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Plans to revive Arugam Bay

Published on 16/05/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, press coverage, Security & Safety, services and the bay. 0 Comments

Post-Eastern polls forecasts A?a??E?vibrantA?a??a?? economy

By Dilrukshi Fernando and Ravindu Peiris

The business community has expressed concern over who is to be appointed as the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province. A?a??A?As the Pillayan faction is reported to be armed, it is definitely not a positive sign. However, he did contest the electionsA?a??A? Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mahen Dayananda said while adding that opposing parties have complained to the Elections Commissioner about flaws in the Eastern PC polls, which is a sign for concern.

President of the Federation of the Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) Nawaz Rajabdeen stated that people should not consider Pillayan as a terrorist when allowing him to sort out the problems in the east. A?a??A?If you consider him a terrorist and draw differences, then you create animosityA?a??A? Rajabdeen affirmed. He pointed out that if there are internal conflicts in the east, it would not be a peaceful environment for the locals.

Rajabdeen further observed that although all politicians have their own personal agendas, they should set aside their differences and support the people. A?a??A?How many politicians visited the area when the tsunami hit? But for the Eastern polls all of them went there and promised various things,A?a??A? he noted.

The UPFA won the election, with the Chief MinisterA?a??a??s position falling vacant for either L.A.M Hizbullah or Pillaiyan. Despite entering the democratic process, the TMVP faction still carry arms claiming it is for personal security purposes.

Infrastructure essential

A?a??A?Infrastructure leaves much to be desired. Electricity, water and basic requirements are some of the necessities that are in need of immediate action,A?a??A? Dayananda said. He divulged that the Chamber had been supporting the East with financial assistance through their regional chambers particularly Batticaloa. A?a??A?We will continue to support them and if all goes well on a structured framework a noticeable change will occur in the economy with the East contributing. It will definitely be converted into a realm of possibility.A?a??A?

Rajabdeen in the meantime claimed that the private sector was positive about the elections in the East so long as development takes place.

They had established several A?a??E?Back to BusinessA?a??a?? initiatives in the aftermath of the tsunami which had assisted those victimised entrepreneurs to get back on their feet. It was revealed that now that the elections have been held, the FCCISL is examing the possibility of commencing a similar project to this as well in addition to a project to boost the livelihood of women. Rajabdeen furthermore conveyed that if a conducive environment remained, investments were bound to increase. A?a??A?Poverty alleviation is a priority. The government must think of this and also regional development and should especially support the agro based industry,A?a??A? he stated.

Tourism foresees boost in benefits

Sri Lanka Tourism is anticipating a bright future with the Eastern Province contributing. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Renton De Alwis stated that the country should not rush-in for international tourism and that we should first boost the local tourism sector. When questioned if revenue from tourism will increase due to the recent political developments in the East, he said A?a??A?Certainly it would increase but not as direct revenue to the government but as benefits to the local community.A?a??A?

He added that even before the elections, the government was attempting to promote tourism but now further stability was evident in the area. Delving into the programmes they intend to conduct in the area, Alwis said that they are going to build an exquisite resort in Pasikuda with the help of seven investors and the Institute of Architects. Sri Lanka Tourism plans to revive the areas of Kalkuda, Nilaweli and Arugam Bay. Other plans include steps to overcome the issue of shortage in accommodation through measures such as recreational vehicle parks (Caravans).

A?a??A?The East can help reduce the economic imbalanceA?a??A?- Trade Minister

Commenting on the impact of the recent elections, the Minister of Trade Bandula Gunewardena sid A?a??A?Business people cannot control terrorism, which is a huge obstacle to conduct business and trade.A?a??A? According to Gunewardena, the elections were of high importance as it enabled the removal of terrorism, which was a high risk factor in the region. Liberating the East from LTTE control has opened avenues for the initiation of development projects relating to infrastructure and healthcare the Minister added. A?a??A?Now the people have an opportunity to address their own issues. The A?a??E?Nagenahira NavodayaA?a??a?? programme of the National Task Force can now confer its power to the Provincial Councils because of election,A?a??A? he added.

The province is rich in natural resources and contributes to the industries of agriculture and fisheries. A?a??A?If utilized properly the region can contribute to the increment of the countryA?a??a??s GDP, and work towards achieving a balance in the economic development,A?a??A? the minister opined.

Order rosuvastatin Entrepreneurs donA?a??a??t see any significant change for the futureA?A?

Although the ground situation doesnA?a??a??t look as favourable, Anwer*, an entrepreneur from Trincomalee said the elections have not expressed the voice of the people. A?a??A?It was a government election. Initiated by them and finally carried according to their own advantage. Tamils are not happy with the result,A?a??A? he said. Anwer divulged the plight of large scale businessmen who have to pay bribes to the TMVP in order to continue their business. A?a??A?The Stuffing of ballot boxes and obstructing voters were issues for us at the election but we are more worried about the consequences that will follow the election,A?a??A? he said adding that the fear instilled in traders and civilians by the armed personnel have restricted the movements of the public. A?a??A?How can there be a change when the same government that ruled before the election will continue to rule hereafter?A?a??A?

In contrast was Haroun* from Batticaloa who is engaged in the agricultural sector said A?a??A?we are happy that the elections were finally held in the East after two decades. This will give us an opportunity to address several regional problems which have long been neglected by the central government,A?a??A? he added. His optimism comes with hopes of expanding his business in the future.

source: Buy liquid isotretinoin
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=14911

The tsunami in Sri Lanka: A case study in US humanitarian missions

Published on 14/05/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters and press coverage. 0 Comments
14 May 2008
By K. Ratnayake

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Since the cyclone engulfed Burma on May 3, there has been an incessant campaign in the international media to push for foreign militaries, along with aid officials, to be allowed into the country. Article after article contrasts the paranoia, incompetence and callousness of the Burmese junta with the supposed willingness of the US and other major powers to generously provide humanitarian assistance.

The Burmese junta has clearly demonstrated once again its repressive methods and callous disregard for human life. But the claim that Washington and its allies are acting purely out of concern for the Burmese people is simply a lie. As in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Bush administration is pursuing its strategic and economic interestsA?a??a??in the case of Burma to undermine a regime that is allied to China, which the US regards as a potentially dangerous rising rival.

In making the case for an intervention in Burma, the media commentary frequently raises the 2004 tsunami, claiming that the international response, including the deployment of foreign militaries, was a model of efficiency and benevolence. Completely ignored is what actually took place in 2004, its political implications and the fate of the tens of thousands of survivors who are still struggling to survive in countries around the Bay of Bengal.

The case of Sri Lanka contains important lessons. After Indonesia, Sri Lanka was the country hardest hit by tsunami. According to official figures, at least 30,920 people died, 519,063 were displaced and 103,836 houses destroyed. The devastation was horrendous. Homes, schools, hospitals, road, rail lines, communications were all swept away. Whole villages disappeared. The survivors were left without shelter, food, clean water and medicine. Many, particularly fishermen, lost their livelihoods.

Burma is not alone in having an incompetent, repressive administration. For days the government of President Chandrika Kumaratunga did nothing, particularly in the East and North where a tense ceasefire was holding with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It was above all ordinary working people, including those with skills such as doctors and nurses, who streamed out of Colombo and provided the first assistance to desperate survivors.

The reaction of the government was to deploy soldiers and troops and place the entire aid operation under military control, including the teams of volunteers. Their prime concern was not to help the survivors, who faced appalling conditions in squalid improvised refugee camps, but to suppress any opposition or protests at the governmentA?a??a??s indifference and lack of aid. Above all, the way in which ordinary Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims had come together to assist each other, cut directly across the decades of anti-Tamil communalism on which the Colombo political establishment has rested.

It was in this context that the Bush administration dispatched the US military to Sri Lanka. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell did not so much ask as demand that marines be allowed into the south of the island. Even in ruling circles, eyebrows were raised at allowing American troops into the country for the first time. An editorial in the Daily Mirror openly questioned whether the military intervention had ulterior motivesA?a??a??to further US interests in Central Asia and the Middle East.

Kumaratunga quickly acquiesced, however. Three hundred marines landed in the south of the island and were deployed there and at Arugam Bay in the East. The aid operation was very limited. The soldiers helped clear debris, handed out some relief supplies, posed for the media and then pulled out several months later. Undoubtedly some survivors received assistance, but the overriding purpose of the US military presence was political.

The operation had a number of motives: to overcome decades of deep hostility among the Sri Lankan masses towards US imperialism and to set a precedent that is now being invoked in the case of Burma. But as the Socialist Equality Party warned, above all Washington was seeking to forge closer military ties, including with Sri Lanka, to pursue its economic and strategic ambitions throughout the broader region.

Sri LankaA?a??a??s strategic significance
Femara online That warning was confirmed. Sri LankaA?a??a??s main strategic significance is its position astride the main sea-lanes of the Indian Ocean, including the main route from the Middle East through the Malacca Strait to the Pacific. In particular, the deep-water port of Trincomalee on the eastern coast has been long been regarded as an important prize. After the 2002 ceasefire was signed with the LTTE, a high-level team from the US Pacific Command visited Sri Lanka to make a detailed study of Trincomalee harbour and assess the potential LTTE threats.

At that point, the Bush administration was still publicly supporting the so-called international peace process as the means for ending the islandA?a??a??s bitter 20-year civil war. WashingtonA?a??a??s concern was not, however, with the devastation that the war had brought to Sri LankaA?a??a??s population, but rather that the conflict was a destabilising influence which threatened US interests in the region, particularly in India.

By December 2004, however, the peace process was already at the point of collapse. Peace negotiations had broken down in April 2003 and in early 2004 President Kumaratunga summarily dismissed the United National Front (UNF) government for A?a??A?undermining national securityA?a??A?. In the background, the military and Sinhala extremist parties, such as the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)A?a??a??a partner in KumaratungaA?a??a??s new government, were already pressing for a renewed war.

The US and other major powers used the catastrophe created by the tsunami to push for a joint mechanism between the government and the LTTE to distribute international aid. The proposal was regarded as the first step towards restarting peace negotiations. Kumaratunga tentatively embraced the suggestion, in part because of broad popular sentiment that the tsunami had demonstrated that all Sri Lankans were in the same boat and that the fratricidal war should be ended. However, the military high command and the JVP regarded the temporary aid body as an impermissible concession to the LTTE.

The tsunami was a convenient pretext for forging closer political and military ties with Washington. Powell visited Colombo in early January as part of his tour of affected countries. In April, Admiral William J. Fallon, then head of the US Pacific Command, visited Sri Lanka, met with government leaders and toured areas hit by the tsunami, including Trincomalee. In the same month, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca arrived in Sri Lanka to discuss the joint aid mechanism.

The Bush administration was clearly pursuing a two-pronged strategyA?a??a??publicly pushing for peace talks, while privately holding top level discussions with the Sri Lankan military over possible war plans. Discussions over a joint aid administration dragged on for months. A conference of major aid donors on May 16-17 issued an ultimatum to Colombo to establish the body as the condition for a $US3 billion aid package.

Kumaratunga reluctantly established the Post-Tsunami Operations Management Structure (P-TOMS) with the LTTE, but it was a lame duck from the outset. The JVP withdrew from the government and successfully challenged the constitutionality of P-TOMS in the Supreme Court. At presidential elections in November 2005, the JVP backed the new candidate of KumaratungaA?a??a??s Sri Lanka Freedom PartyA?a??a??Mahinda RajapakseA?a??a??on a platform that scrapped P-TOMS completely and set the course for a renewed war.

Having narrowly won office, Rajapakse with the tacit backing of Washington immediately adopted a highly provocative stance towards the LTTE. In January 2006, the US ambassador in Colombo Jeffrey Lunstead signalled WashingtonA?a??a??s support for a renewed war, demanding the LTTE accept the governmentA?a??a??s terms for talks. A?a??A?If the LTTE chooses to abandon peace,A?a??A? Lunstead warned, A?a??A?we want it to be clear, they will face a stronger, more capable and more determined Sri Lankan military. We want the cost of a return to war to be high.A?a??A?

A covert war of provocation and murders erupted into open conflict in July 2006 when Rajapakse ordered the army to seize the LTTE-held area of Mavilaru in open breach of the 2002 ceasefire. This open act of aggression brought not a murmur of criticism from the US or the other sponsors of the A?a??A?peace processA?a??A?. Today the island is bogged down in a brutal civil warA?a??a??with the US providing political and military support.

According to a report by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), direct commercial sales of defence materials to Sri Lanka increased from $US1.9 million in 2004, to $3.1 million in 2005 and $3.9 million in 2006. In return, the Rajapakse government quietly supports the Bush administrationA?a??a??s occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan and last year signed an agreement to allow the US military to use the island for logistical support.

As for the victims of the tsunami, they have been completely forgotten. According to the governmentA?a??a??s Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA), 6,718 families or more than 25,000 people were still living in appalling conditions in refugee camps in MarchA?a??a??that is, more than three years after the tsunami. Most of the familiesA?a??a??5,820A?a??a??are in the North and East where the renewed fighting is taking place. Even in the district surrounding the capital of Colombo, there are 803 families in camps.

These official figures are undoubtedly an underestimate. Moreover, many more of the survivors, including those who have been re-housed, still face enormous economic difficulties. Many fishermen lost their livelihoods and were resettled away from the coastline. On the pretext of protecting the population, the government exploited the opportunity to clear away fishing villages to pave the way for luxury hotels and resorts.

The plight of these refugees speaks volumes. Hakeem from the eastern rural town of Marathumunai told the WSWS this week: A?a??A?In our village 186 families were affected by tsunami. Hundreds were killed when the tsunami hit.A?a??A? He said that no one in his village had a house. Many had no full time work and earned a little money as casual labourers. The central school at Maruthumunai has not been built.

The story is the same in the Western Province. An old abandoned government building in the Colombo suburb of Katubedda is where 56 families are currently living. The building is dilapidated. Each family has about 40 square metres partitioned off. Toilets overflow with effluent. Electricity has been cut off because the Disaster Management ministry has not paid the bill. None of the adults have a proper job.

A 19-year-old girl told the WSWS: A?a??A?You ask about the situation in Burma. As we canA?a??a??t watch television or have access to any other media we donA?a??a??t know whatA?a??a??s going on there. I only know from you about the situation. It sounds somewhat similar. Throughout the world we see how ordinary people are hit by natural disasters and how the rulers treat them.A?a??A?

The US marines have long since moved on, international tsunami aid to Sri Lanka has dried up and the government is diverting money from basic services into its renewed war. The story will undoubtedly be similar in Burma. The push to intervene in Burma is motivated by the economic and strategic interests of the major powers which are diametrically opposed to those of the majority of Burmese and will inevitably produce to new tragedies.

See Also:
A socialist and internationalist perspective to confront the Asian tsunami disaster
[9 February 2005]
Over the counter albendazole Why the propaganda campaign for international intervention in Burma?
[10 May 2008]
A new Asian disaster: Cyclone kills tens of thousands in Burma
[7 May 2008]
Bush administration moves to exploit Burma cyclone disaster
[7 May 2008]

source:
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/may2008/sril-m14.shtml

Stuffing boxes

Published on 12/05/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments
by Zacki Jabbar
at Arugam Bay

The UNP yesterday rejected the result of the Eastern Provincial Council Election,which the UPFA won by one seat,saying it would legally expose the widespread vote rigging and intimidation of candidates and voters by government goon squads.

The partyA?a??a??s media spokesperson Lakshman Kirielle told a news conference in Colombo,that they will prove to the people that the government backed UPFA circumvented the peoples will by resorting to violence and blatant vote rigging.”We have already written to the Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake listing out the election violations by ministers and UPFA candidates.”

“Serious malpractices took place especially in the Ampara District.In Pottuvil Is there a generic version of avapro , Akkaraipattu and Muttur, government goon squads invaded 40 polling booths and stuffed the ballot boxes to their hearts content while the presiding officers and police simply looked on.” Order colospa retard

Kirialle,said that at the last Presidential Election the UNP won the Pottuvil seat by 20,000 votes but on Saturday it lost that seat.”Such a thing could not have happened at a free and fair election.All the election monitors are agreed that there were serious election violations.I challenge the government to produce at least one report to the contrary.”

General Secretary of the UNP,Tissa Attanayake said that the government despite resorting to violence and abusing all the resources at its disposal, was able to get only one seat more than the opposition.

“Stuffing of ballot boxes were reported from 99 polling stations and in 91 of them the UNP was prevented from having polling agents.”

Attanayake, called on the Speaker to summon parliament immediately to discuss the serious break down in the law and order situation and also urged the government to immediately disarm all para military groups .

source:
http://www.island.lk/2008/05/12/news3.html

Bank set up in Lahugala

Published on 11/05/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters and press coverage. 0 Comments

by Chamikara WEERASINGHE
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A Samurdhi Development Bank was opened on Wednesday at Lahugala in accordance with a pledge made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the people of the Eastern Province during his Janapathi Janahamuwa programme, telecast via satellite on Thursday.

Director General of Samurdhi, Bandula Thilakasiri and Road Passenger Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna had taken steps to establish the Bank on the directions of President Rajapaksa, Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Ministry sources said.

The President listened to the people in the Eastern Province and the problems they presented about their areas and its development through Janapathi Janahamuwa (The President Meets People) programme.

The request for a Samurdhi Bank came from a woman who was a participant .

As there was no Samurdhi Bank in the Lahugala area, the people in Lahugala had to go to Paanama where there is a Samurdhi Bank, travelling a distance of 37 kilometres, she told the President in the programme pointing out the need in Lahugala for a Samurdhi Bank.

President Rajapaksa promised to fulfil this need of the public in Lahugala for a Samurdhi Bank within the next 24 hours, and instructed the officials concerned to ensure that they establish a Samurdhi Bank in Lahugala.

source:
Diltiazem hydrochloride cream cost http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/05/10/news12.asp

Sri Lankan government wins vote

Published on 11/05/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters and press coverage. 0 Comments

Arugambay, 11th May, 2008:

Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition has won a provincial election in the east of the island, seen as key to its strategy to win a war against the Tamil Tigers.

Voting in the East

But opposition leaders and rights groups said the poll was marred by fraud and voter intimidation.

The vote was held in a region which was under Tamil Tiger rebel control until it was seized by the army last year.

The government says the result is a blow to the Tamils’ demand for an independent state.

In voting for the 37-member council:

  • The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) of President Mahinda Rajapaksa took 20 seats;
  • The opposition United National Party (UNP) and its allies won 15 seats;
  • Two smaller parties won one seat each.

Economic development

“The government victory at the eastern polls has shattered the wild dreams” of Tamil separatists, said Sri Lanka’s environment minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

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This is a totally distorted mandate that they got. This is obtained by fraud
Rauff Hakeem, opposition leader

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But Rauff Hakeem, leader of the UNP-allied Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, said opposition leaders were due to meet in Colombo to decide whether to legally challenge what they view as a fraudulent election.

“This is a totally distorted mandate that they got,” he said. “This is obtained by fraud.”

The government said allegations of fraud were an attempt to cover the opposition’s defeat.

The winning alliance included a party that had defected from the Tigers in 2004.

They stood for office despite accusations levelled against them of killings, extortion, and abducting children for military training.

The election was seen as a critical test of the government’s support as it continues a military campaign to try to crush the Tamil Tigers in their remaining stronghold in the north, says the BBC’s Roland Buerk in Colombo.

It will lay the foundation for limited devolution that the government says is the answer to Tamil complaints of domination by Sinhalese-led central governments, our correspondent adds.

The government hopes this will negate the rebels’ fight for a separate state – even as a civil war with the separatists rages on in the north where the rebels have their main stronghold.

About 70,000 people have been killed since the civil war began in 1983. The rebels want an independent state for minority Tamils in the north and east.

source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7394488.stm

Latest News from Eastern frontA?a??A?

Published on 11/05/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments
Posted by Ajith on May 9, 2008
This is the latest news I received from Ampara today morning A?a??a?? which PAFFREL or most of the media will not want to tell.Panama – Pillayan has setup a new camp in Panama on May 7, 2008. This is supposed to house 200 of his cadre. For this he has forcefully occupied houses of few Sinhalese villagers. The villagers could not protest as PillayanA?a??a??s men were assisted by the security forces.

There is no other logical reason for Pillayan to establish this camp at a predominantly (80%) Sinhalese area at this point if not for intimidating voters at the elections.

The villagers of the area will carry out a protest today.

Meanwhile, sources at Lahugala reveals there is an attempt to set up a similar camp at Lahugala too. Most probably this will happen today. Purchase himcolin

I am at Lahugala, in the Ampara district. Write this just after finishing another round of campaigning and conducting pocket meetings.

Entire Eastern province has caught the election fever.

Election campaigning is fun. What adds to our enthusiasm is the awareness of the impending danger.

Cost of precose PillayanA?a??a??s henchmen are waiting to kill us. He is a terrorist and should not be trusted. The only shield we have against his arms is the support of the people. Whatever the powers this terrorist has we do not think he can just shoot anyone and flee. But the danger is there, everywhere. We have got over with is now. PillayanA?a??a??s terrorism should not stop us in our fight for democracy.

Just a brief background of the work I do.

I am in charge of six villages in Lahugala. They are Panama North, Shastrawela, Panama West, Lahugala, Pansalgoda and Hulanuge. My job is to campaign but I take pleasure in educating them on the danger of electing an armed terrorist A?a??a?? or more precisely letting his get elected through inaction. (That is what Pillayan tries to do. Massive pool riggings are expected on May 10th. That is why I said this is a fight for democracy. If Pillayan wins the losers will only be the people of this country.)

The areas I cover are predominantly Sinhala. Lets say 80%. But there are Tamils and Muslims as well. Travel few kms away the composition changes. For example the nearby Pottuvil area is predominantly Muslim (more than 90%)

JHU tries to do some campaigning here, with the backing of PillayanA?a??a??s gunmen, but without much success. JHU MP Akmeemana Dayaratne thero is using 16 government vehicles. (This is illegal but there is little we can do. Baduth hamuduruvange, naduth hamuduruvange!) We see these government vehicles run everywhere with PillayanA?a??a??s henchmen in black sit in the front seats. They do not show arms openly but surely they are under the clothes.

People themselves have started responding to JHU campaign negatively. Villagers ask where were all JHU supported when they were in trouble. JHU had to give up their initial idea of having a political meeting at the Lahugala temple, because villagers vehemently opposed it.

There is no sign of JVP A?a??a?? either faction.

I am still not sure exactly what sort of tricks Pillayan will pay in pool rigging, but even with that I am sure we would win Ampara with a significant margin. That is the level of support we receive at ground level from poor people who no more want to live under the twin tragedies of war and rising cost of living. People are determined to end the suffering and I do not think even the guns of Pillayan can stop that kind of determination.

Finally, this is a beautiful area. I wish I am on vacation. (More about the area on my next posts)

source:
http://bandaragama.wordpress.com/tag/lahugala/

UPFA leads in Arugam Bay & Pottuvil

Published on 11/05/2008 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, Money Matters, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

Sun, 2008-05-11 12:34 To buy xeloda Buy nizagara india Colombo, 11 May, (Asiantribune.com): UPFA Leads in Pottuvil polling Division in the Pottuvil district with 58.56% percent, out of the total votes polled.

In the East Provincial Council Election, Pottuvil Polling Division in Pottuvil district, votes counts released.

Out of the total of 133,765 registered votes in the polling division,99,610 votes were polled. At the counting 6,344 votes were rejected.

Out of the 93,266 valid votes, United People’s Freedom Alliance obtained 54,619 votes which is 58.56% of the total votes polled, followed by United National Party which received 37,488 votes which was 40.19 %, and Janatha Vimukthi Perumuna received 490 votes which was 0.53%.

Given below the Pottuvil Polling Division votes received in the Amparai district by Political Parties and Independent Groups:

United People’s Freedom Alliance – 54619

United National Party – 37488

People’s Liberation Front – 490

United National Alliance – 270

United Socialist Party – 98

Independent Group 1 – 71

Nawa Sihala Urumaya – 52

Independent Group 9 – 32

Jathika Sangwardena Peramuna – 31

People’s Front of Liberation Tigers – 27

Independent Group 15 – 16

Independent Group 22 – 16

Independent Group 7 – 10

Independent Group 6 – 7

Sinhalaye Mahasammatha Bhoomiputra Pakshaya – 6

Independent Group 2 – 6

Independent Group 16 – 4

Independent Group 18 – 4

Independent Group 3 – 3

Independent Group 5 – 3

Independent Group 13 – 3

Independent Group 17 – 3

Independent Group 19 – 2

Independent Group 21 – 2

Ruhunu Janatha Party – 1

The Liberal Party – 1

Independent Group 10

– Asian Tribune –

source:
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/11087

Election ‘fun’ in PottuVille

Published on 11/05/2008 in Blogs, Money Matters, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments
 
 
Saturday, May 10, 2008

Aswar too becomes a rowdy

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(Lanka-e-News) President’s Adviser A.H.M. ASwer arrived in Sammanthurai, Al-Arfat school polling center in a vehicle bearing the number HW9736, trespassed No: 39 polling center Hall No: 01 and chased away the voters who had come for voting.
UNP media Bureau said that a group of thugs who came in vehicles bearing numbers 64-9347 (Pajero Intercooler), WP HH-7288 and 58-4198 assaulted a group travelled with MP Sarathchandra Rajakaruna at Thampalagamuwa in Trincomalee district.
The Vice Chairman of Ampara Pradeshiya Sabha Udeni Chinthaka came last night around 10 PM in a vehicle numbered 64-1804 and wielding a T-56 rifle and threatened W.A. Subasinghe, a UNP candidate.
UNP media bureau said that a group came in several vehicles with Minister Rishad Badurdheen attacked the vehicle of UNP MP Gayantha Karunathilaka and a group of people who were with him at Thoppur.
Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna came to Hulannuge polling center in Pottuvil in an Irrigation Department vehicle bearing the number 65-7293 and a led a mob to prevent people voting. UNP media bureau further said that armed cadres of Pillaiyan Group allied with UPFA chased away the voters from polling centers in Trincomalee, Thiriyaya, Kiliweddi and Seruwila.

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source:
Biaxin price list http://www.thecolombotimes.com/2008/05/aswar-too-becomes-rowdy.html

Eastern Elections

Published on 10/05/2008 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, Money Matters, parties, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments
Ballot Box (Archive photo, USA)
The ballot boxes are closed; Everyone awaits the results of today’s local election.
Our own correspondent reports of no serious trouble or problems in and around Arugam Bay, Panama & PottuVille.
Incidents in Ampara (2hrs.) and Trincomallee (10hrs.) caused no concern locally. (arugam.info reported)

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Please send us YOUR observations!
Are You in the Eastern Province?
Have the elections been fair & properly conducted?

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Ballot Box (Archive photo, USA)

Adios 2007

Published on 10/05/2008 in Blogs, From our own Correspondent, press coverage and the bay. 0 Comments

unawatuna. the gang. arrack. Order atarax hydroxyzine fireworks. moonlit nite. low tide. cool breeze. katty. breakfast at 12 pm at unawatuna bay hotel. bus ride back to colombo with dinesh and TJ. playstation parties at dinesh’s place. loads of FIFA. trinco trip. heaven. movies with katty on borrowed laptops. hanging out with chithika and adnaan. coffee with vaani. infection alert at lowe. creative mantra. blue water hotel. ‘johann the funeral parlor heir’ for a roomie. beef burger that goes cold waiting for johann to wake up. guess who finally devours it. more trips around sri lanka. trainees start heading back home. broken fan. unbearable heat. annoying mongoose on the roof. creepy voyeurs. x-force. hill country trip with dinesh and ralph. discussing life at 2000 m above sea level over a few lion beers. scene at transasia. more movies with katty. tomi leaves for finland. returns with heavy metal, meat and loads of cheese. fifa. occasional games of risk. hanging out with katty. tuk tuk rides with tomi and katty. lonely long walks to board the 122 back home. creative discussions with dilshara. arugam bay trip. 16 hours on the bus. mambo. soaking in the sun, sand and the sea with katty. magic. crocodile rock. splendid views. a drink or two with the boys. katty’s crazy farewell party. one croatian, one indian, one chinese and one sri lankan holed up in a beauty parlor discussing a tattoo. dinner at curry leaves. an emotional good bye. wrapping up the sri lanka story. not easy. but ‘what to do!’. bangalore. lovely folks. anand. everyone’s the same. lovable as ever. the city is absolute chaos. madness. miami ad school. hopes first built then shattered. ogilvy action Robina yasmin paintings sale thanks to sabith and iq. good break. great expectations. still waiting for magic. gifting folks. bass playing. fifa. endless indo-croatian chats. i miss sri lanka.

source:
http://hypnotype.blogspot.com/2007/12/adios-2007.html

Tigers sink ship on polling day

Published on 10/05/2008 in press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

Tamil Tiger rebels have sunk a naval cargo ship in eastern Sri Lanka, hours before voting got under way in important local elections. Buy evecare himalya

The navy said a 65-metre (213-ft) ship was hit by an underwater blast caused by a suicide diver, though no other casualties were reported.

Rebels said the ship had been loaded with munitions destined for Sri Lankan troops operating in the north.

Saturday’s local polls are the first in the region in 20 years.

They follow a government offensive last summer.

Troops drove the Tamil Tigers from their bases in the region, which they had controlled for 13 years.

Thousands of extra troops and police have been deployed to ensure security for the elections in the east coast towns of Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara.

On Friday, at least 11 people died in a bomb attack on a cafe in Ampara, which was blamed on the Tigers. There was no immediate comment from the rebels.

‘Sea Tiger’ attack

A Sri Lankan navy spokesman, Commander DKP Dassanayake, said the cargo vessel Invisible “sank due to an underwater explosion” at around 0215 local time (2045 GMT Friday).

“We suspect the blast was carried out by a suicide diver,” he said.

He gave no details of the ship’s cargo.

A rebel statement quoted by AFP news agency said “Sea Tiger underwater naval commandos” had attacked the ship just before dawn.

The army blamed the Tigers for the attack on the cafe in Ampara, in which 36 people were also wounded.

Fighting is continuing in the north where the rebels have their main stronghold.

About 70,000 people have been killed since the civil war began in 1983. The rebels want an independent state for minority Tamils in the north and east.

The BBC’s Roland Buerk in Colombo says Saturday’s vote will lay the foundation for limited devolution that the government says is the answer to Tamil complaints of domination by Sinhalese-led central governments.

Story from BBC NEWS:
Cost for zoloft http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/7393543.stm

New dawn in East

Published on 10/05/2008 in Money Matters, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

Monday’s live telecast of the Janapathi Janahamuwa (Meet the President) was perhaps a unique programme as it gave the Eastern people, including those in newly-liberated Vakarai (Batticaloa District), an opportunity to interact directly with the President via videoconference.

The sentiments of the people in the three Eastern centres (the others were Kinniya and Lahugala in Trincomalee and Ampara districts) were similar – they were thankful to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and to the Government for liberating the East from terrorism and giving them a chance to breathe freely again.

They also urged the President to accelerate the Eastern Resurgence drive. They also pointed out some problems unique to their own areas. President Rajapaksa noted that this was the very reason why the Easterners needed a separate Provincial Council and local bodies represented by their own representatives who know the needs and aspirations of the local population.

The Easterners were also adamant that the terrorists should never ever be allowed to raise their ugly head again in the East. The President vowed that the LTTE would never gain a foothold in the East again.

The LTTE will be cornered once the civilian administration takes over and addresses the social and development grievances of the people. The Easterners have already realised that LTTE domination resulted only in misery and that only the Government can offer a comprehensive development and welfare programme.

That goal will be affected if a party that is hostile to the Central Government is elected to govern the Provincial Council.

Another significant revelation was that the people have had no trouble from armed groups as alleged by certain parties.

As the President told the Eastern residents, it is time that we stopped casting aspersions on the TMVP simple because it remained as an armed group.

This is certainly not the first time that such a transformation has taken place. Indeed, there are some senior politicians who had participated in the youth insurrection of 1971.

All Tamil militant parties except the LTTE have entered the democratic mainstream today. Should we marginalise and criticise them all because of their past ?

Such a step would be an affront to democracy. It is hard to imagine now, but even the LTTE should be inducted to democracy one day if possible. That is the very essence of democracy – solving problems through the ballot, not the bullet.
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Terror funds

It is rarely that we get a glimpse of the secret operations of the Tigers away from the battlefield. When they do come out, one can realise the extent to which the Tigers will go to secure funds for their campaign of death and destruction.

Such revelations are now being published almost on a daily basis in the Canadian press. According to the National Post, counterterrorism investigators in Toronto have seized a letter signed by the leader of the LTTE directing Canadian Tamils to send him C$ 3 million.

This is by no means a small sum.

It indicates that the extortion of Tamil expatriates remains one of the most effective for the LTTE to fill their coffers, a fact that was also highlighted by the US State Department in its Sri Lanka section of the Country Reports On Terrorism 2008.

Prabhakaran’s letter also proves beyond any doubt that the LTTE operates several front organisations for this purpose, as it was found during a search of the Toronto office of the World Tamil Movement, which had earlier denied any links to the Tigers. In fact, the Canadian Police has described the WTM as the “Canadian branch” of the Tigers.

International cooperation is vital to check the Tigers’ money trail and for that matter, the money laundering activities of all terror groups.

The LTTE has collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in Quebec and Ontario and remitted it overseas to pay for arms and other materials.

The LTTE has been banned in Canada, US, European Union and many other countries. Hence, it cannot raise funds under its own name in these countries.

But the LTTE has always circumvented this problem by establishing so-called cultural or social organisations that seemingly have no connection to it.

Other countries should follow the Canadian example and investigate the front organisations of the Tigers.

Cutting off funding is one of the most effective ways of crippling terror outfits and the LTTE is no exception.

In this context, the UN must move quickly on the urgent implementation of international laws on terrorist financing.

source:
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/05/08/main_Editorial.asp

Several dead in Sri Lankan bombing

Published on 10/05/2008 in press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments
Several dead in Sri Lankan bombing

The government has accused the LTTE of trying to sabotage regional elections with the attack [AFP]
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The government has blamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for Friday’s explosion, saying that it was an attempt to sabotage the elections and general development activities in the area.
 

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Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, a military spokesman, said: “There has been an explosion in Ampara town a little while ago. Eleven civilians were killed and 29 injured. It is definitely by the LTTE.”
The LTTE did not immediately comment on the incident.
Unknown target
Police said the target of blast in the crowded New City Cafe was unclear, despite a government minister’s convoy passing through the area minutes beforehand.
Related


Timeline: The Sri Lankan conflict

The injured were taken to the local Ampara hospital. Police said nine women and two men died in the attack.

Fighting has intensified between the Tamil fighters and government forces along the northern frontier between the two groups in recent months.
Security along the eastern coast has been stepped up for the elections in Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara on Saturday to elect officials to run the eastern provincial council.
The military had expelled Tamil fighters from large areas of the east, formerly a LTTE stronghold, in July 2007.
‘Hearts and minds’
The elections are part of Mahinda Rajapakse’s, Sri Lanka’s president, government’s policy to devolve power to minority Tamil areas, which they hope will occur in parallel with a military victory over the LTTE.
Rajapakse has expressed his desire to win the “hearts and minds” of “liberated” Tamils affected by the war by devolving power.
It is a policy the government also wants to take to northern areas held by the LTTE.
Tens of thousands of people have died in the war in which the LTTE are attempting to gain a separate homeland for minority Tamils in the island’s north and east.

Bombing on eve of Sri Lanka polls

Published on 10/05/2008 in press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

Cheap rizact At least 11 people have been killed in a bombing on the eve of elections in eastern Sri Lanka, the military says.

City Hotel Ampara

More than 20 others were wounded in the blast in a cafe in the town of Ampara, 220km (130 miles) from Colombo. Tamil Tiger rebels have been blamed.

Security is tight in the east of the island, a day before the region’s first provincial elections in 20 years.

Fighting between troops and Tamil Tigers has worsened this year after the government pulled out of a truce.

Limited devolution Buy cheap albendazole without prescription The director of Ampara national hospital, Dr Lankathilake Jayasinghe, told the BBC’s Sinhala Service that 11 people had been killed and 36 injured in the blast.

Military spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara said the 11 people killed were all civilians.

The explosion hit a small restaurant called the City Cafe and Bake House.

Brig Nanayakkara said the blast was clearly the work of the rebels, or the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as they are known.

“Yes definitely, it’s the LTTE,” he said. “They have done similar explosions in Colombo and its suburbs. This was also done by them.”

Voters in the east coast towns of Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Amapara go to the polls on Saturday to elect the eastern provincial council.

The elections come after government troops drove the Tamil Tigers from their bases in the east last summer.

The BBC’s Roland Buerk in Colombo says Saturday’s vote will lay the foundation for limited devolution that the government says is the answer to Tamil complaints of domination by Sinhalese-led central governments.

‘Town taken’

Meanwhile, fighting is going on in the north where the rebels have their main stronghold.

The military said a small town and an area of territory were captured on Friday and 31 Tiger fighters were killed as well as three soldiers. The account cannot be independently verified.

About 70,000 people have been killed since the civil war began in 1983. The rebels want an independent state for minority Tamils in the north and east.

source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7392571.stm

Co2 neutral

Published on 09/05/2008 in Blogs, Ideas, press coverage, presse-deutsch and wild life. 0 Comments

10 Millionen BA?A?ume in 5 Jahren A?a??a??
Sri Lanka will Co2 neutral werden

Frankfurt/Colombo Mai 2008: Zehn Millionen BA?A?ume will der Rotary Club von Sri Lanka in den kommenden fA?A?nf Jahren als Beitrag zum Klimaschutz pflanzen. Die ehrgeizige Aktion ist Teil einer Tourismusinitiative, die Sri Lanka anlA?A?sslich der Umweltkonferenz der Vereinten Nationen im vergangenen Oktober in Davos angekA?A?ndigt hat. Das groA?A?angelegte A?a??A?Earth Lung ProjektA?a??A? zielt darauf, schA?A?dliche Emissionen, wie zum Beispiel durch den Flugverkehr verursacht, nachhaltig zu reduzieren und die Insel zu einem kohlendioxidfreien Ferienziel zu machen.

A?a??A?Auch Touristen denken beim Reisen zunehmend an die Folgen fA?A?r die UmweltA?a??A?, meint Channa Jayasinghe, Direktor des Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in Frankfurt. A?a??A?Wir sehen der Tatsache ins Auge, dass viele unserer GA?A?ste eine lange Anreise haben und wollen alles tun, um den SchadstoffausstoA?A? zu minimieren.A?a??A?

Sri Lanka soll Co2 neutral werden lautet die strikte Zielsetzung mit deren Umsetzung bereits begonnen wurde: In der reizvollen Bergregion von Hunas Falls fiel kA?A?rzlich mit einer ersten groA?A?en Pflanzaktion der Startschuss fA?A?r das langfristig angelegte, gewaltige Aufforstungsprojekt.

Bereits heute bedecken die tropischen WA?A?lder rund 24% der GesamtflA?A?che der Insel. Die WA?A?lder nehmen Kohlenstoff auf und kompensieren so den AusstoA?A? durch die Verbrennung von fossilen EnergietrA?A?gern, wie Kerosin und A?a??l. Eine nachhaltige Forstwirtschaft soll die tropischen WA?A?lder der Insel als wichtige CO2 Speicher pflegen und flA?A?chenmA?A?A?A?ig ausdehnen.

Ganz im Zeichen der Umweltinitiative steht auch das kommende A?a??A?Vogue Lifestyles WeekendA?a??A? vom 30. Mai bis 1. Juni 2008 im Colombo. Amtierende SchA?A?nheitskA?A?niginnen aus aller Welt werden anlA?A?sslich der bedeutenden Fashion-Show A?a??A?grA?A?neA?a??A? Mode von asiatischen Top-Designern auf dem Catwalk prA?A?sentieren: farbenprA?A?chtige Roben aus naturbelassenen Materialien und phantasievollen Dekors, die die Natur reflektieren. Der ErlA?A?s kommt dem nationalen Aufforstungsprojekt zugute.

Glucophage price in philippines Auch Sri Lankas Textilindustrie schlieA?A?t sich der Initiative an: Zwei der grA?A?A?A?ten Textilhersteller haben bereits mehrere Millionen Euro zur VerfA?A?gung gestellt, um ihre Produktion umzurA?A?sten und so die Freisetzung von Co2 zu minimieren und nachhaltig Energie und Wasser einzusparen. Weitere Industriebetriebe wollen im Laufe des Jahres folgen. Order arcoxia prospect

Channa Jayasinghe: A?a??A?Das gewaltige Vorhaben gewinnt in Sri Lanka immer mehr an Fahrt und wir wA?A?rden uns freuen wenn sich weitere LA?A?nder anschlieA?A?en.A?a??A?

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All set for Eastern Poll

Published on 08/05/2008 in Blogs, press coverage and Security & Safety. 0 Comments

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COLOMBO: The percentage of polling cards distribution has reached 98.5 per cent yesterday in the Eastern Province, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana said yesterday.

The biggest and strongest security contingent has been deployed by the Government to ensure a free and fair Provincial Council Election on May 10, the Minister said.

Addressing a media-briefing yesterday in Colombo, the Minister said that the Government has taken all measures to provide maximum security with special emphasis on the polling day.

Security personnel will be at polling duties allowing the public to cast their votes in a democratic manner and there will be no possibility of elections violations in the province.

“No complaint has been received regarding the unlawful acquisition of polling cards by armed factions within the Province,” he said. Maximum facilities specially common transport services have been strengthened for the benefit of voters.

They must produce their identity cards at the polling booths. All officers have been advised to carry out duties without fear and favour and stern action will be taken against those involved in election related violations.

“Only 72 complaints related to election violations have been reported so far with 21 incidents being minor,” he said.

Several ethnic groups irrespectively 44.3 per cent of Tamils, 32.6 Muslims and 22.6 of Sinhalese are living in the East. The Government has established an election-friendly environment in the East.

“As a result many political parties are involved in election campaigns addressing rallies and distributing leaflets even at the midnight.”

A peaceful environment has been established in Vakarai and over 1,400 residents of Vakarai, Kinniya and Lahugala gathered on Tuesday night to present their problems to the President via satellite.

It shows that there is no more fear psychosis among the people in these areas even at night and they live freely and peacefully.

None of villagers raised a problem regarding their security and all problems were related to electricity, education and fishing. According to them, armed groups has caused no trouble.

“The UNP’s propaganda on several armed groups in the Eastern Province is false. No one complained to the President in this regard.

People are enjoying their freedom now after the liberation of the East from the LTTE. Democracy will be further reinforced by the Government with the setting up of the Provincial Council in the East.”

Pilleyan has come to the democratic path and it is a big victory of all of us, the Minister added. The UNP’s rhetoric on armed groups is an excuse for their imminent defeat at the election.

“Today the Eastern Province is blessed with massive development. There were only two roads to access to the Eastern Province before the liberation. The A5 road has been fully rehabilitated and opened to enter the East.”

The Government has allocated Rs. 607.7 million for electricity projects in Ampara while 12 projects have been successfully completed so far. Electricity projects valued at Rs.300.7 million have been completed in Batticaloa.

The President has advised authorities to set up Samurdhi Banks in the Eastern Province with immediate effect for the benefit of villagers. It has also stepped up measures to set up 25 Coop-cities in the East as a relief measure to consumers.

Irrigation projects have given priority in the development and Rs.15 million has been allocated for irrigation development in Trincomalee and Ampara Districts. In order to upgrade infrastructure developments in the Agriculture sector, the Government has allocated Rs.123.6 million.

Agriculture development in the East has been given priority and considerable allocations have been granted by the Government until year 2010.

It has allocated Rs. 418.5 million in 2008 while It would be Rs.227.5 million in 2009. The allocation would be a Rs.123.6 million in 2010.

People in East and North face many social problems. Parents arrange child marriages at age 13 due to boys’ deployment for terrorism by the LTTE. “We have taken a number of measures to change this situation,” he said.

Representative will be appointed to the Provincial Council in East according to the wishes of voters.

They will be selected representing all ethnic groups. The Government expects to launch a massive development programme after the election for the betterment of the people, he remarked.

source:
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