She also expressed hope that the new bridge will help boost the local economy by providing easier access for tourists to the 64 hotels in the Arugam Bay area.

– Asian Tribune –

source:
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/12022

Bridge to the East

Published on 01/07/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

Bridge to the East

YesterdayA?a??a??s opening of the Price of plavix in canada Arugam Bay bridge by President Mahinda Rajapaksa marks yet another symbolic act of bridge building between the communities and could mark a cornerstone in the A?a??A?Eastern ResurgenceA?a??a?? project, now in its initial stages. It is set to gather momentum with the Election of a Provincial Administration in the East.

The bridge built at cost of US$ 10 million is a replacement for the original bridge that was destroyed by the tsunami and links Pottuvil, Panama and Fertomid price south africa Arugam Bay in the East.

The bridge would facilitate the free movement of people and would be a boon for commercial activity in the province.

No doubt it will be the wish of the Eastern population that more tangible benefits would come their way in the form of schemes and programmes that would uplift their lives transforming the miserable existence they were forced to undergo in the not too distant past.

The US Government should be thanked for its generosity of funding the project and hopefully more such aid would be forthcoming in a steady stream for rebuilding the East to bring it on par with the rest of the country.

The Government on its part should speed up the projects that have already been earmarked for the Province as a matter of urgency, for any delay could only result in the resurfacing of the frustrations of the Eastern population.

There is a vast field of activity that covers the redevelopment of the East including education, infrastructure, housing etc.

We hope this new bridge will open the gateway for an acceleration of development plans that have been earmarked for the East.

source:
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/07/02/main_Editorial.asp