Archive for November 4th, 2008
Murali a chucker: Gilly
After targetting Indian cricketers, former Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist has now set his sights on the Sri Lankans and has alleged that spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan bowled with an illegal action. In his autobiography ‘True Colours of My Life’, Gilchrist further accused the International Cricket Council (ICC) of changing the rules of the game to accommodate Muralitharan after the Sri Lankan authorities interpreted questioning of his bowling action as a racial attack.
”Does Murali chuck the ball? I thought for a few moments, and then said, cautiously: ‘I think he does’,” Gilchrist wrote, referring to a question posed to him.
”I say that because, if you read the laws of the game, there’s no doubt in my mind that he and many others throughout cricket history have,” he added.
”This reached an absurd point when the laws were changed to accommodate him. When I heard that the rules would now allow degree of straightening - 15 degrees to be exact, a fraction more than Murali’s straightening had been measured at - I thought ‘That’s a load of horse crap. That’s rubbish.” Muralitharan has a history of confrontations with Australian players who have repeatedly questioned the legality of the off-spinner’s action. This reached the boiling point during Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia in 1999.
”It got even worse in 1999 when Murali was again no-balled in Australia and Ranatunga tried to take his team off the Adelaide Oval. Ranatunga was charged under the ICC Code of conduct, but turned up to his hearing with lawyers who argued that as the ICC match referee brought the charge, the same guy could not also sit in judgments on it,” Gilchrist said.
”Legally this was true, but morally it was a landmark moment, a direct attack on the spirit of the game… the Sri Lankans seemed to be saying ‘If you hold Murali to the laws, we’re going to tear the whole game apart’.” The former stumper went on to question Murali’s famous ‘doosra’ delivery, and alleged that the ICC appeared to have passed it without the required level of examination.
”His doosra, the ball which spins away from the right-hander and attracted new scrutiny in 2004, seemed to be passed without any rigorous examination,” Gilchrist felt.
”Often Australian players, having seen him bowl yet another suspect doosra past the outside edge, would look at each other in changing room and say: ‘Wasn’t that one meant to have been sorted out?” The 36-year-old further accused the legendary off-spinner of spoiling the Test career of many batsmen.
”Nobody seemed to spare much thought for the batsmen playing Murali. Because he was so potent, guys were losing there wickets, and eventually losing their Test careers in some cases — because of this bowler,” Gilchrist quipped.
”As much as I like Murali, my sympathies lay more with those batsmen, from every other nation, whose careers suffered because of a bowler who was in technical breach of the rules and seemed to enjoy a kind of political protection.” Muralitharan is the leading wicket taker in the history of Test cricket and is one of the finest bowlers produced by Sri Lanka. He has claimed 756 Test wickets from just 123 matches at an astounding rate of nearly six wickets per Test. (Manoramaonline.com)
Courtesy: Dailymirror
Wanni Operation continues; terrorists at their last legs in Wanni west
The Army Task force 1 troops operating in the western half of the Kilinochchi battle frontage have reached a decisive stage in their mission, as they have successfully sealed off over 90% of the 80 km long northwestern coast of the island. Following the recent liberation of Nachchikuda, the Task Force 1 now has continuous domination over 70 Km stretch of the strategically vital Mannar- Pooneryn (A-32) road.
According to the battlefield reports received so far, the Task Force 1 are now on an accelerated march towards Poonaryn; crushing remaining terrorist footholds on the northwestern coast.
Heavy confrontations were reported from the Palayilkulam area throughout yesterday (Nov 3) as the terrorists were making a desperate attempt to slowdown the advancing soldiers. Troops following a confrontation occurred around 1 PM found one body of a slain LTTE cadre along with a T-56 riffle.
During the morning hours, Army Commandos attacked a group of LTTE cadres in the Ponnaveli area inflicting heavy damages to the terrorists. Meanwhile, Army Special Forces soldiers ambushed a group of LTTE cadres traveling on a tractor in the Uruthirapuram area in the afternoon hours, causing heavy damages to the terrorists. Separate clashes were also reported from the Mukkamvillu area during the day.
Meanwhile, intercepted LTTE radio transmissions have revealed that senior terrorist leader, Ilakoon was killed during the confrontation in the Navalladi area, on Sunday (Nov 2). The slain terrorist leader was a self styled “Lieutenant Colonel” of the LTTE and a member of the ground fighters of the Sea Tigers.
Defence observers are in the view that the terrorists are fast loosing their hold in the northwestern coast of the island.
Courtesy: Ministry of Defence
Foreign Minister underscores Sri Lanka’s friendship with India
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama highlighted the strong bonds of friendship and trust that the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has forged with the political leadership of India, as a manifestation of the longstanding historical ties between India and Sri Lanka.Minister Bogollagama elaborating further, stated that the successful outcome of Mr. Rajapaksa’s visit has been most reassuring for the peoples of India and Sri Lanka, and all those friends and well wishers who desire lasting peace in Sri Lanka. He tabled the two official communiqués issued jointly by India and Sri Lanka on 26th October in New Delhi, at the conclusion of Mr. Rajapaksa’s visit, namely the (a) India-Sri Lanka Joint Press Release and (b) India–Sri Lanka Joint Statement on Fishing Arrangements.
Implicitly criticizing interested parties who were attempting to impute an ulterior motive to the Indian Government for the offer of 800 tonnes of relief material for civilians caught up in the conflict in the North, the Minister emphasized that India has come forward with this humanitarian assistance, as a goodwill gesture, which reflects the friendship and spirit of good neighbourlines between the two countries. He cautioned the general public not to be misguided by the mischievous construction given to this noble gesture of goodwill by India.
The Minister recalled the financial grants that Sri Lanka had given Myanmar and Nepal in recent times, when the two countries had experienced natural disasters. He also referred to the despatch of relief material, which included tents, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment worth US$ 1.5 million for the survivors of the massive earthquake disaster which struck the Sichuan Province in China on 12th May, which had been greatly appreciated by the Government and the people of China.
Similarly, Sri Lanka had also made a cash donation of US$ 50,000/- as humanitarian relief for victims of the severe floods which inundated large parts of the Indian State of Bihar in September this year. On the occasion of handing over the cheque for this amount by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Resident Commissioner of Bihar on 12th September in New Delhi, the High Commissioner had referred to the letter that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had sent Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in which the President had recalled that the State of Bihar occupied a special place in the hearts of Sri Lankan Buddhists, since tens of thousands of Buddhist pilgrims visit the State annually to pay homage to the sacred land, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
Minister Bogollagama strongly refuted media speculation of any secret deals with India. He hailed the excellent understanding that the Government has with the Indian Government in its efforts to defeat terrorism and restore democracy to the North.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
A new theatre with all facilities opened today
A new theatre with all facilities was opened this morning in the premises of Folk Art Centre.
The theatre was built at a cost of Rs. 20 million with the assistance of Rural Industrial Ministry.
This theatre consists of audio, visual, lighting and make up facilities
It accommodates 700.In addition there are studio facilities for shooting, televising and cultural shows and work shops
Courtesy: Lankapuvath
Committee set up to develop tourism in the East
Sri Lanka Tourism in its attempt to develop the East now liberated after the 22 years of war in the region has set in place a process to fast track the development of Pasikudah, Arugambay, Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Waakarai, Verugal and Kalkudah.
The appointment of the Eastern Province Tourism Development Committee was officially announced recently.
Stressing the importance of the committee, Deputy Minister said, the East was needed, since it has lots to offer for the tourism sector and we have focused on accelerating the development of the Eastern Province within a specific time frame. East, ravaged by the war for 22 years, is now freed and we have a vision to develop the East under the guidance of Tourism Minister, Milinda Moragoda. In a similar manner it is intended to work along with other provinces with the help of chief ministers in encouraging tourism development. Sri Lanka Tourism was glad to working towards achieving this goal with the Chief Minister.
Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Renton de Alwis, spoke of the need for a new approach in ensuring wider benefits to the people of the area. He said that already the concept of establishing rooms in homes in the East, a concept where homes can accommodate guests has got the nod from several donor agencies.
Director General, Tourism Authority and Managing Director, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau also spoke at the press briefing.
By Christine Hettiarachchi
Courtesy: Lankapuvath
