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President Barack Obama has sought to respond actively to the disaster and limit the environmental and economic impact in the Gulf. Here are some potential scenarios for what might happen next. WHITE HOUSE PUSHES BP The federal government, not in the oil well business, is limited by what direct impact it can have on stopping the leak. The U.S. military does not have skills in the oil sector and officials have stressed the Pentagon is already providing whatever support it can to assist the U.S. response to the disaster. The Obama administration has piled heavy pressure on BP to speed up its efforts to plug it up. "We are continuing to push BP to do everything that it can," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs. LEGAL ACTION In terms of potential legal action, the Obama administration's Justice Department eventually could charge BP with violating U.S. environmental laws. So far, the Justice Department has not launched an investigation. Officials there say they are monitori

NEW DELHI - India on Friday paid homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 19th death anniversary. The day is also observed as Anti-Terrorism Day. The objective behind the observance of Anti-Terrorism Day is to wean away the youth from the terrorist/violence cult by highlighting the suffering of the common people and showing how it is prejudicial to the national interest. These objectives are aimed to be achieved by organizing debates/discussions in schools, colleges and universities; holding of symposia/seminars and lectures on the dangers of terrorism and violence and a determined and sustained drive to bring about a mass awakening against terrorism and violence. Voluntary organizations, social and cultural bodies are organising their own programmes through lectures, talks, discussions, musical and recitation programmes and cultural functions. Mass education programmes are held to highlight the ill effects of violence and terrorism. Anti-terrorism/anti-violence pl

Lakshman Hulugalla today assumed duties as the Deputy Chairman of National Livestock Development Board in addition to the post of Director General, Media Centre for National Security.

The voters have distanced themselves from the United National Party (UNP) because several members had demeaned the military victories during the recently concluded war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, said Hambantota District parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa. Former President Ranasinghe Premadasa’s son, Sajith was addressing a meeting at Gurutalawa at the Yatinuwara electorate in Kandy last evening to raise awareness on his Jathika Jeewaya Programme. Mr. Premadasa launched this programme within three electorates in the Gampaha District last week as well. Adding further, Sajith Pramadasa said the UNP suffered erosion in its support as some had uttered irresponsible comments when the Sri Lankan armed forces were gaining victory after victory in the fight against the LTTE. When the Army captured Thoppigala, some in the UNP had said that Thoppigala was only a jungle, while some had accused the then government and the military of claiming to be advancing towards Kilinochc

As Englandand Australia prepare to meet in the final of the ICC World Twenty20 cricket tournament, there is festering discontent in Sri Lanka whose team was one of the losing semi-finalists. The unhappiness is over the continued inclusion in their squad of Sanath Jayasuriya, a former captain who attained legendary status in earlier times but is now widely accused of being past his best – and of using political influence to continue playing. In the current Sri Lankan cricket team, sport and politics are well and truly mixed up. For the first time anywhere in the world, an elected Member of Parliament is playing international cricket – namely Sanath Jayasuriya, who’s just become a legislator for the President’s party and is continuing his sporting career aged nearly 41. Sri Lankadid reach the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 in the West Indies. But Jayasuriya scored only 15 runs in six matches despite opening the innings for the last four games. The sports minister has

A meeting of the special committee appointed by the United National Party (UNP) to discuss the reorganization of the party and amending its constitution is currently in session at its headquarters Sirikotha in Kotte. The committee headed by UNP MP Joseph Michael Perera is considering the proposals from party members on the reforms and also as to what post is to be held by whom. The Working Committee last week decided that it would hold internal elections for the party posts. This was consequent to a demand by Hambantota district parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa urging for internal elections for important positions within the party. When the special committee was appointed at a stormy meeting in Sirikotha last week, members were given time till Monday, May 10 to submit their proposals. However, the committee is of the view that the time limit is inadequate and may be extended, say UNP sources. The final proposals are to be put forward for ratification at the party convention to be h

Actor Amitabh Bachchan will attend the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards function at Colomboin June, even if just for a day, a top official of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) claims. “Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai are definitely participating. And as for Amitabh, he will also come, even if only for a day,” the official told Express on the condition of anonymity. Preparations for the event, to be held from June 3 to 5, are already on full swing. “About 50 personnel of Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt Ltd have already been put on the job here,” the official said. “The opposition to the event is only in Tamil Nadu. Other states are okay with it,” he pointed out. Other officials told the local media that objections raised in Tamil Nadu by politicians like Vaiko had been encountered before and events had taken place regardless of them. The SLTB, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and other institutions view the IIFA Awards event and its related activities as ave