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.