Archive for November 3rd, 2008

Watch ITN Sinhala News 2008 - 11 - 03

Army Task Force 3 comes into action; pounds LTTE positions in Mankulam

Sri Lanka Army introduced a new offensive fighting element, Army Task Force 3 today (Nov 3) against LTTE terrorists in Wanni. With the new induction, the terrorist are now engaged in a new battlefront towards East of the Jaffna- Kandy (A-9) road.

The first confrontation of the Task Force 3 reported 2.30 PM when the infantrymen confronted with a group of terrorists in the Vannivilankualm area, in the West of Mankulam junction. According to the battlefield reports troops have found 2 bodies of slain LTTE cadres along with two T-56 riffles .

Counter operations are being continued.

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

More measures to develop tourism and investment in Sri Lanka

More emphasis will be given to the Investment promotion and development of the tourism industry in the 2009 budget stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The President has also instructed Investment Promotion Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama and Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda to include the necessary measures in the 2009 budget.

The President made these observations as he held a special meeting with the Power and Energy Minister W.D.J.Seneviratne, Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda, Deputy Finance Minister Ranjith Siambalapitiya, Faizer Mustapa, President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunge and Secretaries to the said Ministeries.

It was also mentioned that the investment promotion for the year of 2007 was US $ 734 million and in the year 2008, from January up to June the investment promotion was US $ 425 million.

Special attention to formulate constructive strategies to develop the tourism industry and promote investment was also apart of the discussions.

Meanwhile implementing remedial measures to determine the prevailing problems in the industrial sector would be included in the 2009 budget. Means of encouraging investors and businessmen to establish industries and factories in villages were among some of the key issues discussed at the meeting.

In relation to tourism, the relevant Ministers were urged to work out means of attracting more tourists from China and Middle Eastern countries as tourism is the fourth foreign exchange earner. It was also mentioned that many youths have found job opportunities in tourism sector.

President Rajapaksa has instructed the authorities to extend the given time period for re-paying the loans for those engaged in the field, to small-scale and medium-scale tourist organizations.

Courtesy: Lankapuvath

Anil Kumble says goodbye to the cricket pitch

Anil Kumble announced that he would retire from his cricket career yesterday (02) as he played the test match against Australia.

Anil Kumble who is 38 years of age, has captained his team in 14 test matches where India won three of the matches. He has taken 613 wickets in 132 matches and is among the three highest wicket takers in the world which also makes him the highest wicket taker in India.

As Anil Kumble bade goodbye to his cricket career the next test match against Australia to be played in Nagpur, India, will be led by wicket keeper Mahendra singh Dhoni.

Courtesy: Lankapuvath

“Army to Open a Land Route to Jaffna Soon” - Commander Tells Gajaba Regiment Silver Jubilee

ON reaching the Jaffna’s Kilaly lagoon, about 7 km away from the troop positions as of now, the entire western part of Kilinochchi district would be sans terrorists, enabling the troops to re-open a main supply route to Jaffna shortly, said Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka at the Gajaba Regiment Silver Jubilee commemorations,” held at Saliyapura Regimental Headquarters Monday morning (3).

The Silver Jubilee commemoration of the elite Gajaba Regiment (GR), one of the most prominent and reputed Regiments in the Sri Lanka Army got underway, giving pride of place to the military ceremonials and traditions.

The ceremonies of the day commenced at 8.30 a.m. when the Chief Guest Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, Commander of the Army arrived at the premises of the Keterians who in turn was accorded a Guard of Honour plus the military Guard Turn-out. He was then received by senior officers of the GR who were awaiting their Chief’s arrival there.

Marking the commencement of the ceremonies on the day, the Chief Guest, accompanied by Colonel of the Regiment Major General Jagath Dias and Senior GR Officers, paid floral tributes to the huge and magnificent War Hero monument at the Regimental Headquarters premises, erected in memory of all fallen GR War Heroes.

Major General Wijaya Wiamalaratne, founder of the Gajaba Regiment, now a legendary War Hero in contemporary times, exactly twenty five years ago was fondly recalled to the memory along with all other War Heroes after observing two-minute silence.

To this date about 3500 GR warriors, popularly known as Keterians, the name deriving from their unit badge, have paid the supreme sacrifice, in accomplishing their noble mission of eradicating terrorism from the soil. Giving further weight to their dedication and commitment to the cause, the GR was conferred President’s Colours recently.

During the Commander’s address to the occasion, he appreciated the GR contributions and summed up the gains so far made by the Army in its quest for peace and where he said that the opening of a land route between Colombo and Jaffna is going to be a reality very soon. “As the troops are now closing in on the Kilaly lagoon, depriving the terrorists of their western Pooneryn bastion, the troops have so far managed to eliminate 80% of the LTTE fighting ability after suppressing them. Thus the western sector of the A-9 highway would remain completely clear,” said the Commander.

During a subsequent Press briefing, Commander further assured that capture of Mullaittivu simultaneously mobilizing many more battalions under four Divisions would form a 50 km-long frontage to the east of the A-9 road, providing full security to the area afterwards.

Major General Jagath Dias, Colonel of the Regiment, as a token of memory and recognition presented the visiting Commander with a special plaque on the occasion on behalf of all War Heroes. Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka also spoke to a cross section of GR soldiers who have turned disable during offensives, launched in the fight against terrorism and did not forget to exchange a couple of views with them.

A record 3500 GR War Heroes in their fight against division of the country have made the supreme sacrifice so far, the highest number to have laid their lives from a single wing in the Army. The GR came into being in 1983 after Rajarata Rifles was disbanded. The present Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa also served in this elite Regiment some time back before his retirement.

Towards the end of the ceremony, all troops present on the occasion, with their senior officers, Officers and Other Ranks posed for a group photograph with the Chief Guest.

Courtesy : SL Army