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Notification to all concerned

editor — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:53:32 +0200

This is to inform that effective from today we are adopting a new system. Henceforth Asian Tribune Forum is deactivated permanently in this site. This site hereafter will remain as old site.- Editor

New Delhi turns down TNA demand to interfere in Sri Lankan affairs

editor — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 06:56:52 +0200

By Our Colombo Correspondent Prasad Gunewardene

S.M.KrishnaIndia's new Foreign Minister S.M.Krishna has reportedly turned down a request from Tamil National Alliance delegation led by R.Sampanthan to urge Colombo to stop the restoration of military camps in the North, and to merge the Northern and Eastern Provinces of the island nation, reports from New Delhi said. Sampanthan had told Krishna that Colombo was in the process of setting up military camps in the North and warned that it would be detrimental to the interest of the Tamils living in those areas. The Indian Foreign Minister had pointed out that he was informed that military camps that were defunct due to the threat of LTTE terrorism were being restored to strengthen security and India had no intention to fiddle with affairs concerning the security of the island nation.

Diplomatic Impropriety of (soon to be) U.S. envoy to Sri Lanka Butenis: Her Bangladesh Profile

editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:41:33 +0200

Daya Gamage – US National Correspondent Asian Tribune

Patricia Butenis’ role as American ambassador in Bangladesh during her 14-month tenure in 2006/07 provoked widespread controversies and questions about diplomatic propriety. Nevertheless, she continued to be outspoken. Sensing the outrage in many quarters in Bangladesh she however said 'Many may be annoyed by what I am doing or saying, but I shall carry on, as whatever I am doing is for democracy in Bangladesh.' The senior Foreign Service Officer Ms. Butenis has now been nominated by the Obama administration to be its next ambassador to Sri Lanka. She is currently the deputy chief of mission in Iraq.

Direction Jaffna (1980) – Reminiscences: Where every prospect pleases and man is in his element

editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:26:41 +0200

By Lalin Fernando

Jaffna always appeared to be a special place in Sri Lanka. Its people were sturdy, tall, hard working, chaste, thrifty and beyond all gave top priority to education and service in the government. Southerners used to visit Jaffna frequently and in great numbers especially to visit to Naga Deepa rivaling any foreign tourist competition. It was a land of palmyrahs, market gardens, farming, fishing and smuggling, its houses and inhabitants were hidden behind 6 foot fences of thatched palmyrah and the school children including the girls cycled to school blocking the roads almost completely.

Kaiga Atomic scientist’s mysterious disappearance

editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:46:38 +0200

From Gopal Ethiraj

MahalingamKarwar police and the Central Industrial Security Force’s are involved in a search operation for L. Mahalingam, the Kaiga Atomic Power Station scientist, who went missing on Monday morning, yielding no results, the Intelligence Bureau, too, has joined the search, with “all actionable information” it has on the scientist. They are combing through some 300 hectares of dense forest, but have got no clues so far. Television news channels are abuzz with theories of abduction and nuclear espionage.

Sri Lanka Government’s Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction efforts going on apace for IDPs

editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:09:33 +0200

By Fathima Razik - in Settikulam

Sri Lanka Government’s efforts to reconcile, rehabilitate and reconstruct is going on apace in the Vavuniya district, as the internally displaced persons (IDPs) settle down to a normal life, albeit with some difficulties and shortcomings, considering that more than 223,000 persons are provided accommodation, healthcare and education, in addition to every of their need met as far as possible, day in day out.

Washington Commentary: Weak-Minded Domestic Terrorists Kill and Spread Fear to Ease their Own False Fears

editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:52:15 +0200

By Ernest Corea

Two vicious hate crimes committed within a span of 11 days have disrupted the easy days of summer and offered proof that terrorism can be as American as a backyard barbecue. Keith Olberman, a liberal anchor and commentator on the cable news channel MSNBC, said if the perpetrators were from the Middle East or looked as if they might be, "the whole of Washington would have been in lock down." There was no need for that. The perpetrators were not "muttering words in a foreign language, and wearing towels round their heads," the common, derisive stereotype. This terrorism was home grown. Domestic terrorists were at work, and their actions were clearly meant both to kill, and to create concentric circles of fear, the standard terrorist approach.

Wars & Civilian Deaths

editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:44:22 +0200

By Shenali Waduge

The world has seen civil wars, revolutions, coups, insurrections, global wars and now terrorism. All throughout civilians have been affected in some way or the other. What makes modern terrorism more lethal than the varying types of conflicts we have faced historically is that terrorism is almost invisible and the terrorist without the gun becomes more dangerous than the terrorist holding the gun. The point of this discussion aims to look at the historical evidence of wars and conflicts and the deaths therein with particular emphasis on Sri Lanka in the light of the accusations it is facing.

Three TNA MPs given leave

editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:33:10 +0200

By Our Colombo Correspondent

The Sri Lankan Parliament on Friday, accepted the medical certificates submitted on behalf of three of the four Tamil National Alliance MPs seeking leave on medical grounds and granted three months leave accordingly. This decision was arrived at a party leaders meeting this morning where the issue was discussed at lenght. The three TNA MPs granted leave were Selvan Adalakalanathan (Wanni District), Selvan Kajendran (Jaffna District) and S.Jeyanandamoorthy (Batticaloa District).

Nepal's first woman deputy Prime Minister Acharya passes away

editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:21:52 +0200

Kosh Raj Koirala – Asian Tribune Correspondent in Nepal

Shailaja AcharyaSenior Nepali Congress leader and the country’s first deputy woman Prime Minister Shailaja Acharya died on Friday at the age of 65. Acharya died at 4:25 am while undergoing treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu. She had been suffering from pneumonia and Alzheimer's. Acharya had been ill since past two years and hospitalized since the past year. She had undergone treatment in Bangkok and Kathmandu and Delhi.

Sri Lanka: Public assistance tremendous for IDPs, says Competent Authority

editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:16:08 +0200

By Fathima Razik in Settikulam

Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Army – Major General G.A. Chandrasiri who is also the Competent Authority, Northern Region, for the Resettlement of Internally Displaces Persons (IDPs) in a candid discussion on the prevailing situation in the relief villages set up to accommodate IDPs said that assistance from the public has been tremendous with both public and private sector, social service and non-governmental organsiations and individuals across the country contributing many essential items, foodstuff and clothes to be distributed among the IDPs.

House approves legislation increasing assistance to Pakistan

editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:09:28 +0200

By Wajid Ali Syed – Washington Correspondent for Asian Tribune

The House today approved bipartisan legislation increasing assistance to Pakistan, moving a step forward to create a new, more positive framework for US-Pakistan relations. "We need to forge a true strategic partnership with Pakistan and its people, strengthen Pakistan’s democratic government, and work to make Pakistan a source of stability in a volatile region," said Howard Berman (D-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "This legislation helps

Lahore in chaos as renowned Islamic scholar killed in suicide blast

editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:01:19 +0200

By Farzana Shah, Asian Tribune Correspondent in Pakistan

Clashes and anger spellbound Lahore city in Punjab province, Pakistan as renowned Islamic scholar and principal of one of largest Madrissah (religious school) in Pakistan, got killed in targeted suicide blast. Unfortunate incident is the latest in the chain of sadistic events in shape of bomb blasts in various cities of Pakistan after Islamabad initiated a military operation in restive Swat and Malakand region in NWFP province in April. Blast occurred at office of Dr. Sarfaraz Naeemi, adjacent to his school in Garhi Shao area in Lahore when an on foot suicide bomber rushed into office of slain principal and blew himself killing

Solidarity among Sri Lankan Maha Sangha of Great Britain

editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:40:19 +0200

Sri Lankan Monks living in many parts of the United Kingdom met on Wednesday 27th May 2009 at London Buddhist Vihara to revive "The Sri Lankan Sangha Sabha of Great Britain". It was initially founded in 1991 with the full involvement of Sri Lankan monks in UK, under the honourable patronage of The Most Venerable Dr Medagama Vajiragnana late Sangha Nayaka Thera, former chief prelate of Great Britain. This council was affiliated as a branch with The World Buddhist Sangha Council. However, it became inactive since 1998 due to reasons such as the unstable health of the late Most Venerable Dr Vajiragnana Sangha Nayaka Thera. Since then, it has been dormant for eleven years.

Our Colombo correspondent and four other scribes under threat

editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:43:05 +0200

According to an alleged confession of a personal security officer,himself a Naval officer, of a very 'high ranking' Naval officer, five journalists, including the "Asian Tribune" Colombo Correspondent and "Bottom Line" newspaper defence columnist, Ruwan Weerakone are reported to be under threat for reportage during war times, well informed intelligence sources revealed. Weerakone this morning made a complaint to the Piliyandala Police, 20 kilo metres South of Colombo (CIB 1354-223 complaint reference) in which had mentioned the name of the very 'high ranking' Naval officer who had issued threats on him and the other four journalists.