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| Sunday, 1 February 2004 |
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Message from President : 'Haj important for peace' Following the Islamic precept of treating all alike will lead to a solution of the current conflict, President Chandrika Kumaratunga says in a message to mark the Haj Festival. The President's message said: "This Holy festival of Haj symbolises the importance of sacrifices which is the fifth pillar of Islam. The others are Iman or Faith, Salah or Prayer, Zakah or the obligation to help the needy, and Sawm or Fasting. "Every Muslim rich or poor as he celebrates Haj reminds himself of his own submission to God, and his own willingness to sacrifice anything to God's wishes. The Haj pilgrimage for those who can afford it signifies the importance of parity among all humans, obedience, peace and universal brotherhood enshrined in Islam. "The message of Haj is of special significance to all Sri Lankans today while we are striving to achieve a negotiated and lasting peace. I fervently believe that following the Islamic precept, of treating all alike will certainly lead us towards a solution to the existing crisis and to build a prosperous Sri Lanka. I wish you a happy Eid ul Adlha." Jaffna to launch pro-peace signature campaign Jaffna based intellectuals, students, teachers and NGOs will be launching a signature campaign in Jaffna on February 4 for a memorandum to be sent to the international community with six demands related to the Tamil national question.The six demands included that the international community recognise the Tamil freedom struggle; the Sri Lanka Army should leave the traditional homeland of Tamils; action be taken to restart the stalled peace talks ending the power struggle between the two main political parties in the South. PM on Thai visit Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will pay an official visit to Thailand from February 9-11, on the invitation of Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.This visit will be in reciprocation of the Thai Prime Minister's visit to Sri Lanka in August last year. During Prime Minister Wickremesinghe's visit to Bangkok, a number of important agreements on bilateral co-operation in the fields of agriculture, trade and IT will be signed. Gen. Furuhovde takes over SLMM again Major General Trond Furuhovde Chief of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission arrived in Colombo at 4.45 am yesterday and was received by his deputy Hagroup Haukland at the BIA. Gen. Furuhovde was re-appointed as the head of the SLMM, following the removal of Maj. Gen. Tryggve Tellefsen. Gen. Furuhovde will assume duties tomorrow, at the SLMM office in Colombo. Jak Tree Project The second phase of the National Jak Tree Planting Project sponsored by Lake House and organised by our sister newspaper Silumina in collaboration with the Sevana Lottery will resume on the 56th Independent Day, at 10.00 a.m. at the Horticultural Crop Research and Development Institute, Gannoruwa with the blessings of the Agriculture Ministry. Director General of the Department of Agriculture Sarath Weerasena will be the chief guest. Institute Director Dr. C. Kudagamage and officials of the Department will also be present. ANCL Chief Executive Director Tikiri Kobbekaduwa along with top ranking officials of the ANCL will also be present. Independence celebrations Elaborate arrangements have been made to celebrate the 56th Independence day celebrations at the Independence Square on February 4. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will hoist the National flag at the auspicious time of 9.08 am. The President's address to the nation will be followed by a twenty-one gun salute by the Artillery regiment of the Sri Lanka Army. The celebrations will be graced by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapakse, Cabinet Ministers and the diplomatic community. |
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