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Taxmen propose, policemen dispose

Slave Island Police demolishing an unauthorised structure, erected opposite the Inland Revenue Department, in Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha yesterday, by members of the Inland Revenue Service Union to stage a continuous Satyagraha demanding the immediate implementation of the modernisation programmes for the Inland Revenue Department.Police said that the union activists had not obtained prior approval from the Department, the CMC or the police and added that such structures or protests are not permitted when the Emergency Laws are in force.
Pic by Nihal Chandrakumara

• UNP gives Mahinda two weeks to state policy on PTOMS, devolution
  The UNP yesterday called on the SLFP's Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse to make known within two weeks his policy on the PTOMS agreement and devolution of power.
  
  
• Thondaman's security tightened
  The security provide to Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) Leader Arumugam Thondaman has been increased after intelligence operatives found that there was a threat to his life, senior vice President of the party R. Yogarajan said yesterday.
  
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  MoU with UNP
  Meanwhile .... an SLMC-UNP Alliance is likely. An MOU in this regard has already been prepared and is ready for signing, SLMC sources said yesterday.

• SLMC’s Presidential Season sale offer
  With the announcement of the Presidential election in 2005 the Sri-Lankan Muslim Congress (SLMC) has offered its services to the highest bidder. According to its National Organiser K. A. Baiz the highest bidding Presidential candidate can count on the SLMC support at least up to the elections. Judging from past history, even if SLMC had not supported the winner of the Presidential race, it will still be open to fresh negotiations after the election. Apparently, the UNP candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe has already accepted the SLMC demands and the SLFP candidate Mahinda Rajapakse is still to swallow the SLMC bait (see The Island 30th August). Mr. Baiz however failed to indicate what would happen, if Mahinda also accepted SLMC’s demands.
   
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• Despite Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement
  Restrictions in the Indian market hindering Siddhalepa expansion: Dr.Hettigoda
  "We are exporting 93 Siddhalepa products to 20 countries. Demand has increased and apart from the mix of products exported we have constantly maintained strict quality to meet stringent consumer standards", said Ayur. Dr. Victor Hettigoda when ‘The Island’, met him last week.  
   

• Regnis erases losses, shows positive trends during IH 2005
  Recording a 37% increase in turnover, Regnis (Lanka) Ltd has shown positive trends during the first half of 2005. The turnover increased from Rs 334 million in the first half of 2004 to Rs 458 million this year – an increase of Rs 124 million.

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• Darsha, Manjula earn Lanka gold
  Incheon, Korea, Sep. 4, 2005- Sri Lankan athletes performed well to hoist the lion flag high on two occasions at the Incheon Munhak Stadium when they grabbed two gold medals along with a silver and a bronze on the final day of the 16th Asian Athletic Championships here in Incheon, Korea on Sunday. But a sloppy performance by the men’s 4x400m relay quartet cost Sri Lanka yet another possible gold.
  
  Damayanthi Darsha crosses the finish line of the women’s 200m final on Sunday to win the gold medal. AFP

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• Kandy complete double in telling fashion
  Nalaka’s lethal boot buries CH & FC
  A superb individual place-kicking performance orchestrated by evergreen full back Nalaka Weerakkodi with 16 points, steered reigning champions Kandy SC to a resounding 31-6 win over CH & FC and retain the Clifford Cup for the seventh successive year, in their Knock-Out final at Nittawela on Sunday.

  Kandy SC skipper Sanjeewa Jayasinghe with Clifford Cup held close to his chest is joined by the rest of his players in the team dressing room, as they celebrate a 31-6 win over CH & FC in the Caltex Clifford Cup Knock-Out final at Nittawela on Sunday.
  - Pic. by Kandy Corr., Thiwanka Abeyarathne.

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