‘Only this obeys my commands without fuss’
President Chandrika Kumaratunga operating a computer to open the first account when she launched the new computerised branch of the Nittambuwa Co-operative Rural Bank on Sunday (13).
(Picture by Nihal Chandrakumara)

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• ‘MRI sleeps on blood samples’
  The blood samples of patients, diagnosed as suffering from Myocarditis which is spreading in the Badulla area, have been sent to the Medical Research Institute (MRI) two weeks ago from the Badulla general hospital. But, The MRI has not given reports on the blood samples up to yesterday (14).
  
  
• Tsunami rehabilitation can cause more problems – Fowzie
  The manner in which rehabilitation work is being carried out would create more problems, Minister of Environment and National Resources A. H. M. Fowzie told The Island on Monday.
  
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• A royal wedding ... oh, that deep sinking of the heart
  What is the good republican to make of this impending royal nuptial? Oh, that deep sinking of the heart. We are in for an avalanche of monarchalia. Tripe, tosh and trivia will dominate the press, rising to a climax as the deed is done: if only they'd quietly eloped to Gretna Green.
   
• Thaksin’s Catch-22
  Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was as much a loser as he was a winner because his Thai Rak Thai did not win in the south. It was a sounding rejection of his heavy-handed approach to settling the conflict in the trouble-plagued region. Southern voters also showed their preference for the values of democracy by turning out in strong numbers to vote amid tight security.
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• SLIM National Sales Congress 2004
  Re-ignite yourself was the main theme which introduced the awards ceremony of the Sri Lanka Institute Marketing (SLIM), last week. Approximately 150 awards were won by companies within a diametric scale of varying skills and professional applications.
   
• EDB launches Dahas Diriya scheme
  Dahas Diriya scheme of the Export Development Board (EDB) was launched yesterday to project Sri Lanka as a potential export hub and re-vamp flagging interest. Chairman EDB Rohantha Athukorala said that this scheme was introduced to project a dynamic image of the EDB not merely as a rubber stamp bureaucratic entity but an active facilitator for promotion of exports.
   
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• Tsunami orphans take on Sri Lanka's national cricketers
  GALLE, Sri Lanka, Feb 13 (AFP)- Sri Lankan children orphaned by the tsunami disaster had a rare day of entertainment Sunday, when they competed against national cricketing heroes at a stadium which was itself damaged by the waves.
   

• South Africa win despite third Pietersen ton
  CENTURION, South Africa, Feb 13 (AFP) - England batsman Kevin Pietersen hit his third century of the series but it was not enough to stop a South African win in the seventh and final one-day international at Centurion Park Sunday.

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  GALLE SRI LANKA : Treasurer of the Australian state of Victoria John Brumby, (2L) speaks with Sri Lankan cricket captain Marvan Atapattu (R) and Cricket Aid chief Thilanga Sumathipala (2R) at Galle Cricket Stadium,13 February 2005, during a series of friendly matches between tsunami survivors and national players. Sri Lanka Cricket has launched an ambitious three-million dollar project to help tsunami survivors, including some 1,000 children.
   AFP PHOTO/Amal JAYASINGHE