Dawn of a new life : People of the north are experiencing the dawn of a new life after getting over the curse of a three decade war and proceeding on a path to improve their economy and livelihood with a helping hand from the Central Bank and other financial institutions. Here women leaders of community groups which have improved their livelihoods with the assistance of the ‘Prabodhini’ programme and the President’s ‘Northern reawakening’ credit programme arriving to participate in a programme organised by the Central Bank at its headquarters in Colombo yesterday. Picture by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa

A ship with 2,850 containers docked at the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port yesterday rejecting the malicious views held by a handful of persons including Badulla district Parliamentarian Harin Fernando that major ships cannot call at the newly constructed port due to a large rock submerged in the harbour mouth. Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygoonewardena categorically denied the views expressed by Fernando with ulterior motives that major ships cannot call at the port due to a large rock embedded in the harbour mouth.

February exports up

Earnings from exports in February 2011 increased by 36.8 percent year-on-year, to US $ 860 million led by exports of textiles and garments, petroleum and rubber products Central Bank said.

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Govt to lobby strongly against Darusman Report

*Will respond as one nation

*Report designed to halt country’s progress

*Findings bundle of contradictions

“The government will hold talks with all relevant local and foreign actors on the controversial Darusman report which has been rejected outright by Sri Lanka,” Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday.

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President, a leader committed to peace - Ex-US Congressman

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa is a very committed leader to peace and it is up to Sri Lanka to reap the peace dividends by accelerating the reconciliation process,” former US Congressman Rev Dr Walter E Fauntroy told a news conference yesterday.

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GL to diplomatic community on Darusman Report:

Allegations presented as a narrative

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris yesterday noted that the allegations in the Darusman Report are presented as a narrative account of events during the last stages of the Humanitarian Operation, instead of under their legal classification.

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Report, a waste of UN funds - Devananda

Traditional Industries and Small Industries Development Minister Douglas Devananda said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has done the biggest damage to the country by preparing an unauthorized report through Darusman on Sri Lanka and releasing it by abusing the UN funds and facilities to satisfy his “masters” and to win his reappointment.

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