News in brief
Tourist arrivals up 55.8%
Tourist arrivals to the country increased by 55.8 percent last month,
the Tourism Ministry said yesterday. "Sri Lanka tourism which recovered
after a year long slump since September 2006 outdid its 20 percent
growth in November 2007, with a 55.8 percent increase in December," the
Ministry said.
Lankan refugees to be resettled Twenty-one Sri Lankan refugees who
are being held on Nauru will be resettled in Australia next week.
Australian Immigration Minister, Chris Evans, said the refugees have
undergone their final health and character checks, and will be settled
in capital cities.
Gunbattles in the North
Security Forces and LTTE terrorists fought a series of gunbattles in
the North, leaving 59 Tigers and one soldier dead, military sources said
yesterday.
Troops clashed with Tamil Tigers on several fronts in the Vavuniya
district, killing 39 terrorists, a Defence Ministry official said.
Rebel strength halved
There are strong indications that LTTE terrorist leader Prabhakaran
was injured, Sri Lankan Army Chief Gen. Sarath Fonseka said claiming
that the military had reduced the rebel strength to half.
"We have a strong feeling that he is injured and nothing much is
known about him after he paid homage to Anton Balasingham on December
14," the General told a media reception at his official residence.
No shelter for Tigers in India
India's Defence Minister A.K. Antony has assured that no fleeing
Tamil Tiger terrorists escaping from the onslaught of the Sri Lanka
Armed Forces will be allowed to take shelter in the coastal areas of
India. "There will be no compromise on the safety of the country", he
said, referring to India's fear that Tamil Tigers would again cause
trouble in India harming Indian citizens.
In the past a Tamil Tiger woman assassin, entered India and killed
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
An Appeal
Kidney patient
M. A. Lalani Inoka of 20, Polahena-Essalla, Veyangoda is suffering
from a severe kidney ailment.
Consultant Nephrologist of the General Hospital, Kandy Dr. A. W. M.
Wazil, is of the opinion that she may have to undergo surgery shortly
and prior to that, is in need of regular treatment with drugs to be
purchased, which may be costly.
She appeals for help from philanthropists to donate funds to her
account at People’s Bank, Veyangoda branch - A/C No.
079-2-001-8-4811530.
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