Silent guns fire against Rajapaksha...

Katunayaka Airport sources said that several baggage belonged to the elites of President's returning entourage from US came with new political message to the rulers.

Several stickers containing the slogans such as, 'devastating the country' and �touring the world at public expenses� were stuck on baggage including a traveling bag belonged to the President, Airport sources said.

The stickers were seen at the Katunayaka Airport Reportedly CID has commenced a special investigation to trace where it happened. The CID will pay special attention to verify whether the incident took place at the Katunaya airport or in an airport of another country.

Meanwhile, Basil Rajapakse had informed to all the Ministers to be present at the Airport today to welcome the President who arrived in the country today.

President Mahinda Rajapakse is not among the distinguished invitees for the ceremony held on Sunday (30) at Mount Lavonia Hotel to celebrate the wedding of Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathunga's daughter Yasodhara with British national Roger Walker.

Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka, senior SLFP Ministers, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, Rukman Senanayaka, Malik Samarawickrama and political party leaders were among the invited guests. Several close neighbors of Aththanagalla area and the former President's staff are also invited to the function.

British, India and European Union ambassadors and friends have also been invited.

The not-invited President Mahinda Rajapakse is the leader of the SLFP, in which the former President Chandrika is the chief adviser.

Wheat price goes up... Bread price reaches 10 x Rs. 3.50

Prima Company has decided to increase the price of wheat flour by Rs. 13 with immediate effect.

Accordingly, the current price of a kilo of wheat flour has gone up to Rs. 66 from Rs. 53.

The Director (Pricing) of the Consumer Affairs Authority said to 'Lanka-e-News' that the company had not informed the Authority about such price hike. Prior permission of the Consumer Affairs Authority is compulsory to raise the price of wheat flour and neither the company asked for the permission nor the Authority consented for a price hike, said the Director.

When enquired about the action the Consumer Affairs Authority would take against the company, the Director said that the government would sue the Prima. She further said that four court cases are being heard in the courts against Prima on previous non-authorized price hikes.

The price of all bakery products will go up with the flour price and the Bakery Owners' Association said that a loaf of bread could be priced Rs. 50 matching to the price of a kilo of rice.

When 'Lanka-e-News' attempted to connect Trade, Marketing Development, Corporative and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardhana, a Ministry official said that he had gone abroad.

Wheat flour producing countries and exporters recently anticipated a shortage of wheat flour in international markets since a decline of harvests.

Why did Gotabhaya prevents K. P. being questioned???

United National Party (UNP) accuses that Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse needed to avoid questioning Kumaran Pathmanadan alias KP who was arrested by the Thailand police.

UNP Media Unit Chief Lakshman Kiriella said at a press conference held in Colombo today (26) that Sri Lanka police lost a chance to reveal those who gave arms and ammunition to the LTTE and those who gave money to procure arms, due to the actions of the Defense Secretary.

Thai police following a clue given by Sri Lanka took KP, the main procurement agent of the LTTE for almost 15 years into custody. The Defense Ministry website revealed the news of the apprehension to the world against a Thai government's plea to keep the matter top secret, said Kiriella.

The news of such arrest is usually revealed after questioning the person and the Defense Ministry's haughty disclosure annoyed the Thai government, said the UNP MP.

MP Kiriella said that Gotabhaya Rajapakse's action blocked a chance to reveal the facts on those who funded LTTE and those who assisted arms procurements etc. and enquired the motives behind the Defense Secretary's disclosure. He also asked from the Defense Secretary to make a public statement in this regard.

We will not change our descision...

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Thissa Aththanayaka says that UNP is committed to resolve the ethnic problem through a political solution amicable to all Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities and that safeguards the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the country.

Aththanayaka said that UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe stated at the Jayawardhana Centre that ethnic problem could be solved through
rationalizing the Indo-Lanka accord and that meant the meaningful power devolution. He said that the government's panic depicts its displeasure for the removal of adverse tags on UNP.

MP Aththanayaka said that the UNP's stance is devolving power without dividing the country and asked from the panicked if it was wrong.

He further said that UNP will study the world's examples of power devolution and will find a political solution to the problem of North and East that could be agreed to all communities.