COLOMBO: Sri Lankan troops recovered the body of slain rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on Tuesday, a day after he was killed in the Tamil last stand against government forces in the north, the military said.
The government had announced Prabhakaran's killing on Monday, but later said they had not yet found his body. A rebel official abroad denied Prabhakaran was killed and said he was in a safe place.
As speculation grew about Prabhakaran's fate, army chief Gen. Sarath Fonseka announced that his body had been recovered.
"A few hours ago, the body of terrorist leader Prabhakaran, who ruined this country, was found in the battleground," he told state television. "I take responsibility for this statement."
Fonseka's announcement came hours after President Mahinda Rajapaksa delivered a victory address to parliament, declaring that his country had been "liberated" from terrorism after defeating the Tamil Tiger rebels on the battlefield.
Recounting how the rebels, known formally as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, once controlled a wide swath of the north and much of the east, Rajapaksa said that for the first time in 30 years, the country was unified under its elected government.
"We have liberated the whole country from LTTE terrorism," he said, declaring on Wednesday a national holiday to celebrate the armed forces.
The rebels, listed as terrorists by the US and European Union, had been fighting for three decades for a homeland for the mainly Hindu Tamil minority after decades of marginalization at the hands of governments dominated by the mainly Buddhist Sinhalese majority.
Briefly addressing parliament in the Tamil language, Rajapaksa said the war was not waged against the Tamil people.
"Our intention was to save the Tamil people from the cruel grip of the LTTE. We all must now live as equals in this free country," he said.
Rajapaksa has said in the past that he would negotiate some form of power-sharing with the Tamil community following the war and he alluded Tuesday to the need for an agreement.
"We must find a homegrown solution to this conflict. That solution should be acceptable to all the communities," he said. "That solution, which would be based on the philosophy of Buddhism, will be an example to the whole world."
SP, BSP fall over each other in a bid to 'support' UPA
Lucknow:The UPA received unexpected bonus in the shape of support from both Mayawati's BSP and Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, enabling the coalition to cross the 300-mark in the new Lok Sabha.
The two bitter rivals who fought elections against the Congress in UP and elsewhere have chosen to pledge their support on the ground that they want to strengthen secular forces and to keep the BJP out.
SP has 23 and BSP 20 seats in the 543-member House in which the UPA coalition has secured 261 seats on its own. The total tally will now be 304 without counting parties like 3-member JD(S) and a few independents who were offering their support.
First the BSP supremo announced her party's support at the start of a meeting with her party leaders, saying Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed her as a "younger sister" and urged her to adopt a positive attitude towards formation of the UPA Government to strengthen secular forces.
She said the party's National Executive and Parliamentary Board which met this morning took the decision on giving unconditional support to the government from outside.
Mayawati said her party general secretary and confidant Satish Chandra Mishra would handover the letter of BSP's support to President Pratibha Patil.
As news of BSP support came from Lucknow, Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh met the President and handed over a letter of support of the party's 23 MPs to the UPA Government.
SP rescued the Congress-led UPA Government last year after the Left parties withdrew support to it on the nuclear deal issue and parted ways with the Congress before the elections.
Prabhakaran alive, will emerge stronger: SL refugees
Rameswaram/Madurai, May 19: The announcement of the death of LTTE leader V Prabhakaran by the Sri Lankan Army has not created any flutter in the Lankan refugee camps in these two towns, but most inmates dismissed the reports as false.
"Prabhakaran is not dead. He will emerge stronger... nobody can touch even his shadow," Andrews, a refugee at Mandapam camp said, referring to pictures of Prabhakaran's body shown by TV channels.
"Prabhakaran has been fighting for us for more than 30 years, we know his strength, calibre, as well as the strength of the Lankan army," Sivagnanam, a refugee at Dindigul camp felt.
The refugees are also sceptical about returning to Sri Lanka, in spite of the promises held out by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha.
"Even if unfortunately Prabhakaran had died, another Prabhakaran will emerge. The LTTE was crippled by lack of arms and ammunition. It was not a real war, but a one-sided war," another refugee and a retired policeman, Velmurugan said.
Referring to the Sri lankan president's assurance that Tamils would be given equal rights, refugees at a camp near Tiruvathavur said they did not believe his words.
"We want the Indian government's assurance for our safe return," said S Malini, a graduate from Colombo University. "When we stayed there, the Lankan government failed to protect us. It was LTTE which protected us. We came here because this is the place of our forefathers. Here we are living peacefully, though we get a meagre income," claims Maheswari.
Vijayarani, another refugee, says they will return to Sri Lanka only if there is a separate Eelam. She lost her husband in the battle in the island and came here as a refugee. Her children did not know anything about Jaffna. Though they were eager to see Lanka, they fear the Army, she says.
Meanwhile, security around all the refugee camps has been tightened to prevent any infiltration. Additional armed police guard have been posted in all the camps.
US gives another free pass to Pak nuclear program
WASHINGTON: The United States has again given what virtually amounts to a free pass to Pakistan's India-specific nuclear weapons program, washing its hands off reports by its own military and intelligence that Islamabad is rapidly expanding its arsenal, while insisting it will ensure US aid is not spent on the country's nuclear program.
A phalanx of American officials sprang to the defense of questionable US policy on Pakistan on Monday after reports over the weekend confirmed that Islamabad was accelerating its fissile material production, and the consequent concern in sections of the administration and Congress over whether billions of dollars of US aid would indirectly help underwrite the expanded program.
Most of the batting for Pakistan was done at the State Department, but the Director of the CIA, Leon Panetta, and America's highest ranking general, Admiral Mike Mullen, also stepped up during their day's engagements to certify the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons and the firewall between US aid and the nuclear program, even as Congress tied up loose ends clear an immediate $ 2 billion aid package this week, the first of many tranches over the next decade.
"I'm not going to address the issue of whether or not the Pakistanis are increasing their nuclear capability," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said on Monday, deferring to Admiral Mullen (who last week confirmed the expansion), while adding, "We're going to work closely with the Government of Pakistan to make sure that the money is spent for the specific purposes that the US Congress had in mind."
As reported in this paper last week, US experts have expressed consternation that Pakistan is being allowed expand its nuclear weapons program "without as much as a reproach."
Pressed to explain why the administration thought the aid would not help the expanding program when money was essentially fungible (exchangeable in the sense of freeing up domestic resources for the nuclear program), Kelly said he wouldn't link the two issues: the idea of providing an assistance package and the fact that Pakistan has a nuclear capability.
"We shouldn't make this connection, because this assistance package is for very specific purposes... I don't see necessarily a connection between the two...We're going to make sure that the package is well spent," Kelly said.
"We take our responsibility as custodians of appropriated funds very seriously. We're going to work closely with the Government of Pakistan to ensure that this money goes to the purposes to which they're intended," he added.
((But the questions about Pakistan's accelerating nuclear weapons program just wouldn't go away at the daily briefing.
Question : So we can – can we just go back to the Pakistan nuclear arsenal? I wasn't sure in your initial answer whether you said that the United States opposes Pakistan increasing the size of...
Kelly : No, I didn't say that. I hope I didn't say that. I simply stated a fact, that Pakistan has a nuclear capability and that we shouldn't draw any links between the issues of our assistance package and their nuclear capability.
Question: Does the United States oppose the idea of Pakistan increasing the size of its nuclear arsenal?
Kelly: I think I referred you back to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on that.
Question: And what you referred us to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on was the question of whether or not it is, in fact, expanding its nuclear arsenal. And the chairman was quite explicit in stating that Pakistan is, in fact, expanding its arsenal. The question that Charlie's asking, which I'm seeking to follow up on, is whether or not the US believes that to be a good thing.
Kelly: I'm not going to comment on that, I'm afraid.
Question: Why not?
Kelly: It's just – I don't think it's my place right now to comment on the issue of whether or not it's a good thing if they expand their nuclear capability.
Question: The Department has been very vocal in stating what things Pakistan must do in order to contribute to stability, which you just identified as a key goal of ours. So what should prevent you from addressing whether or not the expansion of a nuclear arsenal would or would not contribute to stability?
Kelly: I'll just say that we are working very closely with the Government of Pakistan – with the elected Government of Pakistan. We have this joint effort, as I said before, to help them deal with the instability within their borders, and help them deal with the threat of extremism within their borders. But, you know, it's – I'm not going to speculate on their intentions, whether they're increasing it or not increasing. These are intelligence matters and I'm just not going to make a comment on it.))
Elsewhere in the administration, there were similar calls to delink the aid package from Pakistan's nuclear program. Avoiding the fungibility argument, Admiral Mullen told a Washington think-tank on Monday that he was "not aware of any US aid that has gone toward nuclear weapons, save that which is very focused... on improving their security. Which is exactly what we'd like and they've done that."
He was referring to the $ 100 million that the previous Bush administration gave to enhance Pakistan's nuclear weapons security, about which some US officials say they have no idea where and how it was spent.
Indian business news
Nokia to trim another 490 jobs
HELSINKI/NEW DELHI: The world's largest mobile phone maker Nokia will be slashing its global workforce again by another 490 jobs, with as many as 170 positions to go in logistics, production management and production support areas.
Faced with a slump in business due to the global financial turmoil, Nokia
has already announced over 3,500 job cuts this year, as part of cost saving efforts.
Nokia in a statement today said its reorganising efforts would globally affect nearly "170 employees working in logistics, production management and production support.
"The plans do not affect production employees at Nokia's mobile device manufacturing facilities".
Nokia has about 10,000 employees, including nearly 8,000 workers at its manufacturing plant in Chennai.
Meanwhile, the company would be offering Voluntary Resignation Package for 320 employees at its mobile device manufacturing facility in Salo, Finland. In February, Nokia had given the package to 1,000 employees.
"These measures are part of Nokia's previously announced plans to adjust its business operations and cost base in accordance with market demand and safeguard future competitiveness," the statement said.
The latest Voluntary Resignation Package would be available for 320 employees working at the Salo manufacturing facility from June 1 to June 30, 2009.
"The earlier Voluntary Resignation Package we offered to 1,000 Nokia employees in February raised a lot of interest among production employees, who were excluded from this particular global program.
"We now want to offer this opportunity to our production employees in Salo, as we continue to adjust capacity according to market demand," Ville Valtonen, head of Human Resources, Nokia, Finland said.
In March, the Finnish mobile phone maker said it would reduce its workforce by 1,700 employees.
Nokia had earlier announced that it aims to reduce cost by 700 million euros in the coming years.
Vodafone profit up 16.7% on India revenue
LONDON: Global mobile phone major Vodafone Group Plc on Tuesday reported 16.7 per cent increase in operating profit at 11.8 billion pound for
the year ended March 31, 2009, on higher revenues from emerging markets -- mainly India.
The company's operating profit stood at 10.07 billion pound in the financial year 2008.
Vodafone Group Plc witnessed 15.6 per cent jump in revenues at 41 billion pound for the year ended March 31 against 35.47 billion pound in the FY 2008, a company statement said.
"These results demonstrate the impact of the early actions we took to address the current economic conditions and highlights the benefits of our geographic diversity. The business continues to generate cash strongly and we have made good progress in implementing the strategy announced in November (2008)," Vodafone Group Plc Chief Executive Vittorio Colao said.
In Asia-Pacific and Middle East, the company's revenue increased by 19 per cent on a pro forma basis, reflecting a strong contribution from India where revenue grew by 32.9 per cent on a pro forma basis, the statement added.
"During the financial year 2009, the company added 24.6 million customers in India and ended the year with the highest rate of net additions in the market," it added.
The company's revenues in India stood at 2.68 billion pound, while from the entire Asia-Pacific region revenues were at 5.81 billion pound for the fiscal 2009, the statement said.
"We have continued to drive penetration in India, generating strong revenue growth from our brand and commercial offers and a substantial investment in network coverage, Calao said.
"Indus Towers, our infrastructure joint venture with Bharti and Idea, began operating during the financial year. We expect Indus Towers will enable Vodafone to increase its capital efficiency in India and also to benefit from revenue generated from selling capacity to other operators," he added.
Further, the Group saw 41.7 per cent drop in operating profit at 5.8 billion pound for the year ended March 31, 2009 from 10.04 billion pound in the previous fiscal.
Further, the company is accelerated in its approach on one-billion pound cost reduction programme and expects that over 65 per cent of it would be achieved in the financial year 2010.
" Our one-billion pound cost reduction programme is ahead of plan and we continue to explore further ways to cut cost," Vodafone Group Chief Executive Vittorio Colao added.
However, Vodafone expects that the 2010 financial year would be challenging. In its outlook or FY 2010, the company said it is projecting operating profit in the range of 11- 11.8 billion pound and free cash flow in the range of 6-6.5 billion pound.
In the Asia-Pacific and Middle East, EBITDA increased by 6 per cent on a pro forma basis including India, with a decline in the EBITDA margin as licensing costs increased and network expansion continued, primarily in India,
In Europe, the company organic service revenue decreased by 1.7 per cent. In contrast to Europe, Vodafone said results in Africa and India remained robust driven by continued but lower GDP growth and increasing penetration.
Ponting backs Symonds for an Ashes return
Melbourne:Australia captain Ricky Ponting voiced his support for controversial all-rounder Andrew Symonds' return to the Test side for the Ashes series. Symonds has battled controversies both on and off the field and despite not being among the best of shape, was allowed to play for the country in the one-day series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and Dubai recently.
However, the all-rounder seems to be finding his rhythm in the Indian Premier League where he has so far scored 174 runs in five matches for the Deccan Chargers, leading his coach Darren Lehman demanding his inclusion in the Ashes series.
Ponting too backed Lehmann's views and felt it would be a tough job for selectors to keep out the 33-year-old all-rounder when they meet on Wednesday to pick the 16-member squad for the Ashes.
Ponting said he would not be surprised if Symonds gets the nod. "I wouldn't be surprised, he has had his share of battles over the last 12 months, obviously the well documented stuff off the field," Ponting was quoted as saying by 'Australian Associated Press'.
"He's worked his way back into domestic cricket pretty well and played well for us over in Abu Dhabi, Dubai. He's a great guy to have around a team, there is no doubt about that and obviously the selectors are going to have some tough decisions to make in the coming hours I guess," said Ponting, who announced his 'Run Ricky Run' initiative.
The skipper urged fans to donate money as part of the 'Run Ricky Run' programme for every run scored by him in the Ashes.
IPL News
Bangalore set to chase 135 for remaining in hunt
Johannesburg, May 19: Royal Challengers Bangalore were set to chase 135 runs if they want to remain in hunt for a semis berth this IPL season – II. Batting first after winning the toss, Delhi were led by a fighting knock of Dinesh Karthik as they managed to post a challenging total of 134/7 in twenty overs.
Can Mallya’s boy take the leap into the elites and put behind a horrendous last season? Zeecric.com will keep you updated as the match progresses.
Opening the proceedings Delhi were put on backfoot right at the start against Bangalore Royal Challengers as Virender Sehwag and Mithun Manhas were sent back to pavilion before they could trouble the scorers. Praveen Kumar accounted for both the dismissals.
Gautam Gambhir who opened the innings with Sehwag remained undeterred by the proceeding on the other end and kept the run rate ticking for Delhi. The Delhi left hander along with de Villiers combined together for a 35-run partnership when Jacques Kallis struck.
Trying to clear the third man boundary Gambhir was holed in deep by Ross Taylor on a personal score of 27 as Delhi brought its fifty in 8 overs.
AB de Villiers who has been in tremendous form this season carried the day for Delhi as Karthik joined him at the crease. At the strategy break Delhi managed to lift their total to 63/3.
Bangalore struck just after the strategy break by removing dangerous looking AB de Villiers for 28 runs. Van der Merwe clean bowled his African teammate with a arm bowl which crashed into the off and middle stump.
More problems were in store for Delhi as Kumble then got rid of Andrew McDonald, who failed to read a yorker from the Bangalore’s Jumbo. Match was then a affair between Karthik’s grit and Kumble’s nagging line and length. Kumble marshaled his resources well and in the end by restricting Delhi to 135, his bowlers and fielders did a commendable job.
Teams
Bangalore Royal Challengers (Playing XI): Robin Uthappa, Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, Ross Taylor, Virat Kohli, Mark Boucher(w), Roelof van der Merwe, Praveen Kumar, Balachandra Akhil, Manish Pandey, Anil Kumble(c)
Delhi Daredevils (Playing XI): Virender Sehwag(c), Gautam Gambhir, AB de Villiers, Mithun Manhas, Dinesh Karthik(w), Farveez Maharoof, Daniel Vettori, Aavishkar Salvi, Ashish Nehra, Andrew McDonald, Yogesh Nagar
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