13 terrorists killed in confrontations

Four terrorists were killed or injured in a confrontation around 6.45 in the morning in the WELIOYA area while two terrorists were also killed by the Army in the ADANKULAM area around 1.20 in the afternoon.

Another two terrorists were killed and two others were injured in the VADUKKARI area at 1.30 in the afternoon on the same day.

A terrorist was reported injured in a confrontation in the area of KATTUVATTAIMALAI area around 12.30 in the afternoon.

Eight terrorists were killed and a terrorist bunker was completely destroyed by Troops in a confrontation in the KALLIKULAM area, in VAVUNIYA around 9.10 am.

Troops also killed a terrorist in the KILLALI area, JAFFNA on the same day.

Military operations in progress; 19 LTTE terrorists killed in yesterday's attacks

 

Military reports reveal that security forces have continued their limited military operations at northern and Wanni defences inflicting heavy damages to the LTTE terrorists yesterday, January 30. According to the reports 19 LTTE terrorists were killed many others injured during the clashes erupted Killaly, Muhamalai, Vavuniya, Mannar and Weli-Oya fronts throughout the day.

In the Muhamalai front, two LTTE terrorists were gunned down by the army snipers in two separate incidents one took place at 11.00 a.m and 2.00 p.m. yesterday.

In the Killay front, in a pre-emptive strike launched by the security forces destroyed LTTE bunker line around 7.50 p.m. Ground troops confirmed at least four LTTE terrorists were killed in this attack.

Several incidents have been reported from the Vavuniya front yesterday. Security forces launched an attack targeting LTTE bunkers in general area Kallikulam. The confrontation took place at 1.45 p.m and troops confirmed five LTTE terrorists were killed in this attack. In the same area, around 3.25 p.m troops launched an attack targeting LTTE bunkers and troops confirmed at least five LTTE terrorists were killed or wounded due to the attack.

Meanwhile, troops engaged in consolidating operations at Vilathikulam area found bunkers and warlike items abandoned by the fleeing LTTE terrorists. Defence sources said three LTTE bunkers were fund along with 60 anti-personnel mines and 4 trapped devices.

Three army soldiers also sustained injuries due to two separate explosions took place at Periyapantrichchuchchan and Mullikulam yesterday.

In the Mannar front, troops attacked the LTTE's strong point located at general area Adampan around 8.45 a.m yesterday. Ground troops confirmed that more than five LTTE terrorists were killed in this attack. In a subsequent search operation conducted, troops uncovered 143 anti-personnel mines, 40 hand grenades, 5333 T-56 ammunition and 10 improvised explosive devices, sources stated.

Meanwhile, an army soldier received injuries due to an explosion of anti-personnel mine took place around 1.45 p.m in the Adampan area.

In the Weli-Oya front, troops attacked a group of LTTE terrorists in general area in Kokkuthuduvai around 10.05 a.m and killed one terrorist troops confirmed.

Troops confronted with a group of LTTE terrorists at Kokkuthuduvai and LTTE transmission confirmed that five of their cadres were killed in this attack. Three soldiers also received injuries in this incident.

Meanwhile, in another confrontation took place at Andankulam around 10.45 a.m yesterday. LTTE transmission confirmed that an LTTE cadre was killed while another two received injuries due to this confrontation.

Two soldiers received injuries due to incidents took place at Kokkuthuduvai and Andankulam areas yesterday. One soldier received injuries due to explosion of anti personnel mine around 10.30 a.m. at kokkuthuduvai. Meanwhile another soldier engaged in de-mining operations in the Andankulam area injured due to LTTE's small arms fire around 2.40 p.m. 40 anti-personnel mines were uncovered by the troops engaged in de-mining operations in Andankulam area, sources said.

Akashi warns Sri Lanka aid may be reviewed

TOKYO — Japan's envoy to Sri Lanka's peace talks warned the Sri Lankan government Thursday that Tokyo may review its financial aid if it further accelerates its military pressure on Tamil Tiger rebels in the wake of the end of a six-year cease-fire between the two sides.

"Japan's assistance to Sri Lanka is intended to improve the conditions of the people, not the government alone," the envoy, Yasushi Akashi, said in a press conference in Tokyo after pointing to speculation that the Sri Lankan government purchases arms with funds provided by Tokyo for humanitarian purposes. Akashi visited Sri Lanka on Jan 13 to 15 to urge the government and the rebels known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to pursue political resolution following the government's decision earlier this month to withdraw from the Ceasefire Agreement sealed in February 2002.

International action slow to stem Sri Lanka bloodshed: HRW

NEW YORK (AFP) - Global concern is mounting over Sri Lanka's worsening human rights record, but action by key international players has been "slow and lacked cohesion," Human Rights Watch said in its annual report.

The group said Sri Lanka managed to head off censure in the UN Human Rights Council by agreeing to host UN officials, though Colombo later rejected UN demands for the global body to monitor human rights in the country.

"Expressions of concern about the situation in Sri Lanka grew in 2007, but international action on human rights was slow and lacked cohesion," the New York-based group said.

The US government's Millennium Challenge Corporation suspended more than 110 million dollars in aid to Sri Lanka due to concerns about the island's human rights situation, HRW said.

It said Britain had also suspended three million dollars in debt relief citing concerns over human rights and high defence spending to battle separatist Tamil Tiger guerrillas.

More than 1,100 new "disappearances" or abductions were reported in Sri Lanka between January 2006 and June 2007, with the vast majority of victims being Tamils, the watchdog said.

The group has been lobbying Japan, Sri Lanka's largest single aid donor, to use financial assistance to the Colombo government as leverage to force the government of President Mahinda Rajapakse to clean up its rights record.

In the continuing conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), both sides show little regard for the safety and well-being of civilians, the report said.

Since a resumption of major military operations in mid-2006, which led to a collapse of a Norwegian-arranged ceasefire earlier this month, hundreds of civilians have been killed and more than 208,000 displaced, the group said.

Government security forces were implicated in extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, forcibly returning internally displaced persons to unsafe areas and restricting media freedoms.

Hundreds of people have also been detained under newly strengthened emergency regulations that gave the government broad powers of arrest and detention without charge, the group said.

"The regulations have been used to conduct mass arbitrary arrests of ethnic Tamils in the capital Colombo, as well as to detain political opponents, journalists, and civil society activists."

In areas under its control, the LTTE continues to forcibly conscript children and adults, control the media, and suppress freedoms of expression, association and assembly, the group said.

Tens of thousands of people have died and many more have been displaced since the LTTE launched a separatist campaign in 1972 for an independent homeland for minority Tamils in the majority Sinhalese nation.

LTTE uses teachers and children for their combat purposes

It has been reported that the Tiger terrorists who are experiencing severe defeat at the hands of the security forces are engaged in diverting school children as well as teachers in Mannar for combat purposes at the forward defence lines.

Army media spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara says the LTTE is engaged in propagating false and distorted reports through its terror propaganda network, every time it looses its fortresses. One of such false propaganda was the killing of school children and civilians in an unliberated area. The spokesman adds terrorists fall into such low debts in order to receive international cooperation in the face of their losing confidence and power.

SL ready to commamarate the 60th independence anniversary

 


Arrangements are being made to celebrate Sri Lanka’s the 60th independence anniversary in a gallant manner. The government has announced an independence week from yesterday till the 5th of next month.

The main independence day celebrations will be conducted at the Galle Face Green in Colombo. Commemoration ceremonies have also been conducted on the provincial and district level.

Religious observances commence on the 2nd of next month with the chanting of an all night pirith ceremony at the Independence Square in Colombo starting at 10.00 pm. The Independence commemoration museum will be declared open at 3.00 pm at the independence square on the same day.

Offering of floral tributes in front of the statue of Rt. Honourable D.S. Senanayake on the 4th of February, the independence day.

A two minute silence will be observed from 8.52 to 8.54 in the morning on the independence day.
Further investigations will be conducted into the killing of two wildlife officials at the Wasgamuwa Wild Life Park. DIG central province Kingsley Ekanayake says that it has been established that the killings were not carried out by the Tiger terrorists. The police believes that an altercation at a liquor party at the office of the wild life sanctuary had led to the killings.

Treatment services at the Peradeniya hospital will be recommenced as soon as possible

Director of the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital Dr. Mrs. C. Gunatilleke says patient treatment services at the hospital will be recommenced as soon as possible.

Nurses at the hospital had been given a court order yesterday to report to work from today. It has been reported that however, no nurse has reported for the shift to start at 7’0 clock until 10.30 this morning. The other staff including doctors have already reported to work.

LTTE suicide blast kills 3, injures 17 civilians - Thirunaweli

 

An LTTE suicide bobber has exploded himself targeting innocent Tamil civilians at Thirunaweli in Jaffna this morning, January 31. According to the defence sources the suicide bomber had arrived at location riding a bicycle and exploded himself around 11.20 a.m.

Three people have been killed on the spot and seventeen others have suffered injuries. The victims have been rushed to the Jaffna hospital with the assistance of security forces personnel. According the sources received from Jaffna hospital, seven victims are in critical condition.

Military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara speaking to the media said that this is a cowardly attempt by the terrorists to instill a fear psychosis among the Tamil civilians living in Jaffna Peninsula.

He said that increasing civilian support to the security forces' to fight terrorism has agitated LTTE terrorists. Also, he highlighted the incident as a clear indication of the bogus nature of the liberator semblance that LTTE have been trying to create for itself.

UN urges sanctions on terror groups

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the Security Council in a report issued yesterday to impose sanctions on armies and groups that make use of child soldiers in at least a dozen countries.

Recruitment of children in armed conflicts was happening mainly in African and Asian countries, ranging from Sri Lanka, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda to Myanmar he said in the report.

Those responsible were rebel groups but included government forces in countries like Chad, Somalia and Sudan, Ban said. Some were guilty of killing and sexually abusing children.

The Security Council should consider penalising those responsible by banning arms and military aid and slapping travel and financial restrictions on leaders, Ban said.

Violations against children in conflict should be referred to the International Criminal Court, or ICC, based in The Hague.

The U.N. children's fund UNICEF estimated last year there were some 250,000 child soldiers worldwide. Other experts say information is so hazy that the numbers are impossible to determine.

Ban's report said several precedents had been set over the past year for ending impunity for crimes against children.

These included ICC charges against Congolese factional leader Thomas Lubanga Dyilo for conscription of children.

The court also issued arrest warrants for five senior members of Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army on charges including using children in combat.

But governments "must also promptly commence appropriate national prosecutions for grave crimes against children," Ban said.

He also urged the Security Council to tackle the controversial issue of cluster bombs, calling for a "binding instrument that prohibits the use, development, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians."

Cluster munitions contain bomblets that can saturate vast areas of land.

Used in conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq, they have been blamed for killing and maiming thousands of civilians.

Norway has led an effort to craft a treaty banning the weapons. Campaigning groups say nearly 100 countries support a ban, but munitions-producing nations the United States, China and Russia - all with vetoes in the Security Council - are resisting.

Five civilians murdered in Jaffna and Akkareipaththu

 

Three civilians including a woman have been killed in Mirisuwil, Jaffna this morning. According to the police sources, victims are to be identified. Chavakachcheri police is conducting further investigations.

Meanwhile, two civilians who had been transporting timber to a saw mill were found shot dead at Aakkareipaththu early this morning. The Police believe the murders were committed at 9.30 last night. Police sources informed that the victims are from Welimada area. Akkareipaththu police is conducting further investigations.

LTTE plans to launch bomb attacks

 
The security sources warn that there is an LTTE plan to launch bomb attacks under the guys of selling ice-cream. The aim of the LTTE terrorists is to cause a massive destruction in the south through such bomb attacks. The sources request the masses to inform immediately the security forces of any suspicious trading centers or tradesmen.
The sources also point out that the terrorist who are now facing utter defeat on the hands of the troops may resort to such violent tactics.
End

Government says all necessary preparation have been made with regard to the Deyata Kirula exhibition

Chairman of the Deyata Kirula organising committee minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says all necessary preparation have been made with regard to the exhibition. The building of structures is now taking place at the BMICH premises. Speaking to media the minister said this year several new additions have been made to the exhibition. He said 16 foreign countries would take part this year in the Deyata Kirula exhibition.
Admission to the exhibition will be on a lottery ticket valued at 20 rupees. The lottery will be drawn daily to award prices amounting to 60 million rupees. School children and teachers accompanying them can enter free of charge. A special security plan is in place for the exhibition and special bus and train services will also operate.

Another Rupavahini staffer complains of threats

Employees of the Rupavahini Corporation are angered over a death threat to another of their colleagues.
Two armed men had gone to the residence of Duleep Sanjeewa, a Rupavahini staffer, at Kollupitiya and threatened him with death at gun point, Rupavahini Programme Producer Kanchana Marasinghe said yesterday.
He said Sanjeewa had made a complaint about the death threat to the Kollupitiya Police.
Journalists and other employees were living in fear after the assault on news producer Lal Hemantha and the death threat on a second employee of the corporation.
The incident involving Minister Mervin Silva at the Rupavahini Corporation earlier was being investigated by the CID and a three-member-committee of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party was due to commence their own investigations today, Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne said.
The committee comprises the Leader of the House and Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister Seneviratne and Governor Western Province Alavi Mowlana.

Army uncovers five suicide jackets in shrubbery area in Kalpitiya

Sri Lanka army acting on a civilian tip off have uncovered five explosive jackets worn by LTTE suicide cadres around 3.45, this evening (January 30).
According to the defence sources in the area the items were found hidden inside a shrubbery close to a watercourse at Palaviya in the Kalpitiya area. Troops alerted by the civilian information, immediately launched a search operation in the area and found five suicide jackets, and four military packs, said the sources.
The items were carefully wrapped in polythene sheets and partly buried in the land, the sources added. Police believes that the LTTE terrorists had brought the items to the area in order to use them in a future attack. LTTE is the first terrorists’ organization to pioneer suicide bombing to kill civilians and VIPs.
The outfit uses young women dressed in traditional Asian attire to cover the bombs tied onto their bodies. Besides, it has contributed immensely for the other terrorists’ organization in the world by developing new techniques such as explosive belts, jackets and even breast bombs for female suicide bombers.

Five terrorists killed in Vavuniya

Troops confirm that five LTTE terrorists were killed during a confrontation in KALLIKULAM area, VAVUNIYA on Wednesday (30) around 4.45 in the evening.
Five soldiers were reported injured due to terrorists mortar fire and "booby" traps during search operations conducted in the VAVUNIYA area on Wednesday (30). Two were injured in the PERIYAPANDIVIRICHAN area, two in the MULLIKULAM area and one in the VILAYATHIKULAM AREAS.
Two soldiers were also reported injured during a confrontation with terrorists on Wednesday (3) around 3.10 in the afternoon in NIKAWEWA WELIOYA.

Army recovers large haul of explosives and fuel

Army in two incidents reported from MANNAR area recovered a large haul quantity of LTTE Anti- Personnel mines, explosives and live ammunition and seized a large stock of fuel.
A total of 5333 rounds of live ammunition, 143 Anti- Personnel mines, 40 hand grenades and a large stock of food including essential items belonging to the LTTE terrorists were recovered when the Army attacked a strong point in ADAMPAN in mainland MANNAR around 8.45 in the morning on Wednesday (30).
In a search operation on the same day (30) in the night around 7.15 the Army also recovered a 210 liter barrel of petrol from MANNAR Island which the terrorists had kept ready to be transported to the "un - cleared" areas.
In two search operations conducted in the VAVUNIYA area, the Army recovered a large stock of LTTE terrorist mines and "booby traps also conducted two search operations in the VAVUNIYA area on Wednesday (30). 60 LTTE Anti- Personnel mines and four (04) "booby traps" were recovered by the Army from the VLAYATHIKULAM area, while on the same day (29), one hundred and twenty (120) Anti- Personnel mines and ten (10) "booby traps" were recovered from KALLUKULAM area, VAVUNIYA.
In two search operations conducted by the Army in the TRINCOMALEE area on Wednesday (30), twenty (20) 60mm mortar bombs and thirteen cartridges were recovered around 12.40 from KADAWANA area in the afternoon while around 9.20 in the morning a 120mm mortar bomb primed as a "booby " trap was recovered from ALIYAODAI area.

MTD Capital targets toll road

jobMTD Capital Bhd, KUALA LUMPUR is confident of securing the RM2.2bil Colombo-Kandy toll road project.
Talks with the Sri Lankan government were in the final stages and the company hoped the project would be awarded by the end of the first quarter, group executive chairman Datuk Nik Hussain Abdul Rahman said after the MTD ACPI Engineering Bhd EGM yesterday.
The EGM approved the proposed private placement of 9.5 million shares to Lembaga Tabung Haji that would increase MTD ACPI's paid-up capital to RM231.6mil from RM222.1mil. The exercise will raise up to RM19.5mil for the group's working capital. “The extra capital would be utilised to fund on-going business,” Nik Hussain said.

Concerns Rise For Safety of Journalists in Sri Lanka

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) warns that the safety of journalists in Sri Lanka is in serious jeopardy as several serious attacks and anti-media statements by government officials demonstrate a lack of respect for the value of media freedom in the country.
The IFJ joins the Free Media Movement (FMM), the Sri Lankan Working Journalists’ Association (SLWJA), the Federation of Media Employees Trade Union (FMETU), the Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF) and the Sri Lanka Tamil Journalists’ Alliance (SLTJA) in condemning all attacks on journalists in the country.The IFJ is concerned by a series of recent incidents, including a knife attack on Lal Hemantha Mawalage on January 25. The producer in the news division of the state-controlled Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) was reportedly attacked by two unidentified men on his way home in Athurigiriya, a suburb of Colombo.
The FMM, an affiliate of the IFJ, reported Mawalage had received continuous death threats since speaking on behalf of SLRC employees regarding an aggressive intrusion into SLRC’s offices by Labour Minister Mervyn Silva on December 27, 2007. Mawalage’s vehicle was intentionally hit by another car on January 23. The FMM said the incidents were believed to be linked to the Minister and Mawalage’s public role in the SLRC protest.On January 28, Suhaib M. Kasim, another journalist working for state-controlled media, was stabbed at his home in Colombo. The FMM reported that five intruders entered Kasim’s home, dragged him outside, and stabbed him, seriously injuring his abdomen. On January 26, the chairman of Associated Newspapers of Ceylon had "removed" Kasim from his position as associate editor of the state-controlled Tamil daily Thinakaran.In an interview published on January 27, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksha openly called for media censorship, the judicial enforcement of criminal defamation and the prosecution of two leading media institutions for "critical reportage". The statement, published in Sunday Lankadeepa, is another alarming reflection of the Sri Lankan Government’s growing and overt disregard for media freedom and the right of journalists to conduct their work freely. Rajapaksha, who is the brother of Sri Lanka’s President, was reported as saying, "I told the President that we need to exercise press censorship from the beginning.
I have been telling him that we need to bring in laws that stipulate harsh punishments for such reporting."
The IFJ said local, national and regional authorities must initiate immediate and impartial investigations into the attacks against journalists and the media community, and ensure that culprits are brought to justice.
"Continuing attacks and harassment are intended to send a message to the media community and to spread fear," IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said. "Media freedom requires respect for the right of differing and critical opinions to be voiced, particularly in times of conflict. Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of any civil democracy, but attacks on journalists are eroding Sri Lanka’s democratic stability."

Pakistan exports sugar first time in five years

Pakistan, which has been importing sugar in recent years, has struck its first deal to export the commodity in five years, selling 1,000 tonnes of whites to Sri Lanka, a senior industry official said on Wednesday.
"We have just closed the deal. We are aiming to sell another 20,000 tonnes to Southeast Asia and Middle East destinations. Negotiations are at an advanced stage," Najib Balagamwalla, chief executive of Karachi-based Seatrade Group, told Reuters.
Balagamwalla said the deal for Sri Lanka was sealed at $335 a tonne, free on board, for February shipment in containers.
"If London prices rise a little more, we should be able to do a couple of bulk deals," he added.

Minister denies military involvement in the sacred area of Madhu

Defence Spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella addressing the media this morning (30) in Colombo stated that the bomb blast in Periya Madhu had nothing to do with operations engaged in by the security forces. It was baseless to accuse the forces when the incident occurred in a no-war zone and moreover a sacred area in Mannar, he said.
The security forces operate with great respect to the church and the religious area and in fact the Army has avoided the area even though it is relatively easier to clear, the minister said.The minister stated that the government deeply regrets that such an explosion that destroyed about 17 lives had occurred and also regretted the Bishop's statement that the SLMM could have done something to identify the offenders.The Minister further said that the SLMM had been based in Colombo and could have done nothing in terms of identifying perpetrators of the brutal action. "Being a sacred area with no military involvement the LTTE was freely carrying on its day to day activities in the area. Though the government with sheer respect for the area kept away from any military offensive, in the future, if necessary the government would have to consider what action it should take," he added.The Minister regretted that certain media have made unsubstantiated accusations even giving publicity to elements that are clearly bent on compromising the sovereignty of the nation.

LTTE Field Headquarter Destroyed

Air Force pounded air strikes using fighter jet planes on the field headquarters of the LTTE at WEDDUKADU 2 km off the FDL today (30) around 8.20 a.m. Pilots confirm that the mission was successful.

Wanni liberation in progress; terrorists on the run in Vavuniya and Mannar

Military reports reveal that Sri Lanka Army has sustained its multi pronged thrust at the Wanni defence yesterday (January 30) inflicting heavy damages to LTTE terrorists. According to the reports 43 terrorists were killed and many others injured during the clashes erupted in the Vavuniya and Mannar fronts right throughout the day.
On the Mannar front, troops successfully beat off the terrorists from Pallaikkuli and Vannankulama areas after dislodging 15 LTTE bunkers in series of attacks launched during the daytime yesterday.
At Pallaikkuli, army infantrymen destroyed 6 bunkers manned by LTTE terrorists killing at least 12 LTTE cadres. Troops during the subsequent, search found a body of an LTTE cadre along with a T-56 riffle. Also, 80 mortar bombs (60mm), 3 claymore mines , and 10000 ammunitions used for T-56 riffles were uncovered from the area. Four soldiers suffered injuries and were evacuated to hospitals.
At similar incident at Vannankulama, troops destroyed 9 LTTE bunkers on the same day. LTTE radio transmissions have revealed that 10 terrorists were killed and many were reported missing during the clash. During the subsequent search, troops found three bodies of female LTTE cadres abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. Troops suffered no casualties in this incident.
Separately, snipers deployed in Karukkakulama and Parappakandal areas claimed that 10 terrorists were shot down during the morning hours yesterday.
On the Vavuniya front, 11 more terrorists were killed in a series of clashes erupted between troops and the terrorists during the day.
At Vilathikulama, troops ambushed a group of LTTE terrorists around 12.25, last afternoon. Ground troops confirmed that four terrorists were killed in the incident. Meanwhile, LTTE terrorists fired 81mm mortars at the troops deployed in the area around 2.45 on the same day evening. Two soldiers were killed and three suffered injuries in the attack.
At Navatkulama, troops attacked an LTTE bunker around 2.45.p.m. The ground sources confirmed that two terrorists were killed.
At Kallikulama, troops ambushed a group of terrorists around 3.20.p.m. LTTE radio transmission have revealed three LTTE cadres were killed in the incident.
In a similar incident in the Periyapantrichchuchan area occurred around 3.25.p.m troops claimed that two more terrorists were killed and another injured.
Also, another terrorist was reported to have suffered injuries when troops open fire at a group of terrorists detected in the Iramiyankulama area around 9, last morning.
Limited offensives are continuing.

The security forces destroyed 35 LTTE bunkers

The security forces destroyed 35 LTTE bunkers in their forward defence line in Jaffna around 12.45 this morning. The troops launched this surprised attack going beyond their forward defence line. Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara says shell attacks were also launched targeting the withdrawing terrorists with their wounded colleagues. It is believed that at least 30 terrorists were killed or wounded in these attacks. Seven security personnel were injured in the incident.
43 persons crossed over to government-controlled areas from un-cleared areas in Vanni last month. Some of them have said that the LTTE has ordered it is compulsory for school children in Wanni to undergo military training. Children are being forcefully recruited to the organization. Civilians in the area have been asked to transfuse their blood to be used to treat injured LTTE members.
Meanwhile, defence affairs spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella stressed that the security forces have no involvement in the claymore mine attack in Periyamadu yesterday. The Minister dismissed charges leveled against the government and the armed forces in this connection.
The air force fighter jets raided an operational center of the terrorists in the south of forward defence line in Muhamalai around 8.20 am today. Air force spokesman Andrew Wijesuriya said the pilots have confirmed their target was accurate and the center was completely destroyed.

Impartial inquiry into the dispute between nurses and doctors of Peradeniya hospital

Minister of Health Nimal Siripala de Silva instructs Secretary to the Ministry Dr. Athula Kahadaliyanage to conduct an impartial inquiry into the dispute between nurses and doctors of the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital. The secretary will leave for the hospital tomorrow to conduct the inquiry.
The responsible parties were to produce before courts today. The Minister points out that no one has the right to carry out acts of sabotage, even if they have the right to take trade union actions.
It has been reported that certain persons involved in the dispute have removed life supporting Oxygen masks from patients in the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital. They allegedly have also hidden the essential pharmaceutical items. The secretary to the health ministry ordered the Raid and Investigation Unit of the ministry to probe these reports.

Construction Chamber to hold a seminar on Management of Ocean Resources

by Dakshitha Talgodapitiya
Chamber of Construction Industry recognizes the vast potential for exploitation of marine resources and the initiatives launched in this regard including exploitation of offshore oil and gas. CCI has been in the forefront of advocating offshore sand as an alternative to river sand for construction purposes. CCI has also noted opportunities for mining of mineral deposits and unparalleled port development activities envisaged.
Nevertheless CCI’s concern is focused on pollution of the marine environment and disposal of waste in particular.Having taken a broad overview of the marine environment and ocean resources CCI will host a seminar on Management of Sri Lanka’s Ocean Resources with special emphasis on creating a dialogue for a effective institutional and policy framework noting that institutional infrastructure for marine development is weak as well.
This full day seminar which will be held on 19th February 2008 at Galle Face Hotel will bring together some of the most knowledgeable and internationally respected resource personnel to a common forum. Among the presentations is one by Dr. Hiran Jayawardena, Secretary General of IOMAC on Sri Lanka’s Ocean Territory and its potential while Mr. Kumar Chitty, one time Asst. Secretary General and first registrar of the UN International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea will speak on sustainable development of the marine resources of Sri Lanka.
Dr. N.P. Wijayananda, Project Director of DEOCOM and former director of the Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau will make a presentation on offshore mineral resources.Dr. Niel de Silva, Director General of the Petroleum Development Secretariat will enlighten the participants on the exploration of Sri Lanka’s offshore oil and gas resources, potential and opportunities.Mr. Nissanka Perera, Director Coast Conservation Department and Mr. M.A.R. Kularatne, Chairman, Marine Pollution Prevention Authority have accepted the CCI’s invitation to speak on offshore development and ensuring coastal stability and marine pollution prevention respectively.
Prof. Dayantha Wijesekera who has been the vice chancellor of a number of universities and a much respected academic has been invited to speak on Managing Sri Lanka’s offshore resources and the need to develop human resources capacity.
Technical sessions will be chaired by Dr. Ranjith Galappathi, Chairman, Lanka Hydraulic Institute with senior Hydrograhper Mr. H.M.J. Wickramarante introducing the subject.

Hameedia launches ‘Romance Collection’ for Valentine’s Day

Leading menswear specialists Hameedia celebrates Valentine’s Day this year with a ‘Romance Collection’ for its thousands of customers all over Sri Lanka. The special Romance Collection features an exciting range of cufflinks with hearts and ties specially woven with hearts for the Valentine’s season.
As a value addition bonus to the ‘Romance Collection’, Hameedia also offers free monogramming on shirts, trousersand handkerchiefs, with the individual’s initials in an elegant and classy font within five days. This feature not only enhances the gift, but also makes it truly personal and with great sentimental value.
This year’s promotion extends through 01st to 29th February 2008 at Hameedia’s branches at Wellawatta, Liberty Plaza, Crescat Boulevard, Majestic City, Fort, Pettah and Nugegoda. The outstation branches in Negombo, Kandy and Kurunagala will also feature the identical promotions, thus affording the same offers to customers in those areas.
“Over the past couple of years Sri Lanka has joined the international tradition of celebrating Valentine’s Day. It is now an event which is a part of Sri Lanka’s social calendar and is celebrated by several thousands of people in this country. As Sri Lanka’s leading menswear specialist dealing in originals only and the country’s oldest retailer and manufacturer of quality men’s clothing, Hameedia has always paid great attention to its valued customers and offered them nothing but the very best”, Managing Director Fouzul Hameed said.
Reputed for original and high quality menswear, Hameedia has achieved record growth since its inception 59 years ago. Known for its strong principles and ethical standing on merchandising “ONLY ORIGINALS”, Hameedia enjoys a very strong and loyal base ranging from connoisseurs to entry level males. It currently enjoys an expanding loyalty base in Sri Lanka, together with a growing and discerning clientele in its new overseas markets in India and the UK.
Hameedia’s core values in setting fashion trends and attention to precision detail have earned it a clientele beyond the shores of Sri Lanka with markets in the UK and in India. The company has strengthened its portfolio by forging win-win business partnerships with world’s leading brands such as Van Heusen, Raymond, Louis Philippe, Lee, Arrow and Adidas. It now has 17 fully equipped Hameedia showrooms across Sri Lanka and 'The Envoy' showrooms in India and the UK while also being voted Sri Lanka’s First Menswear ‘Super Brand' status.

Sri Lanka Denies Soldiers Attacked School Bus Killing 18 People

Sri Lanka's military rejected a Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam statement that soldiers
attacked a school bus killing 18 people, 11 of them children, in the northwest of the
country.
An army Deep Penetration Unit carried out a mine attack on the bus yesterday in the
Mannar district, the LTTE Peace Secretariat said in an e-mailed statement. Two teachers 
and a school principal were among those killed, it said.
There were no military operations so far inside rebel-held territory yesterday, said Brigadier Udaya Nanyakkara, a military spokesman, according to the Defense Ministry's Web site.
The army is attacking LTTE bases in the north after driving the Tamil Tigers from the east in
July. Sri Lanka's government ended a 2002 cease-fire with the LTTE on Jan. 16,prompting the United Nations to call on the two sides to prevent the conflict escalating and human rights violations increasing.

Provincial health workers involved on C4 explosive case

The ministry of health says the lorry and workers taken into custody yesterday at the 
Thekka waththa police checkpoint with high power explosives are not attached to the
central ministry.
Health officer for the Vavuniya and Kilinochchi districts Dr. Sathyamurthi has admitted that the lorry and workers are from the Northern provincial council. Commenting on the high protein biscuits seized in Madawachchiya recently, the ministry rejected the UNICEF claim that the ministry granted approval for the food stock to be transported to Kilinochchi.

Injunction extended

 

The injunction imposed by the Colombo District Court against implementation of an

order by the General Secretary of the UNP,regarding eleven UNP Parliamentarians, who

had received ministerial portfolios , has been extended till the 29th of April this year.
The 11 parliamentarians, in a petition submitted to the Courts say it is against the

UNP constitution for the UNP General Secretary to call for explanations from them

on charges of breaching party discipline.

More Sri Lankans sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia

Two more Sri Lankan have been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, media reports said, while Amnesty International said they were convicted without legal representation on 'confessions' obtained under duress. Haleema Cadre from Kalmunai, a mother with an 8-year old son, her husband who is an Indian national and K M S Bandranaike from Kurunegala, has been sentenced to death, Arabnews reported.
They were alleged to have been involved in an armed robbery and murder of an elderly Saudi woman.
Another five Sri Lankans have also been sentenced to five years in jail and 500 lashes related to the same offence.
They are: Singarayar Calithar Wimaladas from Trincomalee, Abdul Basheer Mohamed from Mathurankuli, Puttalam, Amir Jabbar from Sammanthurai, Rismiya Abdul Haq from Kanatalai and Manickam Kulanthaivel Rosa from Kalmunai.
Amnesty international said Haleema was the mother of a young child.
"They have had no legal assistance at any time, even during trial and are believed to have confessed under duress," Amnesty said in a statement.
"None have had any legal representation whilst in detention or at any stage of the legal proceedings."
A Sri Lankan teenager who has been accused of murdering a child under her care is currently on death row. The Asian Human Rights Commission and well-wishers had funded her appeal.
Four Sri Lankan were beheaded last year by sword were 'crucified' and put on public display, reports said. One of the beheaded was told he was serving a 15-year prison sentence. Arabnews quoting unnamed sources said the son of the murdered Saudi woman was not happy with the sentence and had called for the other five convicts to be given death sentences.
Sri Lanka's consul general in Jeddah Abdul Latiff Mohammed Lafeer, had said a 7-day limit given for a appeal was not enough and more time has been asked to translate the verdict into English and seek legal opinion.
Lafeer said that those five persons who were sentenced to death fears that a higher court also condemn them to death following the request of the slain woman’s son.
He added that he personally handed over a copy of the verdict yesterday to Abdullah Al-Mattani, director of the Makkah branch of Saudi Human Rights Commission seeking his organization’s assistance.
According to sources, the son of the murdered Saudi woman is not happy with the judgment and has called for the other five convicts to be given death sentences.
Amnesty says court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are far short of international standards and often take place behind closed doors.
"Defendants normally do not have formal representation by a lawyer, and in many cases are not informed of the progress of legal proceedings against them," Amnesty said.
"They may be convicted solely on the basis of confessions obtained under duress, torture or deception.
"The rate of executions in Saudi Arabia has recently increased sharply, and the authorities have executed at least 103 people so far this year, although the true figure may be much higher." Sri Lanka has tight labour laws promoted by left-oriented politicians that hinder private sector economic activity and job creation at home.
Money printing by successive governments had led to chronic rupee depreciation and high inflation which also make foreign jobs attractive.
More than one million Sri Lankans now work abroad with little or no legal protection. Up to November last year they sent 2.2 billion dollars home.

Sri Lanka state tv news chief replaced

The news chief of Sri Lanka's state television station, who was assaulted by a government minister who stormed the newsroom in the company of thugs last month, has been replaced. "There have been repeated threats and after the incident it was difficult for me to carry out my duties," former new director of state-run Rupavahini, T M G Chandrasekara said.
"I asked the management to transfer me to another division and I heard that they had done so," he said.
One of Chandrasekara's colleagues, Lal Mawalage, was knifed by two assailants who waylaid him on his way home after work, two days ago.
Mawalage spoke up in support of his colleagues when labour minister Mervyn Silva was held hostage by television workers inside a room at the television station after the attack on its news director.
Television workers involved in the incident had also been targeted by Sri Lanka's secret police, media rights organizations complained.
Sri Lanka's government has so far not taken disciplinary action against the errant minister, who was doused in pink paint while being escorted out of the TV station by police.
Officials of a private television which gave wide coverage to the incident had also received death threats, a media rights bodies said.

CIAL support for Lanka

As part of the diversification projects, the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is all set to provide assistance to Sri Lanka in constructing an airport.
A high-level delegation of the officials of the CIAL headed by its Managing Director Shriram Bharath left for Sri Lanka following the invitation of Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajapakse on Monday to hold preliminary discussions about the feasibility of setting up a new Greenfield Airport in southern Sri Lanka, in line with the CIAL airport here.
Rajapakse was impressed with the facilities provided to the Passengers at the airport here, when he visited Kerala in December.
Shriram Bharath pursued the proposal of the Sri Lankan Authorities through Prime Minister’s Office. T. K. A. Nair, principal secretary to the Prime Minister, took up the matter with C. R Jayasinghe, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India and Lalith Weeratunga, secretary to the President of Sri Lanka.
The active intervention of these officials with the support of Ministry of External Affairs headed by Foreign Secretary Shiv Sankar Menon yielded result when the visit of a delegation of CIAL was cleared.
Besides the CIAL Managing Director, the team included Airport Director A. C. K Nair, general Managers A. M. Shabeer (Civil) and Suresh Babu (Commercial), Sr. Manager K. P Thankachan, Manager C. V. Ajithkumar and Deputy Manager T. Rajendran.
They will hold discussions with the President of Sri Lanka., the Minister of Ports and Aviation and senior officials of the Sri Lankan Government. The delegation will also visit the proposed site for the construction of the Airport. The delegation will return on February 2.

Sri Lankan sentenced to three years for using fake cards, papers

The People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City , Korea sentenced a Sri Lankan man Monday to three years in prison for using fake credit cards and papers. The court heard Sethu Theven came to Vietnam last March on a fake passport provided by a man from an illegal migration gang known only as BaBu.
Theven then used counterfeit ATM cards supplied by BaBu to withdraw money from ATMs.
He took VND134.5 million (US$8,500) from six local banks before being caught red-handed in late March.
Theven met BaBu in Thailand.
In 2006 Theven agreed to pay $15,000 to BaBu to help him migrate to Canada as his business in Thailand was suffering heavy losses.
He came to Vietnam to work for BaBu while waiting for his visa to be processed.

Tamil Nadu Opposition Wants Kachchatheevu Taken Back

Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu Monday demanded the government seek the return of the Kachchatheevu Island, given to Sri Lanka by Indian government in 1974.
They also sought immediate release of 12 fishermen and their boats detained by Sri Lanka last week and removal of floating mines in the waters between Kachchatheevu and Neduntheevu islands.
Sri Lanka planted the mines Jan 20 to prevent Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre from fleeing the Jaffna peninsula to Tamil Nadu.
'The only solution to the repeated violation of Tamil Nadu's fishermen's rights is the takeover of Kachchatheevu (by India),' said D. Jayakumar of AIADMK, the main opposition party in the state.
MDMK, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (Dalit Panthers or the VCK) and Left parties also joined AIADMK in raising the issue in the assembly through a special calling attention notice.
The VCK urged India to 'nullify the Kachchatheevu agreement' and 'declare the area as an integral part of the Indian territory'.
Electricity and Rural Industries Minister Arcot Veerasamy told the assembly that steps 'were being taken for the early release of 12 fishermen from Rameswaram'. The Tamil Nadu government was in contact with the Sri Lankan consulate in Chennai on the issue.
The minister said he and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi have spoken to Union Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed to take up the issue with Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, in the port city of Rameswaram, more than a 1,000 mechanised fishing boats kept off the seas for the fourth consecutive day Monday as the fishermen were protesting the detention of their community members.
In a related development, the Congress party in the state, an ally of the ruling Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK), sought stern action against the parties supporting LTTE.
M. Krishnaswamy, president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) wrote to Karunanidhi that these parties and organisations 'make demeaning references to the Congress... Our senior leaders are deeply pained by these remarks. I request you to take stern action against those responsible for this', he said, without naming any party or organisation.

This Govt. has no right to celebrate independence -Tissa Attanayake

UNP Gen.Secretary, Tissa Attanayake, addressing independence was achieved by the Father of the Nation, Late D.S. Senanayake , the first Prime Minister and Leader of the UNP in1948. No Govt. has ever turned the clock back on all the progress and development of this country as did this dismal and despotic Rajapakse Govt., he added.
the Media at the UNP Media Unit lamented that this Govt. is trying to celebrate Sri Lanka’s 60 years of independence on the 4th of Feb .2008 after defeating every purpose for which independence was achieved by the Father of the Nation, Late D.S. Senanayake , the first Prime Minister and Leader of the UNP in1948.

No Govt. has ever turned the clock back on all the progress and development of this country as did this dismal and despotic Rajapakse Govt., he added. The main objectives of independence of a country is to establish freedom for the people, freedom from the fetters of colonialism, banish poverty and ignorance ,and foster peaceful existence as a nation bound by laws.

With the Rajapakse Govt., what we witness in our very midst is poverty, education muddle, erosion of freedom , panic , tyranny and despotism , leave alone the dire dangers to the lives of the people and the sovereignty of the country , he asserted.In the circumstances, the UNP is compelled to reject the Govt.’s invitation to celebrate the Independence Day, he said.

However, the Party has decided to engage in religious worships and activities at all religious places: Temples. Mosques, churches and Kovils. The Party therefore urges all to visit their places of worship and perform religious acts on the day of independence.

The UNP is to have its religious services at Kandy Dalada Maligawa at 9.00 a.m.under the patronage of the Leader of Opposition and UNP, Ranil Wickrmesinghe. All Organisers of the Party are also instructed to perform religious activities in their own areas, he explained.The President had realized only now that it is the 13th amendment to the Constitution introduced by the UNP is the answer to the ethnic conflict after 20 years! But, when the UNP signed the Indo Lanka accord and introduced the 13 th amendment , it was the President , then , a Minister along with his Leader Sirimavo Bandaranayake who shouted hoarse against it under the Pettah Bo-tree which led to a country wide unrest .

This eventually led to 6600 UNP members losing their lives and mass destruction of National wealth and property.Had Rajapakse realized this solution 20 years ago, all this damage to person and property could have been saved, he regretted. Similarly, Rajapakse is certainly going to say after 20 years the best thing that could have happened to the ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka is the UNP’s Ceasefire agreement (CFA). But, by that time the whole Nation will be devastated and decimated, he concluded.

Thinakaran associate editor attacked

The associate editor of the state owned Tamil daily Thinakaran Suhaib M Kasim was stabbed at his home in Colombo . He is now recieving treatment in hospital.

CPJ alarmed at call for media censorship

The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s brazen public call to censor the media and reintroduce criminal defamation laws.
“This is an open intimidation of the media,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. “The Sri Lankan press sorely needs space to report independently on the escalating instability in the country, free of government intimidation.”
The newspaper group Wijeya, which publishes the Sunday Lankadeepa and several other widely circulated publications—including the English-language Sunday Times—and the broadcasting conglomerate Maharaja were singled out by the minister as examples of privately owned media groups that abuse their existing freedoms by reporting critically, according to the Free Media Movement translation, CPJ said.

Chief Justice ordered Police to remove all illegal sign boards

Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva ordered Police to pull down all illegal sign boards of speed limits put up on main roads as hapless motorists were being forced to either face prosecution or pay bribes to the police to get away.
The Chief Justice delivering a judgment in a Fundamental Rights case noted there were different sign boards giving various speed limits though the speed limit in the city should be 56 Kmph and 72 Kmph outside the city.
Therefore all boards which were against the laws should be removed.
The Chief Justice said that Police officers were given promotion on the number of cases they handled. Instead, they should be given promotion on merit. He noted that motorists were some times penalized on wrong speed limits.
The directive to pull down the illegal sign boards came as the Chief Justice delivered a judgment related to a Fundamental Rights application filed by a couple living in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura.

Army captured six bunkers in Mannar

Army troops have captured six bunkers in Mannar killing fourteen LTTE terrorists.
The media centre for national security said around 1.15 this afternoon in North of Pallikuli in Mannar troops captured 6 bunkers and killed 7 terrorists in confrontations.
In South of Adampan in Mannar troops killed 5 LTTE cadres in confrontations this evening. The media centre said 2 terrorists were killed in Army attacks in West of Adampan.
Vavuniya Police have seized high power C-4 explosives that were hidden inside a pair of footwear to be transported to the south.
The footwear had been hidden in a lorry belonging to the Department of Health that was carrying a stock of medicine to the Kilinochchi hospital. Police have arrested the driver of the lorry and two health workers.

The 15th SAARC Summit will be held in Kandy

The 15th SAARC state leaders’ summit will be held from the 27th of July to the 3rd of August in Kandy.
The decision was taken by President Mahinda Rajapakse at a special discussion at President’s House in Kandy.
The discussion considered the suitability of Kandy to host the summit. The President gave directions to the relevant authorities to complete development activities and new city planning of the Kandy town in view of the summit.
Around 1,000 representatives and 300 journalists will attend the SAARC summit. The discussion also reviewed the progress made in the Kandy city plan. President Rajapakse also highlighted the importance of expanding the Gama Neguma and Maga Neguma programmes especially in the districts of Mulative and Kilinochchi.

SL forces thwarted artillery attacks

The security forces have thwarted artillery attacks of the LTTE terrorists on the Palaly military complex successfully.
The terrorists shelled the military complex from the Punerin area this morning.
The Media Center for National Security says the troops retaliated the attacks by using Multi-barrel Rocket Launchers and artillery guns. The retaliatory attacks have silences the shelling of terrorists. Meanwhile, the Air force fighter jets raided a LTTE artillery gun position in Kalmune Point in Punerin around 11.45 this morning.
Air Force media spokesman Andrew Wijesuriya said the gun position was completely destroyed in the aerial attack.

CPC to increase efficency

A new project has been launched to increase the efficiency of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Priority will be given to repair oil pipes.
Acting Chairman of CEYPETCO Methsiri Wijegunawardena said modernization of the refinery plant will also be carried out. Mr.Gunawardena revealed this information participating in the official ceremony to commence this renovation.
A sum of 350 million rupees will be spent for this project. Renovation activities will conclude by January next year.

APRC OUTCOME SUPPORTS GOVERNMENT'S STRATEGY OF SURVIVAL

by -Jehan Perera
The prospect of escalated war looms larger than ever on the horizon.
The expectations of a breakthrough by the All Party Representatives Committee that held out a measure of hope for a more peaceful alternative have come to an end, at least in the present phase. Much was expected of the APRC as it had 14 political parties represented in it, had commissioned a panel of experts to assist it, had met on 63 occasions and was chaired by a person with a proven track record of commitment to a negotiated political solution.
But if transforming the military conflict to one of peaceful conflict resolution was the expectation, the outcome of the APRC that manifested itself in its January 23 proposal was disappointing to say the least.
There was a hope that the APRC would provide a framework for a viable political solution to emerge that would help to resolve the ethnic conflict. But this was not the case.
The APRC's proposal was that the government should implement existing law in the form of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution that established the system of Provincial Councils with devolved powers. The proposal did not contain any concrete measures or principles of governance that would strengthen the Provincial Council system that has become akin to a white elephant in terms of ethnic conflict resolution. The APRC proposal only referred vaguely to exploring additional proposals in the future.
Ironically, the present APRC proposal is even less than the 13th Amendment that was passed in 1987. It is bereft of the temporary merger of the Northern and Eastern provinces, which made the 13th Amendment a radical measure at that time.
In addition, it is reported that the powers over finances, police, education and land are not to be devolved, as envisaged in the 13th Amendment, and despite speculation of the "full implementation" of the law. The only advance over the current implementation of the law therefore appears to be the implementation of language provisions to improve the position of the Tamil language and recruit more Tamils to the public service.
Little over three weeks ago it was reported that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had summoned the APRC and handed it a proposal that it was constrained to accept. It should be noted that both the major opposition party, the UNP, and the major Tamil political party, the TNA, were not part of the APRC. As the APRC owes its very existence to the President whose initiative it was, they appear to have given the President's proposal pride of place.
Political realities that give the President overwhelming power in relation to most of the members of the APRC appear to have prevailed. It was a mistaken hope that a grouping of political parties, nearly all of them part of the government, would be able to design a solution to the ethnic conflict.
POLITICS DOMINANT
The President's actions in restricting the APRC proposals need to be seen in the light of the prevailing political situation. The government is engaged in a determined and costly effort to militarily defeat the LTTE and reduce its influence over the affairs of the country. This is a strategy that continues to be accepted by the majority of people in the country, especially by those from the Sinhalese ethnic majority. But at the same time, this is a strategy that can be sustained only if the government continues to receive support also from the Sinhalese nationalist parties in Parliament. Without their support, the government can possibly lose its majority in Parliament which appears to be the dominant concern of the government.
Both the JVP and JHU have ambivalent attitudes towards the 13th Amendment and are opposed to anything more.
The JVP's position is that the 13th Amendment is neither legitimate as it is a result of Indian pressure nor should it be implemented so long as the LTTE continues to fight militarily for a separate Tamil state. They hold to the position that Provincial Councils with full powers, which would include powers over finances, police, education and land, would be used in the north and east by the LTTE to strengthen their position and to fight for a separate state. The JHU's position is that they oppose the 13th Amendment in principle, but will support the President's proposals in terms of the appropriate devolution of power.
The JHU unlike the JVP seems able to see the importance of the government maintaining a minimum level of credibility with the international community, in particular its western component of which the JVP is bitterly critical. There is a virtual unanimity within the international community that the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, like those elsewhere in the world, cannot be resolved militarily, but needs a strong political reform strategy to quell the causes of rebellion. A major success of the present government has been its ability to prosecute a most costly and ruthless war against the LTTE while yet keeping the major international actors either quiet or on its side.
The Indian response to the APRC proposals suggests that the government's strategy has paid off, at least for the time being. While other foreign governments remained quiet, the Indian government immediately issued a double-edged statement.
It described the APRC proposals, bereft in content though they were, as a welcome first step. But this was provided the proposals paved the way to a final settlement to the ethnic conflict that could be acceptable to all communities. The Indian statement suggests a desire to constructively engage with the Sri Lankan government rather than drive it into a corner where it relies more and more on countries such as China, Iran and Pakistan which have recently intensified their support to Sri Lanka.
SPACE OPEN
Although the present APRC proposal does not contain the final proposal they have been working on, it represents a forward movement of the ruling party with regard to the political solution to the ethnic conflict. The ruling party's proposals to the APRC that emerged in May last year were a stunning disappointment to those who were hoping for a bold proposal from it. The SLFP's proposed solution to the ethnic conflict of May 2007 limited the devolution of power to the unitary state and to district units.
The District Council system was implemented in 1981 but abandoned as a failure in 1987 when the Provincial Council system replaced it.
The SLFP when it was headed by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the UNP headed by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe came to a similar position, though on different platforms, that a federal solution was necessary to resolve the ethnic conflict. This tacit bipartisan consensus ended with the rise of President Rajapaksa to the leadership of the ruling party and the country. But now the acceptance of the need for provincial level devolution, as represented by the 13th Amendment, suggests that the SLFP has moved forward again, though not as much as those who wish for a negotiated solution to the ethnic conflict might wish.
The reassuring feature of the present situation is that the general population does not appear to be as xenophobic and narrow minded as the government's nationalist allies, and this would serve to give the APRC and its chairman Prof. Tissa Vitarana encouragement to continue with more progressive work.
Most people appear supportive of the government's efforts to put an end to the LTTE by military force, as they do not see in the LTTE's long term conduct any possibility of a negotiated settlement with it that is both democratic and within the confines of a united country. However, these same people have not shut their minds to the need for a political solution that could bring peace to the country and justice to the Tamil people.
This past week I had occasion to travel to Matara which is the extreme south of the country and part of the Southern Province, which is believed to be the heartland of Sinhalese nationalism. Although it was a working day, nearly 200 persons, most of them community leaders, gathered for a meeting to establish a district peace committee.
They came despite constant reports in most sections of the media and political propaganda that speak in a one sided manner of military victory and the benefits of war. The space for creating awareness of the need for a just political solution to the ethnic conflict continues to remain open. The government needs to take the lead and provide a supportive environment if an attitudinal shift that could lead to an enduring political solution is to take place.

Extensive search operations are being carried out in Yala, Buttala and Uda Walawe.

Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara says 36 terrorists have been killed in clashes with the Security Forces in the past 24 hours.
22 terrorists were killed in clashes in Vavuniya. The Brigadier adds 03 army personnel were also succumbed to their injuries and 07 others injures in these encounters.
The Army Spokesman also says extensive search operations, covering the areas of Yala, Buttala and Uda Walawe commenced jointly by the Police, Army and the Special Task Force yesterday.
The Army says a high powered pressure bomb weighing 15 kilos, targeting security forces personnel on road patrol, was found north of Padaviya.

Propaganda activities of the local government election in the Batticaloa District commences

Propaganda activities relating to the local government election in the Batticaloa District commence today.
All propaganda must end on midnight of 08th of March. Elections for 10 Local Government Institutes including the Batticaloa Municipal Council are scheduled to take place on the 10th of March. 22 Independent groups and 06 political parties are contesting the elections.
Civil Citizens’ Committees under the leadership of clergymen have been set up with the objective of minimizing election-related violence.
Head of the PAFFREL Organization Kingsley Rodrigo says his organization will commence meetings from today with contesting political groups to pave the way to hold a peaceful election. DIG Gamini Navaratne said relevant police officials have already been briefed on a special security program to be implemented in connection with the election.

Most important task before the country is to defeat the LTTE militarily

The Desha Hithaishi Jathika Viyaparaya says the most important task before the country is to defeat the LTTE militarily.
Democracy could be established in the North and East only through such an act. General Secretary of the DJV and parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa at a media briefing in Colombo today said people in the North and East will be able to enjoy social, economic and other benefits, only if the LTTE is defeated militarily. He added the country should not resort to any other activities at this juncture.

Troops exchange artillery fire with LTTE terrorists in Jaffna

LTTE terrorists have launched indiscriminate artillery shelling targeting Jaffna peninsula this morning (January 28), defence sources say. Troops have also retaliated to the attack targeting enemy gun positions with heavy artillery and multi barrel rocket fire.

Four Sri Lankans being questioned

CHENNAI: The police are investigating the case of a Sri Lankan national here, who was holding an Indian passport. Police on Sunday told reporters that they found four Sri Lankans in Sembium, who, however, had no connections with any terrorist groups. They are enquiring how the Indian passport came into possession of one of them.

Ultratech Cement eyes Jaffna firm

Ultratech Cement, an Aditya Birla group company, has decided to throw its hat in the ring to acquire the 5 lakh tonne capacity Kankesanthurai cement plant at Jaffna, which is lying closed for more than 17 years.
"The Aditya Birla group will put forward a proposal to acquire the plant and efforts are on in this direction. But no decision has been taken by the Sri Lankan government", a top official said.
A delegation from the company was scheduled to meet the government officials and the plant representatives.

Thirteen terrorists killed in Vavuniya

Thirteen (13) LTTE terrorists were killed and two were injured during operations which are being continuously conducted resulting in confrontations with Troops on Sunday (27) in the VAVUNIYA area.
Three (03) terrorists were killed in a confrontation in the PALLIKULAM area, around 11.15 in the morning (27) while six more terrorists were killed and two were reported injured in the VILATHIKULAM area, around 10.45 without any harm to Troops. Four terrorists were also reported killed around 10.25 in the morning (27) in the MULLIKULAM area, VAVUNIYA again with no damage to Troops.
In the MANNAR area, it was confirmed that many terrorists sustained heavy damages in another confrontation at 4.20 in the evening in PERIYAPANDIVIRICHCHAN area, VAVUNIYA.
Meanwhile two soldiers were killed and six were injured due to the explosion of two terrorist "booby" traps in two incidents at 11.30 and 11.50 in the morning on Sunday (27) in the PERIYAPANDIVIRICHCHAN area while two were also injured in the incident at PERIYAPANDIVIRICHCHAN area at 4.20 in the evening.

Troops advance into LTTE defences: 03 bunkers destroyed-Mannar

Troops forced into LTTE defences yesterday( January 26) at Adampan South in Mannar, assisted with heavy artillery and multi barrel rocket (MBRL) fire and destroyed 03 LTTE bunkers, Wanni sources report.
At least nineteen terrorists were believed seriously injured during the stiff attacks, security sources said. Meanwhile, Wanni ground sources said that, two soldiers were also wounded and admitted to general hospital at Vavuniya.

Lorry with 39,000 packets of high protein food stooped at road block - Medawachchiya

A truck belonging to the "Trico" Terminal Private Limited company transporting 39,000 packets of high protein "PB100 compact Fera Pheutical" food was stopped by the Medawachchiya road block around 9.00 in the night on Saturday (26).
The consignment belonging to the World Food Program was being transported to Vavuniya Area when it was stopped at the road block.
Medawachchiya Police are conducting investigations.

APRC proposals have responded to two long-standing requests of Tamils- Dr.Rajitha

Minister Dr. Rajitha Senarathne says the Tamil people will further distance the LTTE after the proper implementation of proposals of the All-Party Representative Committee.
The minister said APRC proposals have responded to two long-standing requests of Tamils--those are to ensure their security and develop areas, which they live in.
The APRC has proposed a practical mechanism to sharing power. In a media briefing held at the Department of Information this morning the minister said that UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe has also renounced federalism and accepted the concept of devolving power in a unitary state. On such a situation the UNP cannot oppose to this set of proposals and if they do, the minister said it shows the party’s political opportunism.
All effort taken by the past to resolve this problem became fruitless as all political parties succumbed to opportunism. Minister Senarathne said issues raised by the UNP against these proposals are baseless. All democratic Tamil Political Parties except the Tamil National Alliance have recognized the APRC proposals.
The Minister clarifying the government’s stance said a political solution will be offered to the problems of Tamils while defeating the LTTE’s terrorism. End

Top Sri Lankan official denies helping Karuna go to Britain

(IANS)
Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has denied he helped breakaway Tamil Tiger leader 'Colonel' Karuna get a forged diplomatic passport to go to Britain.
'I did not help Karuna in this matter,' Rajapaksa told IANS Sunday.
'And it was wrong on the part of the British judiciary to have said that I helped him get the passport, without first verifying with me,' the top Sri Lankan official added.
'An accused may say many things in a confession. But these cannot be taken as the truth and made public, without proper verification. The British judiciary has been unfair in this matter,' Rajapaksa said.
When Karuna was sentenced by the Islesworth Crown Court in West London last Friday, the prosecution read out a statement quoting him as saying that Rajapaksa had 'arranged everything' to get to him to the UK.
Karuna had confessed to coming on a false diplomatic passport and was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment.
'I do not know how Karuna got the passport. But to my mind, the question that needs to be asked is, how he got a British visa?' Rajapaksa said.
'The British visa is not easy to get. There is a lot of scrutiny. The visa seeker, other than a minister of the government, has to go to the High Commission for a detailed interview. This being so, how was Karuna given the visa?' he asked.
Rajapaksa said that it was true Karuna had, 'a long time ago', asked him for help to go Britain as he wanted to see his children who were already there. And he did try, through a friendly third country, but the efforts failed.
'I then abandoned the idea of helping Karuna in this matter. And that was a long time ago,' Rajapaksa said.
The powerful defence secretary, who is President Mahinda Rajapaksa's brother, argued that he had no reason to want to send Karuna away from Sri Lanka.
'Why should I want to send him away when he could be useful in Sri Lanka?' he asked.
Rajapaksa charged the British government of violating human rights by preventing Karuna from joining his family in the Britain.
'Preventing a family from being united is a violation of human rights.'
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama had also denied that the government had issued a diplomatic passport in the name of one Kokila Gunawardena, which Karuna had used to go to Britain in September last year. He also denied that the government had requested the British high commissioner to issue a visa.
Karuna, who had broken away from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in March 2004, had floated an armed Tamil militant group cum political party called Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) or Tamil Peoples' Liberation Tigers.
The TMVP has been acting as an adjunct of the Sri Lankan armed forces in the latter's fight against the mainstream LTTE in the eastern districts of Sri Lanka.
But international human rights organizations had alleged that the TMVP was violating human rights by extorting money from Tamils and Muslims, killing political rivals, and forcibly recruiting Tamil children for its fighting units. Top UN officials had gone a step further and accused the Sri Lankan government of being 'complicit' in the crimes committed by Karuna.
Cooling his heels in a jail in London, Karuna may have to face trial for 'war crimes' if the West-based international human rights organizations have their way.

Lal Hemantha Mawalage of SLRC attacked

Senior producer of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Lal Hemantha Mawalage sustained injuries after two unidentified men attacked him at Athurugiriya on Friday night.
The incident had occurred when he was returning to his home in Athurugiriya on Friday around 11 p.m.Soon after the incident, he was rushed to the National Hospital in Colombo. He has sustained severe cuts on both hands after the men had slashed his hand with a sharp object.
Speaking to The Nation Mawalage claimed that this attack was probably a result of the Rupavahini – Mervyn Silva saga, because he made some statements voicing protest against the minister’s actions.
Explaining the incident, he said that the two men who came on a motor bike wearing helmets had blocked his van which was heading towards his house near St. Pio church at Sethsirigama. They had dragged him out of the driving seat and had tried to cut his face first. When the victim tried to cover his face in self defence they had slashed his two hands with a sharp weapon suspected to be a knife. Mawalage said, “I do not know who did this. On the day Minister Mervyn Silva entered Rupavahini, I spoke in protest of the ministers actions but on behalf of my institution. I love my institution as much as my life. I did not represent any political party there but I stood for my institution. I did the right thing to protect my institution’s prestige. This attack might be the results of it,” he added.Journalists claim the knife attack on the News Producer of the State run Rupavahini, Lal Hemantha Mawalage, was an act of revenage againt the journalist who spearheaded protests when Minister Mervyn Silva ran rampage in the Rupavavini.
Mawalage was among a group of journalists who protested when Minister Mervyn Silva stormed the National Channel and assaulted the News Director.Five Journalist Associations issuing a media statement condemned the assault and said they were “shocked and appalled by the knife attack”

The five media organizations which included the Working Journalist Association, Free Media Movement, Federation of Media Employees Trade Union, Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum and Sri Lanka Tamil Journalists Alliance further stated: “Our organisations have received credible information that some Under- world criminal gangs were planning to attack journalists who played leading role in protest against the minister and his gang.”

The media associations alleged that three leading media personnel of the MBC TV and Radio network that covered the incident extensively - the Channel Head of MTV Channel One Chevaan Daniel, Sirasa Director Kingsley Ratnayaka and MTV/MBC News Director Susil Kindelpitya lodged complaints with the Maharagama police over death threats they received after the incident. According to his colleagues, Journalist Mawalage received continuous death threats after his role in the SLRC staff protest.

He had lodged a complaint with the Cinnamon Gardens police station with regard to the death threats he received. The media associations stated that,” we strongly suspect that this knife attack could be retaliation for his role in SLRC staff protest. There has been no other threats to him by any other for any reason according to our information.”

Nine terrorists killed & explosives recovered in Welioya & Vavuniya

Nine terrorists were killed and large amounts of explosive devices were recovered by Troops during two operations conducted in the KIRIBBANWEWA area, WELIOYA on Saturday (26) while a large quantity of mines, explosive devices and ammunition etc was recovered in the search operations which are continuing in the VAVUNIYA area.
Troops confirm that three (03) of the nine terrorists were killed when they launched an attack on a line of LTTE bunkers in KIRIBBANWEWA area around 3.30 in the evening while the explosives and military equipment were recovered .A soldier was also reported injured in the attack.Troops also confirm that six of the nine terrorists were killed in a confrontation with terrorists around 3.45 in the evening in KIRIBBANWEWA area, WELIOYA
In the VAVUNIYA area, Troops recovered a haul of weapons and mines in a search operation conducted between 8.00 in the morning until about 4.00 in the evening in the MULLIKULAM area.
Meanwhile, in VAVUNIYA, Troops conducting a search operation in the VILAYATHIKLAM area from around 10.00 in the morning to around 4.50 in the evening, recovered the explosive devices .

Eight terrorists killed in clashes at Welioya defences

In clashes erupted along the Wanni defences at Vavuniya and Welioya yesterday (January 26) at least eight terrorists were killed and three wounded, security sources said.
According to military reports, two LTTE terrorists were killed in a confrontation with troops in general area Parayanakulama, Vavuniya yesterday morning. Four other terrorists were reported killed when troops advanced into LTTE defences ahead of Kiriibbanwewa at Welioya, in three separate incidents, military sources said.
Meanwhile, two terrorists were also killed in skirmishes between troops and LTTE at Kokkuthuduwai and Janakapura, according to reports.
Troops advance into LTTE defences: 03 bunkers destroyed-Mannar Troops forced into LTTE defences yesterday( January 26) at Adampan South in Mannar, assisted with heavy artillery and multi barrel rocket (MBRL) fire and destroyed 03 LTTE bunkers, Wanni sources report.
At least nineteen terrorists were believed seriously injured during the stiff attacks, security sources said. Meanwhile, Wanni ground sources said that, two soldiers were also wounded and admitted to general hospital at Vavuniya.

52 nominations for Batticaloa polls accepted

The final list of candidates' for the Batticaloa elections will be handed over to the Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake this week, Assistant Elections Commissioner for Batticaloa T. Krishnanandalingum said.
Police are ready to provide security to candidates if they require, Deputy Inspector General Eastern Range, V.S.A.P. Nanayakkara said. DIG Nanayakkara met all party representatives yesterday. The party representatives will meet the District Secretary tomorrow.
According to Krishnanandalingum the numbers given to each candidate will be finalised tomorrow. Around 270,471 voters are registered in the district. There are 285 polling booths and nine will be for Internally Displaced People, Krishnanandalingum said.
"There will be one polling booth for the displaced people close to the camp or they will be directed to the nearest polling booth within the electorate," he said. The officials are considering to provide transport to such people if the need arises.
The Batticaloa Election Office till Friday accepted 52 nominations that include 30 parties and 22 independent groups.
There are six main parties contesting the election. Five candidates are from the UPFA, four candidates from the SLMC, eight candidates from the TMVP, another four from the JSP, eight candidates from the EDF. The National Congress (Athaullah Party) has only one candidate. Eight hundred and thirty one are contesting the elections in the nine divisions of Batticaloa where 101 will be selected by the people's vote.

Opportunity to Revive the Constitutional Council and Ensure Good Governance

Today the ravages of the ethnic conflict are taking centre stage in the country, and the absence of good governance in general is marked.
In this context, the agreement among the three relevant smaller political parties, the JVP, TNA and JHU, to fill the vacancy in the Constitutional Council is a positive development. The Organization of Professional Associations had recently recommended the retired Auditor General Mr S C Mayadunne as the nominee since he has general acceptance among the public as well as the large majority of parliamentarians. We, the undersigned civil society organizations note that the Speaker of Parliament W J M Lokubandara has already submitted the names to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and call on him to make the appointment that would re-activate this important national institution without delay.
The people require any government to act justly. This means it must maintain the Rule of Law and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms recognized in the Constitution. All citizens have an equal right to be considered for public employment whichever political party they voted for. After appointment the high officials in charge in the public service, the judicial service and the superior courts should be guaranteed freedom to exercise their discretion objectively and honestly upholding truth and justice. They must not be directed or influenced by the personal opinions of the President or the Cabinet of Ministers. It is to provide for such conditions that appointments, promotions, transfers and discipline of high officers are vested in independent organizations, independent of the current politicians holding office for a limited period.
In order to provide a buffer between the political Executive and the Administration of Law and Justice the powers of appointment, transfer, promotion and discipline have been made subject to the approval or recommendation of independent organizations like the Public Service Commission, the National Police Commission and similar bodies. The 17th Amendment to the Constitution which was passed unanimously in Parliament provided for a Constitutional Council drawn from several parties under the Chairmanship of the Speaker which would appoint the members of such Commissions which would then carry out these functions and provide a buffer between the President and the Cabinet of Ministers who would have to act only on the recommendations of these independent Commissions.
Unfortunately, for the past two years, the President has not appointed the Constitutional Council and has exercised these powers at his discretion. He has proffered the reason for his failure to appoint the Constitutional Council as the lack of consensus among the three relevant smaller political parties in Parliament to select one nominee allotted to them jointly. The President has also exercised his powers to make appointments to key national institutions at his discretion alone which has impaired the credibility and legitimacy of those appointments. As a result public and international confidence in some of these institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission is at a low ebb. However, the consensus that has emerged on the appointment of Mr Mayadunne now permits the Constitutional Council to be constituted and to begin to function. We also call for the reconstitution of all public institutions that come under the purview of the Constitutional Council as soon as this body is constituted, as this would pave the way for practices of good governance to re-emerge.
[Issued by Association of War Affected Women, Centre for Communication Training, Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions, Centre for Society and Religion, Centre for Women and Development, Jaffna, Eastern Self Reliant Community Awakening Organisation, Batticaloa, Foundation for Co-Existence, Free Media Movement, Gampaha District Human Rights Citizens Committee, INFORM, Janawaboda Kendraya, Law & Society Trust, Marga Institute, Mannar Women for Human Rights and Democracy, Mothers and Daughters of Lanka, Muslim Information Centre - Sri Lanka, Muslim Women's Research and Action Forum , Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust, National Peace Council, People's Movement for National Resurgence, Prayathna, the People's Movement, Social Scientists Association, SWEEDF, Batticaloa, and Women and Media Collective.]

SLAF pounds LTTE transport base - Kilinochchi

Sri Lanka Air Force supersonic fighter jets raided an LTTE transport base located at Kilinochchi area this morning, January 25.
According to the Air Force sources, air sorties were conducted at 7.30 a.m and the targeted LTTE base located at 2Km south west of depot junction in Selvanagar, Kilinochchi.
The air raid was launched based on information received through intelligence sources and air surveillances conducted for a long period, Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Andy Wijesooriya further said.
The pilots confirmed that the target was hit accurately.

Group of youth hacked to death by LTTE terrorists

Police have found several bodies of youth dumped in a swamp at Kiriketuwewa on the Horoupathana - Kebithigollawa road by suspected LTTE terrorists .According to the available information the victims are believed to be a group of civilians who had gone searching for their cattle. Initially the incident was reported to the Police by the civilians in the area, police sources said.
The victims were apparently hacked to death, the sources added.

Lanka invites Indians to build new airport

Sri Lanka wants builders of Cochin International Airport to construct an airport in that country. Talks on the proposal will begin in Colombo on January 28.
The Cochin airport is India's first airport built under a public-private partnership. The Kerala government and several NRIs hold stakes in Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), which built the airport and operates it.
A seven-member CIAL delegation led by its managing director S. Bharath will hold talks with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and other Lankan leaders on the proposal.
"The invitation for this came from Rajapaksa and we have taken this opportunity with a lot of excitement," Bharath said. The talks will be spread over six days from January 28, he said.
Bharath said CIAL is ready to provide a full turnkey solution for the proposed airport in Sri Lanka.
"If what they want is just the building of the airport, we are prepared for that and if they want us to take care of the operations part also, we are ready for that too. We are ready for what they want," he said.
It was almost two years ago that Rajapaksa mooted the idea of CIAL building an airport in his country when he flew to Kochi en route to Guruvayoor.
Since then CIAL and the Sri Lankan government have exchanged letters on the issue, resulting in a formal invitation from the Sri Lankan president for talks, Bharath said.
CIAL has been making profits since its inception in 1999 and is all set for major expansion with 18 projects, which include a Rs.6.4-billion ($162 million) IT park, an aviation academy, a maintenance and hangar unit, hotels and a golf course. These are to come up on 500 acres in its possession.
The Kerala government holds 35.56 percent in CIAL, the company's directors 37 percent, and public sector banks and public sector organisations like Air India 10.61 percent, while NRIs and the general public have 14.63 percent. Private commercial banks hold a two percent stake in the company.

JVP not contesting in eastern local elections

Janatha Vimukthi Perumuna while welcoming the planned elections for 9 local government bodies in the East has decided not to contest.
Somawansa Amerasinghe said that holding elections is a good democratic move. He said, “We welcome Government holding the elections.”
However, he said that the time given to prepare for the nine local body elections was not enough.
The Leader of the JVP also said that his party has not been active in those parts of the east earlier and they are yet to build their political bases in those areas where elections were scheduled to be held.
He added that it is not the proper political approach to contest for the sake of contesting in the elections.

Boosting growth and jobs by meeting our climate change commitments-EC

The European Commission has today agreed on a far-reaching package of proposals that will deliver the European Council's commitments to fight climate change and promote renewable energy. The proposals demonstrate that the targets agreed last year are technologically and economically possible and provide a unique business opportunity for thousands of European companies. These measures will dramatically increase the use of renewable energy in each country and set legally enforceable targets for governments to achieve them. All major CO2 emitters will be given an incentive to develop clean production technologies through a thorough reform of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) that will impose an EU-wide cap on emissions. The package seeks to deliver the European Union to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 20% and increases to 20% the share of renewable energies in the energy consumption by 2020, as agreed by EU leaders in March 2007. The emissions reduction will be increased to 30% by 2020 when a new global climate change agreement is reached.
Commission President, José Manuel Barroso said, "Responding to the challenge of climate change is the ultimate political test for our generation. Our mission, indeed our duty, is to provide the right policy framework for transformation to an environment friendly European economy and to continue to lead the international action to protect our planet. Our package not only responds to this challenge, but holds the right answer to the challenge of energy security and is an opportunity that should create thousands of new businesses and millions of jobs in Europe. We must grasp that opportunity".
Commissioner for the environment, Stavros Dimas said, "Building on Europe's pioneering emissions trading system, this package demonstrates to our global partners that strong action to fight climate change is compatible with continued economic growth and prosperity. It gives Europe a head start in the race to create a low-carbon global economy that will unleash a wave of innovation and create new jobs in clean technologies. These proposals implement the commitments made by EU leaders last year through a fair share-out of the effort. Now all Member States must make their full contribution."
Commissioner for energy policy, Andris Piebalgs said, "In a time of growing oil prices and climate change concerns, renewable energy sources is an opportunity that we cannot miss. They will help us to reduce our CO2 emissions, strengthen our security of supply and develop jobs and growth in a high tech developing sector. If we do the effort now, Europe will be the leader in the race towards the low carbon economy that the planet so desperately needs"
Commissioner for Competition, Neelie Kroes said, “The state aid guidelines are a significant contribution to Energy and Climate Change policy in the Union and to the continuing process of the state aid reform. This is a win-win opportunity for the Member States to finance environmental projects and for economic growth in the EU."
Building on the EU Emission Trading System (ETS), the Commission proposes to strengthen the single, EU-wide carbon market which will include more greenhouse gases (currently only CO2 is included), and involve all major industrial emitters. The emission allowances put on the market will be reduced year-on-year to allow for emissions covered by the ETS to be reduced by 21% from 2005 levels in 2020.
The power sector – forming the majority of EU emissions – will face full auctioning from the start of the new regime in 2013. Other industrial sectors, as well as aviation, will step up to full auctioning gradually, although an exception may be made for sectors particularly vulnerable to competition from producers in countries without comparable carbon constraints. In addition, auctions will be open: any EU operator will be able to buy allowances in any Member State.
Revenues resulting from the ETS will accrue to Member States and should be used to help the EU to adjust to an environment friendly economy by supporting innovation in areas such as renewables, carbon capture and storage and R&D. Part of the revenues should also go towards helping developing countries adapt to climate change. The Commission estimates that the revenues from the auctioning could amount to €50 billion annually by 2020.
The EU Emissions Trading System, now in its fourth year of operation, has proved an effective instrument to find a market-based solution to provide incentives for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. At present the system covers some 10,000 industrial plants across the EU – including power plants, oil refineries, and steel mills – accounting for almost half the EU's CO2 emissions. Under the new system over 40% of total emissions will be covered by the ETS. To reduce the administrative burden, industrial plants emitting less than 10,000 tonnes of CO2 will not have to participate in the ETS.
In sectors not covered by the ETS such as buildings, transport, agriculture and waste, the EU will reduce emissions to 10% below 2005 levels by 2020. For each Member State the Commission is proposing a specific target by which it must reduce or, in the case of new Member States, may increase its emissions up to 2020. These changes range from -20% to +20%.
In addition to a properly functioning market for pollutants, all Member States have to urgently start changing the structure of their energy consumption. Today, the share of renewable energy in the EU's final energy consumption is at 8.5% which means that an average increase of 11.5% is needed to meet the target of 20% in 2020.
In order to achieve this, the Commission is today proposing individual, legally enforceable targets for each of the Member States. The options for developing renewable energy vary from one Member State to another and lead times for bringing renewable energy on stream are long. Thus it is important for Member States to have a clear vision of where they intend to act. The national action plans to be prepared by Member States will set out how they intend to meet their targets and how progress can be monitored effectively.
As long as the EU's overall target is met, Member States will be allowed to make their contribution by supporting Europe's overall renewables effort, and not necessarily inside their own borders. This would shift investment to where renewables can be produced most efficiently, which could cut €1.8 billion from the price tag for meeting the target.
Today's proposal also addresses the minimum target of 10% for use of biofuels in transport in the EU to be reached by 2020. This is the same for each Member State. Sustainability is essential in implementing this target – the directive includes clear sustainability criteria.
The Commission has also adopted new State aid guidelines on environmental protection which will help Member States to develop a sustainable European climate and energy policy. In comparison with the 2001 guidelines (see IP/00/1519), these new guidelines broaden the scope of aid projects as well as increase the aid intensities. The guidelines set out new conditions for State aid measures to promote environmental protection and strike a very important balance between delivering larger environmental benefits and minimizing distortions of competition.
If aid is not well targeted, it will not deliver environmental results and it risks distorting competition which can lead to lower economic growth in the European Union.
Background
On 10 January 2007 the Commission adopted an energy and climate change package, calling on the Council and European Parliament to approve:
- an independent EU commitment to achieve a reduction of at least 20% in the emission of greenhouse gases by 2020 compared to 1990 levels and the objective of a 30% reduction by 2020, subject to the conclusion of a comprehensive international climate change agreement;
- a mandatory EU target of 20% renewable energy by 2020 including a 10% biofuels target.
This strategy was endorsed both by the European Parliament and by EU leaders at the March 2007 European Council. The European Council invited the Commission to come forward with concrete proposals, including how efforts could be shared among Member States to achieve these targets.
This package is the reply to that invitation. It comprises a set of key policy proposals that are closely interlinked. They include:
(1) a proposal amending the EU Emissions Trading Directive (EU ETS);
(2) a proposal relating to the sharing of efforts to meet the Community's independent greenhouse gas reduction commitment in sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system (such as transport, buildings, services, smaller industrial installations, agriculture and waste);
(3) a proposal for a Directive promoting renewable energy, to help achieve both of the above emissions targets.
Other proposals that are also part of the package include a proposal for a legal framework on carbon capture and storage, a Communication on the demonstration of carbon capture and storage and new guidelines for environmental state aid.
The complete press pack and a copy of the Commission's proposals can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/president/index_en.htm

UN human rights commissioner in the firing line

Protests in front of the UN compound in Colombo usually call for more assertive action by the world body, but this week was different: The People’s Liberation Front (PLF), the second largest opposition party, held a demonstration calling on UN Human Rights High Commissioner Louise Arbour to mind her own business, and her language.

The PLF’s criticism of Arbour stems from comments she made in recent speeches that human rights violators in Sri Lanka, even those in senior government posts, could be charged in international criminal courts.

“The high commissioner warned that violations of these rules by any party could entail individual criminal responsibility under international criminal law, including by those in positions of command,” the UN said in a statement on 15 January.

Arbour’s statement reflects her concern over the possibility of increased civilian casualties with the end of the ceasefire between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers on 16 January.

The PLF and other groups, including the pro-government National Patriotic Movement (NPM), said they took Arbour’s comments as a veiled threat to discourage military operations by government forces to dislodge Tamil Tigers from areas under the latter’s control in the north.

“Arbour directly threatens the political and military leaders who are involved in taking measures for national security,” the National Patriotic Movement (NPM) said in a statement on 18 January. “What she says in diplomatic language is that if anyone takes steps to liberate the Wanni and Killinochchi areas [under Tiger control] they would be branded as war criminals and brought before international law. This is clearly a threat.”
Photo: Buddhika Weerasinghe/IRIN
Supporters of the People's Liberation Front, including parliamentarians, protested on 23 January in front of UN headquarters against UN High Commissioner for Human Right's Louise Arbour's latest statements on the need for human rights oversight


The PLF also came out strongly against Arbour’s statement and said it was “international terrorism” to attempt to influence the actions of a democratically elected government.

“If any politician or military officer is taken before international law for taking decisions on behalf of the motherland,” PLF leader Somawansha Amarasinghe said on 16 January, “they would have to take them over our dead bodies.”

The NPM warned such statements could endanger the lives of UN staff and requested UN officials to be more careful. “We also call upon all responsible officials of the UN in Sri Lanka, considering the safety of the employees of the UN and its assets, to refrain from making such utter[ly] foolish statements that would enrage the people.

Telford eyes Sri Lankan opportunities

As a part of the Prime Minister's Initiative for International Education (PMI2), a government funded five year strategy to secure the UK’s position as a leader in international education, two lecturers from Edinburgh’s Telford College are preparing to visit Sri Lanka later this month to look at the prospects of educational partnership in the country.

In a bid to establish links with Sri Lankan colleges and sustain the managed growth of Britain’s international education delivered both in the UK and overseas, David Hiddleston and Fergus Robb from Telford’s Design and Media department, along with representatives from eight other Colleges across the country, are heading out to Sri Lanka on 21st of this month.

They also aim to participate in a seminar on educational policy and practice in Sri Lanka, discussing wide areas ranging from industry links and employer-led curriculum to progression routes from further to higher Education, quality assurance and improvement strategies.

David Hiddleston, Curriculum Manager for Design and Media at Edinburgh’s Telford College, said: “This visit allows us to look at the way colleges in both the UK and Sri Lanka approach the issue of skills challenges and how we can learn from each other. Forging links in Sri Lanka could also provide greater opportunities for international students looking to study in Scotland.”

APRC proposals not deviated from the concept of unitary state.

The government emphasises that the proposals handed over yesterday to the President by the All Party Representative Committee have not deviated from the concept of unitary state. At a media conference in Colombo today senior government ministers explain that the proposals have not proposed any change to the country’s unitary constitution.

Speaking at the media conference Minister Maithreepala Sirisena said the SLFP stance is to find a political solution while combating LTTE terrorism. He said the government aims to achieve devolution of power in a manner that renders justice to all communities in the north and east.

Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama observed that wide acceptance has been expressed to the proposals handed over yesterday. He noted that for the first time political parties holding different views have approved of one set of proposals. The proposals are in keeping with the Supreme Court verdict that the eastern province and the northern province must be regarded as two separate units in the devolution of power. The Minister stated that the two provinces were not permanently united under any government. The APRC proposals also proposed to conduct provincial council elections for the two provinces. Accordingly, the provincial council election for the eastern province will be held immediately. Since it is not practical to hold a provincial council election immediately in the northern province a temporary interim advisory council has been proposed to assist the Governor of the North.

BOC to eradicate Internet financial frauds

The Bank of Ceylon has joined hands with the government to fight Internet identity theft and online financial frauds.
With the help of online commerce provider “VeriSign” the Bank of Ceylon has developed a system to protect its online customers authentication and safeguard their digital identities. Initially the Bank will extend this security solution to high usage high net worth Internet banking customers.
Then the solution will be extended to all active BOC Internet banking customers. These details were disclosed at a media briefing at the BOC headquarters on Thursday..

Elephant House to make Sri Lankans go crazy with ‘Apple Soda’

Sunil C.Perera in Colombo

In keeping with its zest to titillate the palates of several thousands of consumers island wide, Elephant House has introduced the latest addition to its portfolio of beverages - Elephant Apple Soda. This excitingly new apple flavored soft drink gives consumers the chance to savour the perfect apple flavour. Elephant Apple Soda brings with it a certain sense of jubilation and celebration. With its welcome fizz, it bubbles into associations of happiness and partying, thus making it a perfect choice for anyone and at any time.

Vice President and Head of Beverages S. Srikanth said that the Apple flavour is widely perceived as a top range flavour in most Asian markets. “The Apple flavour is a taste which has been growing in popularity over the past few years in the Sri Lankan market. Although apple as a taste and fragrance has been commercialised in many forms, research shows that the apple flavour has still been not exploited to its fullest. Our dynamic in-house R&D flavour professionals have thus created just the right apple flavor to suit Sri Lankan palates. In fact the strong sweet apple aroma and its unique taste have brought an ecstatic feedback from vastly different consumer groups. We continually research, and, are aware that our consumers’ needs and wants vastly differ from one person to another. Our promise is thus to give each and every consumer his/her preferred flavour”, he added

President, Consumer Foods and Retail Group of JKH, Jit Gunaratena said that Elephant Soft Drinks with a history of over 100 years in the Sri Lankan market is still the strongest beverage brand. “From unique flavored drinks such as EGB, Necto, Orange Barley, we offer our consumers a wide range of flavors to enjoy and quench their thirst. Elephant Apple Soda is yet another introduction to reward our customers’ need with a unique experience. As the market leader we consider it our privilege to set high standards and propel the Sri Lankan beverage industry to new heights. Elephant House has invested around R. 800mn in the production facility and has a strong commitment to serve it customers with high quality beverages”, he added.

Elephant Apple Soda is currently offered in three different pack sizes of 250ml, 400ml, and the large 1.5ltr plastic bottle and has been priced on par with Elephant House’s other sweet flavored carbonated drinks. With its unique unmatchable apple taste and enticing sweet aroma, Elephant Apple Soda is available in all leading outlets and supermarkets and is all set to take Sri Lanka’s beverage market by storm.

Sri Lanka promises to hand over LTTE Chief to India

New Delhi, IRNA

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse has promised to hand over V Prabhakaran to India to face trial in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case if the elusive Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) supremo is captured.

In the event of Prabhakaran getting caught, he would be tried for offences in the island country and then handed over to India for trial over the killing of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, he said during an interaction with foreign correspondents in Colombo, Zeenews portal reported here.

Gandhi was killed by a woman Tiger suicide bomber during electioneering in Sriperumbudur near Chennai on May 21, 1991.

Rajapakse also said there was no need to ban the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as of now though the options are always open.

The LTTE is not banned in Sri Lanka, though India, the US and the EU have proscribed the outfit.

Asked why the government was not keen to allow foreign observers in the rebel-dominated areas, the Sri Lankan President quipped "but India can go there".

He agreed that international pressure on the LTTE, especially the declaration of the Tigers as the most dangerous group by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, has helped the Sri Lankan government.

Terrestrial Television to go Digital - Dialog

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo
Sri Lanka’s first Terrestrial Digital Television Broadcast went on air, on the 23rd
January with the commencement of Dialog Television’s Pilot Launch of DVB-T based
Terrestrial Digital Television covering the City of Colombo.
The DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcast Terrestrial) broadcast standard enables
digital broadcast over standard VHF/UHF television spectrum (airwaves), enabling
viewers to access the digital broadcast using standard (analogue) televisions and VHF/UHF
antennae with the addition of a DVB-T access device (adaptor or set top box). The broadcast
would be also available on vehicle mounted devices, and via DVB-H technology (a variant
of the DVB-T standard for Handhelds) on advanced GSM/3G handsets. DVB-T/H standards
are currently seeing rapid adoption across the world with strong adoption trends in Western
Europe.
The Pilot Broadcast carried out by Dialog Television carries 9 television channels on a
single UHF frequency demonstrating at the outset a 9 fold enhancement in Frequency
utilisation. State channels Rupavahini, eye/Nethra and ITN join private broadcasters
Derana, swaranavahini and The Buddhist on the country’s first terrestrial digital broadcast.
The broadcast also carries 3 foreign channels to complete the channel line up. The pilot
broadcast will be initially ‘tested’ using selected viewers forming a representative set
across the broadcast coverage area.
Dialog Television, currently Sri Lanka’s leading Digital Satellite Television operator
set out its commitment to be a premier digital broadcast network provider with the expansion
of its satellite based (DVB-S) infrastructure to now incorporate DVB-T and DVB-H broadcast
capabilities. Some of the benefits that DVB-T offers to the consumer are DVD quality video, electronic programme guides and selection, Multi-lingual audio capability, Multi-lingual sub-titling capability and enhanced audio technology such as Dolby Digital, 5.1. The efficiencies
delivered by digital broadcast technology are also set to facilitate the expansion of
televison (channel) availability to all regions of Sri Lanka, where economic viability
constrained the expansion of incumbent analogue infrastructure.

Lankan maid commits suicide at Dubai airport

A Sri Lankan woman committed suicide at the Dubai International Airport recently by hanging herself.
Her young children, who are in shock, are now waiting anxiously for the remains of their mother to reach them.
Kala Sangarapillai, 30, who was working as a housemaid in Kuwait and was on her way to Sri Lanka via Dubai to see her family when she allegedly hanged herself in the ladies restroom at the Dubai airport three weeks back.
An official from the General Department of Forensic Science of Dubai Police said, “The Sri Lankan woman hanged herself from the ceiling of the airport’s ladies restroom and was found by the cleaners. The body of the victim is still in the police mortuary.”
He added that the body would be handed over to the authorities concerned after getting approval from the Dubai Public Prosecution on completion of all legal and administrative procedures.
The family of the woman is devastated. Thangeswari Sivalingam, aunt of Kala, told Khaleej Times over the phone from Batticolao district in Sri Lanka, “We cannot believe this has happened. Her four children were eagerly waiting to see their mother, who was supposed to spend a few days with them before she went back to work. We see no reason for her to have resorted to such an extreme step.”
According to Thangeswari, Kala, who had been abandoned by her husband, was working in Kuwait for the past three years and this was her first trip to see them. She had borrowed heavily and had gone to work as she was keen on giving her son and three daughters a good education.
“We were all so happy that we were going to see her. Now, we are waiting for the body to reach us. Only then, we would really believe she is no more.”
Consul-General of Sri Lanka Wasantha Senanayake said the consulate was in touch with Emirates airline, on whose flight Kala arrived from Kuwait, and the Dubai Airport authorities to repatriate the body.
“We have received the power of attorney from the next of kin in Sri Lanka and are now awaiting the necessary documentation to be completed to repatriate the body. Since it is a suicide case, it is still not clear who will bear the cost of repatriation,” said the Consul-General.
An Emirates spokesperson told Khaleej Times that while it was inappropriate for the airline to comment on the incident as it was currently under police jurisdiction, the airline had a dedicated special assistance team to assist affected passengers and family members in situations of accident and death.
“The team liaises with the relevant authorities and consulates to handle the necessary legal formalities. If the deceased passenger is not covered by travel and health insurance, and if his/her family does not have the funds to meet the death formalities, Emirates explores options to resolve the cost towards repatriating the body or for local burial/cremation in Dubai.”

US voices doubts about free local polls in Batticaloa

US Ambassador Robert O Blake yesterday expressed doubts if the upcoming local elections in Sri Lanka’s eastern Tamil-speaking district of Batticaloa would be free and fair.
“The US does not believe that free and fair elections can be held if some (political) parties are armed,” Blake said in Batticaloa at a function organised by USAid.He further said that if “paramilitary” groups carrying arms illegally were allowed to intimidate others, it would hamper private investment that is so much needed to develop war-affected Batticaloa.
The US believes that groups like the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP), headed by breakaway LTTE leaders Karuna and Pillayan, should not be permitted to bear arms while fighting elections.
Elections to nine local bodies in Batticaloa district are to be held in March, and nominations are being filed now.The pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which has been “banned” in Batticaloa by the TMVP, had filed a case in the Supreme Court seeking to put off the elections in view of the intimidation.
But the court refused to oblige saying it was not good to cancel elections.The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), which is contesting in five councils, has also been complaining about harassment and violence by the TMVP.The Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP), led by cabinet minister Douglas Devananda, has asked the government to disarm the TMVP.The EPDP call came after a bid to form a Tamil alliance failed due to the TMVP’s decision to go it alone in the elections.

Abu Dhabi Dialogue Concludes With Declaration

Ministers from Asian labour countries of origin and Gulf destination countries, together with Malaysia and Singapore , concluded the two-day Abu Dhabi Dialogue by adopting a forward-looking declaration that paves the way for the better management of temporary contractual labour mobility.
The Abu Dhabi Declaration, which was adopted by ministers from 20 countries of origin and destination (Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Yemen) recognizes that properly managed temporary contractual mobility will benefit both countries of origin and destination and improve the well-being of temporary contractual workers.
“Contractual labour mobility can and should generate value and wealth for all those who hold a stake in its facilitation,” says UAE Minister of Labour Dr. Ali Abdullah Al Kaabi. “The long term success of labour mobility, therefore, hinges on making certain that the interest all of key stakeholders are well served.”
The Declaration defines a new collaborative approach to better address temporary labour mobility and maximize its benefits for the development of both countries of origin and destination.
Key action-oriented partnerships between countries of origin and destination were identified, which include the need for participating countries to share information on labour market trends and patterns of remittances and build the ability of states to effectively match the demand and supply of temporary contractual labour through the entire migratory cycle.
“In the absence of cooperation, patterns of irregular movement take root, and traffickers quickly take advantage of the situation,” says IOM Director General Brunson McKinley. “This is to the detriment of all of the workers themselves, but also of great cost to governments and the society they govern.” He added IOM will assist countries of origin and destination to develop practical initiatives to support of the Abu Dhabi declaration.
The declaration recognizes the joint responsibility of countries of origin and destination to work to prevent illegal recruitment practices and to promote transparent recruitment and employment policies to ensure the wellbeing, welfare and protection of temporary labour workers.
Minister Ali Abdullah Al Kaabi announced the next ministerial consultation on overseas employment and contractual labour for countries of origin and destination in Asia will be held in 2010. End

Nine LTTE Bodies Handed Over through the International Red Cross

Sri Lanka army handed over nine LTTE bodies to the LTTE through the International Red Cross.Among the dead were seven males and two females who were killed in confrontations with troops earlier.

EC recognises another five new political parties

Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dishanayake has recognized another five new political parties. Accordingly, the total recognized political parties in the country increased to 58. The Okkoma Wasiyo Okkoma Rajawaru organization with the party symbol of till, Pathmanabha Elam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front with the party symbol of candle, Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal with the symbol of boat, Nava Sihala Urumaya with the symbol of bow and arrow and the Muslim Liberation Front with the party symbol of butterfly are the newly recognized political parties. These five parties have the right to contest in elections to be held in future.
Meanwhile, the elections commissioner’s secretariat announces that the accepting of nominations for the forthcoming polls for nine local government bodies in the Batticaloa district will end at 12.30 pm on Friday. Two political parties and four independent groups have submitted their nominations by yesterday. Ten independent groups have made their deposits. The commissioner will announce the date of elections after concluding the accepting of nominations. The PAFFREL organization hopes to meet the candidates of all political parties before the election.

Government has declared rice as an essential food item

The government has declared rice as an essential food item. Minister Bandula Gunawardena says it was announced by a gazette notification today under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act. Accordingly, it is completely prohibited to hide rice stocks, excessive collection of rice and refraining from selling rice. The consumer protection authority has been vested in powers to take legal action against such activities.
The Trade Ministry says this decision has taken to prevent irregularities in the market to protect the consumers. The Ministry has also taken measures to sell Ponni Samba imported from India at a price of 57 rupees through cooperative outlets. The Authority requests the public to inform the Consumer Protection Authority on traders who sell rice at unreasonable prices.

Batti Police recovers Arms & ammunition

BATTICALOA Police has recovered a haul of military material hidden in a thicket by the Hospital Road close to SATHURU KONDAN colony yesterday .It includes Live hand grenades,Walkie - Talkie,Batteries .A haul of Arms & ammunition such as T-56 weapons and anti personal mines were recovered in another search operation conducted by army troops at KANNANKUDA, BATTICALOA yesterday (22) around 6.30 p.m.

SLAF fighters raid LTTE nerve center - Kilinochchi

SLAF fighter jets raided a strategically important LTTE base this morning (January 23) during low diving missions conducted East of Iranamadu Tank at Kalamadukulam in Kilinochhci, at 11.15 a.m.
According to Air Force Spokesperson Wing Commander Andi Wijesoriya, the air sorties were carried out with pinpoint accuracy on information obtained through real-time air surveillance and ground reconnaissance.
The target identified as X-Ray base was located in a thick jungle patch in LTTE's claimed 'high military zone' and 'Intel' reports confirm it to be the hub of LTTE activities in Kilinochchi, the sources said.
The sources also revealed that it has been a regular visiting site of a high profile LTTE terrorist.
Earlier, LTTE's political mouth piece Thamilchevan was also killed in a similar pinpoint air strike on 02nd November, 2007.
The SL Defence Secretary Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa earlier stated during a press interview following the killing of Thamilchelvan that, security forces would continue to take on the LTTE leadership as their whereabouts were no secret to the intelligence services.

SLN introduces “underwater defence System “

The Sri Lankan Navy has put in place an “underwater defence system” between Kachchatheevu and Delft Island as part of efforts to curtail the movement of Sea Tigers.
The Navy has already informed the Indian officials with regard to this. Naval Officer In-Charge, Tamil Nadu, Commodore Phillip Van Haltren, says he has received a communication from the Sri Lankan Navy on the installation of the seawater defence system. All Naval Detachments from Rameswaram to Nagapattinam on the east coast were alerted.
The fishermen will have to keep away from the danger zone. Commander S. Mukherji, Area Commander, South, said 12 fishing boats had been detained on Monday for maritime violation. Patrolling had been intensified and fishermen should take the warning very seriously.
Meanwhile, Indian intelligent officials say they have beefed up security in Tamil Nadu and southern Indian coastal areas in order to arrest fleeing LTTE cadres and to curb LTTE activities in the India territory.
Accordingly a number of LTTE activists have already been arrested. A report said nearly five thousand detonators set to be smuggle to Sri Lanka and were seized by the officials.
End

Government plans to increase the production of fresh milk by using Embryo Transfer technology

The Government has taken steps to increase the production of fresh milk by introducing Embryo Transfer technology to the industry.
The National Livestock Development Board, the Australian Government and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Peradeniya recently launched this Embryo Transfer Project and so far 200 high breed frozen embryos of Jersey Holstein Friesian and AFS breeds from Australia have been brought to Sri Lanka.
Once the breeding process is completed, the cows will be distributed among farmers associated with the NLDB. The objective of the project is to increase the number of milch cows and enhance dairy production.

Two Terrorist killed

Two terrorist were killed by Army troops when they retaliated a tiger terrorist attack at NELUKKULAM - VAVUNIYA and MUHAMALAI.A soldier was injured in the confrontation in Nelumkulama. In another encounter, two soldiers were injured at MUHAMALI .The injured have been admitted to PALALY hospital.Along with the dead body of the terrorist in Nelumkulama a micro pistol and a suicide jacket were found.

Jet, Kingfisher mull stake in Sri Lankan Airlines

IANSNaresh Goyal-controlled Jet Airways and Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines are among a host of carriers looking at acquiring a 43.6 per cent stake in Sri Lankan Airlines, aviation industry officials said.
The two carriers will be looking at buying the stake presently held by Emirates Airlines in the Sri Lankan carrier once their 10-year shareholder pact expires April 1, the officials added.
The Sri Lankan government holds 51 percent stake in the carrier, while employees hold the rest.
When contacted, officials at both Jet Airways and Kingfisher declined comment on the matter. "We cannot confirm any development on this," Wolfgang Prock Schauer, chief executive officer of Jet Airways, told IANS.
"No comment," the Kingfisher spokesperson added.
The Sri Lankan government's relations with the Emirates management has not been particularly cordial and in fact deteriorated further when the work permit of the Sri Lankan Airways chief executive Peter Hill was withdrawn last month.
Officials said the reason was the failure on the part of the carrier to provide seats to President Mahinda Rajapaksa's 35-strong entourage on the London-Colombo sector.
For Indian carriers, some analysts maintain, a major attraction in acquiring a stake in Sri Lankan Airlines is the booming business from India to Colombo with over 100 flights a week.
According to industry sources, Emirates was looking at $150 million for selling its stake in the Sri Lankan carrier, which may be on the higher side and could force a rethink at the negotiating table.
"In my view, it's not worth $150 million," said Shukor Yusof, editorial director for aviation with rating agency and financial consultancy Standard and Poor's.
"I'm not sure if anyone has even thought of how to restructure Sri Lankan once Emirates isn't there. Chances of airlines going bust in this period of $100 a barrel oil certainly is possible," Yusof added.
Worsening domestic politics in the island nation, uncertainty over the airline's management and the volatile security situation that affects overseas tourist inflows also add to the downside risks that bring down the valuation.
This, the analysts add, is already affecting the carrier's bottomlines, which could take a further hit if it loses the key technical and management expertise that is currently available from Emirates.
"I suspect it won't be only pilots who are leaving to go to Emirates. Everyone else will be looking for a change of job," said Peter Harbison, chief executive of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, a think tank for the industry.
"I believe there is some uncertainty over what assets the airline has, notably aircraft. This makes matters even more uncertain," Harbison told IANS.

Two soldiers injured in LTTE attack- Thanamalwila

Two soldiers were reported injured when they came under an LTTE gunfire attack while been engaged in an extensive search operation, at Sirinandapura north east of Kithulkotte in Thanamalwila today .
The latest incident was reported within a day following the gun down of three Police personnel in a road picket, at Aliwanguwa junction in Kithulkotte along the Thanamalwila- Monaragala road.
According to Military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, a soldier received minor injures while another wounded was admitted to the general hospital at Hambantota.
Further search operations are underway in the area, the spokesperson said

Sixteen terrorists killed

Sixteen LTTE terrorists were killed in several sporadic incidents in VAVUNIYA, MANNAR and WELIOYA yesterday (21).
Eleven terrorists were killed in sporadic encounters with army troops in MULLIKULAM, MARAKKAYARKULAM, KALLIKULAM and VILATHIKULAM in VAVUNIYA. A dead body of a terrorists and a T - 56 weapon were recovered in MULLIKULAM. A claymore bomb and a communication set were recovered in MARAKKAYARKULAM. An LTTE bunker was destroyed and four tiger terrorists were injured in combat in KALLIKULAM. Two terrorists and a soldier were injured in a confrontation in VILATHIKULAM.
Four terrorists were killed in sporadic encounters with Army troops in PARAPPAKANDAL, WEDIPATHIKULAM and ADAMPAN in MANNAR yesterday (21). In a subsequent search operation in the area, Army troops were able to recover 04 anti - personal bombs, 04 hand grenades and 04 Improvised bombs (IED). In WELIOYA yet another terrorists identified as 'Kannan' was killed in combat in KOKKUTHUDUVAI yesterday (21) around 3.45 p.m. A soldier also has died in the encounter.

Confrontations in JAFFNA, VAVUNIYA & WELIOYA

The army has elicited that 6 LTTE terrorists may have been killed or injured in confrontations with troops around 3.45pm in JANAKAPURA, WELIOYA area yesterday (21).
In another situation, One soldier was reported injured in confrontations at KOKKUTHUDUWAI, WELIOYA . In KILLALI area one soldier was killed due to confrontations with tiger terrorists. On a search operation troops recovered 18 Anti personal mines in VILATHIKULEM area VAVUNIYA

JVP needs control the increasing prices of essential food items

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna says the government should implement a long-term production process to control the increasing prices of essential food items.
The open economy has also impacted the increasing prices of essential items in the market.
In a media briefing held in Colombo on Tuesday , General Secretary of the party Tilwin Silva said during the UNP regime, ownership of all state owned paddy mills and storages and the CWE were transferred to the private sector creating a monopoly in the trade sector.

Fourteen new regulations on food products

The Ministry of Health will introduce 14 new regulations regarding the food items.
Controller of the Foods P. Madanasinghe says a special committee has been appointed in this connection.
The new regulations will be applied to a number of food items including milk, dairy products and meat. New regulations will also be implemented on using food colorings.
The food controller pointed out the need of revising current regulations on foods for the sake of health of the public with the rapid growth of technology in the modern world. He said several regulations have already been sent to the Department of Legal Draftsmen.

Dayan elected as the Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Working Group

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations at Geneva, Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka was elected by unanimous acclamation as the Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
Ambassador Jayatilleka’s candidature was presented by the Asian Group, on the initiative of the African Group and supported by the Latin American Group.
China introduced the nomination, which was seconded by Egypt on behalf of the African Group. The Commission on Human Rights resolution 2002/68, created the IGWG to follow up on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in South Africa in 2001.

SC has no authority to issue an interim injunction postponing the local government election

Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva says the Supreme Court has no authority to issue an interim injunction postponing the local government election for the east.
He stated this at the hearing of two fundamental rights petition filed by the TNA requesting a suspension of the calling of nominations for the elections.
The Chief Justice said the supreme court or relevant authorities should be informed if a situation arises in which nominations cannot be handed in for the election. He said the court is prepared to consider any petition relating to irregularities pertaining to the election. Accordingly the TNA withdrew its petitions.

SL forces destroyed 27 tiger bunkers

 

The security forces have established their control in some more places, which were occupied by LTTE earlier at Nagarkovil area.
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said advancing security forces in the northern front destroyed 27 tiger bunkers while killing 15 LTTE cadres and injuring 30 others in a predawn attack yesterday.
According to Brigadier security forces advanced towards the LTTE occupied territory in Nagarkovil area and along the A-9 East and South, launched a multi pronged attack and completely destroyed 27 bunkers.
Meanwhile, LTTE attacked Alimankada area which is located along Wellawaya Road, Thanamalvila. The attack took place yesterday evening at around 7.45 pm.
This attack was targeting the police officers. The military spokesman said three police officers were killed during this attack.
Security of this area has been strengthened after the incident. Military spokesman further said a special search operation is in progress at Alimankada area.

Majority of political parties of the APRC have agreed to a political settlement

The government says majority of political parties of the All Party Conference have agreed upon a political settlement, which gives more powers to relevant Provincial Councils.
In a media briefing government legislator Dr.Rajitha Senaratne said the APRC would submit its report to the President Mahinda Rajapaksha on Wednesday.
However the democratic group of the United National Party regrets that the Party has not submitted its proposals to the All-Party Representative Committee so far.
The group holds the view that a political package to resolve the northeast conflict should be presented with the ceasefire agreement was abrogated recently. End

CTB bus plunges to a precipice

A bus belonging to the Theldeniya depot plunged in to precipice wounding 54 passengers this morning.
The bus enrouted to Theldeniya from Thangappuwa met with this accident closer to the Theldeniya town. An official of the Traffic Branch of the Theldeniya police said there are no reports on persons who have suffered serious injuries in the accident.
The injured are receiving treatment at the Theldeniya and Kandy hospitals.

Small and medium scale businessmen ask a national awards scheme to felicitate them

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo
Small and medium scale traders who closely serve the masses ask a national honour for their long social service and said even the government must look them into request to recognise them as national assets.Speaking to media Joint Secretary of the United Traders and Industrialists Association –Dehiwala Dammika Kodituwakku explained current social recognition on traders and said most of masses called the traders as black marketers or corrupted businessmen.

“Even government officials and other politicians also follow this version on us, he said.Addressing their Annual General Meeting held at the Mayor’s House , Dehiwala he said during the election most politicians ask traders support to maintain their election’s budget. However after the elections they never think about traders or industrialists.

A national awards scheme for small and medium scale traders should be introduced by the government to felicitate our members, he said.However the Dehiwala United Traders and Industrialists Association plans to introduce a similar scheme to felicitate their members and the programme would cover all island.

“We have trade union rights, said President of the Association P.Edirisingha who led recent traders strike and a protest campaign against the government which introduced a tuff traffic law to remove the parking places along the Galle Road.We are still waiting government’s positive response to remove this traffic barrier, he said.

According to the local Police sources the Government has banned vehicles stopping along the Galle road as a security measure. After a series of discussions the Police allowed to load and unload goods for the traders. But the customers cannot stop their vehicles and the small traders are still hampered due to this regulation, he said.

Explaining his views Deputy Mayor of the Dehiwala –Mount Lavinia Urban Council Danasiri Amaratunga said most traders assisted the local bodies paying their taxes on time.Local bodies spend tax payers money to provide facilities for all masses, he said .The Dehiwala Traders and Industrialists Association has assisted the government organisations and also helped the tsunami victims to become their normal lives, he said.

End

South East England MEP calls on EBay to close online shop that allows 13 year olds to buy illegal “flick knives”

Following a dramatic increase in street crime, Srin Lanka's born EU parliamentarian Nirj Deva calls on EBay to end its one-click online availability of deadly American flick-knives

Nirj Deva MEP has called on the internet auction site EBay to ban the sale of flick-knives online, following a dramatic increase in street crime in the UK .

According to figures issued by the Home Office, up 60,000 people (or 160 people a day) were stabbed and injured in the period leading up to March 2007, with 22,000 of these victims aged 10 to 25.

Whilst it is illegal for those under the age of sixteen to buy knives, a five-second search for the word “flick knife” on Ebay.co.uk offers visitors, without any form of background or age check, the chance to buy a range of 3.75 inch Buck Protege serrated flick-knives (photographs attached). All “flick knives” with a blade of in excess of 3 inches are illegal under British law.

At the further click of a button, visitors are then invited to input their credit or debit card details, including an option to pay for the knives using a Maestro card, a card issued by most banks to customers at the age of thirteen.

Whilst the internet auction site forbids the shipping of the item to Denmark , Spain , Italy , Vietnam and Malaysia , British visitors are told the deadly weapons can be shipped to the United Kingdom within “24/48 hours of confirmation and verification of payment information”.

Nirj Deva, who represents South East England in the European Parliament said:

“I am shocked to learn, following the dramatic increase in knife crime in the UK over the past few years, that flick-knives are so easily available online.

“All someone wanting to buy one of these deadly weapons need do is log on to ebay.co.uk, input their debit card details and then await delivery of a type of knife that is illegal under British law. There is nothing to stop a thirteen year old with a Maestro card, issued to most young account holders by High Street banks, from buying one of these weapons.

“If we are to effectively tackle knife crime, it is crucial that we get these weapons off our streets. Having these weapons available at a click of a button is clearly unacceptable.

“I have written to Meg Whitman, the President and Chief Executive of EBay, calling for her to immediately ban the sale of these weapon on the website. I sincerely hope that she will act immediately to help take these dangerous knives out of circulation”.

ENSURING THAT APRC IS PART OF THE SOLUTION

by Jehan Perera
The events of the past three weeks of the New Year have given an indication of the potential for savagery in the intensified war with the LTTE.
At Buttala, the hapless victims of the bus bomb that killed 27 and injured over 60 others had been sprayed with gunfire by their attackers. The massacre of civilians in the remote rural countryside of the south evoked memories of earlier phases of the war.
In the 1980s and 90s there were many incidents in which civilians had been brutally hacked to death in direct face to face encounters. But then, as now, the larger number of victims would be those caught up in the more impersonal but equally death-dealing conventional warfare where not only the armed combatants are the casualties of artillery firing and air bombing. It is likely that more attacks of the kind that took place in Buttala will take place in the days and weeks ahead in different parts of the country and including Colombo.
The LTTE’s strategy to resist the Sri Lankan military’s pincer attack from multiple directions into the northern territory they control in the Wanni can be expected to be two-fold. They will seek to resist the advancing units of the Sri Lankan military forces in conventional battle in order to hold onto the territory that is currently under their control, and which has given them the trappings of a separate state.
The casualties in the battles taking place even at this time are believed to be higher than reported. The LTTE’s strategy outside the Wanni will be likely to take the form of guerilla and terror attacks that would create political and economic problems for the government. The travel advisories issued by five of Sri Lanka’s main tourist providing countries came after the escalation of violence in the past three weeks.
A fall in tourism would deal another blow to the declining economy. In addition, the erosion of political support to the government due to its inability to protect the general population from the ravages of war can compromise its war effort. There will be political pressures on the government to pull in troops from the battle front to protect civilians elsewhere. In these circumstances, the government will need to show continuous progress on the military battle front if it is contain the negative fall out of the costs of war.
It is the promise and hope of victory in the not-so-distant future that keeps the general population behind the government. The government will face the challenge of burning its candle at both ends. If it is to defend its constituencies in the rest of the country from LTTE attack, the government will have to reduce its offensive capacity in the northern theatre of operations. On the other hand, the escalating cost of war, both human and economic, will impel the government to try and accelerate its military campaign and ensure rapid victories before the candle blows out.
In aiming to destroy the LTTE’s military capacity on the military battlefield, the government is seeking to achieve a rare feat in the annals of modern warfare. The political hardness of heart to bear any cost, military superiority and international support stemming from the global war against terrorism are factors in the government’s favour. Although few and far between, there have also been military successes in wars against ethnic separation.
Two recent examples come from the Indian suppression of Sikh separatism in Punjab and Russian suppression of separatism in Chechnya. But both these victories were secured by countries which have enormous armies and virtually unlimited resources for the task at their disposal. It is not surprising therefore that most countries that have been assisting Sri Lanka’s development over the past decades have cautioned the government against single-minded over-reliance on the military option.
While none of them have expressed any sympathy for the LTTE on account of its undemocratic nature and terrorist attacks, they have all urged the government to propose a political solution to the ethnic conflict. However, the government finds itself in a dilemma in this regard as any movement towards a solution will require a radical measure of power sharing with the Tamil people of the north and east.
The government’s difficulties with regard to a political solution come from two main sources. The first is President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s promise to the people in his election manifesto of November 2005 that saw him win the presidency. The President promised to uphold the unitary system of governance that, in the perception of the Sinhalese majority, is the best guarantee of the country’s unity.
The success of the President as a politician has been his ability to identify himself with the fears and aspirations of the ethnic majority, and to apparently share them himself. The second source of the government’s difficulties comes from the extreme nationalist JVP which enjoys disproportionate power in the current Parliament. The JVP has laid down a condition that no political solution, and not even the existing 13th Amendment to the Constitution, should be implemented until the LTTE is militarily defeated and disarmed.
This type of uncompromising position is unlikely to be held by the majority of people. But the JVP’s advantageous position in Parliament, where it is able to provide the government with its majority, enables them to impose their diktat on the government to which it is providing ideological leadership. In these circumstances, much attention is being devoted to the outcome of the All Parties Representatives Committee appointed by President Rajapaksa over a year and a half ago to find a political solution to the ethnic conflict.
Although the main opposition parties are not represented in it, the APRC is a sufficiently representative grouping of political parties for its proposals to have legitimacy. Its chairman Prof. Tissa Vitharana has earned well deserved respect for his long years of commitment to a negotiated solution to the ethnic conflict through a viable political solution. A draft proposal put out by the APRC a little over a year ago was widely hailed as a viable proposition that could provide a basis for a political solution. While it would not go so far as to explicitly propose a federal solution, the proposal indicated that the political solution had to go beyond the confines of the present unitary constitutional framework.
This has been a longstanding demand of the ethnic minorities who seek a power sharing solution to the ethnic conflict. The APRC has set itself a deadline of January 23 to come out with their final proposal. A fortnight ago there were media reports that President Rajapaksa had attempted to influence the APRC’s deliberations by thrusting a proposal of his own on it. This could have been due to the President’s anxiety to keep within the limits set out by the JVP which views any new political proposal outside the framework of the existing highly centralised and unitary political system with disfavour.
According to unofficial reports the President’s solution was for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment that established Provincial Councils within the framework of the existing constitutional framework plus administrative measures to implement Tamil as an official language and recruit more Tamils to the government service. The proposal for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment rings hollow as a solution to the ethnic conflict. A basic feature of the 13th Amendment which made it a compromise between the competing forces of ethnic nationalism was the provision for the temporary merger of the Northern and Eastern provinces, which has been undone.
The two other basic weaknesses of the 13th Amendment, even if it is fully implemented, are that it does not devolve financial power but leaves this at the discretion of a Finance Commission, which is appointed by the President.
The 13th Amendment also permits the devolved powers to be arbitrarily taken back, as happened in the areas of health and education, and not to devolve powers at all, as happened in the case of police powers. It is important for national unity that the hope of a just political solution to the ethnic conflict should remain alive, especially to the Tamil people. If the government is genuine about the President’s proposal for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment, even as it presently exists, this can be supported as a first step in a long and slow journey of devolution of powers to the regions.
But it cannot be a solution to the ethnic conflict. The indication that the APRC will accept the President’s proposals as an interim measure, until its own more comprehensive proposals get concretised into a political agreement that can be implemented suggests a pragmatic approach. It keeps the hope alive that the APRC will be a part of the solution, and not be a part of the problem.

Star Points’, Sri Lanka’s Largest Rewards Network Launched

Dialog Telekom PLC, in partnership with over 150 leading Sri Lankan retailers, launched ‘Star Points’, an exciting and high value Rewards Points scheme. Star Points is billed to be the country’s largest Rewards Points programme encompassing over 4 million members alongside 500 partner outlets at inception. All Dialog GSM and Kit customers counting well over 4 million at present are rewarded with membership in the Star Points programme and will earn Star Points for all transactions carried out at Dialog and with over 150 other partners.
Star Points Partners encompass multiple retail sectors ranging from household, electronics, grocery, clothing, food and beverage, cosmetics and fashion through to healthcare and domestic and international travel. Star Points partner offerings in terms of rewards Points for all transactions and redemption offers, supplement points awards for all Dialog services encompassing Dialog Postpaid and Dialog Kit Prepaid mobile services, as well as Dialog TV, Dialog Broadband, and Dialog fixed line services.
Star Points are redeemable at a constant face value of Rs. 1 per Star Point across the entire Star Points Network. The revolutionary rewards scheme also enables customers to enjoy special discounts and striking offers extended by Star Partners.
The Star Points Network operates exclusively on Mobile Devices eradicating the need for a loyalty card or swipe machines. Earning and redemption of Star Points across the Star Points Network would be carried out via consumer friendly menus on the mobile phone. Dialog customers could access a host of features on the Star Points Network by dialing #107# and selecting Star Points from the menu or by logging onto www.dialog.lk. The unique innovation of an exclusively mobile phone based loyalty programme enables membership to be instantly extended to Dialog’s 4 Million plus subscriber base and likewise enables partners across the country to participate in the programme via a mobile phone.
The Star Points Rewards network is an extension and enhancement to Dialog’s Star Circle scheme. Hitherto Star Circle rewards were redeemable only against Dialog products and services. The launch of the Star Points Network engages a multitude of high profile retail partners enabling the 4 million strong membership to enjoy rewards from a wider base of retail establishments addressing a comprehensive portfolio of consumer needs. Dialog customers possessing points on the Dialog Star Circle programme would have these points transferred automatically to the Star Points scheme at their original value. Star Points members are free to redeem points against goods and services at partner establishments within the validity period of 12 months from the date of award.

Return of the check points

By Ranee Mohamed [Sunday Leader]
Sri Lanka's Supreme Court in a landmark judgement in early December ordered the dismantling of all permanent security checkpoints stating they were illegal and a violation o f the fundamental rights to the freedom of movement.
Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva said that waging war against the state is the severest of offences, punishable by death, and went on to say that members of the security forces have full power to maintain public order.
He went on to say that the Inspector General of Police himself had admitted that the effectiveness of these checkpoints was minimal stating that these 'illegal checkpoints' only serve to increase serious incidents of abuse of power, corruption and the harassment of innocent persons.
But barely one month elapsed when a different law was set in motion on the streets. Not only were there mobile checkpoints, but the permanent checkpoints too began to be manned with mobile units who changed their timings at these permanent checkpoints.
"We were asked to stop and our vehicles were searched. Not only was the briefcase in the vehicle opened, but the plate of rice that was covered with a napkin was also opened," said a member of the minority community, who is regularly subjected to checks.
Bus commuters who are more harassed due to the various checkpoints said that they have to get off the bus, show their identity cards and then walk a distance to get into the bus that is parked far away after it is searched. 'When this happens at office time, it is exhausting, exasperating and disgusting,' they said.
Meanwhile the burst of a new cluster of checkpoints is causing panic in and around the airport. One passenger complained that she was stopped at eight different checkpoints on her way to the airport last week.
Criminal Lawyer Daya Perera when contacted by The Sunday Leader said that checkpoints are necessary. "But if we continue to have the same checkpoints day after day only an idiot will take a bomb through that route," noted this legal luminary.
"It is very necessary that we have mobile checkpoints. Undoubtedly, checkpoints cause hardships but if we are reduced to a state of war then we must buckle down and face it," said Daya Perera but insisted that these checkpoints ought to be mobile checkpoints.
Retired Supreme Court Judge C.V. Wigneswaran speaking to The Sunday Leader said that two factors have been taken into consideration with regard to roadblocks - the rights of the users of roads and the security of the state. "I believe that the Supreme Court judgement has taken into account three matters - responsibility, accountability and utility, and it has been found that these factors have been absent in the maintaining of roadblocks," observed Judge Wigneswaran.
He went on to say that it has been found instead that the roadblocks have been the means of an extra source of income and other wrongful activities for certain parties, thus not serving their purpose.
"When checkpoints were there, there have been instances of harassment of road users for the personal monetary gain of the men at the checkpoints. They have also been used to give vent to their social prejudices which appeared to be their motivating factor.
"I do not think the Supreme Court was against genuine, on the spot, ad hoc investigations with sniffer dogs etc. to check actual transgressions of the law. But if the Executive has undertaken to reintroduce the same checkpoints, this act might unnecessarily collide with the Supreme Court judgement," pointed out retired Judge of the Supreme Court C.V.Wigneswaran.
He went on to say that such an act on the part of the Executive could open itself to the wrath of the people and compared it to the rice checking days of Sirimavo Bandaranaike which gave J.R. Jayewardene a 5/6 majority.
"Sometimes for 'security reasons' traffic is now halted for quite sometime. I hope your readers are aware that a very distinguished, senior, retired officer of the Central Bank passed away as his loved ones were unable to get him to hospital on time due to the long period of halting traffic," said Wigneswaran.
He went on to say that now that the checkpoints have been reintroduced by a Presidential Order, the powers that be must take into account the three important matters that were considered by the Supreme Court - responsibility, accountability and utility.
The President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, Nihal Jayamanne P.C. when contacted stated "the rule of law must be upheld. The Supreme Court under the constitution is empowered with this task. The security of the country in a war situation is of paramount importance. The security of the state and of the people must be safeguarded in such a manner that the fundamental rights of the people guaranteed under the constitution are not violated. The people of the country have a right to live without fear and the government has a sacred duty to protect that right and the Supreme Court of this country has always recognised that principle."
Lawyer Manohara de Silva, speaking to The Sunday Leader said that the Supreme Court has interpreted the existing law. "If the legislature wants to change it they can," he pointed out.
De Silva went on to point out that the function of the judiciary is to interpret and construe the existing law. "What the Supreme Court did was to interpret that law and if the legislature is unhappy about it, they can change it," said de Silva.
And this change brought about an influx of security personnel both to the permanent checkpoints and the mobile checkpoints.
Executive Director, Transparency International Sri Lanka, J.C.Weliamuna speaking out as a human rights activists and an attorney-at-law said, "Whether there is a war or not, our constitution is not suspended nor is there emergency regulations promulgated on how checkpoints should be introduced. Also, the people's right of movement under Article 14 of the Constitution has not been specified, therefore the right of movement is a personal liberty which should be respected unhindered.
Weliamuna said that the Supreme Court judgement ought to be viewed in that background.
"Undoubtedly the Executive may not be happy but it cannot be helped for that seems to be the correct legal position," observed Weliamuna.
"The tussle between the Executive and the judiciary has been there in Sri Lanka from time to time. Having said that I must add that, for constitutional governance to prevail both the judiciary and the executive must act with self restraint.
"The judiciary should not introduce laws but should interpret laws and rule on violations of the law. On the other hand, the executive is not the law making authority nor the judicial authority to resolve disputes and it is important that these organs of the state - the executive and the judiciary - be separated and operate within its limitations," added Weliamuna.
Attorney at Law J.C. Weliamuna was making a point that the executive and the judiciary ought to be separated, for if they are joined together it will cause a tremendous accumulation of power, leading to anarchy or dictatorship. He pointed out that it is important that these two organs should respect each other but should not join together especially on civil liberties.
Military Spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara when contacted confirmed that checkpoints are back. "We have 80 checkpoints in Colombo," he said and emphasised that they are now called snap roadblocks or mobile checkpoints.
The Brigadier also said that searching of houses will take place during a certain time and not in the nights.
"We all know that we are under some threat. We ought to take action to protect the people. We are doing our best to prevent any break-in which may cause harm to the general public. This is all in the name of security," pointed out Brigadier Nanayakkara.
"If there were no checkpoints then anyone can go anywhere with a bomb. It would be easy for the LTTE to pass their bombs in and around Colombo," said a source who did not wish to be identified.
However, some members of the minority community when contacted said that they experience fear at checkpoints and terror when checking of houses is done in the night. A man in his 50s said that he experienced fear and humiliation when police and security personnel came to his home in the mid morning, the day after the bomb explosion in Nugegoda.
"I believe that the checking was instigated by my landlord. These men, about 14 of them came and banged on my gate. I told them that I was coming and not to open the gate that my pet dogs may run to the road. But they pushed the gate and let the dogs out.
"Then they came to my house and went through all the clothes. There were some new sarees and some new unopened shirts. They asked me to whom the sarees and shirts belonged and whose jewellery was there in the house. There was some money in the house Rs.30,000 in one place and Rs.5,000 in another, and they asked me why the money was in the house."
"I live with my sister who is also in her 50s and we were terrified. After checking and ransacking the house, they made me walk up my lane with them, they took me along the main highway and all the way to the police station - about four kilometres. My neighbours were looking at me, all the people were looking at me.
"I was born and bred in Colombo and I attended Isipathana College, all my details were given in my National Identity Card, but I was marched along the road, like a convict. They took me from my house at 11 a.m and it was 2 p.m when they reached the police station.
"On the way they stopped for a drink and tea. I stood in a corner, I was not given anything. I was too frightened to ask whether I can have something to drink," said this member of a minority community. He went on to say that neither the police nor the security personnel had taken any money or jewellery from his residence or assaulted him.
He went on to say that now each time there is a knock on the door, he feels his chest tightening and his throat going dry. "We are living in absolute fear," he whispered.
End

SL forces attack LTTE bunkers

The security forces have attacked a row of LTTE bunkers situated around 500 metres to the south of the Adampan tank in Mannar.
The media centre for national security says around 8 LTTE bunkers were destroyed in the confrontations that took place this morning.
Communication intercepts have confirmed that the LTTE suffered heavy casualties. The media centre said troops found 2 bodies of female LTTE cadres and two firearms. Troops are now consolidating their positions in the Adampan area.
Meanwhile troops launched an attack and killed two terrorists in MADHU area, MANNAR today .Two terrorists were also killed in a confrontation in PERIYATHAMPANE area, MANNAR.

Sinhala LTTE spies remanded

Four individuals including a fake Sinhalese doctor have been remanded on suspicion of providing important security details regarding the Colombo city to the LTTE.
The Colombo Magistrate court ordered the suspects to be remanded till the 30th of this month. Terrorism Prevention Unit informed the court that they uncovered that the suspects together with an army major currently in prison provided the LTTE security information pertaining to Colombo.
End

Abrogation of Ceasefire Agreement Will Escalate Spiral of Violence-Joint Statement

The government’s decision to abrogate the Norwegian-facilitated Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) signed with the LTTE in 2002 is a matter of the gravest concern to the undersigned civil society organisations. Truces historically tend not to last long unless they culminate in a negotiated peace agreement. Unfortunately, the conflicting parties were not willing to negotiate a political solution using the point of entry to the peace process provided by the CFA that the government, the LTTE, and the people of Sri Lanka could build on. Instead of such negotiations, for the past two years the government and LTTE vocally supported a ceasefire but actually engaged in a high level of hostilities tantamount to war, including mounting human rights violations, the overrunning of forward defence lines, capture of territory, artillery, sea and air bombing, and the large scale displacement of people.


The signing of the CFA brought numerous benefits to the citizens of Sri Lanka. It ushered in a period of relative peace, allowing civilians directly affected by the conflict the opportunity to re-build their lives, homes and livelihoods. With the CFA, civilians from either side of the no man’s land could freely travel and feel relatively safe from the threat of war. The ‘no war, no peace’ scenario that was a direct result of the CFA created not only the conditions for negotiations between the Government and the LTTE, but also an environment conducive for increased economic growth and external assistance to Sri Lanka as a whole.


As civil society organisations deeply concerned about peace and human rights we all supported the CFA. We were, however deeply concerned by the violations of the CFA, the violations of human rights and incidents of violence committed during this period; hence we saw the need for significant improvements on the CFA and its implementation. With the increasing violence and distrust that followed the collapse of peace talks, the parties came to recognize the need for the CFA to be strengthened and even amended, but were unable to come to agreement or to cease the bloodshed, resulting in a crisis of violence.

The government's decision to abrogate the CFA follows repeated demands by the JVP and other nationalist parties for its abrogation. Government members have said that the peace process and political talks will continue with non-LTTE Tamil parties. While there is a clear need to make political negotiations to find a settlement to the ethnic conflict more inclusive by including non-LTTE Tamil parties in political talks, it cannot be done at the cost of eliminating the LTTE from the dialogue. The danger inherent in the government's position, especially in the event of a total rejection of the past peace process with the LTTE, is that it is paving the way for a fight to the finish where the costs can be very high, success is not guaranteed, and no fall back position will be available.

We regret that the role played by the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) established under the CFA has also come to an end with the abrogation of the Ceasefire Agreement. Although the international monitors of the SLMM were unable to prevent all acts of war and human rights violations from taking place, we recognize that the SLMM was a crucial third party that was able to be physically present in the conflict zones, record incidents, and report them to the conflicting parties and the international community. The presence of the SLMM deterred further violence and violations and the SLMM’s removal now puts the populations in both the North and the South more at risk. The Government rejection of a UN Human Rights field presence, the inability of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) and the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) to make meaningful progress in discharging their mandates, and the inability of the National Human Rights Commission to fulfill its mandate and duties, combine to place respect for human rights in Sri Lanka in further jeopardy.

The abrogation of the CFA in the present circumstances will deprive the hapless civilians within the conflict zones of a credible authority to lodge complaints. This will also mean that it will be more difficult for individual incidents to be neutrally reported and verified, thus making it easier for armed actors to deny grievous violations and acts of violence. This gap will constrain the work of human rights and peace groups who have been pressing the conflicting parties to address the issues of impunity and end the violations of human rights. It may also lead to the exaggeration of incidents as each of the warring parties seeks to blame the other, making identifying the truth that much more elusive.

We are dismayed and deeply concerned at the situation in the country at the beginning of the New Year which has included the assassinations of parliamentarians, fierce fighting in the north and the displacement of civilians, and now the abrogation of the CFA and the negation of the institutions it set up. We hope that this period of war and terror will soon come to an end, and reason and concern for human rights takes the conflicting parties back to the negotiating table and to end all armed hostilities, political assassinations and other criminal acts. We urge all members of the international community who have been engaged in the advancement of peace through a negotiated settlement in Sri Lanka to stand by us at this difficult moment in our history and to use whatever modes of intervention they feel are appropriate to impress upon the government, the LTTE and all political actors in Sri Lanka the need to abandon the path of war and to return to a peace process immediately.

[Issued by Association of War Affected Women, Centre for Society and Religion, Centre for Human Rights and Development, Colombo, Centre for Policy Alternatives, Christian Alliance for Social Action, Consortium for Humanitarian Agencies, Equal Ground, Sri Lanka, INFORM, Home for Human Rights, Colombo, Human Development Organization, Kandy, Human Rights Resource Center, Kandy, International Centre for Ethnic Studies – Colombo, International Movement Against Discrimination and Racism, Law & Society Trust, Mothers and Daughters of Lanka, Mannar Women for Human Rights and Democracy, Muslim Information Centre – Sri Lanka, Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum, National Peace Council of Sri Lanka, Rights Now Collective for Democracy, Setik, Kandy]

Five countries issue travel ban on Sri Lanka

By Munza Mushtaq
The country’s tourism sector, which is already in dire straits, was dealt yet another severe blow after at least five countries issued strict advisories against their citizens travelling to the war-torn island, owing to the prevailing fear psychosis.
Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and Russia late last week updated their travel warnings in the backdrop of back-to-back bomb blasts and other sporadic violence-related incidents occurring in almost all parts of the country.
Some of the countries which warned their citizens against travelling to Sri Lanka were the main sources of tourism to the island.
The British warning, issued on January 18, has warned its nationals of a high threat from terrorism in Sri Lanka and emphasised that the attacks could be indiscriminate and have occurred in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, including in and around Colombo.
The updated advisory also warned its citizens against all travel to the north and east of Sri Lanka. Germany has also cautioned its citizens against travelling to Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Canada in its advisory issued also on Friday advised against non-essential travel to Sri Lanka unless the visitors had critical business or family reasons to do so.
The Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada noted that incidents of violence could occur without notice throughout the entire country and were not restricted to the north and east of Sri Lanka.
“Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to areas in the east and north of the country, including Kilinochchi, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara Districts, the Jaffna peninsula, Mannar and Vavuniya. Canadians currently in these regions should leave if it is safe to do so,” the warning said.
Australia, in its warning issued on January 17, advised its citizens to reconsider their need to travel to Sri Lanka at this time because of ongoing civil unrest, the volatile security situation and the very high risk of terrorist attacks.
Russia in a recommendation to its citizens requested them to refrain from trips to Sri Lanka in the wake of growing violent incidents in the nation.
“In the light of it, the Foreign Ministry recommends Russian citizens to refrain from trips to Sri Lanka until the situation in that country returns to normal,” the advisory said.

Rice at concessionary rates to Families in Plantations

The government will commence a programme to provide rice at concessionary rates to families in the plantation sector.
A 10-rupee concession will be provided to kilo of rice. Commissioner of cooperative development A.P.G. Kithsiri says each family will receive a coupon worth 100 rupees to purchase 10 kilos of rice per month. He said around 200 thousand families are eligible for this benefit. The programme will be initiated on the 26th of this month in Kandy under the patronage of president Mahinda Rajapakse.

A special summit of labour market will be held in Abu Dhabi

A special summit of counties, which are engaged in foreign labour market, will be held in Abu Dhabi nest week. The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau says this summit to be held on the 21st and 22nd of this month is important for countries such as Sri Lanka which supply migrant workers to foreign countries. General Manager of the Bureau L.K. Ruhunage says Minister of Labour of the counties that obtain services of migrant workers will attend this summit. He was confident that this summit will set a platform to settle problems of Migrant workers and obtain more job quotas from these countries.
Claymore mine and pistol found during search operation - Monaragala Monaragala Police during a special search operation conducted today (January 19), evening at G-Lon estate in Maragalakanda, found a claymore mine, a pistol and few warlike items, defence sources report. According to Police sources, the items were found hidden in a rock cave in G-Lon estate.

Britain calls for urgent ceasefire in Sri Lanka

Colombo has called for an urgent ceasefire in Sri Lanka to enable the country to find a negotiated political solution to the ethnic conflict.
"A new ceasefire must be constructed as quickly as possible if we are to make progress," Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells told the British parliament on Thursday.
"The end of the ceasefire agreement is confirmation that we have entered a dangerous new phase in Sri Lanka," Howells told the House of Commons at the end of a debate on the developing situation in Sri Lanka.
He described the conflict in Sri Lanka as "appalling" and regretted Colombo's unilateral abrogation of the six-year-old "internationally-backed" and Norway-brokered truce pact January 3.
"The ceasefire agreement was not perfect but (it was) a basis for peace and moving forward," he said, according to the text of the speech released by the British High Commission in Colombo on Friday.
Howells admitted that at the present moment, there was "little substance around which to base negotiations" but he stressed that the international community "must clearly continue to stay engaged, stop the violence and help the Sri Lankan government build a credible environment for a sustainable peace process".

The European Union condemns the brutal bus attack in Buttala

The European Union in Sri Lanka condemns unreservedly the attack on innocent civilians which occurred as they were travelling on a bus in a remote part of the Moneragala District.
The EU notes that this is a step up on the scale of horror in the escalating violence in Sri Lanka.
This attack has the characteristics of the LTTE’s modus operandi. No support can ever be gained in the EU for any cause through such acts of barbaric terrorist violence. It is deeply disappointing to see this return to the type of violence as was seen in Sri Lanka before the Ceasefire Agreement.
The EU condemns equally all forms of violence against civilians, regardless of who does it or where. To the European Union, this latest attack further underlines the absolute necessity for everyone to take all steps possible to safeguard civilians and refrain from escalation of violence.

Cabinet approves a proposal to provide concessions on Environmental friendly vehicles

The cabinet has approved a proposal presented by minister Partalee Champika Ranawaka to provide relief for environmental friendly vehicles.
Accordingly, tax concessions are to be provided for the importation of vehicles which could be powered by both fuel and electricity and also for electrically operated vehicles.
Incentives are to be provided of assembling of such vehicles in the country. Ministry of environmental and natural resources says a specialist committee has been appointed to look into this issue and to provide necessary recommendations.

Speedy measures to provide relief to the injured in terrorist attacks in Thanamalwila.

Minister Rizhard Badurdeen says speedy measures have been taken to provide relief to the injured in terrorist attacks in Thanamalwila.
A sum of three million rupees has been provided to district secretary Moneragala in this regard. The government will provide compensation subjected to a maximum of one hundred thousand rupees on behalf of each person killed in the attack. An injured person is liable to receive compensation up to 50 thousand rupees.
The police and the army are launching combined operations in Thanamalwila with the intention of normalizing civilian life. Army spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said nine killings have been reported in the area at around 10’O clock last night.
Three injured persons are receiving treatment at the Karapitiya and Thanamalvila hospitals.
Divisional Secretary Thanamalwila Jayantha Rathnayake says several LTTE gunmen have shot civilians in Mahawewa and Kaluwelgala.

General Sarath Fonseka vows to continue with military operations to liberate terrorist- held areas

Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka vows to continue with military operations to liberate terrorist- held areas in the North and Wanni.
The security forces in operations conducted so far have gained control of a number of areas held by the LTTE terrorists. The terrorists have opted to massacre innocent civilians in southern parts of the island in the face of their set back in the northern battle field.
Their motive behind these killings is to make the government recall the troops engaged in fighting in northern areas. The Army Chief, however, stressed that military operations in Wanni and the North will never be given up despite threats whatsoever put forth by the terrorists.
He said Commandos and the STF are jointly conducting search operations in Buttala and Thanamalvila to trace terrorists hidden in the areas.

Stocks of essential food items sufficient for 3 months have been stored in Jaffna

Stocks of essential food items sufficient for 3 months have been stored in Jaffna
District Secretary to Jaffna K. Ganeshan says stocks of essential food items sufficient for 3 months have been stored in Jaffna.He strongly dismissed speculations that the people in the peninsula are not receiving ample stocks of food items and the prices of essential items are very high in the region.
The Jaffna District Secretary made this statement attending a meeting at the Essential Services Commissioner’s office today. The meeting was called under instructions by the president to look in to the needs of the people in Jaffna. Mr. Ganeshan said the government has provided all facilities to the Jaffna residents.
Commissioner of Essential Services S. Divarathne during this meeting said stocks of essential food items such as rice, sugar, wheat flour and coconut are being sent to Jaffna.
6900 tons of rice have been stored for the use of the people in the area. The price of a kilo of this rice is very low compared to the prices in Colombo. Jaffna residents could purchase a kilo of wheat flour 9 rupees less than the current price in the local market. Food transportations to the region are being carried out smoothly with the support of the security forces despite the A-9 route is closed.
The Essential Services Commissioner pointed out that the government provided fertilizer, paddy seeds and other agricultural necessities to the farmers in Jaffna on time. The projected paddy harvest in the Jaffna district this season is between 5000 and 6000 metric tons. This production will be exclusively used for the consumption of the people in Jaffna.

LTTE massacre innocent civilians in Thanamalwila

A group of LTTE terrorists have carried out an attack at the civilians at Kalawalgala, a remote village in the Thanamalwila area around 10, last night .
According to the available information 9 innocent civilians have been butchered during the night raid carried out by the terrorists.
Initially, it was reported only three civilians were killed and another three suffered injuries when the terrorists opened fire at the civilians in the village. However, latest reports indicate that those civilians were assisting the civil defence force's personnel after having alerted by the terrorists' presence. It is now believed that the terrorists had been murdering civilians after forcibly taking them into a jungle patch before the villagers became suspicious.
Troops engaged in search operations have found the other 6 bodies this morning. According to defence sources, the terrorists have laid anti personnel mines in the area in order to slow down the army pursuit.

Shed Extremist and Selfish Politics and Uphold International Law

The killing of 27 civilians and injuring of another 30 in a claymore mine attack on a passenger bus in Buttala in south east Sri Lanka is the latest in a series of attacks against civilians. The National Peace Council condemns this attack which is suspected to by the LTTE. The deliberate targeting of civilians by means of such remote-controlled explosives devices is a heinous crime. Such acts of terror will serve to further strengthen the forces of extremism and intolerance in society which needs to be guarded against. The National Peace Council expresses its deep sorrow at the loss of life and the disregard for humane values that such an attack demonstrates. We are aware that the current phase of conflict has led to atrocities against the civilian population of all communities and fear that similar incidents will take place unless a conscious decision is taken to steer the country in a different direction.
In this context we welcome the statement by the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, who has said international law obliges all parties to protect civilians without discrimination and includes prohibitions against the arbitrary deprivation of life, arbitrary detention, forced displacement, enforced disappearances, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the deployment of children as soldiers. She has also pointed out that violators, and those in command, can be held accountable under international criminal law.

Government should receive the support of all parties to grant a certified price to the paddy cultivator

President Mahinda Rajapakse points out that the government should receive the support of all parties in order to grant a certified price to the paddy cultivator and also ensure an affordable price for the consumer. He observes that although the government has taken many steps to maintain market prices of rice at affordable rates prices continue to hike.
The President made these observations at a discussion at Temple Trees today with paddy mill owners, wholesale traders and rice importers regarding controlling rising rice prices.
At the discussion the President gave directions to import rice and also to immediately release 19 thousand metric tons of rice in government and private storages. President Rajapakse questioned relevant parties as to why the 75 thousand metric tons of rice imported free of tax were not sold to the consumer at fair prices.
At the discussion whole sale traders and rice importers said the cause of an increase in rice prices is an increase in rice consumption by two thousand metric tons. They said the way of reducing prices is to ensure that the market receives a sufficient supply to meet the daily rice requirement. Paddy mill owners predict that prices will drop by the end of this month as local paddy harvests will reach markets.

Speaking further President Rajapakse highlighted the need of cultivating all cultivable paddy fields. He gave directions to ensure that farmers are provided necessary security to cultivate in the eastern province.
At the discussion Minister Maithreepala Sirisena said rice importers and paddy mill owners should submit a report to the government every three months regarding a stocks they possessed. He said the government should be allowed to inspect stocks at any time. Minister Bandula Gunawardena said one reason for rising prices is retail and wholesale traders attempting to generate an unfair profit. He assured that measures have been taken for the systematic distribution of rice stocks through cooperatives.
End

Local Radio Journalist launches SL's first book on Radio News Programmes

Sunil C. Perera , Reporting from Colombo

For the first time in the broadcasting history in Sri Lanka a veteran broadcaster, a lecturer on Mass communication and media , Trade Unionist and a leading journalist Wimal J.Ruwanpathirana launched his first book on Radio News Programmes at a simple ceremony held in Colombo on Thursday.

Mr.Ruwanpathirana who serves as a Radio Journalist at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation ,also served as a Sub Editor of Dinamina daily –Associated News Papers Ceylon Ltd.He conducted a mass survey on Radio News Programmes and gathered valuable details such as output of the programmes and criticism of the news programmes.Speaking to media Mr.Ruwanpathirana said his aim is to provide a correct and systematic format on Radio News Programmes and make Sinhala readers aware of Radio News Programmes.

The book contains a number of topics related to Radio News Programmes and short comings of the present programmes. He was a product of Gatamanna Central College and also holds Master of Arts Degree on Mass Communication – University of Kelaniya .Explaining his views on current Radio News Programmes in Sri Lanka he said a number of new Radio Journalists do not have a proper system and a knowledge on Radio News Prorgammes.

He said it is not their fault but proposes the management of the Radio Channels should train their Radio News Producers to address all masses of the society.The first copy of the book was presented to the Secretary General of the United National Party Mr.Tissa Attanayaka.

End

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS DEADLY ATTACKS IN SRI LANKA, SAYS DIALOGUE ONLY WAY TO STOP FURTHER VIOLENCE

 Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemns the indiscriminate attacks in the south-east of Sri Lanka today, which left dozens of dead and injured, including children.
His deepest sympathies go out to the families of the victims.
These latest deadly attacks coincide with the expiration today of the Ceasefire
Agreement. The Secretary-General reiterates his firm belief that the only way to stop
further violence in Sri Lanka is through dialogue. He urges the parties concerned to
undertake genuine efforts to achieve a peaceful negotiated solution.

CHA on their current activities

Since independence, Sri Lanka has faced challenges driven by community needs and access and realization of those needs. Our inability to reconcile aspirations with the ability to meet them have in some instances failed all of us, consuming us at times with violent conflict.
Over the last decade, CHA and our associates has worked with the Government of Sri Lanka, as well as other key stakeholders in efforts to address humanitarian expectations. While the consequences of the abrogation of the Ceasefire Agreement cannot be fully predicted, CHA calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to respect the services afforded to civilians which are fundamental and essential.
There is every likelihood, with an exacerbation even in the short term of violent conflict that civilians will almost immediately be thrown into insecure and abnormal living conditions. It must, therefore, be a fundamental objective to ensure that the rights of citizens are protected and that they have access to goods and services without discrimination. At all times, civilians should be allowed space to carry out their daily activities. Additionally actions which lead to 
displacement and dislocation of livelihoods should be avoided at all costs.
Simultaneously, when adopting security measures, the measures should be in accordance with the law and through legal means, they should be implemented without investing individuals with excessive authority and all measures should seek to be timelimited and subject to review, including a judicial review, on a periodic basis.
Parallel to ensuring safe spaces for civilians, efforts must be made to safeguard the existing development assets and processes whether they are of an infrastructural,economic or social nature.
End

SL forces launched a strong attack on Tiger terrorist center

The Sri Lanka air force has launched strong attack on Jayapuram Tiger terrorist center in Kilinochchi around 9.30 this morning using high powered fighter jets.
The pilots have established the fact that the attack was extremely successful.
The land and technological intelligence sources have confirmed that senior LTTE leaders congregate at this hideout.
It has also been reported that the security forces launched an extensive attack on a group of terrorists in Dambayaya in Buttala. One soldier was injured in the search operation carried out in this regard. The troops continue to pursue the terrorist groups responsible for yesterday’s attack.

Acceptance of nominations for the Batticaloa district begins tomorrow

Acceptance of nominations for the Batticaloa district in the local government election begins tomorrow.

All recognized political parties could hand over their  nominations till 12 noon on the 25th of this month.

The election secretariat says independence groups could place deposits till 12 noon on the 24th of this month.Local government elections for nine bodies, including for the Batticaloa Municipal council are to be conducted.
Executive director of the PAFFREL organization hopes to meet the election commissioner as well as political party leaders including the head of the Sri Lanka Muslim congress to discuss on the election. Workshops to educate foreign and local election monitors will commence tomorrow. The EPDP says it will file  candidates along with the EPRLF Vardaraja Wing and the PLOTE for the election.
DIG Gamini Navaratne has been appointed as the head of the special election secretariat set up at the police headquarters to deal with security arrangements of the election.

Government is no longer able to withstand enormous losses-CPC

Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Asantha de Mel says price of fuel has been increased as the Government is no longer able to withstand enormous losses caused as a result of rising world market prices.
Addressing a media briefing in Colombo on Thursday ,he added price increases have been made without causing additional burden to the masses.

The chairman further said the SAP software system has been introduced with the intention of streamlining the activities of the corporation. The new system will also cover the Ceylon Petroleum storage terminals limited and the Lanka IOC Company as well. The International 
acclaimed software system will help to minimize wastage and corruption. The government spends around 350 million rupees for the implementation of the system.

EC on Buttala attack

Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, said:"I am appalled by the recent attack that has killed 23 innocent civilians in Sri Lanka, following the end of the truce agreement between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE.
This deadly spiral of violence has to stop immediately, and I once again urge all parties to comply with their obligations under international law to protect civilians and allow access by humanitarian aid agencies to populations in need.
End

LTTE has continuously and grievously violated CFA - Govt tells UN HR Chief

The Government yesterday informed the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, that the decision to end the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was taken after careful and serious consideration, the Disaster Management and Human Rights Ministry said.
It said the decision was taken after considering effective measures required to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka in the backdrop of terrorist activities perpetrated by the LTTE aiming to establish a mono-ethnic, mono-political separate State in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.
The Ministry said a consideration of the conduct of the LTTE during the period commencing February 2002 (when the CFA came into operation) reveals clearly that the terrorist organisation had not entered into the CFA in good faith and that it was not interested in resolving the problems of the Tamils through peaceful dialogue and acceptable political means.
Its unwavering intention of establishing a separate State became even more evident in 2004 when the LTTE leadership went back on its post 2002 February intention of seeking a solution to the ethnic conflict within the framework of a Constitutional solution wherein the people of the Northern and Eastern Provinces could enjoy the benefits of extensive power sharing.
The LTTE's withdrawal from this declared intention clearly reveals the continued objective of the LTTE to create a separate sovereign State. With that intention, the LTTE has continuously and grievously violated the CFA, causing loss and damage to civilians and endangering the security of the State.
Several attempts by the Government to motivate the LTTE to change its mind and to take part in meaningful and peaceful political negotiations, turned futile. Furthermore, credible evidence has surfaced that the LTTE is readying to launch a major terrorist offensive against the State and its people.
Thus, the Government had no other option than to end the CFA through the procedure stipulated in the agreement itself and take meaningful measures to eliminate terrorism.
This step was taken by the Government in the exercise of its sovereign rights, for the protection of the State and its people including ethnic minorities.
The Government remains conscious of the need to resolve the country's ethnic conflict through political and constitutional means. With that in mind, the Government is awaiting the proposals of the All Party Representatives Committee (APRC) appointed to propose constitutional means by which the ethnic conflict could be resolved.
These proposals are likely to be received by the Government in the very near future.
Military measures the Government would implement to eliminate terrorism would remain independent of steps the Government would take to implement through Constitutional means a solution to the ethnic conflict, so that all people of Sri Lanka would through their democratically elected representatives enjoy devolved power within the framework of the sovereign Sri Lankan State.
The Government wishes to inform the UN High Commissioner that, as a responsible State in the global community, the Government is committed to the enforcement of military and other lawful measures to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka and to eliminate terrorism, in accordance with the laws of Sri Lanka and in compliance with international norms and standards including International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.
As in the past, even at the cost of delay in the implementation and successful completion of military operations, the Government will take all necessary and meaningful measures to avoid civilian casualties and hardships to civilian populations, some of whom remain kept against their will by the LTTE as human shields.
An example for this policy would be seen in the preemptive military operation the Government was compelled to take in 2007, to liberate parts of the Eastern Province and its people from the unlawful control of the LTTE.
The Government would also continue to uninterruptedly supply humanitarian aid and food supplies to areas being unlawfully held by the LTTE, knowing well that a considerable portion of such supplies would be consumed by fighting cadres of the LTTE.
The Government wishes to assure the UN High Commissioner that it remains a State policy not to tolerate any forms of Human Rights or Humanitarian Law violations by members of the Security Forces and the Police.
The command, rank and file of the Security Forces and the police have been regularly briefed through State sponsored awareness campaigns of the need to adhere to laws of Sri Lanka and applicable international legal norms. Including, subordinate members of the Security Forces are aware that they are obliged to only carry out lawful orders given by superiors.
Superior officers of the Security Forces are well aware of legal principles relating to command responsibility. All members of the Security Forces and the Police are quite aware that certain violations of the law attract individual criminal responsibility."

No change in the government’s stance to withdraw itself from the ceasefire agreement-Keheliya

Government’s Defense spokesman minister Keheliya Rambukwella says there is no change in the government’s stance to withdraw itself from the ceasefire agreement with the LTTE.
This decision was made after deeply observing the CFA and the series of subsequent incidents during the past 25 years. The Minister said the government hopes to unveil proposals of the all party representative committee by the end of this month. All attempts by various governments to resolve the problem through negotiations with the LTTE during the past 25 years have been proven unsuccessful.
The minister recalled that the LTTE resorted to talks only when the organization was weakened. President Mahinda Rajapakse’s attempts to find a solution to the problem through negotiations were also failed. Minister Rambukwella stressed that the government’s decision to abrogate the CFA is not a declaration of war.
The government is committed to reach a political settlement to the problem by joining hands with democratic Tamil political parties. The Minister stated that a humanitarian operation similar to that of carried out in the eastern province will be conducted to liberate the people in Wanni.
Speaking to media military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the group of LTTE that set a roadside bomb to a passenger bus in Buttala this morning has killed a civilian in the area.
Another three civilians were also killed in the attack. The Brigadier said the LTTE leader of the Trincomalee South named Arichelvam was killed in an attack by the security forces.

Compensation for families of dead and wounded in Buttala bomb blast

The government will compensate the families of dead and wounded persons in the claymore mine attack in Buttala.
Minister Rizhard Badurdeen says a maximum of one hundred thousand rupees will be paid on behalf of a dead person while a maximum of 50 thousand rupees has been approved to pay for an injured person.
In the first stage 25 thousand rupees will be granted as compensation for the family of an unmarried dead person. An injured will receive 10 thousand rupees under the first stage. In addition, an allowance of 15 thousand rupees each will be provided for funerals. Minister Badurdeen said three million rupees have already been given to the district secretary of Moneragala to be disbursed among victims.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Health says bodies of persons who were killed in the bomb attack in Buttala will be handed over their families soon after concluding forensic medical examinations.
A mobile x-ray unit has been set up in the Moneragala hospital to assist the judicial medical officer in the Badulla hospital. 29 persons were killed in the claymore attack, which targeted a passenger bus plying between Buttala and Niyandagala this morning. 24 bodies are lying at the Buttala hospital while four at the Moneragala hospital. 44 injured persons were admitted to the Moneragala hospital and four them succumbed to their injuries later.
Five critically wounded persons were airlifted to Colombo and one person succumbed to injuries on the way. Director of the accident service of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Anil Jasinghe said there was a school girl among the four persons admitted to the hospital with serious head injuries.
They were subjected to emergency surgeries. Nine persons are also receiving treatment at the Buttala hospital. A team of doctors headed by additional secretary to the health ministry Dr. Nihal Jayatilleke is now in the Moneragala hospital to care for bomb victims. Surgeons of the Badulla and Mahiyangana hospitals were also called for the Mogeragala hospital. The national blood center provided adequate quantities of blood to the patients. The medical supply division sent a stock of medicines and medical equipment to the Moneragala hospital.
End

LTTE attack innocent farmers in Monaragala

 

LTTE terrorists have attacked a group of poor farmers engaged in Chena cultivation in the Dambeyaya area, Occumpitiya , Monaragala this morning (January 16). According to one survivor, four more farmers have been hacked and shot by the group of terrorists who stormed Chena few hours ago.

According to the latest reports, police have found two farmers killed and two injured in the attack . Another civilian who accompanied the police to the location have suffered serious injuries in an anti personnel mine. The injured have been admitted to the Monaragalal hospital.

Defence sources said that the same group of terrorists who had attacked the civilian bus is responsible for this attack.

LTTE targets military truck in Buttala

Two hours after massacre of Butala bound bus theTiger terrorists targeted a military Unicorn truck, about 2 km north of Galge , on Butala – Katargama road, in Moneragala district, at about 9.45 a.m., triggering one more claymore mine.
According to the defence sources, four soldiers suffered injuries in the explosion. The injured have been taken to Hambanthota hospital.
The Army and the Police have launched a combined search in the area after the incident.
It is alleged that LTTE or its aides reportedly were involved in the blast according to initial reports.
End

Schools closed in UVA due to the bomb blast

Provincial Educational Ministry of the UVA province closed schools due to the today's bomb blast.
Chief Minister of the Province said its a temporary measure .Meanwhile Acting Director at the Moneragala Hospital Janaka Prasad says blood is urgently needed to treat those injured in the Buttala claymore bomb blast.
He says O Negative and O Positive types of blood are especially in demand and requests prospective donors to come forward to donate blood.
The Police adds that three LTTE members have arrived on the highway and shot after the bomb explosion of the bus traveling fronm Buttala to Niyadella.
The Army and the Police have launched a combined search in the area after the incident..
Three persons have been killed and 63 injured in the shooting incident.
20 Twenty persons have been killed in a claymore bomb explosion ,which was targeted on a passenger bus plying between Buttala and Niyandagala this morning. The Police says a large number of passengers have been injured in the incident.

President instructs to take immediate measures

The President has instructed the relevant sources to take immediate measures to treat the victims of the claymore bomb blast in Buttala this morning. Accordingly, all facilities including specialist physicians, medicine and blood have been sent to the hospitals where the injured are receiving treatment.
Acting Director at the Moneragala Hospital Janaka Prasad says blood is urgently needed to treat those injured in the Buttala claymore bomb blast. He says O Negative and O Positive types of blood are especially in demand and requests prospective donors to come forward to donate blood.

SCC and IOM start construction of model tsunami housing project

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo
The Saudi Charity Campaign for the Relief of the Earthquake and Tsunami Victims in Asia (SCC) and IOM have started construction of a model housing development for the tsunami-affected families in eastern Sri Lanka.
Construction work is already underway on over 250 permanent houses and infrastructure including a road network, two separate schools for boys and girls and a multi-purpose hall in Ampara, on one of the areas worst hit by the December 2004 tsunami. The project follows an agreement signed between the SCC and IOM last year for IOM to build permanent housing, infrastructure and other facilities in Ampara district.
Under the US$10 million agreement, IOM will build 500 houses, a clinic, two schools, a market, a multi-purpose hall, a mosque, a mini-stadium. It will also build roads and landscaping. The project will also provide two buses to serve the community. “These people have lived in transitional, temporary shelters for the past three years since the tsunami. We believe that this project will help them to rebuild their lives by rebuilding their community,” says IOM Sri Lanka Chief of Mission Mohammed Abdi Ker.
Dr. Saed Al Orabi, Chairman of the SCC, who will visit South Asia shortly to check on the progress of SCC-funded projects in the region, also sees the project as an important step in restoring a tsunami-devastated community to normality.
“Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom of Humanity is committed to bringing relief to the most needy in the world. We are also very happy to welcome our Chairman to visit our projects in the region,” says SCC-Colombo Director Mohamed Abdurrahman Al-Moosa.”
End

Bomb blast - Kills 23 in Buttala Sri Lanka

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo
16.1.2008 A bomb blast at a civilian bus on this morning in Buttala killing 23 people and wounding 67 others, the military said.
Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara, who provided the casualty figures, said it was unclear if the bomb was on the bus or planted by the roadside.
A local police official, said it was a roadside bomb and that gunshots were fired at the vehicle after the blast.
End

Government of Japan expresses deep concern on the withdraw of the CFA

by Sunil C. Perera


Japanese Special envoy Yasushi Akashi expressed the deep concern on with draw from the CFA by the government of Sri Lanka and said that such decision may lead to an increased level of violence and greater civilian causalities.
Addressing a media briefing held on Tuesday in Colombo , he said that the Japanese government urged strongly the political solution of the problem through negotiation. He said the termination of the CFA may prompt the pursuit of military solution of the conflict with dire humanitarian consequences.
“Last evening I had a meeting with the President Mahindha Rajapaksha and I conveyed the serious concerns of our government and emphasised that the political solution of the problem would be indispensable and in that context , a devolution package on which the government of Sri Lanka had been exerting considerable efforts must be drafted as soon as possible and be offered to the relevant parties including LTTE .The President in his response expressed his commitment to the political solution of the conflict stating that the drafting of devolution package would be completed soon, he explained.
He said the Japanese government urges the government of Sri Lanka on the vital need to improve the human rights situation .
“We will continue to observe closely the political , military and human rights situation in Sri Lanka , he said.
End

Branch disaster response teams put to the east in Sri Lanka

By Patrick Fuller,
Flooding in Sri Lanka is a perennial event. Each year weather related hazards such as floods, landslides and cyclonic storms cause misery for thousands of families who are forced to leave their homes to find temporary shelter.
At the end of 2007 the onset of the north easterly monsoon brought widespread flooding to districts across the north, east and central areas of Sri Lanka, affecting 250,000 people at their peak in late December. Over the past few days further heavy rains have lashed the district of Ampara affecting over 100,000 people. Eleven district branches of the Sri Lanka Red Cross have been at the forefront of relief efforts distributing cooked food and relief items such as bed sheets, sleeping mats, kitchen sets, hygiene items and hurricane lamps.
Responding to natural disasters and reducing the risks faced by vulnerable communities is one of the foremost priorities of the Red Cross' disaster management programme. Since the middle of 2006, the Red Cross has been steadily building up a network of Branch Disaster Response Teams (BDRTs) across the country with the aim of improving the skills of staff and volunteers to manage emergency relief activities. Each BDRT comprises between 25 – 30 volunteers and staff who undergo a week-long intensive training course.
During the recent floods the BDRTs have played a pivotal role. The teams were deployed to conduct rapid and detailed needs assessments. They have been involved in local relief efforts and are now looking at conducting post floods rehabilitation activities in some districts.
"The main role of the teams is to carry out needs assessments during an emergency and then lead initial Red Cross relief efforts to help affected communities in coordination with key stakeholders in government and other agencies," explains Susil Perera, executive director of disaster management with the Sri Lanka Red Cross.
The week long BDRT training course focuses on three core areas: relief management, coordination and needs assessment. It also covers Red Cross history, tracing of family members, basic search and rescue, security, pyschosocial support training, emergency health and professional codes and standards for relief.
"We combine theory with practical simulations and field work sessions. We also invite members of the government's disaster management centre to join the training," explains Susil Perera. "We have already seen positive results in the levels of professionalism amongst our field staff. There is much better coordination with government counterparts and the standard of field reports has improved."
Twenty-seven year old Nirumithan is project coordinator of the Danish Red Cross supported community based disaster management programme in Ampara. He took part in the first BDRT training in 2006 and has since participated in over 30 deployments of the Ampara BDRT.
"We've been involved in a variety of different relief actions," he explains. "Right now we are responding to the floods but we have also helped people who have been displaced from their homes due to the conflict. Last September we were involved in the evacuation of people from coastal areas when the government issued a tsunami alert after an earthquake struck Indonesia."
The decision to set up a BDRT is based on a district's 'risk profile.' So far seven BDRTs have been formed in Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Monaragala, Hambantota, Nuwera Eliya and Ratnapura. The first BDRT was set up in Ampara district in June 2006 and the plan over the next year is to have teams operating out of 16 Red Cross branches across the country. Sponsors of the programme include the International Federation, the British, Danish and Spanish Red Cross Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

SL forces overruns LTTE bunkers

At least 22 terrorists were killed yesterday( January14) in sporadic clashes erupted between SLA and LTTE, North West of Parappakandal at the Mannar defences, security sources said. Clashes occurred as troops forced into LTTE territory in a multi-pronged offensive using heavy artillery, mortars and multi-barrel rocket fire.
SLAF fighter jets made few offensive sorties dropping heavy payloads at identified LTTE artillery batteries, assisting the advancing ground troops, Wanni sources report. During the air strikes an LTTE 122mm artillery gun was reported damaged, while a senior LTTE leader identified as Magalesh was also believed injured, military said citing intercepted enemy communication.
Earlier, yesterday morning at 5.40, troops moved forward ahead of the Parappakandal(Purankadola) LTTE defences and overran a LTTE bunker line, killing 9 terrorists. According to SLA reports, two soldiers laid their lives while 15 others wounded were admitted to general hospital at Vavuniya.
Ground sources confirmed that many LTTE bodies were observed lying scattered in the battle lines and added that those not highly under decomposed state would be recovered while troops consolidated the defences.
Thirteen terrorists were killed in three separate incidents North of Paraiyanalkkulama when SLA elite task units encircled fleeing terrorist columns, yesterday evening. Military sources further said that, an LTTE tractor was also destroyed killing five terrorists in these strikes. No casualties were caused to own troops, Wanni defence sources confirmed.

Doctor assaulted by gang

The Trincomalee branch of the Government Medical Officers Association will hold an emergency meeting on the assault on a doctor by three unidentified men at the Trincomalee base hospital on January 13.
The doctor, a Sinhalese, had been assaulted, tied to a bed and given an injection. His assailants had also demanded one million rupees from him.
The doctor was later admitted to the Intensive Care Unit as he was lying unconscious in his quarters. The GMOA has made arrangements to transfer him to the Colombo National hospital for treatment, Trincomalee Hospital Director Dr. Mrs. P. K. Gunagunalan said.
She said that the doctor was a senior house officer at the hospital and had been serving there over the last two years. A few minutes after the alleged incident, measures were taken to treat the doctor. As he was unconscious and had difficulty in breathing, he was admitted to the ICU and was out of danger.
The GMOA, has asked the government to intensify security for doctors working in the North and East and to provide International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) assistance for doctors travelling from Colombo to the North and East, GMOA General Secretary Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya said.
Dr. Padeniya said that Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva should realize the gravity of the situation.
The GMOA since transferring doctors to the North and East had been asking the government to provide adequate security for the doctors working there, but its requests had fallen on deaf ears.
He added that the LTTE and some terrorists in the North and East had been trying to frighten and even kill medical personnel on many occasions and it was the bounden duty of the government to provide maximum security for medical personnel.
OIC Trincomalee Harbour Police T. L. Bandara said a special police team had been deployed to trace and arrest the culprits.
A Senior Doctor of the GMOA Dr. Upul Gunasakara said that the Tricomalee GMOA branch office would take a decision on the incident in communication with the GMOA Head office in Colombo. A strong trade union action could be launched in protest of the incident.
Healthcare Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that he would take appropriate measures in consultation with security chiefs.

Released on bail after 50 years in remand

A man who spent 50 years as a remand prisoner was enlarged on bail by the Kurunegala Magistrate Lalith Ekanayake Friday lat week triggering doubts as to how many more like him are helplessly behind bars.
D.P. Jamis who was 30 years old at the time of being remanded, was released on surety bail of 50,000 rupees and a personal bail for the same amount by the Kurunegala Magistrate Lalith Ekanayake, who delivering his order in Court, said the case of Jamis may be the first case of its kind and one of the rarest in the dispensation of justice in the country and he was very sorry that the unfortunate man had to spend the best years of his life in prison. He hoped that Jamis will be able to spend the evening of his life in happiness.
Prisons Authorities have now launched an investigation into the case after it came to light that the unfortunate man, identified as D. P. Jamis, now an Octogenarian, had been remanded in 1958 as an accused in a stabbing case. Officials of the Bogambara prison, at that time had sent him to the mental hospital for treatment and forgotten about him for nearly 30 years.
He had been then taken back to the remand prison where he had spent the last 20 years and in all that time he had not been produced in Court. Prisons officials said that there had been no records on the man.
Attorney at Law Dharmawijaya Seneviratne, Director of the Legal Aid Commission, Kurunegala, with attorneys Rohan Premaratne and Sandamali Wickramasinghe appeared for Jamis at the Magistrate’s Court to request bail.
A spokesman of the Kurunegala Prison said it was not possible to trace how Jamis came to be admitted to the mental hospital or from what prison he was sent to the hospital as there were no records at the prison.
Jamis was 30 years old when he was remanded and admitted to the mental hospital. Prisons authorities had failed to take him back to the prison though the medical authorities had requested the prisons to take him back. It was now not possible to trace any document regarding his case or why he was admitted to a mental hospital. He had also been transferred to the Colombo National Hospital during this period to treat some wounds but prisoners are admitted to hospitals on an order of Courts.
Director of the mental hospital, psychiatrist, Dr. Jayan Mendis said there were a number of other prisoners and remand prisoners like Jamis in the mental hospital but they too were in a very unfortunate position as they could not retain lawyers to represent matters or appear for them in Courts.
He said most of such prisoners and suspects are now completely cured and needed to be discharged from the hospital but apparently that could not be done without a request from the prisons authorities.

Japanese special envoy expressed satisfaction in President ’s commitment to a negotiated solution

Japanese special peace envoy Yashushi Akashi has expressed Japan’s continuing economic assistance to Sri Lanka.
This commitment was expressed during a discussion yesterday with President Mahinda Rajapakse at Temple Trees. Mr. Akashi expressed satisfaction in President Rajapakse’s commitment to a negotiated solution to the country’s national issue.
The discussion lasted nearly 45 minutes and President Rajapakse explained in detail the continued violence inflicted by the LTTE especially targeting civilians and women and children. The President also explained the LTTE’s refusal to come for negotiations. Mr. Akashi said it was encouraging to know that progress was being made in the APRC.
He was of the view that the leadership of the President was vital for the success of a political process that would lead to a negotiated solution to the issue. President Rajapakse informed Mr. Akashi that current operations carried out by the Air Force against the LTTE were strictly aimed at identified targets and special care was being taken to prevent civilian casualties.
The delegation including Mr. Akashi met Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickremanayake at his office yesterday. The premier told the delegation that a solution acceptable to all will be found through the All Party Conference. Mr. Akashi expressed his satisfaction regarding measures taken by the government.
Mr.Akashi also met Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama at the Foreign Ministry yesterday and discussed post CFA development and Japan’s role as well as the prospects for peace and development in Sri Lanka.
Mr. Akashi was accompanied by Japanese Ambassador Kiyoshi Araki and senior officials from Tokyo.
Minister Bogollagama welcomed Mr. Akashi and expressed appreciation for the interest taken by Japan in the context of its role as a co-chair as well as a valued bilateral partner for the country.
Minister recalled the meeting in Tokyo in December 2007 between President Mahinda Rajapakse and Japanese Prime Minister Yashuvo Fukuda during which the two leaders discussed Sri Lanka’s peace process and the assurance of the government’s continued commitment to a political solution of the conflict.

No plans to close schools

Military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara says there are no plans whatsoever to close schools.
He dismissed speculations that are being spread regarding this. The brigadier requests the parents not to get carried away by these types of false speculations.
He said the government decided to close schools yesterday since the Thaipongal day falls today. Meanwhile, Ministry of Education says all academic activities of schools will be conducted as usual from tomorrow.
The government has also implemented a special security programme to ensure the safety of the school children. The Police and army are jointly carrying out this security programme. The military spokesperson called for the cooperation of parents and teachers to make the programme a success.

Hindus celebarate the Thaipongal festival

Hindus celebrate the Thaipongal festival, a post harvest religious event to thank the gods for an abundant harvest. Sri Lankan Hindus to dedicate the Thai Pongal Day as a day of prayer for the people's salvation.
Thai Pongal is the traditional sacred day of all Hindus. It is a long standing tradition for the Hindus to remember the Sun God with gratitude, make pongal and offer to Him on the Thai Pongal Day. It has been the belief for centuries that with the dawn of the month of Thai there will be a way paved for everything. Meanwhile President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in his Thaipongal greeting message that Sri Lanka's Hindus join their fellow religionists the world over, today, to celebrate Thaipongal, the most popular of the Hindu festivals of Sri Lanka. He further said their celebrations will continue the traditions and rituals of the Pongal, which falls on the first day of the month of Thai according to Tamil calendar. This twice hallowed event is a festival of the Sun - the harbinger of good harvests, and a harvest festival celebrated after the farmers have reaped the rewards of hard work in the field.
In observing the traditions of Thaipongal, the Hindus of Sri Lanka will show their commitment to protecting a rich cultural heritage, and in keeping with the spirit of revival and re-dedication that is part of this festival, they will also look to the future with hope and optimism, shared by all people of our country.
President wishes the Hindus of Sri Lanka a happy Thaipongal and join them in their hopes for peace, prosperity, and greater trust and understanding in the coming year.

Concerns mount for Safety of Journalists in Sri Lanka

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is concerned by reports of disturbing details surrounding threats made by a group of people against the general secretary of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) and Silumina provincial news editor, Poddala Jayantha, at his home.
The registration number of one of the vehicles used by members of the group during the incident was traced to Matara police station, according to Free Media Movement (FMM), an affiliate of the IFJ.
FMM reported that about 3am on January 7, a group of people dressed in civilian clothes arrived at Mr Jayantha’s house in a police jeep and a white van. The group claimed to be from the police and demanded entry to the home of Mr Jayantha, who has been at the forefront of the struggle for press freedom in Sri Lanka’s rapidly deteriorating human rights environment.
Aware that journalists and press freedom defenders had been receiving death threats in the previous two weeks, Mr Jayantha’s wife refused the group entry. The group threatened to use force and Mrs Jayantha called upon neighbours, who quickly gathered at the household. The group then retreated to their vehicles, according to FMM.
A witness at the scene noted the vehicles’ registration numbers. The police jeep was traced to Matara police station. However, FMM reports that Matara police said the vehicle had not been released for any search and arrest operations and no search operation had been ordered in the area.
In a similar incident in December, three people claiming to be telephone officials visited the home of photojournalist Anuruddha Lokuhapuarachchi while he was at work. One of the three left a police identity document claiming the group was from the intelligence service. Inquiries made by FMM suggested no police intelligence officers had visited Mr Lokuhapuarachchi’s home.
On December 27, Sri Lanka’s Labour Minister, Mervyn Silva, physically and verbally abused officials of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC). According to news reports, Mr Silva assaulted SLRC’s news director, TMG Chandrasekara, at the premises of the public television broadcaster.
IFJ General Secretary Aidan White sent a letter to Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on January 10, expressing the IFJ’s grave concern about the escalation of attacks against journalists of all backgrounds in Sri Lanka. In the letter, the IFJ called upon President Rajapaksa to enforce the United Nations Security Council Resolution to Protect Journalists Reporting in War Zones and Crisis Areas, which was adopted by the UN Security Council in 2006.
IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said the harassment of journalists by authorities must be taken very seriously and she called for an immediate government inquiry into Mr Jayantha’s case.
“The situation for journalists is deteriorating in Sri Lanka since the Government formally withdrew from the ceasefire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on January 2 and is deeply concerning to the IFJ,” she said.
“Recent attacks against the media by government officials and authorities are unacceptable and undermine the essential role of journalists to hold public figures and authorities accountable for their actions. The Government must make a solid commitment to protect media personnel and enshrine their right to protection within the law.”

Poddala goes to the HRC

Secretary, Sri Lanka Working Journalists' Association, Poddala Jayantha will lodge an official complaint against the Matara police at the Human Rights Commission this week.
Jayantha who survived an attempt to abduct him last Monday, said that the situation was very serious and he did not trust the police and added he could not depend on the investigations carried out by them.
"I do not think that an impartial inquiry into the incident will be carried out," he said.
The Free Media Movement (FMM) expressed its shock over the attempt to abduct Jayantha and stated that the police was engaged in undercover operations to harass, intimidate and abduct media personnel.
The FMM also cited the incident where three persons had visited the residence of Reuters photo journalist Anurudda Lokuhappuarachchi disguised as telephone technicians early last month.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said there had been a serious deterioration in media freedom following the government's withdrawal from the CFA on January 2.
The IFJ's annual report for 2007 on journalists killed around the world, Tragedy Unlimited, highlighted Sri Lanka as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for practicing journalists, with six killed in 2007.
The IFJ also stated that statements made by Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda against Shakthi TV's popular talk show Minnal and its presenter J. Sri Ranga were very serious.
"Minister Devananda labeled the presenter a traitor and accused him of being a terrorist working with the LTTE," it said.

GOVERNMENT’S PLANS NEGLECT BUILDING TRUST

by Jehan Perera
After its precipitous decision to abrogate the Ceasefire Agreement with the LTTE, the government has embarked on a campaign to demonstrate its interest in a political solution to the ethnic conflict.
But this is going to be an uphill task at a time when the government has cranked up its preparations for war to a maximum with its nationalist allies in Parliament who give it crucial support to maintain its parliamentary majority. The political accommodations and trust building necessary to generate an acceptable political solution do not fit well with the ethnic nationalism necessary to prosecute the war against the LTTE to a finish.
This is a problem that the government headed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga also faced when it waged its ultimately unsuccessful “War for Peace” from 1995 to 2001 on a two fold platform of war and political reform. One prong tended to undercut the other. It was pointed out that having government-sponsored peace plays in schools did not help when it came to recruiting youth into the armed forces.
At the same time, atrocities committed on the military battlefields or due to terror strikes served to harden sentiment against political compromise. President Kumaratunga’s personal commitment to the devolution of power as a solution to the ethnic conflict helped to maintain a balance. Such a balance is not evident at the present time.
So far the government’s maximum offer appears to be limited to one of full implementation of the existing Provincial Council system that was established two decades ago in 1987 as an outcome of the Indo Lanka Peace Accord.
Unfortunately the 20 year experience of the Provincial Council system is that it has been deficient as a means of devolving real power to the regions. The two key requirements of genuine devolution of power have not been found within the 13th Amendment that set up the Provincial Councils. The first is that decision making power that is devolved should not be undermined by actions of the central government.
The second is the provision of adequate resources to enable the regional authorities to make a real difference to the life of the people. In addition, the radical element within the 13th Amendment that gave it a new dimension of power sharing was the notion of the temporary merger of the Northern and Eastern provinces. Successive governments did not wish to disturb that merger because they realized it represented the most important compromise between those who had fought to divide the country and those who fought to keep it united.
Today, however, the possibility of the 13th Amendment being the basis of a solution to the ethnic conflict is further undermined by the de-merger of the two provinces last year. Therefore, in the present circumstances of the Northern and Eastern provinces being de-merged and the government stepping up its military offensive in the north, the prospects of any sort of political solution are extremely bleak.
The prospect that faces the country is escalated warfare without any agreement on the political solution. The mere promise of full implementation of the 13th Amendment is unlikely to evoke a positive response either from the Tamil community, the international community or those sections of the Sri Lankan polity who have not been co-opted by the government. However, the government continues to act as if believes that the international community will acquiesce in its plans to bring the ethnic conflict to an end after defeating the LTTE on the military battlefield. The government appears to be counting on the international antipathy to terrorist entities as epitomized in the US-led global “War against Terrorism” and to the near total loss of international sympathy for the LTTE.
It appears that at the present time the LTTE has no external support for itself except from the Tamil diaspora. On the other hand, the desire for the negation of the LTTE’s war machine must not become a license for the suppression of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and their long unfulfilled aspiration for equality, power sharing and regional autonomy in the north and east of Sri Lanka. The ruling party headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa initially proposed District Councils last year as the solution to the ethnic conflict and is now proposing Provincial Councils. This highlights the lack of empathy for community rights that remain as Tamil aspirations. The system of District Councils was tried in 1981 and failed and was replaced by the system of Provincial Councils in 1987 that has not succeeded either.
The other aspect that cannot be accepted is the violation of the individual rights of the Tamil people. A few months ago there was a sharp build up of public opinion and media coverage about the kidnapping and ransom taking from Tamil people in Colombo and other parts of the country. After the high profile arrest of some suspects with government connections and the gradual diminishing of media coverage of these stories, it seemed that the problem of ransom taking and kidnapping in Colombo, at least, had gone away.
But it appears that this was not the case. There continue to be allegations of ransom taking and threats of kidnapping that terrify sections of the Tamil community, even those living in Colombo. A mere telephone call threatening to kidnap a family member results in money being paid as ransom. There is a grievous lack of confidence in the ability and willingness of the Police to check this type of crime among the members of the Tamil community.
As a result many Tamils are said to be paying the ransom and not speaking about it to anyone. Others who feel that if they have been targeted once they will be targeted again and again are even leaving the country. On the positive side, the Police are presently trying to improve their relations with the general public. A recent development is the appointment of police officers charged with improving community relations.
An initiative by one of the police stations in the Colombo area to summon a meeting of residents in that area suggested their positive desire to build good relations between the community and the police. The issues raised by the residents revolved around registration requirements to safeguard themselves when there are search and arrest operations. But another issue that was raised at the meeting that I attended was that men in plainclothes, calling themselves CID intelligence officers, would stop Tamils even in broad daylight and question and search them. This could be a license for harassment and abuse.
Even criminal elements can claim to be from the CID and get people to open the door to them, or ask people to hand over their personal belongings, such as their wallets or handbags, to be inspected. An ordinary citizen, especially if Tamil, faced with such a request would be inclined to comply as the risk of being defiant might mean incarceration in a police cell somewhere in the city, or even far outside, as recently occurred during the mass arrests of Tamils in Colombo. Trust in the institutions of governance and in those vested with positions of authority is the glue that holds society together.
A government that is unwilling, or unable, to ensure the fullest protection for its law abiding Tamil citizens is not only unworthy to govern the country, it will be unable to win the confidence of the Tamil people in its proposed political solution.
A government that is unwilling and unprepared to stop the violation of individual rights of Tamil people, even in Colombo, will not be trusted to find the way to ensuring the community rights of the Tamil people, which has been their struggle with a succession of governments for the past sixty years, since Sri Lanka received Independence from the British.

Government increases fuel prices

The Petroleum Corporation says the prices of fuel in the world market has soared up by hundred percent during the last year.
By February 2007 a barrel pf crude oil was at 50 dollars and it increased up hundred dollars by November. The corporation added that such a rapid increase of fuel prices cannot be tolerated to a non-fuel producing country like Sri Lanka.
In an communiqué issued by the Corporation stated though the prices in the world market had increased by 100 percent it was not increased relatively in the local market. The corporation had paid special attention towards the cost of living and economic of the country when revising the prices. According to the communiqué, corporation has maintained the fuel prices unchanged during past five months.
The corporation says it has now increased the fuel prices to face the price hike in the world market. Accordingly, price of petrol has increased by 10 rupees a liter placing it at 127 rupees. The new prices of a auto diesel liter is at 80 rupees.
A liter of kerosene oil has increased by two rupees and the new prices is 70 rupees. A liter furnace oil has increased up to 56 rupees and 65 cents.

SL plans to improve diplomatic services

Measures are being taken to improve diplomatic services provided to Sri Lankans working in the Middle East.
Accordingly, the number of welfare officers deployed to Sri Lankan Embassies in the Middle East will be increased.
The Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion is taking measures to this effect. The Ministry is now undertaking a comprehensive study in this regard.
At present only 20 officers engage in welfare activities at Sri Lankan Embassies in the Middle East.
Nearly 1.5 million Sri Lankans work in the Middle East arising the need for higher number of welfare officers.

‘Little Pakistan’ expo in town

Pakistan - Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA) which was signed in 2002 has opened new avenues in bilateral relations giving preferential market access to each other’s exports by way of tariff concessions.
Taking the concept forward, Pakistan Exhibition 2008 also known as the ‘Little Pakistan’ organised by the Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan was inaugurated recently in Colombo showcasing its quality products at the BMICH.
“The aim of the exhibition is to promote Pakistan - Sri Lanka economic relations by diversifying the existing trade patterns thus introducing vide range of quality Pakistan products to the Sri Lanka market for the first time with the prominent business and trade exhibiting sectors representing textiles, leather products, sports, surgical goods, hospital and pharmaceutical equipment, cosmetics, furniture, handicrafts, cutlery good gem and jewelry items and much more. More than 100 Pakistani trading and manufacturing companies are participating in this exhibition,” stated High Commission sources.
Currently Sri Lankan businessmen enjoy duty free market access on 206 products exported to Pakistan which includes rubber, tea, and coconut. Pakistan in return has gained access to 102 products including oranges, basmati rice, and other engineering goods.
According to industry sources, there has been an increase of volume in exports made from Pakistan to Sri Lanka from US $ 97 million in 2003-04 to US $ 200 million in 2006-07 against US $ 71 million exports from Sri Lanka to Pakistan in 2006-07. By 2010 both countries have also agreed to lay each other’s markets virtually open to thousands of local products.

Lanka bell CDMA adds BMS, FMS

CDMA technology, with which pioneer operator Lanka Bell made over-the-counter ‘fixed line’ connections possible in Sri Lanka, is now being harnessed to provide value-added information services to business and residential users by the CDMA market leader.
From exchange rates and local and international news to horoscopes and the latest Hollywood and Bollywood gossip, Lanka Bell users now have access to real time business and fun information via SMS on their CDMA phones, with the launch of BMS (Business Message Service) and FMS (Fun Message Service).
Key words sent to 1588 from any Lanka Bell CDMA phone open up an amazing array of information that is transmitted to the phone within seconds, adding value to what was originally a simple phone connection.
For those using BMS, on offer are updates on local news, international news, exchange rates, Sri Lankan flight information, business news, financial news and the weather.
FMS users may choose from cricket scores, sports news, horoscopes, jokes, news and gossip from Bollywood and Hollywood including the top 10 movies, reviews, the top 10 songs in Hollywood and Bollywood, the top 10 songs on the Sinhala charts, useful tips and quotes.
“The possibilities are endless,” said Lanka Bell Managing Director Suren Goonewardene. “Lanka Bell phones are no longer just a utility.
The value-added services make them amazingly versatile, and a great source of entertainment.”
Each BMS or FMS request will cost just Rs 4 plus VAT, making the service easily affordable to Lanka Bell’s 700,000 plus subscribers, he said.
Earlier this year, Lanka Bell became the first ‘fixed-line’ telecommunications company in Sri Lanka to offer voice-based short messaging with the launch of ‘Bell Voice SMS’ a unique new fun service that enables owners of Lanka Bell CDMA phones to record send voice messages to any network, fixed or mobile, for the first time in Sri Lanka.

No military solution to Sri Lankan conflict - Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Conference

The Tokyo Co-Chairs (Norway, Japan, US and EU) jointly express their strong concerns about the termination of the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement by the Government of Sri Lanka. These concerns have already been expressed in individual statements.

The Co-Chairs support a continued Norwegian role as facilitator.

The Co-Chairs emphasize their belief that there is no military solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka, and reiterate their support for a negotiated settlement. Thus they

- urge the Government of Sri Lanka to finalise a politically sustainable devolution plan;

- urge all parties to comply with their obligations under international law to protect civilians and allow access by humanitarian aid agencies to populations in need;

- express deep concern about the human rights situation and protection of civilians in Sri Lanka, and call for continued monitoring of the human rights situation by such means as to assure an appropriate role for the UN;

- request the Government of Sri Lanka provide access to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Kilinochchi for representatives of the Co-Chairs and the facilitator.

Don’t throw away your newly born child-says Dep. of Probation

The Department of Probation and Childcare says if a couple has a difficulty in looking after a child, they can hand it over to the Department soon after its birth.

Commissioner of Probation and Childcare Sarath Abeygunawardena says such parents could inform their need to the hospital authorities where the child was born.
The Director General Health Services has issued a circular pertaining to this to each hospital in the country. Those who wish to obtain a baby to look after can also contact the Department of Probation and Childcare.
Mr. Abeygunawardena said the department provided 900 babies to such foster parents.

Fighter jets successfully launched an attack on a sea tiger base

The Sri Lanka Air Force says the fighter jets of the SLAF have successfully launched an attack on a sea tiger base in Alampil Nayaru in Mullativu around 8.45 this morning, destroying the terrorist hiding place.
It has also been reported that 28 terrorists were killed in security forces attacks in the past 24 hours. 20 others were seriously injured . Ten of the terrorists were killed when the army commando unit launched an attack in Parappakandal north in Mannar this morning. Four terrorist bunker were completely destroyed and corpses of three female tiger terrorist cadres were found . Meanwhile Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara says a special security programme is being implemented centering schools in Colombo city. This spokesman says the parents have no need to create unnecessary fears regarding safety of their children as the army and police jointly conduct the security programme. HE also points out that however it is the responsibility of parents and teachers to remain vigilant on the items brought to schools by the children.

Cost of Living Allowance will be paid for the government officers

Director of Establishments of the Ministry of Public Administration M.A.Dharmadasa said that it is possible to include the Cost of Living Allowance proposed by the recent budget to Government Servants, from the January salary itself.
Accordingly, the Cost of Living Allowance of Government servants will be 2500 Rupees from this month. Earlier it was 2125 Rupees.
Mr. Dharmadasa added that the Treasury is likely to give its approval in this regard today. The relevant circular will be issued after receiving Treasury approval.
The Director also said the Pensioners are also entitled to half of the Cost of Living Allowance.
He further said employees in State Corporations and Statutory Bodies are also eligible to receive the increased allowance.

More than 70,000 children affected by floods in Eastern Sri Lanka

Five days' torrential rain in Ampara and Batticaloa districts of Sri Lankahas led to over 28,000 people fleeing their homes to avoid the deluge. Save the Children is already responding to families who have been affected by the flooding, many of whom had previously been displaced by conflict.
In Ampara alone more than 65,000 families, including 70,000 children, have been affected and nearly 13,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed. More than 40,000 of those affected by the floods in Batticaloa were already living in welfare camps after they had been forced to flee from their homes to avoid conflict in Sri Lanka's eastern province which saw an increase in hostilities between the government forces and the LTTE.
Save the Children is already distributing supplies, including 1,000 tarpaulins for shelter and 5,000 bed sheets and plastic mats. More staff are on the way to the emergency zone and will be distributing packets of high-energy cereal for 10,000 children.
Children's education has been badly affected with schools closed because they are damaged by flooding or are being used as temporary shelters for homeless families. Save the Children is focussed on getting children back to school and is providing kits to clean up damaged schools.
David Sathananthan, district manager for Ampara said: "The floods have caused immense damage over a massive area. Homes have been destroyed, rice crops washed away and fishing businesses disrupted leaving families struggling to get by. Children are the most vulnerable in any emergency. The big risks for these children in Sri Lankaare a shortage of food and drinking water and the danger of disease from being around so much dirty water."
Save the Children is also responding to floods in Mozambique. These two weather-related emergencies are the first of many the aid agency expects to respond to this year. In a report in April 2007 Save the Children predicted that in the next decade, up to 175 million children were likely to be affected every year by the kinds of natural disasters brought about by climate change.

Negotiations , sole path to peace in Sri Lanka

“Pope has a special place for the people of Sri Lanka in his heart and in his Christmas message he did mention the need to seek peace through negotiation in Sri Lanka by all parties concerned,” Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Mario Zinari, the Papal representative for Sri Lanka said in an event Wednesday in Jaffna handing over 150 houses built by HUDEC to Tsunami victims, sources in Jaffna said.
Rev. Harlold Anthony, Bishop of Galle Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundranayagam, Bishop of Jaffna and Jaffna Government Agent, K. Ganesh took part in the event, the sources added.
“Pope has never failed to stress the need to find a peaceful solution through negotiation on all Sri Lanka related emissaries seeking audience with him,” the Papal representative added.
“Permanent peace free of war should be achieved through negotiation and all parties should engage in meaningful talks,” he further said.
Rev. Harold Anthony, the Bishop of Galle said that Tsunami relief efforts should serve as a link bridging the people in the South and North and that he could understand the true feelings of the people of Jaffna peninsula.
“Constructive results could only be realized through dedicated efforts by all concerned,” he said.
“Foreign diplomats, ministers and their staff travel in bullet proof vehicles in Colombo while persons like us looking after the needs of the poor manage to serve using ordinary means of travel,” the Bishop of Galle mentioned in his speech.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundranayagam, Bishop of Jaffna said in his speech residents of coastal villages in Jaffna, particularly the people of Ma’natkaadu, had to suffer due to the disinterest of the high government officials handling the rehabilitation projects.
When HUDEC offered to build houses for the Tsunami vicitims of Ma’natkaadu the officials had not encouraged the move saying that other international and local NGOs were ready to build houses, and now those NGOs have left the peninsula and it is the affected people who are the losers, Jaffna Bishop further said.
HUDEC is a partner organization of SEDEC (Social & Economic Development) Caritas – Sri Lanka, which is the main body of Caritas Organizations in Sri Lanka, and networks with 13 sister organizations of Caritas in each district.
Though a number of other Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) commenced reconstruction of Tsunami affected homes in Vadamaraadchi East and Vadamaraadchi North, many of the NGOs later abandoned the projects while only a handful of organizations including HUDEC continued to complete the construction. Treasuries yields will continue to ease.

Tamil Tigers ask for ceasefire

AFP

Tamil Tiger rebels said on Thursday they were ready to implement a ceasefire, even though the Sri Lankan government has abandoned a peace deal, and urged Norway to maintain its mediating role.
"The LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) wishes to state that even at this juncture, it is ready to implement every clause of the CFA (ceasefire) agreement and respect it 100 percent," a statement from the rebels said.
"We also request that Norway should continue with its facilitation role with the support of the international community," it added.
The LTTE — listed as a "terrorist" organisation by the United States and European Union — also appealed to the international community to "accept the just aspirations of the Tamil people, and recognise the right of the Tamil people to live with self-determination in their homeland."
In its first public reaction to the Sri Lankan government's decision last week to quit the tattered February 2002 truce, the Tigers said they were "shocked" and "disappointed" with Colombo's decision.
It showed that the government was not interested in a negotiated political settlement, the Tigers said.
"The abrogation by the government of Sri Lanka of the unprecedented nearly six-year-long ceasefire has clearly demonstrated that it will never permit the Tamil people to live with freedom in their homeland," the Tigers said.
The statement came after the head of the LTTE's political wing, B. Nadesan, met with the outgoing Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) chief Lars Solveberg.
Sri Lanka's government announced last week the Norwegian-led SLMM will be wound up with the formal ending of the truce on 16 January.
Nadesan asked Solveberg to inform the international community that they should lift the ban on the Tigers, as there was no prospect of any negotiations with the Sri Lankan government.
"The international community must understand this, and immediately remove the bans it has placed on the LTTE, believing the false propaganda of the government of Sri Lanka," the Tigers said.
Six rounds of direct peace talks and two further rounds aimed at saving the truce ended in October 2006, leaving the 2002 truce in tatters. More than 6000 people have been killed in fighting in the past two years alone, according to government figures.

SLMM Head of Mission meets LTTE Political Head

The SLMM Head of Mission, Lars Johan Solveberg, met the LTTE Political Head, B Nadeson, as part of the SLMM winding-up operation on Thursday. The SLMM is in the process of winding-up its operation in the island by 16th of this month as ruled by the Government of Sri Lanka.
The LTTE Political Head handed a statement signed by him to the SLMM Head of Mission. A similar signed statement was also give to the Norwegian Foreign Ministry through the SLMM Head of Mission.
The text of the press release by the LTTE Political Wing based on the signed statement handed today is follows:
10 January 2008
Press release
LTTE Political Division
It is time for the international community to recognize the just struggle of the Tamil nation
We are shocked and disappointed that the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has unilaterally abrogated the Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) signed in 2002 between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the GoSL with Norway’s facilitation. The GoSL was forced to sign the CFA in 2002 after the LTTE brought about a military balance of power through a series of large scale military victories. The CFA was thus signed on 22 February 2002 by the two sides.
The CFA was signed with the expectation that it will form the basis for bringing normalcy to the Tamil homeland that was devastated by the GoSL military offensives and for creating permanent peace.
The CFA agreement had the necessary clauses, to remove the military zones declared by the Sri Lankan military, to facilitate the resettlement of the Tamil people in their land, to reopen the A9 Jaffna-Kandy highway and the Chenkaladi-Badulla highway, to vacate the schools and places of worship that are occupied by the Sri Lankan military, and to remove all fishing restrictions.
The LTTE not only reiterated: at the peace talks, during meeting with international VIPs and in their many press reports, that the CFA must be implemented 100% , they also took constructive steps within their power to achieve the same. However, the GoSL and its military failed to implement the CFA clauses within the timeframes indicated in the CFA and bring normalcy in the life of the Tamil people. Despite this, the LTTE faithfully took part in six rounds of peace talks from September 2002 till March 2003, and brought to the notice of the Norwegians, the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission (SLMM), and the international community, the continued CFA violations by the GoSL and its military. The GoSL also put hurdles in the implementation of the agreements made at the peace talks such as the agreement on the implementation of the subcommittee on immediate humanitarian and rehabilitation needs and the agreement on the implementation of the subcommittee for de-escalation and normalcy. Through these actions the GoSL weakened the peace efforts.
The LTTE was forced to temporarily withdraw from the peace talks as a result of the failure to implement the CFA 100%, the failure to implement the agreements reached at the peace talks, and the failure to maintain parity of status of one party to the CFA, the LTTE.
The LTTE still desisted from withdrawing from the CFA and the peace efforts but continued with its efforts through Norway’s facilitation to seek ways to find a permanent peace for the Tamil people. As such, with the view to give new life to the peace efforts, and to bring normalcy in the life of the Tamil people, the LTTE reiterated that the GoSL must put forward a proposal to setup an interim administration for the Tamil homeland to undertake rehabilitation and reconstruction of the area subjected to devastation of the war. However, the proposals put forward by the GoSL did not contain even the very basic powers needed to resolve the daily problems faced by the Tamil people. Therefore, the LTTE, with Norway’s facilitation, and with the input from legal experts from many countries, put forward the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) proposal. The GoSL refused even accept it as a basis for further talks. Thus the efforts taken by the LTTE on request from Norway and the international community failed to be fruitful. In the same vein, the P-TOMS agreement signed to undertake reconstruction work after the tsunami devastation was also thrown into the dustbin as has become the tradition of the GoSL.
With no regard to the CFA, the GoSL began undertaking large scale military offensives creating immense human misery in the Tamil homeland. Despite this, respecting the wishes of Norway and the international community that the CFA must be strengthened and the two sides must take part in direct talks, the LTTE took part in two direct talks in Geneva in 2006. Even in these two direct talks in Geneva, the LTTE reiterated over and over again that the CFA must be implemented 100%. The LTTE also expressed its readiness to implement the CFA 100% on its side and requested the GoSL to implement, on a humanitarian basis for the sake of the more than 400,000 people trapped in the open prison that is Jaffna, the just one clause in the CFA about the opening of the A9 highway. The GoSL rejected this humanitarian call and as a result the peace efforts again came to a stand still. The LTTE did not take any decision to withdraw from the CFA agreement even when the GoSL assassinated the leader of the LTTE peace delegation, S P Tamilselvan, in November 2007.
The GoSL, without any justifications, has now unilaterally withdrawn from the CFA. The LTTE wishes to state that even at this juncture, it is ready to implement every clause of the CFA agreement and respect it 100%. We also request that Norway should continue with its facilitation role with the support of the international community.
History is replete with examples of the GOSL abrogation of pacts that were made to bring permanent peace for the Tamil people. The abrogation by the GoSL of the unprecedented nearly six year long CFA has clearly demonstrated that the GoSL will never permit the Tamil people to live with freedom in their homeland.
Therefore, the international community must understand this, and immediately remove the bans it has placed on the LTTE believing the false propaganda of the GoSL, accept the just aspirations of the Tamil people, and recognize the right of the Tamil people to live with self-determination in their homeland.

Draft on the proposals of the APRC before the Parliament prior to end of this month

Draft on the final proposals of the APRC before the Parliament prior to end of this month

The draft on the final proposals of the All Party Representatives Committee is scheduled to be presented to President Mahinda Rajapakse on the 23rd of this month.
The President at a special discussion to find an acceptable political solution to the Ethnic problem at the Temple Trees yesterday has requested the chairman of the Committee to hand over the proposals on this day.
The meeting was attended by committee representatives as well as political party leaders and representatives of political parties not representing the Parliament.
It has been pointed at the meeting that the committee has met 57 times during the past one and a half years.
The President has stated at yesterday’s meeting that the committee should present proposals which could be implemented practically.

SL Parliament pays tribute to Muralitharan

Sri Lanka parliament has paid tribute to world super spinner Muttiah Muralidaran and Sri Lanka cricket team . All party leaders have congratulated the team which turned up at the parliament.
Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickremanayake said the Muttiah Muralidaran has brought immense honour to the country through cricket. Leader of the opposition Ranil Wickremasinghe pointed out the Sri Lanka team has been able to register its supremacy in the world cricket map within two decades. Member Wimal Weerawansa said the Sri Lankan cricket team was able to establish Sri Lankan identity. Member Arjuna Ranathunga said it has been pleasure to felicitate Muttiah Muralidaran who had played test cricket with him.
Member Rauf Hakeem said all could expressed satisfaction on the Sri Lankan team without any differences.
Speaker, minister Professor Tissa Vitharana and chairman of the committee of deputies Ramalingam Chandrasekeran also extended their best wishes.

Culture of Violence Threatens to Engulf Whole Country

The assassination of Minister of Nation Building D M Dassanayake by a suspected LTTE claymore mine in a suburb of Colombo while on his way to Parliament has come within a week of the assassination of Opposition Parliamentarian T Maheswaran , said the National Peace Council.
The National Peace Council condemns this latest mindless killing of an elected politician, and the incidental deaths and injuries to civilians in the vicinity, which will further consolidate the culture of violence in the country and may be an indication of mayhem to follow. Minister Dassanayake was essentially a provincial politician not playing any key role in the government nor was he in the front line of the prosecution of the war or an important protagonist in the ethnic conflict.
His killing therefore suggests that any government politician can become a target for assassination by the LTTE. In addition, that same day another claymore mine exploded in the vicinity of the Air Force Headquarters in Colombo, apparently targeting the Air Force Commander who had passed by a few minutes earlier. This followed the killing two days earlier of the LTTE’s internal intelligence head in an ambush by government forces. All these attacks have come in the immediate aftermath of the government’s termination of the Ceasefire Agreement, confirming the country’s continuing downward fall into violence.
The government claims that it has weakened the LTTE through military operations in the north, but we need to ask the question whether it can ensure safety and security for the civilian population who live in the north and east and elsewhere. The people of the north in particular are in great apprehension about the collateral damage that is being and can be inflicted on them. We also fear that even if the government regains LTTE-held territory through military means, its inability to halt guerilla attacks within the north and east and outside it will sooner or later lead to a situation of mutual destruction.
Therefore we believe that the sooner the conflicting parties decide to negotiate a new Ceasefire Agreement and arrive at a negotiated political solution, the more lives will be saved.
End

CCI to provide trained manpower to International market

Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka in association with Bioforce Development Institute of France has been conducting construction craftsmen training through its training centres in Balapitiya, Matara and Kalutara while in collaboration with Southern Development Authority at Thamaduwa in the Hambantota district.
These training centres which are accredited by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) have been training construction craftsmen to achieve NVQ level III proficiency. CCI is also conducting short courses and assessment of proficiency for those already in the industry.
Those who desire to obtain internationally recognized qualifications are also provided opportunities to obtain City and Guilds accreditation.In addition, CCI in collaboration with Skills International (Pvt) Ltd has been engaged in training of technicians for City & Guilds Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma Levels giving opportunities for young people who have not been able to enter the University to become construction professionals in a short period of 24 months.Trainees at all levels are provided with on the job training and employment placement in order to benefit the most vulnerable sectors of the society.
Chamber having pioneered the promotion of Export of Construction Related Services including contracting will now enhance its training capacity to satisfy the manpower requirements of Sri Lankan companies which have secured contracts and business leads in the State of Qatar.
CCI, a non profit organization representing every stakeholder of the industry and founded by all institutions and associations of construction professionals conduct training programmes not only at no cost to the trainees but also remunerate the trainee with a living wage during the training period.
A Spoksman for the Chamber said that it has offered its services to the Foreign Employment Bureau of Sri Lanka and a response is awaited.

Witnessess of the T.Maheswaran's case failed to idetify the key suspect

Witnesses of the murder case of MP T. Maheshwaran were failed to identify the key suspect who was arrested in connection with the incident.
The suspect named Jonstan Collin Valantino was produced to an identification parade today at the Colombo Magistrate Court amidst tight security.
The two witnesses declared before the court that they could not identify the suspect. The Colombo Crime Division produced the suspect before the additional magistrate of Colombo Ravindra Premarathna and obtained permission to further detain him.

SL: and Qatar signed a MOU

Sri Lanka and Qatar signed today an MOU which will provide more job opportunities to Sri Lankan migrant workers.
Minister Keheliya Rambukwella signed the agreement on behalf of the Sri Lankan government. The other signatory party to this agreement was Minister of labour and social services of Qatar Dr. Sultan Hassan Dausari who is now in the island.
The Qatari Minister said 200 thousand Sri Lankans will get jobs in Qatar by the end of this year. Currently, nearly 50 thousand Sri Lankans are working in Qatar. Under the MOU, a special committee will be appointed to look into the job security, salary scales, welfare and medical facilities of Sri Lankan migrant workers in Qatar.

SL forces kill Batti district leader

The Special Task Force around 12.45 in the Chaukade area killed Batticaloa district leader of the LTTE Shankar in an attack this afternoon.
The STF received information that the terrorist was hiding in the refugee camp in Chaukade. He has attempted to hurl a hand grenade at STF officers when they were there to arrest him. The LTTE leader was killed in retaliatory fire of the STF.
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said it was confirmed that the terrorist has come to the area to launch claymore mine attacks to the troops in the eastern province. He said Shankar was responsible for many terror attacks against the security forces.

Late Minister’s funeral on Saturday

The body of assassinated Minister D.M. Dasanayaka will be taken to his residence in Anamaduwa on Wednesday.
The motorcade carrying his mortal remains will proceed from Jayarathne Funeral Parlour in Borella. His supporters and people in the area are ready to accept the body at Thoppuwa junction in Kochchikade. The body will lie for public respect at his residence until Saturday. The funeral will take place on Saturday in Anamaduwa.
A special discussion regarding the funeral arrangement will be held today under the patronage of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.
Minister D.M. Dasanayake started his political career in 1970 as an active member of the SLFP. At the time of his death he was 54 years and held the ministerial portfolio of Nation Building.
Meanwhile, his bodyguard who scarified life along with the Minister, police sergeant K.D. Rathnayake has been posthumously promoted to the post of Sub Inspector.
His funeral will take place at his residence in Kumbukwewa area in Nikaweratiya electorate on Thursday.
End

India launches a special security programme

India has launched special security programme along the country’s southern coastal belt following the Sri Lankan government’s abolition of ceasefire agreement and intensifying the military operations against the LTTE in the Wanni area.
The main objective of this move is to arrest the Tigers who are fleeing from Wanni to Tamilnadu. Accordingly, a Navy war ship manned by special Commandos has been deployed for patrolling in the Tamilnadu coastal area. India has so far deployed six war ships to beef up security in the southern coastal belt.

SL President Condemns D.M’s assassination

President Mahinda Rajapakse strongly condemns murder of Minister D.M. Dassanayake. He was killed in a claymore bomb attack in Ja-Ela yesterday, while arriving for parliamentary sessions.
The President appreciates the services rendered by the late Minister in the capacity of Nation Building. He was instrumental in fulfilling shortcomings in several districts including in Vavuniya within a short period through implementation of the “Gama Neguma” programme. Late minister D.M. Dassanayaka entered parliament from the Anamaduwa electorate in 1994. He has also held several deputy minister portfolios. He was also the chief SLFP organiser for Anamaduwa.

A bomb blasts near Lake House

Bomb blast occured near Lake house around 7.50 pm ,about six minutes after Airforce Commander Air Marshal Roshan Goonetileke’s motorcade passed the spot.Bomb was hidden in a telephone booth, the military said.
However no casualities .The Police said some roads were closed near lakehouse due to investigations.
End

Phone records of LTTE ‘sympathisers’ reveal Bangalore numbers; cops probe city links

The mobile logs of the two LTTE supporters arrested in Mangalore last Saturday show that they frequently called numbers in France, Sri Lanka, Canada and Bangalore.

The police said the two men called a Bangalore number frequelntly. The police suspect the city number belongs to Kumaran, their leader, and are now trying to trace him.

“Their call logs show frequent calls to numbers in Canada, France and Sri Lanka, and one particular number in Bangalore. We are investigating,” Umesh Seth, an investigating officer from Mangalore, said.

The police have so far discovered that the men were working for a man named Kumaran aka Chinnatambi Uday Kumaran, an Australian citizen who has reportedly recruited many people for the LTTE.

The two men told the police that 30-year-old Kumaran usually met them at a park in Rammurthy Nagar, where they gave him the cash and the gold they had obtained using fake credit cards. He would, in turn, give them a commission, they said.

Intelligence officers suspect this is the same Kumaran who was nabbed in 2002 along with 12 others by V S D’souza, the then ACP, Frazer Town. Kumaran and his associates were granted bail and are now out of jail.

“We cannot rule out the possibility that it is the same Kumaran. We are trying to find out where he is now,” an intelligence officer said.

The Q branch police from Chennai arrived in Mangalore to interrogate Bala Reuben (22) and Jayasheelan (25). The Mangalore police have taken them into custody for 10 days.

“It has been proved that they are LTTE sympathisers. There are many such people in Bangalore. We are interrogating some of them,” said another investigating officer from Bangalore.

SL Police and Army launches a jont operation on Morning blasti

Police and the army are conducting joint investigations into the claymore mine explosion that killed minister D.M. Dassanayaka.
Police spokesman senior DIG N.K. Illangakone said that it is believed that the mine was set in an unused land nearby. The vehicle carrying minister D.M. Dassanayake came under a claymore mine attack in Ja-ela this morning. The minister succumbed to injuries at the Ragama Hospital. The media centre for national security says another person has succumbed to injuries while 12 others are receiving treatment.
Late minister D.M. Dassanayaka entered parliament from the Anamaduwa electorate in 1994. At the time of death he was the minister of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development. He has also held several deputy minister portfolios. End

Minister dies

Nation Building Minister D.M.Dasanayaka was succumbed to his injuries , a short while ago.
A Ministerial convoy carrying Minister D.M. Dasanayake came under suspected LTTE claymore attack near Tudela – Rukmani Devi Junction, 6 km away from the Katunayake International Air Port, on Colombo - Negombo main road, located in Ja-Ela, this morning around 10.35 a.m., while the Minister was proceeding towards Colombo, to attend Parliament.

Eleven persons including five security personnel in the Ministerial Security Division (MSD) serving the convoy were wounded along with the Minister of Nation Building and Development Dasanayake who was inside the car at the time of the blast.

Bomb targets Nation building minister

Nation Building Minister D.M.Dassanayaka and ten others were wounded Tuesday in a roadside bomb explosion in Jaela.

He was in his car when the explosion occured .

"The minister has sustained minor injuries,and hospitalised, the sources said.

End

D.M.Dassanayaka injured due to the Ja-ela bomb blast

Minister D.M.Dassanayaka injured due to a bomb blast occured in Ja-ela.
According to the sources he was admitted to the Ragama Hospital .
The blast occured in this morning.

EU dissapointed on CFA abrogation

Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner on the situation in Sri Lanka said that she deeply disappointed by the Sri Lankan government's decision to abrogate the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement. This decisions risks complicating the already difficult situation in the country.

"I firmly condemn LTTE's recent acts of terror and statements announcing further violence from their side, she said.

As Co-Chair together with Japan , US and Norway we have always held the view that violence is not the appropriate way to solve this conflict. A lasting solution can only come from a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement.
Issuing a press statement she said the EU hopes that the Sri Lankan government will come forward with a substantive devolution offer around which negotiations can start as soon as possible. As the Co-Chairs stated in Japan last year, for an arrangement to be credible to minorities and to serve as a feasible base for negotiations, it needs to go beyond past offers that failed.
End

 

Commission earmarks nearly €370 million in aid to humanitarian hotspots around the globe for 2008

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo
The European Commission has earmarked €369.6 million in humanitarian aid to meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable victims of humanitarian crises around the globe. A series of humanitarian aid decisions has been launched to provide food assistance (€160 million) and humanitarian aid to people in need in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan (€25 million), Colombia (€12 million), as well as the following African countries: Burundi and Tanzania (€20 million), Chad (€17 million), Democratic Republic of Congo (€30 million), Liberia (€15.6 million), Sudan (€70 million) and Uganda (€12 million). €8 million is being provided for a dedicated humanitarian air transport service (ECHO Flight). EU Member States have already approved the Commission proposals for these aid plans and they are now being submitted to the European Parliament for scrutiny.

Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said: "Millions of vulnerable people around the globe are exposed to natural disasters like droughts, floods, earthquakes and armed conflicts. The Commission is continuing to address these humanitarian crises. These latest decisions turn our commitment into a multitude of concrete actions." He added: "Thanks to effective forward planning, we are again starting the year with almost half of the humanitarian budget for 2008 committed to help the often invisible victims of longer term crises. This means we can get help to where it is needed without delay."

The humanitarian aid decisions rely on field-based monitoring and assessment capacity of the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO). A third of ECHO's staff is permanently based in or near crisis zones around the world, providing an ongoing appraisal of humanitarian needs from the field.

The large-scale humanitarian aid operations to be financed by these decisions will be implemented during 2008. The funding will be channelled through the Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), under the responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel. ECHO works with around 200 implementing partners, including non-governmental relief organisations, specialised UN agencies and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement.

This press release only refers to the Commission's humanitarian assistance and does not mention activities going beyond it, especially in the context of Linking Relief, Rehabilitation and Development (LRRD).

End

Only International Community can make a difference in the short term-Dr.Jehan Perera

The government’s decision to abrogate the Ceasefire Agreement was not unexpected. In the last several weeks it was evident that the government would have to arrive at a new accommodation with the JVP if it was to survive. The presentation of the budget in December highlighted the government’s dependence on JVP support to maintain its majority in Parliament. The JVP had publicly made it known that its support would come if the government was prepared to abrogate the Ceasefire Agreement, ban the LTTE and ensure the end of international intervention in the country’s ethnic conflict, said Dr.Jehan Perera, Executive Director of the National Peace Counil.
From the inception of the Ceasefire Agreement in February 2002 the JVP had been its most passionate critic. Using its skills of communication the JVP took the message that the Ceasefire Agreement endangered the unity of the country. One set of arguments that had a deep resonance with the ethnic Sinhalese majority was the point that the agreement conceded too much to the LTTE in terms of formal recognition. In particular the notion of lines of control with large chunks of Sri Lankan territory accepted to be under the LTTE, and the acceptance of two armies was denounced, he said. Another set of arguments that the JVP devised was out of its own reading of international politics.
They claimed that if an agreement lasted for more than five years it could become permanent. The JVP was also able to combine this bizarre theory with the accusation that the Ceasefire Agreement was a cunning device to facilitate negotiations between two countries, one existent and the other incipient. When this was combined with the LTTE’s own violations of the Ceasefire Agreement, which were highlighted in the media and by the government, the case for continuing with it became weak in the eyes of most people. These are some of the factors that account for the widespread acceptance of the abrogation of the Ceasefire Agreement within the polity.
So far the opposition to the abrogation has been muted and virtually drowned out by the acclamations. If the masses of people felt that the continuation of the Ceasefire Agreement, even as an empty shell, gave some sort of guarantee against an all-out escalation of violence, this sentiment was not immediately apparent in either the media or the streets. Even at the time of the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement there were no mass demonstrations in support of it. Now with its demise there has been no mass action to mourn it.
INTERNATIONAL CONCERN
The international reactions to the abrogation of the Ceasefire Agreement, however, have not been muted. While the international response has so far been limited to statements, they have been strong. All of the international statements have expressed disappointment and regret, and highlighted the unfeasibility of the military option that the government appears to be relying on. So far the key international actors to have issued statements include the UN, the US, Canada, the Scandinavian countries, Japan, India, Australia and France. The joint statement issued by the five governments of the Scandinavian bloc made the most comprehensive analysis of the benefits of the Ceasefire Agreement.
At the least, the expectation of these key international actors appears to be that the government needs to take decisive steps to re-activate the political process that could lead to a political solution. Perhaps with a view to mitigate an international backlash against it, the government itself has been taking pains to affirm that a political solution will soon be on offer. While such a positive step will be welcome, it is likely to be politically unfeasible.
The JVP has already stated that if the government proposes a federal solution, which is the minimum that could satisfy Tamil aspirations, let alone the LTTE, the JVP will work to unseat the government. The irony of the present political situation is that the government, although it appears to be strong and determined at the level of its leadership, is in reality a structurally weak one. The government’s majority in Parliament, and hence its survival, depends on a number of groups whose loyalty is in question. The most obvious of these is the JVP with its 37 members.
Another big group is composed of the defectors from the UNP who number 27, most of whom crossed over to the government pledging to deal with issues of good governance and corruption. A third group is composed of an unknown number of members of the ruling party whose commitment to the present leadership of the party is not quite certain. A fourth consists of members of ethnic minority parties who remain with the government on sufferance, as they fear to be in opposition to the government.
The ability of the government to steer this diverse array of groups and interests in the direction of a political solution is doubtful. The ethnic conflict is one which had defied a political solution for over six decades, spanning the entirety of the country’s independence. It seems to be too much to expect a government that is so fragmented as the present one, and which does not enjoy a clear majority in Parliament, to accomplish what more unified governments failed to do. In these circumstances, the easier course for the government to follow would be to accelerate the war against the LTTE and use the war and patriotism to unify the ethnic majority while silencing the opposition, at least for a while.
POTENTIAL SANCTIONS
The abrogation of the Ceasefire Agreement may therefore have a rationale that goes beyond the obvious one of catering to the JVP’s agenda in order to retain its parliamentary support. One of the features of the present war that has earned international opprobrium has been the high level of human rights violations.
In this context the abrogation of the Ceasefire Agreement will also make the prosecution of the war easier, because it will eliminate the presence of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission set up under the agreement to query the conflicting parties about their non-compliance with its provisions and which had a mandate to report on violations of the agreement. Although the international monitors were never able to actually put a stop to the acts of violence, their presence on the ground is likely to have had some sort of deterrent effect, as their reports were widely read by the international community.
The dismantling of their monitoring apparatus can set the stage for an escalation of violence with an even greater level of impunity than at present. This would have catastrophic consequences to the people caught up in the conflict zones in particular, as both the government and LTTE have been effective in keeping out both media and other non partisan monitors from those areas. At least in the propaganda and psychological war, the ground is being set for a fight to the finish. A considerable amount of optimism has been generated that the LTTE can be effectively defeated in the course of the year.
Such sentiment is neither new nor novel, and it has surfaced on many occasions in the past, although on this occasion the LTTE has taken the most severe battering ever. On the other hand, the organisation has been around for over three decades during which they have taken control over large tracts of territory. Whether an organization that has created a military and administrative machinery strong enough to survive for nearly three decades will be eliminated in a matter of months is open to question.
The success of the present government is that it seems to have convinced the majority in the country that what was not possible in the past will be possible today. The LTTE’s recalcitrance and the government’s recent military victories have combined to change a 70 percent level of support for the peace process in which the Ceasefire Agreement was the key component into one of 80 percent support for war.
But the international community has stood by a negotiated political settlement. The main challenge that the government faces in the short term is the reaction of the international community. The statements by Sri Lanka’s main donors, including Japan, indicating concern about abrogation of the Ceasefire Agreement can change into actions in the event of escalated war sans political reform, he added.
End

SL's first Citizen Video channel launched

Vikalpa, Sri Lanka's only citizen journalism initiative working primarily in Sinhala and Tamil, is pleased to announce the official launch of its YouTube video channel, available for immediate viewing at http://www.youtube.com/vikalpasl
Featuring alternative narratives on conflict transformation, democracy, good governance and peace in Sri Lanka, Vikalpa - http://www.vikalpa.org - promotes key voices and opinions of citizens rarely featured in vernacular traditional media. Our YouTube channel complements the text on the website and currently features over 50 short videos on human rights, peace, war, media freedom, gender and politics in Sri Lanka.
Videos on the Vikalpa YouTube channel have already generated hundreds of views, with a few generating views in the thousands. For example, a video (in Sinhala) on a human rights activist's trip to and experiences in the embattled Jaffna peninsula in the North of Sri Lanka, viewed over 4,000 times, propelled the channel into #82 of the top 100 list of Director's Channels on YouTube in the 4th week of December 2007.
End

Emirates to end deal with S. L. Airlines

Emirates has told the Sri Lankan government it plans to end a management contract for the iSri Lankan Airlines.
The Dubai-based carrier is also expected eventually to sell its 43.6 per cent stake in the company, opening up what is potentially one of the most lucrative franchises in south Asia for other foreign airlines.
“Management control of Sri Lankan Airlines will pass to the government of Sri Lanka,” said Tim Clark, president of Emirates and Managing Director of Sri Lankan Airlines.
“The government was seeking greater control over the day-to-day business of the airline, which was not acceptable to us,” he said.
“We just felt that wasn’t compatible with what we wanted to do and it was best that we agreed amicably to let the agreement lapse and give them a chance to take back control of the company.’’
The Sri Lankan government last month cancelled the work permit of Peter Hill, the Sri Lankan Airlines chief executive who was seconded from Emirates, after the carrier refused seats to President Mahinda Raja-paksa and 35 officials who were visiting the UK.
Emirates has valued its stake in Sri Lankan at about $150m and Mr Clark said its purchase would be “a hell of an opportunity” for any regional, south-east Asian or Indian carriers, considering it had 100 flights to India a week and several unused routes.
He said Sri Lankan investors might be interested in buying Emirates’ stake, but he would not be specific.
In September, Emirates had expected to renew its management contract for at least another five years and wanted to double the carrier’s fleet to as many as 30 aircraft.
Emirates paid $70m in 1998 for the stake in Sri Lankan, its only investment in another carrier.

Australia concerned at recent developments in Sri Lanka

Australia is concerned about the Sri Lankan Government’s announcement that it intends to withdraw from the 2002 ceasefire agreement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
This is a step backwards which Australia fears could lead to further escalation of violence, including against civilians, said a statement of the Australian Embassy in Colombo.
The Embassy appeals to all parties to the conflict to protect the human rights of all Sri Lankans.
Sri Lanka’s conflict cannot be resolved militarily. Only a negotiated settlement can bring lasting peace. The Embassy urges all involved parties to submit to democratic processes and the rule of law and to work towards a political solution that meets the aspirations of all Sri Lankans.
End

Manmohan Singh not to visit Sri Lanka next month

by P.K.Balachandran
India has officially informed Sri Lanka that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is unable to accept the invitation to attend the island's 60th Independence Day celebrations on Feb 4 because of prior commitments.
"We were told that the prime minister's schedule did not permit him to be in Sri Lanka on Feb 4," Ravinatha Ariyasinha, director general of communications in the Sri Lankan foreign office, said Sunday.
"However, the commitment to pay a bilateral visit during the course of 2008 remains. It is basically a scheduling issue. We will have to discuss other dates," Ariyasinha told IANS.
Earlier this week, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama had told the media that Sri Lanka was not looking at February or any particular month or date for Singh's visit.
"We want the Indian prime minister to pay a bilateral visit since no Indian prime minister has paid a bilateral visit in the last 20 years," Bogollagama said.
The last time there was such a visit was in July 1987, when the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was in Sri Lanka to sign the India-Sri Lanka Accord to end the ethnic conflict in the island. Since then, Indian prime ministers have come, but only to attend SAARC summits along with other heads of South Asian governments.
Although 'prior commitments' is the stated reason for Singh's keeping off Sri Lanka on independence day, political observers and media reports say that the real reason is New Delhi's displeasure over the unending violence in Sri Lanka, the unilateral abrogation of the ceasefire agreement with the Tamil Tiger rebels, and the inability of the government to bring out a devolution package to solve the ethnic question.
Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had said in New Delhi on Jan 4 that India favoured a political and not a military solution to the Sri Lankan conflict.
Mukherjee's remark was significant in the context of the Sri Lankan government's unilaterally withdrawing from the truce pact, which it had signed with the Tamil Tigers under the aegis of peace broker Norway Feb 22, 2002.

End

Pak to head SAARC CCI after 14 years

NEW DELHI, Jan 6 (APP): Pakistan would head the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) after 14 years for a two-year term commencing from January 13. All the seven members countries of the SCCI including India,Maldives,Nepal,Bhutan,Bangladesh,Sri Lanka and Pakistan chamber of commerce and industry head this prestigious body in rotation for a two-year term.
Now Pakistan will enjoy the privilege and honour to hold the elegant position of President SCCI.
The 41st SCCI executive committee meeting will be held in New Delhi on January 12 and 13.
President SCCI Mr.Dasho Ugen Tasechup Dorji will chair the meeting and formally hand over the Presidentship to Pakistan (Tariq Sayeed) while Iftikhar Ali Malik, former presidents FPCCI,LCCI and founder President Pak-US Business Council will assume as new Vice President SCCI Pakistan chapter.
With the dawn of year 2008,one full presidential cycle of rotation between SAARC countries will be completed and this will add another feather in the cap of SCCI.
SCCI objective includes awareness building,developing global linkage,providing services to private sector and working closely with governments and developing an institutional framework for promoting economic co-operation in the region.
Area of focus includes regional and economic co-operation in South Asia,Trade liberalization,economic policy reforms,harmonization of standards,intellectual property rights,tourism promotion,SMEs and women entrepreneur development and energy co-operation.
It has been the tradition of the SCCI,to endorse the nominations of the federation of chamber of commerce and industry of respective country and elect as President,Senior Vice President and Vice President,members of the Executive Committee and General Assembly.
Other office bearers of the FPCCI, Zubair Ahmad Malik, Faiz Rasool, Sardar Muhammad Ali Jogezai and Sheikh Shakil Ahmad Dhingra have been named for Executive Committee while Haji Fazal Elahi,Sheikh Muhammad Aslam,Sheikh Muhammad Saeed, Zakaria Usman and Muhammad Naseem Davi have been proposed for General Assembly.

SL laws on financial stability will be further strengthened

Legal framework to ensure financial stability in the country is to be further strengthened.
Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Ajith Nivard Cabral says suitable amendments will be introduced to the existing legislation pertaining to banks soon.
New laws will be enacted in certain areas, which are not covered by the existing legislation. Accordingly, a new debt recovery law will be introduced to expedite the recovery process and create a more creditor friendly environment.
A new act on Credit Information will also be introduced to widen the scope of the credit information bureau. The governor further says that legislation will be introduced to bring all micro finance institutions under the regulatory framework. The government will also propose new regulations in relation to business recovery.
End

Sri Lanka president's peace advisor quits as truce ends

COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse's top advisor on the peace process quit, after the government scrapped an Oslo-brokered truce with Tamil Tiger rebels.
Jayantha Dhanapala, a diplomat and former candidate for the post of UN secretary general who was appointed as peace advisor in December 2005, said he was quitting for "personal reasons," in a statement released by his office.
The move followed the government's decision to withdraw from a 2002 truce, despite mounting international concern that the island's military could slip back into full-scale war with Tiger guerrillas.Close confidants of Dhanapala said he was embarrassed by the turn of events, with the government pressing for a military victory after scoring several battlefield successes against the rebels last year.There was no immediate reaction from the government, which last week announced it would quit the moribund truce from January 16.
Dhanapala had also served as head of the government's peace secretariat, which coordinated the Norwegian-led peace efforts with Tamil separatists to end the decades-long conflict, which has killed tens of thousands.

US stops military supplies to Sri Lanka, Colombo unfazed

The US said Thursday that it had stopped the supply of military equipment and services to Sri Lanka under the Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriation Act 2008. But an unfazed Colombo said that its critical needs could still be met under exemptions provided by the act.
'It is the policy of the US to deny applications for licenses and other approvals to export or otherwise transfer defense articles or services to Sri Lanka,' a communique from the US State Department Directorate of Defence Trade Controls said.
But it added that licenses might be granted 'on a case by case basis' for the transfer of technical data or equipment for the limited purposes of maritime and air surveillance and communications.
A $500 billion Appropriation bill passed by Congress had said that before any military supplies were made to Sri Lanka, the Secretary of State should certify that Colombo had improved its human rights record in certain specific areas.
Congress had said the Sri Lankan government would have to show that it had prosecuted military personnel who had helped the recruitment of child soldiers or committed extra-judicial killings.
The island's government would also have to show that it had provided humanitarian groups and journalists access to the Tamil areas of the country.
But a top Sri Lankan foreign ministry official, Ravinatha Ariyasinha, told IANS that the US ban would not affect Sri Lanka vitally, thanks to the exemptions mentioned in the Act.
He pointed out that the Act allowed the supply of maritime and aerial surveillance equipment and communication gadgets, which Sri Lanka needed most.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which is fighting for a separate Tamil state in the northeast of Sri Lanka, is dependent on the sea lanes to get its military and strategic supplies.
The Tigers also have a nascent air wing that has conducted three raids, two of them in Colombo, in the past year. To curb their sea and air movements, Sri Lanka needs sophisticated communications and surveillance equipment.
Ariyasinha, who is Director General of Communications, pointed out that the US Act had not banned some key US-Sri Lanka defence related programmes, such as training and intelligence sharing.
It has also left untouched the Access and Cross Services Agreement (ACSA), which envisages the exchange of non-lethal material resources and services between the Sri Lankan and US militaries.
end

Netadmin supplies WiMAX system to Suntel, Sri Lanka

Suntel Ltd chooses NETadmin as their platform through the local partner Cegetel Ltd. In the first stage the NETadmin system will provision and monitor up to 100.000 end-customers in Suntels WiMAX network. The system will be delivered during early 2008.
Suntel is Sri Lanka's fastest growing telecommunication provider, with an all-digital network that connects thousands of residential customers and businesses ranging from corner shops to the biggest corporate names in the country.
Suntel puts the latest technology, innovative thinking, and an unprecedented service commitment into customizing telecom solutions that meet the most sophisticated demands of corporate customers in Sri Lanka. Backed by renowned international expertise and financial strength, Suntel envisions to be a leading facilitator in the social transformation of Sri Lanka into a knowledge based information society. Netadmin Systems provides the broadband and telecom market with market-leading systems. The NETadmin system has been in operation for almost a decade. The constantly accelerating market has forced companies to grow to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for IP-based services. NETadmin enables authentic “end-to-end” provisioning and the company cooperates with all major hardware suppliers to create truly open networks.
The company’s expertise lies in the hands of its personnel and their solid experience of hardware, systems and related technology. In 2006, the company’s market share in Scandinavia grew to 50%. The company’s core vision is the standardisation of systems for automating and operating large networks.

Lanka's state-owned airline service welcomed in Singapore

A welcome ceremony was held at Changi Airport Friday for Mihin Lanka, Sri Lanka's state-owned airways operating six weekly flights between Singapore and Colombo. "The launch of Mihin Lanka's services comes at an opportune time," said Lim Kim Choon, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).
Passenger traffic between the two countries has grown by 30 per cent over the past four years, he said. Between January and November 2007, there were more than 70,000 visitor arrivals from Sri Lanka, representing a robust 10 per cent growth year-on-year.
Mihin Lanka is the fourth airline to operate services between Colombo and Singapore. The three others are Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Sri Lankan Airlines, bringing the number of weekly passenger flights on the route to 42.
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U.S. suspends defense export licences to Sri Lanka

Department of Defense Trade Controls of the U.S. State Department announced in its website that U.S. is suspending defense export licences to Sri Lanka. This announcement follows the signing by President Bush of the H.R.2764 bill of the 110th Congress of U.S.A., Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 which barred sales of military equipment to Sri Lanka.
Full text of the announcement follows: In accordance with “Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008,” effective December 26, 2007, it is the policy of the United States to deny applications for licenses and other approvals to export or otherwise transfer defense articles and services to Sri Lanka.
The only exception to this policy is that licenses may be issued for technical data or equipment made available for the limited purposes of maritime and air surveillance and communications. Such licenses remain subject to case-by-case review.
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LED lighting aims to make impact

LED lighting powered by solar panels and rechargeable batteries can provide great impact to developing countries, says Tony Newton. Visiting Sri Lanka in 2005 soon after the tsunami, Tony Newton, owner of Newtons Computer Systems based in Windsor, UK, was disheartened by the suffering of villagers having to depend on non-eco friendly, dim and dangerous paraffin lanterns to light up their homes. Hoping to make a difference, Newton has produced an eco-friendly LED lighting system utilising only solar power. Newton says that his motive is non-profit making and that he hopes to distribute lights at low cost or free of charge to thousands of people around the world.
Two billion people around the world have no access to electricity and rely heavily on fuel-based sources for lighting. This is very expensive – US$50 billion a year is spent on off-grid lighting. This is not only quite inefficient, but also contributes significantly to pollution and emission of greenhouse gases.
"If we can help them to change over to solar-powered lights, carbon dioxide emission could be reduced by up to 210m tonnes per year," says Newton. "This is one-fourth of UK’s annual carbon-dioxide emission."
A 12V rechargeable battery connected to a solar panel is used to power the lights (see photos), so that they will operate successfully wherever there is reasonable sunlight.
Compared to paraffin oil or kerosene oil lamps, these lights can deliver up to 1000 times more useful light, and they are long-lasting. This also adds to a huge life-changing impact to users with health, wealth and happiness.
Newton says that pilot projects in the UK and in Sri Lanka have had "amazing" results. Tests carried out so far have clearly demonstrated that four of these light modules can be operated with one 12V battery, and can work effectively for more than 10 hours continuously.
Recharging of the battery takes about 3 to 4 hours with 70% ambient sun-light. Each light module can deliver 45-55 W light power.
Newton is presently in contact with Professor Balachandran of the UK's Brunel University to optimise the lights to maximise illumination with minimum power consumption and to increase the lifespan of the devices.
Balachandran and Newton are very keen to utilise renewable energy with solid state technology to bring free, affordable, safe, healthy, efficient and environmentally responsible illumination to many who do not have access for adequate lighting.
"The concept of understanding the sustainable energy solutions and related social, economic and environmental issues are uncomplicated. To make use of these simple solutions to better the life of many rests solely on the respective Governments and not on charities and NGOs," says Newton.
Utilising carbon-credits from these lights should be a good incentive for major industries and local governments to participate for the betterment of the world, he adds.
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CFA, SLMM cease to operate by Jan.16

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government Thursday evening informed Norway of its decision to quit the CFA. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama handed over the formal document to this effect to the Norwegian ambassador in Colombo Tore Hathrem. The government has now issued the mandatory 14 days notice, as per the agreement, that it was withdrawing from the pact signed in 2002. The Foreign Ministry has called a press conference for today (Friday) noon to spell out its position.
A senior Foreign Ministry official said that this notification was in terms of Article 4:4 of the agreement and would take effect 14 days from the date of this notice i.e. 16th January 2008.
Accordingly, the Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA) on the Establishment and the Management of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) dated 18th March 2002 between the Royal Norwegian Government and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka would also stand terminated with effect from 16th January 2008, he said.
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Rights group calls for UN monitors for Sri Lanka

Human Rights Watch called Thursday for a UN human rights monitoring mission in Sri Lanka in the wake of the breakdown of the 2002 ceasefire agreement between the government and the Tamil Tiger secessionists.
The New York-based group said new monitors were needed to replace the Norwegian-led Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, which is pulling out due to the end of the ceasefire.
"The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission was deeply flawed, but its monitors helped to minimise abuses against civilians," said HRW's deputy Asia director Elaine Pearson in a statement.
"Now the need for a UN monitoring mission is greater than ever," she said.
"Civilians caught up in the fighting will have a harder time finding safety once the monitors have withdrawn."
The Sri Lankan government announced Wednesday it was pulling out of the 2002 ceasefire pact with the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
The move came hours after a bombing in the capital and in the wake of a rise in attacks since 1006.
Heavy fighting broke out in northern Sri Lanka between government troops and the Tamil Tigers just hours after Colombo announced it was pulling out of the ceasefire agreement.

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UN chief urges political solution as Sri Lanka truce breaks down

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has underscored the need for a political solution to end the bloodshed in Sri Lanka following the Government’s decision to terminate the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement that halted a decades-long conflict with the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Ban is “deeply worried” that the withdrawal from the accord comes amidst intensifying fighting in the North and increasing violence across the country, including Colombo, his spokesperson said in a statement Thursday.
“The Secretary-General urges all concerned to ensure the protection of civilians and enable humanitarian assistance to be provided to affected areas,” the statement adaded.
In a report released last week, Ban highlighted the continued recruitment and use of children as soldiers, particularly by the Tamil Tiger rebels and a breakaway group known as the Tamil Makkal Viduthali Pulikal (TMVP)/Karuna faction.
The report noted that “both parties have failed to cease the abduction, recruitment and use of children.” In addition, the LTTE and the TMVP/Karuna faction, which split from the Tamil Tigers and now supports Government troops, have also failed to release all children associated with their forces and engage in transparent procedures for release and verification, which includes allowing the UN Task Force on monitoring and reporting full access to military locations under their control.
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Norway regrets the GOSL's decision to terminate the ceasefire agreement

The Government of Sri Lanka has decided to terminate the ceasefire agreement concluded with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on 22 February 2002. Norway served as facilitator for the negotiations that led to the agreement. If either party wishes to terminate the agreement, it is required to give notice of termination to the Norwegian Government 14 days in advance.
“I regret that the Government is taking this serious step,” said Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim.
“This comes on top of the increasingly frequent and brutal acts of violence perpetrated by both parties, and I am deeply concerned that the violence and hostilities will now escalate even further.”
The termination of the agreement will primarily affect the Nordic Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), as its mandate is set out in the agreement. It may therefore be necessary to withdraw the mission.
“This would weaken efforts to protect the civilian population, which would be most regrettable,” said Mr Solheim.

In 2000, Norway was formally invited by Sri Lanka’s President, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, and the LTTE to act as facilitator for the peace process in the country. The invitation was renewed most recently by President Rajapakse in January 2006. Despite the escalation of hostilities, Norway is maintaining a close dialogue with the parties. Since bringing the parties together in Geneva in October 2006, Norway has informed them that no further intiatives will be taken until requested by the parties themselves.

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Abrogation of Ceasefire Agreement Will Escalate Spiral of Violence

The government has announced that it will abrogate the Norwegian-facilitated Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) signed with the LTTE in 2002 on account of the ground reality where conditions of continuing war and terror prevail.
For the past two years the government and LTTE have been engaging in a high level of hostilities tantamount to war, including the overrunning of forward defense lines, capture of territory, artillery, sea and air bombing, and large scale displacement of people and violations of human rights.The government's decision follows repeated demands by the JVP and other nationalist parties for the abrogation of the CFA. Government members have said that the peace process and political talks will continue with non-LTTE Tamil parties. While there is a need to include non-LTTE Tamil parties in political talks, it cannot be done at the cost of eliminating the LTTE from the dialogue.
The danger inherent in the government's position, especially in the event of a total rejection of the past peace process with the LTTE, is that it is paving the way for a fight to the finish where the costs can be terribly high, success is not guaranteed, and no fall back position will be available.It is also likely that the role played by the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) established under the CFA will also come to an end with the abrogation of the Ceasefire Agreement. Although the international monitors of the SLMM were unable to prevent acts of war and human rights violations from taking place, they were able to be physically present in the conflict zones and record incidents and report them to the conflicting parties and the international community.
The Government’s rejection of a UN Human Rights field presence, the inability of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) and the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) to make meaningful progress in discharging their mandates, and the recent downgrading of the National Human Rights Commission, combine to place respect for human rights in Sri Lanka in further jeopardy. The National Peace Council regrets that the abrogation of the CFA in the present circumstances will deprive the hapless civilians within the conflict zones with a credible authority to lodge complaints. This will also reduce the flow of credible information to the world outside. This lacuna will constrain the work of human rights and peace groups who have been pressing the conflicting parties to address the issues of impunity and end the violations of human rights.
The National Peace Council is dismayed and deeply concerned at the situation in the country at the beginning of the New Year which has included the assassination of an opposition politician belonging to the largest opposition party who spoke of the agony of the Tamil people, the bombing of an army bus in the heart of Colombo that killed civilians and now by the abrogation of the CFA and the negation of the institutions it set up. We can only pray and hope that this period of war and terror will soon come to an end, and rationality and concern for human rights takes the conflicting parties back to the negotiating table and to end all armed hostilities, political assassinations and other criminal acts.

SL still waits for political solution

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo

Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa at cabinet media briefing said the government continues to adhere to its stance to find a political solution to the ethnic problem. He further said recommendations of the all-party representatives committee would announce next month.
He added this would pave the way to arrive at a negotiated settlement to the problem. Minister Yapa reiterated the objective of the government is to eliminate terrorism and not to target any particular group. The cabinet has decided to abolish the ceasefire agreement, and handed over powers to the Prime Minister to deal with any legal measures regarding ceasefire monitoring and other related activities.

Senior SP and head of the Colombo Crime Investigating Division Anura Senanayake at the briefing said it has been established that the suspect of the killing of parliamentarian Mr. T. Maheshwaran had connections with the LTTE. The suspect currently receiving treatment at the hospital is a resident in Jaffna.

It has also been found out that he has been residing in Wattala since 1995.

Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa commenting on Wednesday’s claymore bomb explosion said the bomb that was exploded was at the Nippon hotel.
The general manager of the hotel is the head of the civil defence committee in the area.
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