Minister refutes UNP Leader’s claims........

Minister refutes UNP Leader’s claims:
Donor funds used properly

Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said the Government has ensured that the funds disbursed by the donor countries and lending agencies are properly utilised for the country’s development. He said the country has received over US$ 772 million up to September 15 and the Government is hopeful that this figure will rise to US$ 1,350 million by December. dailynews

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Country lost Rs. 16 billion........

Country lost Rs. 16 billion:
UNF sold CB gold for a song

Media Minister Lakshaman Yapa Abeywardena yesterday said Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should take the responsibility for selling over 200,000 troy ounces belonging to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to his friends at US$ 300 per ounce between 2002 - 2003 during the UNF regime. dailynews

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UN criticises Sri Lanka expulsion ........

UN criticises Sri Lanka expulsion


The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, has criticised the Sri Lankan government's decision to expel a UN children's agency spokesman.
The government accused the spokesman of spreading Tamil Tiger propaganda.
Mr Ban's office said he strongly regretted the decision and would raise the issue with President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the earliest opportunity.
The spokesman, James Elder, regularly updated the media on the plight of children caught up in the war.
The Tamil Tigers were defeated by the army earlier this year.
"The secretary-general strongly regrets the decision of the Sri Lankan government to expel Mr Elder," Ban's office said in a statement.
The UN chief "expresses his full confidence in the work of the United Nations in Sri Lanka, which includes making public statements when necessary in an effort to save lives and prevent grave humanitarian problems".
Mr Ban said that the UN was "working impartially to assist the people of Sri Lanka and the government should be supporting and co-operating with its efforts."
Mr Elder, communications chief for Unicef in Sri Lanka, was told on Sunday to leave the country within two weeks. He has worked in Sri Lanka since July 2008 and his -bbc-sinhala

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Channel 4 video: .........

Channel 4 video:
Local elements will be exposed soon

Transport Minister Dullas Allahapperuma yesterday said the local elements who were involved in the production of the video footage that was telecast on Channel 4 television will be divulged soon.dailynews

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Govt to intervene .....

Govt to intervene


Plantation Industries Minister D.M. Jayaratne told Parliament yesterday the Government will intervene to sort out the crisis in the estate sector, if Trade Unions and plantation companies fail to reach an agreement on the pay hike issue of plantation workers. -dailynews

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Libyan Leader.....

Libyan Leader Colonel Muammar al-Khaddafi rests his arm on the shoulder of President Mahinda Rajapaksa while viewing the combined armed services parade in Tripoli on September 1 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Libyan Revolution. Pictures by Sudath Silva

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Excise raids from January to August 2009....

Excise raids from January to August 2009:
Govt nets Rs 100m

Sri Lankan illicit liquor distillers, wholesale and retail dealers, banned drugs and tobacco abusers and consumers together paid more than Rs. 100 million to the State coffers in fines, within the first seven months of this year. They were apprehended in more than 26,000 raids launched by the Sri Lanka Excise Department.dailynews

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