Rajneesh Kumar runs surrounded by flames after trying to immolate himself in an act of protest in New Delhi, India, Saturday, July 29, 2006. Kumar has been sitting in protest since May 25, 2006, to appeal for help in the release of his wife and three children who were allegedly kidnapped in Etah, of Utter Pradesh state, a north Indian state where an average of at least seven people are kidnapped everyday, a television channel reported earlier this month. Kumar is out of danger and admitted in a city hospital. (AP Photo)

• FMM condemns threat on distributors of Tamil dailies
  The Free Media Movement (FMM) yesterday vehemently condemned, what it termed, violent attempts to stop the distribution of two Tamil language dailies un the Eastern Province. It also alleged, in a statement, that the threats against the two newspapers were made by anti-LTTE para-military groups.
  
  

• Youth shot at while escaping Tigers
  Two Tamil youth from Mutur, who were fleeing in a boat across the Trincomalee harbour, to escape forcible conscription by the LTTE, were shot at by the Tigers.
  The Tigers had given chase to their boat and fired at them. One youth received gunshot injuries and was admitted to the Trincomalee Hospital yesterday (30), security force sources said.
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• Devolve power to the district
  The heart of the solution to the gridlock in the Peace Process is the decision on the unit of devolution. Accepting the District as the unit of devolution will be the turning point. It will also be the beginning of good governance in the country.
  
• New Peruvian Government: More women
  The increasing participation of women in politics in Latin America has been a matter of comment during the last few months. Even though male faces tend to be given more media coverage such as Evo Morales and Hugo Chavez, it was just recently that the Chilean elections ended with a victory for Michele Bachelet.
   
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• Reputed brand names to continue
  BCC Lanka to start operations in August
  BCC Lanka Ltd. (BCCLL) the successor to the British Ceylon Corporation Ltd. (BCCL) is planning to start its operations next month.
  BCCLL which was shutdown for the last four years on labour issues will offer VRS (voluntary retirement scheme) on compulsory basis for 484 selected employees paying Rs. 257 million in compensation.
   
• OED report
  Mahaweli Ganga Project leaves much to be desired – World Bank
  Mahaweli Ganga Project which is considered as country’s landmark multi-purpose rural development programme was recently reconfirmed as one of the unsatisfactory projects for both the lender and the borrower in meeting the expected results.
   
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• Gatlin admits failing drugs test
  World and Olympic 100 metres champion Justin Gatlin has admitted failing a drugs test in April, BBC Sport reported on Saturday.
  The American, 24, was told the news by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
  He said: "I have been informed that after a relay race I ran in Kansas City on 22 April, I tested positive for 'testosterone or its precursors'.
  
  
  
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