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Archive for October 2009

SL – Pakistan for enhanced trade

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Sri Lanka and Pakistan prepare for mutually gainful endeavors to  increase bilateral trade between the two countries, taking the figure to $1 billion annually.

This position was conveyed by VS Sidath Kumar, Consul General of Sri Lanka, during a visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) recently, reported ‘The International News’.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan signed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Feb 2005. Ever since, the two countries have seen a 70 per cent growth in business. However, the trade volume still stands at $300 million per annum which is a diminutive figure as compared to the available potential.

In a meeting with the members of the chamber, the Consul General discussed various options of doing business and improving cooperation.

The businessmen discussed issues like import of tea from Sri Lanka, reasons for decline in its exports, export of cement from Pakistan to Sri Lanka, cornea transplant, etc.

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 31, 2009 at 6:58 pm

Posted in News

British boy, six, killed after falling 60ft down a well during family holiday in Sri Lanka

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A British boy has died after falling down a 60ft well during a family holiday in Sri Lanka, the Daily Mail reported yesterday.

Madeen Nowsad, six, was just two hours into the trip with his parents and two-year-old sister when the tragic accident happened.

The youngster had been playing in the garden of the family holiday home when the cover of a well he was standing on, gave way.

Madeen plunged 60ft to the bottom, suffering severe head injuries.The boy’s father, Mohamed, climbed down the shaft to rescue his stricken son.

He was taken to a hospital in the town of Matale before being transferred to the main hospital in Sri Lanka’s second city, Kandy.

The youngster had blood transfusions but died from his injuries a short time later. Mr Nowsad a hotel manager from Poole, Dorset, was born in the country and had taken his wife Farzana and children, Madeen and Mayes, to visit his ill father.

The 36-year-old told how he only left the children playing in the garden for a few moments before hearing a commotion.He looked over the edge of the well and saw Madeen slumped in a shallow pool of water at the bottom. Mr Nowsad said: ‘He was looking like he was standing, the water level was so low.

‘I said to him, “Stay calm, don’t worry, papa will get you”.’

One of the workers in the garden tried to rescue Madeen but said there was not enough oxygen down the deep shaft so Mr Nowsad climbed down. He scooped Madeen up and lifted him out back into the open air. He said: ‘I kept thinking, “It will be ok”. ‘He was bleeding and said “Papa”. I was a little bit confident everything would be alright.’ The youngster had MRI scans and X-rays and was given three pints of blood but doctors could not stop the bleeding.

Mr Nowsad said the family have been left stunned by the death of their ‘clever and popular’ son. He said: ‘Madeen was a very thoughtful boy. He was always laughing and very helpful.

‘He was very happy at school. He always wanted to go to school.’

Madeen attended St Aldhelms School in Poole and was a young member of the Bournemouth Tennis Club.

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 31, 2009 at 6:52 pm

Posted in Muslim news

Mongoose attacking villagers killed

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A mongoose which had bitten several persons in the village of Sonthudiirippuwa in the Puttlam district was killed by the residents of the area on Saturday.

. At least seven persons have been bitten by the mongoose in the past few days and have had to receive treatment in hospital for the bites.

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 31, 2009 at 6:41 pm

Posted in News

expulsion of Northern Muslims aged 20

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The expulsion of the Muslims and other nations from the Northern province was an act of ethnic cleansing carried out by the LTTE  organization in October 1990.  the LTTE forcibly expelled more than 1000,00 strong Muslim population from the Northern Province. The first expulsion was in Chavakacheri, of 1,500 people. After this, Muslims in Kilinochchi and Mannar were forced many to leave their homeland. The turn of Jaffna came on October 30, 1990; when LTTE trucks drove through the streets ordering Muslim families to assemble at Osmania College. There, they were told to exit the city within two hours. The entire muslim population was expelled from Jaffna. According to a 1981 census (the last official count), the total Muslim population in Jaffna was 14,844. They could take with them only the clothes they were wearing and no more than 50 rupees in cash. Their houses were subsequently looted by the LTTE , now they more than 200,000 in numbers mainly in puttlam refuge camps the muslim refuges aged 20 this year , this month but no notable attention paid by local or international societies

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 30, 2009 at 5:02 pm

Posted in Muslim news

Death threats to Sunday Leader Editor-in-Chief:

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President orders full investigation

 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today (29) ordered the Police to carry out a most thorough investigation into the recent death threats received by post to Frederica Jansz, Editor-in-Chief of the Sunday Leader and Munza Mushtaq, its News Editor, President’s media division said in a statement.

This followed representation about this threat to President Rajapaksa by Frederica Jansz.

As media reported, the threatening letters were received by the Sunday Leader office after the newspaper reported on the Channel 4 video.

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 30, 2009 at 11:22 am

Posted in News

Elephants damage houses and destroy plantation in Kalmunai

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Severe prolonged drought experienced in the Ampara district this year has caused large number of tanks to dry-out and the plantations dry-up. Deadly mammals like the crocodiles and the elephants that had their habitats as water tanks and forests have now started to move out encroaching areas where the people have their habitats.

Crocodiles were caught in three places in Natpiddimunai, Manatchenai and Maruthamunai within the Kalmunai Municipal areas recently. A herd of elephants that had entered the residential area of Kalmunai which is miles away from the forest damaged houses close to the irrigation channel and destroyed small plantations adjoining these houses last night.

On an earlier occasion too elephants entered this area and damaged a house and destroyed plantations. People here are worried and fear to sleep in their houses. Though it was feared the continuous failure of rain and the prolonging drought might cause further damages by way of wild elephants, the rain that was experienced last night has brought some sort of relief and consolation to the people here.

By: S.L.A. Azeez and U.M. Ishark

muslimguardian

NOTE  Last three days heavy shower reported in Eastern Province

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 30, 2009 at 11:12 am

Posted in Muslim news

3 district secretaries in East asked to report on loss of Tamil Muslim lands

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Presidential  Secretariat has written to the district secretaries of Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara to investigate into the complaints of encroachments of lands owned by Tamils and Muslims in the Eastern province. Additional Secretary to the President  Mr. Anton Perera has written to the three distirct secretaries in this regard. Last week,  TNA leader R. Sampanthan moved an adjournment debate in Parliament in this regard. SLMC General Secretary MT.Hasanali, JVP group leader Anura Kumara Dissnayke and several other MPs spoke on this motion.

psm

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 30, 2009 at 11:09 am

Posted in Muslim news

WHAT “MUSLIMS” ARE WE? A MOMENT OF TRUTH!

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it was published in a website last year but it is  suitable even today

S.M.M. BAZEER

“If there is a knower of tongue here, fetch him;
There is a stranger in the city
And he has many things to say”

- Mirza Ghalib ( Urdu poet)

The writer was appalled by the appeal made by Prof. Jawahirullah to the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, M. Karunanithi stating that “he should remember the Muslims in his effort to bring peace to the Tamil regions of Sri Lanka.” He also suggested that “it is the need of hour that both Tamils and Tamil Muslims should join together to fight the Sinhala racism”.
Prof. Jawahirullah, the president of the TMMK ( Tamilnadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam ) , has come out openly, for the first time with regards to salvaging the “ Tamil Muslims “ of Sri Lanka. (Sri Lanka Guardian -October 24th). The concern of the TMMK is genuine unlike other Tamilnadu Muslim political parties but it is a misguided appeal at the wrong time to the wrong person. It would have been more appropriate for the TMMK to have voiced their concern about the civilian causalities of the war zone rather than seeking help from M. Karunamithi to protect the “Tamil Muslims” or “Tamil speaking Muslims”. As far as the writer is aware the TMMK is the most powerful Muslim people movement in Tamilnadu, and one of its founder members, Moulavi P. Jainulabdeen has always condemned the LTTE for its atrocities against the Muslims. The movement’s newspaper; “Unarvukal” (consciousness) has never failed to reflect their antipathy towards the LTTE. The writer had a brief meeting with PJ in Chennai in January 2000 with regards to the matters of mutual interest.

( Photo: A friend of PJ, writer, PJ and S. Hyder Ali)

Prof. Jawahirullah has also highlighted the “Tamil Muslim” historical contributions to the Tamil struggle in Sri Lanka, dating back to the time of Dr. AMA Azeez. Nonetheless, he has missed the turning points that impacted on the distinctive Muslim Identity, which the Muslim leaders fought tooth and nail for centuries. He has also failed to take note of the fact that two thirds of the Muslims who live in the south of Sri Lanka are not only Tamil speaking but also Sinhala speaking, despite their practical language being Tamil.

“Tamil speaking people” or “Tamil Muslim” is merely a political language that has been adopted by the Tamil politicians to hoodwink the Muslims, who live in the North and the East as they speak Tamil. Prof. Jawahirullah has also referred to the Sri Lankan Muslims as “Tamil Speaking” without delving deeper into the history of the Tamil-Muslim identity confrontation that emerged from the time of Ponnambalam Ramanathan in 1885, who refused to accept that the Muslims were “ Moors” by race, and obstinately argued that they were ethnologically Tamils. This was the onset of an identity crisis between the “Moor” or “Muslims” and the “Eeelam Tamils”. ILM Abdul Azeez vehemently countered Ramantahan’s illogical classification of the Moors to be “Tamils”.

Prof. Jawahirullah was also factually incorrect in his reference to Dr. AMA Azeez that he resigned from the ruling UNP to oppose the enactment of the Sinhalese Language Act in 1956. However, Azeez resigned from the UNP when the UNP parliamentary meeting supported the “Sinhala only” policy, which was enacted by the ruling SLFP Government headed by SWRD Banadaranyake in 1956. Dr.AMA Azeez, being an outstanding educationist and a statesman, looked well ahead of time as to how the long fought distinctive identity of the Muslims would suffer from the implementation of the “Sinhala only” Act. His concern was correctly decoded by Dr. Saleem Marsoof, P.C.

“Senator Azeez’s main misgiving in regard to the ‘Official Language Bill’ was that, he thought that it posed a challenge to the separate identity of the Muslims as an ethnic group distinct from the Tamils, which the Muslims had been trying to preserve even during the pre-independence period.”

His fear later became a reality and indeed posed a threat to the distinctive identity of the Muslims due to their linguistic affiliations, and the consistent manipulation of Tamils.

MUTUR MUSLIMS AND THEIR RECENT AGONY
Prof. Jawahirullah did not categorically say about who forced the Muslims to leave the North or who killed the Muslims in various parts of the East, but illustrated what happened to the Mutur Muslims at the time of the LTTE’s encroachment and the resultant army attack on Mutur. He also arrived at the conclusion that it was an example of how “Tamil Muslims” were attacked by the LTTE and the “Sinhalese racial army”. Nonetheless, He seemed to have missed the fine points of the capture of Mutur by the army and the restoration of peace in Mutur after years of LTTE’s atrocities on the Mutur Muslims. His use of language; “Sinhalese racial army” does appear to be unacceptable to the Muslims of Mutur eventually felt that they would have suffered a similar fate of the Northern Muslims had the Sri Lankan army not valiantly fought against the LTTE and kicked them out of Mutur. His example and concluding remark would not in anyway help the Muslims of the East where the army is still on the defense line to protect the civilians of all ethnic groups from the LTTE.
It was another interesting anecdote that also appeared in the Sri Lankan Guardian on the 8th of October. The news displayed that Kunnamkudi R.M. Haniffa , had observed a token fast in prison , in support of the Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Muslims of Sri Lanka , especially in the North and the East , have heard or read about Kunnamkudi Masthan , a Sufi Muslim Poet , who followed Hindu tradition of spiritual poetry and lifestyle like that of Patinathar, a Hindu Cittar.(hermit)
Another Muslim who is associated with Kunnamkudi and who drew the attention of the Sri Lankan Muslims recently is Kunnamkudi R. M. Haniffa. He was the founder member of the TMMK along with the famous religious preacher P.Jainulabdeen. He has never played a prominent role in the TMMK as he is involved in religious preachings albeit being a founder member of the TMMK. Kunnamkudi R.M. Haniffa has been languishing in prison for 11 years, as a suspect in a bomb explosion in Kovai and the Indian Police appeared to have associated him with a “Jihad” front of an unnamed organization, despite obviously knowing that he was a member of a socio- religious organization, TMMK.

Tamils and Tamil Muslims
On the one hand, a Tamilnadu TMMK Muslim may well argue that the language can be used to identify with their religion as Professor. Jawahirullah designated the Tamils by their religion, such as “Hindu Tamils”, leaving alone the “Christian Tamils”, but on the other hand, Tamilnadu Muslim League has always used the rhetoric that “ Islam is our path; rejoicing Tamil is our language” ( Islam engal vazhi: inpaththamil engal mozhi” ) ., This tradition has been adopted from the time of Ismail Sahib (Kaithe Millath) whose All India Muslim League, had political alliances with the DMK ( Diravida Munnetra Khazhkam ) on an understanding that the DMK motto “ Onre Kulam Orvane Thevan” ( All are one and the God is one) was very much in line with the basic principle of Islam “ Thowheed” ( Oneness of God). This long political bondage and understanding between the Tamils and the Muslims in Tamilnadu brought them closer together, to a singular racial identity based on their language and region. As time went by the All India Muslim League became confined to party for the Tamilnadu and Kerala Muslims. The Sri Lankan Muslims have always kept a “political distance” from the Tamilnadu Muslims, especially with the Muslim League.
Sheik Dawood ; the Tamilnadu Muslim League leader also applied the same terminology that Muslims are also “ Tamils” , thus ridiculed the history of the Sri Lankan Muslim’s ethnic struggle, against the Tamil dominance, for centuries . He seemed to be the descendant of Ponnambalam Ramanathan., who got in the way of Muslims being appointed to the Legislative Council. Skeik Dawood entered into a controversy when he advised the Sri Lankan Muslims in a meeting in Colombo in August 2004.
“The Muslims living in Sri Lanka should not hesitate to identify themselves as Tamils. I am proud to say I am a Tamil by race”. His declaration made the Sri Lankan Muslims angry and resulted in him leaving the country with an unrelenting farewell. A Muslim journalist, Bathusa (pseudonym of the writer) wrote in a Sri Lankan Muslim weekly, that he (Sheik Dawood) had the right to call himself as he wished but should not enforce his view on the Sri Lankan Muslims. Bathusa also stated that “Sheik Dawood did not know the history of the Muslims who had suffered from domination and atrocities committed on the Muslims by the Tamils.”
He also participated as a guest speaker in a Human rights meeting of the Sri Lankan Tamil community in London in September this year, where he was reported to have made the same blunder that the Sri Lankan Muslims are Tamils. Nevertheless, one of the panel speakers, Mohamed Nishthar confronted him about the imposition of identity on the Sri Lankan Muslims and argued with him that the Muslims were “Soonakars” (Moors). At times, the confrontation initiated by Ponnambalam , is very much enlivened by the South Indian “Tamil-Muslims” like Sheik Dawood. Inkulab (A well-known Tamil poet in South India) and Al- Haj. Abdul Jabbar ( A LTTE sympathiser and a political commentator of the pro LTTE radio in London). The irony is that the LTTE supporter, Kumar Ponnambalam had a different view before he indulged in the ultra Tamil nationalistic terror politics of the LTTE.
The late Kumar Ponnambalam , who was posthumously honoured by Pirabakaran as “ Mamanithar ” (Great man) for his staunch support for the LTTE, acknowledged this in a seminar in Colombo in April 1998 “…It must not be forgotten that the Moors, by and large, resent being lugged together with the Tamils into the category of the Tamil-speaking people and the resentment and objection ahs been there for close on a century. But the Tamils, for reasons of selfishness and convenience still refer to the Moors as belonging to the class of Tamil-speaking people much to the annoyance of the more politically conscious Moors.”

TAMILNADU MUSLIM AND TAMIL STRUGGLE
A section of Tamilnadu Muslims have always been actively supporting the Tamil struggle as they perceive it to be part of their Dravidian political affiliations.

In the early days of the Tamil armed struggle, there were instances where the Tamilnadu Muslims showed their solidarity with the “Eelam Tamils” in highly emotive and insensible way, which exceeded the fundamental principals of their religious belief.

For example, Sajhahan , a Muslim in Tamilnadu doused in petrol and set fire to himself to demonstrate his support to the Tamil victims in Sri Lanka during the time of MGR. Prabakaran was pleased with the act of this “Muslim Tamil” and sent his condolences to his family.
This kind of idiocy was repeated by the action of another Muslim in Tamilnadu , known as “Rahim” who attempted to set himself on fire a few years ago in opposition to the Sri Lankan Army’s excesses.

It is reported that South Indian costal belts were procurement points for the LTTE until recently. It was alleged that Vaiko’s (V. Gopalasamy) deputy, who is a Muslim, had been arrested by the Indian Authorities for his role in smuggling boll bearing to the LTTE, a few months ago. Vaiko is the mouthpiece of the LTTE who was even reported to have justified the expulsion of the Muslims from the North by the LTTE, and unashamedly called them as “traitors” at a recent conference in Norway. It is reported in the Taminadu Legislative council’s proceedings of 23 August 1996 that Karunanithi disclosed the fact that members of Vaiko’s MMDK Youth Front had been arrested when attempted to smuggle goods to the LTTE. M. Karunanithi also admitted that the smugglers in Tamilnadu make use of the LTTE whether or not the LTTE make use of them.

The writer also notes what Thamotharam Sivaram , aka Tharaki wrote in early 1990’s about the Tamilnadu Muslim connection.

“The Tamil nationalist lobby across the Palk Straits is basically postulated on the traditional Muslim Tamil politico-cultural unity. In fact some of the staunch defenders of the LTTE in Tamilnadu are Tamil nationalist Muslims who belong to the secessionist fringe of the Dravidian and Naxalbhari movements.”

Sivaram also wrote “ the south, south-eastern coastal stretch of Tamil Nadu which still functions as LTTE’s lifeline is dominated by a large number of Muslim villages and towns that have been traditionally friendly towards the Tamil groups even at times when the Tamil Nadu police imposed a total ban on all smuggling activities. Some Muslim business men used to allow their vast coconut plantations on this coast for the use of the armed Tamil groups including the LTTE.”
At the time the writer was concluding this article, there was a meeting in Kuwait conducted by the Social Justice Forum of the Kuwait Tamils who comprised of members of Tamilnadu Political parties, in condemnation of the Sri Lankan government and this meeting was chaired by the Muslim League Organizer in Kuwait, Dr. Anvar Batcha and some other “Tamil Muslims” from Tamilnadu. It is no surprise that the Tamilnadu Muslim would prefer to call themselves either “Tamils” or “Tamil Muslims” . Nonetheless, they have no right whatsoever to enforce their identity on the Sri Lankan Muslims.

The writer also noted the reply of what the former leader of the SLMC, MHM Ashroff’s reply to a question posed a journalist in Tamilnadu with regards to the support of the Tamilnadu Muslims to the Sri Lankan Muslims, just about a week before his death in a helicopter crash.

Q: “The Tamils of the Tamilnadu plays a substantive role in the Sri Lankan Tamils’ struggle. The support of the Muslims of Tamilnadu could influence Sri Lankan Muslim politics. Why have u not taken any action concerning this?
A: Insha Allah we have been considering that; we thought about it earlier, when we came to Tamilnadu, some brothers also requested. As far as I’m concerned I believe in Allah’s help without any foreign help”. (Morning Star October 2000)

The writer subscribes to the view of Ashroff but encourages the Tamilnadu Muslims to consult the Muslims of Sri Lanka whether they need their help like what as previously asked of Ashroff, prior to making appeals to anyone or embark on any supportive activities because we are not “Tamil Muslims” but “Muslims who happened to speak Tamil.

The use of the word “Tamil Muslim” has misled a website host, Chidar in Germany, to unwittingly attach the Tiger flag to the Tamil translation of Quran as if the Tamil is the sole or main language of a country which depicted by a “tiger flag”. The irony is that the same web host has correctly attached the Indian flag to the Hindi and Malayala translation of the Quran.

http://rahman.fw.nu/dunya-dillerinde-kurani-kerim.html

Qur’an Bosanski MP3 12

QURAN TAMiL MP3 1 - 2
QURAN MALAYALAM MP3 12
QURAN HiNDi MP3 12

The writer is aware that Prof A. Marks has acknowledged in his book on the Prophet Mohamed (Sal) that Prof. Jawahirullah had helped him in providing materials in his effort to write the book, “ The Prophet That I saw” ( Naan Kanda Nabikalar”. When the writer held a personal discussion with Prof. A Marks with regards to North and the Eastern Muslims, he admitted the singular identity of the Muslims who can not be lumped together as Tamils, or Tamil speaking. He has also had his point of view published in a website; “The Eela Struggle has left all perception and political philosophies including socialism and democracy; wiping out all other fellow movements; transforming as an authoritarian struggle based in Jaffna. As a result of this, today, Daliths, people of eastern province has not only turned away from the “Tamileela demand” but also stand against it “. My kind appeal to Prof. Jawahirulla and the like to get clarity from people like Prof. A Marks with regards to the Muslims of the so called “Eelam”.

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 30, 2009 at 11:05 am

Posted in Articles

Common alliance by six parties of Tamil-speaking people

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Six parties representing the Tamil-speaking people met yesterday (Oct. 28) to discuss forming a common alliance to demand solutions to minority communities.

SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem has led the talks, also attended by TNA’s R. Sampanthan, TULF’s V. Anandasangaree, PLOTE’s K. Siddharthan, DPF’s Mano Ganeshan and a representative of EPRLF-Sridaran Faction.

They had reached agreement on eight issues, including the resettlement of the northern displaced, land disputes in the east, and their stance at future elections.

These six parties will meet again on November 03 for another round of talks, after which they are expected to announce their alliance to the media.

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 29, 2009 at 3:16 pm

Posted in News

Police probe ‘White Van’ rape

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Karandeniya Police commenced investigations into an incident where a 25-year-old woman was abducted and sexually abused by four masked men at Maha Edanda.The woman had been walking towards her home from Maha Edanda to Angunukola at about 5.00 p.m. when a white van had stopped near her and four masked youths had forcibly dragged her into the van. In her complaint to the Police, she has said the four men had repeatedly raped her.

The Island

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 29, 2009 at 3:09 pm

Posted in News

Mixed reactions on Tamil language symposium in South East University

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An international symposium on language, culture and social issues of Tamil speaking Muslims is to   held at the South Eastern University for 3 days from today (October 24 to 26). Ninety four research papers from local and international scholars are expected to be presented at this symposium. Meanwhile, section of Muslim intellectuals have protested for the terminology “Tamil speaking Muslims”. They say that if the SL Muslims are classified as Tamil speaking, then there will be another group of Muslims to be classified as Sinhala speaking Muslims.

Prof. A. Sanmugadas will preside at the meeting and Thoppil Meeran, a prominent writer from Tamil Nadu will be the Chief Guest. Tamil is spoken by 66 million and is widely spoken in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius and has official status in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka and Singapore. It is the first classical language of India.

Among the Tamil speakers there is a sizable Tamil speaking Muslim population who speak a slightly variant dialect and have distinct culture and social background. Dr. S. M. Ismail, Vice Chancellor of South-Eastern University said at a press conference that this was the second international conference hosted by his university since its inception and it was aimed at creating a research culture at the university. The Sri Lankan university system was lacking in post graduate studies and research.

He had planned similar symposiums to be held in future and a system to reward undergraduate students for research to enhance the promotional prospects of the academic staff who contribute to research. The symposium was sponsored by IRQUE (Improvement of Relevant and Quality of Undergraduate Education) project.

SE University sources commenting on the dissenting views stated that the incumbent Vice Chancellor is compelled to proceed with this symposium which was finalised by the previous Vice Chancellor during last months of his tenure.

psm

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 28, 2009 at 5:55 pm

Posted in Muslim news

Now Russia wants SL Oil

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Russia has expressed interest in oil exploration in the Mannar bay and the rehabilitation of the Sapugaskanda oil refinery, Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Visiting Russian Foreign Minister has disclosed this during his stay here. Mr. Lavrov, a former diplomat who has worked in Colombo and a Sinhala speaker, is the first Russian Foreign Minister to visit Sri Lanka since diplomatic relations were established in 1957.

He held discussions with the President Rajapaksa and his counterpart, Rohitha Bogollagama in Colombo during one-day visit. Sri Lanka has already offered oil exploration opportunities to India and China, countries that supported Sri Lanka’s military offensive to defeat LTTE.

Sri Lanka has expressed gratitude for the Russia’s support during the conflict. “Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said Sri Lanka was grateful for the cooperation and support given by Russia in the international forums and both countries held discussions on vital international issues,” the ministry said.

Delivering a speech at the BMICH after the meetings, Minister Lavrov said Russia is interested in strengthening trade and cultural relations with the island nation. “Russians are traditionally fond of Ceylon tea and as you know we are the world largest buyer of this famous product. We would also like to see more goods from Russia in your country, as well as to bring here in bigger way our experience in executing industrial and infrastructure projects,” he said.

Sri Lanka has been conducting roadshows around the world, since 2008, to attract Oil companies to come and explore patrolium oil in the Indian Ocean.

Petroleum Minister A.H.M. Fowzie earlier told that the government is assured that there are over one billion barrels of oil to be harvested from Sri Lanka’s soil. “We have obtained data from a Norwegian Company”, the minister  said.

psm

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 28, 2009 at 5:51 pm

Posted in News

Sri Lankan Business Delegation visits Jeddah

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A twenty eight member Sri Lankan business delegation headed by the Sri Lankan Export Development Board embarked on a 3 day visit to Jeddah on 24.10.2009, organized by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah.
The Business delegation from various sectors will explore the market potentials for further enhancing the export of Sri Lankan products in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The group will visit the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and arrangements have been made to meet Jeddah based reputed Business community at Chamber of Commerce premises.

They will also visit leading Supermarket chains such as Bin Dawood and Hyper Panda in addition to other reputed companies in Jeddah in order to establish business relationships.

The Consulate General has made arrangements for the delegation to meet Jeddah based Sri Lankans from commercial organizations at the Consulate and to hold discussions with a view to obtain their assistance in trade related matters.

This is the first time a Sri Lankan business delegation comprising of such a large number of participants is visiting Jeddah. It is expected that the visit will help to increase trade opportunities for Sri Lankan products in Saudi Arabia. The Delegation will then proceed to Riyadh on 27th October.

It is noteworthy to mention that the visit has been organized by Consulate General based on the directives given by Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Conference for Heads of Missions of Middle Eastern countries which was held in Dubai last year.

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 27, 2009 at 3:37 pm

Posted in News

Presidential and General Elections on same day – Media Minister

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The Government is now examining the possibility to conduct the presidential and general elections on the same day, Minister of Media, Lakshman Yapa Abewardena .announced at a media conference held in Colombo today (27). Addressing media personel gathered at the Media Center for National Development located at the Ministry of Mass Media and Information at Polhengoda, Minister Abewardena noted that at the annual SLFP convention due on November 15 an official announcement to this effect was likely to be made after a party decision.

The Government will definitely hold the elections on schedule and the presidential election will be definitely held, asserted Minister Abewardena.

In response to a query by a journalist as to whether the Elections Department was ready to hold both election on the same day, Media Minister Abewardena said the announcement of elections were a responsibility of the Government and the conduct of elections was a mandatory obligation of the Elections Department.

He recalled that even during the recent period of a fear psychosis, the Elections Department executed its responsibility in a  national manner and the Elections Department was  quite capable of handling both elections on the same day.

He was optimistic that both national elections to be held the same day without any complication or hindrance.

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 27, 2009 at 3:34 pm

Posted in News

Report on Muslim education to National Education Commission

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Oct 27 (CT) For the first time in 60 years, a report on Muslim education would be handed over to the National Education Commission for the formulatin of relevant policy decisions, Minister of Education, Susil Premajayantha said. He was speaking after receiving the report yesterday at a ceremony held at his Ministry. The minister added that the report was made on the recommendation by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Written by lankamuslim.com

October 27, 2009 at 3:20 pm

Posted in Muslim news