On the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Vocational and Technical Training Ministry set up a number of vocational training centres at Manikfarm and Kadirgamar Welfare Villages to help impart different trades to young men and women who are sheltered as internally displaced persons.

The latest critique of Sri Lanka in the London Telegraph, in what is termed a blog by one of its Foreign Correspondents, Peter Foster, continues with misinformation based on what it terms a ‘veteran international aid worker’. The diatribe goes far to explain why such self-appointed guardians of morality are thought to be concerned more with their personal agendas than the work they are paid to do.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa unequivocally condemned the cowardly terrorist attack targeting the Sri Lankan Cricket Team in Lahore , Pakistan , today emphasizing that the Sri Lankan team had gone to Pakistan as ambassadors of goodwill.

Six (06) Sri Lankan cricketers were reported injured including skipper Mahaela Jayawardene, wicketkeeper/batsman Kumar Sangakkara and Tilan Samaraweera in a shootout at Lahore in Pakistan this morning (March 3). According to Pakistan news sources, the visiting Sri Lankan cricketers were on their way to the Gaddafi international stadium minutes before commencing of the 3rd day's play of the second test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Reports received confirm that seamer Chaminda Vaas, open batsman Tharanga Paranawithana, spin sensation Ajantha Mendis also among the injured including the 4th umpire Ashan Raza.

There seems to have been some confusion over the most recent statement by the Indian Foreign Minister, with some media outlets claiming that he was calling for a Ceasefire. Such confusion is perhaps understandable, with such a finely worded statement, and it was necessary to point out that that interpretation was inappropriate in the context of the Government’s determination, shared with the Indian Government, to eradicate terrorism.

Before the official opening of the 10th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Sri Lankan delegation led by Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, attended a working breakfast hosted by Permanent Representative Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka for representatives of a number of Asian missions. This provided an opportunity for elucidation of the current situation in Sri Lanka.

Before the official opening of the 10^th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva today, the Sri Lankan delegation led by Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights attended a working breakfast hosted by Permanent Representative Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka for the Asian Ambassadors to brief them about the current situation in Sri Lanka. Thereafter, he addressed the High Level Segment of the Council attended by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Navanethem Pillay.

Colombo (IANS) Sri Lanka's northern highway that links Jaffna peninsula to the rest of the island was opened Monday for military traffic after 24 long years, military sources said.

Two convoys of soldiers - one group going home on leave from Jaffna and the other going to Jaffna after finishing leave - met each other on the way and exchanged greetings on the A-9 Jaffna-Kandy highway.

Colombo (IANS) The Sri Lankan military has found photographs and videos showing politicians from India's Tamil Nadu state in the company of Tamil Tiger leaders in the island's north, it was announced Monday.

A civilian had prevented an LTTE attempt to kidnap children from the No Fire Zone. The civilian had grabbed the fire-arm of one of the three LTTE cadres who came to kidnap children and fired at the kidnappers.