Obama easily won three more Democratic nominating contests on Tuesday, extending his winning streak over rival Hillary Clinton and building momentum in a hard-fought U.S. presidential race.

Obama rolled to decisive victories in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, running his hot streak to eight consecutive wins and expanding his lead in pledged convention delegates who select the party’s nominee.

The wins for Obama, who would be the first black U.S. president, followed big weekend triumphs in Maine, Louisiana, Nebraska, Washington and the Virgin Islands.

Obama had 1,202 pledged delegates to Clinton’s 1,184, according to a count by CNN before Tuesday’s voting – well short of the 2,025 needed to clinch the Democratic nomination.

Obama has won the Maine Democratic caucus, beating out rival Hillary Rodham Clinton, according to AP.

Both campaigns hit Maine heavily with radio and TV advertising, and even Sunday voters’ homes were being called with pre-taped messages in support of both candidates. On Sunday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, were scheduled to visit Maine caucuses on Obama’s behalf.

On Clinton’s side, Maine Gov. John Baldacci, Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern and New York Rep. Gregory Meeks were to campaign.

The high level of excitement across the state contrasted with earlier expectations that the post-Super Tuesday timing of the caucuses would dampen voter interest.

Is it an Accident or Murder?

While stating that the very purpose of independence was marred by the
unnecessary loss of lives of innocent civilians and soldiers owing to the
Govt.’s mishandling of the war whereby what disasters confined to the North has
now been dragged to the whole of Sri Lanka. This is the ‘achievement’ Govt. was
trying to boast at the Independence Day celebrations, he said.

At any rate, he conveyed his deepest sympathies on behalf of the Leader and
the Party to the bereaved families and beloved ones of those who lost their
lives. To the countless many injured and in Hospitals, he prayed for their
speedy recovery.

This Govt. is heaping endless burdens on the already poverty stricken people
and requesting them to make sacrifices excusing itself on the so called war.
‘But, may I remind the Govt. that the Late President Premadasa too fought the
war. He had to fight not only the Tiger terrorists from the North, but, he had
to contend with the JVP terrorists from the South who were also on a rampage
causing mass destruction to person and property, yet, he fulfilled the election
promises – the development programs and the economic progress of the country
continued unhindered. Neither, did he impose hardships on the people as did this
Govt. The massive Janasaviya, free School uniforms and meals to children,
village development, Industrial growth and an employment boom raged in the
country.I suggest that this current President emulates Late Premadasa without
blatantly fibbing and fooling the people.’, he added.

This Govt. is only indulging in empty self advertising gimmicks and
‘Tamashas’ wasting people’s funds. The latest of its profligate venture is the
‘Deyata Kirula’ aimed at achieving by posters and Boards what it cannot achieve
in reality and truth.

Practically, every day there are mass killings of people. Has the Govt. been
able to protect them even with basic security after forcing them to make all the
sacrifices? Of course. it is only the Ministers and stooges who have all the
security, traveling with scores of security personnel and a fleet of vehicles
creating unwarranted traffic snarls blocking the Highways for hours, he
exhorted.

He also recalled how the  Ministers of the UNP worked with absolute
responsibility, honesty  and with people’s interests always at heart :when Late
Lalith Athulathmudali was shifted from the Minister of Trade to Minister of
Defence, he said, ‘so far, I did what I said, and said what I could, but,
from now on, I cannot say what I can do, and sometimes,cannot say what I have
done.’ But, under this Govt. no Minister knows what he is doing nor where he is
heading. But, only one thing they know well and do well – lying! He
concluded.

Referring to the Govt.’s unconscionable taxation recently on over 100
essential commodities, specially food items, he said, just on a single item,
sugar alone, Govt. is collecting Rs. 5 billion rupees per year.  You can imagine
how much revenue is pouring into the State coffers via  the other100 items ! He
exclaimed. But, where are all these monies gone? He asked. Though it is
endlessly heaping taxes and price hikes explaining that it is to improve the
living conditions of the people, do the people see any improvement in their
daily living ?, he questioned .

It is a strange phenomenon with this Govt., unlike with other Govts., that
while taxation and price hikes are a daily feature, so is  the decline of
country’s economy and rising cost of living, when in actual fact, it should be
to the other way about. That is, the people have not only  to pay the taxes and
high prices for goods, they are  also forced to bear with the economic disaster
and inflation resulting from the Govt.’s  corruption, misdeeds and malpractices,
he bemoaned..

If this Govt. truly knows the meaning of Independence, it should fight shy of
celebrating it, as it has defeated the very purposes for which independence was
won for Sri Lanka by the UNP’s first Prime Minister and Father of the Nation,
Late D.S, Senanayake. Can this Govt. honestly celebrate Independence day after
oppressing the people, suppressing Media freedom and repressing individual
liberties on a scale never witnessed before in this once peaceful Island?, he
regretted.

The LTTE claimed this was a result of a claymore mine attack of the army deep
penetration unit. The army has denied any involvement.

A few days ago too, 16 unidentified bodies were found in Kebbethigollewa
area. The mystery is still unsolved by the Govt.

In a separate incident at the Walgamuwa National Park, bodies of two Forest
officers shot dead yesterday (29 Jan), were found.

Mallika says…The current situation in the Sri Lanka is pathetic to say the
least. Not just because corrupt politicians have stolen from us as much as they
could, but more so because we, the people who elected them, simply go on with
our lives as if there is nothing to be done.

Modern Sri Lankans it seems are
apathetic by nature. They think that sitting down in front of their TVs and
murmuring, ‘what’s to be done about these fellows aah?’ is what doing their part
is all about. And since we don’t even teach our children our country’s history
these days, the next generation of Lankans won’t even have the inspiration of
the brave heroes who fought and got us our Independence.

If we really want
change we must all get off our rear ends and do something (anything) to change
our lives and our childrens’ lives, and so on for the better. via eFax