A tense situation arose before the Mannar Courts Complex this afternoon.
The tense situation erupted subsequent to a court order which was issued concerning a fisheries port in the Kondampitiya area.
Parties which were enraged by the court judgement lobbed stones at the court complex.
According to Police Media Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana around 400 protesters who had congregated before the Mannar High court & Magistrates Court had vandalised property by pelting stones.
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress states that the parties stance to contest for the
Eastern Province independently during the upcoming provincial polls was done subsequent to a discussion with President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The SLMC which earlier on decided to contest under the UPFA banner arrived at this decision subsequent to the parties Supreme Council meeting this morning.
However, the SLMC is to contest jointly with the UPFA for the Sabaragamuwa & North Central Provinces.
National Organiser of the SLMC Shafeek Rajabdeen speaking to our news team expressed these views.
However, our news team inquired of Deputy Minister M.L.A.M Hezbollah, whose party, The All Sri Lankan Muslim Congress which has formed alliance with the UPFA.
Meanwhile, Former CMC Urban Councillor Azath Salley states that he has decided to contest the upcoming polls in the Eastern province under the SLMC banner.
Salley who relinquished his office yesterday, previously stated that he would contest for the upcoming Eastern provincial polls independently.
National Organiser of the All Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Shafeek Rajabdeen meanwhile made these remarks concerning Azath Salley’s statement.
The Lanka Teacher Services Union issued a release today stating that 3 schools in the Hambanthota division have been closed down while the term tests of 117 schools have been postponed.
According to the LTSU it has been decided to closedown three schools adjacent to the Sooriya Wewa International Cricket Stadium in views of a cricket tournament scheduled to be held between Sri Lanka & India.
The release also states that the term tests of 117 schools situated within the vicinity of the stadium have also been postponed.
Chief Secretary of the LTSU Mahinda Jayasinghe speaking to our news team expressed these vies.
Several prominent political parties submitted their nominations for the upcoming provincial polls in the North Central, Eastern & Sabaragamuwa provinces.
The UPFA handed in nominations for the Polonnaruwa, Kegalle, & Rathnapura districts this morning.
Meanwhile, the United National Party submitted it's nominations for the districts of Kegalle, Rathnapura & Anuradhapura while the JVP handed in nominations for the districts of Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Anuradhapura.
Moreover the deadline for independent political parties to place their cash deposits in lieu of the upcoming provincial polls expired at 12 noon this afternoon.
According, to the Elections Secretariat 96 independent political parties have placed their cash deposits for the upcoming polls.
The most number of cash deposits have been placed for the Ampara District with the number of total deposits standing at 24.
Furthermore 22 independent groups have placed their cash deposits for the Batticaloa District with 18 independent groups placing their deposits for the Trincomalee District.
Moreover, 14 independent groups had placed their cash deposits for the Kurunegala District while 05 groups had placed their deposits for the Anuradhapura District and 07 for the Rathnapura District.
A boat carrying 51 Sri Lankan asylum seekers has arrived at Christmas Island, with the group now expected to have their initial claims for asylum processed there. Unlike various other recent boats, the vessel arrived unaided.
Last month at least 94 people died when two boats capsized on the way to Christmas Island. Both had called for assistance when about 100 nautical miles away.
Since then several boats have made distress calls to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority soon after leaving Indonesia.
That has lead to criticism from elements in the Australian Defence Force who say canny people smugglers are taking advantage of a system designed to save lives.
The issue of asylum seekers remains deadlocked in Canberra.
Former defence chief Angus Houston is heading a panel of experts to find a way through the political impasse. He is due to report back before August 14.
The Deputy Minister of Resettlement and the leader of the SriLanka Freedom party Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan ordered officials to hold investigations on food poisoning incident occurred at the Vavunathivu area this morning.
Deputy Minister made this ordered while visiting to the Batticaloa base hospital this afternoon. Minister inquired about the situation of patients.
Director of the Batticaloa hospital Dr. K.Murugananthan said since 5.00 am this morning 391 individuals admitted in the Batticaloa base hospital on food poisoning and 90 individuals complteted their medical treatment and return back to home.
Most of these patients were residents on Vavunatheevu, Karadiyanaru, Unichchai,Kokkatichcholai and Putukudiiruppu areas.
Batticaloa district TNA parliamentarian Pone Selvarasa, former parliamentarian Thurairatnam, member of the TELO Prasana Indrakumar were also visited to the hospital.
These delegates hold special discussions with doctors about the situation of the patients.
A day after Union home minister P Chidambaram called on him, DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Monday said the demand for Eelam (a separate Tamil land in Sri Lanka) will not be a topic of discussion at the proposed conference of the recently revived Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO) to be held in Chennai on August 12.
To a query from reporters, Karunanidhi said, "It's different to have an opinion on a separate Eelam, but we don't intend to put it up as a topic for discussion in the conference and create any confusion." He added that the conference was more importantly to discuss the various solutions to the Sri Lankan Tamil problems and ensure they get a good livelihood.
Dismissing a report that Chidambaram and he had discussed the TESO issue during their brief interaction on Sunday, Karunanidhi said, "Chidambaram met me because he was in Chennai. We did not discuss politics at all." Justifying his move to drop the Eelam demand from the TESO conference agenda, the DMK veteran said, "It is only democratic that we consult with other leaders on what they feel about a separate Eelam. We don't intend to have any protests demanding it. As of now, the priority is to ensure safety and a good living to the Sri Lankan Tamils.
DMK sources had told TOI on Sunday that the home minister, who met Karunanidhi at his Chennai residence, had requested the DMK chief not to bring up the Eelam demand during the TESO meet. Karunanidhi, however, denied that Chidambaram had made such a request on behalf of the UPA government. He told reporters in the city, "There is no pressure from the Centre not to talk about a separate Eelam state. Chidambaram did not discuss TESO with me."
DMK leaders had admitted that their party chief was quite upset with the Centre's advice to him to refrain from bringing up the Eelam issue as it could cause some embarrassment to India and strain ties with Sri Lanka. It is interesting to note that these developments come in the wake of the Centre's decision to extend the ban on the LTTE. The Union government notification extending the ban on the outfit, which was virtually decimated in 2009, was issued on Saturday last. "I have nothing to say on the extension of ban on LTTE," said Karunanidhi when sought for a reaction.
Karunanidhi said several leaders, including Farooq Abdullah, Sharad Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan had written to him confirming their participation in the TESO conference to be held in Chennai. The DMK chief has showcased the conference as a major initiative of his party. He said leaders from several countries like Africa, Australia and New Zealand have agreed to come, besides leaders of Tamil groups and several from Sri Lanka. (2nd lead) Speaking to media from the media briefing held at the Anna Ariwalayam DMK leader went on to say TESO conference?
Some parties fail to understand about TESO conference. TESO conference schedule to hold on 12th of August at Chennai. We have already hand over special explanation book this regard.
Central government Minister Sharath Pawaer, leader of the national conference party Faruk Abdhula, head of the United Janatha party Sharath Yadaw,and the leader of the York Janashakthi party Ram Vilas agreed to hold TESO conference in Colombo.
Nigerian Minister Moosa Ahamad and the Switzerland human rights activist for United Nation Malik will also present at this conference.
Tamil representatives from Unites States, Canada, Norway, Australia, Germany and New Zeeland would also present at this conference.
SriLankan parliamentarians Sambanthan, Mawai Senathiraja, Yogeswaran, Kajendirakumar Ponnambalam, Sumanthiran,Sarawanabawan and several other representatives would be the viewrs of this conference. Will you make final decision on establishing separate Tamil Eelam during the TESO conference?
At present we did not make any final decision this regard. We always aim to protect Tamil people severally affected from the war in the country. Final decision would be made according to the opinions of leaders present at the conference. What is your stance on extending ban on LTTE for another two years in India?
It’s not the correct time to comment on this issue. I won’t allow upraising terrorist activities in Tamil Nadu. Due to this I hope Indian government would also in the same stance. Earlier you said Tamil Eelam is the only solution for problems of Tamil people but now you have announced TESO conference would not talk about establishing Tamil Eelam in SriLanka?
I will continuously work for Tamil Eelam. Did the central government made any against you on establishing Tamil Eelam?
No they didn’t. Did central government Minister P.Chidamparam spoke to you on TESO conference?
No he didn’t speak. During the meeting at KK town you spoke about Tamil Eelam. Now you have announced that you won’t speak about Tamil Eelam at the TESO conference?
Many people would take part in the TESO conference. Final decision would be made according to the democratic method. Lankan government announced that they have killed the Prabhakaran and defeated LTTE in SriLanka. In such situation does India need to extend ban on LTTE?
Northern state government was concern over this issue and need to take necessary steps this regard. Once gin will you stress on establishing Tamil Eelam in SriLanka?
I wish to establish Tamil Eelam but we need proper time this regard. Will you talk about UN decision at the conference?
Delegates arrive to the conference would make final decision this regard. Lanka Army receives military training in India?
We always stress to send back them towards their country. DMK would not support for terrorist activities in SriLanka because Lankan Army owns military personals and also compare with the terrorist they own more weapons and final Lankan military personals would achieve victor in the struggle, Congress leader Nanan Theysigan stated he was not interested establishing Tamil Eelam in SriLanka and also stress equality should be granted for Tamil people in SriLanka?
Before releasing a statement towards media on TESO conference he fails to hold discussion with me this regard said Karunanithi.
For the second time supreme officials of the SriLanka Freedom Party agreed to contest under UPFA ticket in the upcoming local council election.
Supreme committee of the SriLanka Muslim Congress gathered at the party headquarters Tharusalama at 12.30 pm this afternoon.
During the party committee meeting on Friday party leaders agreed to contest under UPFA ticket in the Eastern Provincial council.
However some of the party members were concern over this issue. Due to this once again party leaders organized another meeting today.
M.T.Hazan party general secretary fails to take part in the firday’s meeting was also present at this meeting.
During the arrival of Hazan other party members gave warm welcome to the secretary.
Special agreement would sign between SLMC and SLFP this evening.
SLMC general secretary M.T.Hazan and the SLFP general secretary Susil Premajayantha will sing in this agreement.
During the time of meeting it was decided under the UPFA ticket 6 seats in the Ampara districts and 3 seats from Batticaloa and Trincomalee district would be give to SLMC candidates.
Special meeting for the SLMC parliamentarians held at the residence of Rauff Hakeem.