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Police fire tear gas to disperse the protest; Wasantha Mudalige arrested 

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Police fire tear gas to disperse the protest; Wasantha Mudalige arrested  AFP: Sri Lanka Police fired tear gas and water cannon on a small protest yesterday to break up the first demonstration since the crisis-hit island nation lifted a state of emergency. This year, an unprecedented economic collapse has often sparked massive anti-Government rallies after months of hardship caused by shortages of essential goods, rolling blackouts and spiralling inflation. The Government has curbed dissent by imposing a State of Emergency giving security forces sweeping detention powers, but the ordinance lapsed overnight.…

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Sri Lanka to woo greater number of Indian tourists

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The island is preparing new packages such as the Murugan-Shiva Shakthi trails The Hindu T. Ramakrishnanan Sri Lanka’s tourism officials, conscious of the dire need to shore up their country’s economy, plan to woo a greater number of Indian tourists, who constitute the single largest segment of foreign tourists, through new packages such as the Murugan-Shiva Shakthi trails. Their optimism stems from the fact that there is a proposal to resume air passenger services from the Palaly airport in Jaffna to destinations in the southern part of India. As part…

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Govt. begins search for duty-free operators for Jaffna International Airport

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Govt. begins search for duty-free operators for Jaffna International Airport Proposals sought from reputed, experienced local firms   Pre-bid meeting slated for 2 September No flights yet at Northern airport despite Cabinet nod to operate from 1 July By Charumini de Silva The Government has kicked off the search for reputed and competent local firms to operate core duty-free shops at Jaffna International Airport (JIA), to revamp its facilities before scheduled flights resume operations. Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. has called for proposals under national competitive bidding from reputed…

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New coach Mubarak optimistic as Sri Lanka youth embark on English tour

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New coach Mubarak optimistic as Sri Lanka youth embark on English tour A new chapter is set to commence for the Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket team as they embark on a journey under the guidance of the newly appointed head coach Jehan Mubarak. His tenure will begin with a challenging tour to England. Mubarak, who comes in with a wealth of experience as a coach at school level, believes that the squad that is selected has the ability to do well in England. The 18-member squad that has been selected…

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Govt. trying to impress UNHRC – Vigneswaran

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Govt. trying to impress UNHRC – Vigneswaran Tamil Peoples’ National Alliance (TPNA) leader MP C. V. Vigneswaran says President Ranil Wickremesinghe is in a hurry to rope in Tamil MPs w,ith an eye to the upcoming UNHRC session. In a statement after meeting President Wickremesinghe the MP says: “He appeared to be in a hurry to rope in Jaffna MPs to be part of the Government, I suppose to showcase to Geneva! I don’t blame him. The Government has so far ignored its obligations to the UN as per Resolution…

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Harsha unveils blueprint to bolster SL out of crisis

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Harsha unveils blueprint to bolster SL out of crisis Presents 10-point common minimum plan for economy; laments lack of action by Govt. Says Opposition to support process through Parliamentary committees Warns delays impact confidence and recovery By Darshana Abayasingha In the absence of a specific roadmap for economic recovery and development from the Government, the Opposition has taken “a bold step” to provide the Government with its own blueprint titled ‘Out of the Debt Trap and Towards Sustainable Inclusive Development’, said SJB MP Dr. Harsha De Silva yesterday.  The document…

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Govt. ramps-up visa process to boost tourist arrivals

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Govt. ramps-up visa process to boost tourist arrivals SLTPB to kick off 3 road shows in India next month By Charumini de Silva Ahead of the much-awaited tourism roadshows in India, the Government has ramped-up the visa processes to boost arrivals thereby enable a faster recovery of the triple-hit leisure industry. The Tourism Ministry yesterday announced that the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a host of measures to extend longer visa visas.  As per the Tourism Ministry, it has been decided to permit tourist visas for up to 180 days…

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Tamil Parties Must Urge Full Implementation of 13A

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Tamil Parties Must Urge Full Implementation of 13A D. B. S. Jeyaraj Last week’s article was about the guerilla war fought by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) against the Indian Army in the Trincomalee district. The JVP campaign in Trinco was then led by Kumar Gunaratnam alias “Gemunu”. Gunaratnam later split from the JVP and co-founded the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP). Kumar Gunaratnam alias Kumar/Kumara is currently the leader and general secretary of the FSP.  This week’s article focuses on the Indo-Lanka accord. It was in the aftermath of the…

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Occupy Galle Face ‘aragalaya’ no more

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Occupy Galle Face ‘aragalaya’ no more RanilGoGama’ activists vacate site; pledge to continue fight against Ranil, emergency law/PTA, Executive Presidency  Alleges theft of most tents put up at the location, ‘GotaGoGama’ library taken to Panadura temple   Protestors withdraw writs filed in Court of Appeal seeking prevention of removal of site  BY Dinitha Rathnayake  Protestors of the “aragalaya” (struggle) attached to the “RanilGoGama”, formerly “GotaGoGama”, at the Galle Face – whose protest site at the Galle Face Green was vandalised on multiple occasions, and whose activism led to the resignation of…

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Constitutional amendment: No one can oppose 22A now: Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe

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Constitutional amendment: No one can oppose 22A now: Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe 22nd Amendment will be 19th Amendment Plus and more Ministry of Defence cannot be alienated from President Elections possible only when environment is right SOE was declared unwillingly and will not be kept for long New COPE, COPA members can continue work they were doing Differentiating peaceful protesters from violent elements a struggle Disagree with allegations of double standards in application of law By Asiri Fernando The Government is confident that it can muster adequate support to pass the…

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