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Sri Lankan Army commandos march during the 59th Independence Day celebrations in Colombo, February 5.

Sri Lankan Special Forces take part in the military parade

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse speaks to Special Forces soldiers

Police cadets

Sri Lankan Air Force jet fighters

Traditional dancers perform during the celebrations

Sri Lanka displays military might on Independence Day



COLOMBO- Insurgency-torn Sri Lanka celebrated 59 years of independence Sunday with displays of its military air and sea power , as the president said he would not give in to the separatist Tamil Tigers “ bloodthirsty” demands.
The celebrations followed a successful military campaign to seize several strategic areas in eastern Sri Lanka from the Tigers’ control.
“We are not ready to give into the bloodthirsty demands of the LTTE, “ President Mahinda Rajapakse said, referring to the Tigers’ official name, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
“I emphatically state before you of my total commitment to ensure the honour and prosperity of this blessed land, by decisively defeating separatism,” Rajapakse said as he presided over the festivities on a green in the capital, Colombo.
He said his government was willing to discuss autonomy,but not separatism. Some moderate Tamil leaders are asking for more autonomy for areas dominated by the country’s minority ethnic Tamils, mostly in the north—but within a united Sri Lanka.
The Tamil Tigers have been fighting since 1983 to create an independent Tamil homeland after decades of discriminations by the majority Sinhalese.
About 3,600 people have died since violence escalated early last year despite a 2002 cease-fire.
Days ago, the government renewed calls for a return to peace talks to end the fighting that has killed about 68,000 people since 1983. There has been no formal response from the rebels, and Rajapakse did not address the issue Sunday.
Artillery guns, tanks and multi-barrel rocket launchers were featured in the parade down Colombo’s main thoroughfare, Galle Face, facing the Indian Ocean.
Thirty warplanes and helicopters flew over Galle Face while 12 navy gun ships and attacking crafts sailed along the coast in view of the city. Rajapakse unfurled the national flag amid the blowing of conch shells , and school girls sant the national anthem to launch the celebrations.

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Kiss From A Golden Rose– A worker displays gold roses for the coming Valentine’s Day at a shopping mall in Beijing, February 4. Only 999 gold roses will be on sale for the Valentine’s Day at the shopping mall at a price of 360 yuan (US$45) each.

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SPORTS






MANNING SEALS LEGACY WITH SUPER BOWL WIN -
Miami– Peyton Manning added the missing ingredient to his Hall of Fame credentials by leading the Indianapolis Colts to a 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI on Sunday.
Manning, a seven-time All Pro quarterback slammed by his critics for failing to win when it matters, exorcised his big-game demons by completing 25 of 38 passes for 247 yards and one touchdown in a steady rain at Dolphin Stadium.

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SPORTS






Tight end Bend Utecht ( C ) of the Indianapolis Colts is tackled by Brian Urlacher ( R ) of the Chicago Bears after an 8-yard reception.

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United brush aside Spurs to maintain title charge




LONDON– Cristiano Ronaldo’s controversial penalty put Manchester United on course for a 4-0 win at Tottenham on Sunday that restored their six-point advantage at the top of the premiership. Ronaldo convince d referee Mark Clattenburg to award a spot-kick when he stumbled under minimal contact from Steed Malbranque just before half-time and the Portuguese winger converted it himself to give United the lead.

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SOUTHEAST ASIA



Rescue and relief team members push a raft loaded with relief food and drink along a flooded neighbourhood to reach flood-affected residents in Jakarta, Feb 5. Indonesian rescuers, police and troops in inflatable boats helped evacuate Jakarta residents stranded in severe floods

RESCUERS BATTLE TO REACH FLOOD VICTIMS



Rescue workers evacuate trapped residents from their flooded house in Jakarta, February 5.

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VIAGRA





BEIJING– US drug maker Pfizer Inc has lost a bid to win the right to a popular Chinese translation of its male impotency drug Viagra, the Chinese High Court said on its website Monday. Pfizer had filed a suit with the Beijing Intermediate People’s Court arguing that it should be entitled to the use of the brand name “ Wei Ge “ , the chinacourt.org reported.

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Palestinian boy holds a Palestinian flag as he lays on the ground, pretending to be dead, while other children of the Mini Palestinian Parliament organization participate in a demonstration calling for an
End to Fatah-Hamas factional fighting at the Rafah Refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, February 5.

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