Mervin Silva attacked Photos

Press freedom advocates demanded punishment for Labor Minister Mervyn Silva, who has repeatedly been accused of threatening reporters.

"This is not the first time Minister Silva did this. The government should take strict measures against him," said Sunanda Deshapriya, an official with the Free Media Movement, a local media rights group.

40,000 families devastated- Govt. unable to provide relief!

40,000 families have been displaced and are in acute suffering following the floods which have wreaked havoc in Mullaitivu, Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, Auradhapura, Amparai and Trincomalee.

The tragi-comedy of the whole destruction is a responsible Minister of the Govt. Maithripala Sirisena appealing to the victims through Rupavahini to provide relief to their other victims!!

Although we have so many Ministers to look after the relief and rehabilitation, none could take any measures to provide relief!

Lanka dismiss England for 81 to enforce follow-on

England were skittled out for their lowest Test score against Sri Lanka of 81 runs on day three of the final Test in Galle today (Dec. 20th).

Chaminda Vaas worked his way through the English batting line up to return with figures of four for 28 while debutant Chanaka Welagedara had two for 17.

The top scorer for England was Paul Collingwood with 29 runs.

After being forced to follow on, the touring team was two without loss at stumps.

They still need 416 runs to avoid an innings defeat, with 10 second innings wickets and two day’s play remaining.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 499 for eight, with skipper Mahela Jayawardena unbeaten on 213.

Chaminda Vaas and Tilakaratne Dilshan made 90 and 84 respectively.

In bowling, Steve Harmison captured three for 104.

Scores:

Sri Lanka 1st innings 499/8 decl.
(Mahela Jayewardene 213 not out, Chamida Vaas 90, Tilakaratne Dilshan 84, Steve Harmison 3/104)

England 1st innings 81
(Paul Collingwood 29, Chaminda Vaas 4/28, Chanaka Welagedara 2/17)

England 2nd innings 2/0

Prabhakaran ‘hurt’ in air force attack

LTTE supremo V. Prabhakaran sustained minor injuries during an air raid by Sri Lankan air force jets on November 28, a media report said today.

“Although the nature of the injuries is minor, he had been treated in an underground facility in a secret location in the Wanni by the LTTE’s Thileepan Medical Unit, the official emergency care unit of the LTTE,” the Nation newspaper reported quoting sources.

Prabhakaran was wounded in an underground bunker in the northern district of Kilinochchi, the report said, adding the government appears to be unaware of the incident.

“A section of the bunker had crumbled and some falling debris had struck the LTTE leader,” the newspaper said.

Earlier last month, the Tamil rebel group’s political head S.P. Thamilselvan was killed in an air force raid.

“The November 28 attack by the air force near Jeyanthy Nagar in Kilinochchi hit the underground bunker in which Prabhakaran was staying between 12 noon and 1 pm,” the report said.

The LTTE is keeping the incident under wraps because of the demoralising effect it may have on cadres and supporters, the report said. There were no immediate reactions to the story either from the LTTE or the military. — PTI

This government is unstable, this government has collapsed- JVP

The government is unstable. The government has collapsed. The JVP position on the budget has not changed. We do not want to protect this government. We do not want to protect Mahinda Rajapaksa, Lalkantha said.

 

“We don’t think there is still any need for changing our position, but after taking into consideration all the developments in the run up to the crucial vote, we will make a final decision,” JVP Parliamentary Group Leader Wimal Weerawansa said.

 

The JVP is not prepared to protect this government,” JVP parliamentarian and trade unionist K.D. Lalkantha told V FM Radio in a live interview a short while ago. Lalkantha said further, “We have been telling the government that giving ministerial portfolios is futile. The government cannot be made stable by increasing its headcount. What we have been saying all this while has now proved correct.”

 

JVP voted against the government last November 2nd budget reading voting but later backed the defense vote at the committee stages.

 

According to the Sri Lankan constitution failure to muster the necessary support for the budget will lead to Parliament dissolution and fresh parliamentary elections could be called by the government.