Security forces accused in arson attack on Leader Publications

Reporters Without Borders which is a International Media Orgnization condemns an arson attack early today on the printing press of the Sunday Leader media group, which is located in a high security area outside Colombo.

About 15 gunmen that staged the attack must have had support within the security forces, the press freedom organisation said.

Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickramatunga described the attack as a commando operation carried out on the government’s orders.

http://www.topix.com/world/sri-lanka

Mangala congratulates Basil on leading Govt. to victory

by Shamindra Ferdinando

Former SLFP heavyweight Mangala Samaraweera, MP, shortly after Monday’s voting on the second reading of the Budget congratulated Basil Rajapaksa on spearheading the ruling coalition’s victory.

Rajapaksa had been visibly surprised when Samaraweera walked up to him and shook hands, saying he hadn’t had time to meet him since he took oaths as a National List MP. The leader of the Mahajana faction had acknowledged that the victory by a 16-vote majority was due to Rajapaksa.

UNP’s Colombo District leader Ravi Karunanayake who had been there had promptly brought it to the notice of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who joined them at that moment. Wickremesinghe is believed to have said something to the effect that the government (read as Rajapaksas) had won this time.

Samaraweera and Sripathy Sooriyaarachchi voted against the Budget. Political sources said that Basil Rajapaksa played a pivotal role in thwarting the much publicised attempts to engineer a mass crossover of ruling coalition members ahead of the budget vote.

Earlier Samaraweera threatened to launch street protests against the JVP if it voted with the government. But the Opposition plan jointly hatched by the UNP leadership and Mahajana Faction depended on their ability to engineer a mass crossover of ruling party MPs.

Speaking to the press subsequently, Basil Rajapaksa expressed the belief that the government could bring the entire country under State control soon. This we could be done with the help of the security forces, a smiling MP said, signalling that ongoing efforts to militarily weaken the LTTE would continue.

Courtesy: The Island

Umpire apologises for incorrect decision

South African umpire Rudi Koertzen apologised to Kumar Sangakkara for giving him out in controversial circumstances within sight of his seventh Test double-century on Tuesday.

Kumar came on to the field after the fall of the last wicket and put his arm around Koertzen’s shoulder. Skipper Mahela Jayawardene said Koertzen had apologised to Sangakkara for giving him out. “Rudi came and said sorry to him. But that’s it. Kumar being Kumar was fine with it,” Jayawardene said.

http://www.topix.com/world/sri-lanka

Fireworks by Mali fail to save Lanka

Australia won the second test against Sri Lanka with an innings and 97 runs as Muralitharan was bowled for 15 by Brett Lee when Sri Lanka was 410. Malinga was not out for 42 with five boundaries and spectacular three sixes while Sangakkara got out for a stunning 192 as the ninth wicket.
http://www.topix.com/world/sri-lanka

Surendra Perera Ran Wan Ran (Originally sung by Amaradewa)

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Watch out for Surendra’s shows…

*24th Nov – Maristella, Negombo
*26th Nov – Dankotuwa grounds
*02nd Dec – Maharagama Youth (2.30 and 6.30)
*07th Dec – Bingiriya grounds – Night Show