OTHER NEWS Pillayan - new CM EP Police begins investigations Pillayan’s oath taking unconstitutional – Hizbullah President condemns LTTE bomb attack    Advertisement Print Version | Email to friend Sri Lanka has relaxed Fishing restrictions in the East 02-05-2008 The Government has relaxed restrictions on fishing imposed along the Muttur and Kinniya coastal belt in the Trincomalee District, following a a discussion that Senior Advisor to the President and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa had with a delegation of the fishing community in Muttur during an inspection tour of the region on April. The Government had earlier imposed certain restrictions on fishing in this region for security reasons on the recommendation of the Navy. At the discussion with fishermen in the region on Sunday, Rajapaksa gave a patient hearing to the fishermen's grievances and negotiated with the Navy to have these restrictions relaxed to enhance the living conditions of the fishing community in the area. It was also decided at this conference to increase the number of Ma del used in the area with Fisheries Ministry approval. Fishermen in Kinniya and Muttur would also be allowed to engage in fishing within a distance of five miles from the shore three days per week. Earlier, fishermen were allowed to engage in fishing upto a distance of two miles. The possibility of allowing fishing on all seven days of the week would be considered soon depending on the security situation. It was also decided at this discussion to advance the fishing time to 2 a.m. and to relax the prohibition on fishing in the Gange area. The use of motor boats for fishing had been previously prohibited in the Kinniya and Muttur region. The Navy agreed to relax this rule on the insistence of MP Rajapaksa. Accordingly fishermen would be allowed to use motor boats below 15 horse power capacity for fishing from April 27 onwards. Earlier, fishermen in Kinniya and Muttur had to travel to Trincomalee to attend to official matters including their registration work. Since this was a costly exercise, Rajapaksa advised the authorities to open a separate office for this in Muttur for the convenience of fishermen. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Deputy Minister Neomal Perera was appointed as a one man committee to observe follow up action on the decisions taken and also act as an intermediary to solve the outstanding problems of fishermen in the region. Rajapaksa was accompanied by Ministers Bandula Gunawardane, Rishard Bathiutheen, Najeeb A. Majeed and Susantha Punchinilame and Deputy Ministers Neomal Perera and K.A. Bais. Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and other security chiefs attended the discussion. Print Version | Email to friend

Pillayan - new CM EP Fri, 16-05-2008 14:00:00 Mr.Pillayan took oaths as the Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council in a short while ago.... |FULL STORY|

Police begins investigations Fri, 16-05-2008 14:00:00 Extensive investigations are now being held on the suicide bomb attack occurred at Colombo Fort this morning. Police Media spokesperson Senior DIG N.K. Ilangakoon said the Colombo Crime Investigation Division and the Fort Police conduct investigations according to the instructions of CID. The Government Analyst has also concluded his investigation. It is being identified the motorbike which the suicide bomber had travelled has been registered in the Eastern Province. The registered numbe... |FULL STORY|

Advertisement

Pillayan’s oath taking unconstitutional – Hizbullah Fri, 16-05-2008 13:00:00 Hours before the installation of Pillayan as the Chief Minister of the East M.L.A.M Hizbullah along with two other elected Muslim members from Batticaloa to the Eastern Provincial Council have informed the Governor-East that they would not support Pillayan in the council and would function as a separate group. Chief Minister aspirant and Batticaloa strongman He said that it's illegal for Pillayan to take oaths as CM since he doesn’t command a majority in the UPFA team. ... |FULL STORY|

President condemns LTTE bomb attack Fri, 16-05-2008 13:00:00 The LTTE has once again demonstrated to the world its total commitment to violence and terror to achieve its separatist goals in Sri Lanka, and its absolute contempt for democracy and human rights, The President stated while expressing his condolence to the families of those many killed and wounded in the LTTE's latest carnage today. He also requested all the citizens to remain clam and to be provoked by this display of its unmitigated terror. Full text of the communiqu‚ issued b... |FULL STORY|

EVENT REPORTS Songstress Nanda Malini takes UK by storm..[Read] Sri Lankans unite at Bak Maha Ulela in London..[Read] UK Visakhians Elect the 2008-09 Committee at the 25th AGM..[Read] Agents sparkle at SriLankan awards night..[Read]