ICRC Resumes at Omathai as Passage of Convoys Get Streamlined

Officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) assumed their duties again at the Omanthai Entry/Exit point Friday morning (14), following an understanding made between the Security Forces and the ICRC. The point thus will hereafter remain open between 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. on all days. All traffic on emergency purposes however is to be facilitated accordingly, despite those new opening hours.

Major General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni meanwhile during a special meeting held Friday (14) morning with Head of the ICRC mission in Vavuniya, Ms Vallery, Vavuniya District Secretary, Ms. Charles and the General Officer Commanding for Vavuniya jointly agreed to dispatch all food convoys twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) in single files, similar to those of the UN convoys and other traffic on all days as usual.

Friday’s meeting took place following a directive given by Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka who visited Wanni Secrity Forces Headquarters on Thursday (13).

Courtesy - SL Army

India wins the first ODI against England

India won the first One Day International match against England by 158 runs.

The England captain invited the Indian captain to bat first where India made a thriving 387 runs at the end of the 50 overs for the loss of only five wickets.

The two opening batsmen G Gambhir and V Sehwag added scored 51 and 85 runs.

England first wicket fell in the fourth over and they could only reach a score of 229 for the loss of all wickets in 37.4 overs.

India’s Z Khan took 03 wickets in his 7 overs while England’s best figure was S R Patel who took two wickets in his 9 overs.

The man of the match award was given to Yuvaraj Singh who played a magnificent 138 in 78 balls.

Courtesy: Lankapuvath

Sri Lanka establishes diplomatic relations with Botswana

Sri Lanka and Botswana have established formal diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level, guided by the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 1961.

The Joint Communiqué to this effect was signed on 27th October 2008 by the Permanent Representatives of Sri Lanka and Botswana to the United Nations in New York.

The decision to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries has been taken in order to strengthen the existing bilateral friendly relations and to promote mutually beneficial co-operation on the basis of mutual respect and the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference.

Botswana, which is located in the Southern African region, is a steadily developing country. Since its independence in 1966, Botswana has enjoyed political stability and economic growth under a stable parliamentary democracy.

Currently, there are approximately 2000 Sri Lankan nationals living in Botswana, whose consular needs are looked after by the Sri Lankan High Commission in South Africa. They are employed in different fields, in the public sector and the private sector.

Courtesy: Government Information Department

England team plays first ODI of the series against India today

The first One Day International (ODI) cricket match against India and England commenced today at Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground, Rajkot today (14).

The England captain won the toss and invited the Indian team to bat first. India at the end of the 35th over has scored 225 for the loss of 2 wickets.

The opening two Indian batsmen Sehwag and G Gambhir were balled out by Patel while S K Raina and Yuvaraj Singh remains in the wicket with 38 runs and 41runs each.

Courtesy: Lankapuvath

WB undertakes local projects worth US$ 900

The World Bank, in addition to development projects already scheduled until the year 2012, will undertake a series of development activities in Sri Lanka including in the North and East, Country Director, Naoko Ishill said.

The World Bank has allocated US$ 900 million for the implementation of these projects.

She said these projects will cover a series of development activities covering areas such as dam safety and water resource planning, integrated community development, national and provincial road development, irrigation, maintenance and water resource management, general education and health sector development.

She emphasized the importance of developing the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka as it has become the major source of livelihood of many Sri Lankans, especially in areas where the World Bank has initiated several development activities.