http://www.defence.lk MOD News - www.defence.lk - 24/7 en-us Copyright (c) 2006 Ministry of Defence - SriLanka September 02 Thursday 03:13:30 GMT September 02 Thursday 03:13:30 GMT webinfo@defence.lk http://www.defence.lk/mashd.gif http://www.defence.lk 02/09/2010 08:55:30 The visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao emphasized that peace was necessary for development and that the need of the hour was to look forward and benefit from the tremendous potential that Sri Lanka had as a country to grow and prosper. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100902_07 02/09/2010 08:55:30 The number of asylum seekers arriving from Sri Lanka has slowed dramatically in the five months since the Australian government said it would stop processing claims from that country, the Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday (1 Sep). http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100902_06 02/09/2010 06:15:30 Secretary of Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, accepting the invitation of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, declared open the new North-Western Naval Command Headquarters in Mullikulum today, (02 Sep). http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100902_03 02/09/2010 03:13:30 A major road rehabilitation and development project in the Northern Province is to be undertaken by the Government with Chinese financial assistance. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100902_02 02/09/2010 03:13:30 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide financial assistance of US $ 154.4 million (Rs 17.8 billion) to implement the Northern Road Connectivity Project. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100902_01 01/09/2010 06:46:47 Components of light Aircraft or a Glider were found in a partially destroyed container in the Kareimulliwaikkal area by SLAF intelligence personnel from SLAF Trikonamadu. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100901_07 01/09/2010 06:46:47 Sri Lankan troops of 56 Division recovered 21 AP mines (RANGAN 99) and 16 AP mines (P4 MK 1) during the clearing operations done in general area Navatkulam and Mahilankulam yesterday (31 August) 2010. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100901_06 01/09/2010 06:46:47 The passing out parade of 500 probationary officers of Intake 30 was held at the Rantambe training centre, recently. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100901_05 01/09/2010 06:46:47 Resettlements in Vadamarachchi east begun recently facilitating Tamil civilians to back their native places after completely removing LTTE laid land mines, unexploded ordnance and trappings in the area. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100901_04 01/09/2010 01:54:11 Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao visited North yesterday, pledged more assistance to construct 50,000 permanent housing units for the war displaced in the North and the East. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100901_03 01/09/2010 01:54:11 The Police Special Task Force will hold its 26th war heroes commemoration ceremony on September 1. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100901_02 01/09/2010 01:54:11 The Government would not pressurize any INGOs or NGOs functioning in Sri Lanka but only monitor them, National Secretariat for Non Governmental Organization Director General and Media Center for National Security Director General Lakshman Hulugalla said yesterday. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100901_01 31/08/2010 07:28:32 The Indian Government has consented to construct an Agriculture and Engineering faculty equipped with hi-tech laboratories for the Jaffna University on a 300-acre site in Ariviyal, in the... http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100831_05 31/08/2010 06:48:32 Another batch of 500 ex- combatants who had been rehabilitated and retrained as skilled labours are getting ready to return to their native places. Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Brig. Sudantha Ranasinghe said. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100831_04 31/08/2010 06:45:32 A production of 130,000 liters of cow milk has been recorded during the past seven months of this year in the Mullaittivu District, said Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa on Monday (Aug 30). http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100831_03 30/08/2010 02:39:32 The government has initiated a "North-South Business Bridge Program as part of the Gampaha Integrated Accelerated Program, bridging North and South towards sustainable development. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100830_02 30/08/2010 02:39:32 Five leading schools in the Jaffna peninsula are to be rehabilitated under the ISURU project, Jaffna zonal education official said. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100830_01 29/08/2010 12:32:05 First ever war heroes monument in Eastern Security Force Command area to honour the valiant soldiers who have laid down their lives fighting the separatist terrorist in the 30 year prolonged war was declared open by the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya on 28th August in Minneriya amidst a gathering of many distinguished guests and family members of war heroes. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100829_03 29/08/2010 08:54:59 The government is taking steps to rehabilitate the education sector in Northern Province by providing infrastructure facilities for the children who had to abandon their schooling due to LTTE terrorist activities. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100829_02 29/08/2010 03:11:52 Sri Lanka Navy is conducting further investigations into a major human smuggling racket after they found that the five men arrested in the Marawila area in mid-August were involved in a part of a major racket which had been going on for many years. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100829_01 28/08/2010 03:08:02 Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa undertook his first visit to India, since his election and assumption of the current portfolio, from 24th - 26th August 2010. During the visit he called on Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Minister of External Affairs S.M. Krishna, Minister of Finance Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Tourism Kumari Selja, and National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100828_03 28/08/2010 03:08:02 Pro-LTTE asylum seekers in Australia cannot be enjoying the indecisive result of the Australian national poll paving the way to the first hung Parliament in the country since World War II. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100828_02 28/08/2010 03:08:02 Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation together with Alliance Development Trust, conducted a short term course on beauty culture and bridal dressing for the trainees at Pempemadu and Puntottam women rehabilitation centers, recently http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100828_01 27/08/2010 12:30:57 Sri Lanka is becoming one of the most popular long-haul destinations from the UK, according to The Times of London newspaper. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100827_09 27/08/2010 12:30:57 The likelihood of terrorists with naval capabilities, resorting to piracy becomes a distinct possibility, stated Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Palitha Kohona, speaking at the Security Council Debate on "The Situation in Somalia - Piracy" on 25th August. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100827_08 27/08/2010 02:23:41 There has been substantial progress over the last months and since late 2009, approximately 200,000 people have returned to their villages in the North, stated the United Nations Resident/ Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) Neil Buhne. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100827_07 27/08/2010 02:23:41 Sixty more ex-LTTE combatants as the 5th batch of the vocational training project (The Cheer Project) which is a specially designed industrial based training to produce skilled labour, commenced their training at vocational training center in Payagala, Kalutara last Wednesday, (25th August). http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100827_05 27/08/2010 02:23:41 India will rush 500 tractors and several tons of groundnut and black gram seeds to help kick-start agriculture in the civil war-ravaged northern and eastern provinces after a gap of 30 years during the maha season, beginning next month. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100827_04 27/08/2010 02:23:41 The Government last week commenced a programme in Kilinochchi to restore to their rightful owners a large number of motor vehicles abandoned in Mullaitivu and the adjoining areas when civilians fled the heavy fighting between security forces and the LTTE in May last year. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100827_03 27/08/2010 02:23:41 The Indian Coast Guard yesterday handed over to the Sri Lankan Navy , Sri Lankan fishermen and two boats that were in the custody of Tamil Nadu State Authorities. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100827_02 27/08/2010 02:23:41 The Government plans to launch a major paddy cultivation project in the Northern Province during the Maha season engaging 70,000 acres of land. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100827_01 26/08/2010 01:25:39 The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) believe they're getting closer to nabbing the organizers of the smuggling ring who used the rickety MV Sun Sea to bring 492 Tamil migrants to the coast of B.C. this month. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100826_03 26/08/2010 01:25:39 The resettlement program has come to its last phase and still the Government is trying to assist the resettled in the North and East, Resettlement Ministry Secretary M.B. Disanayaka told the Daily News yesterday. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100826_02 26/08/2010 01:25:39 Sri Lankan asylum seekers in developed countries enter other countries from foreign shores with the help of overseas' human smugglers, Navy spokesman captain Athula Senarath said. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100826_01 25/08/2010 01:20:39 A central hospital at Tinnavely in Jaffna with all modern medical facilities, equipments and wards with 50 beds will be set up. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100825_01 25/08/2010 03:41:24 Enhancing the government's program to develop infrastructure facilities in the Jaffna peninsula, the foundation stone for a new central hospital was laid in the Jaffna Central Nursing Home premises recently. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100825_01 25/08/2010 01:20:39 'Real Time' Officially Handed over to SLAF by USA Strengthening military ties between the two countries, the sophisticated Real Time Data Link system facility was officially handed over to the Sri Lanka Air Force by... http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100825_02 23/08/2010 07:15:39 The 5th Randooli Perehera (procession) - final pageant of the Esala Perehera is scheduled to commence Tuesday (Aug 25) night. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100824_03 23/08/2010 06:45:39 Washington, Aug. 19, 2010 -- On Aug. 9, 2010 the Washington Post published a letter from James McDonald of Amnesty International suggesting that a shipload of Sri Lankans arriving illegally in Canada should be given asylum because they faced persecution if they returned to Sri Lanka. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100823_04 23/08/2010 13:20:39 Traders' Association in Piliyandala made their contribution for the "Api Wenuwen Api" housing project in gratitude for the security forces personnel, who sacrificed lives and limbs for defending the motherland while serving in the battlefront against world's most ruthless terrorist organization. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100823_04 23/08/2010 04:03:39 Troops conducting search operations and de-mining operations in northern areas recovered more warlike items on 21 August 2010. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100823_03 23/08/2010 03:29:35 The Catholic Bishops' Conference commended President Rajapaksa and government officials for the speedy resettlement of over 250,000 civilian hostages rescued during the 2009 humanitarian operations. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100823_02 23/08/2010 03:12:10 The People's Republic of China (PRC) has signed a MOU with Sri Lanka to grant Rs 7,410 million to the Government to develop all State hospitals in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100823_01 22/08/2010 03:51:03 Several crucial issues came to light at the proceedings of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) which began last week in Colombo. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100822_01 22/08/2010 03:29:35 The Catholic Bishops' Conference commended President Rajapaksa and government officials for the speedy resettlement of over 250,000 civilian hostages rescued during the 2009 humanitarian operations. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100823_02 22/08/2010 03:50:53 The People's Republic of China (PRC) has signed a MOU with Sri Lanka to grant Rs 7,410 million to the Government to develop all State hospitals in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100823_01 22/08/2010 03:50:53 Several crucial issues came to light at the proceedings of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) which began last week in Colombo. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100822_01 22/08/2010 04:08:17 The third annual symposium, organized by General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) for the express purpose of 'Sharing Knowledge for Sustainable Peace' among researchers and scholars got underway Friday (20) morning at the KDU auditorium with the participation of Secretary to HE the President, Secretary Defence, Tri-service chiefs and a host of other distinguished guests. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100822_02 22/08/2010 03:50:57 If war is a continuation of politics by other means as Clausewitz said, Sri Lanka has been learning over the past year that politics and diplomacy is also a continuation of war by other means. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100822_03 22/08/2010 03:51:02 Despite public opinion in Canada, by and large, supporting the point of view that the Sri Lankan boat people who docked in that country on board a Thai-flagged cargo freighter, MV Sun Sea, be sent packing regardless of whether any of the ship's nearly 500 passenger had legitimate asylum claims or not, a section of the Canadian public and press has been sympathetic to these boat people. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100822_04 22/08/2010 03:51:04 India and Sri Lanka have prepared the draft of an agreement to resume ferry services across the narrow strip of water separating the two countries, the Indian envoy in Colombo said. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100822_05 22/08/2010 03:51:06 The World Bank has provided financial assistance to Sri Lanka to construct 4,780 houses for the IDPs in the Kilinochchi District. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100822_06 22/08/2010 03:08:12 The police Special Task Force officers acting on the direction of the Defence Secretary and the IGP busted a major racket involving the sale of fuel illegally siphoned off from stocks issued by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) after mixing it with inferior varieties when they raided several illegal distribution centres at Kadawatha, Kirimetiyagara, Kohilawatta and Athurugiriya areas yesterday. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100822_07 22/08/2010 03:21:11 Twenty five Ayurvedic doctors will be appointed to fill the vacancies prevailing in the Ayurveda hospitals in the Eastern Province, Health Minister for the Eastern Province M.S. Subair said. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100822_08 21/08/2010 02:27:15 Sri Lanka Navy assisted in the repatriation of twenty six (26) Sri Lankan fishermen, who were released from the Indian custody, on Wednesday. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100821_07 21/08/2010 02:27:15 Sri Lankan government has completed the resettlement of over 235000 IDPs in the north and eastern provinces. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100821_06 21/08/2010 02:27:15 Indian commitment to rebuild the Northern Province reiterated. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100821_05 21/08/2010 02:27:15 Germany has granted Euro 135,000 to support ongoing emergency assistance project accommodated at Menik Farm, Vavuniya implemented by Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB.). http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100821_04 21/08/2010 02:27:15 Sri Lanka and India exchanged Notes to establish two Indian Consulate General offices in Jaffna and in Hambantota at he External Affairs Ministry yesterday. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100821_03 21/08/2010 02:27:15 Conflicts are increasing in the world. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100821_02 21/08/2010 02:27:15 The Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry has opened two common service centers in Jaffna to facilitate leather - and coir-based industrialists in the peninsula as part of the Mahinda Chinthana strategy to upgrade 5,000 small enterprises in the Northern and Northeastern provinces to medium and large enterprises. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100821_01 20/08/2010 08:24:20 Room to Read organization (Sri Lanka) made a donation of 1000 valuable books for the use of students at the Defence Service Collage. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100820_07 20/08/2010 08:24:20 Room to Read organization (Sri Lanka) made a donation of 1000 valuable books for the use of students at the Defence Service Collage. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100820_07 20/08/2010 08:24:20 UN Resident and Country Representative Neil Bhune stated that 90 percantage of the IDPs in the North had been resettled and that resettlement should be complete within the coming months. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100820_06 20/08/2010 05:49:22 Sri Lankan troops of 56 Division engaging the search and clear operations in general area Navatkulam and Maruthankulam recovered 2 jonny mines and 5 AP mines yesterday (19 August 2010). http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100820_05 20/08/2010 02:12:47 Washington, On Aug. 9, 2010 the Washington Post published a letter from James McDonald of Amnesty International suggesting that a shipload of Sri Lankans arriving illegally in Canada should be given asylum because they faced persecution if they returned to Sri Lanka. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20100820_04