General news about Sri Lanka

[saraprobe]

Sri Lanka Parliament approves to set up a Coast Guard unit

Thu, Jul 9, 2009, 07:24 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

July 09, Colombo: Sri Lanka Parliament today passed the Bill to establish a Coast Guard Department in the country in order to stop illegal activities in its territorial waters.

Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka said at the debate on the issue that the government has decided to establish the unit in order to control illegal activities using Sri Lanka's territorial waters for drug trafficking and smuggling activities. The Bill sought to set up the Coast Guard Department to ensure the security of the coastal areas, maritime zones and the Sri Lanka territorial waters.

[saraprobe]

Sri Lankais buying six Israeli Super Dvora Mk III patrol boats. This model first entered service five years ago, and has been a great success. The 86 foot boats can operate in as little as four feet of water, thus they are useful for landing, or picking up, commandos.



The boats are armed with a multibarrel 20mm cannon, or a single barrel 25-30mm cannon and a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. There is a crew of nine. The 70 ton boats can sprint to over 90 kilometers an hour, and have a max range (depending on cruising speed) of 1,800 kilometers. Most patrols are about 12 hours, but the boats can stay out three times longer if necessary. The propulsion system includes water jets, providing enormous maneuverability.



This, and the high speed, enables the boats to catch smugglers or terrorists riding in speed boats. Electronics include radar, radio and GPS. These boats will mostly be used to prevent smuggling between India and Sri Lanka. – (The Strategy Page)

Ada Derana

[saraprobe]

[hakz2007]

Entire country geared for the first peacetime New Year

The entire country is geared to welcome the first peacetime New Year after the end of the three-decade long war. The country is especially elated with the re-election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in January and last Thursday’s victory of his government just ahead of the dawn of the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year with the Sun moving from the House of Pisces to the Aries

The New Year dawns at the auspicious time of 6.58 a.m. today. Punya kalaya will begin at 34 minutes past midnight and end at 1.22 p.m. The first part of the “Punya kalaya” is set aside for religious ceremonies while the second part is for traditions such as preparing meals, starting work and transactions for the New Year.

The New Year will dawn at 6.58 a.m. today. The auspicious time for the lighting of the hearth is 7.01 a.m facing the North and attired in light green coloured clothing. Milk rice mixed with Ghee and Undu should be prepared.

The auspicious for the commencement of work for the New Year, transactions and partaking of meals is at 9.07 a.m. This should be done also facing the North and attired in light green coloured clothing.

10.06 a.m. on Thursday the 15th is the auspicious time for anointing of oil. Attired in gold coloured garments and facing the North, oil mixed with essence of bo-leaves and standing on Kohomba leaves under a canopy of bo-leaves should be anointed.

http://www.news.lk/index.php?option=...4739&Itemid=44

[Amal]

Sri Lanka's Dehiwala zoo to be opened late; car park to be added

Fri, Jun 4, 2010, 08:08 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Jun 04, Colombo: Sri Lanka Cabinet has approved a proposal mooted by the Ministry of Economic Development to build a seven-storey car park for the visitors to the national Zoological Garden in Dehiwala in Colombo city outskirts.
The car park can accommodate 300 cars and the estimated cost for the project is Rs. 325 million. At the initial stage it will be able to accommodate 189 vehicles.

The need for such a facility has risen as a result of increased tourist arrivals to the island following the end of the three-decade long war.

The Ministry of Economic Development has also decided to keep the zoo open till 8:30 p.m. everyday for the benefit of the visitors.

The zoological museum that was closed for a long time is also to be re-opened, said the Director General of the Ministry of Economic Development Dr. Dayawansa Pathiraja.

Education programmes are also being planned for students with the assistance of the university students.

The zoo exhibits animals but also places an emphasis on animal conservation and welfare, and education. The zoo is currently involved in many research and captive breeding projects in collaboration with several universities in the country.


http://www.colombopage.com/archive_1...75662321CH.php

[sjinadasa]

The zoo is in desperate need of a overhaul.. despite what the article says, most of the animals are kept in filthy and cramped conditions. Its depressing to say the least.

[Amal]

Sri Lanka declares 21st national park in the South

Wed, Jun 9, 2010, 09:30 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Jun 09, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Department of Wildlife Conservation has declared Ussangoda in the Tangalle divisional secretariat area of Hambanthota district in the deep south as a national park.

The declaration has been made under a gazette notification issued on May 0, 2010 by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

With this addition, Sri Lanka has 21 national parks dedicated for nature and wildlife conservation.

Ussangoda, a tourist attraction adjacent to the sea, is around 350 hectares in size. According to legend it was a landing place for the devil king Ravana.

The barren red color soil layer in the area, believed to have come from an ancient meteorite strike, is historically and environmentally significant. The park consists of the beautiful beach and a jungle.

Ussangoda is situated adjacent to another wildlife park called Lunama-Kalametiya.

http://www.colombopage.com/archive_1...76056055KA.php

[saraprobe]

Police in two Sri Lankan towns have detained nearly 200 young couples they accuse of indecent behaviour and will produce most of them before a court on Friday, the BBC reported.

Locals complained the young lovers were kissing, cuddling or simply holding hands, reports say.

In the central town of Kurunegala about 350 youngsters have been detained and reprimanded in the past two weeks.

Police have gone further in another town - Matara in the south - where 22 allegedly offending couples are to appear before a magistrate on Friday.

Police in Kurunegala say ordinary townsfolk have been getting increasingly annoyed and embarrassed by what they feel is indecent behaviour by hundreds of young people.

The town is a major centre of students and reports say lots of them have been hanging around in public parks and bus stands.

In rural and provincial Sri Lanka kissing and cuddling in public is seen as unacceptable - however much the capital city may be racing towards Westernisation, says the BBC's Charles Haviland in Colombo.

In Kurunegala many of the girls involved are said to be school students aged only about 15.

The police say this is why they have conducted a sweep and detained 350 offending youngsters, later taking them to their parents with a warning that if there is a repeat they may face tougher measures.

In the southern town of Matara, police detained 22 couples on a beach before releasing them on bail to appear in court on Friday. (BBC)

[Chariya]

Originally Posted by saraprobe

Police in two Sri Lankan towns have detained nearly 200 young couples they accuse of indecent behaviour and will produce most of them before a court on Friday, the BBC reported.

Locals complained the young lovers were kissing, cuddling or simply holding hands, reports say.

In the central town of Kurunegala about 350 youngsters have been detained and reprimanded in the past two weeks.

Police have gone further in another town - Matara in the south - where 22 allegedly offending couples are to appear before a magistrate on Friday.

Police in Kurunegala say ordinary townsfolk have been getting increasingly annoyed and embarrassed by what they feel is indecent behaviour by hundreds of young people.

The town is a major centre of students and reports say lots of them have been hanging around in public parks and bus stands.

In rural and provincial Sri Lanka kissing and cuddling in public is seen as unacceptable - however much the capital city may be racing towards Westernisation, says the BBC's Charles Haviland in Colombo.

In Kurunegala many of the girls involved are said to be school students aged only about 15.

The police say this is why they have conducted a sweep and detained 350 offending youngsters, later taking them to their parents with a warning that if there is a repeat they may face tougher measures.

In the southern town of Matara, police detained 22 couples on a beach before releasing them on bail to appear in court on Friday. (BBC)

I dont really understand why things like this keep happening but I can also understand the fact that such incidents dont take a blind eye on the public in SL and for many people in SL kissing in public is a kind of savage behaviour..

But this is not the problem, the problems is seeing such a headline in newspapers and websites such as the BBC which is like torture to me, I mean what do you think people who read this think about SL certainly it seems like we moving towards saudialisation. How many such crazy incidents are we going to witness until we dont see such radical behaviour towards things like this whether is be from the police, army or the public.

Certainly as a nation which has a huge influence from Buddhism we dont seem to be following anything that the Buddhist philosophy persists!! Instead we can only see our own fools making what is Sri Lankan a disgrace.

[dfdo]

Originally Posted by Chariya

I dont really understand why things like this keep happening but I can also understand the fact that such incidents dont take a blind eye on the public in SL and for many people in SL kissing in public is a kind of savage behaviour..

But this is not the problem, the problems is seeing such a headline in newspapers and websites such as the BBC which is like torture to me, I mean what do you think people who read this think about SL certainly it seems like we moving towards saudialisation. How many such crazy incidents are we going to witness until we dont see such radical behaviour towards things like this whether is be from the police, army or the public.

Certainly as a nation which has a huge influence from Buddhism we dont seem to be following anything that the Buddhist philosophy persists!! Instead we can only see our own fools making what is Sri Lankan a disgrace.

Do Sri Lankans have the same opinion?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One things for sure, the way things are getting Lanka will never reach Singapore and Hong Kong standards. Lanka is definitely going the wrong direction and this could only be because of some maniac person giving personal instructions.
This is not the way the majority would think in Sri Lanka.
Thats why its so easy for journalists to take the piss out of our politicians.

[Amal]

Sorry to burst your bubble but most Sri Lankans are not as westernised as many here would like them to be. Sri Lanka is by and large a conservative society. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. That's just a fact of life and a part of the cultural difference between east and west. As the news article shows it's the townsfolk who were getting uncomfortable with kids as young as 15 kissing and cuddling in public.

Anecdote: I visited a botanical garden in Gampaha a while ago with the extended family and it was crawling with young couples 'doing their thing' and that includes more x rated stuff that a few kisses, under trees, in all the corners and behind umbrellas. Had I known I would not have brought along any of the younger cousins. All this in a public place. I didn't find it acceptable so I can understand the issue here.

Scenario: Is it appropriate for a girl to go to church/temple/mosque wearing a two piece swimsuit? If no, why? If yes, why?

[Fusionist]

Originally Posted by Amal

Anecdote: I visited a botanical garden in Gampaha a while ago with the extended family and it was crawling with young couples 'doing their thing' and that includes more x rated stuff that a few kisses, under trees, in all the corners and behind umbrellas. Had I known I would not have brought along any of the younger cousins. All this in a public place. I didn't find it acceptable so I can understand the issue here?

The problem is where elso would a young couple go ? They cant be together at home due to parental pressure. The middle class still haven't got used to dating, there arent enough cafes, bowling alleys where you can be together and many cant afford it, and still most people stay with thier parents till they get married. So whats the alternative, except beaches and parks ?

The solution comes with lifestyle changes, not intrusive policing. Till then we must learn to put up with seeing youth kissing in public etc.

What realistically be done is create opportunities where both gender can mix on a safe footing in a safe environment. For example mixed camps, dance classes organised by schools, social clubs in schools, public debate about sexuality etc in schools, television etc I havent bee to schools in SL ? Are these things there ? This way atleast people will feel less anxious and more relaxed about issues relating to sex. This way the curious youth wont have to go the extra step of being promiscuous and in a way a nuisance to others by inappropriate expression of affection.

[saraprobe]

The city of Colombo will come under tight police surveillance from next month (July) with the installation of security cameras on certain main roads and at junctions.

Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne told The Island yesterday that a private company has been contracted to install the security cameras in prominent places in Colombo.

"One hundred and twenty one cameras will be installed, and we have already decided on 28 places where they will be placed. There will also be a central monitoring station manned by qualified Police personnel who will be in radio contact," Navaratne said. He declined to reveal further details.

Traffic offenses and criminal activities will come under surveillance through these cameras.

Island
....................
Police can apprehend more couplesBanana Republic

[Gamarala]

Originally Posted by saraprobe

The city of Colombo will come under tight police surveillance from next month (July) with the installation of security cameras on certain main roads and at junctions.

Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne told The Island yesterday that a private company has been contracted to install the security cameras in prominent places in Colombo.

"One hundred and twenty one cameras will be installed, and we have already decided on 28 places where they will be placed. There will also be a central monitoring station manned by qualified Police personnel who will be in radio contact," Navaratne said. He declined to reveal further details.

Traffic offenses and criminal activities will come under surveillance through these cameras.

Island
....................
Police can apprehend more couplesBanana Republic

I don't know if any of you guys have been watching the BBC's weeklong Hardtalk in Sri Lanka features. The reporter visits a rehabilitation camp for former child soldiers and is concerned that the ex-combatants are made to sing Namo Namo Matha. I mean WTF? Everyone in the UK or any other county (including immigrants) are expected to learn and sing the national anthem of the country they are in. But making Sri Lankan citizens sing our national anthem is wrong? The duplicity people display is dumbfounding.

So 125 security cameras make Sri Lanka a banana republic? Then what do the 10,524 CCTV cameras in London (as of 2007) make the UK?

[sjinadasa]

Originally Posted by Gamarala

I don't know if any of you guys have been watching the BBC's weeklong Hardtalk in Sri Lanka features. The reporter visits a rehabilitation camp for former child soldiers and is concerned that the ex-combatants are made to sing Namo Namo Matha. I mean WTF? Everyone in the UK or any other county (including immigrants) are expected to learn and sing the national anthem of the country they are in. But making Sri Lankan citizens sing our national anthem is wrong? The duplicity people display is dumbfounding.

So 125 security cameras make Sri Lanka a banana republic? Then what do the 10,524 CCTV cameras in London (as of 2007) make the UK?

What the fck ? The nerve these reporters have is amazing. Do people even believe what these sh*theads say ? I love how they were mostly all quiet and complying when CBK and RW was wrecking havoc in the country, but gets all concerned now.

And I think CCTV cams in important junctions and locations are acceptable as long as they make use of them properly. (which means using them to catch real criminals and terrorists.. not people holding hands)

[Fusionist]

Originally Posted by Gamarala

So 125 security cameras make Sri Lanka a banana republic? Then what do the 10,524 CCTV cameras in London (as of 2007) make the UK?

Interesting question indeed. I think what we need ot really understand or concentrate is the usage/misusage of the camera footages etc.

Otherwise the BBC can be seen as a hypocrite indeed. Anyone against the idea of CCTV in this forum though ? It is always better to have a public debate where we can discuss the pros and cons when a new idea/scheme is implemented. For example there is an open debate on the issue of national identity card in the UK.

[Chariya]

Sri Lankan police remove 'indecent advertising'

By Charles Haviland

BBC News, Colombo Sri Lanka billboard Billboards are located all over Sri Lanka

Police in Sri Lanka say they have started a campaign to remove what they describe as indecent advertising on film billboards and posters in Colombo.

They say this includes images of scantily clad women.

They say that their initiative will spread to other parts of the country to protect women and children from harm.

Earlier this week it emerged that the police had arrested nearly 200 young couples for behaving intimately in public places.
Pornographic sites

The latest initiative has come from a police department, the Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women.

Sources told the BBC that their new campaign would target what they called indecent material and "bad pictures", starting with advertisements and movie hoardings but moving on to newspapers.

The sources said it was hoped that the internet would be more tightly controlled, too, after the recent banning of pornographic sites on mobile phones.

The bureau itself would decide what constituted "decency".

According to the sources, in due course legal action is to be taken against newspapers and magazines carrying offending material, with a possible punishment of six months' imprisonment.

The bureau said the move is prompted by the sense that the younger generation of Sri Lankans do not show sufficient respect to women and that modern culture treats them as commodities.

But a human rights campaigner, Sunila Abeyesekera, described the initiative as "scary and arbitrary" and alleged that the state was engaged in moral policing of people's lives.

She said existing laws were not effectively protecting children from things including labour exploitation and sexual abuse.

BBC

I wonder what the influence is behind this ?? Are we going to see a few billions in loans coming our way from saudi?? People seem to think the west is a bad influence but what about crazy extremism from the middle east, is that a good thing?

[Fusionist]

its getting rediculous now. I think the Wome nand child protection bureau is doing more damage to women than help, by making the country even more conservative.

Why not invest in sex education, health camps, counselling services instead ? The real issue for women is help in sustainnig an individualistic and independent living skills. ie. crisis shelters, hostels, divorce laws, preventing domestic abuse etc Not burden with and bind with further cultural restrictions in the name of 'modesty' by which any woman will be even more indebted and dependent on the family and husband, making her even more weaker and vulnerable. Pathetic, I simply cant stand this.

[Pakia]

'Peace village'

They said they would like to have children "but only when we go out - overall it's not a good situation here to have a family", they said.

For they, like the other 52 couples, are still detained and in what the authorities call "rehabilitation".

Now they are married they will move from their current camps to a new one built specially for ex-LTTE families and known as the Peace Village.

The couples will move to the Peace Village Anbu has been studying for his A-levels while Vili said that, unlike many of her fellows, she has had no vocational training because of her injury.

They want to leave the camps and rejoin wider society but have not been given a date.

Many of the couples marrying had family present, though seated rather far away with a security cordon in front of them.

[tig]

Originally Posted by Pakia

'Peace village'

They said they would like to have children "but only when we go out - overall it's not a good situation here to have a family", they said.

For they, like the other 52 couples, are still detained and in what the authorities call "rehabilitation".

Now they are married they will move from their current camps to a new one built specially for ex-LTTE families and known as the Peace Village.

The couples will move to the Peace Village Anbu has been studying for his A-levels while Vili said that, unlike many of her fellows, she has had no vocational training because of her injury.

They want to leave the camps and rejoin wider society but have not been given a date.

Many of the couples marrying had family present, though seated rather far away with a security cordon in front of them.

They dont look like ltte, something suspicious is going on here