By R. K. Radhakrishnan | The Hindu
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When the ISO-certified de-mining team, Horizon, began its work about eight months ago, it faced a host of obstacles. “We did not know where the alignment was,” said Shashikant Pitre, chairman, Horizon Group. The LTTE had destroyed the alignment and bridges and had taken away the railway track. “The ground was heavily compacted with gravel making the raking to a depth of 15 cm quite difficult,” he added.
This was not the only problem. Over the years, there has been heavy water logging in some of the areas and there were metal remnants all over the alignment. “The presence of metals in such large quantities meant that we will not be able to make use of metal detectors,” said Mr. Pitre, who retired as a Major-General from the Indian Army.
There were other problems too. All the bridges, major and minor, had been destroyed. This often meant long detours. “We faced serious logistical problems in the transport of people and heavy equipment,” said Anil Srivastava, Horizon Project Manager in Sri Lanka. The actual de-mining took only 25 per cent of the eight months. “From this you can understand how big and serious the logistical problems were. The remaining time was spent on surveys, clearance and marking,” added Mr. Srivastava, a former Colonel with the Indian Army.
As per the contract, Horizon cleared 15 metres from a delineated centre line to either side. In places where stations have been planned this distance goes up to 50 metres clearance. The team said there were only three major confirmed hazard areas, totalling 18,000 square metres. One was between Cheddikulam and Madhu, another between Madhu and Manakkulam and a third between Manakkulam and Mannar.
Horizon, established in 2001 by a few retired Indian Army officers, has been working in Sri Lanka since 2003. So far it has cleared an area of 96 sq.km. and released a total area of 456 sq.km. for rehabilitation. In the process, it has recovered a total of 1,00,444 devices, comprising 44,000 mines and UXOs (unexploded ordnance).
There are two Indian de-mining teams operating in Sri Lanka. The larger of the two, Sarvatra, has so far released a land area close to 1,300 sq.km. in the districts of Mannar, Mullativu and Batticaloa.
During 2010 Sarvatra also cleared almost three times as much as its nearest civil demining rival, the British charitable organisation called MAG.
During 2010 alone, Sarvatra cleared more than four million square metres, destroying more than 40,000 explosive devices, said Brigadier (retired) S.S. Brar, CEO of Sarvatra.
© The Hindu
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Indian railway project in Sri Lanka in full steam
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Sri Lanka war commission seeks term extension
PTI | Zee News
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The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) was set to end its term on May 15 but its spokeperson said that the large amount of evidence it is dealing with requires more time to conclude the job.
"Our term was due to end on May 15. But in view of the large volumes of evidence that we have recorded both orally and in writing we have been forced to ask for more time to prepare our report," LLRC's media spokesman Lakshman Wickremasinghe said today.
He said the commission had written to President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week to ask for the time extension. The LLRC was appointed by Rajapaksa a year ago to report on the conflict between February 2002 and May 2009 that ended with the military defeat of the LTTE.
Its demand for term extension comes after a UN advisory panel report, that found both the military and the LTTE culpable in war crimes, raised tempers in Sri Lanka.
Wickremasinghe, however, said the UN panel report was no consideration when making the decision to ask for the extension of time.
The three-member UN panel report which has asked for an independent investigation into alleged war crimes committed by both the government and the LTTE has said "the mandate of the LLRC as well as its work and methodology to date are not tailored to investigating allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, or to examining the root causes of the decades long conflict".
Sri Lanka, however, maintains that the LLRC has been mandated to serve the accountability aspect of the conflict and its findings would be treated with the seriousness they deserve.
© Zee News
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Lanka-Israel to exchange irrigation knowledge
By Priyanka Kurugala | Daily News
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Minister de Silva said so while participating in a discussion with Israeli Agriculture Minister Orit Noked at the Ministry recently.
The Israeli Agriculture Minister said that, they hope to provide high standard milch cows to increase Sri Lanka's milk production free.
'The Israeli government will study the reservoirs and water management systems in Sri Lanka. They hope to exchange their experience in the same field, Noked said.
'Israel hopes to popularise drip irrigation in Sri Lanka, a technology which is being widely used in agricultural work,' she said.
Under this programme the two countries will exchange their knowledge of agriculture and irrigation.
© Daily News
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sri Lanka boxer stripped of gold medal
AFP | Teheran Times
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Sean McGoldrick from Wales becomes the bantamweight Games champion as a result.
The Commonwealth Games Federation’s (CGF) Federation Court said Wanniarachchi has been disqualified from the 2010 Commonwealth Games and his competition results at the Delhi Games be nullified.
"The Court has ruled that the medal awarded to him be forfeited and returned to the CGF,"" the governing body said in an email statement.
""The gold medal in the bantamweight 56 kilo weight division will be awarded to Sean McGoldrick from Wales,"" it said.
Wanniarachchi's urine sample was found to contain 19-Norandrosterone, a banned performance-enhancing substance, the body said.
Sri Lanka's National Olympic Committee last year took away Wanniarachchi's medal pending the completion of inquiries. The boxer risks a two-year ban.
Sri Lankan authorities say that the boxer may have unknowingly taken the banned steroid when he consulted a physician.
Sri Lanka also won one silver and one bronze medal in boxing and weightlifting during the October Commonwealth Games.
Two Sri Lankan athletes tested positive for nandrolone in 1998 and 2007 but they were cleared on both occasions because of alleged flaws in the inquiries against them.
© Teheran Times
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sri Lanka ministers shave heads for Buddhist anniversary
Xinhua | People's Daily Online
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"They will dedicate themselves to the religion throughout the next 10 days and indulge in religious activities including meditation", Reverend Athuraliye Rathana, a senior monk and a ruling party legislator said.
Champika Ranawaka, the minister of power and energy and Udaya Gammanpila, a ruling party minister in the western provincial council and the party's spokesman were among those who shaved their heads.
They will now move to a monastery at Kanduboda near the capital Colombo clad in white for their 10 day meditiational retreat.
The 2,600th anniversary since the Buddha's attainment of Buddhahood is to be celebrated with state backing in the Buddhist majority island.
© People's Daily Online
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Sri Lanka guarantees 'security of sea lanes' on Blake visit
JDS Info
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Addressing the Parliament on the third of May during the visit of US Assistant Secretary of State to Sri Lanka, Foreign Minister GL Peiris said that the accomplishments of the government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa "go far beyond the national situation".
Prof. Peiris declared in the house that the government has "achieved things which has brought about stability, tranquility in the entire SA region," .
"Particularly I would stress the security of the sea lanes in this region," he added.
Commenting on the report to the UN Secretary General by the experts panel, Minister Pieris critisised it for stating in the introduction that the war in Sri Lanka 'ended tragically amidst controversy'.
Panel report attacked in parliament
Prof. Peiris who said it was tragic "certainly not for the people of Sri Lanka," questioned whether it is "because the wrong side won the war".
Claiming in parliament that the panel report is "replete with palpable bias and prejudice" the foreign minister said that the panel "travels far far beyond its mandate".
"It has been set up to advice the UNSG. But it proceeds to provide gratuitous advice to the government of Sri Lanka on a wide range of matters which pertain exclusively to domestic policy. Our court system, the role of the Attorney General, public order, constitutional issues. None of these matters fall within the ambit of the mandate that the Secretary General has given to the Panel."
SL will work with UN system
However, the minister assured the parliament that the Sri Lankan government will work with the UN system in future as well.
"Far be it from us to entertain any thought of living in isolation in the contemporary world," said Minister Peiris.
Following his meeting with the Sri Lankan government team led by Minister Peiris on the 4th of May, US Asst. Secretary Robert Blake said that he is encouraged that External Affairs Minister Peiris will communicate soon with the UN Secretary General.
Blake speaks of 'positive progress'
USAS Blake who said that the government has made some 'positive progress' had praise for the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).
"The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission is playing an important role in the reconciliation process. The Commission has heard testimony from Sri Lankans from all regions and ethnic backgrounds." a statement from USAS Blake issued by the US embassy in Colombo said.
However, the statement does not mention whether the US ASS has discussed the UNSG's panel report that called the LLRC 'deeply flawed, does not meet international standards for an effectively accountability mechanism'.
"The UN report underscores the importance of a durable political solution that can forge a prosperous, democratic and united Sri Lanka, but also the importance of dialogue between the UN and the Government of Sri Lanka," was all the US statement had to say.
© JDS Info
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Sri Lanka: Computer expert chooses evidence in camera
By Olindhi Jayasundere and Lakna Paranamanna | Daily Mirror
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Dr. de Silva, who is an Engineer and lecturer at the Moratuwa University Department of Computer Science, told the Lesson Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) that he wished to give evidence on camera as he feared for his life. Before the private submission was given yesterday, LLRC Chairman, C.R De Silva stated that de Silva was invited by the Commission to offer his expert opinion to ascertain the genuineness of the Channel 4 broadcast, which alleged that the Sri Lanka Army had killed innocent civilians.
De Silva said he was more than willing to give evidence but feared that it could be a threat to his life. He said that the university had also advised him to refrain from making a public statement to the commission owning to possible security threats.
The British TV channel alleged that Sri Lankan troops had executed captured LTTE cadres. The LLRC permits those who give evidence to the commission to make their submission either in camera or in public based on their preference.
© Daily Mirror
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Israeli Agriculture Minister visits Sri Lanka
Daily News
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Noked is scheduled to meet Prime Minister D M Jayaratne and other Ministers. During her meetings with government officials and farming and business communities, Minister Noked will reiterate Israel's intention to become a fully-fledged partner in Sri Lanka's development efforts.
Minister Noked and her Sri Lankan counterpart, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, will inaugurate the Agro-Business Seminar and sign an MoU to further augment the agricultural cooperation between the two countries and develop areas of mutual interest in the agriculture sector.
The various topics of cooperation included in the MoU are capacity building and transfer of know-how; technology transfer; development of R and D Systems; exchange of scientific and agricultural technology information; promotion of Public Private Partnerships (PPP); water management and innovative irrigation technologies; rural development; land conservation and precision agricultural practices.
© Daily News
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Media forced to plead for life and profession: Media activists
By Susitha R. Fernando | Daily Mirror
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Speaking at a discussion organized to show challenges faced by Sri Lanka media at present, Chandana Sirimalwatte, the editor of ‘Lanka’ newspaper said that when various activities relating to the media is taking place under the theme ‘21st Century Media- New frontiers and new barriers’ around the world, Sri Lankan media was forced to plea to protect their profession and lives.
The discussion under the theme ‘One step to the Guillotine’ held at the Public Library was addressed by Lanka editor Chandana Sirimalwatte, lawyer for ‘We Are Sri Lanka’ organization, Nuwan Bopage, University lecturer Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri and Pubudu Jayagoda, JVP Political Bureau member.
In his address Editor Sirimalwatte stated that according to the report titled ‘To identify the challenges faced by Sri Lanka journalist’ prepared by Media Movement for Democracy (MMD) for the World Press Freedom Day, in the last six years nine journalists were abducted, 17 journalists arrested, 35 journalists attacked and 11 journalists were killed in Sri Lanka. In addition seven media institutions including newspaper, televison and website offices were attacked and completely burnt down.
Unfortunately the President and the Minister of Media had not done anything to protect the media or the journalists other than making speeches stating they would protect them. The government had failed to carry out justice against those intimidated journalists and attacked media institutions. Quoting the report, editor Sirimalwatte said that there are many instances where the police whose duty is to enforce law and order had taken the law into their hand against journalists. It was evident that both the government and the police follow a lethargic attitude to bring the culprits who intimidate and attack journalists and media institutions.
“This was how the Sri Lankan government and politicians who did not take any action when the media was intimidated, paved the way to release a UN report against the country,” the editor reiterated.
Lawyer Nuwan Bopage speaking on the legality of freedom of expression in Sri Lankan media said that the media freedom today has been violated and intimidated as had never happened over the history.
He said according to the legal system of other countries, the journalists enjoy far better freedom and they can report and criticize anybody for the betterment of the society. This is as long as they are not prejudiced and do not have intention to harm anyone. However even in such instances where the report of the journalist has affected someone he can have the opportunity to make an apology.
“The legal system has been used to attack and punish journalists over the history of Sri Lanka and the most dangerous situation is that the Emergency Regulation is being used to arrest journalists and keep them for prolonged detention, Further over the past journalists were branded as terrorists and charged them under Prevention of Terrorist Act (PTA)”, he said
He further said that media is reluctant to criticize judicial decisions which in fact is something that should happen. “If it is evident that the politicians are treated differently from others by the judiciary and allowed to get away when there are sufficient evidence against them, the media has the right to criticize,” Attorney-at-law Bopage said.
Meanwhile Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri, Senior Lecturer of the Department of History at the University of Colombo speaking on the importance of independence of media said that the idea of freedom of expression is a result of the renaissance and obstructing it is denying the benefit of development we achieved from the renaissance.
“The UN Report on Sri Lanka was not an idea of its Secretary General Ban Ki-moon but was a result public outcry who wanted to know what happened during the war”. He further said that State of Sri Lanka is controlled by a one family which is against the ideology of renaissance.
© Daily Mirror
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Sri Lanka: Private sector moves into former Tiger lair
Photo courtesy: Perambara.org
By Shamindra Ferdinando | The Island
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A few years ago, the establishment of local and foreign partnership company, especially one engaged in telecommunication infrastructure development would have been unthinkable.
But, with the dawn of peace, Sierra Global Network Private Limited, one of the leading telecommunication infrastructure development and managed services company has established a regional office in Mullaitivu.
A senior military official told The Island that Mullaitivu had been covered by a special security plan due to its strategic importance to their overall strategy. The LTTE set up its longest runway in the Mullaitivu district during eelam war IV, the official said. The LTTE would never have allowed private projects, let alone one involving telecommunication infrastructure development.
Government forces regained Mullaitivu on Jan. 26, 2009, 13 years after losing the town in the single worst debacle in the entire eelam war.
A senior spokesperson for Sierra Global Network Private Limited said that even before the conclusion of the war in May 2009, the company had completed what he called 3G/GSM expansion project in Jaffna for Mobitel at the beginning of 2009.
According to him, the Jaffna project had paved the way for the coverage in the entire peninsula.
"We are helping telecom operators to expand their services in the Northern Province.
Among the major projects was the construction of Fibre Optic Cable network of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) from Jaffna exchange to Vavuniya exchange providing a seamless broadband connection from Colombo directly to Jaffna. We are also maintaining the Suntel CDMA network as well as Airtel 3G/GSM network in the Northern Province," the spokesman said.
Sierra Global is a strategic partner of Huawei engaged in post-war projects.
Since launching of Airtel’s 3G/GSM service in the Northern Province last year, Sierra Global maintains Airtel base stations situated in Jaffna, Mannar, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Trincomalee and Mullaitivu through Huawei. Austin Wang, CEO of Huawei Technologies Lanka Limited expressed confidence that the ongoing projects would further strengthen their working relationship, particularly in the project covering the Northern region.
Jerry Huxtable, Managing Director of Suntel Limited said that setting up of operations at Mullaitivu would be a boon to Suntel. Sierra Global maintains CDMA base stations belonging to Suntel in the Northern Province.
Following a recent visit to Mullaitivu, Dr. Arosha Fernando, Director/CEO of Sierra Global told The Island that they were the first to move to Kilinochchi in September last year. According to him, the company had been engaged in a range of projects, including construction of towers, fibre optic cable networks as well as the new Court Complex and Technical College.
© The Island
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