Chinese subs in Indian waters sends jitters – report

2013-04-05 For the first time, the Indian Navy has strong indications that a fleet of Chinese nuclear submarines is making frequent forays into the Indian Ocean. 22 such Chinese operations have been recorded, one as recently as February, 2013. One submarine was spotted near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Headlines Today has exclusive access to a report from the Indian Navy to the Defence Ministry that says 22 unknown submarine contacts were detected by Indian and U.S sonar in the Indian Ocean. The assessment is that China is the only other navy capable of operating in the area. The assessment has been confirmed by U.S. and Indian intelligence inputs. The extent of Chinese submarines’ unchallenged forays into the Indian Ocean can be deeply troubling for the Indian Navy. Sources tell Headlines Today that one contact with a suspected Chinese submarine took place just 90 km from Indian soil in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Six contacts took place north-west of the Straits of Malacca, 13 south of Sri Lanka and two as far as the Arabian Sea. The first such Chinese submarine was spotted on sonar in August 2012 during a patrol of Indian and U.S. navy ships, confident that they are the only two navies operating in the southern part of the Indian Ocean. According to the report, the People’s Liberation Army’s naval wing is deploying the state-of-the art nuclear submarines on a 10,000-mile deepwater run. The launch location is Sanya in the South China Sea. Official sources say the Chinese submariners could be preparing to sneak into India’s backyard, test Indian Navy’s conviction in keeping them out and probably pioneer a permanent presence in the Indian Ocean region. (India Today)

A suspicion about the sudden fire at ‘Muhudu Maha’ Viharaya

April 4, 2013

A suspicion about  the sudden fire at Pottuwil’s ‘Muhudu Maha’ Viharaya?

The sudden fire which had broken out at the ‘Muhudu Maha’ Viharaya may be the work of saboteurs and not a natural fire has added the Jathika Hela Urumaya.

The Jathika Hela Urumaya’s media spokesman Nishantha Warnasinghe had issued a notice in this regard under his signature.

There is a certain amount of doubt about the fire that had broken out at the historical Potuwil ‘Muhudu Maha’ Viharaya it has been emphasised. The suspicion has been because that the Muslim principles had been focussing attention on the historical ancient ‘Muhudu Maha’ Viharaya for quite some time.

It had also been found that certain constructions of high archaeological value had been removed from the premises of the ‘Muhudu Maha, while some have been damaged. Some of the lands owned by the Viharaya premises have been acquired by force. In addition the Bikkhus who were living in the ‘Muhudu Maha’ Viharaya had been harmed and even devotees who visit the Viharaya also had been harassed.

Owing to the above reasons there is sufficient doubt that Muslims may have made this fire at the ‘Muhudu Maha’ Viharaya the media spokesman of the Jathika Hela Urumaya had disclosed.

It is also learnt that the rock posts and moonstones have been removed and they had been used for their domestic purposes like washing clothes. Hence was the fire a natural one or  was it burnt.