Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Web site of polls monitor blocked in Sri Lanka



The web site belonging to the campaign for Free and fair Elections (CaFFE), an independent polls monitoring group was blocked for nearly four days and it’s director alleged sabotage by interested parties.

Keerthi Tennakoon said they were able to open the site from early today after it was blocked over the weekend. “This was a deliberate attempt, there is no doubt o0n that”, he said.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Sri Lanka: TID questions two defence journalists



Defence correspondent of The Nation newspaper, Ruwan Weerakoon and News Editor of the Siyatha newspaper, Prasanna Fonseka have reportedly been summoned by the TID to record statements.

A head at the TID said the two journalists have been summoned to record statements on recent events since they have been closely affiliated to General Sarath Fonseka for a long time.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Opposition candidate questioned by the TID



United National Party Colombo District candidate Shiral Lakthileka was questioned by the Terrorism Investigations Department (TID) today on his affiliation with former Army Commander, Retired General Sarath Fonseka during the Presidential election.

Lakthileka told The Sunday Leader that he was questioned on fund disbursements made by General Fonseka during the Presidential election campaign following information received by the General’s coordinating secretary, Senaka Silva, who is currently in CID custody.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

AHRC warns of possible arrest of leading Sri Lankan lawyer



The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has accused the Sri Lankan government for planning to arrest a leading human rights lawyer and a prominent social activist J.C.Weliamuna on fabricated charges. Chrishantha Weliamuna works as the Director of Transparency International in Sri Lanka (TISL), the Sri Lankan chapter of the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption.

"The governments allegations against the TISL come in the aftermath of the presidential elections and in the midst of a parliamentary election. In the presidential elections one of the most glaring complaints against the government was its abuse of the state resources for electoral purposes. This is also one of the major grounds for the petition filed by the opposition common candidate against the election results of the last presidential elections.The purpose of the attack on TISL and of the possible arrest its chairperson, J.C. Weliamuna, would be to create adverse impressions on the credibility of the organisations engaged in monitoring elections as well as the findings of these organisations in the last elections" said the AHRC statement.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

India - Sri Lanka sign $ 67.4-mln pact for rail upgradation project



The Export-Import Bank of India today signed an agreement with the Sri Lankan government to provide credit of USD 67.4 million for upgrading the Island nation's southern rail line.

The agreement was signed by P B Jayasundera, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning, and Export-Import Bank of India Executive Director Prabhakar Dalal in the presence of Ashok K Kantha, the High Commissioner of India in Colombo.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Sri Lanka signs up US$290mn in railway, airport loans from China



Sri Lanka has signed up 290 million US dollars in financing from China's Exim Bank to build an airport in the south of the island and expand railways, the foreign ministry said.

The Exim Bank of China is giving 190 million US dollars for an airport in Mattala, in the southern Hambantota district. China is also giving 100 million US dollar loan to Sri Lanka Railways.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Sri Lanka to Seek Tenants for $550 Million Tax-Free Port Zone



By Anusha Ondaatjie - Sri Lanka plans to invite overseas and local companies this month to set up operations in a new $550 million tax-free port zone as the end of the island’s civil war boosts trade and investment.

Companies from Australia, India, China, Russia and Dubai have expressed interest in opening shipbuilding, ship-repair and warehousing facilities at the port in Hambantota, southern Sri Lanka, said Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Priyath Wickrama. The zone, partially funded by a $370 million Chinese loan, should be completed by November, he said.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Sri Lanka emergency laws extended ahead of election



Sri Lanka's outgoing parliament has voted to extend the state of emergency across the island until after next month's legislative elections.

Emergency laws give the authorities powers to detain terror suspects indefinitely and without charge.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Sri Lanka asylum seekers in limbo



For more than five months a group of nearly 240 Sri Lankan asylum seekers have been stranded in an Indonesian port.

The stand-off began when their boat was intercepted by the Indonesian navy following a tip-off from Australia.

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