Update on Missile Programs
(November 30, 2006)
Defense Minister A.K. Antony updated
the Parliament that the supersonic
cruise missile BrahMos has been
inducted into the Defense forces and
the Trishul anti-Missile project
completed while the Akash and Nag
missile programs are behind schedule.<More>
NK-US for Talks, Japan Sets Terms
(November 30, 2006)
North Korea and the US seem to step down
from the brink and said they were ready for
talks, but Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
asserted that his country will not “allow
North Korea to possess nuclear weapons and
laid out terms for engagement.<More>
Israel’s Peace Plan
(November 30, 2006)
Israel unveiled several steps that, if met,
could lead to serious peace negotiation with
Palestinians leading to prisoner exchange,
withdrawal of Israeli forces from many parts
of West Bank, ease of transit checkpoints,
and lifting of financial sanctions.<More>
Left Win in Ecuador
(November 30, 2006)
Adding to the string of leftist victories in
South America, a Leftist economist, an ally
of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, with
radical views such as cutting off relations
with international lenders, won the
Presidency of poor and politically unstable
Ecuador.<More>
Oct Exports Down
(November 30, 2006)
Indian export growth which have been
growing at breakneck speed in the
first half of fiscal year,
decelerated to 18.51% valued at USD
9.6 billion (from USD 8.1 billion
last year) raising fears that
overall cumulative growth for the
year may be impacted.<More>
GSP Retaliation for WTO
Negotiations
(November 30, 2006)
Even though there has been an
overwhelming support for the Indo-US
civilian nuclear deal among US
policy makers, India is nervous
about how they will deal with the
Generalized System of Preference (GSP)
mechanism set to expire next month.<More>
Federal Minister Convicted
(November 29, 2006)
Finding him guilty of conspiracy to kidnap and murder of a private secretary
was allegedly demanded a cut in a large bribe transaction, a lower Delhi
court convicted Federal Minister for Coal and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)
supremo Shibu Soren.<More>
Dutt Acquitted on Terrorism
(November 29, 2006)
Actor Sunil Dutt, son of erstwhile actors and
Congress Party luminaries, was acquitted of
terrorism charges even though others with lesser
role and charges were convicted recently; the
court however convicted him on possession of
illegal weapons.<More>
Hizb ‘Commander’ Killed
(November 29, 2006)
Security forces killed the ‘commander’ of the
Hizb-ul-Mujahideen’s South Kashmir division
Mohammad Ashraf Shah who is ranked 2nd in Hizb’s
hierarchy and earned a reputation of clever and
ruthless terrorist who also tried facilitating a
ceasefire.<More>
Iran’s Proposed Price Rejected
(November 29, 2006)
In rare unity, India and Pakistan
have rejected a proposal by
Iran–appointed consultant with new
pricing for the USD 7 billion
Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline project
because “certain parameters given by
Iran, was not acceptable to India
and Pakistan.”<More>
AIDS Deaths Can be Lower
(November 29, 2006)
A recent paper by World Health Organization scientists
say that 28 million lives can be saved by 2030 if newer
HIV infections are curbed and access to life-prolonging
anti-retroviral cocktails increased but warn that 117
million will die if these are not done.<More>
Nepal Arms Treaty
(November 29, 2006)
After much suspense and debate, The Nepal Government and
Maoist guerrillas finally signed a tripartite agreement
with United Nations for the monitoring and management of
arms and armies while Nepal goes into a constituent
assembly and elections.<More>
Role of Siachen and Indo-Pak Talks
(November 28, 2006)
Visiting Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud
Kasuri met Minister for External Affairs Pranab
Mukherjee and reiterated that Indo-Pakistan relations
were “very important” but observed that the two sides
needed to “develop a level of trust.”<More>
Successful Test of Interceptor Missile
(November 28, 2006)
Adding to its defensive missile capability, India
announced that it had tested an interceptor missile
successfully to destroy an incoming Prithivi-II and
claiming to have “acquired the capability of air defense
against the incoming ballistic missile threat.” <More>
Govt Promises Economic Reforms
(November 28, 2006)
India is planning to allow foreign direct investment (FDI)
in the healthcare and education sectors, continue with
reforms in the financial sector, and dilute government
equity in public sector enterprises through the Initial
Public Sector Offering (IPO) route.<More>
Hawk Jet Trainers Next Year
(November 28, 2006)
The first two of the 66 Hawk Advance Jet
Trainers (HAJT) ordered by the Indian Air Force
(IAF) in 2004 is reportedly in final stages of
testing at the BAE Systems and will fly by
year-end and slotted for delivery by September
next year.<More>
High-Tech Upgrade for Army
(November 28, 2006)
The Indian Army is planning major upgrades to
their personnel’s standard battle gear with new
uniforms, multi-function weaponry, sensors to
monitor their health parameters, and latest
communication network for instant access to
information on the battlefield.<More>
AIDS Patients to Get Protection
(November 28, 2006)
The Federal Government is planning to introduce
legislation that will make “stigmatization and
discrimination” of/against HIV/AIDS infected patients at
work place, education institutions, and hospitals a
crime.<More>
Lanka President in India
(November 27, 2006)
As the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) and Army (SLA)
resumed operations against the Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (LTTE), President Mahinda Rajapakse is
visiting India amid allegations that senior Indian
officials are pro-Sri Lankan Government (SLG).<More>
Good Voter turnout in Bahrain
(November 27, 2006)
Despite high tension between the Government and Shia
political groups based on allegations of planned
rigging, voter turnout in Bahrain parliamentary
elections was high surrounded by controversy over grant
of citizenship to non-Shia groups.<More>
Zero Tolerance for Terrorism
(November 27, 2006)
Addressing a call made by the Intelligence
Bureau Chief for stronger laws against
terrorism, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said
that the nation must “use relevant provisions”
in a “professional and scientific manner” but
not link it to any religion.<More>
Community-Based AIDS Initiative
(November 27, 2006)
A Canadian experimental project is partnering with an
Indian non-governmental organization to motivate sex
workers and devadasis in Bagalkot district in a
community-based initiative to prevent the spread of
HIV/AIDS and provide care for those infected.<More>
Tobacco Companies Targeting Children
(November 24, 2006)
Surrogate advertising is a euphemism for alcohol and
tobacco companies advertising using innocuous products
sharing the brand name of alcohol and tobacco products,
but it looks like they are now using unconventional
advertising methods to target children.<More>
Fund to Acquire Clean Tech
(November 24, 2006)
An Indian MP proposed that the United Nations create a
“Clean Technology Acquisition Fund” so poorer countries
will be able to access crucial technologies that will be
clean and “significantly impact the realization of
sustainable development goals.” <More>
Tax Breaks for Bio-Diesel
(November 24, 2006)
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has floated a
draft National Policy on Biofuels suggesting that India
offer several fiscal incentives and a National Biofuel
Development Board to promote adoption of blended petrol
and diesel. <More>
Demands to Phase-Out Ore Export
(November 24, 2006)
The Federal Steel Ministry, at
variance with the Mining and
Commerce Ministries, demanded that
iron ore exports be phased out since
“current ore reserve is slated to
last only 60 to 70 years” and this
policy could jeopardize the
stability of domestic steel units.<More>
Railways Profits Up
(November 24, 2006)
The largest railways in the world,
the Indian Railways, reported
earnings in November at Rs. 1706
crore (USD 370 million) and an
increase of 22% from last year due
to better freight and passenger
capacity utilization.<More>
Small Success Against Naxals
(November 24, 2006)
Targeting senior terrorists of the
outlawed Communist Party of India
(Maoist) group, the Andhra Pradesh
police have managed to make tactical
gains on Naxalism seizing
sophisticated weapons and cash from
the encounter.<More>
India’s Faltering Energy Strategy
(November 23, 2006)
Gearing for the future, India is
formulating a policy for development
of Natural Gas Pipelines for cities
and on November 16, met with a
number of prospective providers
including Exxon Mobil, BG, Shell,
RIL, ADAG, TERI, BP ( India ), and
Oil PSUs.<More>
Widespread Protest against GM
Rice Trials
(November 23, 2006)
Throwing their weight behind farmers
protesting Genetic Engineered (GE)
rice trials, rice exporters
beseeched the Government to “pay
heed” to “Chinese and US rice
scandals” and warned of “disastrous
consequences for the country, the
industry, and farmers.”<More>
Japan Loan for Buddhist Circuit
(November 23, 2006)
Japan and Singapore have offered the Bihar State
Government loan of Rs. 5.8 billion (USD 126 million) to
develop the cultural Buddhist circuit
Nalanda-Bodhgaya-Rajgir as an international tourist
destination.<More>
PM Panel Faults RTE Bill
(November 23, 2006)
The Knowledge Commission appointed by Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh has said that model Right to Educational
Bill (RTE) “is flawed for a number of reasons” and ruled
that the measures “must be enforced by the central
government.”<More>
Terror Attack from Sea
(November 23, 2006)
Home Minister Shivraj Patil revealed that “in view of
the recent Indo-US agreement of civil nuclear energy
cooperation, our atomic power plants have become highly
vulnerable” apart from “multi-purpose projects and
shipyards” to terrorist attacks.<More>
India Reiterates Afghan Support
(November 23, 2006)
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh “reiterated India’s
commitment as a neighbour and friend to continue
assisting Afghanistan despite the challenges posed by
the security situation” and continue its rehabilitation
work but declined to deploy regular troops.<More>
Ground Water Management
(November 22, 2006)
The 12th National Symposium on Hydrology focusing on
“Groundwater Governance: Ownership of Groundwater and
its Pricing” organized by the Central Ground Water Board
and National Institute of Hydrology at Roorkee presented
many recommendations.<More>
Indo-Swiss S&T Cooperation
(November 22, 2006)
Visiting Federal Minister for Science & Technology Kapil
Sibal and Switzerland Home Minister Pascal Couchepin
signed an Executive Program of Cooperation (POC) within
the ambit of the framework umbrella agreement on
cooperation signed November 2003.<More>
UNDP Natural Resource Projects
(November 22, 2006)
A 5-year United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
initiative called “Social Mobilization around Natural
Resource Management for Poverty Alleviation” is being
implemented in 11 districts of Orissa, Rajasthan, and
Jharkhand.<More>
2.6MT of Wheat Imported
(November 22, 2006)
The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)
said it has already received 2.6
million tons (mt) of the 5.5 mt of
wheat and 5 more ships with .3mt
will arrive by November 25th with 12
ships are currently discharging
.63mt at Kandla, Vizag, Mundra,
Cochin, and Tuticorin.<More>
Indo-EU Aviation Summit
(November 22, 2006)
An Indo-EU Aviation Summit will be
held in New Delhi November 23-24 to
bring together top-level policy
makers and industry executives from
several related sectors so Indo-EU
cooperation can be enhanced in
aviation.<More>
India Offers ICT to Brunei
(November 22, 2006)
India told a visiting delegation
from Burnei Darussalam that it is
prepared to shared its expertise
Information Communication Technology
(ICT) to further that nation’s plans
in e-governance, IT education, IT
parks, and cyber security to protect
critical infrastructure.<More>
Indo-Mozambique Agriculture Plan
(November 22, 2006)
India and Republic of Mozambique
signed a work plan to cooperate in
agriculture includes training
programs for Mozambique experts in
India, and technical assistance in
agriculture, horticulture, animal
husbandry, and fisheries.<More>
US Upset with UK Taliban Truce
(November 21, 2006)
The US seems to have expressed “unease” with the
reported truce negotiated by the British
military in Afghanistan with tribal elders
representing the Taliban followed by a
withdrawal of British troops at Musa Qala and
restoration of the captured to local militia.<More>
Navy’s New Capabilities
(November 21, 2006)
The Indian Navy has invested in several new
equipment and capabilities including stealth,
new aircraft carriers, ship lift system, and
refueling capabilities and says that most of
these projects are on target.<More>
UAE Detains Dawood Aides
(November 21, 2006)
Acting on a tip-off from India, the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) cracked down on Dawood Ibrahim’s
gang and detained one of its top members
including a brother-in-law of Ibrahim’s chief
hit-man Chhota Shakeel.<More>
Success in Cryogenic Stage
(November 21, 2006)
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
announced it has successfully tested a
full-fledged cryogenic stage in rocketry for 50
seconds with a thrust of 7.5 tons making it the
6th nation in the world to have achieved this
feat.<More>
Bush Wants WMD Deals Stopped
(November 21, 2006)
Fearing further North Korean (NK)
proliferation missiles and nuclear weapons,
like the Nodong missile to Pakistan (now
being paraded as Ghauri) in return for
nuclear weapons technology, the US said that
it considered these transfers “a grave
threat.”<More>
Italy Woos Indian Students
(November 21, 2006)
Moving in to cash in shortage of education institutions
in the US and UK, Italy is trying to promote itself “as
an ideal education institution” and “put together
Italian companies with the best human resources in India
through the university system.”<More>
ASI to Reconstruct 843 Year Old Temple
(November 21, 2006)
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is planning to start reconstruction
of a 1000 pillared hall of a Kakatiya temple dedicated to Shiva build in
1163 A.D. by King Rudra Deva as its foundation was sinking.<More>
The Last Big Push
(November 20, 2006)
Accused of being “in a state of denial,” US
President George Bush rejected calls for a
phased withdrawal of American troops from
Iraq and instead has come up with a plan
that will give it one “last big push”
recognizing “the conditions on the ground.”<More>
New Polio Program Needed
(November 20, 2006)
A new study found underlying assumptions of
India’s Polio program faulty and has
recommended that the nation revamp its
immunization program especially in Uttar
Pradesh and Bihar where suspicion,
illiteracy, and weak-implementation
persist.<More>
Global Trade Progress to Continue
(November 20, 2006)
Despite losses in elections, President
George Bush reassured Asian allies that his
nation is still committed to global trade
liberalization and promised to “remain
engaged in Asia because our interests depend
on the expansion of freedom and opportunity
in this region."<More>
Huge US Senate Support for Nuke Deal
(November 17, 2006)
Handing US President a major victory on a
key foreign policy objective and in a major
show of bipartisan support, the Senate
overwhelmingly endorsed the Indo-US Civilian
Nuclear Deal that will allow the US to ship
civilian nuclear fuel and technology to
India.<More>
Iran Flexes Missile Muscle Again
(November 17, 2006)
In a surprise and unscheduled military exercise
displaying its conventional weapons strength and leaving
Israel very worried, Iran fired a battery and range of
land and ship-borne missiles and maneuvers along with
anti-tank and anti-helicopter weapons.<More>
EADS Developing IAF Components
(November 17, 2006)
European Aerospace (EADS) and Indian Defence
Company Avionics Research Establishment (DARE)
plan to develop a state-of-the-art
missile-warning sensor for the Indian Air Force
(IAF) to be integrated into future Defensive
Aids Suite (DASS) of IAF.<More>
Pak Tests Ghauri V Missile
(November 17, 2006)
Pakistan Defense Ministry announced that it
test-fired its 1,300 kilometer nuclear-capable
missile Hatf-V codenamed Ghauri-V and as part of
“a training exercise held to test the operation
readiness of a Strategic Missile Group equipped
with Ghauri missile.”<More>
Pakistan Changes Hudood Ordinances
(November 17, 2006)
After years of global and national criticism over laws governing rape,
Pakistan ’s National Assembly adopted the Women’s Protection Bill 2006 even
as religious fundamentalists allege that the change will make the Islamic
nation a “free sex zone.”<More>
Indo-Sino Investment Treaty
(November 17, 2006)
The Indian Cabinet has approved
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to
sign an investment promotion and
protection agreement with China
during its President Hu Jintao’s
visits India later this month and is
expected to widen Chinese investment
prospects.<More>
China Wants Arunachal
(November 16, 2006)
Days before the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao,
its Ambassador to India has said that his nation wants
the entire state of Arunachal Pradesh even as the joint
working group (JWG) scheduled November 9-10 was called
off because of other disagreements.<More>
Bangla Blockade Called Off
(November 16, 2006)
Even though Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed failed
to prove his constitutional neutrality, the 14-party
coalition led by Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina said
that they would call of the blockade “in view of public
sufferings” till next Sunday.<More>
Anti-Terror Mechanism
(November 16, 2006)
India and Pakistan have agreed to set up a
joint anti-terror mechanism which would
include “regular and timely sharing of
information” as Pakistan promised to “look
into” evidence presented by India of
cross-border links.<More>
GHG Consequences Dangerous
(November 16, 2006)
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan told a
conference on climate control in Nairobi
that it is far less expensive to cut
greenhouse gasses (GHG) than “deal with the
consequences later” and implored nations
“Let no one say we cannot afford to act.”<More>
India Most Favored Investment Destination
(November 16, 2006)
A Bank of America (BoA) study found that the
average inflow into Indian bonds, equities,
and loan vehicles increased 158.4% more than
thrice the emerging world average of 40.3%
as corporate investments was pegged at USD
19.3 billion in 2005.<More>
Nuke Deal Listed Top Priority
(November 15, 2006)
With President George Bush, Republican
leaders, and prominent Democrats voicing the
importance, the Indo-US Civilian Nuclear
Deal may be taken up in a couple of days by
the Senate even as supporters and opponents
stepped up lobbying to suit their agenda.<More>
Al-Qaeda Nuke Plot Targets UK
(November 15, 2006)
Continuing with a series of briefings, British
intelligence officials said that they are
convinced that the al Qaeda is planning a
nuclear attack on the UK and cited “an awful lot
of chatter” on jihadi websites to bolster their
claim.<More>
FBI Warning Raises Terror Fear
(November 14, 2006)
A US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) alert
to India of a possible attack on airport or
vital installation by al-Qaeda bolstered by an
anonymous untraced letter in Tiruchinapalli
increased security levels across airports,
tarmac, and leaders.<More>
Lebanese Political Crisis and West Asia
(November 14, 2006)
The resignation of 5 Shiite Ministers from
the Lebanon Government increased regional
tensions across sectarian and religious
lines and the US Government (USG) applauded
an Argentinean court branding the Hezbollah
“global nexus of terrorism.”<More>
Helicopter Use to Fight NE Terrorists
(November 14, 2006)
Large areas, highly-wooded terrain, and an
invisible enemy in the North East is prompting
the Indian Army and Air Force (IAF) to start
using helicopters to curb insurgency in Assam
sparked mainly by the United Liberation Front of
Asom (ULFA).<More>
Hard Lobbying with NSG
(November 14, 2006)
India ’s special representative on the Indo-US
civilian nuclear deal, Shyam Saran, returned
from a visit with Sweden, Norway, and Ireland
trying to elicit their support for the deal
without India signing the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).<More>
The Bangladesh Blockade
(November 14, 2006)
Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed called out the Army
“to assist law-enforcing agencies” to quell Opposition
protests and blockade while outgoing Prime Minister
Khaleda Zia instigated her cadre to “retaliate” if
attacked.<More>
Clean Projects Disagreement
(November 14, 2006)
Nations attending the 12th Conference of Parties on
Climate Change (COP12) seemed to be angry at the
lop-sided award of Clean Development Projects (CDP) part
of the Kyoto Protocol to India, China, and Brazil.<More>
Most Sought IT Talent, Quality
Concerns
(November 13, 2006)
A recent international survey found
that India to be the top destination
for global Information Technology
companies’ hiring but also said that
India had slipped below China and
Eastern Europe where companies
planned to start operations next 3
years.<More>
Foreign Secretary Level Talks Resume
(November 13, 2006)
Indian and Pakistani Foreign Secretaries will resume
talks in New Delhi November 14-15 and analysis and news
reports indicate and Islamabad is insistent that Kashmir
remain the core issue while New Delhi says that
terrorism is the core.<More>
Judiciary Accountability Law
(November 13, 2006)
The Federal Cabinet approved in principle to introduce a Judges (Inquiry)
Bill 2006 aimed at making High Court (HC) and Supreme Court (SC) judges
accountable for actions inconsistent with their position including
corruption charges and incapacitation.<More>
High AIDS in Adolescent in Rich States
(November 13, 2006)
A grass-root Non-Government Organization working on
HIV/AIDS eradication said that lack of awareness among
both rural and urban adolescents has increased the
incidence of this infection among 10 to 19 year olds in
prosperous states.<More>
Army’s “No” to Siachen Deal
(November 13, 2006)
After sending several signals and veiled
messages, the Indian Army finally came out and
said it is opposed to demilitarization on
Siachen citing potential takeover of heights by
Pakistan or China and thereby scuttling any
political temptation to reach a deal.<More>
TNA MP Assassinated
(November 13, 2006)
A prominent Member of Parliament and known Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sympathizer was
assassinated by unidentified killers as a Sea Tigers
attack on Sri Lankan Navy resulted in the death of 6
Tigers and 35 sailors.<More>
The Donkey’s Kick
(November 10, 2006)
As Democrats routed the
Republicans in the US
mid-polls and seized
both houses of the
Congress after 12 years,
there is a lot of fear
in India that Indo-US
relations, specifically
the nuclear deal,
assiduously built by the
Bush Administration may
be a casualty.<More>
Second Green Revolution Needs
Major Reform
(November 10, 2006)
Investigations and studies behind
consistent suicides by farmers
around the country is increasingly
pointing to “avoidable, man-made”
conditions ranging from drop in
financial support, lack of
agricultural support systems, to
impractical Federal policies.<More>
New Bird Flu Strain
(November 10, 2006)
A new strain of bird flu virus, like
the one originally found in China’s
Fujian Province by researchers from
the University of Hong Kong and
American St. Jude's Children's
Research Hospital at Tennessee, has
spread to 6 other provinces and 3
other countries.<More>
Malaysia Invites Indian
Investment
(November 10, 2006)
Malaysia inaugurated a
representative office of the
Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC)
in Bangalore and invited further
Indian investments to the 15
kilometer (km) wide and 50 km long
special corridor dedicated to
multimedia.<More>
“Pakistani Taliban”
Claims Responsibility
(November 10, 2006)
The Pakistani Taliban
with whom Pakistan had
signed a peace agreement
owned up to carrying out
the suicide attack on an
army camp in North West
Frontier Province in
response to the airborne
attack on a Madrasa in
the neighboring Bajur
tribal district.<More>
Madrasa Bombing Inspires Protests, Reprisals
(November 09, 2006)
The monster Pakistan created came back to haunt
the master with a reprisal attack in response to
a helicopter attack on a madrasa alleged to be a
terrorist training camp as thousands of armed
tribals protested against the Army action.<More>
Manned Space Mission Idea Gets Boost
(November 09, 2006)
A National Consultative Meeting organized by the
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) saw 80
top scientists and technologists unanimously
voting that India pursue the idea of manned
space mission.<More>
Manufacturing, Agri, Power Key to
GDP Growth
(November 09, 2006)
While the Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) growth in Tenth Financial Plan
ending March 2007 is the highest
growth ever achieved in a 5 year
period, the rate of growth is
expected to be lower than the
projected 8% at 7.2% because of
slowdown in manufacturing sector.<More>
ONGC-ALPS MoU for LNG JV
(November 09, 2006)
The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
(ONGC) and Ashok Leyland Projects
Services Ltd. (ALPS) have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to
create a joint venture (JV) to
cooperate on liquefied natural gas
(LNG) exploration and sourcing.<More>
Hu’s Visit Aimed at Building Trust
(November 09, 2006)
Ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to India
from November 20-23, both nations are building up the
tempo through orchestrated sound-bites focusing on the
positives and not referring to the disagreements
plaguing bilateral relations.<More>
India Asks Pak to Stop Stalling SAFTA
(November 09, 2006)
Setting the tone for upcoming Foreign Secretary level
talks, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee asked
Pakistan to remove “obstructions” and allow “free flow
of trade” and go beyond the expanded trade basket.<More>
Lanka Referendum on Merger?
(November 09, 2006)
Under threat by right-wing JVP of a law suit, a
coalition partner to the Government, Sri Lankan Prime
Minister Ratna Wickremanayake told the Parliament that
the controversy over the merger of north and east
provinces could be settled through a referendum.<More>
