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South Asia Delegation of European Parliament Commends “tremendous efforts by the Government to remove legacy of conflict”
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The leader of the South Asia Delegation of the European Parliament, Mrs. Jean Lambert
(Greens/UK) has commended GOSL on the “tremendous efforts and progress made by the Government
to remove the legacy of the conflict”. The observations were made during the
concluding interaction between the Delegation and the Minister of External Affairs,
Prof. G.L. Peiris on 24 February 2011. The EU side thanked the Minister and the Government for the extensive efforts made to ensure the success
of their visit and appreciated the opportunity to interact with a cross-section of Sri Lankan society.
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Bishop of Jaffna Happy About Security in Jaffna
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Jaffna Bishop Rt Rev Fr Dr Thomas Saundernayagam, in a letter addressed to
Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, attributes the significant drop in the
Jaffna crime rate to the intensified new security measures of the Army and the
Police now in effect. The Bishop commending the role of the Army, assisted by
the Police went on to state that timely action of the Security Forces in the
peninsula drastically lessened the number of criminal activities and other
unlawful acts. He also criticized organized crimes by certain sections and
praised the Army for restoring normalcy. “Once again law and order has been
restored and unlawful deeds have lessened”, the letter said.
Read more...
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“EU decision, an eye-opener” - Sunday Observer Editorial
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“The European Union (EU) took a bold decision last week by including the LTTE
again in its list of terrorist groups. The EU took this decision after a
comprehensive review and the announcement was made through the Council
Implementing Regulation on January 31 and published in the official journal
of the EU. ..... Sri Lanka is fast recovering having eradicated LTTE
terrorism on May 18, 2009 and the EU’s decision would indisputably shatter
even the wildest dreams of Tiger sympathisers. At a time when Sri Lanka is
bouncing back with a significant economic boom to regain its lost prestige
due to three decades of LTTE terror, it is incumbent on the international
community, especially those who strongly campaign against international
terror, to extend their wholehearted support. ”
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“EU grudgingly admits LTTE threat” - The Nation Editorial
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“This week, the European Union (EU) announced that it was re-listing the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist
organisation, in a crucial decision that would have wide-ranging implications for Sri Lanka..........Only a few countries - which notably
include the likes of Russia, China and neighbouring India - among the global powers that be have been bold enough to acknowledge that it
is now time to move on in Sri Lanka and indicated that it accepts Colombo’s decision to eliminate the LTTE. Against such a backdrop, the
re-listing of the Tigers as a terrorist organisation by the EU is indeed significant. It is an indication that the EU grudgingly
admits that the LTTE - or what is left of it - does pose a threat to their own security and that the Tigers may not have changed their
stripes after all.”
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EU re-lists LTTE following comprehensive review of listed terrorist groups
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The European Union (EU) has re-listed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE) following a comprehensive review of listed terrorist groups. The
announcement was made through Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 83/2011 of
31 January 2011,published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The
LTTE is re-listed among 26 Groups and Entities, on the determination that they
“have been involved in terrorist acts within the meaning of Article 1(2) and (3)
of Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP of 27 December 2001 on the application
of specific measures to combat terrorism, that a decision has been taken with
respect to them by a competent authority within the meaning of Article 1(4) of
that Common Position, and that they should continue to be subject to the
specific restrictive measures.”
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Sri Lankan Dances add luster to ’Salon des Vacances‘ Tourism Fair in Belgium
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Sri Lankan dances dazzled the Belgians who visited the ’Salon Des Vacances‘ tourism
fair which was held from 03-07 February 2011. Dubbed as the ’largest B2C tourism fair‘
in Belgium, this year’s ’Salon des Vancances‘ fair drew more than 150,000 Belgian visitors
during the five day exhibition. Sri Lanka which was participating in this fair after a
spell of four years, was part of the ’Asian Village‘ - which depicted the tourism
industry and the rich culture of Asia. The Sri Lanka Embassy in Belgium, together with
the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau represented Sri Lanka at the ’Asian Village‘ of the tourism fair,
while the dancers of the ’Sarasavi Ranga Ayathanaya‘ of Paris performed at this event.
Read more...
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Ambassador Aryasinha calls on Sri Lankans abroad to rise against continued
attempts by vested interests to distort Sri Lanka’s image
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Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU Ravinatha Aryasinha
addressing the celebrations to mark the 63rd Anniversary of Independence of Sri
Lanka in Brussels on 06 February 2011, has said “ as we celebrate our freedom,
let us not forget that these continue to be challenging times for Sri Lanka.
Even as Sri Lanka takes tangible measures to bring about reconciliation and
has embarked on a process of development and sustainable peace for all
communities in Sri Lanka, there are some with vested interests, who continue to
seek to distort the image of Sri Lanka particularly in the West. As a result,
the Sri Lanka which is projected out here, is very different from the Sri Lanka
that is over there. This is not a moment for any Sri Lankan or lover of Sri
Lanka to be mere spectators. It is a time for all those who are genuinely
interested in Sri Lanka’s future, to join in shaping Sri Lanka’s destiny. Sri
Lanka has a better story to tell, and I urge that each and every one of you, in
your own ways, to rise to meet this challenge”.
Read more...
63rd Anniversary of Independence celebration - Photographs
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Change attitudes for true freedom & progress – President at Independence celebrations
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The people of our country must change their attitudes about future progress of
the country, similar to the manner in which they began to think afresh about achieving
victory over the forces of terror. There is the need for an enormous attitudinal
change from children to adults to achieve national development, stated President
Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing
the nation at the 63rd celebration of Independence in Kataragama today (4 Feb).
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National Day Message - H.E the President
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All Sri Lankans now have the opportunity to celebrate the 63rd Anniversary
of Independence with much glory. The unlimited sacrifices for the freedom and independence
of Sri Lanka make today’s independence Day celebrations one of great honour.
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National Day Message - Hon. Prime Minister
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Sri Lanka celebrates the 63rd Anniversary of her independence on 04th February
2011 with high expectations of a bright future for the country. After defeating
terrorism that disrupted the lives of the people and slowed down the pace of
development of the country for nearly three decades, we have now brought peace
and stability to the country. The Government has established normalcy in
the North and East of the country by resettling all most all the
displaced persons; rebuilding their
houses, rehabilitating their villages and restoring their lively hoods.
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National Day Message - Hon. Minister of External Affairs
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Today, we celebrate Sri Lanka’s 63rd anniversary of independence with
renewed hope and vigour. In the past years, Sri Lanka was able to sustain its economic
growth, even under trying circumstances. Despite encountering many challenges, our foreign
reserves grew and our foreign exchange increased. With the advent of a durable peace after
the successful elimination of terrorism in Sri Lanka, our principal focus has been on
steering the nation on the right course to achieve accelerated social and economic
development across the country, which would benefit people from all parts of the country.
Read more...
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IMF applaudes Sri Lanka for strengthening the economy and macro-economic
management, releases $216.6 million more for rebuilding effort
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The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 2
February completed the fifth review of Sri Lanka’s economic performance under a
program supported by a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), enabling the immediate
disbursement of an amount equivalent to SDR 137.8 million (about US$216.6
million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to an amount
equivalent to SDR 964.6 million (about US$1.516 billion).
Following the Executive Board’s discussion on Sri Lanka, Mr. Naoyuki Shinohara,
Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, stated: “The Sri Lankan authorities
have made good progress under the Fund-supported program and macroeconomic
developments continue to be favorable. Growth is strengthening; inflation
remains in check, despite some pressure in food and energy prices; and imports
have recovered. With strong remittance inflows, gross reserves remain at
comfortable levels. Improvements in fiscal performance are encouraging. The 2010
budget execution addressed past fiscal slippages and bolstered the credibility
of fiscal policy. The 2011 budget is generally sound, and reflects the
government’s strong commitment to the program’s goals.
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Govt. endorsed adoption of LLRC recommendations – Minister Peiris
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The Government of Sri Lanka, in recognition of the importance of the issues
highlighted by the LLRC, endorsed the adoption of its recommendations,
stated Minister of External Affairs G. L. Peiris briefing the Heads of
Diplomatic Missions on the progress made by the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC)
in implementing the interim recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).
In a series of briefings held on 1 and 2 February, Minister Peiris said that since
its establishment, the IAC has met regularly under the Chairmanship of the Attorney
General to review and implement the recommendations of the LLRC. These relate to measures
to be taken in the broad areas such as Detention, Land issues, Law and Order,
Administration and language issues, and Socio-economic and livelihood issues.
Read more...
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa commissions the Sangupiddy Bridge which connects
Karaitivu with Pooneryn
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa on on sunday (16 Jan) commissioned the Sangupiddy
Bridge which connects Karaitivu with Pooneryn
The bridge reduces a distance of 110kms between Mannar and Jaffna, limiting
travel time to three hours. The President vesting the bridge with the public
said “we are committed to developing the Northern areas and achieving equity in
development. You are experiencing development which has not been seen in these
areas for a long time”.
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End to all divisions from this Thai Pongal - President Rajapaksa
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The promotion of separatism, and ethnic and religious divisions for narrow
political gains should end from this Thai Pongal, stated President Mahinda
Rajapaksa addressing the Thai Pongal festival in Jaffna on Monday (17 Jan). The
President said, politicians have the responsibility to build this country as one
nation, for the well being of its people, instead of spreading communal hatred.
Read more...
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Sri Lanka Embassy Celebrates ’Thai Pongal’ festival
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The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Belgium together with the Sri Lankan community
in Belgium celebrated the Thai Pongal festival at a colorful ceremony at the Embassy
premises on January 14, 2010. The celebrations were held in keeping with the tradition
of the Embassy of Sri Lanka of celebrating the important religious festivals of Buddhists,
Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Pundit Harinath Sharma of the Hindu Ashram in Brussels
conducted religious observances while Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha made introductory remarks. A representative
gathering of the Sri Lanka community in Belgium, the Embassy staff, participated in this event.
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Commission provides € 2 million for flood victims in Sri Lanka
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Today, the European Commission decided to provide emergency funding of
€ 2 million for humanitarian assistance to flood victims in Sri Lanka. Some of
the heaviest rains in Eastern and North Central Sri Lanka in recent weeks
have resulted in significant flooding affecting close to 1 million people. This
action will be implemented through international aid agencies to provide
primarily emergency food assistance, water and sanitation, and emergency
relief items.
Read more...
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Government-TNA initiate structured dialogue toward reconciliation through
a political settlement
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Representatives of the Government of Sri Lanka met with representatives of the
Tamil National Alliance to initiate a structured discussion directed towards
reconciliation through a political settlement and to address the urgent
humanitarian and reconstruction concerns. Hon. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Hon.
Nimal Siripala de Silva and Hon. G. L. Peiris participated on behalf of the
Government.
Hon. Maavai Senathirajah, Hon. Suresh Premachandran and Hon. M. A. Sumanthiran
participated on behalf of the Tamil National Alliance. Hon. Sajin de Vass
Gunawardena, Coordinating Secretary to the President, is the Secretary to the
Committee. The participants agreed to continue the dialogue with a sense of
commitment to identify the issues and to work towards solutions in a methodical
way.
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President Rasjapaksa in New Year message makes call “ to recover with speed all
that was lost to Sri Lankan society in more than three decades”
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With great determination and patience, we have built mutual understanding and
trust among the people about the nation’s development. Strengthening this should
be among our wishes for the New Year, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his
New Year message. We look towards the future at the dawn of this New Year with
renewed determination, firm commitment and many positive expectations, he said
adding, ‘Our aim is to recover with speed all that was lost to Sri Lankan
society in more than three decades’
Read more...
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