Another White Elephant for Hambantota that Cost US$ 101 Million

[Empty counters of the Mattala Rajapaksa Air Port]-02/12/2014 
The Government is considering an unsolicited, single-bid proposal by a Chinese firm to set up a US$ 101 million oil pipeline between the Hambantota tank farm and the Mattala airport despite a study deeming the project to be economically unfeasible, reports the Sunday Times.

The study was coordinated by the Road Development Authority and commissioned from an independent party by the China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC), which is to build the pipeline, authoritative sources said. At present, aviation fuel is taken from Kolonnawa to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) by tankers.

“With the current low demand at MRIA, it is cheaper to continue transporting fuel by tankers for the next four or five years,” a source said. “We also estimate that it would cost between US$30 and 40 million to construct the pipeline that the Chinese want to build for US$ 101 million.”
The feasibility study has compared the cost of road and rail transport with the pipeline and found that the pipeline will not be viable for years. The Bandaranaike International Airport, after 40 years in existence, requires 1.3 million litres of aviation fuel a day to cater to the aircraft that land there.

“According to the study, MRIA will require 10 million litres of aviation fuel a day for the pipeline to be viable,” the source said. “At present, SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka use small quantities of fuel. The requirement for MRIA is an average of 1.8 million litres a month.”

Industry experts also said there would be an operational problem with the pipeline. It has recommended that aviation fuel must be stored in a pipeline only for a maximum of six months, the sources said. There are many reasons why this costly pipeline is not suitable at present but the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation wanted to proceed with negotiations, they said.

The CHEC submitted its proposal during the past two months. The sources said the RDA coordinated the feasibility study because the pipeline was to be built along the corridor between the proposed rail track and expressway linking the airport and the port.

We’ll be done for this rate – Gota

 Tuesday, 02 December 2014 

“The president does not heed any advice. Brother Chamal and I went to his house and described everything one by one a few days ago. When he is told so, he agrees. But, he does a totally different thing later. At this rate, we will not be able to walk on the streets. We cannot go to a foreign country. In the end, we will have to jump into the sea,” an emotional defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa tearfully told a friend at his home at no: 07, Flower Road, Colombo.

This house belongs to his friend Kavan Ratnayake, elder brother of former Matara district MP Sagala Ratnayake.

“Brother Basil and Namal have complicated everything. Yoshitha and Rohitha are in charge of the campaign. There is no coordination in their work. They suspect me too, because I am Maithri’s friend. Now, ministers are carrying tales against me that I opened the floating restaurant with Maithri after waiting for the president to leave the country. Maithri is my friend. We lost him due to our own faults. It is pointless to blame him now. If we do not rectify it, we will be done for,” he said in a dejected manner.

Kavan has said many things to pacify Gotabhaya, who remained silent for some time and left. According to our sources, this could be the beginning of a major turnaround.

Sri Lanka ranked 85th in Global Corruption Index

December 3, 2014

Sri Lanka has showed some improvement in addressing corruption in 2014, ranking 85th among 175 countries as against 91st in the previous year, graft watchdog Transparency International India (TII) said on Wednesday.

Denmark retained its position as the least corrupt country in 2014 with a score of 92 while North Korea and Somalia shared the last place, scoring just 8, the organisation said.

In the country’s neighbourhood, China moved to 100th place, down from 80th in 2013, while Pakistan and Nepal were at 126th position. Bangladesh was 145th and Bhutan 30th in the ranking. India was ranked 85th with Sri Lanka. Afghanistan was at a bleak 172.

According to the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) report by TII, the CPI score for the country increased by 2 points in 2014 from its 2013 score, helping its rank move up to 85 in 2014 from 94 in 2013.

The report noted that in terms of the new government, the CPI possibly captured the anti-corruption mandate on which the new government was elected and the possibility of some new reforms in this area.

Iran jet fighters bomb IS militants in Iraq

WEDNESDAY 03 DECEMBER 2014

Iran conducts air strikes against Islamic State group targets in Iraq, but the US says the strikes were not done in conjunction with the US-led coalition.

Picture: Iranian F-4 fighter jets on a military parade earlier this year

The Pentagon confirmed that Iranian fighter jets had bombed IS targets in eastern Iraq over the last few days, but said nothing had changed about US policy of "not co-ordinating military activity with the Iranians."

A senior Iranian military official also dismissed talk of co-operation.

The air strikes confirm Tehran's determination to confront IS. The Iranians and Americans share a common enemy in the jihadist group, but the long-time adversaries have no formal partnership in efforts to defeat them.

'Nothing has changed'

"We have indications that they [Iran] did indeed fly air strikes with F-4 Phantoms in the past several days," said Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral Kirby.

"We are flying missions over Iraq, we co-ordinate with the Iraqi government as we conduct those," he said. "It's up to the Iraqi government to deconflict that airspace."

"Nothing has changed about our policy of not co-ordinating military activity with the Iranians."

The Deputy Chief of Staff of Iran's armed forces, Brigadeer-General Massoud Jazayeri also denied any collaboration between the US and Iran.

He said that he considered the US responsible for Iraq's "unrest and problems" and the US would "definitely not have a place in the future of that country".

The comments come after al-Jazeera broadcast footage of what appeared to be an ageing F-4 fighter jet similar to those used by Iran's air force attacking targets in the eastern province of Diyala.

The F-4 Phantom was built for the US navy from 1961 until production ceased in 1981. Although the jets were sold around the world, only Iran and Turkey are said to still fly them and only a few are believed to be in operating condition.

‘Hell is never far away’: the female medic 

risking her life for Aleppo

Umm Abdu has lost her husband and a son to the war in Syria, but the pistol-wearing woman refuses to abandon her embattled city

 A man carries two girls to safety after a reported air strike by government forces on Aleppo. Photograph: Zein al-Rifai/AFP/Getty Images

Martin Chulov in Aleppo

Tuesday 2 December 2014 15.41 GMT

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Martin Chulov in Aleppo-Tuesday 2 December 2014

Whenever she hears the helicopter, Umm Abdu tenses, collects her medical kit and runs through the lanes of Old Aleppo to the only working hospital in her neighbourhood.
‘Hell is Never Far Away’ the Female Medic by Thavam Ratna

Falling oil prices hit Russia much harder than Western sanctions

President Vladimir Putin, who took office in the wake of his nation’s 1998 financial crisis, has made economic stability a cornerstone of his nearly 15 years as leader. (AP)

By Michael Birnbaum December 2 at 6:51 PM
MOSCOW — Plummeting oil prices are doing to the Kremlin what sanctions could not: forcing a grim rethinking of Russia’s economic future.
Falling Oil Prices Hit Russia Much Harder Than Western Sanctions by Thavam Ratna

Modi under pressure over minister's tirade against non-Hindus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) gestures as he arrives to address the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers meeting in Guwahati, the main city in the northeast state of Assam, November 30, 2014.

Forced to Clean Human Waste in India-Hindu-Man and Woman

Wed Dec 3, 2014

(Reuters) - Prime Minister Narendra Modi is under growing pressure to sack a minister over a tirade she made against religious minorities, as his outraged opponents disrupted parliament for a second day on Wednesday.

Niranjan Jyoti, the junior minister for food processing industries, asked whether the country should be governed by "the children of Ram or the children of bastards" at an election rally.

The comment was widely believed to have been an attack on the legitimacy of the country's Muslim and Christian minorities.

Rival parties defeated by Modi's Hindu nationalists six months ago in a general election have staged two days of parliamentary protests to demand Jyoti's removal. Amid unruly scenes, the speaker of Rajya Sabha adjourned proceedings for the rest of the day.

"The constitution has been violated; India's laws have been violated," Anand Sharma, a senior leader of the opposition Congress party said. "We want the prime minister to come to the house and tell us he has asked the minister to go."   

The protests risk disrupting a session of parliament where the government wants to build consensus to pass laws lifting the caps on foreign investment in India's insurance sector and amend a bill making it easier for companies to buy land.

Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has been accused of exploiting religious divisions in the run up to elections, a tactic that opponents say helped the party win the largest election victory in three decades in May.

Parliamentary affairs minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said the minister has apologised and the house should now focus on legislative business.

(Reporting by Andrew MacAskill; Editing by Douglas Busvine)

Dying to get there: the boat that became a tomb - video

WEDNESDAY 03 DECEMBER 2014

Around 360 migrants died in the Lampedusa boat tragedy. Over a year later, NOOR photographer Francesco Zizola and Teresa Smith's film explores the wrecked vessel and the people who died there.

Avoid This Beverage to Reduce Your Risk of Having a Stroke and Heart Attack 

Posted By admin On Tuesday, November 25, 2014

A single can of Red Bull can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke, whether you’re young or old. It is loaded with caffeine and makes the blood sticky, which can be a pre-cursor to stroke and other cardiovascular problems. In just one hour after consuming a can of Red Bull, your blood can become as abnormal as someone’s with cardiovascular disease.

Avoid This Beverage to Reduce Your Risk of Having a Stroke and Heart Attack by Thavam Ratna

Journalists not scared of white vans any more!

02 DECEMBER 2014

Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, who deceived journalists saying they would be given various privileges, now says more than 70% of journalists act against the government. Various statements are made by Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa and his group due to the political bankruptcy they have been fallen to and in the process the reality too filters out from their laments.

This statement indicates that Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa has realized that he has failed to know the real opinion of the people despite having tamashas for senior officials of media institutions at Temple Trees.

The statement has also accepted that despite setting fire to media institutions, murdering 11 journalists including Lasantha Wickremetunga, getting Eknaligoda to disappear and several others were attacked, threatened and made to flee the country Mahinda Rajapaksa regime has been unable to stifle the voice of journalists.

Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa has made the observations at an opening ceremony held at Kolonnawa. He has further said that drug racketeers and underworld elements had left the country.

However, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa has not explained why the racketeers and underworld elements could not be apprehended if KP could be arrested in a foreign country.

Tamil organisations discuss path towards accountability and justice at Ilankai Tamil Sangam USA 02 December 2014Tamil organisations across the world gathered in the US last month to attend the annual Illankai Tamil Sangam conference and discussed methods of achieving accountability and justice for Tamils and Muslims in Sri Lanka. The Sangam event, spread over a weekend in New Jersey, consisted of panel discussions on issues pertaining to accountability and justice for Tamils and Muslims in Sri Lanka. Possible ways forward after the release of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) investigation into Sri Lanka, were discussed by all attendees. A visiting professor at Temple University Philadelphia, A.R.M Imtiaz, who has written extensively about Muslims in Sri Lanka, led further talks on justice and recognition of Muslim sentiment in Sri Lanka. Ending with an evening of music and dance, an Illankai Tamil Sangam life time achievement award was presented to the director of Global Tamils Forum (GTF), Father S. J. Emmanuel. The award was presented to Father Emmanuel by Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, Mavai Senathirajah. MA Sumanthiran, of the TNA, addressing the event, paid tribute to the Father Emmanuel's efforts in the field of Tamil activism. The event was attended by several Tamil organisations and individuals including, British Tamils Forum (BTF), Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC), Federation of Tamil Sangams in North America (FeTNA), Global Tamil Forum (GTF), Illankai Tamil Sangam, National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT), Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE),Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the US Tamil Political Action Committee (USTPAC).

Chinese submarines: Big worry to Indian Navy

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan-2014-12-01

Director, Security Risks Asia, a South Asian security risk consultancy firm and an expert in counter militancy and terrorism , Rtd. Brigadier Rahul Bhonsle tells Ceylon Today that the Chinese PLA Navy's intention was clearly to gain exposure to the waters of the Indian Ocean for future operations. "This should be a big worry for Indian Navy. More over reports indicate that the PLA Navy has exclusive berthing rights at the Port in Colombo and also in Hambantota, which effectively implies entry, exit and stocking including fuel and munitions over which Sri Lanka has no control."
Chinese Submarines Big Worry to Indian Navy by Thavam Ratna

General Court ruling on LTTE: Council of 

European Union appeals

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

The Council of the European Union has decided to appeal the Judgment of the General Court in connection with the classification of the LTTE and freezing of its funds.

“The Judgment of the General Court of the European Union annulled measures taken by the Council of the European Union against the LTTE, namely the designation of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation and the freezing of LTTE funds,” a press release stated.

The statement also added that it was important to remember that the legal ruling was clearly based on procedural grounds and it did not imply any assessment by the Court of the substantive issues of designating the LTTE or of freezing LTTE funds.

“The Council has now decided to challenge some of the findings of the Court regarding the procedural grounds to list terrorist organisations under EU autonomous measures to combat terrorism, as set out in Common Position 2001/931. The effects of the Judgment are suspended until a final judgment is rendered by the Court of Justice,” it stated.

The EU institutions are also studying other appropriate remedial actions that may be taken to avoid possible annulments in the future, the statement added. 

Council of the European Union Appeals the Judgment of the General Court by Thavam Ratna

Rajapakse regime facing imminent defeat seeks solutions via murders and blame on the LTTE

(Lanka-e-News -02.Dec.2014, 11.30PM) A conspiracy has been hatched to murder a very special VIP or a group by Sri Lanka ‘s (SL) criminal defense secretary during the run up to Presidential elections , and to blame it on the LTTE , in order to prove that the LTTE is back in action, according to reports reaching Lanka e news inside information division. This is a ploy to win the elections by hook or by crook , or to postpone elections, Lanka e news inside information division reports.

Gotabaya had enlisted his advisor Hendavitharane , and the LTTE cadres, Karuna Amman and 'Nilupan Sethiran', to execute this plot. The LTTE identified 'Nilupan Sethiran' at that time by the symbol E-803. He is now kept hidden as a security personnel of Karuna Amman .

In order to accomplish Gotabaya’s murderous and deadly aims ,he had given orders to remove the road barriers during the night , in Colombo and its environs., and to stop the police mobile patrols. In lieu of them , an 'intelligence civil patrol system' of the army civil intelligence division has been introduced.

Gota in order to justify these actions had stated , lately , there is an avalanche of crimes in Colombo and its environs , and the police had been unable to curb them. Hence , the civil intelligence division of the army had been entrusted with this task. Gota alleged falsely that during the elections period , the LTTE is rearing its head again under other names, which is uncontrollable by the police. This is an absolute lie . The true picture is : the background is being created by Gotabaya for the criminals involved to freely conspire to achieve their goals.

The victims of Gotabaya’s target can be opposition party leaders or even front line leaders with him. The clear testimony that his own party leaders are targeted for murder is the withdrawal of the STF soldiers of Wimala Weerawansa recently. Now, those providing security to him are the MSD soldiers only.

It had been reckoned that since the present IGP was an STF Commandant , the STF soldiers are most inclined towards him , which is militating against Gotabaya ’s conspiracy.

The moribund Rajapakse regime which is most certain of MaRa’s defeat at the Presidential elections is resorting to all vile and vicious remedies including cold blooded murders . This is therefore a situation fraught with gravest danger to the country .It is the duty of the political leaders and responsible civilians to take appropriate action immediately without dilly dallying.

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by     (2014-12-02 21:37:04)

Presidential Election And The Tamil Dilemma

Sampanthan

By S. I. Keethaponcalan -December 2, 2014 

Dr S.I. Keethaponcalan

Will there be a Tamil boycott of the election? Last week, in an unexpected move, Maithripala Sirisena, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, was declared the common opposition candidate for the forthcoming presidential election scheduled to be held on January 8, 2015. Now, it is clear that the presidential election will be a two-horse race between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena, although, as usual, there will be many more candidates on the list. Until Sirisena’s entry was announced, the Sri Lankan Tamil position vis-à-vis the election was simple and straightforward. They would have voted for a UNP or UNP approved candidate without even the endorsement of the TNA. The Sirisena candidacy has altered this situation considerably.

Sirisena’s entry as the common candidate has created two specific dilemmas within the Tamil community. First, since the end of the war, a majority of the Sri Lankan Tamils have rejected not only the president but also the government and government allies. They have resisted voting for the government and government-sponsored parties or groups. They assume that the government is responsible for the post-war difficulties they encounter. This was one reason why the Eealm People’s Democratic Party (EPDP), despite undertaking substantial economic development projects in the North, could not win elections. Therefore, voting for the incumbent president in the presidential election was not an option for a majority of them. If they participate in the election, they have to vote for a person who until recently was part of the very same government they do not want to support. Maithripala was not an ordinary member. He was one of the leaders and he vehemently defended the government policies, which the Tamils see as problematic. This factor could mute their enthusiasm for the election and voting.Read More