Monthly Archives: October, 2010
Billboards to come under Defence Ministry
Those who wish to put up billboards or cut-outs in public spaces in the city of Colombo will have to get approval from the Ministry of Defence.
NfR Action Alert – Student leader arrested
Sri Lanka Police arrested the convener of the Inter University Students’ Union, Mr Udul Premaratne around noon today.
Student leader arrested: Rights group writes to the IGP
We are not aware of what the charges are and what the evidence against Mr. Premarathne is. However, we are also afraid of the possible fabrication of charges given the political nature of the circumstances under which the arrest has taken place.
Dissenting Voice -Sri Lanka economist says dissent is democratic
Sri Lankan economist and opposition United National Party lawmaker Harsha De Silva has defended his criticism of government policy, saying efforts to tarnish critics were uncalled for.
“Dissent is a natural part of a true democracy,” he said after a stock brokering firm in a report called for the elimination of critics.
TNA challenges LA Bills
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Mavai Senathirajah yesterday complained to the Supreme Court that the two Bills relating to the local authorities placed on the parliament order paper cannot become law since they had not been referred to the Northern Provincial Council.
There is a right to paste posters –Courts say :Police disappointed and crestfallen
When Hettiaratchi of the inter Companies Association was distributing leaflets this morning (27) in front of the Railway station, he was taken to the police station and questioned.
Some UPFA MPs gave false assurance: Sandya Ekneligoda
Sandya Ekneligoda wife of the disappeared journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda yesterday charged that some MPs from the UPFA had given her false assurance prior to the last general election that her husband will return to her following the election.
TRC uncertain about new law – (Sim card limitation)
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) yesterday said it was still unclear on certain particulars relating to the new regulation which permits a single individual to possess only five sim cards under his/her name.
Journalist Threatened
A journalist attached to the Rathu Lanka newspaper has been threatened today (26) by a group of persons identifying themselves as members from the defence establishment.
Death Threat on journalist of ‘Rathu Lanka’
A journalist in ‘Rathu Lanka’ the newspaper published by the Socialist Workers’ Union who is engaged in the Rs 8000/- pay hike demand struggle these days, has been threatened by a group who introduced themselves as from the Security division.
Cartoon dialogues under probe
Mass Media and Communication Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday special attention will be focused on certain dialogues used when television cartoon programs are being dubbed into Sinhala, which the Minister noted was of a substandard quality.
Demon Dances And Death ( Lasantha killing)
In Sri Lanka, we keep demon masks in the house. Not because we like demons, but to keep other demons out. This, essentially, is why The Sunday Leader endorsed Sarath Fonseka for president. It has been alleged that Fonseka killed our Founder Editor, but the alternative was worse.
Defence Secretary Suing The Sunday Leader For Rs. 2 Billion
The ongoing trial against The Sunday Leader is set to take prominence with a hearing held last Tuesday, October 19, where Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is seeking Rs. 1 billion in damages for articles published in 2008.
Julian Assange: Life is Hard in a World Without Hippies
In 1971 Daniel Ellsberg leaked a top-secret internal government document about the Vietnam War known as The Pentagon Papers, which confirmed to the public for the first time what many people had long suspected: the US government had lied.
Carrying of registration form of SIM cards at all times made compulsory following ‘Chinese advice’ Labels: China, Gotabhaya Rajapakse, TRC
The Defence Ministry has released a statement that everyone should carry the registration form received for SIM cards from the respective mobile phone operators at all times from next year and that they should be submitted security personnel if and when requested.
Tissainayagam speaks at 2010 Mackler Award ceremony
2009 recipient of the prestigious Peter Mackler Award, Tamil journalist J.S. Tissainayagma, who was incarcerated in Sri Lanka prison for his writing, and was unable to receive the award in 2009, spoke at the 2010 Award ceremony held Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.
Trial starts against leading opposition newspaper
he first of two trials against leading Sri Lankan newspaper, The Sunday Leader, started in Colombo yesterday, 19 October 2010, with Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa – who is the brother of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa – seeking one billion Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) (approx. 6.5 million Euros) in damages for articles published in 2008.
Minister says sorry
While expressing his regrets as well as those of the government for the alleged police attack on journalists when they were covering the violence by university students at the UGC premises last week, the cabinet spokesman, Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday said these unfortunate incidents wouldcontinue as long as students behave unlawfully.
Restrictions to be imposed on SIM cards on Defence Ministry orders
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has ordered the director general of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) to take the necessary steps to impose restrictions on mobile phone SIM cards to minimize crimes, frauds and terrorist activities.
Sri Lankan police attack protesting students
The Sri Lankan courts denied bail on Monday to 18 university students arrested during a police attack on a protest last week demanding the release of six other students. The arrests are part of government efforts to suppress broad student opposition to the privatisation of universities and worsening conditions on campuses.
