Ilamperiyan dead

The Electronic Warfare (EW) sources confirmed that an LTTE's support group commander, known as Ilamperiyan, who commanded the Paranthan battle was killed in fierce fighting ensued on 31 December. He was later given the self-styled 'Lt. Colonel' rank, EW sources further confirmed citing LTTE communication channels.

Ceylinco Insurance Traded

The Colombo stock market closed the year with a bang yesterday with turnover reaching Rs.208.5, up from the previous day’s Rs.97.4 million with both indices too moving up – the All Share Price Index by 18.48 points (1.25) while the Milanka gained 19.31 points (1.20).

Ceylinco Insurance opened trading yesterday with a big parcel of 263,000 shares traded at Rs.150, down Rs.25 from the previous close with two more parcels of 90,000 and 60,000 done in early afternoon trading at Rs.175.
The share hit Rs.200 shortly thereafter and some biggish parcels, two of over 11,000 shares each, one of 31,500 and one of 44,200 were traded at this price before market closed for the day and the year.
A total of over 0.5 million Ceylinco, trading between Rs.150 and Rs.200, closed at Rs.200 gaining Rs.12 and generating a turnover of Rs.110.6 million. Other Ceylinco companies that traded in some quantity yesterday included non-voting shares of Ceylinco Insurance which traded between Rs.120 and Rs.145 gaining Rs.32.50 to close at Rs.145 on 21,400 shares traded.

Ceylinco Seylan Development saw 0.4 million of its one-0rupee shares traded between Rs.4 and Rs.4.60 gaining 70 cents to close at Rs.4.40. Ceylinco Housing and The Finance confirmed yesterday that Mr. Lalith Kotelawala continues to be the Chairman of these two companies.

Mihin flies again…

State owned air liner Mihin Lanka commenced its commercial flight to Dubai today, with a Boeing 737-800 single class 186 seater aircraft. Civil Aviation Minister Sarath Kumara Gunarathne, Mihin Lanka CEO Kapila Chandrasena and several other officials attend at the ceremony

Sri Lanka Army Recaptures Iranamadu Junction and Paranthan

Troops of the Army's 57 Division liberated the Iranamadu Junction this morning (Jan 01) hot on the heels of the liberation of Paranthan by Task Force I troops, according to defence sources.

Troops of the Army's Task Force 1 captured the key LTTE garrison of Paranthan early this morning (January 1), taking control of Paranthan Junction and its surrounding areas, according to defence sources. This is the first time in a decade that the area has come under Government control.

CNN Report:

"
Sri Lanka's army said Thursday it had recaptured the northern town of Paranthan, bringing government troops within 3 km (2 miles) of the onetime power center of the Tamil Tiger rebel movement.
Paranthan is located on a highway connecting the northern Jaffna Peninsula to the country's mainland, about 575 km (360 miles) north of Colombo and 2.5 miles from Kilinochchi -- until recently the rebel capital. The captured town lies between Kilinochchi to the south and the Elephant Pass, which remains a rebel stronghold, to the north.
The Tigers ran a parallel administration from Kilinochchi with their own police force, courts, prisons and taxes. After government troops launched a new push against the rebels in the fall, the separatists moved their nerve center and logistics bases to the Mullaitivu district, on the northeastern coast.
Sri Lankan troops have been on the outskirts of Kilinochchi for more than a month. Army sources told CNN there was heavy fighting between troops and rebels Wednesday as troops tried to cross the A-9 highway, which links the peninsula to Colombo.
"When we break through and move further, it could be a terrible blow to the rebels," one source added

"

Changes in Cabinet

Minister of Investment Promotion and Enterprise Development, Dr. Sarath Amunugama is to be appointed as Minister of Public Administration while the Minister of Mass Media and Information, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa is to take over as Minister of Investment Promotion and Enterprise Development.

News-Lanka Right Back on January

News-Lanka Right Back on January

නව පෙනුමකින් හා නව ආරකින් ජනවාරි පලමුවෙනිදා සිට News-Lanka ඔබ වෙත.


New look and New version of News-Lanka from 1st January 2009.