LTTE richly deserves to be banned- U.S Ambassador

Robert O. Blake, who was nominated to be the new American ambassador in Sri Lanka by the Bush administration in late May, was confirmed by the United States Foreign Relations Committee on June 15.

A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Blake currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi, India. Prior to this, he served as Executive Assistant to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs at the Department of State.

In his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on June 15 Robert O. Blake said:

"We (US) have made clear where we stand. We support the government of Sri Lanka and that nation’s territorial integrity. But both the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) should take steps to move toward a ceasefire and ultimately a permanent peace. The Tigers were designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by our government in 1997, a status that remains in effect and richly deserved today.

The Tigers must give up terrorism in word and deed before the United States will consider removing them from our foreign terrorist list. Sadly, their terrorist activities continue. We call on the Tigers to give up terrorism and violence, demonstrate respect for human rights, and return to the negotiating table in good faith."

Mr. Blake received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and his master’s degree from The John Hopkins University. Earlier in his career. Robert Blake served as an economic officer in Egypt, an economic officer in Nigeria and a political counselor in Tunisia. -MOD Sri Lanka

Happy 4th of July to all my USA blogging buddies! Hope you have a great day!

USA a.k.a AMERICA

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227 years ago…on July 4th, 1776
This great nation, the United States of America,
In a struggle for what was right and free,
Was proudly born…
May we celebrate that precious freedom
For which our forbears fought so bravely…
The freedom that is inherent
In the Stars and Stripes, our revered flag…
Celebrate Freedom
This Fourth of July!
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President empowers human rights commission

In a major step to further strengthen human rights in Sri Lanka, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has issued instructions to three services commanders and police chief to assist and facilitate Human Rights Commission (HRC) to carry out its work. President has directed them to instruct the security force personnel and policemen to assist and facilitate HRC members and representatives to exercise their powers, duties and functions. They have also been instructed to ensure that the fundamental rights of persons arrested or detained are respected.

The Presidential directive also stated that only the authorized officers should arrest suspects under the Emergency Regulations or the Prevention of Terrorism Act. While arresting a suspect, the officers should inform the nearest relative of the arrested person in writing.

"When a child or a woman is sought to be arrested, a person of their choice should be allowed to accompany such child or woman to the place of questioning," President Rajapaksa ordered. -Department of Government Information

Government assures $ 1,000 m on development projects

Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the outgoing Secretary of Ministry of Plan Implementation gave a firm assurance to the media on Friday that all major projects promised in  ‘ Mahinda Chinthanaya’ will be completed within next three years, by spending US $ 1,000 million (SL Rs.1000 billions)

According to Mr. Cabraal the well-known economist who was appointed as the Central Bank Governor, the government had already received US $ 350 (SL Rs.35 billions) from foreign donors. Including the Millennium Challenge Fund (MCF).

Mr. Cabraal also said that the government’s priority is stabilizing the country ‘s security position and expurgation of the terrorism in the country while bringing the vital power sector in to a firm position. Through which a rapid growth in the economy can be expected.

According to Mr. Cabal the development projects government has already taken includes Upper Kothmale power project, Colombo –Katunayaka expressway and Mathara- Katharagama highway. Feasibly report of the Norochcholi power project has also been finalized.

He also said that the construction on the Puttalam –Trincomalee road, Hambanthota Port, Galle Harbor and the Weeravila International Airport would initialize soon.

Further more he added that the government would be providing the schoolchildren all over the country with free meals as promised. -News.lk

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For information Email: Sheela Deraniyagala <Sheela@dimaint.com>