ENB News 20 02 08
ENB
Batticaloa Local polls:
Batticaloa set for Local Govt elections
Batticaloa set for Local Govt elections
Dharma Sri Abeyratne
BATTICALOA: All measures have been taken to ensure free and fair local government polls in the Batticaloa district, Assistant Commissioner of Elections in
Batticaloa District T. Krishnanandhalingam told the Daily News yesterday.
Arrangements for the Local Government Election in the Batticaloa District is progressing smoothly," he said adding that polls will be held on March 10 while postal
voting will take place on Thursday and Friday. The Commissioner said 394 Postal votes packets have been sent to certifying officers responsible for fulfilling
requirements regarding postal voting under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner of Elections in Batticaloa.
After the postal voting, ballet boxes will be sent to the returning officers before 4 p.m. on March 10. A total of 934 are eligible for postal voting.
The Assistant Commissioner said 4,200 election staff is needed for polls duties. He said 26 counting centres will be set up under 26 chief counting officers.
Accordingly 22 normal counting centres will be established with two to count postal votes. Another two centres to count votes of the displaced will also be set up.
BATTICALOA: All measures have been taken to ensure free and fair local government polls in the Batticaloa district, Assistant Commissioner of Elections in
Batticaloa District T. Krishnanandhalingam told the Daily News yesterday.
Arrangements for the Local Government Election in the Batticaloa District is progressing smoothly," he said adding that polls will be held on March 10 while postal
voting will take place on Thursday and Friday. The Commissioner said 394 Postal votes packets have been sent to certifying officers responsible for fulfilling
requirements regarding postal voting under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner of Elections in Batticaloa.
After the postal voting, ballet boxes will be sent to the returning officers before 4 p.m. on March 10. A total of 934 are eligible for postal voting.
The Assistant Commissioner said 4,200 election staff is needed for polls duties. He said 26 counting centres will be set up under 26 chief counting officers.
Accordingly 22 normal counting centres will be established with two to count postal votes. Another two centres to count votes of the displaced will also be set up.
Well water in South unfit for consumption
by S. K. Kaluarachi and Lalith Chaminda, Galle Corrs.
Nearly 90 per cent of the water from wells in the Galle and Matara Districts is unfit for human consumption, according to a survey conducted by the UNICEF and
the Southern Provincial Health Ministry.
UNICEF sources said over 100,000 samples of water taken from wells in the Galle and Matara districts in 2006 and 2007 were found, on testing, to be polluted
with bacteria.
Southern Provincial Director of Health Dr. J. B. Senarath said he was aware of such a district level survey conducted by the UNICEF but was unaware of the
findings. He however said measures would have to be taken to rectify the situation through provincial health offices.
"If 90 per cent of drinking water in wells in the Galle and Matara districts is polluted it is a serious matter and has to be taken care of", Dr. Senaratne said.
Nearly 90 per cent of the water from wells in the Galle and Matara Districts is unfit for human consumption, according to a survey conducted by the UNICEF and
the Southern Provincial Health Ministry.
UNICEF sources said over 100,000 samples of water taken from wells in the Galle and Matara districts in 2006 and 2007 were found, on testing, to be polluted
with bacteria.
Southern Provincial Director of Health Dr. J. B. Senarath said he was aware of such a district level survey conducted by the UNICEF but was unaware of the
findings. He however said measures would have to be taken to rectify the situation through provincial health offices.
"If 90 per cent of drinking water in wells in the Galle and Matara districts is polluted it is a serious matter and has to be taken care of", Dr. Senaratne said.
THALLADI CHURCH 'STORIES'-ENB
1) Thalladi church damaged in LTTE artillery attack- Mannar
LTTE launched artillery barrages fell at the densely populated Thalladi town this morning (February 12) damaging the Thalladi Church, Mannar defence sources said.
According to military sources, LTTE mounted artillery shell attacks since 08.35.a.m.
SLA retaliated with heavy gun fire towards identified LTTE artillery positions in the non-liberated areas north of Mannar, security sources said.
Six soldiers who were at the St. Sebastian church premises were killed while another ten received injuries due to this incident.
These soldiers were participating in a "Shramadana" campaign as the request made by the Rev. Father of the St. Sebastian church, security sources further said.
02/15/2008 13:19
2) The Church of Mannar asks the local media for accuracy
LTTE launched artillery barrages fell at the densely populated Thalladi town this morning (February 12) damaging the Thalladi Church, Mannar defence sources said.
According to military sources, LTTE mounted artillery shell attacks since 08.35.a.m.
SLA retaliated with heavy gun fire towards identified LTTE artillery positions in the non-liberated areas north of Mannar, security sources said.
Six soldiers who were at the St. Sebastian church premises were killed while another ten received injuries due to this incident.
These soldiers were participating in a "Shramadana" campaign as the request made by the Rev. Father of the St. Sebastian church, security sources further said.
02/15/2008 13:19
2) The Church of Mannar asks the local media for accuracy
Melani Manel Perera
Bishop Rayappu is providing his version of the attack on the shrine of Saint Anthony, in which six soldiers died three days ago. The press has indirectly accused the
Church of having facilitated the attack, by asking for the presence of military personnel at the building. A statement today refutes this, and asks for a correction.
Colombo (AsiaNews) - The attack on the shrine of Saint Anthony, in the area of Mannar, in which six soldiers died and the building was seriously damaged, has been
reported on poorly by the Sri Lanka media, and today the officials of the diocese are providing their version of the bombing of the building by Tamil Tiger (LTTE)
rebels. The attack, which took place on February 12, killed six Sri Lanka and soldiers and wounded ten. The entryway of the church suffered serious damage.
Newspapers in the country have reported that the victims were at the shrine to respond to the request from the Catholic community for a security detail
(sharamadana) at the religious building. This is alleged to have given the LTTE the opportunity to attack the soldiers.
In their statement, the bishop of Mannar, Joseph Rayappu, and the pastor of the cathedral of St Sebastian, Fr S.K. Devarajah, clarify instead that the army had
occupied the shrine building on its own initiative, and that they had made no request for help.
The shrine is "very dear to both Catholics and non-Catholics", as some inhabitants explain. But since September of 2007, the faithful have stayed away from it
because of the escalation of conflicts in the zone. Last February 11, however, Fr Devarajah visited the shrine with the permission of the military authorities, in order
to try to organise a Lenten pilgrimage. That day, the priest spoke with some of the security forces, explaining his plan to them and asking them how it could be
carried out. But "we never requested 'shramadhana' or any other help from them", the priest explains.
The statement from the bishop and Fr Devarajah asks the local media to correct the articles that have appeared on these events, and expresses the condolences of
the diocese for the family members of the soldiers killed in the attack.
Church of having facilitated the attack, by asking for the presence of military personnel at the building. A statement today refutes this, and asks for a correction.
Colombo (AsiaNews) - The attack on the shrine of Saint Anthony, in the area of Mannar, in which six soldiers died and the building was seriously damaged, has been
reported on poorly by the Sri Lanka media, and today the officials of the diocese are providing their version of the bombing of the building by Tamil Tiger (LTTE)
rebels. The attack, which took place on February 12, killed six Sri Lanka and soldiers and wounded ten. The entryway of the church suffered serious damage.
Newspapers in the country have reported that the victims were at the shrine to respond to the request from the Catholic community for a security detail
(sharamadana) at the religious building. This is alleged to have given the LTTE the opportunity to attack the soldiers.
In their statement, the bishop of Mannar, Joseph Rayappu, and the pastor of the cathedral of St Sebastian, Fr S.K. Devarajah, clarify instead that the army had
occupied the shrine building on its own initiative, and that they had made no request for help.
The shrine is "very dear to both Catholics and non-Catholics", as some inhabitants explain. But since September of 2007, the faithful have stayed away from it
because of the escalation of conflicts in the zone. Last February 11, however, Fr Devarajah visited the shrine with the permission of the military authorities, in order
to try to organise a Lenten pilgrimage. That day, the priest spoke with some of the security forces, explaining his plan to them and asking them how it could be
carried out. But "we never requested 'shramadhana' or any other help from them", the priest explains.
The statement from the bishop and Fr Devarajah asks the local media to correct the articles that have appeared on these events, and expresses the condolences of
the diocese for the family members of the soldiers killed in the attack.
3)LTTE fired at church:
Official While condemning the attack on the St Anthony’s church at Talladi, the Catholic Church yesterday confirmed it was the LTTE which fired at the church on Tuesday
causing damage to it.The Church parish priest Fr. Devaraja told the Daily Mirror yesterday that there are Army camps surrounding the church and therefore the LTTE was not present in the area.
He said it was not a main parish church but a sub church which has not been used for some time. Fr. Devaraja said a service has not been held there since the
abrogation of the ceasefire agreement. He said the portico of the church was damaged because of the firing. However he said, no one had been allowed to visit the
church and therefore it was not possible to make a proper assessment of the extent of the damage.
Commenting on the incident Mannar Bishop Rev Raiyappu Joseph condemned the attack and said he was worried about the serious incidents that were taking place
all over the country.
“All I am worried about is the killing of innocent people all over the country, no matter who is behind them,” he said
The bishop said bombing and shelling for about an hour was heard in Mannar yesterday.
At least six soldiers were killed and six wounded when the LTTE launched artillery fire at the church on Tuesday.
causing damage to it.The Church parish priest Fr. Devaraja told the Daily Mirror yesterday that there are Army camps surrounding the church and therefore the LTTE was not present in the area.
He said it was not a main parish church but a sub church which has not been used for some time. Fr. Devaraja said a service has not been held there since the
abrogation of the ceasefire agreement. He said the portico of the church was damaged because of the firing. However he said, no one had been allowed to visit the
church and therefore it was not possible to make a proper assessment of the extent of the damage.
Commenting on the incident Mannar Bishop Rev Raiyappu Joseph condemned the attack and said he was worried about the serious incidents that were taking place
all over the country.
“All I am worried about is the killing of innocent people all over the country, no matter who is behind them,” he said
The bishop said bombing and shelling for about an hour was heard in Mannar yesterday.
At least six soldiers were killed and six wounded when the LTTE launched artillery fire at the church on Tuesday.
4) SRI LANKA Catholic Shrine Damaged In Alleged Tamil Rebel Attack
COLOMBO (UCAN) -- Church people in Mannar diocese are shocked by an artillery attack that damaged a Catholic shrine and resulted in the death of six soldiers
in the area. On Feb. 12, artillery shells reportedly fired by Tamil rebels hit St. Anthony Shrine in Thalladi and the surrounding area, killing six soldiers and wounding 10.
According to Church sources, the portico and entrance to the shrine were seriously damaged. Father Surenthiran Ravel Leenus, secretary to Bishop Rayappu Joseph of Mannar, told UCA News Feb. 14 by telephone that there had been some confusion over
what happened and why the shrine was hit. According to Father Leenus, Feb. 13 local media reports, relying on military sources, mistakenly identified the attacked area as St. Sebastian Church -- referring to
St. Sebastian Cathedral -- and falsely claimed soldiers had been cleaning up the cathedral at the request of local Church officials. St. Sebastian Cathedral in Mannar, 230 kilometers north of Colombo, oversees the shrine, which is about three kilometers away. Father Leenus said the area around the shrine is occupied solely by the military. "Earlier there were civilians, but now they have evacuated the area," he reported. "These killings are not our fault, and we did not ask for shramadana (voluntary service) from security people," he said. "The Church should not be blamed." Heavy fighting between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and government forces has been going on in the area for several weeks. The rebels launched an
armed struggle for a separate state in the north and east of the country, including Mannar, in 1983. The bishop's secretary said the Church had asked permission from security officials to hold Mass on Tuesdays at the shrine and have a feast in June. The permission
was given. One eyewitness told UCA News over the telephone that he "saw smoke rising from Thalladi camp," the army camp in the shrine area. Abdul Wahab, 58, a businessman from Mannar, said the situation was tense there, with schools, offices and shops closed, and no civilian traffic on the streets. Mobile
phone reception had been cut, he added. The government withdrew in January from a 2002 cease-fire with the rebels, two weeks after it announced it would withdraw. Fighting has increased in the north of
this island state of 20 million people since the announcement. Father Leenus said Bishop Joseph has gone to the Thalladi camp to ask about military reports given to the media and to ask why the Church has been falsely blamed for asking the soldiers to clean up the area.
in the area. On Feb. 12, artillery shells reportedly fired by Tamil rebels hit St. Anthony Shrine in Thalladi and the surrounding area, killing six soldiers and wounding 10.
According to Church sources, the portico and entrance to the shrine were seriously damaged. Father Surenthiran Ravel Leenus, secretary to Bishop Rayappu Joseph of Mannar, told UCA News Feb. 14 by telephone that there had been some confusion over
what happened and why the shrine was hit. According to Father Leenus, Feb. 13 local media reports, relying on military sources, mistakenly identified the attacked area as St. Sebastian Church -- referring to
St. Sebastian Cathedral -- and falsely claimed soldiers had been cleaning up the cathedral at the request of local Church officials. St. Sebastian Cathedral in Mannar, 230 kilometers north of Colombo, oversees the shrine, which is about three kilometers away. Father Leenus said the area around the shrine is occupied solely by the military. "Earlier there were civilians, but now they have evacuated the area," he reported. "These killings are not our fault, and we did not ask for shramadana (voluntary service) from security people," he said. "The Church should not be blamed." Heavy fighting between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and government forces has been going on in the area for several weeks. The rebels launched an
armed struggle for a separate state in the north and east of the country, including Mannar, in 1983. The bishop's secretary said the Church had asked permission from security officials to hold Mass on Tuesdays at the shrine and have a feast in June. The permission
was given. One eyewitness told UCA News over the telephone that he "saw smoke rising from Thalladi camp," the army camp in the shrine area. Abdul Wahab, 58, a businessman from Mannar, said the situation was tense there, with schools, offices and shops closed, and no civilian traffic on the streets. Mobile
phone reception had been cut, he added. The government withdrew in January from a 2002 cease-fire with the rebels, two weeks after it announced it would withdraw. Fighting has increased in the north of
this island state of 20 million people since the announcement. Father Leenus said Bishop Joseph has gone to the Thalladi camp to ask about military reports given to the media and to ask why the Church has been falsely blamed for asking the soldiers to clean up the area.
INCREDIBLE INDIA!!
India will leave no room for Lanka's division - Indian MinisterSarath Samaranayake
KANDY: Visiting Indian Commerce Minister Jairam Ramesh who called on the Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter Most Ven.Thibottuwawe Sri Siddhartha
Sumangala Thera yesterday reassured that India will not leave any room for division or creation of a separate state within Sri Lanka.
The visiting Indian Commerce Minister who held extensive discussions with the Mahanayake Thera said the Indian Government has always maintained a firm stand on
the Sri Lankan issue.
The Minister told the Mahanayake Thera: "India has always treated Sri Lanka as its own family member. The only wish of India is to see peace in Sri Lanka as soon
as possible. The Indian Government is well aware of the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka."
The Indian Minister, who called on the Mahanayake Thera with Investment Promotion Minister Naveen Dissanayake, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath
Ekanayake and Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara said: " I firmly believe that peace will dawn in Sri Lanka very soon."
The Indian Government has taken steps to invest a large amount of money to uplift the Sri Lankan economy. These investments will be made in education, information
technology and the apparel sectors, he said.
The Minister said the Indian Government will also extend its fullest support to the Sri Lankan Government to safeguard Buddhism. There is a longstanding close
relationship between the people of the two countries. This will be a great help to boost the development activities between two countries.
The Mahanayake Thera who invoked blessings on the Indian Minister said: "India maintains longstanding social, cultural and religious ties with Sri Lanka.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Indian Government to extend its support towards all future endeavours of Sri Lanka. The Indian Government cannot remain
silent without extending its support towards the problems faced by Sri Lanka."
The Mahanayake Thera appreciated the measures taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to defeat terrorism and bring economic development to the country. Most
rulers who ruled the country could not fulfil this national duty due to various obstacles they faced. However, President Rajapaksa is fulfilling this national duty very
well.
Therefore, the Maha Sangha invokes their blessings on the President towards this endeavour. "Terror and violence has been unleashed in the North. Sinhala and
Tamil people have maintained a close relationship and lived peacefully in our country. This unity and harmony between Sinhalese and Tamils have suffered a setback
due to activities of one particular terrorist group."
The Mahanayake Thera said however the Maha Sangha and Sinhala Buddhist community are fully committed to extend their fullest support to the Tamil community.
However, certain foreign factions operating within the country are attempting to create disputes among the people, but the Government has been able to identify and
defeat these foreign forces.
KANDY: Visiting Indian Commerce Minister Jairam Ramesh who called on the Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter Most Ven.Thibottuwawe Sri Siddhartha
Sumangala Thera yesterday reassured that India will not leave any room for division or creation of a separate state within Sri Lanka.
The visiting Indian Commerce Minister who held extensive discussions with the Mahanayake Thera said the Indian Government has always maintained a firm stand on
the Sri Lankan issue.
The Minister told the Mahanayake Thera: "India has always treated Sri Lanka as its own family member. The only wish of India is to see peace in Sri Lanka as soon
as possible. The Indian Government is well aware of the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka."
The Indian Minister, who called on the Mahanayake Thera with Investment Promotion Minister Naveen Dissanayake, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath
Ekanayake and Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara said: " I firmly believe that peace will dawn in Sri Lanka very soon."
The Indian Government has taken steps to invest a large amount of money to uplift the Sri Lankan economy. These investments will be made in education, information
technology and the apparel sectors, he said.
The Minister said the Indian Government will also extend its fullest support to the Sri Lankan Government to safeguard Buddhism. There is a longstanding close
relationship between the people of the two countries. This will be a great help to boost the development activities between two countries.
The Mahanayake Thera who invoked blessings on the Indian Minister said: "India maintains longstanding social, cultural and religious ties with Sri Lanka.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Indian Government to extend its support towards all future endeavours of Sri Lanka. The Indian Government cannot remain
silent without extending its support towards the problems faced by Sri Lanka."
The Mahanayake Thera appreciated the measures taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to defeat terrorism and bring economic development to the country. Most
rulers who ruled the country could not fulfil this national duty due to various obstacles they faced. However, President Rajapaksa is fulfilling this national duty very
well.
Therefore, the Maha Sangha invokes their blessings on the President towards this endeavour. "Terror and violence has been unleashed in the North. Sinhala and
Tamil people have maintained a close relationship and lived peacefully in our country. This unity and harmony between Sinhalese and Tamils have suffered a setback
due to activities of one particular terrorist group."
The Mahanayake Thera said however the Maha Sangha and Sinhala Buddhist community are fully committed to extend their fullest support to the Tamil community.
However, certain foreign factions operating within the country are attempting to create disputes among the people, but the Government has been able to identify and
defeat these foreign forces.
Naval Blockade
15 February 2008 09:38:24 India calls for naval alliance with Sri Lanka and other countries NEW DELHI, (AFP) - India called for an alliance of navies to boost security at sea at its first naval summit Thursday with nations that have a stake in the busy
maritime lanes of the Indian Ocean. Twenty-six representatives of navies from countries including Australia, Egypt, France and Sri Lanka are attending the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), seen
by experts as an effort by New Delhi to assert its strategic presence.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, launching the two-day event, said regional cooperation would help combat piracy and terrorism.
"Recent years have seen a rise in crimes such as terrorism, smuggling, including of narcotics, arms and weapons, and piracy and robbery," Singh said.
"The perpetrators of these crimes are well-organised and well-funded transnational crime syndicates who take full advantage of the vastness of the oceans. The need
for cooperation among the navies of the region in preventing such crimes is therefore of paramount interest," he said.
"India remains committed to an Indian Ocean that is stable and peaceful," the prime minister said, calling for "the freedom of the seas for all nations... to deepen trade
and economic links."
Indian naval chief admiral Sureesh Mehta called for a loose military alliance of regional navies to keep the busy sea lanes secure.
"The threats of intra-state turmoil as well as a variety of security threats that are short of state-on-state conflict, remain a grim reality, presenting a significant risk to
peace and stability," Mehta told the summit.
India has offered an unofficial naval blockade of the waters around Sri Lanka and the Maldives to prevent Tamil guerrillas from smuggling arms onto the island to fuel
their battle for a homeland.
"The threat from malevolent non-state actors presents a clear and present danger to not just one or some, but to all of us," Mehta said, without directly referring to the
Sri Lankan conflict.
"(However) it is critical to ensure that whatever we plan and do flows from a broad consensus, with political backing, maritime commitment, and naval resolve," the
chief of India's 137-ship navy added.
India during the 2004 tsunami spurned an unsolicited US offer to provide help to the thousands of victims and instead sent its own naval ships to Sri Lanka and
Indonesia in a sign of its expanding reach.
Last September, India invited Australia, Japan, Singapore and the US for major joint naval exercises off the Andaman islands -- raising eyebrows in Pakistan and
China.
The symposium will also focus on the war in Sri Lanka, notably the Tamil Tigers' continued weapons smuggling, diplomats said.
"This critical military crisis highlights the need for synergy among navies to keep the Indian Ocean free of pirates and gun-runners," a New Delhi-based diplomat said.
Uday Bhaskar, a former Indian naval commander, said the summit was a clear "attempt by India to enhance the credibility of its navy as a maritime power." The summit will wind up on Friday with a closed-door conclave of the naval chiefs in the Indian seaside resort of Goa.
maritime lanes of the Indian Ocean. Twenty-six representatives of navies from countries including Australia, Egypt, France and Sri Lanka are attending the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), seen
by experts as an effort by New Delhi to assert its strategic presence.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, launching the two-day event, said regional cooperation would help combat piracy and terrorism.
"Recent years have seen a rise in crimes such as terrorism, smuggling, including of narcotics, arms and weapons, and piracy and robbery," Singh said.
"The perpetrators of these crimes are well-organised and well-funded transnational crime syndicates who take full advantage of the vastness of the oceans. The need
for cooperation among the navies of the region in preventing such crimes is therefore of paramount interest," he said.
"India remains committed to an Indian Ocean that is stable and peaceful," the prime minister said, calling for "the freedom of the seas for all nations... to deepen trade
and economic links."
Indian naval chief admiral Sureesh Mehta called for a loose military alliance of regional navies to keep the busy sea lanes secure.
"The threats of intra-state turmoil as well as a variety of security threats that are short of state-on-state conflict, remain a grim reality, presenting a significant risk to
peace and stability," Mehta told the summit.
India has offered an unofficial naval blockade of the waters around Sri Lanka and the Maldives to prevent Tamil guerrillas from smuggling arms onto the island to fuel
their battle for a homeland.
"The threat from malevolent non-state actors presents a clear and present danger to not just one or some, but to all of us," Mehta said, without directly referring to the
Sri Lankan conflict.
"(However) it is critical to ensure that whatever we plan and do flows from a broad consensus, with political backing, maritime commitment, and naval resolve," the
chief of India's 137-ship navy added.
India during the 2004 tsunami spurned an unsolicited US offer to provide help to the thousands of victims and instead sent its own naval ships to Sri Lanka and
Indonesia in a sign of its expanding reach.
Last September, India invited Australia, Japan, Singapore and the US for major joint naval exercises off the Andaman islands -- raising eyebrows in Pakistan and
China.
The symposium will also focus on the war in Sri Lanka, notably the Tamil Tigers' continued weapons smuggling, diplomats said.
"This critical military crisis highlights the need for synergy among navies to keep the Indian Ocean free of pirates and gun-runners," a New Delhi-based diplomat said.
Uday Bhaskar, a former Indian naval commander, said the summit was a clear "attempt by India to enhance the credibility of its navy as a maritime power." The summit will wind up on Friday with a closed-door conclave of the naval chiefs in the Indian seaside resort of Goa.
India, Sri Lanka sign agreement on Trinco Thermal power plant
[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 February 2008, 16:01 GMT]National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), India’s largest power producer, and Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) officially agreed Wednesday in
Colombo that Vealoor in Trincomalee north will be the site for the establishment of the coal-fired power plant, sources in Colombo said. Although a Memorandum of
Agreement was signed between the two parties in December 2006, the proposed project had stalled for nearly a year due to India’s disinclination to agree on
Champoor in Trincomalee district, the site originally selected by Sri Lanka, diplomatic circles in Colombo said.
Indian Deputy Minister of Commerce, Jayaram Ramesh, speaking to Indian media Wednesday in Colombo said that the Thermal power plant, a 50-50 joint venture
between NTCP and CEB, will be located in Vealloor village in Trincomalee north.
For the first time a written agreement has been officially reached on the agenda of the proposed Thermal plant, the first unit of which is expected to begin functioning
in April 2012 and will produce 500 MW power in July 2012, the Deputy Minister said.
Minister of Power and Energy for Sri Lanka, Mr. W. D. G. Seneviratne, in an interview to BBC Tamil service said that the proposed Thermal power plant will be
established in Nilaave’li in Trincomalee district and that a new jetty will be built in Champoor for unloading the coal needed for the power plant.
He also said that construction work is expected to begin later this year.
The jetty project is integrated with the power plant project and be located near the power plant. It is not possible now to decide where the jetty should be located,
Deputy Minister Jayaram Ramesh said.
The feasibility report of the project will consider modes of transportation of the coal to be imported from Australia and this will determine the location of the new
jetty, the deputy minister added.
A press release issued by the Indian High Commission in Colombo 29 December 2006 said that a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between NTPC Ltd., (a
Government of India Undertaking), CEB and Government of Sri Lanka at the Presidential Secretariat for setting up of a 500 MW coal based thermal power plant in
Trincomalee. The power plant is expected to commence operations from 2011. With the signing of the Agreement will commence the process of site selection in
Trincomalee which will be done on the basis of techno-economic and environmental feasibility studies and other relevant matters including availability of infrastructure
etc.
Colombo that Vealoor in Trincomalee north will be the site for the establishment of the coal-fired power plant, sources in Colombo said. Although a Memorandum of
Agreement was signed between the two parties in December 2006, the proposed project had stalled for nearly a year due to India’s disinclination to agree on
Champoor in Trincomalee district, the site originally selected by Sri Lanka, diplomatic circles in Colombo said.
Indian Deputy Minister of Commerce, Jayaram Ramesh, speaking to Indian media Wednesday in Colombo said that the Thermal power plant, a 50-50 joint venture
between NTCP and CEB, will be located in Vealloor village in Trincomalee north.
For the first time a written agreement has been officially reached on the agenda of the proposed Thermal plant, the first unit of which is expected to begin functioning
in April 2012 and will produce 500 MW power in July 2012, the Deputy Minister said.
Minister of Power and Energy for Sri Lanka, Mr. W. D. G. Seneviratne, in an interview to BBC Tamil service said that the proposed Thermal power plant will be
established in Nilaave’li in Trincomalee district and that a new jetty will be built in Champoor for unloading the coal needed for the power plant.
He also said that construction work is expected to begin later this year.
The jetty project is integrated with the power plant project and be located near the power plant. It is not possible now to decide where the jetty should be located,
Deputy Minister Jayaram Ramesh said.
The feasibility report of the project will consider modes of transportation of the coal to be imported from Australia and this will determine the location of the new
jetty, the deputy minister added.
A press release issued by the Indian High Commission in Colombo 29 December 2006 said that a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between NTPC Ltd., (a
Government of India Undertaking), CEB and Government of Sri Lanka at the Presidential Secretariat for setting up of a 500 MW coal based thermal power plant in
Trincomalee. The power plant is expected to commence operations from 2011. With the signing of the Agreement will commence the process of site selection in
Trincomalee which will be done on the basis of techno-economic and environmental feasibility studies and other relevant matters including availability of infrastructure
etc.
A’sangaree new Governor of North?
Likely to accept President Rajapaksa’s offer
TULF President says President Rajapaksa made offer nine months ago Anandasangaree says discussing matter with community and political leadersBy Sandun A Jayasekera
TULF President V. Anandasangaree is likely to give serious thought to an offer made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to take up the post of Governor of the North.
Mr. Anandasangaree told the Daily Mirror yesterday he would convey his decision when he meets the President later this week,
“I was offered the Governor’s post by President Rajapaksa some nine months ago after the Supreme Court judgment to de-merge the north east was delivered. The
latest invitation came from President Rajapaksa on January 22, after APRC Chairman Tissa Vitarana submitted his interim proposals that included the establishment
of an advisory council to advise the Governor of the North,” Mr. Anadasangaree said.
Mr. Anandasnagaree has discussed the issue with the President on his return from London recently. President Rajapaksa is very keen on establishing the Interim
Advisory Council to restore normalcy in the North,” he said.“Right now I am discussing the matter with leaders of the Tamil community,
political parties and other social groups. I would also consult the main opposition UNP before meeting the President,” Mr. Anandasangaree said adding that he was
receiving pleas from all quarters including social groups, Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese communities and political parties to accept the governor’s post.
TULF President says President Rajapaksa made offer nine months ago Anandasangaree says discussing matter with community and political leadersBy Sandun A Jayasekera
TULF President V. Anandasangaree is likely to give serious thought to an offer made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to take up the post of Governor of the North.
Mr. Anandasangaree told the Daily Mirror yesterday he would convey his decision when he meets the President later this week,
“I was offered the Governor’s post by President Rajapaksa some nine months ago after the Supreme Court judgment to de-merge the north east was delivered. The
latest invitation came from President Rajapaksa on January 22, after APRC Chairman Tissa Vitarana submitted his interim proposals that included the establishment
of an advisory council to advise the Governor of the North,” Mr. Anadasangaree said.
Mr. Anandasnagaree has discussed the issue with the President on his return from London recently. President Rajapaksa is very keen on establishing the Interim
Advisory Council to restore normalcy in the North,” he said.“Right now I am discussing the matter with leaders of the Tamil community,
political parties and other social groups. I would also consult the main opposition UNP before meeting the President,” Mr. Anandasangaree said adding that he was
receiving pleas from all quarters including social groups, Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese communities and political parties to accept the governor’s post.
Indian corporates on fact finding mission Competitive terms a must to attract best in oil rigging:
Hiran H. Senewiratne
Sri Lanka and India should offer globally competitive terms and conditions in oil exploration to attract the best in the world, Indian Minister for Commerce Jairam
Ramesh told the Daily News Business. Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh. Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad was present. Picture by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa "When India was exploring oil and petroleum resources in 1986 by the famous Reliance Group we offered globally attractive terms and conditions, which enabled
India to be competitive in the area, Minister Ramesh told a media conference in Colombo," yesterday.
Ramesh is on a three day visit with a high powered Indian delegation. They held discussions with the Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Dr.
Sarath Amunugama to expand economic co-operation, trade and investment in both countries.
"After 10 years India has become globally competitive in the oil and petroleum sector which has done many explorations successfully. Therefore, it is essential for Sri
Lanka to be globally competitive when they begin exploration in the Mannar basin," he said.
Minister Ramesh said the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will also come into play shortly after seven rounds of successful discussions
which is likely to be signed by July 2008.
"India today is an extremely important trading partner of Sri Lanka accounting for some 10 per cent of Sri Lanka's exports and about 15 per cent of Sri Lanka's
imports. Sri Lanka's importance in India's external trade sector is much smaller but contributes about three per cent of India's exports and about 0.6 of India's
imports", the Minister said.
On the investment side India has moved up the rankings in Sri Lanka from number nine seven years ago to number three now. India invested US$ 250 million in Sri
Lanka.
US$ 360 million foreign direct investments is in the pipe line and US$ two billion project is under discussion, he said. Sri Lanka's major investment predominantly
from Brandix and MAS Holdings is quite commendable, he said.
Brandix Apparels is planning to invest around US$ 650 million over the next five to seven years while MAS is planning to invest around US$ 200 million in an apparel
park in Nellore district in the Andra Predesh.
Ramesh also said India is very much interested in investing in sectors like education and IT, which are lucrative for them. Minister Amunugama said Sri Lanka could
achieve the target of US$ one billion Foreign Direct Investments in 2008. Top Indian companies are interested in investing in Sri Lanka which will push the growth
rate in Sri Lanka.
The business delegation present at the fact-finding mission was Quarto, Wardham Textiles, Aditya Birla Group, Arvind Mills, Reliance Industries, Mahindra and
Mahindra, Indo Rama Synthetics L and T, IOC are some of them.
India proposes to invest USD 2 bn in Sri Lanka:
Ramesh Colombo (PTI): India is committed to a closer economic cooperation with Sri Lanka, visiting minister Jairam Ramesh said on Monday, while revealing that
investments of 2 billion dollars from business houses in his country into the Island Nation are at a discussion stage.
"While 220 million dollars worth of Indian investment is already there in Sri Lanka and as much as 2 billion dollars of investments by Indian business houses into the
Island country are under discussions," India's Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh told reporters here at Indo-Sri Lankan Investment Seminar.
Ramesh, who is heading a business delegation, said another 360 million dollars of Indian investments in value terms to the Emarald Nation are also in the pipeline.
The delegation comprises officials from Indian Oil, Oswal, Reliance textile group, Indo-Rama, Vardhaman and Mahindra and Mahindra.
The focus of the discussion is on education sector and textiles, the Minister said. The bilateral trade and investments are expected to get a boost after the
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is likely to be signed by both countries by April this year, he added.
He said, both countries are slated to enter into the CEPA ahead of the SAARC summit, scheduled for July in Sri Lanka.
investments of 2 billion dollars from business houses in his country into the Island Nation are at a discussion stage.
"While 220 million dollars worth of Indian investment is already there in Sri Lanka and as much as 2 billion dollars of investments by Indian business houses into the
Island country are under discussions," India's Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh told reporters here at Indo-Sri Lankan Investment Seminar.
Ramesh, who is heading a business delegation, said another 360 million dollars of Indian investments in value terms to the Emarald Nation are also in the pipeline.
The delegation comprises officials from Indian Oil, Oswal, Reliance textile group, Indo-Rama, Vardhaman and Mahindra and Mahindra.
The focus of the discussion is on education sector and textiles, the Minister said. The bilateral trade and investments are expected to get a boost after the
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is likely to be signed by both countries by April this year, he added.
He said, both countries are slated to enter into the CEPA ahead of the SAARC summit, scheduled for July in Sri Lanka.
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