by: Dayan Jayatilleka

Fascists launch a final surge before they lose wars. The Kamikaze pilots were a last card against the US fleet. The Nazis developed the Tiger tank, launched the V-1 and V-2 rockets and fought the Battle of the Bulge in the closing stages of the war, when they had already lost in the strategic sense. The battle of Iwo Jima is the classic model of a fanatical, suicidal, dug–in fighting force defending its home turf against a final onslaught. It was the toughest possible going but the US Marines won.

It is only to be expected that the Tigers would offer the stiffest possible resistance in their Ithiyabhoomi or ‘heartland’. In their best case scenario, they would turn Kilinochchi–Mullaitivu into a meat-grinder and then launch tactical counteroffensives which could develop into strategic ones, reversing their losses. In a more modest scenario, they would simply hold on until the combination of casualties, propaganda about IDPs, international and regional political developments (USA and India), and economic pressures would cumulate in Colombo agreeing to negotiations.

The Sri Lanka cricket team was the recipients of the Spirit of Cricket Award at the ICC Awards celebration in Dubai on Wednesday night. It is the second year in a row that Mahela Jayawardene's team has won the award, which is presented to the team which, in the opinion of the elite panel of ICC umpires and match referees, has best conducted itself on the field within the spirit of the game. The award was presented to Jayawardene by Tim May, the former Australia off spinner who is currently the chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA). Upon receiving the award on behalf of his team, Jayawardene said: "The captain has to set the example but at the same time every player in the team has to take responsibility and play the game in the right spirit.

Adventure tourism a growing global phenomenon Lazy summer days at the beach getting a tan are pass as Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Board (SLTPB) is marketing the country as an adventure destination with adventure seekers being identified as a potential growth market. "Adventurous holidays are a rapidly growing trend in global tourism and an increasing number of travellers are seeking out new adventures like Sri Lanka having done the usual African Safaris," said SLTPB Managing Director, Dileep Mudadeniya. "The adventure tag fits in very well to Sri Lanka given the number of fantastic adventure and wildlife activities we have on offer," he said.

Following their military set back in the face of the Sri Lankan security forces, The LTTE, one of the world’s most ruthless terrorist organizations, according to the FBI, has increased its propaganda and fund raising events in the countries in the West. In funding its separatist-terrorist war in Sri Lanka over the past quarter century, the LTTE has largely been dependent on the financial support (obtained often by force) of the Tamil Diaspora in these countries.

Recently, an LTTE front organization, Tamil Art and Culture Organisation in Threau, Switzerland, along with LTTE administered Tamil schools in the area, had staged a drama. This drama had been designed to rouse and inculcate Tamil sentiments and violence among the younger generation of the Tamil Diaspora in Switzerland. The LTTE partisans had tried to do this by making small Tamil children – who were as young as 8 years and have probably never set foot in Sri Lanka where the LTTE is waging its secessionist-terrorist war against the Sri Lankan state-, carry dummies of sophisticated weapons like RPG’s, Mortar tubes, Machine guns, etc. Photographs of this event are given below.

Natasha Fernandopulle explores the sport of the fearless on Lankan shores, Pix by M. A. Pushpa KumaraThe feeling of flying over water where the only form of propulsion you have is the wind and where the only person in control is you is a sensation that most adventure lovers would love to feel. I bet you may wonder what this is all about. In fact, when I first went across to Buba in Mount Lavinia, I really didn't know what to expect. Kitesurfing; as in surfing with the help of a kite? This is what I thought and this is exactly what it was all about.

by: Prof Rajiva Wijesinha

The moral authority that we would all like NGOs concerned with Human Rights to exercise has sadly been eroded in recent years. This has coincided with the apotheosis of such organizations into recognized players on the world stage. Unfortunately, a mechanism designed to enhance their stature has led in many cases to their being prey for skilful lobbyists, anxious to bend their pronouncements to purposes that have little to do with Rights. Countries that can influence such organizations, through funding or more subtle means, have also got into the act, and we find that increasingly organizations that should look after the Rights of all are selective about their pronouncements. Not entirely surprisingly, such selectivity is often at the expense of countries that strive to remain independent of the dominant consensus.

Statement made by Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary - General of the Sri Lankan Peace Secretariat, in welcoming the new High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navanethem Pillai

Mr. President, Sri Lanka is pleased to welcome the new High Commissioner for Human Rights, and to wish her well for her work, and her thoughtful and productive programme laid out in her presentation yesterday. We look forward to fruitful cooperation with her, in particular on the follow up to the Durban Conference.

Racism continues a corrosive influence on people in many of our societies, and we hope that under your guidance, Mr. President, and with the sympathetic experience and determination the High Commissioner brings to her tasks, the Council and the Office of the High Commissioner will be able to alleviate at least some of the suffering. Sri Lanka will support your efforts as best possible, at home and also through the indefatigable efforts of our Permanent Representative in Geneva.

COLOMBO, Sept 10 Asia Pulse - Sri Lanka's Brandix, an apparel maker, said one of its eco-friendly factories that made clothes for UK's Marks & Spencer retail chain, had received a top rating from the US Green Building Council (USGBC).  The USGBC, leadership in energy and environmental design 'platinum' rating was won by a 130,000 square foot factory in Seeduwa, north of Sri Lanka's capital Colombo.  

Brandix says it was the first time in the world that an apparel factory had received a 'platinum' rating from the certification body.  The plant was converted at a cost of US$3 million to reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent, achieve energy savings of 46 per cent and water saving of 58 per cent and zero sold waste for landfills. 

"The fact that it is a global first for us, our country and the apparel industry worldwide, makes it all the more significant, and is a huge shot in the arm for our apparel sector" Brandix director AJ Johnpillai was quoted as saying in a statement.  "This is also a tribute to the local engineering skills available, and in particular, to our consultants EnergySolve International"

COLOMBO (AFP) - The Sri Lankan government said it had shot down a Tamil Tiger aircraft on Tuesday after the rebels launched a major land and air strike that left 21 people dead. Troops repulsed the assault on the Vavuniya military base, 260 kilometres (160 miles) north of Colombo, the ministry said, adding that jet fighters had attacked and destroyed a low-flying rebel plane.If confirmed, it would be the first successful government strike against Tiger aircraft, which began operating in April last year.The ministry said the Tigers used two planes to bomb the base while rebels on the ground tried to break in and attack security forces inside.

by : Kath Noble

It has been four months since the international observers of the public inquiry into human rights abuses in this country packed their bags and left for home. The Government doesn’t have the political will to uncover the truth of the various incidents that are under scrutiny, they alleged. Nothing more is to be done in the circumstances. I wondered how the situation might look with the benefit of hindsight and so took advantage of a trip back home to catch up with a member of the supervisory team - Sir Nigel Rodley.We’d met before. I interviewed him for this newspaper just over a year ago, not long after he first travelled to Colombo to start his assignment with the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons. The Commission of Inquiry was in its infancy. Nigel Rodley had come across as a wise and genuine advocate, and I was glad to have a chance to discuss the issues with him again. He welcomed me to the office at Essex University where he is Professor in International Law and Chair of the Human Rights Centre. Time seemed to have changed very little since our initial meeting except possibly the size of the piles of books and papers lying around on the floor and almost every other available surface.

by Manoj Abeydeera and Eric Gamini Jinapriya

Despite battlefield losses last week with the LTTE delivering bodies of 30 soldiers killed in action through the ICRC, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa while agreeing that the road forward is hard remains convinced that victory is certain.

Rajapaksa expressed these thoughts in an interview with today’s issue of the Irida Divaina where he said that the progress made had been a little faster than originally planned."We are moving forward in accordance with those plans," he had said.To fight the war correctly, it is necessary to get an analysis (of the situation confronting the forces and the battle plan) from the service commanders and the president had done this, the Secretary explained.

by BHARATHA MALLAWARACHI, Associated Press Writer

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka's air force launched attacks on two Tamil separatist camps in the embattled north Sunday, and infantry clashes elsewhere in the region killed eight rebels and three soldiers, the military said. Helicopter gun ships attacked a Sea Tigers camp in Kavitaramunai in the rebel stronghold of Pooneryn before dawn, said air force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara. The Sea Tigers are the rebels' naval wing.Hours later, fighter jets bombed a rebel training camp deep in guerrilla-held territory in Mankulam, Nanayakkara said.

by: Jennifer Anandanayagam

Out of the mundaneness and monotonousness of everyday life, this young lady shone through with her innovative thinking that has led to stand acceptably as a profoundly unique venture all on her own. Fascination and intriguing emotion were part and parcel as the long road led us to the place where Sharmini Pereira, Director and Founder – Raking Leaves, was housed until her stay in Sri Lanka endured and when a smiling lady in black greeted us with sincerity, it was all the more pleasing to think of the conversation that was to follow. Having heard bits and pieces of the product of her novel thought – ‘Raking Leaves’, it was exciting having the chance to actually sit and listen to her – her story behind the far reaching move, her story behind her passion, her story behind herself.

Local DJ of the fairer sex speaks to Mirror of her unique role with the disc

By Tahnee Hopman, Pic by Saman Kariyawasam

In ten years time, hopefully, Shanaki Perera will have released an album of her own music in addition to being a dedicated and successful career woman with a Masters and PhD under her belt. By day, Shanaki juggles many roles. Hard at work as a Marketing Consultant, she is also a part of the Roteract, in fact, she is a former president of the association. By night, she is Missy Flame – a name any club hopper at the Bistro or The Zetter would be quite familiar with.

Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights and his delegation met the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Navanethem Pillay on Friday 5 September 2008, her fourth day in office, at the Palais Wilson in Geneva.  

The Hon. Minister’s delegation included H.E Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Ambassador/ Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva, Professor Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights and   Mr. Mohan Peiris, P.C., Legal Consultant to the Ministry of Defence.

The Core Group Meeting of the Business for Peace Initiative (BPI) of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), chaired by Samantha Abeywickrama, Secretary General, FCCISL, which was held recently in Colombo, devoted its entire session to discuss the intricate issues in expanding the regional economic development and rehabilitation with emphasis to North and East.

The discussions centered on such vitally important issues like the establishment of the Eastern Development Bank, the shortage of building materials in Jaffna, expediting the opening of Puttalam-Mannar road, the price escalations due to security measures in government contracts, to increase personnel for security checking at Medawachchiya railway station and to increase the number of lorries transporting goods to Colombo, according to a FCCISL statement.

Member States of the United Nations have taken the lead in the fight against terrorism, forging ahead with implementing the first global and common strategy to tackle the scourge, General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim said today. The President convened a meeting which kicked off yesterday to review the landmark 2006 Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, with over 100 Member States taking part. The meeting concluded today with the Assembly’s adoption of a resolution reaffirming support for the Strategy; reiterating Member States’ strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations; and confirming that Member States have the primary responsibility to implement the document. The Assembly also decided to review the implementation of the Strategy again in two years time and “to consider updating it to respond to changes,” according to the resolution.