The President briefs his parliamentary group and electoral organisers at a special meeting at Temple Trees last Friday.
(Pic. by Sudath Silva)

Mahinda warns of UNP bid to pit legislature against President
President has warned of an UNP attempt to trigger a clash between the Executive and the Legislature.
 

• Suicide bomber’s original plan thwarted, two TMVP cadres killed
  A chance detection of an LTTE suicide cadre at Ondachchi, Kalawanchikudi yesterday morning by TMVP cadres prompted him to trigger a blast. The blast killed two TMVP cadres loyal to Pilleyan. The TMVP, which recently secured political recognition, is the political wing of the Karuna faction. The military said that it was not clear who the assassin’s original target had been. Karuna’s men had challenged him on seeing his suspicious behaviour, the military said.
  
  

• Jets strike LTTE senior cadres’ camp north of Yoda Wewa
  The SLAF headquarters said that jets launched from Katunayaka had bombed an LTTE camp at Parappakandanthan, about five km north of Yoda Wewa yesterday morning.The Air Force said the targeted base had been used by senior LTTE cadres directing operations against the army now engaged in ground operations on the Vanni front.

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• A Tribute to Three Heroes
  I write this little piece in praise and honour of Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas. This threesome has brought honour and glory to Sri Lanka along with several other cricketers who have already retired. The crafty magic of Murali, the explosive stroke-play of Sanath and the teasing deliveries of Chaminda have thrilled the hearts of cricket fans, especially at a time when Sri Lanka has been passing through a period of unending agony.
   
• Rama Mani, NGOs, and Foreign Relations
  The main focus of this article is on the external aspect of the Rama Mani case, more specifically on the damage that it can do to our foreign relations. But it is relevant for my purposes to begin with a brief observation on its internal aspect. Reportedly Ms Mani had received a letter dismissing her with immediate effect from the post of Director at the ICES. Apparently no opportunity was given to her to defend herself against any charges prior to the issue of that letter, which can therefore be taken as outraging the norms of natural justice.
   
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• No takers for over 100,000 jobs -Athauda
  Although there are around 100,000 jobs in the agriculture, plantation apparel sectors the present generation has shown a deep reluctance to such sectors because they consider these jobs are menial and not accepted socially. The time has come to dispel such fallacies, Labour Relations and Human Resources Minister Athauda Seneviratne said at the anniversary of the Biyagama Rotary Society held at Kiribathgoda Shara hotel recently.
   

• David Pieris Motor Company launches the exciting new 200 cc Pulsar DTS-i
  David Pieris Motor Company Ltd., sole agents for Sri Lanka’s best selling range of Bajaj motorcycles, has extended its portfolio with the launch of the new 200cc ‘Pulsar’ DTS-i motorcycle in Sri Lanka. The latest offering has set new benchmarks in technology, performance and styling to address the needs of a growing segment of pro-bikers.

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• Under-19 World Cup
  India, SA make it to semi-finals
  KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Second-seeded India defeated England by seven wickets while South Africa demolished Bangladesh by 201 runs on Sunday to breeze through to the semifinals of the Under-19 World Cup.Left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdullah took 3-29 as England staggered to 146 all out in 46 overs, losing its last seven wickets for only 39 runs. Seamer Siddarth Kaul and left-arm slow bowler Ravindra Jadeja picked up two wickets each.
   

• Klitschko easily wins heavyweight unification fight
  NEW YORK (AP) - Wladimir Klitschko is one belt closer to being the undisputed heavyweight champion after an indisputably dominant victory over Sultan Ibragimov on Saturday. Far too strong and much too long, Klitschko barely took a punch while winning a unanimous decision, defending his IBF title and claiming Ibragimov's minor WBO belt in the first heavyweight unification fight in nearly nine years.
  
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  Wladimir Klitschko, of Ukraine, punches Sultan Ibragimov, of Russia, right, during the first round of a championship unification boxing match Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Klitschko won the fight.
   (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)