News in brief

Defence Secy on security situation

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa will be featured in a special television discussion on the country's present security situation over three leading TV channels tonight. He is expected to analyse the present security situation and the steps taken by the Security Forces against terrorism in the live TV interview to be telecast over Rupavahini, ITN and Swarnavahini from 9.15 tonight.

CB gets tough on money laundering

The Central Bank (CB) getting tough on money laundering and terrorism financing has launched a public awareness campaign that a fine of up to one million rupees can be imposed on anyone found to be withholding information on such activities. The Financial Investigations Unit (FIU) of the Central Bank says as part of moves to tighten the screws on money laundering and terrorism financing, the mandatory reporting requirement on financial transactions will be extended to cover banks and other financial companies including insurance corporations.

Air capability not affected

Sri Lanka's Air Force air capability has not been affected by Monday's attack carried out by the LTTE terrorists, chief of Sri Lanka Air Force said. "Our capability has not been reduced in any way", Air Marshal Roshan Goonatilleke, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force told reporters. He said the government's air defence system set up since the Tiger rebels first used their air capability late March was yet at an early stage of the process. "We have taken action to strengthen the system, the Air Force chief said.

20 power sets from India

The Railway Department's General Manager, Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan said that discussions are under way to purchase 20 power sets from India under a credit line. India has also pledged a concessionary loan facility to improve the Southern railway line under the tsunami reconstruction. The Indian power sets are in addition to the 15 power sets ordered from China that are to arrive in Colombo by mid next year. Twenty-five carriages of the 75 ordered from China arrived last month and the others are due to arrive in the country by the end of this year.

LTTE targets Army jeep

LTTE terrorists in an abortive attempt to target an Army jeep detonated a claymore mine in the Jaffna town around 9.30 p.m. on Friday, Defence sources said. The bomb exploded at Punjankulama, about 400 metres from the Jaffna Kachcheri targeting the army vehicle transporting fresh rations to troops. Soldiers suffered no casualties as the bomb missed its target, the sources said. Troops in a subsequent search in the area found one hand grenade, an electric battery and a 25-metre long wire roll.

Film personalities quizzed

For the first time since underworld don Chhota Shakeel's aide Iqbal Attarwala was deported in August, 12 film personalities were questioned in connection with cricket matches and shows held by him in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Hrithik Roshan, Salman Khan, his brother Sohail, Urmila Matonkar, Shilpa Shetty, Esha Deol and Malaika Arora Khan are among the Bollywood stars who were questioned by the Crime Branch recently.

'Garments' without Guilt'

Sri Lanka Apparel will showcase "Garments without Guilt" at the Fatex Fair to be held early next month in Paris. Sri Lanka Apparel - Garments without Guilt, the ethos of the Sri Lankan apparel industry, epitomises the synergy between ethical brands and apparel made in Sri Lanka.

"Children have no business in our business" is just one of the principles governing this industry ethos. The Garments without Guilt initiative focuses on ethical manufacture and sustainable development assuring the industry's commitment to ethical working conditions, free of child labour, free of forced labour, free of discrimination and free of sweatshop practices. The Sri Lanka Apparel delegation headed by its Chairman Ajith Dias will be accompanied by prominent garment manufacturers who will also be participating in the Fatex in Paris.