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Of the short memory of the people of Tamil Nadu and its leaders how Rajiv Gandhi remains were recovered in pulp - Anandasangare
Colombo, 12 December, (Asiantribune.com): Tamil Nadu leaders and people are being carried away by the false propaganda of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam revealed V. Anandasangaree, President – TULF. He cautioned that everybody in Tamil Nadu is unmindful of how fast this risk is spreading into the other States in India.
Anandasangaree pointed out perhaps the bitter memories of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination are gradually fading away in their minds. He emphasized Tamil Nadu cannot easily forget how his remains were recovered in pulp. So were Sri Lankan President R. Premadasa's and the Presidential candidate Gamini Disanayake's and several others with him, some of whom were ministers.
Given below the full text of the press release put out by V. Anandasangaree, President – of the Tamil United Liberation Front: Full Text
Defence Column Forum
President elect Barrack Obama and the new team should stop Blake blackening the image of USA
By Ranjith Soysa-Melbourne
The US elections proved that the US electorate desires major changes in American foreign policy as the President Bush and his team on many an instance miserably failed to comprehend the aspirations of the world community at large. In many countries, the image of the USA is in tatters as the local people have felt that the US policy makers were attempting to shape the events in various countries to suit the USA's grand plan.
In Sri Lanka, the US Ambassador Blake along with a few European representatives have been making noises for sometime favouring the separatist forces. They have not only nurtured INGOs and supported NGOs financially but also given undue recognition to create dissension socially and politically. Full Text
Foot Spray to Sri Lankan soldiers airlifted- thanks to an Estonian generosity
Frankfurt, 12 December, (Asiantribune.com): Sri Lanka Ambassador in Sweden Ranjit Jayasuriya arranged to airlift through the Sri Lanka Consul General's office in Frankfurt, a large consignment of Foot spray urgently needed for soldiers fighting battles against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a terrorists outfit to liberate the Tamils held forcibly by them.
The large consignment of Foot spray to Sri Lankan soldiers was donated by the generous minded peace loving Dr Kaido Kotkas of Estonia.
An SOS was sent around recently for the Foot Spray to prevent fungal and bacterial foot infections to Sri Lankan soldiers in Vanni and the product was expected to contain a potent anti-fungal/anti-bacterial compound: the main ingredient being one per cent (1%) Triclosan. Full Text
Tamil Nadu pained?
,"If the Tamil Tigers are wiped out, those political jokers who sympathise with them will most probably lose their income from them." - Army Commander, Gen. Sarath Fonseka
One would have expected the Tamil Nadu politicians' objections to the Army Commander's statement to be over being accused of having received "income from the LTTE". But this last does not seem to be the cause of their being offended.
Rather, a fiasco is blowing over the use of the word 'jokers' by the Army Commander in reference to Tamil Nadu politicians. It seems to have now led to an international incident with apologies being asked for from the President! Full Text
Vaiko not a joker
by K. Godage
Vaiko is scum and to describe him as a Joker is to be kind. He, a supporter of terrorism in Sri Lanka, is a despicable scoundrel.
Yes, we have been far too tolerant of him. How could we ever forget his statement after the attempted assassination of President CBK "She needs to be lucky every time but WE need to be lucky only once", which you reproduced at the commencement of your editorial yesterday? The wretched man was associating himself with the LTTE which had attempted to kill our President! He should have been charged for being an accomplice. We in this soft country did nothing about it. And that guttersnipe has the temerity now to demand an apology from our army commander, who is a living hero of this country for calling this scavenger a 'Joker'. We should ask his friend Jayalath Jayawardena, (who had his photograph taken with this terrorist and got it published in the local newspapers), to invite him to come to this country to receive the apology. Full Text
Army poised for final push
The momentum maintained by the troops until the capture of the Pooneryn, the last LTTE stronghold in the Western coast, has once again been hit by bad weather conditions for the second time within three weeks due to heavy rains that lashed the Wanni and the Northern battlefront, posing a major challenge for the Security Forces who are now preparing for the final phase of the battle in Wanni.
However, the Security Forces continued to maintain huge military pressure on the LTTE who are now entrapped in Wanni, continuing a war of attrition amidst bad weather conditions and all sorts of other challenges further destroying their strong points. Full Text
'Threat to human civilization'
Speech by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, at the Bali Democracy Forum, Indonesia on December 10
I am delighted to be present here today in this beautiful island resort of Bali, at the launch of the Bali Democracy Forum, a commendable initiative of the Indonesian Government, ably supported by the Australian Government.
I believe this is both timely and relevant in the world today, where democracy has become universally accepted as the most efficacious and desirable system of governance.
As Sir Winston Churchill speaking in the British Parliament in November 1947 remarked in his inimitable style, and I "Many forms of government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government, except all those forms of government that have been tried from time to time." Full Text
Troops close in on Kilinochchi amidst rain and floods
The Defence Ministry claims that the Sri Lanka Army troops are now positioned in 'kissing distance' of the outer defence lines of the LTTE's administrative heartland and main garrison township Kilinochchi. The Task Force -1 and the 57 Division by yesterday posed a major threat to the LTTE by surrounding the town from three fronts.
However, the army's forward march had been slowed during the last few weeks due to the torrential rains and resultant floods in the entire battle area.
The military battle formations advancing from west of Paranthan, Adampan, west of Iranamadu, Terumurikandy, Kokkuvil, Kanakarayankulam, Puliyankulam, Northeast of Olumadu and Alampil however have caused tremendous damage to the LTTE. Full Text
What's wrong in calling a spade a spade?
Tamil Nadu Chief Karunanidhi has got outraged for calling some Tamil Nadu politicians who work hand in glove with the LTTE including Vaiko and Nadumaran a set of "Jokers" by Army Chief Lt. General Sarath Fonseka and wants an apology from the Sri Lankan Government as it's a derogatory statement on TN politicians. What's wrong in calling a spade a spade?
When the Tamil Nadu politicians along with Sri Lanka's TNA MPs gallivant round the big cities in the world and spread the message charging the tri forces with genocide of Tamils, do you expect the army chief to keep his mouth shut? He has been very modest in calling them "jokers". I would rather call them as "clowns" in the Tamil Nadu political circus. Full Text
MR could have stopped 'Black July': Karuna
TMVP Parliamentarian Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan yesterday said that if Mahinda Rajapaksa was President during the time known as 'Black July' in 1983, what happened could easily have been avoided.
"This piece of history, the July violence, could easily have been avoided if the current President was there at the time," MP Muralitharan said addressing a function at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday evening. He also said President Rajapaksa would able to grant the rights of the northern people soon, as he had done for the eastern people. Full Text
bodies not guarded: witness
By Sumaiya Rizvi
The crime scene of the 17 aid workers killed in Mutur in 2006 was unprotected for five days, the police officer who headed the investigation into the killing before the CID took over told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Violations of Human Rights.
"The Police had gone to the crime scene on the August 6, but Police protection was provided only after August 9 for the area after the bodies had been cleared," the witness said. Full Text
Sole explosives!
An elderly civilian from uncleared areas was arrested at the Omanthai roadblock on Wednesday while trying to smuggle 700 grams of C-4 explosives to cleared areas hidden in his slippers, the army said yesterday.
The discovery was made during routine checks conducted at the roadblock.
The suspect had informed the soldiers at the roadblock that he was on his way to the Vavuniya hospital for medical treatment. Two detonators and a timer were also recovered from his possession.
He was handed over to the Vavuniya police for further investigations.(DM)
British diplomats on fact finding mission in Vavuniya
(DM)A diplomatic team from the British High Commission in Colombo, met Wanni Security Forces Commander Jagath Jayasuriya in Vavuniya in a bid to obtain first hand experience on humanitarian missions conducted by the Wanni Security Forces for civilians, both in the cleared and un-cleared areas.
The army headquarters said Deputy High Commissioner Mark Gooding headed the three-member delegation which focused on dispatching food and essential items to un-cleared areas under the supervision of the Security Forces, providing security and basic facilities for internally displaced people arriving in Vavuniya from un-cleared areas and other welfare measures being carried out for civilians in the Wanni cleared areas.
'Yes we can' SUITS sRI LANKA-Blake
By Jamila Najmuddin
A political solution to the ongoing conflict will help further weaken the LTTE, US Ambassador Robert Blake said yesterday adding that he believes the slogan for the Barack Obama Presidential campaign 'Yes We can' could be applied to Sri Lanka in overcoming the challenges to defeat terrorism.
Ambassador Blake, speaking at a seminar in Colombo said that the US had remained committed and consistent to end the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka and believed that a political solution was the only way to offer freedom to the people especially the thousands stuck in the Wanni due to the ongoing conflict.
"A political solution will help reassure the more than 230,000 people in the Wanni that they can move to the South and enjoy their freedom under the present government. There are many in Sri Lanka who argue either that there is no need for a political solution in Sri Lanka or that such a solution can await the end of the conflict. While LTTE terrorism cannot be tolerated, the rights of all Sri Lankans can best be protected and promoted through a political solution to Sri Lanka's conflict that meets the aspirations of Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese," Ambassador Blake said. Full Text
Sri Lanka's Information War
First of a three-part series.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- In the silent, low-res imagery of the closed-circuit video footage that rapidly spread across YouTube, the young Tamil woman appears unafraid, even poised. Wrapped in a crisp sari, hair in a tight bun, she waits across the desk from the political secretary of a Sri Lankan minister. But something, almost imperceptible in the footage, goes wrong. So as a dozen people go about their business behind her, the woman rises from her chair, tugs at her bra and explodes, her torso vaporized in a C4 blast that kills her and the secretary, instantly raising the Sri Lankan death toll by two.
The November 2007 attack video was not posted by the apparent attackers, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, but by the Sri Lankan government's Ministry of Defense, whose 25-year war with the insurgents has been marked by many losses on the information front. The launch of a viral video on YouTube, however, demonstrated a more sophisticated effort to control what is called the "information environment," an effort to "publicize insurgent violence and use of terror to discredit the insurgency," a tenet of the U.S. Army-Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual. Full Text
Sri Lanka Uses YouTube As Weapon Of War
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- In the silent, low-res imagery of the closed-circuit video footage that rapidly spread across YouTube, the young Tamil woman appears unafraid, even poised. Wrapped in a crisp sari, hair in a tight bun, she waits across the desk from the political secretary of a Sri Lankan minister. But something, almost imperceptible in the footage, goes wrong. So as a dozen people go about their business behind her, the woman rises from her chair, tugs at her bra and explodes, her torso vaporized in a C4 blast that kills her and the secretary, instantly raising the Sri Lankan death toll by two. Full Text
Double standards on terrorism
By Dimuth Gunawardena
"Sovereign Nations have the right to protect themselves against terrorism", - US President Elect Barak Obama
"Every country has the right to defend its territorial integrity and it has become difficult to secure such if incidents (terrorist acts) are not adequately addressed, to carry out business as usual ..........", Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee
It is about time for both India and the US to start applying a universally applicable anti-terrorist policy. It is high-time they give up their two-faced policy of branding only those who hurt their self interests, terrorists while calling other political criminals "militants", "guerrillas", "gunmen", or "freedom fighters" - when it suits their strategic interests. Full Text
Sri Lankan Tamil MP Sivajilingam ordered to "quit India', may seek "political asylum" in Chennai
By Mrinalini Ramachandra
A fresh controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu state of India after the Indian central government issued orders that Sri Lankan Tamil Parliamentarian MK Sivajilingam must "Quit India" voluntarily within 72 hours or face deportation.
[MK Sivajilingam M.P]
The official reason given for such orders by New Delhi is due to the controversial political conduct of Sivajilingam on Indian soil it is learnt.
The Tamil National Alliance MP who contested under the "House" symbol of Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) in the 2004 April elections has been very active in India engaging in political propaganda. Full Text
India's double speak on terror, amnesty to LTTE allies
(IBN)New Delhi:As New Delhi talks tough on cross border terror, it also speaks a different language on the issue when it comes to Sri Lanka's problems with the LTTE.
Pressure from crucial Tamil Nadu ally the DMK is making the Manmohan Singh government indulge in some double speak. Sri Lanka has now been coerced into saying sorry for the remarks of its army chief on Tamil Nadu politicians.
In Sri Lanka, an editor has paid the price for a diplomatic transgression by his government. The editor of the state run Sunday Observer got the pink slip. Full Text
Europol seminar addresses countering LTTE
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The EU police organization, Europol, concluded a seminar Wednesday addressing the subject of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam terrorist group.
The two-day seminar brought together representatives from the EU along with six other countries, including the United States, to discuss the illicit activities of LTTE and ways to strengthen cooperation on combating the terrorist group based in Sri Lanka, Europol reported.
The seminar, held in the Netherlands, also included top authorities from Interpol and the EU judicial body, Eurojust, along with the EU Joint Situation Center.
Officials say the seminar was organized with the EU-U.S. cooperation framework and addressed "Europol's role as an information exchange platform for law enforcement agencies within the EU," the release said.
Discoveries of People Crossing The Border
"The inspirational appeal made by the LTTE was the cry of Tamil patriotism with pride of place to its culture and civilization. It was indeed tempting."
by Gomin Dayasri
(December 11, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Do not be under the spell of yarns churned out by the spin merchants, of a life in misery for those who lived under the LTTE administration. There are many aspects of the terrorist rule that appealed to them before life became intolerable, a recent phenomenon. The ending of the CFA accelerated the process. Those Tamils who made the crossing from the uncleared areas to government controlled areas retain mixed feelings of the days under the rule of Prabhakaran. It was a bitter pill with a sugar coating. With the sugar having melted, capsule tastes more like cyanide. Full Text
Some Tamilnadu politicians are not jokers; they are traitors
- Lt General Sarath Fonseka should have called them traitors to India and not jokers.
by Ravi Vigneswaran, Chennai
(December 11, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lanka's Army Chief Lt General Sarath Fonseka has been somewhat generous naming some of Tamlinadu politicians as jokers which is as good as saying that they are clowning around or messing about when they should be conducting themselves as responsible leaders of the community.
Instead, most of them are a veritable pack of cards of knaves, aces sixes, sevens and nines and some even twos and threes. Far too frequently they realign like a pack of cards and the people who vote for them do not really know how they will form into alliance time and again which makes anyone to wonder whether people vote for persons or political programmes. Full Text
(Strategy Page)December 11, 2008: The army is now advancing from three directions. Up from the south, along the east coast and. Down along the Jaffna Peninsula. And up from the south, in the center of the island, along the A9 highway, towards the rebel headquarters of Kilinochchi. In the last week, troops advancing up the A9 have captured two towns; Puliyankulam and Kanakarayankulam and much of the highway. The LTTE is putting a more effective resistance in front of their headquarters town of Kilinochchi, and casualties on both side are rising as the fighting intensifies. Troops of the 57th and 58th divisions are losing several dozen dead and wounded on some days. The army has air power, and much more artillery (guns and rocket launchers), so the LTTE defenders are often suffering equal, if not more, casualties. Full Text
NEVILLE de SILVA: Tiger supremo's timing goes all awry
HIS sycophantic followers call him Suriya Devan, Tamil for Sun God. Still others see him as a latter-day avatar of Lord Murugan.
By whatever panegyrical title he might be elevated to the pantheon, Velupillai Prabhakaran, the supreme leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), was the god that failed last week.
If he was eclipsed from the front pages of the regional newspapers and from the newscasts of the electronic media, it was not for want of trying. How was Prabhakaran to know that kindred souls armed with AK-47s, grenades and assorted weapons would steal the thunder from his annual speech last Thursday to the worldwide Tamil diaspora, which is usually full of venom against the Sri Lankan state and those in the international community who help it, and serves as a rousing call to arms? Full Text
Defence website blasts "BBC Sinhala Service"
World Food Program (WFP) country director for Sri Lanka , Mr. Adnan Khan today (Dec 10) apologized to the Sri Lankan government over a story filed by the BBC Sinhala service quoting a WFP official, John Cambell, who said IDPs in Sri Lanka live in conditions similar to those in Somalia.
Mr. Khan meeting with Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa today at the Defence Ministry treated with disdain this diabolical lie disseminated by the BBC Sinhala Service and said he would launch a special inquiry to the matter, according to the Ministry website, www.defence.lk. He has also said that the WFP would issue an official statement clarifying the facts in the near future. Full Text
Sri Lanka listed for GSP+ extension subject to probe outcome
Dec 11, 2008 (LBO) - The European Commission has listed Sri Lanka among countries to which it is extending from next year the GSP Plus duty free trade deal but subject to the eventual outcome of an eligibility probe.
Trade experts said the listing, which had earlier been expected only by December 15, means Sri Lankan exporters will continue to enjoy duty free access to European Union markets under GSP Plus till next October.
An EC statement said the GSP Plus list for 2009-2011 covers 13 current GSP Plus beneficiaries including Sri Lanka and three new countries; Armenia, Azerbaijan and Paraguay. Full Text
Recognise Eelam, PMK, VCK tell Centre
(The Hindu)CHENNAI: Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi president Thol. Thirumavalavan on Wednesday urged the Union government to change its foreign policy on Sri Lanka.
The government should recognise the establishment of Tamil Eelam, which alone would be the durable solution to the ethnic question, the leaders argued.
They were addressing a meeting organised here by Tamizh Padaippaligal Periyakkam (Movement of Tamil Creative Artists). Full Text
Sri Lanka disputes rebel claim of killing 89 troops
COLOMBO, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels on Thursday said they had killed 89 troops in two battles around their headquarters town but the military said 20 soldiers and 27 insurgents died in the clashes.
The battles occurred on Wednesday to the south and southwest of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) self-proclaimed capital, Kilinochchi, the pro-rebel web site www.TamilNet.com said, quoting LTTE officials.
A further 180 troops were wounded, it said. The web site displayed 14 photographs, credited to the LTTE, which it said were from the battle and its aftermath. Full Text
Troops capture Terumurikandy junction - Kilinochchi
(defence.lk)Troops of 57 Division on multi-pronged offensive towards LTTE's main administrative base, Kilinochchi built-up, have reached to a significant milestone gaining control over the strategically vital Terumurikandy junction last evening, 10 December.
According to the defence sources in battlefront, military formations attached to 57 Division advanced from north of Kokavil and east of Akkarayankulam gained total control over the Terumurikandy junction located 4 Km south of Iranamadu.
LTTE terrorists who have given stiff resistance on advancing troops, unable to hold the strategically important Terumurikandy junction as security forces launched combined ground and air assaults targeting enemy defences. Scores of LTTE cadres were killed and many others reportedly sustained injuries during the intense fighting reported in the area for last two days, defence sources said.
Troops continue their march towards Kilinochchi. Full Text
Decan chronicle warns India not to trust Prabhakaran with bloody hands who breaks agreements at his convenience
(Defence.lk)Reminding that the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran has blood on his hand the influential South Indian newspaper Decan Chronicle in an editorial said India will be extremely shortsighted once again if it committed the mistake of dealing with Prabhakaran who would enter into agreements and breach them at his convenience.
The editorial by Nitish Sengupta categorically said,"Whatever be the pressure that Tamil politicians are facing, no trust should be placed on Prabhakaran or the LTTE, one of the most notorious killing squads in the world which has no scruples about entering into an agreement and then repudiating it at their convenience. No negotiations should be started with the LTTE unless they replace Prabhakaran with a moderate leader". Full Text
Twin air raids targeted LTTE strong points - West of Iranamadu
(Defence.lk)Sri Lanka Air Force MI-24 Helicopter gun ships carried out two air sorties targeting LTTE strong points observed in west of Iranamadu area last evening (Dec 10) and this morning (Dec 11).
Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara, speaking to defence.lk said that MI-24 helicopters engaged LTTE strong points around 6.00pm yesterday and 9.00am today.
The air raids launched in support of ground troops of 57 Division advancing towards LTTE's heartland, Kilinochchi. LTTE's resistance on advancing troops has been neutralized following the twin air raids, Air Force spokesperson said citing ground sources.
Troops Change Attitude towards Their 'Enemy' for a Moment; Captured LTTE "Policeman" Tells it All
Troops of the 7 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR), poised to forge ahead towards the eastward after their recent capture of Katkidanku area in the Mullaittiu district are beset not only by terrorist attacks, but also due to torrential rains and ankle-deep waters, as the photos in this story depict.
As late as Tuesday (9) afternoon, troops commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Kithsiri Liyanage had to face an unexpected ordeal while his troops were advancing, as scheduled. A rain of enemy fire took them by surprise, but alert troops responded to the challenge effectively and managed to neutralize the enemy- fire within a few minutes. That was not the end. Troops went further closer to the enemy hideout and were shocked to come across an injured Tiger terrorist, lying by the side of the same LTTE hideout. Full Text
Diana makes a donation for war heroes
Diana (Pvt) Ltd, a Sri Lankan company in Chocolate manufactory, handed over a bulk of chocolate worth of Rs. 1,200,000/= to be distributed among the service personnel who are performing operational duties yesterday, 10 December.
To mark the event, the Managing Director of the Diana company handed over a few parcels of chocolates to the Secretary of Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a charm ceremony held at Ministry of Defence premises.
A few officials of the Diana Company were also present at the occasion. Defence.lk
Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind
Jeanne Jayasinghe - Australia
The recent terrorist attack in Mumbai is a warning to leaders of all those countries that have stood silent and inactive in the face of repeated terrorist attacks over the years in Sri Lanka. To those countries that actively supported terrorism in Sri Lanka and are still providing encouragement to them, it is more than a warning – it is a sign of things to come.
For India was the country that unleashed the dogs of a terrorist war – disguised as a liberation struggle – on Sri Lanka for political reasons. The mantle was then taken over by Norway to actively support and succor the terrorists supplying them with state of the art equipment and knowhow to fight against a legitimately and democratically elected government. Full Text
From Wanni With Love
Do not be under the spell of yarns churned out by the spin merchants, of a life in misery for those who lived under the LTTE administration. There are many aspects of the terrorist rule that appealed to them before life became intolerable, a recent phenomenon. The ending of the CFA accelerated the process. Those Tamils who made the crossing from the uncleared areas to government controlled areas retain mixed feelings of the days under the rule of Prabhakaran. It was a bitter pill with a sugar coating. With the sugar having melted, capsule tastes more like cyanide.
They breathe air of a fresh life style in more relaxed surroundings, in temporary accommodation off the beaten track on the road between Mannar and Medawachchiya. The journey was long and harrowing through jungle paths with minimum sleep. They did it for their children; to give them freedom, to bring them to safety. Some are affluent by northern standards- to bring their live assets to safety was paramount – the fixed assets paled into insignificance. The short story is Prabhakaran touched a sensitive spot of a community that lived for their children. There lived an ogre who stole their children. That split the umbilical cord by which Prabhakaran held them. Full Text
They're no jokers but criminal confederates
"She needs to be lucky every time but we need to be lucky only once"
–– MDMK leader M. Vaiko at a rally on April 3, 2000 opposite the Palais des Nations in Geneva, referring to Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who had escaped an assassin's attack by the LTTE in December 1999.
Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka has stirred up a hornets' nest again. For him, making controversial statements seems have become a habit. He drew a great deal of flak––quite deservedly––a few weeks ago over some ill-conceived remarks, which Sri Lanka's ethnic minorities took exception to. This time around he has ruffled the feathers of India by describing some of its politicians supportive of the LTTE as 'jokers'. Full Text
New UNP dy. leader says forces on the verge of finishing off Tigers
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Karu meets press at Sirikotha.Pic Kamal Bogoda
The newly appointed UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya yesterday said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government had the strength to finish off the LTTE.
Addressing a press conference at Sirikotha, Jayasuriya said that his decision to quit the ruling coalition wouldn't hinder the war against terror.
Flanked by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and UNP Assistant Leader Rukman Senanayake, Jayasuriya who had held the Public Administration portfolio in the Rajapaksa administration said that the area under LTTE control was rapidly shrinking. "The LTTE is restricted to parts of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts," he said. The government had successfully cleared the Eastern Province, Mannar and Vavuniya and the war was rapidly coming to an end. Among the notable absentees at the press conference were UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayaka and UNP National Organiser S. B. Dissanayake. Full Text
Imagine a situation without the LTTE or a political solution
An interesting situation has been created with respect to the relationship between Sri Lanka and India. Sri Lanka is facing a dilemma as to how to react in the event of Indian pressure or request for a ceasefire which is seen to be on the cards. India is facing a different dilemma as to how to calm down Tamil Nadu sentiments in the face of the current military operations in northern Sri Lanka which is supported by India itself.
The fate of the relationship between the two countries according to pro-LTTE calculations relies on the proposed visit by the Indian External Minister Pranab Mukharjee to Colombo which was decided upon following the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Muththuvel Karunanidhi a few days ago. The visit is also a proverbial "bite" for the nationalistic forces in Sri Lanka that are hunting for issues in order to gain popularity among majority community. Full Text
Troops rescue wounded Tiger 'cop'
Troops in the Katkidanku area in the Mullaitivu district rescued on Tuesday an injured LTTE 'policeman' who had been left behind by the LTTE, the military said.
Army headquarters said that troops of the 7th Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment rescued this man identified as Gunarasa Narmalan (23), formerly from Thunnely south in Nelliady.
On Sunday the LTTE 'policeman' and two female cadres were at a LTTE point in Katkidanku area, when the troops entered and captured the point. During the firing Narmalan received injuries to one of his legs and the other two LTTE female cadres fled the area. Full Text
Government to probe allegations
The government is to inquire into an allegation made by a WFP official from a rebel-held area stating that the IDPs in the region were depending entirely on international aid for food, the Defence Spokesperson said yesterday.
Defence Spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella, dismissing the situation in the Wanni war in par with Somalia said the government had been continuously transporting food and essential items to the IDPs in LTTE-held areas, which clearly proved that food was in abundance. Full Text
Pressure LTTE to free citizens caught in war zone: TULF
B. Muralidhar Reddy
COLOMBO: Making a strong plea to the people and leaders of Tamil Nadu to pressure the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to free innocent people caught in the war zone, Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) leader V. Anandasangaree says the war between the Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE is in its final stages and the trapped citizens are desperate to escape the clutches of the outfit. In an open letter, he claims: "The war that started about 200 miles away from Pottuvil in the Eastern Province has now reached a point from where the end is only about 10 to 15 miles from Kilinochchi in the Northern Province. More than 90 per cent of the area under the control of the LTTE is already liberated." Full Text
Tamil Nadu sleeps while deadly serpants breed under the pillows
As Mahatma Gandhi had said, India and Ceylon can't afford to quarrel each other. It is more true in respect of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. My humble request to everybody on either side of the Palk Strait is to help to solve the problem by good-will and persuasion and not by confrontation. It is necessary for everyone on both sides to be cautious in all what they say and do. The good gesture of the "Q" Branch of the Tamil Nadu Police and the Indian Navy in detecting several tons of material used for the manufacture of bombs is highly appreciable and demands co-ordination between both Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu.
Sri Lankan Tamils are so unfortunate that Tamil Nadu, confused and infuriated by the false propaganda of the powerful pro-LTTE forces, shirked its responsibility of safeguarding them and had gone a long way to the point of no return. All the recent agitations and various actions taken by Tamil Nadu had only helped the LTTE, to the detriment of the Sri Lankan Tamils. The grave blunder of Tamil Nadu is, acting without sending a Fact Finding Mission to Sri Lanka during this hard period or inviting a delegation from Sri Lanka to know from them of the ground situation. If Tamil Nadu refuses to see reason and continue to be adamant in inviting trouble, nothing can be done. Full Text
WFP apology for BBC falsehood on Sri Lankan IDPs
World Food Program (WFP) country director for Sri Lanka , Mr. Adnan Khan today (Dec 10) apologized to the Sri Lankan government over a story filed by the BBC Sinhala service calling Sri Lanka a Somalia.
The BBC Sinhala service paddling on its not so hidden agenda, had quoted a comment made by one Mr. John Cambell, a WFP representative in non-liberated areas that "conditions for displaced people there are as basic as in Somalia".
Mr. Khan meeting with Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa today at the Defence Ministry treated with disdain this diabolical lie disseminated by the BBC Sinhala Service and said he would launch a special inquiry to the matter. Also, he said the WFP would issue an official statement clarifying the facts in the near future.
Meanwhile, the BBC with its known complicity with the Goebbelsian propaganda of the LTTE terrorists, or the "Tamil Tiger rebels " has further distorted facts by coloring the story with a brief introduction to Somalia. Full Text
Navy's crucial innovation hailed a success!
(DW)The modern Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) recently celebrated its 58th Anniversary. We at DefenceWire would like to take this opportunity to discuss in detail a crucial innovation in the SLN, which may lead to successful maritime security operations around Sri Lanka in years to come. The Innovation is the RABS or Rapid Action Boat Squadron.
The beginnings of the RABS can be traced back to 2003 when a brief respite from daily operations came and the SLN started exploring options to counter the threat posed by suicide Sea Tiger boats to its most valuable assets, the Dvora, the Super Dvora and the UFAC. Full Text
India digging her own grave
by R Malhotra in Mumbai
(December 10, Mumbai, Sri Lanka Guardian) As a responsible leader, the Prime Minister of over one-billion of people in India, Dr Manmohan Singh should categorically reject, without any reservations or conditions, the racist demands made by some of the pro-LTTE politicians in Tamil Nadu.
The pro-LTTE politicians in Tamil Nadu, who seem to be in the LTTE pay-roll, demand that India should interfere and a ceasefire agreement (CFA) be made between the Government of Sri Lanka and the world deadliest terrorists, the LTTE, who assassinated the former Indian Prime Minister, Shri Rajiv Gandhi, and many other Tamil political leaders, religious leaders and innocent Tamils who opposed or, did not support their terror activities. Full Text
The Slow Crawl to Kilinochchi
Why is Lt Gen Fonseka making such controversial remarks repeatedly? Does he nurture political ambitions after he completes his extended tenure next year?
(December 10, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardain) On Sunday December 7, the security forces were within "kissing distance" of the outer defence lines Kilinochchi, announced the defence spokesman. On Monday, December 8, it became "Troops in Kilinochchi are targeting the town and they are in the vicinity of the town." However, by December 9 it seems the security forces' strategic focus had shifted from Kilinochchi to Mullaitivu according to the defence ministry. This contradicts what the army commander Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka said in his Sunday Observer interview on the same day; he said "after capturing Kilinochchi the security forces will definitely capture Mullaithivu..." Full Text
Jaya is not a Tamil: CM Karuna
(December 10, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Setting the stage for a fresh political controversy, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today implicitly painted AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa as being a non-Tamil.
Speaking at the wedding of Tamilnadu Minister for Revenue I Periyasami's son, Karunanidhi said a senior politician had not condemned Lankan Army Commander Sarath Fonseka's remarks on the leaders of Tamilnadu. 'This is just because she was not a Tamil.'
Vaiko and the Expected Apology
by Helasingha Bandara
(December 10, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Vaiko's anger and the futile attempt to get the Sri Lanka government to apologise to him for the so called joker remarks allegedly made by Sri Lanka's much loved or almost venerated hero Sarath Fonseka indicate that Vaiko does not seem to be aware of the social concepts of 'cyclical retaliation', 'boomerang' or social norms such as 'not to spit while looking up', not to throw stones from glass houses etc. Nor does he seem to be aware of the democratic principles and human rights, freedom of thought and freedom of speech.
The Sinhalese hate Vaiko for inciting and abetting violence against them. The Tamils, the Muslims and the rest dislike him for his ignorance of the Sri Lanka issue. All of them despise him for his assumption that Sri Lankans are a tiny nation under Tamil Nadu that he can bully them as he wishes. First of all Sri Lanka as a country has never been under Tamil Nadu rule or for that matter Indian Rule. It has always been an independent state although there had been some South Indian invasions from time to time. The Sri Lankans had managed to repulse those invasions successfully whenever they occurred. With this in mind Sri Lankans be they Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims or any other ethnic groups, do not like TN politicians to get involved in Sri Lanka's internal matters or trying to bully them. Full Text
India concerned over SL ID card bid going to Pakistan
India has raised concerns through diplomatic channels over a Sri Lankan government attempt to award the tender for a digital national identity card to Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority or NADRA.
New Delhi administration has noted that Pakistan would come to possess personal information of all Sri Lankans through this tender handover.
Pointing out that they have been supporting Colombo in matters of national security, India has warned that this could pose a serious danger to the island in the future.
Claiming the brainchild and the attackers of the recent terror attack on Mumbai were Pakistanis, New Delhi has said that similar groups operating from Sri Lankan soil in such an eventuality could not be ruled out. Full Text
Sri Lanka clothing exporter goes east with US aid
Dec 10, 2008 (LBO) - Brandix Lanka, a top Sri Lankan clothing exporter, has got US aid to train workers in a new factory it has set up in the island's east which the government is trying to develop after driving out Tamil Tiger rebels.
The US Agency for International Development and Brandix Lanka are working together to train 600 people for employment at the new factory in Batticaloa district, a US embassy statement said.
Under the Apparel Sector Training Partnership, USAID's grant of 100,000 dollars will provide a monthly stipend and a meal allowance for the workers during eight weeks of pre-training. Full Text
Karu is happy that war is successful
Karu Jayasuriya has thanked and admired UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, the party Working Committee and all its supporters for inviting him to accept the deputy leadership of the party again. He was speaking at a media briefing at party headquarters Sirikotha at Pitakotte today (Dec. 10th). "Along with me, group of MPs joined the government with the collective stand that support should be given for the war. With our support, the war effort had progressed successfully since then. I should say that I am very happy about that."
Commenting on battlefront victories, Mr. Jayasuriya said, "The entire Eastern Province and Mannar have been liberated. War is now confined to Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. We were also able to support the restoration of civilian administration in these areas within 180 days." Full Text
Vaiko flays government for 'ignoring' Sri Lankan general's remarks
Chennai, Dec 10 (IANS) MDMK leader Vaiko Wednesday assailed the central government for 'virtually ignoring' Sri Lankan Army chief Sarath Fonseka's derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu politicians.
'The government has virtually ignored this slur. Instead of demanding an unconditional apology from Fonseka, the central government is not only collaborating with the Sri Lankan government but also seems to be taking orders from him,' Vaiko told reporters.
He was speaking after leading a demonstration near the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission here in which some 500 of his supporters participated. Full Text
No logos on Wanni shelter material
The Essential Services Chief has informed humanitarian agencies that shelter material carrying logos will not be permitted into the Wanni, a United Nations affiliated agency said yesterday.
The Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) in its latest report said shelter agencies were coordinating with the Essential Services Department on organizing five truckloads of shelter materials but the Essential Services Chief indicated that the consignment would not be cleared for carriage to the Wanni if the material was stamped with any agency logo.
"This means that much of the existing stock cannot be included in this consignment," the IASC reported. The UN humanitarian convoy was scheduled to leave yesterday to supply as previously reported the much needed shelter material to the Wanni before the expected heavy rains break out, IASC said. Full Text
TN police refute media reports about LTTE infiltration
Chennai (PTI): The Tamil Nadu police on Wednesday refuted media reports about possible intrusion of LTTE cadres in the state following the discovery of some boats with bullet marks along the Rameswaram coast recently.
Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram said 'thorough investigation' had revealed that six boats had been recently washed ashore, of which three had bullet marks.
"A thorough investigation conducted along with the sister agencies revealed that the boats had apparently drifted from Sri Lanka due to the recent cyclone. They were not being used for any activity subversive to the nation's security, as reported in certain sections of the media," he said in a statement here.
On Dec 5 boats with some bearing bullet marks and blood stains were found drifting to the Tamil Nadu coast. The Hindu
FM highlights threat of terrorism to democracy at Bali Democracy Forum
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogallagama has highlighted the potent and ominous challenge that many democracies face today, emanating from the threat of terrorism. He was speaking at the inaugural session of the Bali Democracy Forum in Nusa Dua,Bali today(10 December 2008).The Bali Democracy Forum, an initiative of the Indonesian government, which brought together high level delegations from 33 countries in Asia to the Indonesian resort island of Bali for the 2 day meeting was inaugurated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and co-chaired by the Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd .The Sultan of Brunei and the Prime Minister of Timor L'Este were also in attendance.
Minister Bogollagama spoke of Sri Lanka's deeply rooted democratic tradition, which he traced to the granting of universal adult franchise in 1931 and said that the trappings of democracy, manifested by the right of the people to go to the polls periodically and elect a government of their choice or in the many magnificent edifices housing the seat of Parliament, the Presidency or the Palaces of justice, do not qualify a country to be a true democratic state. Real democracy becomes alive in a state where the government is accountable to the people and where the rule of law is upheld by a fearless and independent judiciary. Full Text
Army reconstructs Trincomalee - Mullaittivu road connecting North and South
Sri Lanka Army while engaged in multi-pronged offensive operations to liberate entire Wanni region from LTTE's grip, contributed their effort to reconnect North and South with the reconstruction work of Trincomalee - Mullaitttivu road, which runs parallel to the eastern coastal belt.
Sri Lanka Army Engineers Service Regiment has commenced the reconstruction of a part of the Trincomalee - Mullaittivu road which had been destroyed by the LTTE terrorists recently. Full Text
Sri Lanka wins bronze medal at '52 World Military Boxing Championship'
Sgt. PBA Bandara of the Sri Lankan Army secured a bronze medal under the weight category of 91 Kgs (heavy weight category) at the 52nd world military boxing championship held in the City of Baku of Azerbaijan.
This was the first occasion a medal was won by Sri Lanka at championship, officials said.
The Championship commenced on 25 Nov and concluded on 30 Nov 2008, with the participation of many other countries including USA, Italy, France, India, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Belarus, Netherlands, Ukraine, Barbados, Algeria, Slovenia, Latvia and the host Azerbaijan. Full Text
Fighting continues at the Wanni and Northern battlefronts: troops recover 25 AP mines
Clashes between troops and LTTE were reported throughout yesterday (Dec 9) at the Jaffna and Wanni battlefronts as troops claimed causing serious damages to LTTE during the confrontations. At the Jaffna theatre of battle, fighting was reported in general area Ponnar at Kilaly, while military confirmed taking two successful sniper targets in the same area at 12.45p.m., and 4.40p.m., respectively.
Separately, troops destroyed an LTTE bunker overhead after a series of rocket propelled grenade (RPG) and small arms fire attack at a terror defence line in Kilaly, security sources said. Full Text
Majority for war – survey
Most Sri Lankans believe that terrorism can only be defeated by military means
The majority of respondents to a recent island-wide opinion poll conducted by TNS Lanka believe that military action is the only solution to the ethnic conflict, reports pioneering magazine LMD, in its December edition out last week.
LMD writes: "As the brave men and women of our armed forces march towards Kilinochchi, and thousands of innocent lives are caught in the crossfire, many of us who are far removed from the theatre of war have very strong views – one way or the other – on the Government's military offensive against the LTTE." Full Text
Naveen won't follow Pa-in-law Karu Karu hurt by President's attitude
by Dilanthi Jayamanne
Non Cabinet Minister of Investment Promotion Naveen Dissanayake will not return to the UNP although he is the son-in-law of ex- Public Administration Minister Karu Jayasuriya who re-crossed to the UNP on Monday. Following Jayasuriya's return to the UNP there was widespread speculation that his son-in-law would follow suit.
Dissanayake yesterday told The Island that his father-in-law returned to the UNP due to some differences he had with President Mahinda Rajapaksa. "I tried my best to bring about a settlement but Jayasuriya was hurt and determined to return to the UNP," Dissanayake said. Full Text
Tamilnadu factor in India's foreign policy
Dr. Ms. Santishree D. Pandit,
(DN)The pangs of proximity have its spill over effects on foreign policy. Tamils have been a very strong linguistic group that have depended identity based preferential politics. Their loyalty to language has literally bordered on fanaticism that now several political parties and the Tamil film personalities of Kollywood have refused to see the difference between the deadliest terrorist group the LTTE and the Tamil people.
Sri Lankan Army: Advancing rapidly towards enemy territory
and the Rajiv murder. The present resignations of Tamilnadu MPs is nothing but a ploy to save the LTTE, which is fighting with its back to the wall as the Sri Lankan Forces have entered the LTTE heartland, Kilinochchi. There must be a line that must be drawn between two sovereign countries, between LTTE a terrorist group and common Tamils, as well as the limits of linguistic fanaticism acceptable when Tamils do it but Marathis cannot do it for they cannot. The Government of India due to the pressures of coalition politics is refusing to take a strong stand on terrorism or linguistic identity politics at the same time is wary of antagonising the only friendly neighbour we have in South Asia as well as burnt our fingers with the IPKF experience and the Rajiv murder. Full Text
The JVP and LTTE are two of a kind
Goshaka
(DN)"One day a gun will silence me. And it will not be held by an outsider, but by a son born in the womb of this very society - from a woman with whom my history is shared". Ranjini Thiranagama The unholy alliance between the JVP and the LTTE
Premakeerthi de Alwis Sagarika Gomes
In 1989, when the DJV unleashed its brutal unremitting terror on the Sri Lankan people, the Government countered terror with terror and Sri Lanka became a playing field for the unknown gunmen who killed at will. Like animals, the killers went into frenzy when they saw blood. Burning bodies littered streets of the thrice blessed isle of ours. The air smelt of death and the unbearable stench emanating from the cadaver befouled the atmosphere.
Two of the murders committed by the DJV that shocked my conscience were the killing of Sagarika Gomes and Premakeerthi de Alwis. Full Text
Foreign Secretary declines to speculate
CHAMIKARA WEERASINGHE
(DN)Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary , Dr. Palitha Kohona yesterday said, they have not been informed of a visit by India' External Minister Pranab Mukherji to Sri Lanka as speculated in the media.
On being asked if there was a possibility that Minister Mukherji could request a ceasefire with the LTTE from the Government, Dr. Kohona said that he did not want to make comments on speculation adding that one cannot expect all media reports to be true.
"But," said Dr. Kohona, "the Government's stand on having a ceasefire is very clear." Full Text
JAFFNA LEADERSHIP PROMOTED MILITARY OPTION TO WIN EELAM
By H L D Mahindapala
The broadband of NGOs, Marxists, academics and assorted intellectuals, who dominate the current discourse on public affairs, has been hounding the government accusing it of pursuing "a military solution" to the Sri Lankan crisis. This broadband of activists, however, does not point a finger, with the same emphasis, at the Tamil Tigers who have been pursuing nothing but a "military solution". Their accusations are presented as if it is the Government that is bent on pursuing a "the military solution" against the peace-loving Tamil Tigers.
'Military solution' was paramount
There is nothing original in this accusation. Velupillai Prabhakaran, who has been prosecuting a relentless war against his own Tamil people and the Sri Lankan government, too has been accusing the government of seeking a military solution, particularly after Mavil Aru – the point at which he started running backwards. He has never admitted that he has relied exclusively on military solutions to get as far as he did. On the contrary, he is wont to pose as the irenic conciliator who attended peace talks and was the first to make unilateral declarations of peace. Of course, he has never admitted that he is also the first to make unilateral declarations of war. Or that he was the first to walk out of peace talks. In his annual speech delivered in 2005 he is on record saying that he was about to launch his Eelam War IV when he was hit by the tsunami. His decision to wage an Eelam War IV confirms that he had no intention of adhering to the terms and conditions of the Ceasefire Agreement he signed on February 22, 2002 promising to keep the peace. His on-again-off-again peace declarations were mere temporary breathers for him to recoup and pursue his permanent "military solution." Full Text
Troops hand over LTTE bodies to ICRC
By Kurulu Kariyakarawana
Troops in Vavuniya handed over eleven bodies of LTTE cadres to the ICRC at the Omanthai Entry-Exit point yesterday whilst Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka made an inspection tour in the Jaffna peninsula the same morning.
The bodies which were recovered by the troops subsequent to the confrontations that took place with the LTTE during the past few days had been handed over to the ICRC official, the Defence Ministry stated.
Meanwhile Defence Secretary accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera and Commander of the Army as well as other high ranking military officials arrived at the Palaly Airport and were welcomed by the Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General G.A. Chandrasiri. Full Text
Nobel Peace Prize winner to mediate in Lankan conflict?
Oslo - Finland's former president and winner of the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize, Martti Ahtisaari said on Tuesday, he was receiving numerous calls to mediate in various conflicts and hinted that he had been approached about Sri Lanka.
Before stepping in as a mediator, one must make a "feasibility study," he told reporters in Oslo, the day before he was to accept the prestigious award.
Kosovo's independence process "is irreversible," Ahtisaari said, noting that some 50 countries have recognised Kosovo since it declared independence from Serbia in February.
The recognition of Kosovo was opposed by Russia among others and Ahtisaari doubted "any quick turnabout in the Russian position." Full Text
We will completely disarm soon: TMVP
By Amadoru Amarajeeva
The Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) yesterday assured it will completely disarm its outfit soon in order to ensure the political image of the party is secured.
The assurance was given during a meeting between officials of the British High Commission in Colombo and Chief Minister of the Eastern Province Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan. Full Text
Sri Lanka placed on 'Red Alert' list
UNITED NATIONS: - Genocide and other mass atrocities are underway or risk breaking out in at least 33 countries including Sri Lanka, says a new comprehensive watch list slated for release yesterday the 60th anniversary of the United Nations prevention of genocide convention.
The list by the New York-based Genocide Prevention Project for the first time combines the findings of five leading independent watch lists to create a "watch list of watch lists."
"Red alert" countries include Afghanistan and Iraq alongside commonly known regions currently experiencing genocidal conflict such as Sudan's Darfur and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Full Text
▼ December 7 - December 14 (146)
Of the short memory of the people of Tamil Nadu an...
President elect Barrack Obama and the new team sho...
Foot Spray to Sri Lankan soldiers airlifted- thank...
Troops close in on Kilinochchi amidst rain and flo...
British diplomats on fact finding mission in Vavun...
Sri Lankan Tamil MP Sivajilingam ordered to "quit ...
India's double speak on terror, amnesty to LTTE al...
Some Tamilnadu politicians are not jokers; they ar...
NEVILLE de SILVA: Tiger supremo's timing goes all ...
Sri Lanka listed for GSP+ extension subject to pro...
Sri Lanka disputes rebel claim of killing 89 troop...
Troops capture Terumurikandy junction - Kilinochch...
Decan chronicle warns India not to trust Prabhakar...
Twin air raids targeted LTTE strong points - West ...
Troops Change Attitude towards Their 'Enemy' for a...
New UNP dy. leader says forces on the verge of fin...
Imagine a situation without the LTTE or a politica...
Pressure LTTE to free citizens caught in war zone:...
Tamil Nadu sleeps while deadly serpants breed unde...
India concerned over SL ID card bid going to Pakis...
Vaiko flays government for 'ignoring' Sri Lankan g...
TN police refute media reports about LTTE infiltra...
FM highlights threat of terrorism to democracy at ...
Army reconstructs Trincomalee - Mullaittivu road c...
Sri Lanka wins bronze medal at '52 World Military ...
Fighting continues at the Wanni and Northern battl...
Naveen won't follow Pa-in-law Karu Karu hurt by Pr...
JAFFNA LEADERSHIP PROMOTED MILITARY OPTION TO WIN ...
Nobel Peace Prize winner to mediate in Lankan conf...
Norwegian People's Aid phases out in Sri Lanka
Army harvests more victories as Kilinochchi goal n...
Sri Lanka regrets army chief's 'jokers' remark: In...
Editor of Lankan daily fired over 'joker' remarks
Rajapaksa: will launch new spring in the north
Tamils skeptical about Mukherjee visit
Indian Foreign Minister should be sent within 48 h...
Defence Secretary visits Jaffna
India raises Gen Fonseka's remarks
Tamilnadu, Do Not Preach What You Do Not Do Yourse...
Elimination of terrorism in all its forms, too - P...
Muslims in North will be able to return to their h...
Snipets from the battle field
More Tamil civilians reach to security forces cont...
59 Div troops advancing towards Mullaittivu; 5 ter...
Past sins of Mangala…
India's sincerity in Sri Lankan conflict
Use of Cluster Bombs in war
Sri Lanka Navy celebrates its 58th Anniversary tod...
LTTE's desperation
Mixed feelings after escaping from tiger country
Suspect still at large
Troops seven kilometres away off Mullaitivu : Mini...
Awareness through diplomatic missions against LTTE...
Tiger suspect nabbed
Mukherjee visit still in the balance
Effigies of Lankan President, General burnt by MDM...
Tamil Tiger Links with Islamist Terrorist Groups
Ask Lankan minister to say sorry for calling us jo...
No one should be allowed to come beyond the airpor...
Sri Lanka signs off on record war spending
LTTE hardcore starts abandoning the outfit- Pooner...


The depths of Tahoe are a thing of legend, both the Lake's cobalt blue waters and the mountain's bottomless snow. On deep powder days, chairlift rides are filled with stories of overhead turns, tunneling face shots, even the occasional claim of a Jacques Cousteau sighting (he did once captain a submarine in Lake Tahoe). One thing is certain, there are many times when a snorkel comes in handy on the slopes in Tahoe.
Last year's Godzilla El Nino season took the internet by storm with Lake Tahoe powderhounds posting photos that made the drool freeze on envious skiers and snowboarders. Buried cars, marshmallow-covered trees, snow-puffed pillow drops – we've compiled some of the best of these shots from last season into the mind-blowing photo gallery below. Please help us seed the clouds for another snowcapped season in Tahoe this winter by sharing your personal powder shots on Ski Lake Tahoe's social media channels (#SkiLakeTahoe) for a chance to win free lift tickets.


Songs performed at Saturday's 61st Grammy Awards by Lady Gaga, Kacey Musgraves, Bradi Carlile, H.E.R. and others, collectively contributed to a 480% increase in digital download sales, according to Nielsen Music.
The songs performed at the awards ceremony, including H.E.R.'s 'Hard Place' (up 102,000%), Kacey Musgraves' 'Rainbow' (up 9,430%), Brandi Carlile's 'The Joke' (up 2,771%) and Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's 'Shallow' (up 229%), collectively sold 71,000 downloads on the day of the show, 12,000 more than on the day before the awards.
'Shallow', winner of best pop duo/ group performance, was the biggest seller of all Grammy-performed songs, selling 14,000 downloads on the day of the awards. The song lost out to Childish Gambino's 'This is America' in the record of the year category, a win predicted by artificial intelligence platform, DataRobot.
Musgraves' Golden Hour, winner of album of the year and best country album at the Grammys, also saw a vast increase in sales, selling over 3,000 copies on Saturday, up from less than 1,000.
Songs featuring in a Dolly Parton tribute performed by Musgraves, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and Parton herself, among others, also registered sales increases. The original Parton versions of the five songs performed in the medley sold 6,000 downloads collectively, up 718% in comparison to the previous day's 1,000 downloads.
The sum includes Parton's renditions of 'Here You Come Again', 'Jolene', 'Red Shoes' and '9 to 5', along with her version of Neil Young's 'After the Gold Rush'.
This year's Grammy Awards, held at Staples Center in Los Angeles, saw other notable performances from awards host Alicia Keys, Janelle Monae, Shawn Mendes, Cardi B, and St Vincent and Dua Lipa, winner of best new artist.
Brits Week previews UK music's biggest night Intimate performances from the 1975, Bring Me The Horizon, Anne-Marie and Tom Odell still to come in the lead up to the 2019 Brit Awards.
AI correctly predicts Grammys 2019 song of the yea... DataRobot's machine learning model successfully predicted Childish Gambino's triumph at the the 61st Grammy Awards, demonstrating AI's music industry..."potential"


text:
"The Real Diehl" with Aaron Diehl and Dominick Farinacci at Bungalow Jazz
This Wednesday December 29th, the "Real Diehl" with pianist Aaron Diehl and Trumpeter Dominik Farinacci perform live at Becky Ogden's 5th Avenue Bungalow Jazz Home. Aaron is a Columbus native coming back home from his current residence in New York City to grace the Bungalow with his talents. This will be a very special treat for jazz fans. Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as "The most promising discovery that [Wynton] Marsalis has made since Eric Reed," Aaron Diehl's distinctive interpretations of the music of Scott Joplin, "Jelly Roll" Morton, Art Tatum, Duke Ellington, and other masters pay homage to the tradition while establishing his own original voice.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Aaron Diehl is a 2007 graduate of the Juilliard School where his teachers included Kenny Barron, Eric Reed, and Oxana Yablonskaya. His honors include Lincoln Center's prestigious Martin E. Segal award in 2004, winner of the 2003 Jazz Arts Group Hank Marr Jazz Competition, and Outstanding Soloist at Jazz at Lincoln Center's 2002 Essentially Ellington Competition. Immediately following graduation from high school he toured with the Wynton Marsalis Septet.
Dominick Farinacci
Dominick Farinacci, originally from Cleveland Ohio, has won various awards over the years in the States and in Japan. He received two Gold Disc awards (Record of the Month) from Swing Journal Magazine in Japan for his recordings of "Say It" and "Besame Mucho." In 2003 he received the International New Star Award in Japan, an honor previously awarded to Diana Krall and Christian McBride.
Many of his recordings have placed #1 on the Swing Journal Jazz Charts. In the United States, Dominick was the recipient of the ITG Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition in 2003. At 15, Dominick was "discovered" by Wynton Marsalis in Cleveland, Ohio. Wynton invited Dominick to appear as a featured soloist with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra on a PBS broadcast, "Live from Lincoln Center." While studying with Warren Vache and Wynton Marsalis at the Juilliard School, Dominick was also featured at Lincoln Center on a tribute concert to Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan, "Night of the Cookers." Over the years he has performed and/or recorded with many high-profile jazz artists such as Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis, Ira Sullivan, Mulgrew Miller, Carl Allen, Jason Miles, and Joe Labarbera.
Dominick recently signed with The Jazz Tree, a well-known management company in New York City that currently represents Taylor Eigsti, Kurt Elling, Bennie Maupin, and New York Voices; and whose roster of past clients over the years has included Diana Krall, Joshua Redman, Christian McBride, Freddie Hubbard, Tony Williams, Ray Brown and J.J. Johnson.
"The Real Diehl!"
Wednesday, December 29, 8:00 p.m.
Aaron Diehl, piano
Dominick Farinacci, trumpet
www.BungalowJazz.com
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text:
AS3850 PDF
Sectors Our standards development activities are divided into industry sectors. These sectors are supported by Stakeholder Engagement Managers who are available to advise and assist stakeholders. We co-ordinate the attendance of Australian experts at international meetings and participate in the preparation of a wide range of International Standards. We are extremely active within the international standardisation movement and a number of our senior management team members hold important voluntary offices on international standards bodies.
Author: Malagami Kazrataxe
Uploader: Kagakasa
Moogulabar The new standard, AS — Prefabricated Concrete Elements, was published in two parts in September last year, updating the standard to current practice.
Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data. A code of practice is a set of rules which details how people in a certain industry should behave. Bachmann strongly urges anyone who wants to as involved in the process, or have their say, to come on board as a National Precast member. Australian Standard AS Tilt-up Concrete Construction — Western Australia The industry has come a long way since the standard was developed in and the use of a broad range of factory-made precast elements are now used right across the industry.
Anything our members can do to improve safety on sites that use prefabricated elements is a good thing. Nor does it apply to precast that is used on civil projects. National Precast and the Concrete Institute of Australia held a series of jointly organised seminars at the beginning of August to highlight the changes to the standard and what it means for the industry.
As may be required to comply with this as if you are an employer or contractor and undertake any concrete tilt up work at your workplace or manufacture tilt-up concrete panels.
You must ensure that the: This standard sets out the requirements for the planning, design, casting, transportation and erection of tilt-up panels. The WA Coroner approached industry bodies, including National Precast, seeking input on whether a third part of AS, relevant to the use of prefabricated elements used in civil construction, should be developed.
Safety and design were two of the most significant factors taken into account and updated in the new standard. Code of Practice A code of practice is a set of rules which details how people in a certain industry should behave.
Please consult the Contact Officer for more information and to ascertain the level of compliance if any that may be required. Description You may be required to comply with this code if you are an employer or contractor and undertake any concrete tilt up work at your workplace or manufacture tilt-up concrete panels.
They are up to speed with any developments and get to have their say. A code of practice can be defined as a result of legislation or by industry regulators and bodies. The precast industry responded favourably to the A Following the tragic death of a worker on a civil construction site in Western Australia inextensive review was undertaken of Australian Standard AS — Tilt-up Concrete Construction.
National Precast will be initiating the drafting of an AS part three and Ms. TOP Related Posts.
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Eight intriguing watches you may have missed at SIHH
From a stellar electric-green diver, to an over-the-top astronomical complication, here is a selection of pieces you should be keeping an eye out for.
By Justin Mastine-frost 20/02/2017
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Tag Heuer Drops 3 Limited-Edition Watches
There is no arguing that Geneva was buzzing as it played host to the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH). The show floor itself was positively crammed with media members and enthusiasts all focused on getting a closer look at the year's most anticipated watch releases. And while we have already shown you the home runs that grabbed everyone's attention, there were plenty of other noteworthy pieces shown both on- and off-site. From a stellar electric-green diver, to an over-the-top astronomical complication, here is a cautiously curated selection of pieces you should be keeping an eye out for in the coming months.
Zenith El Primero 36'000 VPH "Panda"
This past year, Zenith launched a collaboration with Range Rover that left many struggling to grasp the commonality between the two brands. However, the most interesting feature of that piece was its use of a ceramised aluminum case. Now, the brand has launched the Zenith El Primero 36'000 VPH "Panda" models, a duo of contrasting chronographs that utilize the same case as the Range Rover version while ditching the automotive angle in favour of a pair of vintage-inspired "Panda" and "Reverse Panda" dials (aptly named for its similar colouration as the adorable endangered creature). Powered by the brand's tried-and-true high-beat automatic chronograph caliber, the new models are destined to find fans in those more familiar with Zenith's heyday in decades past. (zenith.com)
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph
Jaeger-LeCoultre has paid close attention to trends in the vintage segment over the past few years, so when it came to redesign the Master Control collection, the company drew just enough influence from older timepieces without pigeonholing the piece as a vintage reissue. Although the brand also launched a three-hand model and a dual-time model, the Master Control Chronograph — measuring 40 mm in diameter and a modest 11.7 mm thick — is a perfect candidate for someone seeking both style and versatility. Consider this your office hours through happy hour watch. (jaeger-lecoultre.com)
Bovet Récital 20 Astérium
While Bovet is never one to disappoint with its elaborate creations, this year the company introduced an intriguing new complication that we would have expected to grab much more attention than it did. The Récital 20 Astérium not only features a brilliantly finished 10-day flying-tourbillon movement with an annual calendar and other astronomical complications, it also displays a night sky chart presented prominently at the 12 o'clock position. There is something particularly unique about Bovet's ability to create such elegant and complex creations that always stay true to their classical DNA. So even if you are not a long-time follower of the brand, this new complication is hard not to love. Bovet will create 60 examples of the new piece with a price tag of $US350,000 (or about $A456,700). (bovet.com)
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver
Though the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver is not technically breaking any new ground, fans of bold colour should be pleased by the new variations of the iconic collection's three-hand version that expands on the neon chronographs launched last year. The watch is a comfortable 42 mm in diameter and is water resistant up to 300 metres — the same as previous versions. But there is one noteworthy change from the 2016 launches: Last year the neon green could only be purchased at Audemars Piguet's Geneva boutique, whereas this time around the green is fair game at the brand's boutiques around the globe. Considering this is turning into "the year of green" rather quickly, this is a smart play on the company's part. Production volume has not been disclosed, but the new dials are priced at $US19,900 (or $A25,975), except for the white model, which will retail for $US19,000. (audemarspiguet.com)
Bulgari Octo Roma
While Bulgari usually launches its new releases at Baselworld, the brand gave us a taste of what is to come by unveiling one of its new collections in Geneva outside of the halls of SIHH. The new Octo Roma line is a slightly subdued take on the heavily faceted and angular Octo pieces in the current repertoire. Initially offered in a three-hand configuration with date, the new timepiece is a little more under-the-radar than its siblings, broadening its appeal as a daily wearer. It is being offered in steel, two-tone pink gold and steel, or pink gold, with black, white, and brown dial options available. (bulgari.com)
Piaget Altiplano 40 mm 60th Anniversary Edition
We told you the green revolution was coming, right? Piaget introduced a slew of new Altiplano models to celebrate the 60-year anniversary of the series, but the svelte yellow-gold Piaget Altiplano 40 mm 60th Anniversary Edition stole the show. Much like the new green-dialed Glashütte Original Sixties Iconic Square chronograph that was unveiled last week, Piaget went for a deep forest green with a sunburst finish that is the perfect pairing for a wide assortment of attire we have been seeing on runways around the globe. Fashion aside, it is powered by the new ultraslim Calibre 1203P automatic movement, allowing the brand to keep the new piece ($US25,200 or $A32,885) down to an impressive 3 mm thickness. (piaget.com)
Hublot Big Bang Unico GMT Titanium
Another brand that we are expecting an impressive showing from at Baselworld is Hublot, which rolled out a few interesting goodies in Geneva's harbour that are worth keeping an eye out for. The Magic Gold version of the Big Bang Meca-10 certainly drew a fair bit of attention, but it was the addition of the Hublot Big Bang Unico GMT Titanium that caught our eye from both a functional and aesthetic standpoint. The chunky casual piece uses two separate pushers for quick forward and reverse adjustment of the GMT hand — a feature that on dressier GMT watches would look foolish, but in case of the Big Bang works quite well. (hublot.com)
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Small Model Without Diamonds
Unlike the 2016 release of the Overseas Small Model seen here, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Small Model Without Diamonds includes a plain steel bezel that gives the piece a more unisex look.
We have been seeing more and more brands offering men's (or unisex) watches in reduced case sizes of late, and this Vacheron Constantin Overseas Small Model Without Diamonds was one of a few that surfaced at SIHH. During the major relaunch of the Overseas collection in 2016, a 37 mm women's model hit the market with a diamond-set bezel (shown above), but the brand has forgone the bling in 2017, making the piece hugely more appealing for both genders wanting a more conservative case size for the casual-wearing piece. Much like its larger siblings, the 37 mm watch ($US18,900 or $A24,660) will be sold with three quick-change straps: rubber, leather, and steel bracelet. (vacheron-constantin.com)
Louis Vuitton Is About to Drop A Colourful Smartwatch
Available January 15, the watch features a sophisticated custom operating system and a brand new design.
Thoughts on what's coming from those in the know.
By Victoria Gomelsky
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Hint: more watches, fewer collections and (relatively) lower price points.
By Carol Besler
Omega Unveils A New White Gold Speedmaster
The timepiece celebrates the manufacture's 65th anniversary of the Speedmaster.
The 15 Best New Watches Of 2021
In a year that saw soaring demand for high-end watches, these models stood out.
Robb Read: When Rare Is Not Enough
A bespoke timepiece is the ultimate for watch aficionados. One collector describes the long road from commission to big reveal.
By Mark Cho; Christian Klings Photography Nicolas Blandin; Mark Cho And Watch Photography Tsz Fung Chan
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By Richard Brown


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School Lane Surgery
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A new mental health helpline for patients, public and professionals.
NSFT has set up a First Response 24/7 helpline offering immediate support to anyone for mental health difficulties during the coronavirus pandemic.
GPs and Primary Care can use this line to seek advice, information and refer people. There is a specific option for professional callers, this option is offered when the number is called.
The free phone number, which is staffed by mental health professionals from the Trust, will provide reassurance, self-help advice, support and signposting designed to prevent people from going to the region's emergency departments (EDs) during the crisis.
It is available to members of the public of any age, regardless of whether they are an existing NSFT service user.
The line is also open to other healthcare professionals, such as ambulance staff and GPs, as well as social care colleagues and police personnel who may need advice when working with individuals who are undergoing mental health difficulties or may wish to refer someone.
The following communication reflects how mental health services in Norfolk and Waveney are operating in the COVID-19 pandemic:
Mental Health and COVID-19
COVID 19 - An update on visiting the practice
Please do not visit the practice unless absolutely necessary. You may find information on our website that advises you to come into the practice. A lot of this information does not apply during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Advice on visiting the Practice
The NHS will start giving the coronavirus vaccine as soon as it is available. Breckland Alliance have been approved as a Wave 1 site and this will commence next week from the 15th ... Find out more
How do I get an appointment? The easiest and most effective method is to contact us using the practice website contact methods, or you can telephone. You will then be contacted by... Find out more
We're now taking flu vaccination bookings for all patients aged 65 years and over or those turning 65 before March 2021. Please speak to our reception team or use our online s... Find out more
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Croxton Road Thetford Norfolk IP24 1JD


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Western Sydney University has resumed face-to-face teaching on campus as of March 2022, but we also acknowledge some students are still unable to attend campus, so online and in-person options will continue to be provided, where possible.
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We are continually reviewing all University operations, and acting on the latest NSW Government, health authority and regulatory advice. To learn more, and to view the University's COVID-Safe plan, please visit the Work Health Safety and Wellbeing website.
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Tiger Woods winning adds to Ryder Cup buzz
By Doug Ferguson, AP Golf Writer
SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France — Already the most intense competition in golf, the Ryder Cup doesn't need help to boost the excitement.
Tiger Woods managed to take it to another level.
On Sunday, Sept. 23, he looked like the Woods of old by leading the final 36 holes of the Tour Championship, not letting anyone near him until it was too late, a vintage performance made all the more remarkable by four back surgeries and a future that looked bleak only a year ago.
Woods was a vice captain at the Presidents Cup a year ago this week and said he envisioned a scenario where he never returned to competition. One PGA Tour event into his return, Jim Furyk selected him as a vice captain for the Ryder Cup.
And then he picked him for the team. And then Woods won for the first time in more than five years.
"It's obviously a nice buzz for our team," Furyk said Monday, a few hours after the American charter plane landed in Paris. The entire U.S. team was on a charter that arrived in Paris at about 12:45 p.m.
Monday was as much a time to reflect on Woods as it was to rest up for a busy week at Le Golf National.
"I spent 25 years playing professional golf with Tiger Woods on the scene, and any time he does anything great, that's a story. And that's where we want to see him," said European captain Thomas Bjorn, the only player to be paired with Woods over 72 holes and beat him. That was in Dubai in 2001.
"He does so much for the game of golf," Bjorn said. "Watching that last night, I thought it was brilliant. It was great for the greater aspect of the game."
The television ratings show as much.
NBC Sports Group said the overnight rating from the Tour Championship was 5.21, the highest-rated telecast in the 12-year history of the FedEx Cup playoffs, which cover 48 events featuring some of the strongest fields of the year.
That was the highest rating of the year this side of the majors, and the highest for the Tour Championship dating to 2000.
"In the end, whatever it is these 24 guys are going to do this week, the game of golf needs that boost of somebody like him that transcends the game to the masses," Bjorn said. "So for everyone in golf, it's brilliant."
Now that Woods is back on his game, the hope for Furyk and the U.S. team is that he's not back to Ryder Cup form.
For all that he has achieved – 80 victories on the PGA Tour, 14 majors, No. 1 in the world for 683 weeks – he has a 13-17-3 record in Ryder Cup matches, and he has played on only one winning team since his first one in 1997.
"We don't fear anyone because we've played against them so many times before individually," Bjorn said. "But we respect our opponents and know what we are up against. What stands on the other side we know is one of the strongest American teams of all time. … We do what we do as a European team, and then we go out and take that on the golf course, and that's all 12 Americans. It's not one individual."
Europe has done it well over the years.
The Americans have not won the Ryder Cup away from home since 1993, a drought Furyk has been hearing about since he was appointed captain in January 2017. The Americans have confidence from winning big at Hazeltine two years ago – Woods was a vice captain that week – and from a team that boasts nine major champions.
That makes them favorites on paper.
On Sunday, it was a comeback not even Tiger Woods saw coming a year ago.
A chaotic celebration that golf hasn't seen even in the best of times.
Woods delivered the perfect ending to his amazing return from four back surgeries with a performance that felt like the old days. He left the competition feeling hopeless as he built a five-shot lead early and hung on to win the Tour Championship.
Woods raised both arms over his head after he tapped in for par and a 1-over 71 for a two-shot victory over Billy Horschel, the 80th victory of his PGA Tour career and his first in more than five years.
"It was a grind out there," Woods said. "I loved every bit of it."
It felt like a coronation coming down the 18th green after he hit his second shot to the par 5 safely in a bunker in front of the green. The crowd came through the ropes and walked behind him, just like that walk from the left side of the 18th fairway when he won the Masters in 1997, and when the enormous gallery of Chicago followed after him when he won the Western Open that summer.
They chased after any inch of grass they could find to watch the ending.
This felt just as big as a major, maybe better considering where Woods had been.
"I didn't want to get run over," Woods said with a laugh.
Only when he was on the green, the last one to putt after Rory McIlroy tapped in for birdie, did it start to sink in.
"All of a sudden it hit me that I was going to win the tournament. I started tearing up a little bit," Woods said. "I can't believe I pulled this off."
He paused as his voice started to crack.
More roars.
Several players, from Zach Johnson to Rickie Fowler to Horschel, waited to greet him. It was Johnson who unveiled red shirts at the Ryder Cup two years ago in the team room that said, "Make Tiger Great Again."
"They knew what I was struggling with," Woods said. "It was special to see them."
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David Kind opticians have been quietly innovating on the eyewear home try-on platform for the past two years. The company was founded on a premise that it is difficult to select eyeglasses online due to the multitude of subtleties that go into finding the perfect pair. With the help of a real optician, the journey finding a new pair of glasses can be MUCH more enjoyable.
We make thousands of decisions every day. Shopping for glasses should be fun, but many discerning eyeglass wearers shopping online can result in tiresome experience. Either you find it hard to pick more than a couple of frames for your try-on set–"Stop making me pick so many! Just send the one I want to try!" Or you have a hard time narrowing it down to a handful–"What if there is something better I didn't pick? How would I know?" In the end you've spent an exceptional amount of time, or have given up and settled for the styles you think might work–and you are decision fatigued.
After you pick 3 frames, your optician will pick 3 specifically for you. 49% of our clients buy a frame that our opticians chose for them. Which is a significant number considering–in the other 51% of purchases–our opticians likely would have picked one of the frames the client chose as well. Through this system, we've proven to double the chance you'll find a frame you love.
Information from your photo including facial features, complexion, nose bridge, etc. We fill out our proprietary fit/feature profile.
This provides info into lens compatibility with the selected frames.
Your stylist note and style preferences.
The 3 frames you selected.
This is very similar to what opticians notice when you walk into a shop and start trying frames on. It provides info into what type of styling and color you are looking for.
We aggregate the feedback you send to us. From your frame fit notes to color feedback–it is all entered into our system. Purchases are strongly weighted, then save for later, and so on.
With the above info, your optician is able to fine tune the selections. We know the David Kind eyewear collection intimately and have seen each frame on a multitude of clients. With this information at hand, our expert opticians are able to make decisions based upon experience, and back it up with real data built from doing this many thousands of times.
To take advantage of all of the above, all you need to do is sign up for a home try-on set. It only takes about 10 minutes.


Peonies always come into their own in any garden in early summer with their showy flowers. They are a must in any cottage garden or herbaceous border.
Peonies are divided into five flowering groups from very early flowering in May, to late flowering in end of June, early July and so can be planted to form a succession of colour over the early summer.
They can also be used as cut flowers if they are cut when just starting to show colour.
Peonies like good soil and a sunny position in your garden. When planting out of a pot the plant should be planted at the same depth in the ground as it has been in the pot eg. the surface of the plant in the pot should be level with the soil surface. Peonies do not like to be planted deeply. If they are planted too deeply then they grow foliage wonderfully but do not flower. Peonies will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions as long as they are not too wet or too dry.
If planting bare rooted in October then the nodules or shoots that can just be seen should be planted about one to two inches under the soil surface. Dig a good sized hole and work in some good compost or well rotted manure to the bottom of the hole before planting. Give plants plenty of space to develop.
If you have plants in your garden that no longer flower then they could now be too deep under the soil surface. With the fashion of mulching borders with bark etc. these days the plants can get buried deeper and deeper. If this has happened to your plant then wait until October and carefully dig up your peony. Replant as for new peonies. Peonies should also be divided at this time of year, should you wish to.
Whenever you plant make sure your water it well after planting and in any dry spells in the summer. A feed with a high potash fertiliser in late summer is beneficial.


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Cyclone Amphan kills 87, causes damages for 18 million people in Kolkata (photos)
About 60 per cent of trees have been uprooted; hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed. There is no electricity, water, food, sanitation. Roads are cut off. Many churches and convents have been affected. Caritas is working with the army in the relief and reconstruction efforts.
Kolkata (AsiaNews) - Cyclone Amphan, which hit West Bengal and Odisha last week killing 87 people (86 in West Bengal; one in Odisha), has caused extensive damage for at least 18 million of people.
At least, "60 per cent of the trees – many over 100 years old – have been uprooted, resulting in an environmental disaster," says Fr Franklin Menezes, from Seva Kendra, the charity of the Archdiocese of Calcutta (Kolkata).
"Many of the trees fell on rooftops, destroying hundreds of thousands of houses, especially those of the poor, the least resistant."
"Some trees fell on electrical wires and poles, so that many villages, even now, have no power for the Internet and water pumps. The lack of drinking water, hot food and a roof are the most urgent needs.
"The roads blocked by fallen trees are also a problem, especially in 24 Parganas South and North districts. Here it is still impossible to bring relief. The army is in charge of clearing the roads, along with many volunteers."
Toilet facilities are also out of work because of water shortages and damages caused by the cyclone. The only positive note is the low death toll, thanks to the foresight of the two state governments, which moved 700,000 people to shelters.
Archbishop Thomas D'Souza of Calcutta is visiting places hit by the cyclone. "Amphan has destroyed homes, crops, animals in at least 24 parishes. Churches and convents have also suffered damage," he told AsiaNews.
"I have sent a circular to all parish priests, religious superiors and school principals to provide food and shelter, wherever it is necessary, to those who were hit by the cyclone, without concern for belief or caste. In relief and reconstruction, Caritas is working with the Indian army."
Card Oswald Gracias, president of Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), offered prayers and compassion for the loss of lives and livelihoods in West Bengal and Odisha.
The Bishops, he said, "are one with the sufferings of the people". For this reason, he called on the civil and Church authorities to make every effort "to reach and help those who have been hit by the cyclone." (N.C.)
Cyclone Amphan hits Kolkata
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So… what is recycled wool good for? Here are some of wool's properties that make it great for so many different purposes. This is why I'm so passionate about recycling it and keeping it from being wasted in landfills.