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Maha Sangha invoke blessings on the Swan with Ranhansa Abhisheka |
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2010-01-11 |
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The “Ranhansa Abhisheka” pooja organized by ‘Bikkus for Democracy’ was held yesterday (9th) at Viharamahdevi indoor stadium and more than 2000 Bhikkus who participated in the ceremony invoked blessings on apolitical Common Presidential Candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka for his victory. Bhikkus gathered at Jayawardene Centre and walked to Viharamahadevi Indoor Stadium. The Information Secretary of the JVP Vijithe Herath, Deputy Leader of the UNP Karu Jayasuriya and UNP President Gamini Jayawickrema Perera participated at the ceremony.
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UPFA to take Sivageetha to court |
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2010-01-11 |
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The UPFA is considering filing legal action against the Batticaloa Mayor Sivageetha Prabakaran to strip her of her post as she had earlier contested under the UPFA ticket, UPFA sources told Daily Mirror online. Mrs. Prabakaran recently extended support to opposition Presidential Candidate General Sarath Fonseka.
She had contested for the Batticaloa Mayor post as a TMVP member under the UPFA ticket, which she subsequently won and later she joined the SLFP on an invitation extended by Minister Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan. (RR)
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I will make this country among the best President |
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2010-01-11 |
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday said the Government is dedicated to place the country among the most developed countries in the world in the ensuing years under his leadership. The President was speaking at an election rally at the Vavuniya Urban Council grounds on Saturday. The people are facing the first Presidential election after the country was totally freed from the scourge of terrorism, he said. He added that all parts of the country were brought under a development drive while massive funds were allocated to eradicate terrorism. |
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No secret pact JVP |
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2010-01-11 |
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The JVP yesterday said there was no secret pact between the TNA and presidential candidate, Sarath Fonseka, contrary to claims by certain sections of media. The TNA had agreed to Gen. Fonseka’s 10 point plan as regards the war affected areas and persons and the TNA had not slapped any conditions to support Fonseka.Addressing a media conference at Pelawatte, JVP Parliamentary Group Leader and Co-Media spokesman of Fonseka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, said the Tamil people and their leaders should not be further isolated. The TNA had pledged its support to the common candidate of the Opposition, Sarath Fonseka, without conditions. There was only an understanding between Fonseka and the TNA to guarantee the provision of welfare and resettlement of the Tamil people, he said. |
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protection of freedom of expression and information |
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2010-01-11 |
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Eight media organizations have called on all candidates contesting this month’s Presidential Election to declare their strong and unequivocal commitment to the protection of freedom of expression and information. The resolution, signed by the Free Media Movement, Working Journalists’ Association, Editors’ Guild, Tamil Media Forum, Muslim Media Forum, Federation of Media Employees Trade Union, South Asia Free Media Association-Sri Lanka Chapter and Newspaper Owners Association, has been submitted to all the Presidential candidates.The pledges sought were released to the media at a news conference, presided over by Editors’ Guild President, Manik de Silva, in Colombo, last week. |
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I will change culture of political thuggery |
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2010-01-10 |
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Opposition Common Candidate, Gen. (Retd) Sarath Fonseka sought a clear mandate from the masses to change the prevailing culture of political thuggery, violence and intimidation and guide the nation towards prosperity."The people should exercise their franchise to usher in a new era and free our motherland from corrupt rule", he noted.He was addressing a meeting of fisher-folk at Dodanduwa in Galle, where he received a rousing welcome in this coastal township last Friday. Fonseka pledged to resolve the grievances of the fisher community and provide them the equipment and know-how to develop their trade.He said that poaching by foreign vessels had dealt a crushing blow to the livelihoods of Sri Lankan fishermen and pledged to take concrete action to curb this threat. |
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Bhikkus from SLFP & JHU to support General |
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2010-01-10 |
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The General Secretary of the SLFP Bhikku Organization and former Senior Presidential Advisor Ven. Uvatenne Sumana Thero and former Member of the Central Committee of JHU and convener of ‘Bodu Jana Balavegaya’ Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasiri Thero expressed their support to Common Presidential Candidate Gen. Fonseka at a press conference held after Ven. Dhambara Amila Thero was released from remand prison. Speaking at the press conference Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasiri Thero said, “We came out as we couldn’t perch with the muddy swines of the government. We came to Parliament from JHU to establish a ‘Dharmishta’ (righteous) society. But what has happened? Is the ‘righteous society’ built at the three acre land at Gothami road Mr. Mahinda Rajapske gave? Ven. Soma Thero died. Where are the commissions to investigate his death? Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse gives candies. The Bhikkus of Hela Urumaya swallow them and keep their mouths shut.
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Who s telling the truth? |
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2010-01-10 |
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Contradicting the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) claims that they decided to back Sarath Fonseka in the Presidential polls as the former Army Commander agreed to the conditions set forth by the TNA, the JVP has firmly said there is no such agreement. TNA Leader R. Sampanthan said last week following discussions with candidates, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Sarath Fonseka, only the latter came up with an agreement satisfactory to them. TNA’s conditions include the re-merger of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, finding a permanent solution to the ethnic issue and the removal of the High Security Zones. However, one of Fonseka’s main allies in the Presidential race, the JVP, says Fonseka has not agreed with any of the terms set down by the TNA. In fact, according to the JVP, the TNA has decided to back Fonseka based on the programme he presented for the North and East. |
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Junior police mutiny on polls |
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2010-01-10 |
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Junior Police officers have decided to ensure a free and fair election defying wrong and partial orders of superior officers on Election Day on January 26, sources said.
According to reliable sources, a majority of Inspectors of the ‘Police Inspectors’ Association’ fully endorse this decision.
“Police officers had never organized themselves in this manner before to uphold a free and fair election as high ranking officials often support the violation of election laws expecting certain privileges from politicians” Police sources said.
Lower ranking officers have been motivated to take this step as some OICs were harassing supporters of some candidates and encouraging the supporters of ther candidates, and were abusing the law, a police officer said.
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Opposition ahead but could appearances deceive? |
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2010-01-10 |
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These are the results of the last presidential election held in 2005: Mahinda Rajapaksa 4,887,152 or 50.29 per cent of the vote, Ranil Wickremesinghe 4,706,366 or 48.43 percent of the vote.
The margin is extremely thin —- and as can be seen, does not even add up to a basic two percentage points.
If the UNP backed common candidate loses 5 per cent of that vote that was cast in 2005, it appears mathematically that he may still win the election if the sizeable JVP and now the Tamil party vote blocks are counted in his column.
The JVP vote bank is said to be a block vote of at least 6.5 lakhs - it’s usually more - and if this accrues to Fonseka’s column along with all the Tamil votes that would come due to the pledged TNA support, going by the statistics above, incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa would have no chance at the forthcoming presidential poll on January the 26th |
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