UNP to launch Island wide program against the `Satakaye sapaya

Tissa Attanayake, Gen. Secretary of the UNP addressing the Media at the UNP Media unit, said that UNP which has an exclusive and unassailable reputation unlike other parties as always having stood by the people showing overwhelming concern for them whether in power or in opposition cannot stand idle and watch this Govt. ruthlessly oppress and impose hardships on them by the hour.

To counter this, the UNP is launching a program titled the ‘Satakaye Sapaya virudhatha” on the 3rd of April commencing initially at 120 electorates to be extended Island wide.As the whole country has begun to realize that the country should be rid of this ‘Satakaye sapaya’ curse , so has the UNP , the saviour of the country and people always, has decided to start this protest campaign to pack this Govt. home lock ,stock and barrel in keeping with the people’s wishes .As people are unable to voice their protests because of the Govt.’s murderous policies and atrocities directed against the freedom of expression of the people and Media, the UNP feels that it has to agitate on behalf of and alongside them, he asserted.

This protest campaign will be on a peaceful footing starting at 10.00 a.m. at the 120 electorates from all the main Towns. This program will highlight the curse that has befallen the country with cost of living , price hikes among other things spiraling out of control for the Govt. whereby burdens and hardships are imposed on the masses by the hour, not to mention the insecurity and panic they are trapped in even unable to sleep peacefully in their own homes fearing the ‘white van’ (symbol of abduction and murder allegedly by the Govt.) or unidentified persons forcibly entering houses and committing murder and mayhem.

Since independence, this is the first time this country once described as the ‘pearl of the Orient’ has been caught in such a black curse or Satakaye Sapaya . Just in the last few years from 2004, petrol price has risen by 149%, diesel by 150%, Rice (the common man’s staple food) by 136%, Bread by 236 %, Tea by 125 % apart from the tax, electricity, water and phone tariff increases. These are but a few of the countless increases! He lamented.

This Govt. has also set a record for making the largest number of false promises at elections and honouring none, while also fomenting State corruption, tyranny, profligate expenditure of people’s money and lawlessness on a scale hitherto unknown in this country, he exhorted.Attanayake urged everyone to give their unstinted support to this program burying Party differences as no one is spared from the evil spell of this ‘Satakaye sapaya’, he concluded.

LTTE mortars fall on Murukkan hospital

Mortars fired by the LTTE had fallen on Murukkan hospital this morning around 6.30 am. Two buildings have been damaged and casualty figures are yet to be known.

Alleged demand by SL diplomat for bribe Foreign Ministry orders probe into double-decker bus deal.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has ordered an immediate probe into Maha Nayake of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera’s allegation (published in The Island yesterday) that Sri Lanka missed an opportunity to purchase 65 double-decker buses from Singapore at concessionary prices as a Lankan diplomat had asked for a fee for negotiating the deal.
The Foreign Ministry says no such incident took place under the tenure of the present Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Singapore.
Full text of the Foreign Ministry statement:
The attention of the Foreign Ministry has been drawn to a news report which had appeared in The Isalnd and the Divaina of March 31, 2008 that referred to a statement said to have been made by the Most Venerable Asgiriya Maha Nayake Thero relating to a diplomat at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Singapore.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama immediately called for an explanation from Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Singapore and also directed the Ministry to ascertain the veracity of the substance of the report from the Most Venerable Maha Nayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter. The High Commissioner in Singapore has stated that the Mission had contacted the Most Venerable Maha Nayake Thero who had indicated that the alleged incident had taken place many years ago and that he would clarify this issue with the media.
The High Commissioner also has emphasized that during his tenure, there had been no offer for sale of 65 double-decker buses at concessionary prices as stated in the newspaper article.

Therefore, the Ministry wishes to emphatically state that the alleged incident had not taken place during the period of the incumbent Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Singapore.
Although the alleged incident is said to have occurred many years earlier, Foreign Minister Bogollagama in deference to the Most Venerable Maha Nayake Thero, has directed the Ministry and the High Commission in Singapore to conduct a detailed investigation into this matter.

SLT appoints Pooja as their special ambassador

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo
SLT selected Pooja Umashanker as brand Ambassador for Broadband Services said Marketing and Sales Officer Ajantha Seneviratne of Sri Lankan Telecom at a press conference held at the Colombo Hilton. Her new role allows Pooja help shape the future of Sri Lanka by empowering Sri Lankans with endless possibilities of wireline broadband connectivity.
He said. "She is the right choice to help achieve SLT’s goal of making broadband services accessible to the Sri Lankan. Her wide appeal combined with her love for Sri Lanka is the right choice the SLT has made. "Pooja is the perfect ambassador and also she is also an enthusiastic user of the wireline broadband services.
Sri Lanka Telecom (www.slt.lk) is one of the country’s most valuable blue chip companies with an annual turnover in excess of Rs 40 billion. NTT Communications Corporation of Japan owns a 35.2% stake in Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), 49.2% is owned by the Government of Sri Lanka and 15.3% is listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. The company was also awarded an AAA (sri) rating by Fitch Ratings Lanka followed by a BB- international rating by Fitch International and Standard & Poor’s.
SLT Group has a customer base of over two million including multinational corporations, large and small corporate, retail and domestic customers. Today with NTT Communications of Japan as a strategic partner, SLT provides facilities and services: voice, data, video and mobile to its customers, which are unmatched in scope. These services range from domestic and international voice, advance data transmission services which include internet services on leased lines, broadband [on ADSL] and dial up, data circuits, frame relay solutions to IP services such as IP-VPN based on IP-MPLS technology, total corporate solutions of multiple services, satellite uplink services and mobile telephony through the fully owned subsidiary Mobitel.
With a view to making Sri Lanka a broadband island, SLT is in the process of introducing the necessary infrastructure in the form of NGN [Next Generation Networks] using optical fibre backbone and broadband services such as IMS, IPTV etc.
SLT also provides high speed global connectivity to countries in the South Asian region through its investments in international submarine cables such as SMW3, SMW4 and the Bharat Lanka submarine cable [between India and Sri Lanka] and Dhiraagu-SLT submarine cable system between Maldives Islands and Sri Lanka.
Newly incorporated SLT Hong Kong Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka Telecom, is fully geared to provide services such as IP transit, IPVPN, IPLC and International voice traffic transit services to global telecom operators and corporates in Hong, Kong.

Fishermen stage Hartal in Kalmunai

The fisher folk in Saindumaradu area staged a hartal this morning in Kalmunai town, compelling the authorities to take immediate action against several unscrupulous individuals who use dynamite for off shore fishing.
More than 300 protestors participated. Sources claimed that some fishing huts have been burnt and the Kalmunai, Akkaraipaththuwa road has been blocked by the protesters and traffic paralyzed.

Japan's NTT sells Sri Lanka Telecom stake-traders

COLOMBO, April 1 (Reuters) - Japan's Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp (9432.T: Quote, Profile, Research) sold its entire stake of 35.2 percent Sri Lanka Telecom SLTL.CM shares to Malaysian mobile network operator Maxis Communications on Tuesday, traders said.
"The NTT deal was done, the trade happened in the market at the 50.50 rupees and 635 million shares were traded," said Harsha Fernando CEO at SC securities. "The NTT had sold whole stake they held in SLT to Maxis."

Voters will reject LTTE: Rajapaksa

B. Muralidhar Reddy
COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said he had no doubt voters in the east were not “shortsighted” to give the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam an opportunity to make a comeback.
Addressing members and officials of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) at its annual convention here on Sunday, Mr. Rajapaksa “challenged” the opposition United National Party (UNP) to win the coming Eastern Provincial Council election “even with the assistance of the LTTE,” the local media reported.
Election to the Eastern Provincial Council is scheduled for May. Several mainstream parties including the UNP and the JVP are taking part. Nominations for the election close on April 3.
“It is treacherous that certain male and female leaders trot the globe tarnishing the image of Sri Lanka on human and fundamental rights. The modus operandi was to urge the European countries and the U.S. to withdraw the GSP+ trade concession given to Sri Lanka and thereby weaken the economy. By doing so they revenge millions of employees and the industry,” he told the conference.
Detractors
“There were many detractors and whiners during the local government polls complaining [that] the time was not right and requested to postpone it. The heroic armed forces have been able to corner the LTTE to Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. The LTTE was regrouped and strengthened during the ceasefire agreement (CFA) and installed 120 mm. and 155 mm canons as they had been given a free hand to do whatever they want under the CFA. The LTTE had even demarcated a separate state under the CFA,” he said.
“The government would never take back the steps it took to liberate the north from the jackboot of the LTTE. With the steady progress of the armed forces in the warfront the people in the north have begun gradually but surely to enjoy the taste of freedom. The prices of goods have drastically come down in Jaffna and in some instances prices of certain goods are lower than Colombo.”

Emirates, SriLankan split widens

COLOMBO – In a further split between Emirates Airlines and SriLankan Airlines, the Dubai carrier said it would stop sharing routes with Sri Lanka's national carrier when its decade-long management contract expires this month.
The decision follows worsening relations between Emirates Airlines and Colombo, with talks between both sides collapsing after nearly two years of negotiations over renewing the contract.
In December, the government withdrew the work permit of the Emirates-appointed chief executive of SriLankan Airlines, Peter Hill, because he failed to "look after the interests of the majority shareholder".
However, the Dubai-based carrier said it would retain its near 44 percent stake and continue to have a board presence.
The Sri Lankan government has nominated and appointed a new chairman and directors to SriLankan Airlines, with immediate effect.
Emirates president Tim Clark told AFP in January that it was willing to sell all or part of its 43.6 percent equity stake in SriLankan.
Emirates will continue to serve Sri Lanka with 17 weekly flights to Colombo, effectively becoming a competitor of SriLankan.
All of which should make for interesting board meetings with three representatives from Emirates and three from the government, supported by the new chairman, Nishantha Wickremasinghe

Sri Lanka: Supreme Court and adequate recognition of rights/LTTE shells hospital

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in an opinion sought by President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the constitution of Sri Lanka and the Supreme Court rulings could g ive "adequate recognition to the provisions contained in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."

A bench of five judges headed by Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva said in the ruling that the people could derive the benefits of the international covenant through the judiciary and the constitution.Under the constitutional provisions the President could seek the opinion of the supreme court of the country on any legal issue and this opinion was sought under that.

Minister Professor G.L.Peiris said the Supreme Court now has given a clear message to people who were trying to tarnish the image of the country. For the past few weeks Professor Peiris was spearheading a movement to eradicate anti-Sri Lanka mudslinging with the intention of saving the country's international reputation and thereby the national economy. Peiris said the enemies were attempting to stop the aid given to the country under false allegations.
The five bench of judges said "legal and constitutional processes prevailing in the country" could justify the rights recognized by the international covenant.
The panel of judges consisted of Chief justice Sarath N. Silva and Justices R.A.N.G. Amaratunga, Saleem Marsoof, A.M. Somawansa, and D.J. De S. Balapatabendi.
Professor G.L. Peiris who is the Minister in charge of international Trade said "Currently there are attempts to pressure the European Union to stop the GSP + facilities to Sri Lanka by claiming that the country's Constitution has not given adequate recognition to Civil and Political Rights."

Large Haul of war materials recovers by troops in BATTICALOA

On a search operation conducted by the troops, recovered 938 rounds of 12.7mm today (31) around 2.30pm in OMADIYAMADU area.
Meanwhile in NARAKAMULLA- THOPPIGALA area troops conducted a search operation and recovered the war materials .

Left parties of the alliance join with the Tamil parties to break UNP vote base

(Lanka-e-News, ) Lanka Samasamaja Party, Sri Lanka Communist Party, Sri Lanka People's Party, Democratic Left Front and Desha Vimukthi Janatha Party that are partners of ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) have decided not to contest to the Eastern Provincial Council with the UPFA.
Sri Lanka Communist Party Deputy General Secretary S. Sudasinghe said to Lanka-e-News that the left parties would contest in an alliance with the Democratic Tamil National Alliance comprised of EPRLF, PLOTE and Tamil United Liberation Front.
Accordingly, the Socialist People's Front of the left parties will contest under the Democratic Tamil National Alliance for Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts and under their own symbol for Digamadulla district. The Socialist People's Front nominations are to be submitted on April 02.
Mr. Sudasinghe said to Lanka-e-News that the left parties would contest with the Tamil parties to appear as an alternative force to the racist elements of the UPFA while not allowing to UNP to capture power in the Provincial Council.
He further said that in Digamadulla, they would march separately and attack in unity while in Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts they would attack racism jointly in their election campaigns.

Lankaputhra Chairman resigns

The Chairman of the Lankaputhra Development Bank Vas Gunawardane was reportedly asked to resign from his post today. The former Bank of Ceylon General Manager Sarath Silva has been appointed in his place.

ELECTIONS IN EAST CAN HAVE MAJOR POLITICAL IMPACT

--Jehan Perera
The government has declared elections for the provincial council in the east to be held on May 10. This call for elections by the government has been a bold one.
The success of the government in conducting the local government elections peaceably in the Batticaloa district, which is one of the three districts that comprise the Eastern province, would also have emboldened the government to take up the challenge of elections. Although substantial areas of the Eastern Province had been under LTTE control, by mid 2007 the government was successful in driving the LTTE out of all areas that it had taken control over. The local government elections were conducted under more peaceful conditions than anticipated.
The forthcoming provincial council elections will be the first ever for the Eastern Province as a political unit. The last and only time that the voters in the Eastern Province experienced a provincial election was 20 years ago in 1988. At that time the Eastern Province was temporarily merged with the Northern Province under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of 1987, which lasted until 2006 when the Supreme Court declared the merger to be invalid. The merger of the Northern and Eastern provinces, which together comprise about 30 percent of the country’s land mass, and which ensured a Tamil majority administration, was the price that India demanded from Sri Lanka in order to disarm the LTTE and restore peace. The failure of the Indian Peacekeeping Force to achieve this latter objective made the merger vulnerable in law, as the conditions for the merger were not obtained.
In addition, the prospect of fueling Tamil separatism by enabling a Tamil majority administration over a substantial part of the country was a festering source of anxiety to the Sinhalese majority population. The provincial council for the merged North East Province was dissolved by a presidential decree in 1990 after its Chief Minister Varatharaja Perumal, frustrated by the lack of power and resources granted to him by the central government, made a futile unilateral declaration of independence.
In an ironic twist, provincial councils were established in the seven Sinhalese-majority provinces that did not ask for devolved power, but that too with only partial powers being devolved to them. After the negative experiment in operating the provincial council in the north east, no further provincial council elections were held in either of those two provinces. LARGER OBJECTIVES Several political circumstances appear to have induced the present government to take up the challenge of elections.
The first reason is that the election of the new Provincial Council could consolidate the separation of the Eastern Province from the Northern Province, by putting elected representatives from the east into positions of power that they would be reluctant to give up thereafter. While this would be a blow to Tamil nationalism that considers the two provinces to be the Tamil Homeland to which Tamils have special claim, their separation would assuage those who fear that a merged North East is a recipe for a future breakaway bid to independence, like Kosovo. Second, by bringing back the ballot to areas that had been totally ruled by the gun, the government also obtained a political triumph.
The elections were won convincingly by the armed breakaway faction of the LTTE, the TMVP which has allied itself with the government in what turned out to be a one horse race. This may have led the government to believe that it could repeat its triumph in the larger Eastern Province. On the other hand, the absence of the TNA and UNP which are the two main opposition parties that could have given the TMVP a battle for the votes of the people undoubtedly assisted the TMVP to score victory without having to resort to violence. Third, the holding the provincial elections for the east would do something to respond to the growing international demand for the government to embark upon a viable political process that could result in a political solution to the ethnic conflict.
The government’s answer, through the All Party process, has been to offer the 13th Amendment that was the outcome of Indian intervention in the country’s ethnic conflict in the latter half of the 1980s and which culminated in the signing of the Indo Lanka Peace Accord of 1987. The government has pledged to fully implement the 13th Amendment that established provincial councils with devolved power to the provinces. The problem for the government, however, is that the pursuit of these larger political objectives of consolidating the separation of the Eastern Province and assuaging the concerns of the international community may not necessarily lead it to victory at the forthcoming elections.
The victory obtained by the government and its ally, the TMVP, at the local government elections in the Batticaloa district may not be repeated at the elections for the entire province. The TMVP’s special strength in the Batticaloa district, which is predominantly Tamil, will not carry over to the rest of the province, and in particular to the Trincomalee and Ampara districts which are predominantly non-Tamil.
In addition, there is a further factor that will make electoral victory in the Eastern Province much more difficult for the government. Both the TNA and UNP boycotted the Batticaloa local government elections on the grounds that the TMVP’s retention of their arms posed a security threat to rival candidates. The refusal of the government to disarm the TMVP on the grounds of self-defense has been widely criticized by all rival political parties and by civil society groups. Many of the civil society groups even rejected the Batticaloa local government elections as failing to meet the basic standards of free and fair elections due to the fact of the TMVP being an armed group. UNP ADVANTAGE This time around, however, it is clear that at least the UNP will be contesting the Eastern Province elections despite the TMVP continuing to retain their arms. There is an obligation upon the government to ensure that the TMVP does not resort to violence or the threat of violence during the election.
The generally peaceful manner in which the Batticaloa local government elections took place may have served to reassure the country’s largest opposition party that contesting the elections will not translate into an automatic death sentence for its candidates at the hands of the TMVP. The UNP would also have seen that elections are the lifeblood of democratic politics and that boycotting an electoral process seldom wins admiration and inevitably leads to political marginalization.
In addition, there are indications that the UNP might be able to pose a strong challenge to the government at the provincial elections, which is now even fueling speculation that the government may wish to call off the elections. The UNP is currently negotiating with the SLMC, which is the strongest Muslim political party in the east which is its home base. As the Muslims constitute the largest single ethnic community in the Eastern Province at the present time obtaining the support of their main representative is likely to be beneficial to the prospects of electoral success. A further advantage that is likely to accrue to the UNP is the TNA’s decision to boycott the provincial council elections.
The conduct of elections in the Eastern Province only, which consolidates the de-merger of the Northern and Eastern provinces, goes contrary to the fundamental aspiration of Tamil nationalism, which affirms that the two provinces constitute the Tamil Homeland. The TNA seeks to represent both the interests of the Tamil community as well as those of the LTTE to which they are hostage. It is believed that the LTTE has denied the TNA permission to contest the Eastern province elections.
Tamil voters who prefer to vote for a democratic party rather than for an armed party, which is what the TMVP continues to be, could opt for the UNP. Needless to say, a positive electoral verdict for the government will embolden it to continue on its present path of military conquest over the LTTE followed by elections that consolidate government rule over previously LTTE-controlled areas.
The success of this strategy in the east would encourage the government to continue with its military campaign in the north against the LTTE, although it seems to have slowed down at the present time due to inclement weather conditions and stiff resistance by the LTTE. On the other hand, if the UNP-led opposition should get the upper hand at the Eastern Province elections, it would cast doubt on the long term electoral viability of the government’s counter-LTTE strategy. This means that the stakes at these elections are very high, and the temptation to resort to violence to win at any price has to be resisted.

'I commited three mistakes as Lanka President'

Former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga said she has committed "three" mistakes during her nine-year reign, including dismissal of UNP-led government in 2004. Kumaratunga said she realised that an alliance with the Marxist JVP party was a mistake she committed while at the helm of affairs in the country.
Similarly, she said, the UNP-led government of Ranil Wickremesinghe should not have been dismissed in 2004.
The 62-year-old former president said she would reveal the third mistake she committed sometime in the future.
In an interview to a Sinhala weekly, Kumaratunga said her party the Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP) and the opposition United National Party should forge an alliance to resolve the 25-year-old Tamil ethnic conflict.
"I think the SLFP and UNP should come together and work out a common understanding to find a solution to resolve the conflict in the country," she said.
She also made it clear that neither she nor her sister Sumitra would enter active politics. Their brother and former foreign minister Anura Bandaranaike died recently raising questions about the future representatives of the legendary Bandaranaike family in politics.
Fifty nine-year-old Anura, son of Prime Ministers S W R D Bandaranaike and Sirimavo Bandaranaike was at one time considered a forerunner for the country's top post.

IIGEP observation ends today

The observation process of the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) ends today. The IIGEP said it will submit a concluding report to the President and also issue a final public statement.
The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons was formed to observe an inquiry into 16 cases of serious rights violations, including the August 2006 massacre of 17 local employees of the French charity, ACF.
The panel said Monday in a statement that they were halting their efforts to determine whether the inquiries were being conducted "in accordance with internationally accepted norms and standards."
Earlier this month, the panel had accused the government of lacking the political will to investigate the incidents and said Sri Lankan authorities didn't meet the basic minimum standards in investigating serious rights abuses.
The IIGEP's final report is expected to be presented to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse next month and the panel's office will formally close on April 30, the group said.
Key international personalities, who were earlier invited by Rajapakse to observe the inquiry proceedings, have since left the island.
Colombo has come under fire for its rights record, with Human Rights Watch saying recently that at least 1,500 people - mostly ethnic Tamils living in the island's restive north and east - had "disappeared" between 2006 and 2007.
The New York-based rights group said Sri Lanka was one of the world's worst perpetrators of "disappearances" and abductions, and described the situation as a "national crisis."
Sri Lanka's cabinet last week approved a plan to enact laws to protect witnesses to crimes and to encourage them to testify in cases of abductions and disappearances.
International concern over the human rights situation in Sri Lanka has been mounting amid the government's escalating war against the Tamil Tiger rebels.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed since the Tigers launched their campaign in 1972 to carve out a separate Tamil homeland in the Sinhalese- majority island.
Fighting has stepped up since January, when Colombo formally pulled out of a six-year-old truce with the Tigers.

"Booby” traps, 145 explosive devices recovered & six terrorists killed

A soldier was reported injured during a confrontation in the KADDIMURAVIKULAM AREA, MANNAR on Sunday (30) morning around 9.50. While three LTTE terrorists including two females were killed during a confrontation on Sunday (30) between 9.00 and 10.45 in the morning in the VEDDAYANMURIPPU area, MANNAR.
A terrorist was also reported killed during an attack launched by Troops in the same area in the evening around 5.30 while another terrorist was also reported in another confrontation in the MALLIKATTIDAL area MANNAR on the same day (30) in the morning around 10.30.
During another attack by Troops a terrorist was also reported killed in the ADAMPAN area, MANNAR on Sunday (30) around 4.45 in the evening .
Meanwhile, In a search operation conduced by the Army on Sunday (30) in the afternoon around 12.50, a large quantity of an assortment of explosive devices and “booby” traps as given below meant to prevent advancing troops were recovered from the PARAYANAKULAM area, MANNAR.
It is significant to note that in the recent weeks Troops are recovering large quantities as well as a variety of locally designed LTTE anti- personnel mines and "booby” traps. These explosive devices have also been cunningly placed or concealed to result in heavy casualties which could indicate that the LTTE terrorists are experiencing depleting carders in their ranks due to heavy losses sustained by them.

Four terrorists killed & three injured in Vavuniya

A soldier was reported injured due to the explosion of an anti - personnel mine in the MADHU area while a terrorist was killed when the Army launched an attack in the VILAYATHIKULAM area, VAVUNIYA around 9.30 in the morning of Sunday (30).
A soldier was reported injured when a Improvised Explosive Device exploded in the PERIYAVILAYANKADUKULAM area, VAVUNIYA on Sunday (30) in the morning around 10.45. Meanwhile, on Sunday (30) afternoon around 1.50, two LTTE terrorists were killed and two others were reported severely injured when Troops attacked and completely destroyed a LTTE bunker in KALLIKULAM North area, VAVUNIYA.
One terrorist was also killed and another was injured during an attack launched by Troops in the PERIYAWALAYANKADDU area, VAVUNIYA around 2.30 in the afternoon according to LTTE communication intercepts while a soldier was injured during a confrontation with terrorists in the KIRUCHUDAN area, VAVUNIYA, on Sunday (30) in the evening around 4.45.

Move to postpone the Eastern PC Polls - Hakeem

The SLMC Leader, Rauff Hakeem charged that there was a move to postpone the Eastern Provincial Council Election by the government making the security issue as an excuse if the situation becomes unfavourable towards it.

SC orders release of Tiran’s money

The Supreme Court today ordered the release of Rs. 29 Million belonging to Tiran Alles which was frozen following government allegations that he raised money for the LTTE.
Suspect dies in police cell after taking poison A suspect who was kept at the Mount Lavinia police cell has committed suicide by taking poison last night. He has died on admission to Kalubowila hospital.

EPDP to go solo in East

EPDP led by Minister Douglas Devananda has taken a decision to go solo at the forthcoming Provincial Council elections in the East.

Another LTTE runway destroyed in Mullaitivu

Another LTTE runway located in west of Mullaitivu was bombed and destroyed by Air Force fighter jets this morning, the Media Center for National Security said.

Dhammika appointed Acting Secretary General

President Mahinda Rajapakse has appointed Dhammika Kitulgoda, a former Secretary General of Parliament to function as the Acting Secretary General, as Mrs. Priyani Wijesekara retired from the post today, the Presidential Secretariat sources said.

SL growth rate will increase this year

The UN Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific region forecasts Sri Lanka’s economic growth rate will increase to seven percent this year.
This growth will stem due to increased efficiency in agricultural, industrial and services sectors. Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Studies Dr. Saman Kelegama says rising inflation has posed problems to a number of countries in the world.
Sri Lanka is also experiencing the difficult situation due to the rising inflation. Increasing fuel and food prices in the global market was the major reason for this situation. Dr. Kelegama expressed these views participating in launching of the UN Economic and Social Survey Report for the Asia Pacific Region.

Sri Lankan rebels say freed 22 child soldiers

Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers Monday said they had released 22 child soldiers and disputed figures from the United Nations Children's Fund that the rebels still had hundreds of under-age fighters.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said they were also trying to locate families of 20 children still within their ranks.
The guerrillas accused UNICEF, which lists several hundred children in LTTE ranks, of not updating its database.
The rebels said another 41 child soldiers remained within their ranks but could not be released because most of them did not have parents or guardians.
Over the last two decades, the Tigers have promised to free children from their rank and file, but they have been accused of failing to take concrete action.
There was no immediate comment from UNICEF to the Tigers' statement, but the agency's website said there were 1,428 outstanding cases of child recruitment by the rebels at the end of February 2008.
"Of these, 181 are under the age of 18, and 1,247 were recruited while under 18 but have now passed that age," UNICEF said.
UNICEF said there were another 235 outstanding cases of child soldier recruitment by a breakaway rebel faction, the Karuna group, which operates in the island's east and is believed to help government troops fight the Tigers.
"UNICEF estimates that its database only reflects a third of the actual number of children recruited," the UN agency said adding that it continuously checks its figures to ensure accuracy.
International rights groups have alleged the Sri Lankan government colludes with the Karuna group to recruit children to fight the Tamil Tigers.
Tens of thousands have died in over three decades of fighting in the ethnic conflict.

Government will not postpone EP polls

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo
Government Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella emphasises the government’s stance on holding Eastern Provincial Council Election remains unchanged.
The government has no intention to delay the election. Speaking at a media briefing held in Colombo today Minister Rambukwella reiterated the government would take every necessary action to hold the election free and fair.
It is the present government who gave the people of eastern province their supremacy by liberating the province from terrorism. He pointed out elections are being held to further safeguard the people’s supremacy. The local government election in Batticaloa was such a measure that was taken by the government. Speaking further Minister Rambukwella said the rumours spreading about the eastern provincial council election are false.

Joining the media briefing military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara disclosed two air raids that carried out to an air strip of LTTE at Mullative. The pilots have confirmed the air raids caused heavy damages to the LTTE.
The humanitarian operations in the Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya areas are continuously carried out despite bad weather. The forward defence line of the LTTE at Adampan in Mannar and Periya-pandi-virichchan at Vavuniya has been captured by the army troops.

During this month 678 LTTE cadres have been killed from confrontations with the Army troops. Furthermore, 73 army troops have also paid their supreme sacrifice during this period. 316 troops have been injured. Speaking further the Brigadier added the Army had also recovered large number of weapons of the LTTE during this month.

End

Nominations will end on Thursday

Accepting nominations for the eastern provincial council election will be concluded by mid night on Thursday. The time period for Independent Groups to submit deposits for the election will be concluded by midnight on Wednesday.
Assistant Election Commissioners of the Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee said the renowned political parties would handover their nominations by Wednesday and Thursday.

Assistant Election Commissioner of Trincomalee district M.S.K. Bandara said 242 thousand persons are eligible to vote in the district. Assistant Election Commissioner of Ampara Lakshmenthra Thennakoon pointed out around 3,700 officers and 400 vehicles are required for the election activities in the district. The number of voters in the district exceeds 493 thousand. Furthermore, around 340 thousand persons are eligible to vote in the Batticaloa district. Assistant Election Commissioner of Batticaloa S. Sudhakaran says around five thousand officers are required for the election.

Speaking to media , representatives of number of renowned political parties disclosed nomination lists for the upcoming eastern provincial council election are now being compiled. The United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance said all the arrangements have been finalised for the handing over of nominations for the election. The number of candidates who will contest for the election was decided at a special discussion yesterday.

Meanwhile, United National Party said arrangements for the election of the party will be finalised today. Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna has also finalised the number of candidates that will contest for the election.

After all the nominations are handed over the Elections Commissioner is due to announce the election date.
End

Government to woo Kaththankudi Muslims

 
A high-powered government delegation will visit the Kaththankudi Mosque Federation today in view of getting the support of Kaththankudi Muslims for the forthcoming general election.

Fishermen roughed up near Katchathivu

 

Fishermen were allegedly roughed up on mid-sea near Katchathivu by Sri Lankan Navy personnel early on Sunday.

Sri Lankan journalists urge Indian High Commission to get back the master tapes of 'Prabhakaran'

 


An umbrella media organization, comprising five organizations today urged Indian High Commission in Colombo to intervene to get back the master tapes of Sri Lankan film director Thushara Peiris's movie 'Prabhakaran' from the Gemini Studios in India.

The group in a letter to the Indian High Commissioner, Alok Prasad said, “We wish to register our disquiet about this incident and our concern here is with the principle, not the content of the film per se.”

Film Director Peiris was attacked in Chennai when he visited Gemini Studios last week by a group calling themselves the ‘Tamil Nadu Film Directors Association’.

“We believe that right to hold and express opinions are fundamental rights accepted by both our countries and enshrined in our respective constitutions. Making films or any other cultural production related to a social, an economic or political theme is to exercise this inviolable right. It is in this context that we believe the recent attack against Peiris is a violation of that right,” the release stated.

The five media organizations are Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Federation of Media Employees Trade Union, Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum, Sri Lanka Tamil Journalists Alliance and Free Media Movement.

Two terrorists killed in Muhamalai

 

A LTTE terrorist was killed in a confrontation in the afternoon around 12.30 in the MUHAMALAI area, JAFFNA on Saturday (29) while another terrorist was killed in the night around 10.30 on the same day in MUHAMALAI.

4 LTTE cadres killed in clashes - Mannar

 

Four LTTE terrorists were killed in clashes occurred at Thirukeshwaram in Mannar this morning, March 30, defence sources said.

Army snipers deployed in general area Thirukeshwaram in Mannar gunned down three LTTE terrorists this morning, March 30. The incidents took place around 9.10 a.m., defence sources said.

Meanwhile, troops launched an attack targeting a group of LTTE terrorists in the same area around 10.20 a.m. this morning, March 30. Ground troops confirmed that one terrorist was killed in this attack.

SLMC to contest on UNP ticket

The SLMC would contest the first ever election to the Eastern Provincial Council on the UNP ticket, well informed sources said.

They had reached an understanding on an agreement, the sources said. This would pave the way for the SLMC to propose a chief ministerial candidate, the sources said, asserting an agreement between the UNP and the SLMC was a forgone conclusion.

The sources claimed the recent talks to explore the possibility of all Muslim parties coming together to contest the elections on the UPFA ticket had been a farce. The UNP and SLMC had agreed to join hands almost immediately after the government called the election, the sources said.

The UNP-SLMC coalition would pit itself against the UPFA which has the backing of breakaway LTTE group TMVP.

Although the SLMC hadn’t announced its chief ministerial candidate as yet M. L. M. Hisbullah, formerly of the PA and the incumbent SLMC chief in the Batticaloa District is believed to be a leading candidate.

Hisbullah was believed to be one of key movers of the bid to strike a deal with the SLFP, the sources said.

Others said SLMC General Secretary M. T. Hasen Ali, MP, would quit his National List seat to lead the UNP list. Ali wasn’t available for comment yesterday as he was in the East.

A final decision is expected to be announced by Tuesday.

Government sources said they weren’t unduly worried about the UNP-SLMC coalition as Eastern Province Muslims were well represented in Parliament.

Fighter jets bombed another Sea Tiger base in Mullathivu

Fighter jets of the Air Force have pounded another Sea Tiger base in Mullathivu. The Media Center for National Security says the aerial attack was launched around 12.40 pm today targeting a sea tiger camp in Chilawatte in Ampil in the Mullathivu district. The pilots have confirmed their target was accurate.

Government initiated 12 mega development projects-MR

President Mahinda Rajapakse says the government has initiated 12 mega development projects without confining its activities only to defeat terrorism.
New job opportunities have been created while increasing the salaries and wages of employees. The president said the United National Party despite being well aware of this situation is attempting to disrupt humanitarian operations in the North indirectly supporting the terrorists. President Rajapakse expressed these views addressing the 18th General Assembly of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party held at Temple Trees this morning.
Certain groups undertaking foreign visits allege the government that it commits human rights violations. The president describes this behaviour of such groups as taking revenge on the general public to avenge their hatred towards him. Speaking further president Rajapakse said before he came into office the request of the public was to liberate the north and east from the terrorists. Now this request has been fulfilled.
The United National Party which boycotted the local polls in the eastern province is now attempting to win the provincial council elections with the support of the LTTE. The president stated that the people in the area will never forget the fact that the east was liberated by the present government. The government has fulfilled its responsibility to establish democracy in the area. President Rajapakse also pointed out the importance of strengthening the SLFP along with the government’s development programmes.
Speaking on the occasion general secretary of the SLFP Minister Maithreepala Sirisena said the government has initiated a broad programme to boost the local economy. SLFP Treasurer Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle recalled the support of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna during the last presidential polls and said the government is ready to counter any type of challenge that comes in its direction.
10 proposals were passed in the 18th SLFP General Assembly today. A large crowd gathered attended the event.

Troops recover 300 Anti- Personnel mines & large stock of ammunition

Three hundred (300) anti - personnel mines were recovered by Troops in a search operation conducted between 8.30 in the morning and 2.00 in the afternoon by the Army in the JANKAPURA area, WELIOYA on Saturday (29) while a soldier was also reported injured and a hand grenade was recovered in the morning around 11.20 on Saturday (29) in a confrontation in the same area.
Meanwhile in another confrontation with terrorists a soldier was killed in action in the same area in the evening around 6.30 the same day (29). Another soldier was also killed in a confrontation around 11.45 in the morning on Saturday (29). A soldier was also reported killed in action around 3.10 in the afternoon on Saturday (29) in the KIRIIBBANWEWA area, WELIOYA while two soldiers were reported injured during a confrontation with terrorists on the same day around 1.00 in the afternoon.
On the same day (29), four terrorists were also reported injured and 3400 rounds of live T56 rounds, 1100 MPMG live rounds and ten (10) hand grenades were recovered by Troops during a fierce confrontation with terrorist in the same area of KIRIIBANWEWA, WELIOYA in the afternoon around 12.45.

Troops recover Anti -personnel mines

Troops continuing search operations in the TRINCOAMLEE area recover ten (10) anti - personnel mines from the GALMITIYAWA area.

A senior broadcaster launches a website to support disabled and disadvantaged youth in SL

Sunil C. Perera in Sri Lanka

A senior broadcaster and a drama therapist Rohana Deva Perera launched his official website - http://www.thidoratheatre.org/ to assist local disabled and disadvantaged youth and to help them using Performing Arts as a therapeutic tool by respecting each and every individual and their contributions to the entirety while celebrating differences of all communities of Sri Lanka.

Speaking to media he explained the inception and concept of THIDORA dates back to 1987, with its new phase, now being implemented.

The original name of the project was Natya Silpa Shalika, which was initiated by a popular and veteran dramatist late Dhamma Jagoda. After his demise, Rohana Deva [Chairman, Thidora] succeeded as the director of the Natya Silpa Shalika. During this period an enthusiastic foreigner, Wolfgang Stange, Founder of AMICI Dance Theatre Company, London, fancied this project, mainly due to the services rendered, and focused the project towards the disabled in Sri Lanka, for which he mooted finances through Interlink Trust, London.
It would be of significant interest to note that some of the achievements of the disabled youth through this project in various activities including dramas such as “Rosa Kele’, ‘Kekiri’ and ‘Procession comes, comes and goes.’

They were produced during weekly based theatre workshops in and around Colombo. They also won a special award for a production based on ethnic conflict, “Palm and Coconut”, from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka. This project is the first ever integrated theatre introduced to the disabled in Sri Lanka. Participating youths’ keenness and enthusiasm of their parents during the project was boundless. We also utilized theatre arts as therapeutic tools to enhance their mental and physical abilities.
In 1998, Natya Silpa Shalika joined the Sunethra Bandaranaike Trust to form the Butterfly Theatre Company. Its first production “Butterflies Will Always Fly” was directed by Rohana Deva and Wolfgang Stange. In 1999, the duo successfully directed “Flowers Will Always Bloom” with performances in London, New Delhi and Brisbane, in addition to several shows in Sri Lanka. Thereafter, the project was reorganized as Sunera Foundation with a view to spreading the techniques and methodology towards other parts of Sri Lanka. Rohana Deva was the live-wire of the Foundation and a key player performing several roles as the Creative Director and Consultant.
Thidora-Theatre Institute for Disability Oriented Research and Advocacy is established to make optimum use of resources and leading a mission towards the concentrated goals and objectives of the Mission.
When workshops are conducted in rural areas it is envisaged to make a viable survey of disabled and disadvantaged talents on various aspects for development through the project, be it dance, drama, puppetry, music or art. In that backdrop, hostel facilities would be an essential input to help them concentrate on their higher studies. Plans are afoot under THIDORA to set up a mini theatre to conduct experimental activities along with hostel facilities to accommodate the disabled and disadvantaged. The mini-theatre and the hostel will be equipped with disable friendly modern facilities.
Parents of participants Ananda Siriwardana and Chithra Thebuwana [a member of the governing body of Thidora] have already donated a land and built a small auditorium for the initial work to achieve our goals.
To proceed with the aims and objectives of the Project with a future developmental sphere the numerous activities of ‘Thidora’, it is envisaged that donations and contributions from individuals and organizations keen in the rehabilitation of the innocent and the children of the God, a descent way of life.
THIDORA conducts on an on-going basis weekly workshops for Disabled and Disadvantaged and designing the teacher’s Manuel to work with Autistic Children.The institution also formulated a set of Practical Techniques for the Members of the Committee and Designing the Teachers’ Manuel to work with Autistic Children in Government Schools. The Manuel is being designed by the National Institute of Education of the Ministry of Education.It conducts training of Trainers Program for Teachers at the Ceylinco Sussex Autistic School. "We work as Resource Partner of “Eagle Samana” of Eagle Insurance to conduct awareness program for the care-takers of children with Special Needs, he said..
Coming from an area famous for its “kolam” and “kavi nadagam” forms of traditional folk theatre, Rohana was inspired by a love of drama from a very early age as a growing up child. Rohana was impressed by the strong links between drama and spirituality and the way that the performing arts can be used to touch people's souls. His passion for drama led him to study at Natya Shilpa Shalika, under theatre legend Dhamma Jagoda, and at the State Institute of Theatre Arts (SITA), where he received a Diploma in Drama. He later became the Director of Natya Shilpa Shalika.
Rohana received a Diploma in Special Education from the National Institute of Education, Sri Lanka. He has successfully completed an intensive workshop on Services for Children with Special Needs, Emphasis on Intellectual Disability & PPD-Autism at MCTC Training Centre, Israel.
Rohana's strengths initially was eminent in his early work in street theatre, which he learnt under Gamini Haththotuwagama. This later culminated in his work with Simon Nawagethwgama for UNICEF, where he used street theatre to spread public health messages to people living in shanties and slums in Colombo.
He is also an experienced Puppeteer and was a past Chairman of the Panel on Puppetry of the Arts Council of Sri Lanka. In 1987 he led a Puppetry Group from Sri Lanka to Amsterdam and latterly a Puppet Group to Pakistan in 2000.
In between theatre work, Rohana used his Diploma on Writer-ship & Communication from the University of Sri Jayawardenepura to good effect as a Creative Journalist and Broadcaster for the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. Rohana's work took a big step forward when he first met Wolfgang Stange through his work with the German Cultural Institute. The two began to work on a series of collaborative workshops for young people with disabilities, implemented by the Natya Shilpa Shalika.
Rohana’s desire to extend his healing work right across the country led to him working with Sunethra Bandaranaike and forming Sunera Foundation. Rohana Deva has acted as Consultant to the Sunera in matters relating to mapping out its work plans, supervising and ensuring their successful implementation. With Wolfgang's emphasis on dance and Rohana's focus on drama, their collaboration laid the foundations for all of the work that went on in Sunera Foundation workshops.
After beginning to work with people with disabilities, Rohana was overwhelmed by the strength of their humanity and the genuine warmth of their response to dramatic techniques.
He has also conducted advanced workshops for teachers in Special Education in Sri Lanka as well as for leading organizations abroad, in the UK, Norway, Australia, Italy and Israel.
In 2005, Rohana was bestowed with the title ‘Kala Suri’ (Expert in Arts) by the Government of Sri Lanka for his tireless efforts to help young people, the disabled and the less fortunate to integrate into society through their performances in drama and theatre.
End

Doha bank plans to strengthen trade and financial ties with Sri Lanka

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo

Visiting leading banker R.Seetharaman –CEO of the Doha Bank plans to promote trade ties with Sri Lanka and said the bank’s main aim is to promote non banking activities in Sri Lanka.Speaking to media he said his bank wishes to invest in infrastructure development, invest funds in economically viable sectors and promote fast money transferring activities with the local banks. He said that Sri Lanka has an opportunity to tap capital surpluses of oil-rich Gulf countries like Qatar as well as export professional services for a booming construction industry there. "The aim of my visit is to promote bilateral economic activity between Sri Lanka and Qatar and other Gulf Co-operation Council states," Seetharaman said.
The visit was arranged by Sri Lanka's Chamber of Construction Industries with the aim of exploring business opportunities and creating awareness among its members of the opportunities available in the Gulf. Explaining current banking trends he said a million of Sri Lankans are now serving in the gulf countries and the Doha bank’s plan is to provide a fast money transferring project for them. At present a number of local banks are with us, he said.Mr.Seetharaman had discussions with few local banks on Saturday and met various entrepreneurs to promote bilateral trade and investment activities.“We know Middle East is now booming and the Gulf Countries need skilled labour in construction sector and other sectors. The Construction Chamber could assist local labours to obtain employments and earn more, he added.
There are opportunities for investment authorities in GCC states to invest their surplus funds in fast growing economies of Asia, especially when Western economies slowing down, he said.
Qatar, with the third largest gas reserves in the world, and having the highest per capita income in the world at 70,000 dollars, was well placed to both make investments in the island, as well as import Sri Lankan professional skills because of the construction boom there.
There is over a trillion dollars worth of pure construction projects in the region right now.
Dakshitha Thalgodapitiya, Secretary General of the Chamber of Construction Industries, said Seetharaman's visit was timely as Sri Lanka was looking at exporting construction related professional services contracting capacities to Qatar.
He said the Gulf banker was the focal point of FDI from GCC states to Sri Lanka with special reference to infrastructure development.
"Sri Lanka needs large scale FDI particularly because of inadequate public spending in infrastructure development," Thalgodapitiya said.
Mr. Seetharaman was conferred by Honourable Dominique de Villepin, Former Prime Minister of France, as the “Best CEO in Middle East Banking Industry 2008” by the Middle East Excellence Awards Institute at the 5th Leading CEO Summit in recognition of his valuable contributions to the Banking industry in the Middle East, held on 19th March 2008 in Dubai.
Mr. Seetharaman was also adjudged as the “Banker of the Year” at the 2007 Banker Middle East Industry awards in recognition of his valuable contributions to the Banking industry in the Middle East, held on 16th May 2007 in Doha. He also won a number of international awards .
End

12 Independent Groups have made their deposits -ECs in EP

Assistant Elections Commissioners of Trincomalee, Ampara and Batticaloa say 12 Independent Groups have made their deposits by yesterday for the forthcoming provincial council elections in the eastern province.
Assistant Elections Commissioner of Batticaloa S. Sudhakaran sent no political party has so far submitted their nominations. Accepting of nominations will end at 12.00 noon on the 3rd of next month. The time period allocated to submit deposit for the local polls will conclude at 12.00 noon on April 2nd. The Elections Commissioner will officially announce the date for polling after receiving nomination papers.
Meanwhile preliminary arrangements for the upcoming Eastern Provincial Council elections are under way and accordingly the applications for postal votes are ready in accordance with the voters list of 2006. The election secretariat says that a large number of security forces personnel are expected to apply for postal votes.End

SL's first open air zoo will open this year

The construction work of the first phase of the Sri Lanka’s first ever open air zoo is to be completed within this year. It is located at Pinnawala in Rambukkana. The government together with Sabaragamuwa provincial council will invest 100 million rupees for the construction process this year. Speaking at a media briefing held at the office of the Pinnawala zoo minister Gamini Lokuge disclosed the zoo will comprise three zones.End

Havelock City” mega shopping complex will begin this year.

The investment agreements have been signed for the construction of the biggest ever shopping complex in the Colombo city. The Havelock City private limited and the Mireka Capital Land Company will invest 60 million rupees in this regard. The construction of the three store “Havelock City” mega shopping complex will begin this year. Chief operation officer of the Overseas Reality Company which heads the project Rimaz Gauz says it will also include a cinema hall and cafeterias. Space has also been given for various institutions, departments and warehouse facilities. The construction work is scheduled to be completed by the year 2010.
On behalf of the government the investment agreement was signed by Director General of the Board of Investment Dhammika Perera, while the agreement letters were handed over by Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama. End

Mines removed

VAVUNIYA: Army troops who had observed a mine field were able to remove 78 AP mines in NAVATKULAM .

Army Commander Meets Wanni Ground Commanders

COMMANDER OF THE ARMY Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka met senior ground Commanders in Wanni area Saturday (29) morning at the Security Forces Headquarters- Wanni (SFHQ-W).
Wanni Security Forces Commander Major General Jagath Jayasuriya received the visiting Army Chief, accompanied by a few senior officers at Army Headquarters at the air strip.Latest, developments in the Security Situation and steps taken to provide basic facilities to IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) arriving here from un-cleared areas were briefed by the Security Forces Commander to Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka.
After listening to briefings by senior commanders on their respective areas, Army Commander issued further instructions on future security measures to be taken.

Lutheran World Relief responds to Sri Lanka flooding

Lutheran World Relief is providing emergency food rations to approximately 200 children under the age of 6 who have been displaced from their homes by recent torrential rains in Sri Lanka.
More than 7,000 people were forced from their homes by floods in Sri Lanka's Batticaloa region last week. Many of those people had already been displaced by fighting between the government and the Tamil Tiger rebels, and are now forced to move again.
Lutheran World Relief is working with the YMCA of Batticaloa to provide food rations to children in eight camps for internally displaced persons. LWR's Sri Lanka staff will continue to monitor the situation and may consider a longer term relief or reconstruction project if conditions do not improve.
The torrential rains that caused the flooding have ceased, and drier conditions are expected in the coming days.
'A rapid response is vital in the days following an emergency,' said LWR President John Nunes. 'Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have the agility to respond quickly to ensure that basic needs are met.'

Troops destroy two LTTE bunkers; dominate 700m neck of land

Troops in a pre dawn attack have destroyed two fortified bunkers manned by LTTE terrorists this morning (March 29). According to the defence sources at Mannar battlefront, Sri Lanka army infantrymen have launched the surprise attack around 4.a.m at the LTTE bunker defence located in Elanthivan area, South of Admapan.
Ground troops have confirmed that 10 LTTE cadres were killed in this incident. Also, a 700m stretch of land has been dominated, sources further said. The soldiers are consolidating their positions, the sources added.

No move against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council

The four-week-long Seventh Session of the UN Human Rights Council which concluded yesterday (March 28) in Geneva took action on more than 35 resolutions and decisions on the promotion and protection of human rights and Sri Lanka was not on its agenda once again.
There was no action taken by the Council on the country's human rights situation in any of the three standard forms, namely a resolution, a special session or a statement by the President of the Council.
A clear majority of members of the Council showed their solidarity with Sri Lanka in its efforts to promote and protect human rights while combating terrorism. Reference to Sri Lanka's human rights situation was made by several Western countries and Sri Lankan and international NGOs which attended the Seventh Session. However, such criticism fell well short of gaining necessary support within the Council for any specific action on Sri Lanka due to a successful briefing campaign spearheaded by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva. This campaign was a part of Sri Lanka's long-standing policy of open and constructive engagement with the international community on human rights issues.

COI to check international credibility of investigations

The Commission to Investigate serious Violations of Human Rights (CoI) will seek the opinion of the Attorney General on the international credibility of its investigations once the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) withdraws from the observation role next Monday, Secretary, CoI, S D. Piyadasa says.

CM aspirer’s pow wow with Pillayan

A SLMC strongman from Batticaloa district who aspires to be the chief ministerial candidate of the party has started talks with Pillayan faction in view of sharing the post with Pillayan in a UPFA-SLMC tie up. However the party hierarchy has completely ruled out an alliance with government and says it will go either solo or with the UNP.

Sri Lanka at risk of getting poorer

Poverty would increase in Sri Lanka both in the short and long run, the 60th report of the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific (Escap) 2008 said. According to the report India would suffer the most while Bangladesh will also suffer.

Supreme Court endorses Lanka's Human Rights commitment

The Supreme Court has determined that internationally accepted human rights conventions have been enshrined in Sri Lanka's legal system.
This verdict has been returned by the Supreme Court on a request by the President to seek a SC determination on Lanka's stand vis-a-vis the legal enshrinement of human rights, Export Promotion and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris told the weekly Cabinet press briefing.
He said this determination has nullified attempts by certain elements here and abroad to tarnish the human rights image of Sri Lanka.
He said these accusations have surfaced mainly in the backdrop of Sri Lanka reapplying for GSP+ duty free status for apparel and other exports to the European Union this year. The aim of these elements was to deprive the EU apparel quotas to Lanka and hurt its economy.
The GSP+ status is reviewed every three years and is applicable to 7,200 categories of goods.
The Minister said President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who realised the immense loss that some elements were trying to cause to the country, requested the Supreme Court to determine whether Sri Lanka maintained and respected an internationally accepted human rights legal framework, which would satisfy the EU.
The Government's commitment to human rights has been reinforced by the Supreme Court verdict, he added.
"The apparel industry is the biggest beneficiary of GSP+. More than 350,000 are directly employed in the apparel sector and more than one million indirectly benefit. More than three million families depend on the apparel sector."
He expressed the hope that the Supreme Court verdict would be an appropriate answer to those who had attempted to show that Sri Lanka had no respect for human rights, with the aim of scuttling the GSP+ quota allocation.

No Sinhala and Hindu New Year celebrations due to CoL - Ranil

Due to the skyrocketing cost of living it has become almost impossible for the public to celebrate the upcoming Sinhala and Hindu New Year, United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe said.
He said this at the inaugural convention of the People’s Force National Movement at the UNP Headquarters at Sirikotha in Kotte.
Mr. Wickramasinghe added that the Sinhala and Hindu New Year is the only celebration that has all the customs put together.

LTTE operative killed in accidental bomb explosion- Ampara

A LTTE terrorist was killed when a bomb he was carrying exploded in distances from the Murunkan temple at Alaiyadiwembu in Ampara district on Friday (March 28) at 7.30p.m.
According to Akkaraipattuwa Police, the LTTE operative was killed on the spot while no civilian was injured in the explosion. It is believed that the bomb has accidentally triggered off while the LTTE operative was carrying it hidden in his waist, Police further said.

Prabhakaran director gives up fast

Sri Lankan filmmaker Thushara Peiris who was subjected to a mob attack instigated by LTTE sympathisers in Tamil Nadu gave up his hunger strike yesterday after Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama's intervention to bring down film copies detained at Gemini Colour Laboratory in Chennai.
The Minister assured co-producer of Prabhakaran, Saman Thanthrige, of the Government's fullest co operation in this regard when the latter met the Minister on behalf of Peiris who is receiving treatment at a private Hospital.
Thanthrige gave a brief outline of the incident and sought the Foreign Ministry's direct intervention to bring the film copies back, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said. The Foreign Minster has immediately directed the Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai to look into the matter and make early arrangements to bring the copies back.
Accordingly the Deputy High Commissioner based in Chennai in coordination with the High Commissioner in Delhi have already taken initial steps towards this. Peiris was brutally assaulted by protesters opposite the Gemini Laboratory when he arrived there to hand over his debut film Prabhakaran for dubbing.
The Tamil Nadu Media has given wide publicity for this film slated for release in the State.
However, he has managed to escape with a deep laceration on his back after the intervention of Indian Police and intelligence service agents.
Peiris said the Filmamakers Association in Chennai has watched the film and suspended screening it in Tamil Nadu. They have directed the Gemini Laboratory not to release the film to the Director.
"The film is directed by me and it is my property. They should hand it back," he said. "Film Corporation Chairman T.M. Sanghadasa came to see me and promised all possible efforts to bring back the film.
"I went to the Gemini Laboratory to dub Prabhakaran which gives a clear picture of LTTE terrorist atrocities and child conscription to the world," he said.
But later I came to know that some film artistes and technicians have been hoodwinked by the LTTE sympathisers to protest against this film which according to them was anti-Tamil, he said.
"There is a misconception among the Tamil Nadu artistes that this film is anti-Tamil. It is not true," he added.

3 LTTE suspects arrested in Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu Police reportedly have arrested 3 LTTE suspects alleged of smuggling for the LTTE an internationally banned terror outfit on Friday(March 28) Indian media was quoted.
The LTTE suspects were been detained under the National Security Act(NSA) while 4 others were reported arrested under the same act for smuggling activities for the Maoist movement.
The LTTE suspects were identified as Murudapandi, Muthuramalingam and R. Raja now in detention at Puzhal and Madurai Central prisons in Tamil Nadu.
According to news reports, cases were filed against them under various sections of the IPC, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act and Criminal Law Amendment Act.

Corporate tea estates in Sri Lanka are withering

By P.K. Balachandran, Colombo,
Sri Lanka exported $1.3 billion worth of tea in 2007, the highest in the 141-year history of the crop in the island country. This has brought cheer to Sri Lankans, but tea industry experts see it as a flash in the pan. Sri Lanka produces 304 million kg per year and is the fourth largest tea producer in the world, after China, India and Kenya. But the large estates, which are in the corporate sector, are on the decline, with no prospect of an early recovery, notes N. Yogaratnam, consultant at the National Institute of Plantation Management (NIPM) in Colombo.
"The increase in the export earnings was due to a 16% hike in world prices due to a shortage created by the Kenyan political crisis. It was not because of high performance by the Sri Lankan tea industry. Tea production in Sri Lanka had actually declined by 6% when this happened," Yogaratnam told IANS.
"Kenya and south India have higher productivity than Sri Lanka. In Kenya, it is 2,300 kg per hectare and in south India it is 2,240 kg/ha. Intake (plucking) per worker per day is 20 to 22 kg in Sri Lanka while in Kenya it is 30 to 35 kg," he pointed out. "The cost of production is the highest in Sri Lanka. It is $2.2 per kg here while in Vietnam it is $0.75, and in Kenya and India it is $1.25," Yogaratnam said.
The corporate sector estates have not been replanting as much as they should. Only about 1% is replanted while it should not be less than 2%. However, the small-scale sector, which accounts for 70% of the national production, is a silver lining in the dark cloud. But small scale production has its own limitations in a competitive world market."In the case of small tea holdings, productivity is 1,850 kg per hectare. But the national average, taking into account the corporate estates, is only 1,520 kg/ha," Yogaratnam pointed out.
Unlike the small scale sector, the large scale estates face a heavy wage bill and overheads. Tea estate managements still have an expensive colonial style lifestyle, but the workers today are less slavish and more demanding as compared to colonial times. The politically powerful plantation workers have managed to get regular wage increases through strikes. The last wage increase in 2007 had imposed a burden of SL Rs.90 million ($833,000) on a corporate estate on an average, complained Lalith Obeysekere, chairman of the Plantation Services Group in the Employers' Federation of Ceylon.
"Since the privatisation of the tea estates in 1992, wages have gone up by 350 %, while productivity has increased very little," he pointed out. "Labour issues are critical because labour accounts for 60% of the cost of production," added Yogaratnam. With improvement in educational facilities, more money in their pockets and social changes around them, young tea estate workers are now leaving the estates and finding alternative jobs outside.
"The corporate estate sector loses about 10% of its workers every year, and there are no new entrants from south India to fill the gap as was the case in the colonial days," Yogaratnam said. The structural characteristics of corporate tea estates, and the sector's relations with the Sri Lankan polity are two other key factors shaping its destiny.
"The large tea estates are owned by the government but are leased out to private sector companies for management. The managements therefore do not have the sense of security or commitment of a small scale planter who owns his plantation. "Secondly, successive socialist-oriented governments have given facilities and concessions to the small scale planter but not to the corporate estates. While the small scale planter gets key inputs like fertiliser at a subsidized rate, the corporate estates have to buy at rising market prices," Yogaratnam pointed out. "The future for corporate estates is not rosy. The government should give them a helping hand through subsidies and other incentives," he said.

SLMC defers decision on Tree symbol, forging alliances

by Zacki Jabbar
A majority of SLMC members are for contesting the May 10, Eastern Provincial Council Election under its Tree symbol, but no finality was reached at its high command meeting on Wednesday night.
Informed sources said that the majority view expressed at the meeting was that the Tree symbol should not be sacrificed at any cost. "A section of the party said that all options should be explored before deciding on the strategy that needs to be adopted. However a final decision would be taken only after we finalise our list of candidates."
Those wanting the SLMC to retain the Tree symbol, reasoned that maintaining its identity in the East - which is the party’s main base was of paramount importance."Contesting under common symbols in other parts of the country was quite in order, but it would be a case of committing political suicide if such a course of action was followed in the region that gave birth to the SLMC."
Leader of the SLMC, Rauff Hakeem and party seniors on Thursday visited Ampara, Trincomalee and Batticaloa to finalise their list of candidates for the EPC polls.
"Our present focus is to select competent and popular candidates for the SLMC list. Forming alliances could be looked at thereafter", the sources said.
The SLFP, UNP and other Muslim political parties recently held talks with the SLMC to explore the possibility of contesting the EPC election under a common symbol.
The UNP and SLMC having discussed an electoral alliance on Wednesday, agreed to meet again on Sunday.

SLBC to shut down regional service - Kaviratne

From Jayaweera Bandara Atapattu
Administrative problems have led to a decision to terminate the regional services of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Central Provincial Council member Sanjeewa Kaviratne (UNP) warned of this impending move at a recent meeting of the council.
The hill country broadcasting service of the SLBC, the Kandurata Radio Service has been producing several social, religious and educational programmes.
Kaviratne urged the council to request the Minister of Media and information to continue with the important regional broadcasting service of the State-run SLBC.
SLBC officials of the Kandurata Service told The Island that the service was running at a loss due to overstaffing. Instead of 10 or 12 administrative and operational staff needed to run the service, 57 were employed causing a loss to the SLBC.

Plot to kill Gota hatched in Mutwal

by Hemantha Randunu
Police investigating an attempt on Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s life at Colpetty in December 2006 have established that terror strike had been planned by a group of senior LTTE members led by a priest at Mutwal.
It has also been found that the trishaw used in the attack had been fitted with a bomb at a religious place in Mutwal.
The police have ascertained details of the abortive assassination bid from a group of LTTE cadres including two women arrested in the Pettah recently while they were planning to launch an attack in Colombo. The police have traced a trishaw the LTTE had used to transport explosives for the December 2006 attack.
The police have detected C-4 explosives, detonators and arms concealed in a washing machine at the priest’s residence. A resident of Kilinochchi, he has been living in Mutwal with his wife for ten years.
The attack on the Defence Secretary, who was on his way to attend a National Security Council meeting at Temple Trees, was carried out by a male suicide bomber driving a red three wheeler. Two soldiers were killed in the blast and 18, including security forces personnel and civilians injured.

UNICEF sacks drug addicted Staff

The UNICEF has terminated the services of Ms Lisa Woods fined by courts for being in possession of heroin.
The Country office of UNICEF in Sri Lanka has informed the Foreign Ministry of its decision. Ms Woods left the country yesterday (28).
The Government has stressed the need for international agencies to exercise due diligence when appointments are made with a view to ensuring the high standards of integrity of their staff.
A Foreign Ministry communiqué issued yesterday said: "The Country Office of UNICEF in Sri Lanka has informed the Ministry that the services of Ms Lisa Woods, a Communication Consultant who was fined by the Courts for being in possession of 80 mg of heroin was terminated.
Consequently she left the country on 28th March 2008.
Ms Wood, a US national, had arrived in Sri Lanka on 5th March this year to work with the UNICEF on a 4-month assignment to assist the updating of the UNICEF website and to write donor reports.
Ms. Wood has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, of a private hospital in Colombo on 12th March as she was found unconscious in her Hotel. She was placed under arrest by the Police for the possession of heroin and produced before the Colombo Magistrate on 25th March.
The Government appreciates the co-operation extended by UNICEF to the law enforcement authorities and for the immediate administrative measures taken against the officer.
The Government reiterates the need for international organizations to exercise due diligence when appointments are made with a view to ensuring the high standard of integrity and conduct of their staff. This will require a thorough assessment of the individual staff members including previous records, in order to satisfy that the staff member concerned possesses an unblemished record. Such measures would avoid any negative consequences on the concerned agencies by the personal conduct of its officials."

Only STF, troops allowed to carry arms – STF chief

The Special Task Force will provide optimum security during the run-up and conduct of the forthcoming Eastern Provincial Council elections, the newly appointed STF Commandant, DIG, K. M. L. S. Sarathchandra said.

PIU probes alleged malpractices at Open prison

The Presidential Inv estigations Unit has begun a probe into a number of malpractices alleged to have taken place in the Prisons Department run open prison camp at Hangilipola in Kurunegala. This follows a number of complaints received by the unit.

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court rulings ignored

By BASIL FERNANDO
HONG KONG, China, A man who alleged that he was severely beaten by the police in Sri Lanka after he refused to pay a bribe of three valuable gems was granted leave to appeal by the Supreme Court. He complained that his constitutional right to be protected from illegal arrest, illegal detention and torture were violated by the police.
Within the last few months, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has made three decisions against police officers for similar violations of abusing their powers of arrest and torturing people purely to obtain bribes.

In one case, the petitioner stated that he was lawfully transporting furniture from Colombo to his permanent residence in Kalmunai when he stopped his truck for the night, as it was dangerous to proceed further in an elephant-infested area. He complained that a police officer appeared, searched the truck and asked for a bribe of 5,000 rupees (US$50), threatening the man he would be prosecuted for illegally transporting furniture if he did not comply with the request for money.

Despite the man's protestations of innocence and showing the officer a permit to transport the furniture (which, in fact, was not a legal requirement but which he had obtained through an abundance of caution), the police officer arrested him and took him and the truck to the police station. He was subsequently detained illegally and hit with a wire that injured him, causing severe pain.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of this petitioner and gave lengthy directions to the inspector general of police to take action to prevent similar occurrences, which the court stated were common abuses of power in the country.

A few months later the Supreme Court made another decision in a case involving a married couple who claimed that they too were illegally arrested, illegally detained and severely tortured due to their refusal to pay bribes demanded by the police. On this occasion, the bribe demanded was 2,000 rupees (US$20).

This family though was very poor as the husband, having suffered a head injury, had been paralyzed for several years, and consequently their means of livelihood was selling illicit liquor in their small village shop. The police officers in the area had a habit of obtaining bribes from them regularly by filing, from time to time, charges for selling illicit liquor against these two people alternatively, for which they had to pay small fines.

This particular incident took place on one occasion when they were unable to pay the bribe. The petitioners pleaded in court that one of the officers even demanded sexual favors from the wife and, in fact, tried to forcibly enter her bedroom at midnight through a window. Because the neighbors were awakened due to the woman's cries, they were able to catch the police officer. However, a large number of his colleagues soon arrived in a jeep and took the husband and wife to the police station, where they were assaulted and fabricated charges were filed against them.

In this case, the court again ruled in favor of the petitioners, declaring that their rights guaranteed by the Constitution had been violated and ordering that compensation be paid to them.

A third case was decided in favor of another man who complained to the Supreme Court that, while he was driving his car, he was stopped at a checkpoint and asked for his driving license. He handed over a duly authenticated duplicate license, as the original had been lost. The police officer threatened to prosecute this driver for possession of a forged document unless he gave the officer a bottle of perfume which was found in his car.

This petitioner declared his innocence, maintained the legal validity of his license and refused to comply with the demanded bribe. The officer retained the license and asked this person to leave the scene. As a measure of caution, however, he went to the nearest police station to make a complaint about this incident. Instead of recording the complaint, the police sent him back to the same checkpoint where he had had the incident.

Upon his arrival, the officers reacted furiously. They went back in his car to the police station and handed him over to the Fraud Bureau, which detained him overnight and charged him for possessing a forged document. The magistrate remanded him pending further inquiries and released him only when a report was filed from the registrar of the Motor Traffic Branch stating that the license was genuine.

On all of these three occasions, the Supreme Court has given very lengthy directives to the inspector general of police and the secretary of the Ministry of Defense on the measures to be taken to prevent the abuse of power by police and military authorities, particularly with regard to searches and arrests at checkpoints that have sprouted up all over Colombo and elsewhere. While the purpose of these checkpoints is to prevent security breaches, they are being used, in fact, as places to collect bribes.

The latest case that came before the Supreme Court this week only proves that the directives given by the court have in no way altered the practice of using the national security law for the personal benefit of the officers. While these four incidents are related to petty bribes, it has been acknowledged that the kidnappings that have been taking place in Colombo and elsewhere have also been used to extract money. If the situation around Colombo is like those just described, it is unimaginable the extent to which the abuse of authority is taking place in the north and east, where the country's conflict is much more acute.

While the authorities ignore the directives of the Supreme Court, despite the court repeatedly reissuing these directives, the government takes an attitude of encouraging this illegal behavior, not only among law enforcement officers, but also among members of the government itself.

The notorious incident regarding the conflict of the government minister, Mervyn Silva, with the country's state television channel, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corp., and the subsequent attacks on journalists did not provoke any responsible action on the part of the government. In fact, the government's reaction has created a public perception that it is part of the present-day ruling strategy to allow such a state of lawlessness to exist.

Sri Lanka deposit rate ceiling to fall in April

COLOMBO, March 28 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's central bank said on Friday it was lowering the ceiling on deposit rates offered by finance companies to curb lending rates effective next month.

The maximum rate on a time deposit with a maturity period of 12 months or less will be the maximum rate of 364-day Treasury Bills issued during the immediately preceding quarter, plus 2.5 percent.

For deposits with a maturity period of more than 12 months the maximum return will be 5 percent plus 364-day T-Bills.

The previous limits were 3 and 6 percentage points, respectively, above the relevant T-Bill yields.

"The Central Bank expects that these revisions of the deposit interest rate ceilings would, in turn, lead to the reduction of the lending rates of finance companies," the central bank said in a statement.

Finance companies in Sri Lanka offer returns on deposits high as 25 percent, higher than commercial banks. The market interest rate hovers around 18 percent.

Their borrowing cost are higher than banks, sometimes over 35 percent, but investors still go to finance companies for reduced bottlenecks and minimum due diligence.
Analysts see the central bank move as designed to spur economic growth which threatens to fall below target due to war, high inflation and soaring interest rates.

Two civilians killed

LTTE terrorists had shot Sinhalese civilians travelling in a lorry, engaged in sand mining in Colony No 16 in AMPARA yesterday(27) around 4.30 p.m. Two civilians were killed and one wounded. The injured were admitted to AMPARA hospital.

Two civilians wounded in Vavuniya

Two female Tamil civilians were wounded when unidentified gunmen riding a motor cycle lobbed a hand grenade at Communication Centre in MAHARAMBAKULAM, VAVUNIYA today(28) around 11.15 a.m.

Injured were admitted to the VAVUNIYA Hospital.

Five terrorists killed

An LTTE cadre was killed by Army troops in a confrontation in KIRIBBAWEWA in WELIOYA today (28) around 2.30 p.m.. Subsequently the dead body of the terrorist and a T56 weapon were recovered.

Three terrorists were killed in an encounter in NAGARKOVIL, JAFFNA today (28) around 10. a.m.. an LTTE bunker was destroyed by the Army in KILALAY- JAFFNA today (28) around 5.30 a.m.. Heavy damages were caused to the LTTE.

An LTTE cadre was killed in an encounter with the Army in MUHAMALAI today (28) around 12.00 noon.

SLAF raids LTTE explosive dump - Iranamadhu

SLAF fighter jets raided an LTE explosive dump this evening (March 28) in a jungle patch at Udayarkatukulama located 20km East of Iranamadhu tank, Air Force sources said.

According to Air Force Spokesperson, Wing Commander Andrew Wijesooriya the air sorties were made following precise air and ground reconnaissance information at around 4.30p.m.
"The LTTE explosive dump was totally destroyed in the air attack", Spokesperson Wijesooriya was quoted saying.

Rupavahini not militarized – Media Minister

Media Minister Spokesman Anura Priyadharsana Yapa today denied claims that the state owned Rupavahini is being militarized with the appointment of a retired Major General as the Director General of the Administration of the Channel.

Three new Majors Generals

Three Brigadiers, who are currently in the northern battle field, have been promoted to the rank of Majors General. They are Jagath Dias – (General Officer Command (GOC) -57-Vavuniya), Deepal Alwis (Military Secretary) and Jagath Rambukkpotha (GOC-56-Omanthai), military sources said.

SC says Rights Covenant recognized in SL

The Supreme Court has determined that the Constitution of the country and the decisions of the Supreme Court give adequate recognition to the civil and political rights contained in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and that individuals in the country derive the benefit and guarantee of rights as contained in the Covenant. The Court has further held that the rights recognized in the Covenant are justiciable through legal and constitutional processes prevailing in the country. The Supreme Court made the determination on an opinion sought by the President.

P.B appointed SriLankan Chairman

Finance Secretary P.B Jayasundara has been appointed as the Chairman of Sri Lankan Airlines while a new board was also announced. The other Board members are Sunil Wijesinghe, Lalith de Silva and Nishantha Wickremesinghe.

The appointments come as the deal between SriLankan and Emirates Airlines expires at the end of March.
The government is to take over management of SriLankan Airlines starting April 1, when the management contract with Emirates ends. The government has said that it is seeking a greater say in the management of SriLankan Airlines.

Local private sector assists to bring back SL women in overseas

The private sector has expressed willingness to assist in bringing back to the island Sri Lankan women workers subjected to harassment in overseas.
The Navaloka group of companies has agreed to bear the entire expense involved in bringing back 42 Sri Lankan women subjected to harassment while working in Kuwait. Vice chairman of the group Jayantha Dharmadasa handing over the letter of agreement to minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday his company has decided to engage in this connection in order to fulfil a social responsibility.

Indian Navy warns fishermen not to venture into Sri Lankan territorial waters

(By: Walter Jayawardhana)
Vice Admiral Ram Prem Suthan, Vice Chief of Naval Staff designate of the Indian Navy sternly warned all Indian fishermen not to enter the territorial waters of Sri Lanka.
Vice Admiral Suthan said the Sri Lankan Navy has never fired at Indian fishermen inside the Indian territorial waters, referring to allegations that some fishermen have been fired at by the Sri Lanka navy.
He said due to the military conflict going on between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Sri Lanka Navy such incidents cannot be avoided inside Sri Lanka's territorial waters. He said Indian fishermen should stop venturing into Sri Lankan waters since the Sri Lanka Navy is not permitting their own fishermen to go into those war prone waters.
The Vice admiral said Indian Navy would not allow any fisherman of their country to be fired upon in side the Indian territorial waters. Therefore, it is imperative the fisherman should remain inside the territorial waters of India for fishing.
Eleven Sri Lanka fishermen taken into custody by the Indian Coast Guard at Karaikal, last month have been handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy at the maritime border by the Indian Navy.

Sri Lanka GDP Growth Unexpectedly Accelerates to 7.6%

March 28 (Bloomberg) --Sri Lanka's economic growth unexpectedly accelerated as increased exports of tea and rubber offset restraints on spending from five-year high interest rates and renewed violence in the island's civil war.
Gross domestic product expanded 7.6 percent in the three months ended Dec. 31 from a year earlier, compared with 7 percent in the third quarter, the Department of Census & Statistics said today. Economists expected a 6.6 percent gain. Growth in the South Asian island economy has been boosted by record commodity prices, which has pushed up export earnings for rubber and tea. That's made up for weaker domestic demand as the central bank holds interest rates at the highest level since 2002 to rein in inflation, now running above 20 percent.
``Agriculture exports are holding up but manufacturing and services are affected by inflation,'' said Geeth Balasuriya, analyst at HNB Stockbrokers Pvt in Colombo. ``This year will be tough given high rates.'' The Sri Lankan rupee was little changed at 107.81 to the dollar at 11:55 a.m. in Colombo, according to First Capital Treasuries Ltd. The yield on the 7.5 percent bond due in March 2009 was holding at 18.5 percent, according to First Capital.
Consumer prices in the capital Colombo rose 21.6 percent in February from a year earlier, after increasing 20.8 percent in January. February's inflation was the fastest since 2004, according to data compiled by the statistics department for a new index going back to that year. Sri Lanka's central bank has kept its benchmark repurchase rate unchanged at 10.5 percent for 13 straight meetings. Governor Nivard Cabraal said in a March 22 interview that ``tight monetary policy'' will be maintained through the end of this year on concern surging oil prices may fan inflation. The $27 billion economy expanded 6.8 percent last year, from 7.7 percent in 2006, the statistics bureau said today.
The Washington-based IMF expects growth of 6 percent in 2008, the slowest pace in three years. The government on Jan. 16 formally ended its 2002 cease- fire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam saying the rebels had used the accord to rearm and prepare for further attacks. Sri Lanka is seeking $1.8 billion in aid and investment to help rebuild the eastern province captured from the rebels in July. Services, which represent about 60 percent of the economy, expanded 7.4 percent in the fourth quarter, matching the gain of the previous three months, according to today's report. Industry, which accounts for about a third of GDP, gained 8.5 percent from 7.5 percent in the third quarter.
Farm output grew 6.7 percent from 3.7 percent previously. ``Public expenditure on power and road projects may have boosted industry,'' said Vajira Premawardhana, head of research at Lanka Orix Securities Pvt. in Colombo. ``Inflation is hurting consumer demand and a U.S. recession will slow trade and growth going forward.'' Overseas sales from Sri Lanka, mainly garments for brands such as Victoria's Secret and Gap, have become less vulnerable to a U.S. slowdown as the island has secured more European markets, Cabraal said in a Jan. 31 interview. Sri Lanka, the world's second-biggest supplier of black tea, exported a record $1 billion worth of the commodity in 2007 on higher prices, and may earn more this year as violence disrupted supplies from Kenya, according to the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
Exports climbed 22.7 percent to a record $863 million in December from $704 million a year earlier, the Central bank said on Feb. 15.

Military says 17 Tamil rebels, 2 soldiers killed in Sri Lanka fighting

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: A series of battles along the front lines in northern Sri Lanka killed 17 ethnic Tamil rebels and two government soldiers, the military said Friday.The violence was part of a heavy increase in fighting in the country's civil war in recent months.
The government has vowed to crush the rebels by the end of the year, but diplomats and other observers say the army is facing more resistance than it expected.In the worst fighting Thursday, six Tamil Tiger rebels were killed when troops attacked their bunkers in the Mannar district bordering rebel-held territory in the north, the military said.
Six rebels were killed in other fighting in Mannar, while five rebels were killed in the Vavuniya district, the military said.Two soldiers were killed in fighting in the Jaffna peninsula and Welioya area, the military said.It was not possible to independently verify the military's claim because the war zone is restricted to journalists.
Both the government and the rebels often exaggerate their enemy's casualties and underreport their own.Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan did not answer a call from The Associated Press seeking comment.The Tamil Tigers have fought since 1983 for an independent homeland for ethnic minority Tamils who have been marginalized for decades by successive governments run by majority ethnic Sinhalese. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the violence.

Sri Lanka launches probe into mystery poster campaign

COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka have launched a probe into a mystery poster campaign that is asking would-be Tamil Tiger suicide bombers to turn themselves in to government hands in return for cash.
The campaign, run by an unknown pro-peace organisation, was urging extremists to change their minds in exchange for a new life overseas and 10 million rupees (93,000 dollars)."Police have launched an investigation into these mysterious posters that appeared in predominant Tamil areas in Colombo.
The government has no hand in these posters," military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.The posters, which show the picture of a suicide bomber's severed head, reads: "You also were born to live. Why should you carry bombs?"It asked those contemplating taking up the offer to call a government operated telephone line.But Nanayakkara said: "I myself called that phone number 118 today several times and it went unanswered. We think the poster campaign is a hoax, someone is trying to create some mischief."
The rebels use suicide bombers to stage devastating attacks mainly against security forces.Last November, the Tigers said 343 suicide bombers, including 93 women, had died since November 1982, when the first Tiger loss was recorded, though the organisation was formed 10 years earlier.The Tigers are fighting for an independent homeland for minority Tamils from the majority Sinhalese community in the island's north and east.

Discussions are underway to contest forthcoming PC polls

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo
Discussions within leading political parties in the country on contesting the eastern provincial council election have entered its final stage.
Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva says several political parties have agreed to contest under the UPFA ticket.
The UNP has commenced initial activities pertaining to the election. The SLMC will declare its decision on contesting the eastern provincial poll on Monday. The JVP says it has commenced the selection for the candidates for the election.
The TNA is yet to take a decision on contesting the election. The acceptance of nominations for the eastern election commenced yesterday. Nine independent groups have so far made their deposits. Nominations are accepted till the 3rd of next month. However the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress has postponed the date to take a final decision on contesting the eastern provincial council election to the 31st of this month.
Speaking to media General Secretary of the SLMC parliamentarian Hassan Ali said the politburo of the party took this decision at a meeting last evening.

UN worker fined for drug offence

A UNICEF consultant Ms Lisa Woods was fined Rs. 8000 by a Colombo Court for being in possession of 80mg of heroin.
A senior government official last night said the Ms Lisa Woods, a US passport holder, had arrived in Colombo on March 5.
Police said they responded to an emergency call after the UNICEF Office in Colombo had contacted the Renuka Hotel, where she was lodging, when Ms Woods failed to report to work on March 12. On the request of the UNICEF, the hotel management had opened Ms Woods’ room which had a ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door, he said.
They had found her unconscious. The door had been opened in the presence of a foreign colleague of Ms Woods, he said. She had been admitted to the intensive care unit where a routine check of her clothes by the hospital staff had resulted in the recovery of 80 mg of heroin. It had been in one of the pockets of her denims, police said. Police arrested her on March 17 and produced her before a Magistrate who ordered her remanded till March 25. When she was produced before the Magistrate on March 25, a fine of Rs 8,000 was imposed on her on the charge of being in possession 80 mg of heroin.

Maheswaran killing suspects re-remanded

The Two suspects arrested in connection with the assassination of UNP Parliamentarian T. Maheswaran were yesterday produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Ravindra Premaratne and re-remanded till April 3.
The suspects named Valentino and Sudarshan were produced by the Colombo Crimes Division.
Earlier, three suspects, including a woman, who were taken into custody were released.
According to reports before Courts, the blood stain samples retrieved from the scene of the incident, a Kovil in Kotahena and the blood stains found on the revolver were identical.
The MP, a shipping magnate was shot at the Kovil allegedly by an LTTE hit man.

Refusal to allow S. Thomas’ rugby team practice at Police ParkProbe against top cop

The Police Department has ordered a high level inquiry into a refusal by a highly placed police officer to accede to a request from S.Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia to use the Police Park Grounds Bambalapitiya for rugby football practice for the College team, led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s younger son Rohitha.
The College had requested the use of the police ground as there was a security threat against the members of the President’s family.
The request to use the police ground was made by the President of the old boys’ rugby club of S. Thomas College Tissa Jayasinghe and Police Headquarters had agreed to grant the request. But the high official concerned had told him that no practices or matches for school teams could be allowed.
A few weeks back a claymore mine went off at Wellawatte and it was found that the bomb exploded around the time when the President’s son goes for his rugby practice. The intelligence unit believe the claymore bomb was intended for the President’s son.

Sri Lankan real estate holds up in tense times

'Resilient" is the word that almost everyone is using to describe Sri Lanka's housing market - and its economy in general.
Despite a long-running armed conflict and the 2004 tsunami, "Sri Lanka is one of the best countries around in which to have real estate," said Lalitha Saleem, senior manager of Ceylinco Housing & Real Estate, which is developing one of the Sri Lankan capital's largest new developments. "The market can go up very fast, showing high returns."
Specialists say sales have slowed in the last year, but there continues to be widespread optimism that real estate on this island of 65,740 square kilometers, or 25,380 square miles, will be a good investment in the middle to long range.
Many Sri Lankans living abroad have been putting their money back into the country through real estate purchases, and overseas buyers from India, Japan, China and Europe, particularly Britain, also have been taking an interest.
Since the 1980s, Sri Lanka has been torn by fighting between government security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a group fighting for a separate homeland for the island's ethnic Tamil minority. Most islanders are ethnic Sinhalese and mainly Buddhist; the Tamils are mainly Hindu - although both communities also have strong Christian minorities.
Most of the violence has been in the country's eastern and northern areas, although there are occasional attacks within the capital. Foreigners have never been targets, however.
"After a cease-fire in the conflict started back in 2002, you had a great wave of people from the diaspora investing here," said Chanaka Wickramasuriya, country head for Fitch Ratings, the international credit rating agency. "The Colombo district of Wellawatta, for example, saw a boom in apartment building, with 75 percent of all the new apartments in Colombo going up there because the Tamil diaspora was returning."
With a population of about 700,000, Colombo sprawls along the island's southwestern coast, with a long, sandy beach fronting the Indian Ocean. The city has a long history, too, with Portuguese, Dutch and British influences in the architecture of its old quarter.
Spreading out from there, the city takes on a more modern character heading south into more prosperous suburbs like Mount Lavinia.
The interest from expatriates who had left the country during the most intense fighting happened just as Colombo's housing supply was at its most scarce, pushing up prices and, eventually, the city skyline.
"Traditionally, Colombo had been a city of bungalows and houses," said Remaz Ghouse, chief operating officer for Overseas Realty (Ceylon). "But this surge in demand and the shortage of land pushed everything upwards."
At the same time, foreigners began taking an interest in beach properties on the stretch of coast south of the capital.
"Many foreigners wanted a piece of paradise," said John Wilson, a Colombo lawyer specializing in real estate law. "Business really boomed."
Prices - and profits - rose rapidly, too. "In its heyday, you were seeing 80 to 100 percent annual profit margins," Wickramasuriya said.
In 2006, the cease-fire collapsed. The conflict has escalated and, while the market has lost its spectacular momentum, values have remained high.
A new government in 2005 also re-introduced a stiff tax on foreigners buying property.
"Before then, there had been this window of opportunity," Wilson said. "But then it closed, and now foreigners must pay a 100 percent tax at the time of transfer of the property."
There are notable exceptions, however. If an apartment is on the fourth or higher floor in a building, the tax is waived - and certain major projects have been granted tax exemptions.
The tax predominantly applies to houses and bungalows, with the levy effectively preventing foreign ownership of land. As a result, the southern coastal strip has seen little new activity.
Yet, as an indicator of the market's resilience, specialists note that demand is still strong and returns are still high.
"We have three-bedroom apartments in Colombo at the high end going for around 60 million Sri Lankan rupees this year, when last year they were going for 50 million to 55 million," Saleem said, or the current price of $557,000, compared to the range last year of $464,000 to $511,000.
"Middle-range three-bedroom apartments are going for 30 million to 35 million rupees, when a year ago they were 20 million to 25 million rupees," she said.
Ceylinco is developing the luxury Trillium Residences in Colombo 8, one of the city's 15 numbered districts. The first stage of the three-part project is finished, with furnished three-bedroom apartments going for 30 million to 40 million rupees.

Sri Lanka: Silencing Dissent

As hostilities in Sri Lanka intensify and human rights abuses increase, threats to the media and media freedoms inside the country have increased dramatically, says a new Amnesty International report, Silencing Dissent, published today.
The organisation has found that since the beginning of 2006 at least ten media workers have been the victims of unlawful killings; at least two have disappeared; while others have been tortured and arbitrarily detained under emergency regulations (ERs) granting the government sweeping powers.
The report also shows that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) does not allow any independent local media in the territories it controls, and closely monitors and restricts the work of journalists. On occasion, the LTTE has also targeted journalists in other parts of the country.
“Investigations have stalled and no one has been brought to justice for the deaths of media workers including cases dating back to 1990. Amnesty International calls on the Sri Lankan authorities to bring the people responsible to justice and end immediately the impunity with which the security forces carry out their intimidation of the media,” said Pia Oberoi, deputy director of Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific programme.
“Clamping down on media freedoms corrodes free speech, strangles debate, and prevents a true assessment of human rights abuses taking place. Amnesty International condemns the government’s campaign of intimidation against the media, and calls on it to respect and protect the freedom of the media to work without fear.
Journalists have also been targeted in the South, particularly those covering corruption issues. On 16 August 2007 the personal security provided by the government to veteran journalist Iqbal Athas was removed. Athas had been given police protection after being repeatedly threatened by members of the security forces who were angered by his coverage of arms deals.
The organisation also called on the LTTE to end its policy of intimidation of and crackdown against the media in the areas it controls.
The Karuna faction, a splinter group of the LTTE reportedly acting with the consent of the government forces, is also reported to have harassed media and stopped the distribution of Sudar Oli and Thinnakkural in Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara Districts (in the east) since at least January 2007.
In addition, there are increasing reports of intimidation of artists, including actors, writers and filmmakers. One film maker commenting on the banning of Asoka Handagama’s film Aksharaya (Letter of Fire) says the government is trying to ban the film as part of a general drive “to stop political and socially sensitive cinema”.
“Frequent attacks on journalists and a climate of impunity are turning Sri Lanka into an Orwellian state where critical voices are stifled” said Oberoi.
Amnesty International calls on Sri Lanka authorities and the LTTE to:
• Respect and protect the rights to life, liberty and security of media workers in compliance with Sri Lanka’s obligations under international law• Declare unequivocally that killings, threats, or other attacks on media workers will not be tolerated• Ensure that all cases of attacks on media workers, irrespective of the identity of perpetrators or victims, are promptly, independently, impartially and effectively investigated.• Respect and ensure respect for the right to freedom of opinion and expression, in compliance with Sri Lanka’s obligations under the ICCPR and other international treaties and standards.

Tissa’s FR case on Monday

By S.S.Selvanayagam
The Supreme Court yesterday listed the rights violation petition filed by senior journalist J.S.Tissainayagam against the officers of the Terrorist Investigation Division to be supported for interim relief next Monday.
The Bench comprised Justices Asoka de Silva, N.E. Dissanayake and Raja Fernando. President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva with J.C. Weliamuna and M.A. Sumanthiran appeared for the journalist. Senior State Counsel K.P. Ranasinghe appeared for the respondents.
Court has already granted leave to proceed with this rights violation petition filed by petitioner Tissainayagam for the alleged infringement of his fundamental rights to freedom from torture, equality and equal protection under the law, and freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention.
Petitioner Tissainayagam cited OIC Prasanna de Alwis, Director Nandana Munasinghe of the TID, IGP Victor Perera, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the Attorney General as respondents.
In his petition, he complained that TID OIC Prasanna de Alwis was directly responsible for the detention, investigation and custody of petitioner and said Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was vested with the authority to issue Detention Orders under the Emergency Regulations.Tissainayagam, an old Thomian and a political science graduate, started his career at Wijeya Newspapers Ltd, as a journalist for the Sunday Times and the Daily Mirror. He has been working as a columnist for the Sunday Times since 2007.
In May 2007, he developed a website “Outreach,” with financial support received from a largely German based organization called Facilitating Local Initiatives for Conflict Transformation (FLICT).
On March 6, police officers visited and searched the second floor of a building, where a press belonging to one N. Jasiharan is situated. The ‘OutreachSL office is situated on the ground floor of the same building.
Jasiharan and his wife were taken into custody by police officers of the TID. On the following day, March 7, police officers arrived at the ‘OutreachSL office with Jasiharan in their custody and searched the premises. Petitioner on being informed of this went to his office, as he was concerned about Jasiharan, But the police officers had left by then.
Tissainayagam went to the TID on the same day and asked them whether, as a staff member, he could meet Jasiharan. Tissainayagam was then questioned, arrested and detained.
He complained that the conduct of the respondent police officers, which amounted to discriminatory treatment on the basis of his ethnicity, had resulted in the violation of his fundamental rights

World Bank Supports Water Resources Planning and Dams Safety in Sri Lanka

In support of the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts to ensure the safety of the public from risks of ageing dams and to manage its water resources, the World Bank today approved a US$65.33 million credit for the Sri Lanka Dam Safety and Water Resources Planning Project.

The project aims to improve the operational efficiency of 80 dams and to establish sustainable institutional arrangements for safety management and operations and maintenance of major dams in the country. Special attention will be paid to the safety of 32 of the 80 dams that have been categorized as high risk. The project will support the preparation of a National Water Use Plan by updating the Mahaweli Water Resources Development Plan, which entails the preparation of a Water Resources Development Plan for Mundeni Aru River Basin. Feasibility studies of priority water development options will also be undertaken.

“Improving the institutional capacity for integrated and multi-sectoral water resources planning and prioritization of water resources development investments is critical for Sri Lanka’s development,” said Naoko Ishii, World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka. “The damage caused by the tsunami disaster has deepened the need and urgency for the country to protect the public from natural disasters,”she added.

Many of Sri Lanka’s 350 medium and large dams are ageing and have structural deficiencies and shortcomings in operation and monitoring facilities. Set up centuries ago, the wide irrigation and water resources systems have contributed significantly to the country’s economic growth and have sustained human settlements, particularly in rural areas. Dams, barrages, reservoirs, trans-basin canals, and irrigation systems serve the critical energy and human and environmental water supply needs of the country. In addition, they provide flood control in the river basins.

“Physical and analytical infrastructure for monitoring hydro-meteorological data, enabling detection and forecasting of water hazards are essential prerequisites for the implementation of early warning systems,”said Nihal Fernando, World Bank Senior Rural Development Specialist and team leader for the project.“The project will improve the hydro-meteorological information system, including upgrading of 50 hydrometric stations, better flood protection procedures, and establishment of a groundwater monitoring system,” he added.

Overall, the project will contribute to the broader goal of poverty reduction through higher productivity and by providing opportunities to improve the incomes of small and marginal landholders.

The credit is from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessionary lending arm, and has 20 years to maturity with a 10-year grace period. The total project cost is US71.66 million, of which the IDA Credit is US$ 65.33 million and the Government of Sri Lanka is contributing is US$ 6.33 million.

Seven detained under NSA

CHENNAI: The police on Thursday detained seven persons under the National Security Act. According to an official release, while four of them were attached to the banned Maoist organisation, the other three were involved in smuggling for the LTTE.
The Maoist cadres were arrested in Varsanadu in Theni district and cases were filed against them under various sections of the IPC, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act and Criminal Law Amendment Act.
The police identified the cadres as Mahalingam of Tiruppathur in Vellore district, Balamurugan, Sellur, Madurai, Muruganandam of Vridhachalam in Cuddalore district and Marudhu of Sivaganga district.
Those involved in smuggling activities for LTTE were identified as Murugapandi and Muthuramalingam and R. Raja.
While Mahalingam was jailed at the Puzhal prison all the six others were jailed in Madurai Central Prison, the release added.

Sri Lanka campaign to discourage suicide bombers

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka has launched a mystery poster campaign inviting would-be Tamil Tiger suicide bombers to phone a government helpline in exchange for 10 million rupees ($92,000) and a new life overseas.
"Why should you die with a scattered body?" the red-and-yellow posters, placed in Tamil-dominated areas of the capital, Colombo, asked readers contemplating becoming members of what the rebels call elite "Black Tiger" suicide squads.
"You also were born to live. Why should you carry bombs?" the posters said alongside a fuzzy black-and-white photograph of a suicide bomber's severed head.
Sri Lanka's capital and other districts have increasingly been targeted by suicide attacks as the government and military vow to defeat the Tigers by December, pressing home an offensive against northern rebel strongholds.
The military, perhaps wary of scaring off genuine callers with rebel sympathies, said it was unaware of the posters, which invited readers to phone a government-operated 118 line that went unanswered when called by Reuters on Thursday.
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanyakkara said he did not want to comment on whether the failure to answer was a fatal campaign flaw or whether the line could be swamped by the poor in a nation where average yearly salaries are $2,230.
Police, who with the military man most road corners and major buildings in Colombo, said they were also unaware who placed the posters, which make no mention of a backer other than relying on a government number.
"We do not know who pasted up the poster," said Mangala Dehideniya, in charge of Wellawatta Police where many of the posters were placed.

The state of human rights in Sri Lanka

Since Sri Lanka is to be subject in a few weeks to the Universal Periodic Review of the United Nations Human Rights Council, it has been the subject of a spate of attacks by many organizations with interests in this subject.
Since Sri Lanka is to be subject in a few weeks to the Universal Periodic Review of the United Nations Human Rights Council, it has been the subject of a spate of attacks by many organizations with interests in this subject.
Though many of them repeat the same points, with more or less exaggeration and unwarranted generalization, it is sadly necessary to respond in detail to as many of them as possible. This paper will address the issues put forward by the Sri Lanka Democracy Forum. Sadly its confrontational approach, beginning in the very first paragraph with a sectarian characterization of the current government that insinuates it is not concerned about all Sri Lankan citizens, suggests that its assertions should be treated with care.
1. Failure by the State to address the grievances of minorities
The second paragraph asserts that, following the abrogation of the Ceasefire and the subsequent pulling out of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, there has been a marked increase in the terrorizing of Tamil and Muslim communities. This smacks of wishful thinking, in a context in which repeated terrorist attacks have led to the deaths of dozens of Sinhalese civilians, though in at least one case a Tamil schoolboy was killed along with his Sinhalese mates when they were victims of a suicide bomber at a railway station. Though the Government has continued with its struggle against terror, civilian casualties have been minimal, as was the case during its campaign to liberate the Eastern Province from terrorists. The reports of the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission makes it clear that, except in the case of one incident, and another single individual, there were no civilian casualties at all during military operations. The massive publicity given to that one incident, which occurred after firing based on mortar locating radar, makes it clear that any civilian casualties would be highlighted. The relative paucity of such media campaigns, despite the ongoing struggle in the North, makes clear the caution exercised by the military with regard to all Sri Lankan civilians, whether Muslim or Tamil or Sinhala. SLDF goes on to criticize the LTTE in its third paragraph but then claims that historically 'the state has failed to protect the minorities from armed non-state forces such as the LTTE and the Karuna faction'.
In such a context SLDF, if it is sincere in its criticism of the LTTE, should be glad that at last Sri Lanka has a government which is willing to take on the LTTE, and ensure that the terrorism SLDF attacks is crushed. At the same time no credit is given for the manner in which the Karuna faction, consisting of many individuals brutalized from childhood by LTTE practices, have now been brought into the political mainstream and are participating in electoral politics, something the LTTE always eschewed. Reclaiming former terrorists is not easy, but the task is now proceeding much more smoothly, with Karuna himself being in Britain whilst leadership has passed to a younger generation which may be more easily brought into a pluralistic process. In this context it is also preposterous that SLDF does not accept that the government, in expediting immediate political reforms, has made clear that it agrees with SLDF about a political solution to the problem of the minorities.
This, as SLDF recommends, has been attempted through significant changes to the current system of extreme centralization of power. SLDF has in parallel pronouncements blindly followed the assertions of parties supportive of the LTTE and its claim to be the sole representatives of the Tamil people, that the APRC proposals are inadequate and an imposition by the President. The fact that 13 of the 14 parties participating in the APRC signed the proposals, and that all Tamil and Muslim parties freely engaging in democratic politics have supported these, evidently means nothing to an organization that claims to be a forum for democracy.
Arguments regarding the positive nature of these proposals are available elsewhere, but meanwhile it is absurd that the SLDF does not realize that these proposals will ensure the 'substantial devolution of power to the regions' that it advocates, and that such power will be available to areas in the North and East, that have not had elected representatives exercising any powers in those provinces for several years. With regard to the SLDF concern about 'significant power sharing at the centre, which would empower minorities at not just the regional level but also at the national level', this is a general concern, but it should be noted that, while other minority parties were willing to engage in discussions about a second chamber based on regions, the TNA, the surrogate of the LTTE, declared that such discussions were meaningless except in terms of a final settlement with regard to devolution - which, going on past history, means an interim LTTE authoritarian administration.
2. Political killings etc
Though abuses in this area occur, SLDF notes the difficult circumstances under which the government operates, beginning with 'the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar by the LTTE'. Shortcomings are not targeted specifically at minorities except in terms of information that must be acted upon in the context of terrorism, as to which precautionary measures are essential if the population at large is not to suffer.
The incidents to which SLDF draws attention in Para 9 confirm the determination of the government to operate according to the law in enforcing security. In the first incident, a search operation was conducted with regard to Tamils from other parts of the country who had no reason for being in Colombo. Thousands of Tamils ordinarily resident in Colombo were not affected, nor were hundreds who could explain the rationale for being in the city though they were ordinarily resident elsewhere. However, expelling several of the rest, as done by some of the security personnel involved in the search operations, was wrong and was condemned as such by the Supreme Court, leading to prompt remedial action. With regard to the incident in December 2007, the term detention is inappropriate for questioning in which most were released on the very day.
Again it was those who could not establish the rationale for their presence who were actually detained, and most of these were released within a few days. Though the action might seem harsh, it must be seen in the context of bombs that had exploded and information received about the infiltration of the city by several suicide bombers. The ultimate responsibility of a government must be to all its citizens. Given a Supreme Court that has often found against the government, it may be assumed that generally the government does not violate fundamental rights, and that is will stand corrected when any agent does. The situation is a far cry from the days of impunity that characterized the 1980s, when in the very few instances when the Court ruled against the state the police officers concerned were promptly promoted.
3. Internal Displacement
In this section SLDF reproduces a number of canards that have been falsified by independent monitors such as those of the United Nations. Certainly much displacement occurred during military operations in the East during 2006/2007, but this was because the forces gave good notice which led to virtually no casualties. Unlike in similar situations all over the world, resettlement was prompt after the East had been cleared of the LTTE, and this was certified as such by the UNHCR report - 'Our staff monitoring the situation on the ground say the majority of people are eager to return home, the returns are voluntary and in line with international protection standards …. UNHCR will continue to monitor the returns and report directly to the government on any problems regarding the voluntariness and any deviation from the civilian characteristics of the move'. (p 32). Though several persons (though just about half the figure alleged) are still displaced, this is because a few areas still need to be cleared of the landmines laid by the LTTE.
Only with regard to the Sampur Security Zone are alternatives required, and this is for just 10,000 persons, as opposed to the original assumptions. Alternatives within the same district have already been found. SLDF is right to focus on the Muslims '"ethnically cleansed" from the Northern Province in 1990 by the LTTE'. The failure of successive governments to address this issue is a disgrace, and also testifies to the enormous influence of the LTTE, which for many years presented itself as the only organization with whom governments had to negotiate, thus forestalling firm action in this regard. The current government is determined to remedy the situation, and though many areas are still risky for return, it is hoped that soon these displaced persons will be restored safely, if they wish it, to their places of origin. SLDF again propagates the LTTE myth that the closure of the A9 southward from Jaffna is a horrendous act of the government.
That had to be closed because the LTTE, disguised as civilians, launched attacks on troop forward lines, in gross violation of the Ceasefire. No government can permit such risks to be repeated. However, despite attacks on shipping by the LTTE (including on a vessel carrying SLMM monitors), and a refusal to provide guarantees to the ICRC so that food ships could proceed safely (as SLDF reports), the government has ensured steady supplies to Jaffna. The last report of the UNHCR on Jaffna Welfare Centres testifies that most items, and all essentials, are not only available but also affordable. Another canard relates to free movement southward. Earlier the LTTE had tried to suggest that the government was restricting this, but in fact it was the LTTE that had refused earlier to give guarantees to keep the checkpoint open all week. Though as SLDF notes the LTTE has tried to prevent civilians 'from fleeing areas where there are military attacks, with the aim of using them as human shields',it is apparent that now the LTTE's reign of terror is ending, and that the people of areas still under LTTE control are asserting themselves more and more, albeit only gradually.
4. Right to reparations and remedies and lack of prosecutions of violations
SLDF begins by noting the problems in this respect caused by the LTTE, but after half a paragraph about these it has seven and a half that are critical of the government. Certainly prosecutions in Sri Lanka are slow, but this is a problem, if not a fault, derived from the system of justice that it has inherited from the British. Without making odious comparisons, we must realize that slowness in what is often considered a model of justice, and what seems comparative impunity, as in the Abu Ghraib cases, are part and parcel of a system that insists on particular procedures and high standards of proof before conviction. Sri Lanka also has problems of capacity and technical skill, as have been pointed out by a Scotland Yard review that was commissioned by the government with regard to a particularly worrying case, that of the MP Mr Raviraj. In that case the Yard commended what the police had done with what was available. It should be noted that, in this case, identified suspects, though initially thought to be associated with a political party in government, have fled to territory controlled by the LTTE. To make up for worries with regard to several well-publicized cases, the government has instituted a Special Commission of Inquiry, with observation by an Independent International Group of Eminent Persons.
Though some of the prestige attached to this group has been vitiated by the procedures adopted by their representatives on the ground, who made no secret once of wanting to issue a report in time for the meetings of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the system adopted showed that the government appreciated the difficulties and the lack of confidence that could result, and was attempting to make up for these. It should be noted that amongst the cases to be considered are the assassination of the former Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, who was bitterly opposed by the LTTE. No one could be more anxious than the government to bring the culprits to book in this instance, but the failure to solve the case has to be endured.
Comments on the cultural insensitivity etc of the police are understandable given that, though applications have always been called from all citizens of the country, for various reasons, including diffidence caused by previous language policies, very few Tamils have joined in the recent past. More recently, there have been fears amongst Tamils, given the terrorist approach that Tamils serving in security forces were specifically to be targets of attack, being denigrated as traitors. Precisely for this reason, the government has begun a practice that successive governments in the past did not think of, which is recruitment specifically of Tamils. The first batch of these, dedicated to service in the predominantly Tamil speaking Eastern Province, passed out last month, and recruitment of several more is planned. Concerted efforts in language teaching have also commenced, at all levels of all the security forces.
5. National Institutions
The assertion of SLDF that authoritarianism is on the rise suggests complete ignorance of the current situation as well as of the sufferings of the past. First and foremost, the country has independent courts which have not hesitated to give verdicts against the government, in particular with regard to human rights applications. With regard to the national Human Rights Council, efforts of the opposition to make a political issue of the Constitutional Council, the full membership of which had not been recommended as required by the Speaker until very recently, have led to international assistance not being forthcoming to strengthen it as requested, despite a UNDP Stocktaking Report affirming the need for this. The failure of Civil Society members to attend meetings of the advisory committee set up by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights confirms what government has begun to worry about, that concerns are expressed more to obtain publicity than with a genuine will to correct things.
Clearly the government will have to proceed with reforms on its own, but this it has now planned to do, with a revitalization of advisory institutions, in particular regional ones, through strengthened civil military liaison in key areas. The categorical assertions regarding engagement with international actors also seem self-contradictory. The continuing stress on Sir John Holmes' comments on the country being a dangerous place for aid workers ignores his acknowledgment that that comment was an isolated remark, and also that it was based on a single incident which needs further inquiry. He has failed to respond still to the point that the agency concerned had not acted according to UN principles in unnecessarily exposing local employees to a dangerous situation without the safeguards expected, at a time when all other agencies were evacuating staff. Criticism of the government in this respect is based on the response of a single Minister which the government made clear did not represent the government position. However, until very recently, when employees of the UN make untoward remarks that do not represent the UN position, no apologies or corrections have been offered. This situation has now changed, with a new set of senior UN officials in place, which will help to avoid the impression of association with oppositional forces that previously characterized some individuals.
6. Child soldiers
The issue of child soldiers is vital, but SLDF has also fallen into the trap, first perpetrated by the LTTE, of equating the LTTE abuse of children with that of the Karuna faction. It is clear from detailed reports that this was systemic in the LTTE. Naturally the Karuna faction, which broke away from the LTTE, still has individuals who see nothing wrong with the practice, particularly in the context of the LTTE having begun to rerecruit all those disbanded by the faction soon after it split from the LTTE in 2004. However, with a change of leadership in the Karuna faction, which has shown itself anxious to enter the democratic process, it is hoped that old habits will die and the Eastern Province at least will be cleaned of this scourge. The main problem however requires more concerted action, and the tolerance displayed by the international community, not only to defiant violation of norms but continuing forced conscription, must stop forthwith, without hiding behind a cloak of balance.
7. Freedom of Expression
The idea that freedom of expression is threatened in Sri Lanka is ridiculous, when international agencies actually provide funding to an online paper that talks about Sri Lanka as 'a country at war and democracy that's hostage to the whim and fancy of a President and his coterie of murderous brutes'. The amount of criticism of the state and its organs that is contained in print and electronic media would astonish anyone who had to live through the massive censorship and controls of the eighties. There is however danger for Tamil language journalists, in particular in Jaffna, which is a legacy of the internecine warfare between the LTTE and former militants, whom it ruthlessly eliminated at the beginning of the Ceasefire period. The government is committed to stopping this phenomenon, but this has not been easy in the context of continuing action by the LTTE.
Conclusion
Certainly there are problems in Sri Lanka and the government welcomes assistance to overcome these, through training of relevant personnel, through the development of local institutions and in particular regional branches of these, through assistance with better maintenance of records. But most useful of all would be assistance to destroy the scourge of terrorism and of forced conscription. That would allow for relaxation of restrictions that have proved essential in the face of enormous and ruthless terrorist power. Certainly no government facing such power has as good a record as the Sri Lankan government and its armed forces, and the failure to appreciate the great regard shown for civilians, as compared with what occurs in conflicts elsewhere, it most regrettable

Catch the Beat with Songcatcher and Background Music exclusively from Dialog

Dialog GSM, Sri Lanka’s largest mobile communications service operator is all geared up to set the groove for millions of music lovers with the launch of ‘Dialog Songcatcher’ and ‘Dialog Background Music’, two very exciting value added services that are expected to create new ripples in the mobile industry by catering to the vibes of music lovers from across the country
‘Dialog Songcatcher’ will bring music direct to mobiles giving customers the luxury of downloading their favorite songs anytime, anywhere.
Songcatcher offers Dialog Post-paid and Kit Pre-paid customers the convenience of storing their favorite songs on their Dialog mobile as and when they hear them through a simple process of dialing 389 and holding the phone against any music generating source (i.e.: Radio, TV, Speaker) for 15 seconds. Upon capturing & identifying the music track, the Songcatcher will send in a SMS with details of the song name, artiste and a WAP link to download the available content in the form of a Ring Tone or MP3 format. Songcatcher is based on the music recognition technology where voice frequencies are used to recognize music patterns.
‘Dialog Background Music’ allows Dialog Post-paid and Dialog Kit Pre-paid customers to play Background Music during call conversations. Background Music includes songs, background effects and sound effects, spicing up the conventional phone conversations with Background Music to suit the mood. While options are plenty with an array of English, Sinhala and Tamil Background Music to choose from, customers are also given the opportunity to try out this exciting new feature by dialing ** followed by the recipients phone number and pressing keys 1 to 5 on the phone key pad during the call conversation.
Dialog GSM, continues to deliver the best in mobile telecommunications to its 4.3 million strong customer base granting customers a truly unique mobile experience. Speaking about the launch of Background Music Mr. Nushad Perera, Group Chief Marketing Officer of Dialog Telekom PLC said, “Dialog GSM has been reinventing the potential of mobile communications in Sri Lanka time and time again. With the launch of Songcatcher and Background Music we have added a new audio dimension to Dialog subscribers’ mobile phone conversation.
With the launch of these two features personalizing your mobile phone has reached a new level to not only including the setting of one’s phone but to also personalize conversations with background audio accessories.”
Songcatcher and Background Music services are bound to add more color to the ever expanding plethora of services offered by Dialog encircling hugely popular music related services such as Ring Tones & Ring In Tones.

Thambirajah released

Susanthi Thambirajah, who was arrested with journalist M. Parameshwari, was released by the Colombo Magistrates Court today after spending 16 months in jail. Parameshwari was released last year.

JVP MP Wijesinghe injured in a road accident

JVP Galle District Parliamentarian Chandrasena Wijesinghe was injured following a road accident in Galle in the early hours of today, while he was returning from Ampara. MP Wijesinghe is currently receiving treatment at the Karapitiya hospital and his condition is said to be out of danger.

Five terrorists killed, strong point captured by Troops in Welioya.

The Army launched an attack on a LTTE strong point in the North of JANAKAPURA area, WELIOYA on Wednesday (26) killing five terrorists while two soldiers were also reported injured in the attack.
Five terrorist bodies as well as weapons were recovered by Troops in the search operation after the incident.
Troops killed two terrorists and recover stock of anti personnel mines etc
A large stock of anti personnel bombs and "booby" traps were recovered by Troops in a search operation conducted on Wednesday (26) in the KALADIMODAI AREA in the CHEDDIKULAM and MARIKATTIDAL area, MANNAR, between 6.00 in the morning and 6.00 in the evening.

A soldier was reported injured at KOILAMODDAI, MANNAR, on Wednesday (26) in the afternoon at 12.05.Meanwhile, two (02) terrorists were also killed in a confrontation in the MADHU Camp area on Wednesday (26) morning at 10.45 while a soldier was reported injured in the ADAMPAN area, MANNAR on the same day (26) in the morning at 10.10.

Wanni liberation operation in progress; LTTE suffer heavy damages

According to the military report reached from the forefront, 28 LTTE terrorists were killed and another 17 were either killed or wounded in clashed sparked in Northern and Wanni defences yesterday, March 26. Further it says, 22 more terrorists were wounded during these clashes. Six security forces personnel have made their supreme sacrifice while another 19 suffered injuries, the report further stated.
On the Jaffna theatre of battle, three LTTE cadres were killed in clashes occurred Muhamalai front. Meanwhile, one soldier was killed and two others suffered injuries in clashes in the same front.
On Wanni theatre of battle, in Vavuniya front, incidents are reported from Madu, Sulanamaruthamadu and Koilmoddai areas yesterday. Two LTTE cadres were killed in a confrontation took place in general area Madu while four others suffered injuries when the troops ambushed an LTTE movement in same area, the report said. Four army personnel were killed while seven others reported injured during confrontations took place in Sulanamaruthamadu and Koilmoddai areas.
In Mannar front, Sri Lanka Air Force MI-24 gun ships launched an air raid targeting LTTE strongholds in general area Alankulam and by intercepting LTTE communication channel, it is revealed that 7 terrorists were killed while 18 others suffered severe injuries due to this attack. Meanwhile, five more terrorists were killed in separate confrontations took place in Kaddupulam and Sirikulam areas, troops confirmed.
One soldier received injuries due to an explosion of anti-personnel mine in general area Adampan. Meanwhile, five people including one army soldier, two STF personnel and two civil workers injured due to indiscriminate mortar fire launched by the LTTE in general area Giant's Tank, sources said.
Troops on clearing operations in general area Malikaittidal unearthed 48 anti-personnel mines and 8 booby traps while 25 more anti-personnel mines unearthed from general area Cheddikulam.
In Welioya front, troops launched an attack targeting LTTE strong point located at north of Janakapura and troops confirmed that 5 terrorists were killed in this attack. Five slain bodies of LTTE terrorists, five T-56 weapons, 60 mm mortar launcher and one radio set were found in a subsequent search operation conducted in the area. Meanwhile, troops found a decomposed dead body of an LTTE cadre, one T-56 weapon and 6 hand grenades in a search operation conducted in the same area. One soldier was reported injured due to anti-personnel mine explosion took place in general area north of Janakapura.
In separate confrontation took place in North of Kiribbanwewa, intercepted terror transmission confirmed five LTTE cadres were killed. One soldier was killed and another three suffered injuries while one soldier yet to marry up with the rest of his team, the report stated. In the same area, troops confirmed that four more terrorists were either killed or wounded in a clash sparked around 10.50 a.m yesterday. One soldier also received injuries in this incident.
In general area west of Kiribbanwewa, an LTTE cadre was killed while another four either killed or wounded in a clash sparked around 11.00 a.m yesterday. One slain body of LTTE cadre and a T-56 weapon were found in a subsequent search operation.
Five more LTTE cadres were either killed or wounded due to two separate confrontations took place in general area north of Janakapura in morning hours yesterday, the report further said.
Meanwhile, seven LTTE terrorists were either killed or wounded when the troops ambushed an LTTE movement in general area Janakapura around 12.40 p.m yesterday.

Air Force warplanes destroy LTTE training facility and Radar post in Wanni

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets successfully carried out two bombing missions targeting two well identified camps of LTTE terrorists located in Wanni region this morning (March 27). According to the defence sources the targets were a training facility and a Radar location both located in Kilinochchi district.
Air Force Spokesman Wing Commander Andrew Wijesooriya speaking to defence.lk said that the first mission was launched around 6.25.a.m. targeting a training facility located inside a jungle patch at Kalmadukulam, in North-East of Iranamadhu. According to the defence intelligence, the terrorists have also used the location as a marshalling point for the conscripts. The target was achieved based on the information received on recent developments of this terror location from the reliable sources in Wanni region. Further, the target had been well identified through continuous air surveillances conducted by the SLAF, sources further added.
The second mission was launched at 6.35.a.m. targeting a Radar location in the Valaipadu area, South of Poonaryn, said the Air Force spokesman. Meanwhile, defence intelligence revealed that the terrorists have been using the location to coordinate boat operations and smuggling activities across the Gulf of Mannar. The location was a recently established one by the terrorists due to frequent air raids on the strategically important coastal belt in the Northwest of the Island, the sources further said.
According to Wing Commander Wijesooriya the targets have been positively identified through human intelligence and verified by air surveillance. The Kfir and F-7 fighter jets carried out the missions jointly and the targets were accurately hit the added citing the fighter pilots.
LTTE terrorists unable to cover-up their covert activities taking place even in deep terror hideouts in Wanni region and it is no more control to the LTTE flow of vital information from Wanni as the civilians in the area are suffering from never-ending harassments by the LTTE terror outfit, defence intelligence sources further added.

SLMC disagrees with proposal to form united Muslim front

While it was being reported that the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress was holding talks with the United National Party about a no-contest pact for the forthcoming Eastern Provincial Council election, the All Ceylon Muslim Congress was making attempts to unite all Muslim political parties together with Tamil and Sinhalese parties to contest the election to secure a strong position so that they could have their own Chief Minister elected.
But, the SLMC leadership had disagreed with the proposal wanting all to contest under the SLMC banner and symbol the ACMC said yesterday.It said: "In this regard all the Muslim parties namely, ACMC, SLMC, NC, NUA and Myown Musthaffa met in Parliament complex yesterday under the auspices of UMMA and the representatives of the Mosque Federation of Eastern Province too were present.
"It was pointed out that the Muslim Community in the East would not be able to secure the Council on its own and that a broad alliance where other communities too have participation was necessary. Further it was pointed out that such an alliance could be formed with Muslims Tamils and Sinhalese contesting under one symbol. Since the UPFA and Tamil parties including the TMVP are going to contest together it could be ensured that a Muslim becomes Chief Minister, if all the parties contest with this alliance on the ground that the community that returns the largest number of seats should be given the Chief Ministerial position to which the UPFA it was further pointed out was agreeable."
However, the SLMC had said it did not trust the Government, but the other parties present had decided to enter into a written agreement with the government. SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem said he could not agree to the proposal as his credibility would be at stake if he entered into an agreement with the Government.
He also disagreed with the proposal that all Muslim parties form an alliance to contest the polls and suggested that they should contest under the tree symbol of the SLMC.
The ACMC said a golden opportunity to secure the post of Chief Minister in the Eastern Province has almost been kicked away due to the intransigent attitude of the SLMC leadership and the SLMC would be held responsible for any consequences that would flow to the Muslims as a result of the failure to secure the Chief Minister post in the East.

Suspect Prisons Commissioner’s assets being scrutinized

by Norman Palihawadana
A number of allegations against the Commissioner of Prisons, who was transferred out of the Welikada Prisons after the CID was called in to probe his alleged misconduct were being received by the prison authorities, Prisons Department sources said yesterday.
Among those who had made complaints against the Commissioner were prison staff and members of the public. Prisons authorities had been monitoring his activities over a long period, sources said.
The Justice Ministry was also looking into his assets as it was alleged that he had been receiving various gifts and money from the families of some prisoners in return for in return for favourablle treatment for prisoners, sources said.

Bank attempts to seize property housing EPDP office

Officers from the Colombo District Court today had gone to seize the Park road property where an EPDP office is located, on a court order obtained by a private bank. However, the order was not executed following a temporary settlement.

Fox to meet Ranil

British MP Liam Fox, who is in Sri Lanka on the invitation of the Foreign Minister, will today meet UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe to discuss the political situation in the country.

UNP and SLMC alliance for Eastern PC election?

The UNP and SLMC held talks today about the possibility of forging an alliance for the Eastern Provincial Council election and the issues concerning to the two parties when campaigning.

Fleeing fishermen caught in crossfire, 3 killed

Three persons were killed and three others injured when a group of Sinhala fishermen from Negombo, who were fleeing from LTTE custody, were caught in cross fire while crossing the LTTE defences at Omanthai in Vavuniya this morning. Five others were rescued by the military without any harm, the military said.

India wants to maintain its pre-eminent position in S. Asia - official

NEW DELHI, March 26 (KUNA) -- India Wednesday expressed concern over procurement of arms by Sri Lanka from foreign powers and said that this could compromise India's pre-eminent position in the region."We have to ensure that India's pre-eminent position in the region is not compromised by Sri Lanka seeking arms from elsewhere," India's National Security Advisor M K Narayanan said while delivering a lecture on "Managing India's National Security and Building a Consensus for the 21st Century", here tonight."We are facing a situation where the ceasefire in Sri Lanka could collapse. This could lead to a ."India wants Sri Lanka to treat its large Tamil population with dignity. But the Sri Lankan government would seem to have the single objective of a military victory against the LTTE without any devolution of power," Narayanan said. (end) dr.bs KUNA 262345 Mar 08NNNN

BJP: Congress has no moral right to speak on terror

NEW DELHI: Countering the Congress tirade against its senior leader L K Advani, Opposition BJP on Wednesday raked up insurgency in Punjab and the north-east, terrorism in Kashmir and the LTTE menace in a bid to push the ruling party on the back foot.
Challenging the Congress-led government, BJP leaders said it had no "moral right" to speak on terrorism and criticise BJP as it had always "supported and encouraged" terrorism with an eye on votebanks. Senior leaders Venkaiah Naidu and Arun Jaitley also found nothing wrong in Advani visiting Congress chief Sonia Gandhi as they noted that both parties should respect each other since they were not enemies but political rivals.
"Who created Bhindranwale, who sponsored him, who was responsible for his activities, who sent the Army into the Golden Temple?" Naidu asked in an attempt to turn the tables on the Congress. Naidu said the policies of the Congress, which had been in power for most of the 60 years of independence, were responsible for terrorism in Kashmir and accused it of encouraging insurgent outfits like ULFA in Assam, LTTE in Sri Lanka, SIMI and Al-Umma.
"Who gave training and funds to LTTE? Who sent IPKF to Sri Lanka resulting in the death of 1,000 personnel? Who is responsible for ULFA and then SULFA. Who is responsible for growth of naxalism. Who joined hands with them at the political level," Naidu asked. He warned Congress not to point fingers at the BJP, saying such tactics would "boomerang" on the party. "The Congress has no moral right to speak on terrorism and criticise the BJP," Naidu said.
His comments came in response to Congress attacks on Advani for his remarks that he was not aware that former external affairs minister Jaswant Singh was accompanying terrorists to Kandahar till it happened. Reacting to the Congress's criticism that Advani's meeting with Sonia was a "gimmick", he said, "Whatever is done they feel it is a gimmick because that is what they have been doing all these years."
There was nothing wrong in the Leader of Opposition meeting the chairperson of the ruling alliance as he was only following tradition, he said. "Advani has been talking about untouchability in politics.... After all we should respect each other. We are not enemies, but political rivals," he added.
Jaitley said Advani had showed grace in meeting Sonia to wish her on the occasion of Holi while the Congress was exhibiting lack of grace.

Pakistan rice exporters to flood the Sri Lankan market with Basmathi rice

By Walter Jayawardhana
A team of Pakistani rice exporters will visit Sri Lanka to meet the rice importers and government Minister and officials in an attempt to ease the import of Pakistani rice to Sri Lanka .
Abdul Baseer, Vice Chairman of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan said they were prepared to supply 6000 tons of rice to Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka government is encouraging rice imports from Pakistan to Sri Lanka to flood the market with the rice and keep the prices down.
The REAP officials said the Pakistani exporters will go to Sri Lanka at the end of April or beginning of May this year.
The decision was reached after a meeting between the Sri Lankan Consul General V.S.Sidath Kumara and members of the REAP in Karachchi.
The Sri Lankan consul general requested the REAP to ask the government to increase export quota of Basmati rice to Sri Lanka. He said that Sri Lanka has very close relations with Pakistan, which stands second in bilateral trade with Sri Lanka after India in the SAARC region in 2006. The trade between Sri Lanka and Pakistan has surpassed $350 million and soon, it will reach $1 billion under the free trade agreement, he said.
Vice Chairman Abdul Baseer said they were prepared to supply rice but the rapidly increasing world prices for rice are the pinch.
He said that importing countries should complete all documentation and letter of credit in order to have an even trade. He said that REAP is focused on promoting trade between India and Pakistan.
Former Chairman of REAP Abdul Rahim Janoo, while speaking at the occasion, said that Pakistani government has been very cooperative and REAP is always given consideration in all government meetings.
The Sri Lanka Consul General Sidath Kumara said he would make all necessary arrangements for meetings with government officials and rice importers.

President presides to solve Police’s grievances

One of a series of discussions to look into the problems of police divisions was held at Temple Trees under the chairmanship of President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday.
Provincial police chiefs participated in the discussion. The special attention was paid on various issues such as the dearth of police personnel, renovation of police stations and the construction of police residential quarters and new police station.
New police stations will be built replacing the police station in Tangalle and Ambalantota. It was also decided to set up a new police station in the Karapitiya area. A special security programme is to be implemented in the sacred premises of Katharagama.
The President advised the IGP to implement a special security plan in the southern province during the forthcoming New Year season.

Second and third coal power plants in Sampur and Welvur

The Ministry of Power and Energy will construct the second and third coal power plants in Sampur and Welvur in Trincomalee. Construction of the Sampur coal power plant with a capacity of thousand megawatts will commence in June this year. First stage of this project is to add 500 megawatts to the national electricity grid by 2012. NTGC Construction Company of India has undertaken the construction of Sampur power plant. The project will be supervised by the Ceylon Electricity Board. The land required to set up the two power plants have already been acquired.

Supreme Council of the SLMC will meet tonight

Supreme Council of the SLMC will meet tonight to take a final decision on contesting the provincial council election in the eastern province.
Secretary to the SLMC parliamentarian Hasan Ali said that the meeting will be held at the party headquarters at 8.00 pm today.
They are to reach a common decision after considering various proposals received by the party regarding the local government election. Mr. Ali said some regional party members are on the opinion that the SLMC should contest the election single-handedly.

Two police escorting Japanese killed in Sri Lanka

Two police officers escorting a Japanese official on a visit in eastern Sri Lanka were killed Wednesday in a claymore mine explosion in a region recaptured from Tamil rebels, military and embassy officials said. A Japanese embassy spokesman in Colombo said the official was being escorted by police to visit an irrigation project being constructed with Japanese aid in the Vavunathivu area, 240 kilometres east of Colombo, when the explosion took place.
"The Japanese official was not hurt in the incident", he said.
Reports from the area said the official was about 300 metres behind a police motorcycle squad escorting him.
However, the military said that the policemen were on a foot patrol in the area when they were caught in the claymore mine blast and three police officers were also injured.
The government declared that the Eastern Province has been recaptured from the rebels and security forces are in control of the area.
Its recapture was considered a major victory for the security forces after Tamil separatist rebels had held it for more than 25 years.
Local elections were held March 10 and were won by a government-backed breakaway group of rebels. Provincial elections are to be held in May, and candidate nominations are to begin Thursday.

SLFP is now finalising the nomination lists

Sri Lanka Freedom Party is now finalising the nomination lists of their contestants under the ticket of UPFA for the eastern provincial council election.
Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva says the interviews in this regard conclude tomorrow. A number of the senior members of the SLFP representing the three districts in the province have applied for nominations.
Apart from the UPFA member parties, several other political parties have also expressed willingness to contest under UPFA.
The Minister added that another discussion will be held today with the representative of these parties to finalise the nomination lists.

Bogollagama is schedule to leave for Egypt

Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama is schedule to leave for Egypt to attend the 2nd Ministerial meeting of the Asia Middle East Dialogue.
The two day summit would start on 5th of next month in Sharam El Sheikh. The first meeting of this summit was held in Singapore in 2005 with a vision to realize greater understanding between the Asia and the Middle East at both government and non governmental levels.
This year’s summit would be attended by nearly 20 ministers of Foreign Affairs from Asia and the Middle East as well as political dignitaries, senior policy makers and diplomatic. The summit would also facilitate to leading industrialists and businessmen of the both region to have one to one meeting.
Minister Bogollagama is to meet his counterparts from the Asia and the Middle East and to have talks to strengthen Sri Lankan ties with them.
During the visit the Minister will also call on the Egyptian President, Prime Minister and several other ministers there. Minister Bogollagama will also address on the subject of counter terrorism at the Asian Study Centre in Cairo.

Leveraging GCC Transformation to Sri Lanka’s Advantage and Opportunities for Sri Lankans

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo
At the invitation of the Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka, Mr. R. Seetharaman, Chief Executive Officer of Doha Bank will make a presentation on “Leveraging GCC Transformation to Sri Lanka’s Advantage and Opportunities for Sri Lankans” at a meeting to be held on 28th March 2008 at Hilton Colombo Residence. The meeting will be held under the distinguished patronage of Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of Export Development and International Trade who will grace the occasion as the chief guest.   
Mr. Seetharaman was conferred by Dominique de Villepin, Former Prime Minister of France, as the “Best CEO in Middle East Banking Industry 2008” by the Middle East Excellence Awards Institute at the 5th Leading CEO Summit in recognition of his valuable contributions to the Banking industry in the Middle East, held on 19th March 2008 in Dubai. Mr. Seetharaman was also adjudged as the “Banker of the Year” at the 2007 Banker Middle East Industry awards in recognition of his valuable contributions to the Banking industry in the Middle East, held on 16th May 2007 in Doha. 
Mr. Seetharaman, earlier in 2006 was conferred the “Arab Asian Banker Excellence Award - 2006” at the Annual Arab Asian Forum in Singapore in September 2006. 
Mr. Seetharaman is credited with transforming Doha Bank into the best performing bank in the Middle East region over five years.  During his stewardship Doha Bank has become a Global Brand.
Mr. Seetharaman has extensive experience in integrating people, processes, technology and re-engineering. He has excelled in handling multi-dimensional functions within the banking sector and has been responsible for two successful mergers. Prior to joining Doha Bank in 2002, Mr. Seetharaman held senior management positions in three banks in Oman, handling all domains in banking.  He started his professional career at one of the global consultancy firms, Price Waterhouse & Associates before moving to the banking sector.
Mr. Seetharaman is also very active in promoting economic cooperation and cross border investment opportunities between the GCC and other regions across the globe. 
 Mr. Dakshitha Thalgodapitiya, CEO/Secretary General of the Chamber added that this occasion will be used to felicitate founder president of the Chamber Archt./Plnr. Deshabandu Surath Wickramasinghe who was bestowed the Gold Award by the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects.
In view of CCI being identified as the focal point for promotion of export of construction related professional services with a highly successful pioneering mission to the State of Qatar in November 2007 and a follow up mission in February 2008, the visit of Mr. Seetharaman is of immense significance to his Chamber and the construction industry in Sri Lanka. The alliance with Doha Bank will also facilitate GCC investment in infrastructure and construction related projects in Sri Lanka.  

Airforce attacks tiger targets

 

The Air Force continues to launch strong attacks on identified targets of tiger terrorists using fighter jets. Air Force Media Spokesman Wing Commander Andrew Wijesuriya said that aerial bombardments by M 24 fighter aircraft around 10.50 this morning have completely destroyed a boat yard in Wishvamadukulam in Mulativu.
Another attack was launched successfully around 10.15 this morning at two major camps north of Yoda weva.
He further said two police officials were killed in a claymore mine blast in Kanchurankuda in Batticaloa this morning.

Not to discourage the intrusion of TMVP says Weerawansa

 

General Secretary of the Desha Hithaishi Jathika Viyaparaya and Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa says all parties must act in a manner not to discourage the intrusion of TMVP or the Pillaiyan group to mainstream democratic politics.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo today , he further said TMVP is a breakaway of LTTE , fighting against the separatist concept of Tiger Terrorists.

Mr. Weerawansa also pointed out it would be a terrible injustice perpetrated on the Tamil community, if the majority keeps away from its responsibility to retain the group within the democratic frame work.

He added the TMVP faces gravest threat amongst all political groups from the LTTE.

Twenty three terrorists killed

 

The Media Centre for National Defense says 23 terrorists have been killed in confrontations with Security Forces in Jaffna, Mannar, Weli Oya and Vavuniya during the past 24 hours. The troops have destroyed a terrorist bunker in Kallikulam in Vavuniya and recovered a large quantity of terrorist weapons , including Anti Personnel mines, Motar Bombs and T 56 Fire Arms in search operations in Vavuniya, Weli Oya and Mannar.

Foursquare Church President expresses his gratitude to Secretary Defence for providing assistance

 

President of Foursquare Gospel Church Rev Jack Hayford has expressed his gratitude to Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa for providing assistance to release the two pastors of the church who had been arrested recently. The two pastors of the evangelist movement were arrested by the police on suspicion to for having connection with the LTTE terrorists.

Following is the full text of the letter sent by Rev Jack Hayford

The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel would like to hereby express our deep gratitude for your assistance in expediting the release of our pastors. We are extremely appreciative for your involvement and petitioning on our behalf. Your willingness to meet with Reverends Leslie Keegel and Amos Dodge was very kind and your support was instrumental in bringing resolve to this situation.

The Foursquare Church looks forward to a bright future of cooperation and partnership as we strive to serve the wonderful people of Sri Lanka. The pastors who were released will now have the opportunity to assist people with physical needs, comport those with emotional trauma, love people who feel abandoned and promote reconciliation.

On behalf of our over 54,000 Foursquare Churches in 148 nations around the world we would like to again express our heartfelt thanks to you. May the Lord be with you as you serve your great country.

One STF soldier killed 3 injured in LTTE claymore blast in Batticaloa

 

One soldier of Police Special Task Force (STF) was killed and 3 others suffered injuries when LTTE terrorists detonated a claymore mine at Thandiadi in Batticaloa this morning (March 26). According to the defence sources in the area , the claymore blast was carried out targeting a foot patrol undertaken by the STF down the Valakalai- Thandiadi road around 9.a.m.

The injured have been admitted to general hospital Batticaloa. A search operation is in progress, the sources added.

Pluralism Conference Highlights Importance of Rule of Law, Human Rights and Devolution

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo

A two day conference on pluralism in South Asia organized by the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka (NPC) with the support of the Government of Canada concluded on Tuesday in Colombo with the importance of adherence to the rule of law, human rights and devolution being highlighted by the participants. Academics, policy-makers, journalists, and civil society leaders from Bangladesh, Canada, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka took part in the event.

The conference was opened by the Canadian High Commissioner, Angela Bogdan, who emphasized that Pluralism was one of Canada’s foundational values in which every individual and community had an equal voice with a right to participate as a full member of society. She added that pluralism offered a way by which minority and majority communities could positively interact to build a better society that respects and accommodates diversity. |She also thanked the government of Sri Lanka for its high level participation and assistance in making the conference possible.

Minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration D.E.W. Gunasekera acknowledged Canadian assistance in advancing language training in Sri Lanka. He also said that the government was committed to increasing Tamil language cadre in the administrative services. Foreign Secretary Dr Palitha Kohona said the 13th Amendment, which devolved power to the provinces, was the initial and tangible step that had been proposed by the All Parties Representative Committee (APRC) towards achieving a durable settlement. He also said that democratic inclusiveness had to be the foundation of efforts to bring the country back together and heal its wounds so that the entire country could be the homeland for every one of its citizens.

A variety of actions in advancing practices of pluralism in both Sri Lanka and the region was mooted by the participants. Matters discussed at the conference included comparing and contrasting institutional structures available in the region to promote pluralism, encouraging citizenship participation and protecting minority rights, religious identity in political systems, fostering pluralism in civil society and enhancing a shared understanding of pluralism as the foundation for peace, democratic governance, human rights and countering violent extremism.

BJP opposes military aid to Lanka

Chennai, Tamil Nadu BJP has opposed providing military equipment and training to Sri Lankan military saying that such a move will affect the island Tamils.
State president Mr L Ganesan, told reporters here that the Katchatheevu, an island near Tamil Nadu, given to Sri Lanka as per an agreement in 1974, should be retrieved. He said the Sri Lankan government had violated the Katchatheevu agreement, which provided rights to Tamil Nadu fishermen to dry their nets in the island. Now, the Sri Lankan navy had set up sea mines near the island, denying even the fishing rights for Tamil Nadu fishermen, he said.
Meanwhile, Tamil film director Mr Vijaya T Rajendar, today announced that he was resigning from the post of deputy chairman to the State Small Savings Commission, since he would lead a protest against Centre's assistance to Sri Lanka in its genocidal war against Tamils. Mr Rajendar said that he was resigning since holding a government post while leading a protest against the Centre would create an embarrassing situation for chief minister Mr M Karunanidhi, who had appointed him.
In a related development, Tamil nationalist leader Mr Nedumaran, who held a protest demonstration against the Centre's military aid to the island courted arrest alongwith his supporters. Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, which split from the Dravidar Kazhagam, has announced public meetings throughout the state, condemning Centre's help to Sri Lanka government.

MEDIA-SRI LANKA: Edgy Customs Crack Down On Books

By IPS Correspondents
Advance copies of a book titled ‘Economy of the conflict in Sri Lanka: From embargo to repression’ by a respected Sri Lankan economist and researcher, Muttukrishna Sarvananthan, from his Washington-based publishers, East West Center, were withheld by customs vetting anti-government material. After days of wrangling, the parcel of books was finally released to the author on Tuesday after Sarvananthan shot off a fax to the director-general of customs threatening legal action.
The media and activist groups too put pressure. "I was not aware that there was a policy of detaining books and no one at customs told me under which law it was kept back," Sarvananthan told IPS before the books were released. "The naive custom officers (including a director) did not know that this book is available online at the East-West Center website and for sale at amazon.com," the economist said.
"In the present information age there can be no effective censorship of any book, let alone an academic book." Sarvananthan’s is not the only book available on the net that was detained. A research book on information technology (IT) in Sri Lanka has not been released for almost two months. The author, Rohan Samarajiva, has not been informed when his book, ICT Infrastructure in Emerging Asia, Policy and Regulatory Roadblocks, published by Sage India, will be released. Ironically, both books can be downloaded free on the internet. Samarajiva thinks his book may have been held back because it was in the same consignment as another publication on the Sri Lankan conflict. He wrote on the website of LIRNEasia, a regional ICT organisation, that launched his book:
"The problem is that it came in the same shipment as a book by an English scholar teaching at the Colombo University which has the word militarisation in the title." Sri Lankan customs officials detain books that arrive in the post, and refer them to the defence ministry or the department of information for clearance. "As far as I know they have no right, legal or moral, to censor books in a democratic society. I have evidence that this book censorship is occurring on a broader scale and is not limited to this single shipment from Sage India," Samarajiva posting on the net said. "Our book has nothing about the conflict, other than a single chapter that I co-authored on tele-use between the wars in the government areas of Jaffna. But if this goes on, I may be compelled to write a whole book on the destruction of civil liberties by people who don’t have a clue," he warned.
Sarvananthan said he has complained to Rajiva Wijesinha, a professor who is secretary general of the Government Peace Secretariat. An increasingly edgy government has been cracking down on media freedom in Sri Lanka. In the annual world ranking published by the Paris based Reporters without Borders the island now languishes at 141, a steep fall from 51 in 2002. International media watchdogs have raised concerns over the new appointment of a retired army general to the state-run television, Rupavahini. Last week, workers at Rupavahini, the country’s largest TV network, threatened strike action that could have crippled transmissions following a spate of attacks on employees. On Mar. 14, Anurasiri Hettige became the fifth employee to be attacked by unidentified assailants since end-December.
Rupavahini workers and media rights groups have linked the attacks to the storming of the station by government minister Mervyn Silva on Dec. 27. Silva was roughed up, his face coloured with paint by angry Rupavahini employees as he was escorted out under military protection President Mahinda Rajapakse met with representatives from the Rupavahini workers’ unions and promised to bring an end to the assaults. Silva was also summoned to the meeting midway through the proceedings by the president.
However, soon after the conclusion of the meeting, a retired major general of the Sri Lankan army, Sunil Silva, was appointed to a senior administrative post at Rupavahini. "A military leader in a state media group threatens the objectivity of journalists who are already struggling to independently confirm information about the combat between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam," the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said in a letter to the Sri Lankan president over the weekend.
Susil Kindelpitiya, director, news at Sirasa, a private TV station, has warned the inspector general of police in a letter that Silva has threatened bodily harm to his staff. "Given the numerous past instances of public violent attacks against citizens and media institutions by minister Mervyn Silva, we are seriously concerned about threats to life and property of our (Sirasa’s) News First staff," he said in the letter. Kindelpitiya too has warned Sirasa may be forced to take legal action.

Terrorist killed in sniper attack: 88AP mines recovered - Mannar

A LTTE terrorist was reported killed sniped by SLA on Tuesday (March 25) at Parappakandhal ahead of Mannar LTTE defences at around 5.30p.m.
Meanwhile, troops recovered 72 anti-personnel mines (AP), 13x 60mm mortar bombs, 13x hand grenades, a 2.5kg weighing claymore mine, 01x LTTE modified 'arul' type mortar bomb and an improvised 82mm mortar bomb from general area Parappakkandhal following an extensive search operation conducted this evening.
Similarly, in a search operation conducted in general area Nedunkandhal at 2.30p.m., troops have recovered 16AP mines and 4 improvised bombs, Mannar security sources said. Meanwhile, SLA has handed over 11 LTTE bodies to ICRC including bodies of 6 female cadres, the sources further added.

26 civilians seek protection with security forces fleeing LTTE hardships

A group of 11 civilians including 2 women and a child from Kilinochchi district, were rescued by Navy and brought to Punkuduthivu islet after been found drifting in a fiberglass dinghy(FGD) in the troubled waters south off Delft, on Tuesday (March 25).
According to reports received, they had fled from Kilinochchi seeking protection of security forces amidst unprecedented suffering at the hands of LTTE. The civilians were reported to have been forced to labour for long hours at LTTE bunker construction sites, gun points and shrub lands along the perimeters of Kilinochchi, security officials said.
"We had no option other than to flee for our lives. There were continuous intimidations and death threats by the organisation. Every family was ordered to give away a young for the outfit (LTTE) and those who refused were forced to work in harsh conditions. We are been robbed from our basic needs and our children deprived of their right for a better future. The situation is deteriorating and we urge both the government and aid agencies to immediately redress grievances of thousands who are forcibly held by the LTTE in Kilinochchi", a terrified woman said explaining her experiences.
"We know that it is great danger with the rising swells at this time of the year but it is safer as we no longer have to live in fear. Many families who have made similar attempts and caught by the LTTE are said to be held in chambers and never heard off, a youth said.
The civilians were later brought to the Karainagar Naval base and will be directed to an IDP centre under the safe custody of Police, security sources said.
Earlier, on Tuesday(25) 15 Tamil civilians including 4 females sought protection with security forces at Erukkulampiddi and Pallemunai in Mannar claiming that they have been continuously receiving death threats by the LTTE.
According to sources, 9 civilians from Vidattaltivu have sought protecting with security forces at the Navy-Police joint fishing marshalling point at Pallemunai, 5.30a.m., while 6 others found to be originally from Kilinochchi managed to reach safe shores at Erukkulampiddi in the Mannar islet at around 6.30a.m.
The civilians were later directed to an IDP centre under the safe custody of the Mannar Police, security sources said.
Meanwhile, a startling revelation was made by an individual where it was reported that at least over a dozen LTTE bodies were cremated daily in Kilinochchi and Mullaittiuvu.

Four flyovers will be constructed this year

Minister Jeyeraj Fernandopulle says 4 flyovers will be constructed this year. The construction of the flyover in Panadura will begin on Monday. Plans have been made to construct 20 flyovers within the next 4 years. The aim of this measure is to reduce traffic congestion and streamline transportation. The British government will fund these projects in addition to the construction of 222 iron bridges.

Actor resigns from TN panel over SL Tamil issue

Film director and leader of Latchiya Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party Vijaya T Rajendhar on Tuesday resigned from the vice-chairmanship of the Tamil Nadu Small Savings Advisory Committee in order to "mobilise support for Ealam Tamils on the Sri Lankan issue."
Rajendhar, an ally of the ruling DMK, was rewarded with the post, equivalent to the status of state minister, for his statewide campaign in support of Democratic Porgressive Alliance candidates during the 2006 Assembly elections.
The actor-director told reporters that he had planned to criss-cross the state and raise voice in support of Sri Lankan Tamils.
As part of it, he was scheduled to address public meetings in Madurai and Chennai.
"As my campaign may create problems in the alliance and cause embarrassment to Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, I have decided to quit the post," he said.
He also criticised the Centre for having failed to "warn" the Sri Lankan government despite the "continuous attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy."
Rajendhar said he had sent the resignation letter to Karunanidhi,explaining the reason behind his decision to quit the post.

Keheliya angry over Lankadeepa, Leader and Lanka e News

(Lanka-e-News,) Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella criticized Lankadeepa, Leader and Lanka-e-News website for disseminating news that affected the security forces.
Lankadeepa was criticized since one of its articles said that the Army Commander Sarath Fonseka first said that the war would be ended after Wanni and Kilinochchi were captured but now he says that eliminating terrorists is worthier than capturing ground. The Minister said that the writer was trying to emphasize that this as duplicity, But the Army Commander wanted to state that the ground would be retained easily as the terrorists were eliminated.
Minister Rambukwella said that an article in Sunday Leader said ironically that the difference between the LTTE's strength and its death toll proclaimed by the Army was mere 600, undermining the seriousness of the war. He said that the article had deliberately excluded the child recruitments and other recruitment drives that amounted to thousands after the war was commenced.
Lanka-e-News was criticized by the Minister for yesterday?s news with the heading 'A team to gather information of media persons in the guise of gathering information of LTTE.' The Minister said that the news was misleading emphasizing that the government had no need to suppress media.
However, a debate was triggered as the Lanka-e-News representative stood for the accuracy of the story of his website.
Question: We have information that the state has sent the phone numbers of several journalists, together with the phone contacts of LTTE cadre Ramesh who is now in custody, to obtain information of the telephone calls they have made. These media persons report security affairs. Is this news wrong?
Answer: If journalists are in the phone book of Ramesh, they might have connection with him.
Question: The problem is that the media persons' names have been sent to the phone companies falsely stating that they were among the contacts of Ramesh. We know that the phone numbers of at least two journalists are under scrutiny.
Answer: It can be two of the journalists of your website. You posted a false report on Maheswaran killing as well. But I do not talk about it now.
Question: The relevant phone numbers belong to two journalists of state media. They have no connivance with terrorism.
Answer: We have to go after any information obtained from Ramesh. If their names have been added erroneously, the investigation will be good for them. However, no such special team has been appointed so far.
Question: What does so far mean? Do you hope to do so in future?
Answer: We do not have any such idea for the moment. That period can be years, months or days.

Tamils excluded from LTTE 'peace event' with British MP

(By Dushy Ranetunge in London)
There has been a resurgence of LTTE activity in the UK and the Tigers are increasingly lobbying British government Ministers to highlight only their point of view.
On Saturday, an LTTE propaganda event was to be held at the University of East London, as usual in the guise of a peace event. The University administrators were alerted that it was an LTTE event and they initially cancelled it.
The British Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform, Stephen Timms visited the University and intervened on behalf of the LTTE organisers and re-secured the venue for the event.
The event was held on Saturday and included known front line LTTE activists, known not only to Sri Lankans, but also to New Scotland Yard Specialist Operations.
Among those present at the event were Murugesu Sivarajah a long standing and a hard core LTTE activist, C. Sithamparapillai, a lawyer and the Chairman of the LTTE front 'TRAG', S. Balasundaram senior and junior, both known LTTE activists.
Anti-LTTE activists Rajasingham Jayadevan and Vivekananthan, who had been initially invited had tried to enter the venue only to be kept out by LTTE goons. Jayadevan had then telephoned Stephen Timms, who had gone out to meet him, but in his presence an LTTE goon had pushed Jayadevan and Timms had stood by helplessly.
It is believed that Ministers of the British government were content with standing by while the LTTE intimidates Tamils who had come to hear him speak.
The reason for this may be because Stephen Timms is the MP for Eastham, and as the LTTE event was being held in his patch, he may have wanted to maintain the support of his LTTE constituents.

LTTE 'military storage facility' destroyed in air strikes- Mullaittivu

 



The SLAF fighter jets took fresh air strikes at a LTTE 'military storage facility' this morning (March 25) at Uddayarkattukulama, in Mullaittivu.
According to Air Force Spokesperson Group Captain Andrew Wijesooriya, the air sorties were conducted following well established ground and air surveillance information, at around 9.20a.m. The target was known to be a main LTTE arms, ammunitions and equipment storage facility, he further said.
The air strikes have triggered a series of explosion while, pilots have also confirmed debris and flames rising in the area, sources said.

Defence analysts state that these strikes were launched as a measure to neutralize the LTTE Wanni logistic and arms supply network.

The LTTE is yet to release casualty figures, defence sources said.

 

5 arrested, explosives recovered in Muthuwal

 

Grand-Pass Police recovered 4kgs' of C-4 high explosives and 10 electrical detonators from a house located at 'Aluth Mawatha' in Muthuwal during a pre-dawn search operation conducted today(March 25).

According to Police sources, the search operation was conducted based on substantial information received, where 5 suspects were also arrested alleged LTTE by the Police following preliminary investigations at the site.

Four explosive timers were also recovered by the Police during the search operation.

Earlier, in February an LTTE suicide bomber blew himself in a separate location at Muthuwal, when his hideout was spotted in a combined Army-Police cordon.

UNP decides to contest EP polls

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo

The United National Party plans to contest forthcoming Eastern Province Election .Media Spokesman Gayantha Karunathilaka says the government must disarm militatnt groups and reinstate the STF and invite foreign observers.
He said the UNP Working Committee today unanimously approved the party’s decision to contest the Eastern Provincial Council Election to be held on May 10. They also appointed a nomination board to coordinate the Eastern Provincial Council Election.

Alleged EPDP member attempts extortion

 

A member of the EPDP who attempted to extort Rs.100,000 from a leading businessman in Mannar town this morning was taken into custody by Mannar police. The suspect was detained for further questioning.

President opens the new flyover

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The first phase of the new flyover at Kelaniya was declared open today by Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse.

The Kelaniya flyover, the first of 222 bridges to be constructed countrywide was declared opened for traffic this morning.

The length of the Kelaniya flyover is 325 meters. Two lanes have been constructed under the first phase of the project. Construction of this Flyover was completed in a record period of 60 days.

The second phase of the project is due to commence next month for constructing additional two lanes. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs. 2.1 billion.

Over 75,000 vehicles travel along Colombo-Kandy main road every day and the flyover built The Kelaniya flyover across the Peliyagoda railway crossing is expected to ease the traffic congestion.

 

18 envoys to resign today

 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's non-service/contractual envoys posted in 18 capitals including Washington, London, New Delhi, Jakarta, Riyadh, Ankara, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Abu Dhabi and UN Headquarters in New York are going to resign with the new prime minister taking over today.
Quoting highly placed sources, The News reported here yesterday that some of the ambassadors/high commissioners would be retained to complete their contractual tenure but they would not be given extension.
All the envoys would be asked to continue till next instructions so that level of diplomatic communication with such countries might be maintained till the new appointments are made, the sources said.
The sources hinted that Pakistan's incumbent envoy to the US, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, UN Headquarters and Sri Lanka would not be asked to relinquish their assignments forthwith. Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohamed Khan will be among the diplomats who would be asked to continue. In all probabilities, he will be replaced in September next by a talented diplomat Salman Bashir, who is currently Pakistan's ambassador to China, the report said.
The sources pointed out that three retired lieutenant generals, four major generals, one former chief of the navy two former air vice marshals, and nine retired diplomats and intellectuals currently enjoying status of ambassadors and high commissioners in important world capitals will resign today.
The Foreign Office has compiled a list of the envoys in question to be submitted to the prime minister.
The aspirants for the diplomatic assignments are already engaged in hectic efforts for acquiring the same. They have been running from pillar to post ever since the elections.
Ambassador-at-large and former Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Conference Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, who was appointed ambassador by late Benazir Bhutto during the seventh OIC summit held at Casablanca in December 1994, is not expected to come under fire.

India will never allow a separate Tamil State -SL PM

JERUSALEM: India will never allow a separate independent state for Tamils to be carved out from Sri Lanka, the island's Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayaka said here.

"It should be borne in mind that India will never allow a separate independent state for Tamils in Sri Lanka because such a development will have a disastrous effect in India," Wickremanayaka, who is the first Sri Lankan Prime Minister to visit Israel, told a gathering.

"India has always been committed to Sri Lanka's territorial integrity," he added. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister, who is on a four-day visit, claimed that LTTE leader V Prabhakaran wanted to create a Tamil state by "including certain parts of India as well".

He said that his country is committed to a political solution to the three-decade-old conflict and is not seeking a military solution. He ruled out any division of the island nation, which he said has remained as one single unit throughout history. "It is not feasible politically or economically", the Sri Lankan leader emphasised.

While asserting that his governments doors are always open to peace talks, the island nation's premier dismissed any chances of a breakthrough with the LTTE under "the current megalomaniac leader".

Vavuniya Police nets 'LTTE abductors', saves Insurance Executive

Vavuniya Police in a well laid security cordon arrested 4 individuals alleged to be LTTE operatives while they were fleeing in 2 motor bikes, along with an abducted civilian at Pomppaimadu area, Vavuniya on Monday (March 24) evening.

The abducted civilian was identified as Sumith Prasanna Manawadu, 39, an Insurance Executive at the 'Ceylinco Insurance' - Vavuniya branch. According to Police sources, the insurance executive was abducted by the LTTE while he was attending a Hindu wedding festival at Thirunawakulama in Vavuniya, at around 2.15p.m.

On receiving information of the incident Vavuniya police took swift measures: dispatched task units to the area and manned road barriers where the abductors were netted while fleeing at Pomppaimadu, and the insurance executive freed the police further said.

A LTTE operative has swallowed a cyanide capsule whilst been arrested and was admitted to the general hospital at Anuradhapura, the sources said. The Police have also recovered a pistol and a hand grenade which were in possession of the LTTE operatives.

Investigations continue as the arrested are believed to have involved in similar abductions of youth and business persons for ransom, a lucrative income for the terrorist outfit, Vavuniya Police said.

Thirunawakulam is located along the Vavuniya- Mannar main road, approximately 4km from Vavuniya town.

Parties of United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance assured that they will contest under UPFA

The parties of United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance assured that they will contest under UPFA ticket in the forthcoming Eastern Provincial Council Election.
A special discussion on the procedure to contest this election was held yesterday among the respective parties. The discussion took place at parliamentary complex. Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva presided the meeting. The leaders of the coalition parties participated in this discussion. The Secretary General of EPDP Minister Douglas Devananda and the Muslim political parties representing the eastern province also were present at the meeting.
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress also participated in this discussion. The decision of SLMC will be announced tomorrow. Therefore, Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said another special discussion will be held tomorrow in this regard.

EC brings the attention of relevant laws of the elections.

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo

The Elections Commissioner brings the attention of relevant sections on provisions mentioned in the constitution regarding the elections.
According to the 13th amendment to the constitution, promotion or prevention of the selection of a candidate, a political party or an independent group is prohibited. The elections chief points out the use of moveable and immovable properties belonging to the government or any other state institution for election activities is also prohibited.
This ban is applicable to the time period of the forthcoming provincial council elections in the eastern province. This ban is valid till the date on which the election results are issued beginning from the 13th of this month.
According to the 13th amendment promotions and transfers in the government or other state institutions cannot be made. Holding Interviews to make new recruitments is also prohibited. It is more appropriate to refrain from holding state backed mobile services, exhibitions and festivals during this period. The elections commissioner has notified Ministerial secretaries to inform heads of state institutions in this connection.
End

Steps are on to retrieve Kachchatheevu: Congress MP

A Congress leader in Tamil Nadu and Indian Upper House (Rajya Sabha) Member of Parliament, Sudarsana Natchiappan, has said that the Indian Government was taking steps to take back Kadchatheevu according to a report by Dinamani newspaper in Tamil Nadu Sunday. Mr. Natchiappan was participating in the 66th state executive committee meeting of the Human Rights Division of the Congress Party at Raameasvaram on Saturday.
Sudarsana NatchiappanHe reportedly said that fishermen from Tamil Nadu should be allowed to fish in the historical waters and that the Indian Government was taking necessary steps to provide protection to them and to retrieve the island of Kachchatheevu.
Natchiappan also told reporters that efforts were on to secure the release of Tamils who were languishing in jails in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Gulf countries.
He sought to explain away the training imparted to Sri Lankan military, that has caused widespread furore in Tamil Nadu, saying that since India is the largest country in the region it provides military training to its neighbours.

Navy thwarts LTTE boat movement - Pulmoddai

Naval attack craft on patrol off Pulomoddai thwarted an LTTE boat movement from Nayaru to Pulmoddai this morning (March 25).
According to Naval Spokesperson Commander D.K.P Dassanyake, naval craft on sighting a cluster of LTTE boats at 1.a.m., making towards the Pulmoddai waters intercepted the vessels engaging in a seaborne fire attack forcing the LTTE vessels to retreat with damages.
Later, it was revealed through intercepted enemy communication that a LTTE boat has sustained damages and towed towards the Nayaru lagoon, the spokesperson further said.

Israel Urges Sri Lanka Not To Give In To Terrorism

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday urged his Sri Lankan counterpart, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, not to give in to terrorism.

"Don't give in to terrorism because it will only destroy your country ... It is forbidden to surrender to it," Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told his Sri Lankan counterpart on Monday.

The Sri Lankan prime minister, who is on a rare four-day official visit to the Jewish state, thanked Israel for providing assistance when a tsunami devastated parts of his island nation in 2004. The two countries renewed relations in 2000 after a 30-year lull.

The two countries are battling suicide bombers and other extremists for years now. Israel has been battling Palestinian militants for decades while Sri Lanka's fight against Tamil rebels has killed more than 70,000 people since 1983.

During his visit, Premier Wickramanayaka is scheduled to meet Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and President Shimon Peres, and travel to the West Bank for talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Janabalasena from UNP

UNP General Secretary Thissa Aththanayaka announced that the Janabalasena national movement aiming to defeat the government at any national level election such as general election or Presidential would be launched today.
Mr. Aththanayaka said at a press conference in the official residence of the Opposition Leader that 450,000 Janabalasena animators would be appointed, each one in charge of ten households to mobilize a five tier political force in national, provincial, district and electorate levels.

Mr. Aththanayaka further said that the number of Janabalasena animators that would be appointed would surpass the total vote count of the JVP. The UNP targets to add one million new votes to its base to build up the party as an undefeatable force.

The UNP General Secretary said that the aim of the new political movement to be launched tomorrow with the patronage of the party leader Ranil Wickramasinghe against the corrupt regime is to push it to a general election.

Govt. denies offering Chief Minister post to Pillaiyan

by Franklin. R.Satyapalan
The government yesterday denied claims that it had offered to appoint TMVP leader Pillaiyan as the Chief Minister of East.

General Secretary of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance,

Minister Susil Premajayantha said "We have not offered the Chief Minister-ship to anyone. We will take a decision on it only after the elections to the Eastern Provincial council are completed."

He said at an SLFP Central Committee meeting presided over by President Mahinda Rajapaksa a decision had been taken that all political parties in the Alliance Government would contest under the single banner of the UPFA and the betel symbol. "I have written to several parties, including the JVP and the SLMC inviting them to join us and to contest under one banner and senior Advisor to the President Basil Rajapaksa had discussed this with the SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem a few days ago.

All the party leaders in the alliance, the Mahajhana Eksath Peramuna, Communist Party, Lanka Sama Samaja Party, Mahajhana Pakshaya, Jathika Hela Urumaya, National Unity Alliance and the All Ceylon Muslim Congress,

were expected to meet yesterday afternoon to decide on the number of slots for each constituent party.

Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said that the Committee comprising Senior Advisor to the President Basil Rajapaksa, SLFP General Secretary Minister Maithripala Sirisena and UPFA General Secretary Minister Susil Premajayantha would deliberate and decide on the candidates by March 31.

General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Nidhas Sevaka Sangamaya Leslie Devendra said there had been a very strong response from the SLFP rank and file in the Eastern Province assuring the party’s hierarchy that the party could make an impact and gain a resounding victory at the May 10 Provincial poll.

He said that union members attached to the Petroleum Corporation, Sri Lanka Ports Authority in Trincomaqlee, Valachchenai Paper Factory in Batticaloa, Mineral Sands Corporation in Pullmuddai, Ceramics factory in Amparai and Fisher Societies in the Eastern Province have already responded to the Governments decision to take up the challenge and win in the East.

"We are confident that we could win this Provincial Council elections for the Government," he said.

SLRC unions to seek compensation for those attacked

by Norman Palihawadana
Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation trade unions have decided to meet the Minister of Media and Information Anura Priyadarashana Yapa to discuss payment of compensation to SLRC employees who were attacked by thugs recently following the recent incident involving Dr. Mervin Silva at the SLRC.

The employees who were attacked with knives and a razor were Lal Hemantha Mawalage, Ranjani Herath and Anurasiri Hettige.An SLRC union spokesman said President Mahinda Rajapaksa, during
SLRC unions the talks he had with the union representatives, had requested the Minister of Media and Information to take steps to pay compensation to the employees who were injured in the attacks.

Trade union sources were also concerned that the special police teams deployed to investigate the attacks on the SLRC employees had still been unable to arrest any suspects. They hoped to take the issue up with the minister during their discussions with him, he said.

CEB engineers slam Chairman over report

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Engineers Union yesterday criticized the CEB Chairman’s recent report calling for a review of the entire range of allowances available to all public corporations and statutory boards.

The Union pointed out that the Chairman’s reasons for recurring loses at the CEB was absurd, as he had not understood the real reasons for the losses.

The current financial crisis at the CEB, is a matter to verify the management capabilities of the chairman," a senior Engineer said.

He said, that though the CEB Chairman Udaya Kariyawasam has very good financial qualifications, the Union was surprised as to how, despite being an accountant by profession, he could not understand basic management.

The Engineers’ Union said according to Kariyawasam, the CEB workers’ loan portfolio is over rupees 2.2 billion and thus called for a review of the entire range of allowances.

The engineers said they take loans from their provident fund.

The Union said: "That is our own money, and we get it at a concessionary rate. The CEB provides loans to purchase cars for officers and motor bicycles for others at an interest rate of seven per cent, which was not a grant."

A senior engineer said: "the Chairman was talking about seven or eight-year-old contracts, especially when paid in dollars, but he was the one who signed the Letter of Intent (LOI) and campaigned for the Indian wind plant project which was paid in US$ terms."

CEB engineers slam Chairman over report

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Engineers Union yesterday criticized the CEB Chairman’s recent report calling for a review of the entire range of allowances available to all public corporations and statutory boards.

The Union pointed out that the Chairman’s reasons for recurring loses at the CEB was absurd, as he had not understood the real reasons for the losses.

The current financial crisis at the CEB, is a matter to verify the management capabilities of the chairman," a senior Engineer said.

He said, that though the CEB Chairman Udaya Kariyawasam has very good financial qualifications, the Union was surprised as to how, despite being an accountant by profession, he could not understand basic management.

The Engineers’ Union said according to Kariyawasam, the CEB workers’ loan portfolio is over rupees 2.2 billion and thus called for a review of the entire range of allowances.

The engineers said they take loans from their provident fund.

The Union said: "That is our own money, and we get it at a concessionary rate. The CEB provides loans to purchase cars for officers and motor bicycles for others at an interest rate of seven per cent, which was not a grant."

A senior engineer said: "the Chairman was talking about seven or eight-year-old contracts, especially when paid in dollars, but he was the one who signed the Letter of Intent (LOI) and campaigned for the Indian wind plant project which was paid in US$ terms."

ICRC Head Speaks to Army Commander

From http://www.army.lk/
HEAD OF THE International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), the organization which is largely responsible for humanitarian and relief measures in war-torn Wanni, northern areas and elsewhere met Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka Monday (24) morning at the Army Headquarters.Mr. Toon Vandenhove, Head of the ICRC Delegation during his meeting with the Army Chief focused on several issues that are related to the ICRC operations in un-cleared areas in Wanni. The ICRC official requested the Commander to appoint a specific Army officer in Wanni to directly liaise with the ICRC whenever the need arises.
Lieutenant General Fonseka in response to the ICRC request reminded Mr. Vandenhove of the continued assistance assured to the ICRC at all times without denying access to anywhere in the Wanni as and when the ICRC wanted. Commander elaborating on the general security situation and ongoing military operations for liberation of innocent civilians in Wanni advised the visiting delegate to directly get in touch with Major General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni in case any assistance is needed.
The ICRC official gave the Commander an outline of their operations in Sri Lanka and a review of different ICRC programmes launched in Sri Lanka in the year 2007.

DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE SECTOR IN SRI LANKA

by Dr. Sarath Ranaweera

Organic production has considerable potential in our agriculture sector in Sri Lanka. However, the term organic has been widely misused in Sri Lanka without having very clear understanding about it. Ecological farming systems, applying compost on crops, natural home garden practices, neglecting lands without applying natural and artificial inputs can not be defined or termed as organic. Organic chemistry has no direct relationship with organic agriculture. Organic is a kind of labelling system that is granted for ecological production when the whole process is certified by an accredited third party organization.
Economy of our country is mainly based on agriculture. We have a higher degree of biodiversity among most of the developing countries and we are blessed with nature gifted most suitable climatic conditions for having sustainable natural agriculture systems. The agriculture practices that have been carried out for many years with indigenous knowledge of our traditional farmers have contributed tremendously for the development of sustainable agriculture in Sri Lanka. Many well balanced eco systems including the Kandyan forest garden system play major role in protecting environment and maintain biodiversity in many parts of our beautiful island. Once these ecological farming practices are tuned to follow an efficient management system, such lands can be inspected and certified as organic according to international standards with shorter period of in-conversion at a lower cost. Without a third party guarantee on the compliance of set international standards on organic production methods, a product cannot be labelled, termed or called as organic.
We are more health conscious than ever before and therefore we seek safe and healthy food. Organic food is the safer, healthier and as a result the demand for organic food is ever growing. As an example, United States of America, Canada, are having rapidly growing Organic Food markets reporting around 20% annual growth. In addition to that, European Union rate of growth on Organic Food market is averaging 7.8% per year. Other than that Japan, New Zealand, Australia are having relatively small markets for organic Foods but still blooming.
Organic is environmentally friendly, culturally sensitive, socially just and economically viable sustainable agricultural system that maintains an efficient management system. All the organic production methods are monitored by Inspection and Certification Bodies (ICB) that are accredited by EN 45004/45011 or ISO 65. Most of developed countries have set up the minimum requirements as organic regulation and therefore products are checked at customs with relevant documentary proofs to support the claim the product as organic. These regulations are formulated based on guidelines or basic standards provided by International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and Codex Alimentarius. An ICB being private or Government affiliated organization sets its own standards satisfying the minimum requirements stipulated by the EU or the country regulations. An Inspector visits the project audits whether the organic practices followed by a licensee or a new applicant complies with standards set by the same ICB. The ICB evaluates the compliance of the findings of the inspector with its own standards and based on satisfactory levels of compliance, a certification is granted for the products to be called organic.
A few international ICBs such as Control Union of The Netherlands, IMO of Switzerland, NASAA of Australia, Ecocert of France and Soil Association of UK are actively involved in organic inspection and certification in Sri Lanka. Certified organic products are mainly exported to Europe under EU regulation of EEC 2092/91, USA under NOP, Switzerland under Biosuisse, Australia under NASAA and Japan under JAS by limited number of exporters in Sri Lanka.
The council of EU on organic production and labelling has been changed since 28th of June 2007, but it has raised some important questions such as acceptance of group certification of small organic farmers and how the approval of certification bodies in Third countries is granted by a central body. NOP of USA has recently created a very serious problem in small farmer group certification by requesting international inspectors to visit all individual farmers separately instead of visiting 10% to 15% randomly from the whole group. ISO 62 has been recommended for selecting number of small organic farmers under small farmer group certification to EU committee but it has not yet been officially accepted.
NEW EU LAW SET TO BOOST ORGANIC SALES
Europe’s organic market will face a new regulation on organic production and Labeling as of January 1, 2009. The regulation, issued by the European Commission as Regulation (EC) 83/2007, is expected to boost the organic market.
The new regulation replaces and orders one that set the standard for organic production in the European Union since 1991. The old one, Regulation (EEC) 2092/91, has been amended more than thirty times since its adoption, so the EC decided it’s time for new and clearer legislation.
The term organic products cover agricultural crops or food products produced according to strict requirements laid down for organic production. For instance, organic producers may not use chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Since the EU market for organic products has been growing steadily for a decade and prices in the organic sector are generally higher than those of conventional products, it is an interesting market for exporters in developing countries (DCs). Throughout Europe both consumers and governments are paying more attention to best environmental practices, biodiversity, the preservation of natural resources and the application of high animal welfare standards. The health trend is another growth driver.
What’s new?
The objective of the new Regulation is to simplify the rules for both consumers and producers, to contribute to transparency and consumer confidence and to help create a clear and harmonized image for organic production. The new regulation will focus on clearer and more explicit definitions of the objectives and principles of organic production rather than on technical requirements. The most important change compared to current legislation is that under the new regulation the use of the EU logo for organic products produced within the EU will become compulsory. National or private logos will still be allowed, but only to accompany the EU logo on a voluntary basis. Al products carrying the EU logo must also bear a label that says where the products were farmed.
Once the EU logo is compulsory for organic products produced within the EU, it is likely that more consumers will be familiar with it and therefore willing to buy products carrying the logo, regardless of where they have been produced. Exporters from DCs therefore may benefit from the logo.
New import regime
The new regulation will also bring in a new permanent import regime, allowing DCs to export to the EU market under the same or equivalent conditions as EU producers. To avoid differences in interpretation and procedures within the different member states, the EC will give a list of control authorities and control bodies the task of monitoring controls and certification in third counties. This will probably make it a lot easier for DC exporters to gain access to EU markets with organic products.
Importation of goods marked or labelled organic is controlled presently under 3 systems to European Union as follows. Importers in EU have to apply for an import authorization concerning importing organic products.
1) Country of origin of the producer has to be in the European Union and direct official admission is valid for member countries.2) Non EU-member states which have provided evidence that the production methods and inspection measures in the Third country are equivalent to rules of council regulation, can be admitted in to the Third Country Register under EEC no. 94/92. At present seven countries, namely Argentina, Australia, Israel, Check Republic, Hungary, Switzerland and India have entered in to this list. New countries recently joined EU will be officially removed from the list later on. Once a country is enlisted under Third country register, direct official admission is valid similar to member of EU. Local inspections bodies can be established in the listed country and as a result the heavy cost for international inspection can be eliminated. 3) Member state authorization of products (importer derogation)
Council Regulation (EEC) No 2083/92 amended the Regulation to enable the Government Authority with jurisdiction over organic standards in an EU Member State to authorize an importer to import products from a country like Sri Lanka which is not included in the Article 11 list. The provision is commonly referred to as the “importer derogation”. In order for imports to be approved under this method, the importer must furnish the Member State with sufficient evidence to show that:
· The imported product was produced according to organic production rules equivalent to EU standards.· The imported product was subject to inspection measures equivalent to EU inspection requirements.· The inspection measures will be permanently and effectively applied (Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91, Art. 11 par. 6, as amended); and· The certification body operates in compliance with ISO/IEC Guide 65.
Each importer must obtain a separate authorization for each imported product. If an importer imports the same product from different countries or with certifications from different certifiers in the same country, a separate authorization must be obtained for each at a cost.
This process to license the importer to import a particular product from a particular country not on the Article 11 list is the responsibility of individual Member States, not the responsibility of the Commission. Member States and even regional authorities implement this provision differently with respect to the nature of the evidence that must be supplied. For specific information, it is required to contact the Member States.
The majority of products currently entering the EU are imported through the Member State Authorization and not from countries on the Article 11 list.
Why organic production is important to Sri Lanka.
The basic value addition by converting products from conventional or ecological varies from 30% to more than 100% depending on the product. Sri Lanka as a country with full of natural resources has a big potential to fulfil the considerable portion of ever-growing market demand for organic products in the World. Our capacity in supplying various products already grown under ecological systems for years after the conversion within shorter period of time is very high. The value addition of tea from year 1998 to 2001 purely due to the organic labelling is equivalent to the additional production of about one million kgs of conventional teas. This is definitely an encouraging indication to any Government to support Organic Sector. This target has been achieved by few organic companies with their individual effort made for many years. The Export Development Board of Sri Lanka has immensely assisted to promote organic sector in Sri Lanka by assisting the private sector to seek new markets for organic products. Some of the other Government institutes have recently launched programmes to identify the potential areas and producer groups for organic agriculture.
Other than this direct financial benefit gained from organic exports, the protection of environment has become a major indirect contributory factor of organic agriculture. The favourable influence of organic agriculture on environment protection and human health on long-term basis has not yet been scientifically evaluated in order to add economic value to organic products. Water resources and tanks are contaminated with higher level of heavy metals and Nitrates that has already created serious health problem to our community and it will continue. Government spends huge amount on subsidy of chemical fertilizers from one side and bear huge cost on health care from the other side. Disposal of litter from large scale animal husbandry units has become a costly and troublesome affair and the same litter can be easily converted to nitrogen-rich soil input and that could replace imported synthetic nitrogen fertilizers resulting in saving some foreign exchange to our country. The same can also be used in organic production when the conversion is done according to organic standards. However extreme care must be taken to prevent the contamination of heavy metal and clinical waste when urban waste is converted as soil inputs for the use in conventional agriculture. The relationship between artificial chemical usage in agriculture on the increase number of kidney patients and other health related problems in many areas has become an interesting topic to be researched. Contribution from academics, researchers, scientist and other professionals in the respective fields has become essential in order to educate producers and consumers about the negative impact of usage of hazardous chemicals in incorrect manner during farming and processing on human health. This will anyway help to reduce the damages done for farming community in the long run. The investment required in the future to clean our soil and water resources will be very significant. Environment polluted by us today for our short term benefit will have to be restored by our next generation at their cost for their survival in the future. Therefore it is logical that the cost for cleaning the environment needed in the future has to be added to the cost of conventional production.
Promotion of organic agriculture minimizes the health problems and also results in no capital investment to clean the environment. In addition, possibilities are there for our conventional products exported to developed countries to get rejected as the maximum residue limits (MRL) and heavy metal contamination in food are higher than those of ever-reducing allowable levels in the importing countries as a result of unmethodical and heavy chemical application.
Organic labeling needs international certification for Sri Lankan products. However, the cost of international inspection attributes extra overhead cost to the cost of production and therefore measures taken to reduce COP have become a necessity. Government direct involvement in setting up a mechanism to promote organic agriculture has become a compulsory issue in order to safeguard the interest of exporters who are involved in an internationally competitive organic trade as well as the producers in the organic sector. A long-term professional approach will help to generate more foreign exchange while our environment is being protected. This will also lead to maintain a sustainable development of the rural sector in Sri Lanka.
It is important that an institute to promote organic agriculture be established with the contribution of all stakeholders in the organic field. Government involvement is more important in making policy and finding a most suitable mechanism to implement them. Some of the main activities listed there, are setting up local certification procedures under third country registry, policy making & implementation, registration of Inspection Bodies, registration of exporters and local parties involved in organic sales, issuance of renewable permit for local sales, penalizing fraudulent sellers, introducing a common seal for certified organic products in Sri Lanka, rendering assistance to organic & health shops, rendering assistance from media to promote organic export, setting up of Internal Control System for local inspection, register all training institutes and setting up organic export villages. However it is evident that some of the above activities have been already started separately by different institutions.
It is also imperative to draw up a plan for Sri Lanka to get the recognition and equivalent status for local certification or to enter into the Third Country Registry enabling local inspection bodies to certify products as organic which will be accepted by any international community. For that, initially the guidelines or basic standards on organic production need to be set by a standard committee and then based on basic guidelines, the country regulation for organic production has to be established by a Government Standard setting institute. Qualified private organizations must set their own standards adhering to country regulation that are accepted by a quality management system for organic inspection and certification. Training inspectors on organic standards has become compulsory when organic standards are set only. Generic training can be done by many institutes but standards-specific training needed for internationally accepted inspection system cannot be handled without the support of professionals. Changing basic standards that leads to regulation changes in the country needs to be handled by group of experts officially nominated as the members of the standard committee by the organic promotion institute or regulatory institute. However, the adhering to the sequence of operation or procedures is very important in order to respect international standards and to gain the international recognition for our local inspection & certifications. It is clearly seen that many events happens today without much professional guidance and this will not lead to achieve our country goals in setting local bodies for the same. Once all aspects fall in line it will result in eliminating higher cost of inspection and certification carried out by international inspection bodies. The present situation has curtailed the development of organic agriculture among small farmer groups in the rural areas in Sri Lanka. Recognized local certification system will also enable our producers and exporters to offer organic products at competitive prices in international markets. The main benefit from lower certification cost could be transferred to the farming community by giving them reasonable higher prices against conventional market prices along with the forward contracts.
In addition to these aspects, organic food production for local market will result in generating a healthier community in Sri Lanka. Immediate regulation should be imposed to monitor the products sold under the term of organic in order to protect the credibility of genuine organic producers and to safeguard the interest of organic consumers. Therefore, the Government of Sri Lanka should take the initiative like our neighboring countries for the promotion of organic agriculture in Sri Lanka.

Govt. gives into Pilleyan and withdraws STF from East! – UNP General Secretary

The UNP has charged that the government is withdrawing the Special Task Force (STF) from the East "on the insistence of the Pillayan group” stating that it was a “calculated attempt to prepare the ground for the rigging of the upcoming provincial council election.”

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said Pilleyan group is demanding the withdrawal of the STF from areas such as Potuvil and Sangamankanda so “they will have a free run at the upcoming election.”

According to police sources Defense Ministry has decided to withdraw the STF from more than ten camps in the East and Mannar.

According to these sources the Army would take over those camps in the East and Vavuniya areas. According to police sources the STF withdrawn from some camps in the Ampara and Akkaraipattu area will be deployed in LTTE threatened villages in Welioya, including Kebithigollewa say the police.

EU committed to maintain close ties with Sri Lanka

A delegation of senior officials from the European Union visited Sri Lanka from March 16-18, to discuss EU concerns at the current situation in the country.
A statement issued by the EU Presidency noted that the EU and Sri Lanka have deep, longstanding relations, covering economic, trade, political and cultural matters. Slovenia, which holds the current rotating EU Presidency said in a statement, “The EU is committed to maintaining these, and welcomes the opportunity provided by this visit for open and frank discussions.”
The 27-member European bloc welcomed such steps as have been taken towards a politically sustainable devolution plan for Sri Lanka. Having taken note of the interim proposal from the All Party Representative Committee (APRC), it said the EU looks forward to an ambitious final proposal in the coming months. Following peaceful local elections in Batticaloa district on 10 March, key issues have been identified concerning the provision of proper electoral conditions, including the disarmament of paramilitaries.
The EU sees effective action on this as key to ensuring free and fair voting at the provincial elections scheduled for May. “The EU has an active, well defined policy on counterterrorism. This underlies the EU’s unequivocal condemnation of all terrorist activities, including those by the LTTE.”In 2006, the EU listed the LTTE as a terrorist organisation. Since then there have been a number of criminal prosecutions against LTTE fund raising in Europe.

Family of Sri Lanka massacre victims doubt justice

Relatives of 17 aid workers massacred in Sri Lanka said on Monday they did not expect justice as a heated human rights inquiry began into their execution-style murders more than a year ago. Ravi Shantha, the aunt of one of the Action Contre la Faim (ACF) aid workers killed in August 2006 in the northeastern town of Muttur, told a panel of judges appointed to investigate rights abuses in Sri Lanka that too much time had passed.

'I don't trust that I will be given justice in this case,' Shantha said to Reuters after giving evidence about the last known movements of her nephew Ambigavathy Jayaseelan. 'It's almost two years. Nobody has talked about justice and I do not think I will able to get it, even after this,' she said at the end of an emotional four hours in the witness box.
Nordic truce monitors have blamed the massacre, at the time the worst attack on aid workers since a 2003 bomb attack on the United Nations office in Baghdad, on state security forces.
A blast that wrecked two U.N. buildings in Algiers last December also killed 17 U.N. staff.
The government has accused ACF of being responsible for the massacre of their own local staff through 'negligence' and 'irresponsibility' in the midst of a 25-year civil war between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels.
The 17 mostly Tamil workers were shot in the head and were lying face down in the ACF compound. The military said they were trapped in fighting between troops and rebels.
Shantha told the hearing that her nephew, also her adopted son, joined the NGO because he could not get a government job, going to work by bicycle and 'leaving again in a coffin'.
She also told of threats after Jayaseelan's death from a group of unidentified men dressed in civilian clothes.
'They warned us not to speak about this incident to anyone,' she said, wiping away tears. Shantha, an ethnic Tamil, said she had not even been allowed to see Jayaseelan's body before burial or file a police report.
Lawyer for the army, Gomin Dayasiri, pressed Shantha on foreign negligence and leapt on an admission by rights lawyer Desmond Fernando that he had secretly been told who carried out the massacre by Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe.
'I would urge Mr Fernando to withdraw from the case and be called as a witness,' Dayasiri angrily demanded, halting proceedings as a heated legal argument broke out.
International monitors recently told the government they were withdrawing from the inquiry because of official interference and lack of internationally acceptable standards.
Rights watchdogs have reported hundreds of abductions, disappearances and killings blamed on government security forces and Tamil separatists since the civil war, in which 70,000 people have died since 1983, resumed in 2006.
The U.S. State Department, in its recent annual rights report, said the Sri Lankan state's respect for human rights continued to decline in 2007, citing reports of killings by government agents and collaboration between the state and paramilitaries accused of major abuses.

Olmert to Sri Lanka PM: No surrender to terror

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ratnasiri Wickremanayake Monday and told him that surrendering to terror will only bring ruin to the country.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan PM thanked Olmert for the assistance offered by Israel after Sri Lanka was hit by a tsunami.

Government has taken a number of measures to create peace

Minister D.E.W. Gunasekara says the government has taken a number of measures to create an environment where all communities could live in peace.
Public sector employees are being provided with training to acquire proficiency in the two official languages. Security personnel serving in the north and east are providing with special training on the Tamil language.
The Minister said there should be an attitudinal change to develop cooperation among various ethnicities. Minister Gunasekara expressed these views delivering the keynote address of the Special Summit on Pluralism in South Asia held at Mount Lavinia Hotel this morning.
Speaking at the summit Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona said the government is committed to ensure democratic rights of the people living in the north and east while a military solution has been sought to defeat terrorism.

Tuberculosis disease cannot be eradicated only through government programmes

Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva says the tuberculosis disease cannot be eradicated from Sri Lanka only through programmes carrying out by the government.
The Minister pointed out that the support of civil organisations and the public is essential in combating the disease. Minister De Silva expressed these views at the national ceremony to observe the World Anti Tuberculosis Day held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute today. The Tuberculosis Eradication Movement of the Ministry of Health organised this event.
The Minister said patients infected with tuberculosis should not be cornered from the society. The disease can be cured permanently. Speaking on the occasion Director of the Tuberculosis Eradication Movement Mrs. Chandra Sarukkali said Sri Lanka has successfully contained the disease. Annually around eight million persons in the world catch the tuberculosis disease and of them, two million cases are fatal.

R&D Institute tests cement being exported to Sri Lanka

Cement Research & Development Institute (CR&DI), a TUSDEC subsidiary, has started tests of the cement being exported to Sri Lanka, in line with testing standards of that island nation.
TUSDEC sources here Monday said that Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is being tested in accordance with SLS 107: 2007, the standards formulated by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), according to a press release.
CR&DI possesses the facilities to test four types of cement - Ordinary Portland Cement, Sulphate Resistant Cement, White Portland Cement and Slag Cement in line with the standards of UK, USA, India and Pakistan.
The CR&DI established in 1983 by the State Cement Corporation of Pakistan (SCCP), was revived by TUSDEC in 2006 after it had remained idle for several years.
It is capable of carrying out tests of cement and allied materials such as OPC, SRC, slag cement, white cement, blended cement, shale, clay, clinker, sand, iron ore, feldspar, gypsum, kiln dust, limestone, slag, fly ash, pozzolana, lime sludge and aggregates.
It is also capable of conducting the calibration of equipment such as Compressive Testing Machines.
The spokesman observed that CR&DI expects that more cement users and manufacturers will utilise its facilities to ensure consistent quality during construction, adding that testing is vital to ensure the quality and strength of cement and concrete.

HC reissues summons on Praba and Pottu Amman

The Colombo High Court today reissued summons through IGP on Prabakaran and Pottu Amman in former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar assasinaiton case.

11 terrorists killed in clashes - Vavuniya front

Media Centre for National Security said that eleven LTTE terrorists were killed during the confrontations erupted in Vavuniya front yesterday, March 23.
Ten LTTE terrorists were killed in two separate clashes occurred in general area Kallikulam around 3.30p.m and 5.45 p.m. yesterday. Another LTTE terrorist was reported killed in a confrontation took place in general area Navathkulam around 1.05 p.m yesterday.
Meanwhile, three army soldiers sustained injuries due to anti-personnel mine explosions took place in Kokilmoddai, Periyathampane and Ramanathankulam areas yesterday.

Warlike items uncovered - Batticalloa

On information received from the civilian sources, Police personnel in Valachenai Police station uncovered a claymore mine, AP mines and few other war-like items during a search operation conducted in the area yesterday, March 23.
The recovery includes Claymore mines ,Wire ,82 (F) Rifles ,Mines ,T-56 magazines and T-56 live rounds .
Meanwhile, in a separate search operation conducted at Palugamam in Batticaloa, troops uncovered a radio communication equipment and few other items .
Further, Media Centre for National Security said that a hand tractor was also uncovered by Troops during a search operation conducted at KUSALANAI in the BATTICALOA area .

Tamil civilians seek protection with security forces- Mannar

A Tamil family of five including an infant sought protection with security forces at the Naval detachment in Pallemunai, Mannar .
Three males and one female were among the four adults reached to the government-controlled area seeking protection for their lives. These civilians reached the safe waters of Pallemunai on a 'Wallam' despite the rough sea condition and heavy rain, defence sources said.
The civilians were later handed over to the Mannar police for general formalities.

LTTE sustains heavy casualties during fighting in the Vavuniya area.

Seven incidents have been reported from the VAVUNIYA area on Sunday (23) in which eleven (11) LTTE terrorists have been reported killed during the operations conducted in the area.
A terrorist was reported killed in the afternoon in the NAVATHKULAM area due to a confrontation around 1.05 in the afternoon.
Ten (10) terrorists were killed in fierce fighting in the KALLIKULAM area VAVUNIYA. Six of them were killed around 3.30 in the late afternoon while and four were reported killed in the same area in the evening around 5.45.
Three soldiers were also reported injured in three incidents as a result of anti - personnel mine explosions. One soldier was injured in the morning around 9.05, in the KOKILMODDAI area, another was injured in the morning on the same day in PERIYATHAMPANE area, around 10.45 in the morning and the other at 11.15 in the RAMANATHANKULAM area, VAVUNIYA.
Meanwhile, Troops launched an attack and captured a line of three LTTE bunkers in the PERIYATAHMPANE area around 10.45 in the morning on the same day (23) while in another attack launched by the Army three more LTTE bunkers and two LTTE mortar positions were also captured around 3.30 in the afternoon.

Pillaiyan to be the Chief Minister candidate of UPFA

(Lanka-e-News, ) Asath Mawlana, the spokesman of the TMVP said that the TMVP politburo that met last night (22) decided to tender Pillaiyan as the Chief Minister candidate for the Eastern Provincial Council. TMVP also decided to contest in a coalition with the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) triggering speculations that Pillaiyan would be the Chief Minister candidate of UPFA as well.
UPFA contested the Batticaloa Municipal Council recently in a coalition with the Pillaiyan Group and TMVP candidate Sivageetha Prabakaran became the Mayor of Batticaloa.
Meanwhile, Basil Rajapakse has invited the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress as well to join the coalition being formed by the UPFA.

Vehicle bomb found in Thirukkovil

The STF in Thirukkovil recovered a vehicle bomb left by the roadside a little distance away from the Thirukkovil check point. A three kilo claymore mine was found and according to police sources the trigger was placed near the steering wheel.

Shooting in Biyagma leaves one dead, one injured

A shooting had taken place in Biyagama, Peragashandiya today morning and one person was killed and one injured. The injured woman has been admitted to the Biyagama Hospital

Sci-fi writer is cleared of child sex allegations

Sri Lankan authorities have said British-born sci-fi writer ARTHUR C CLARKE had been cleared of paedophile allegations before his death last week.
Clarke was buried on Saturday in Colombo, where he had lived since 1956. Obituary writers have resurrected the 1998 accusations that he had sex with young boys in his adopted country Sri Lanka.
But National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) chief Jagath Wellawatta said there was no case against the writer, who captured the world's imagination with 2001: A Space Odyssey and visions of extra-terrestrial civilisations.
The forerunner to the NCPA, the Presidential Task Force on the Prevention of Child Abuse, had in 1998 initiated an investigation into Clarke's conduct with the help of Interpol.
Police spent two and a half hours recording a statement from Clarke in 1998, but no charges were brought against him.
Clarke, who died on Wednesday at the age of 90, vehemently denied the allegations and also threatened to sue the British newspaper, which made the charges following a "sting operation" by two undercover reporters.
The accusations surfaced while Britain's PRINCE CHARLES was visiting Colombo and was due to confer a knighthood on Clarke. The investiture was eventually held two years later.
Children's rights groups in Sri Lanka, which were quite vocal when the allegations were first levelled, have largely remained silent.

Nedumaran and supporters held for supporting Tigers

Tamil nationalist leader Pazha Nedumaran and at least 164 members of his outfit were held on Saturday for staging a demonstration in support of the Tigers and against the Sri Lankan and Indian Governments.
They were released at night.
Nedumaran and members of his Tamil Desiya Iyakkam (Tamil nationalist movement) including a dozen women, had raised slogans in favour of the banned LTTE.
Police said several "pro-Lankan Tamil groups", including Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK-Dalit Panther) supporters, tried to stage a demonstration at the Memorial Hall near the railway station without permission.
The groups were also protesting the sale of arms by India to Sri Lanka. Visiting Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, meanwhile, maintained that the frequent attacks on Indian fishermen were carried out by the LTTE and not by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Wanni Liberation in progress; over 50 LTTE cadres killed yesterday's clashes

Compiled military reports received from the battlefronts in the North indicate terrorists numbering 52 were killed and at least 42 injured during yesterday's military offensives aimed at liberating the Wanni region.
On the Jaffna Defence, snipers deployed in the Muhamalai and Nagarkovil frontlines claimed 4 terrorist were killed. Meanwhile, ground troops attacked a terrorist bunker line in Nagarkovil and claimed that 3 terrorists were killed. One soldier was killed and 2 others suffered injuries due to an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion during a similar attack on the Nagarkovil front.
In the Wanni theatre of battle heavy clashes continued in Mannar, Vavuniya and Welioya battlefronts during the day.
On the Vavuniya front, troops had three separate clashes in Ramanathankulam Nelukulam and Kallikulam areas during the day and claimed that 12 terrorist were killed. Also snipers deployed in the Southeast of Madhu, and Sulanamaruthamadu areas claimed that 2 terrorists were killed. No casualties for the own troops reported in these incidents.
Troops achieved a tremendous success over terrorists on the Mannar front yesterday destroying over 8 bunkers and trench defences in Parayakulam area. Troops in this attack said that 22 terrorists were killed and over 26 suffered injuries. During the subsequent search troops found 11 bodies of slain LTTE cadres, including five T-56 Rifles. Own casualties were reported as 4 soldiers killed in action (KIA) and 16 wounded in action (WIA) .
Separately snipers deployed in Veppankulama area on the same front claimed that 3 terrorists were killed.
Finally, on the Welioya front, troops marching towards terror strongholds in Mulaithiuvu district, clashed with terrorists in two separate incidents in the Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas yesterday and claimed 5 terrorists were killed and at least 10 others were injured. Also, during these clashes 3 soldiers were killed and 9 others suffered injuries. A sniper deployed in Kokkutuduvai area reported killing of 1 terrorist.
Limited operations aimed at Wanni liberation is continuing.

Sri Lankan killed in Malaysia

A Sri Lankan identified by police as Prem Kumar, in his 30s, was found sprawled in a pool of blood in the Sentul market in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with head injuries yesterday. He is believed to have been involved in a heated argument and a scuffle with two men minutes earlier.

24 Lankan pilgrims injured in bus tragedy in India

Twenty four Sri Lankan pilgrims were hospitalised yesterday when a bus in which they were travelling turned turtle near Buddha Gaya in North India, Foreign Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama said.
The pilgrims were believed to have been travelling from Waranasi to Buddha Gaya when the accident occurred.
No one was in danger as many of them had suffered minor injuries, he said.
“The High Commission in India had already sent a Counsellor to look into the interests of those who have been injured and he was coordinating the facilities of the injured pilgrims and others with the assistance of Indian authorities,” Mr. Bogollagama said.
Minister Bogollagama also said the injured Sri Lankan pilgrims would be brought back to Sri Lanka once they were in a position to travel.

First Lady’s mother passes away

Mrs Violet Wickramasinghe, mother of first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and mother-in-law of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, passed away last evening at a private hospital in Colombo after a brief illness. Funeral arrangements would be notified later, President’s office said.

TULF: no arms were used to influence B’caloa polls

TULF leader V. Anandasangaree is critical of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s decision to go ahead with elections to the Eastern Provincial Council.
However should the President wish to conduct the election hot on the heels of March 10 local government polls in the Batticaloa District, he should at least delay the withdrawal of the elite Special Task Force (STF) from parts of the Ampara District in the Eastern Province until the polls were over, he said.
The Defence Ministry last week said the STF had to be deployed in the North Central Province in support of ongoing military action on the Vanni, Mannar and Weli Oya fronts.
The veteran politician said the President should have delayed elections until the full restoration of civilian administration in the East.

It would have been better had the government put off elections until security forces and police concluded ongoing mopping up operations to finish off isolated pockets of LTTE resistance in the region, he said.
He said although there was no doubt that the East had been liberated it hadn’t been fully cleared of the LTTE menace.
Referring to the March 10 elections, he said he had consulted a number of local people of standing in the Batticaloa district. "What they say is although arms weren’t used by anybody to threaten voters the knowledge of possession of weapons was enough to serve as a deterrent to free thinking. No one can deny that. Helping to put one group in power is not my problem but, that party should have been encouraged to gain credibility among the people as a first step," he said.
He launched a scathing attack on the TNA. The Parliament itself wasn’t properly constituted, he said, asserting the Election Monitors of the EU, the Commonwealth, the PAFFREL and the CMEV would bear testimony to the fraudulent election of the 22 member TNA parliamentary group at the last general elections.
He urged the government not to create a similar situation in the East.
Pointing out the people had found fault with the government for going ahead with elections, the former MP urged the President to encourage all political parties to contest the forthcoming elections and also to ensure the disarming of all Para-military groups.
That would be appreciated by all including the international community, he said, any group which needed security should have been given government protection, he said.

Nuwara Eliya experience ice rain

Nuwara-Eliya district has been experiencing torrential rains over the past three weeks and at some places it had rained ice.
Labukela, Kudaoya, Mahagastota, Nanuoya and Abewela had experienced ice rains and in the vicinity of Nuwara-Eliya on the plains ice cubes could be seen during the past few days.
According people, a thick fog with coldness had also caused problems to people living in Nuwara-Eliya and this weather condition could affect the festive season in Nuwara-Eliya. As the rain has caused great destruction to vegetable, potato and flower growers the prices of vegetables have gone down.

Seven LTTE cadres killed

 
Seven LTTE terrorists were reported in confrontations in the NAGARKOVIL area, JAFFNA on Saturday (22), while two soldiers were injured and one was killed in action.

Dr. JJ off to Batti to pick UNP candidates

 
Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena will leave for Batticaloa tomorrow to pick UNP candidates for the forthcoming provincial polls. Dr. Jayawardena has been assigned by the party to organize the district for May polls.

12 Sri Lankan tourists injured in Bodh Gaya

 
Twelve Sri Lankan tourists have received injuries in Bodh Gaya, in Bihar when their bus overturned while they were on their way to the scared site.

14 terrorists killed in confrontations and stock of anti- personnel mines recovered

 
In two confrontations with LTTE terrorists between 9.00 in the morning and 12.10 in the afternoon in SOUTH EAST of MADU area in VAVUNIYA on Saturday (22) two LTTE terrorists were killed while in the same area around 4.35 in the evening two more terrorists were reported killed during confrontations.

Meanwhile, ten (10) LTTE terrorists were killed during confrontations in the KALLIKULAM area, VAVUNIYA on Saturday (22) in the morning at 8.10 and in the afternoon around 3.55 . In the search operations conducted after the attack on the LTTE terrorists in the area, Troops recovered a stock of Improvised Explosive Devices and "booby" traps .
 

PAFFEREL plans to monitor forthcoming EP polls

The PAFFEREL Organisation says it is ready to monitor the Eastern provincial council election.
The organisation notes this election as a special provincial council election of the country which will be held after 18 years in the eastern province.

The Managing Director of the Organisation Rohana Hettiarachchi said the observations will begin with the handing over of nomination papers. Speaking further he disclosed one thousand five hundred monitors will be deployed for this purpose. Discussions are also being held to get the contribution of foreign observers.
Meanwhile, the time period of applying to vote through post for the eastern provincial council election has been extended till the 3rd of next month.
The time period to request to vote at the nearest polling booth for the displaced has also been extended till that day although the closing date was today. Commissioner of Elections Dayananda Dishanayake says this decision has been taken considering the current situation in the province.
Voters who are eligible to vote through the post should certify their application through the clarifying officer of the polling booth before sending it to the registered district returning officer. However, the applications forwarded after the closing date will be rejected.
Officers of the state corporations, statutory boards and security members who will be deployed for election duties in the districts of Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee can also vote through the post.

No security camps have been removed from the EP

Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka insists that no security camps have been removed from the Eastern Province
He said the government is committed to safeguard the security of the Eastern province. The commander strongly rejects some news items that were published regarding the security in the Eastern province. The government has no intention to discredit the victories achieved by the security forces. Exclusively speaking to State Radio Commander Fonseka stressed no Army camp has been removed from the Eastern province. However several STF camps established in the province have been taken to other areas. The army commander disclosed Army camps have been established instead of STF camps.

Meanwhile, commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka visited Jaffna to assess the security situation in the peninsula. Ministry of Defence says another objective of the Army Commander’s visit was to review the military operations launched against LTTE. Commander of Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, who received the visiting Army Chief, at the Palaly airport presented a full account on the security arrangements and welfare activities carried out for the civilians by the troops. Commanders of Divisions, Brigades and Units briefed the security situation in their respective areas during their meeting with Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka. Army Commander, after a thorough study of the briefings, gave further instructions to all formation commanders present on the occasion. This was the Commander's first visit to Jaffna after his India tour.

Jaffna is now normal -GA

Government Agent of Jaffna K. Ganesh says the administrative and business activities in the peninsula have returned to normal.
No abduction has been reported during the last couple of months. The GA added neither he nor the security forces had received any complain regarding violation of human rights. Stocks of food items required for the usage of people in the peninsula are now being received.
The private sector has given its maximum cooperation to transport and distribute essential commodities. Speaking to SLBC the GA further disclosed activities in all government institutions are being carried out normally.

Meanwhile, facilities have also been provided for the fishermen to carryout their activities properly. After discussions with the security forces a special programme has been implemented in this regard. Mr. Ganesh further added people in the Jaffna peninsula are not migrating to other areas because the security has also been strengthened in the area.

General election by Aug. warns JVP

The JVP has warned that the present government would not be able to present a budget for 2009 and that the government would be dissolved and a general election called by either July or August.

JVP politburo member and parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressing a rally in Matara also said that the economic policies of the government were pushing the country further into an abyss.

Dissanayake had pointed out that the people whose income levels have not increased in line with the rising cost of living were finding it hard to survive under the present conditions while the government was engaged in wasting public funds. He had said even the business community was finding it difficult to carry out their work due to the government's economic policies.

"People cannot survive today. Three wheelers don't have hires. Farmers do not get a good price for their produce. Fishermen do not get a good price for their fish. Businesses can no longer function.

Even though the people are suffering, the government has not stopped its corruption. There has been a large-scale fraud at the Fertiliser Corporation. The MiG and SLT transactions and Mihin Air are shrouded in corruption. No one asks why Mihin Air was launched," Dissanayake has said.

Dissanayake referring to the deterioration of the rule of law in the country and the alleged misdoings of Minister Mervyn Silva has also charged that the government and the SLFP has worked to justify the actions of the underworld.

Sirasa accuses Minister of criminal intimidation

Sirasa TV lodged a police complaint of criminal intimidation against Labour Minister Mervyn Silva on Friday.

The complaint lodged by Director, News of MTV/MBC, Susil Kindelpitiya follows a threat issued by Minister Silva on Thursday, March 20 in Kelaniya.

Minister Silva threatened News First journalists of Maharaja Television when they went to cover an event on the new flyover in Kelaniya.

"Today I point my finger at you. Hereafter I will raise my hand. Therefore in the future, do not let me see you attending any function held in my electorate. I ask you who spread evil to find a place to hide," Minister Silva said referring to the News First journalists.

Silva's threat came barely 24 hours after he gave an assurance to President Mahinda Rajapakse that he will not threaten any media personnel.

Following the threat issued by the Minister, News Director Kindelpitiya wrote to IGP Victor Perera and brought to his notice Silva's threat.

"Given the numerous past instances of public violent attacks against citizens and media institutions by Minister Mervyn Silva, we are seriously concerned about threats to life and property of our News First staff," Kindelpitiya wrote.

He also said a public threat by a constitutional authority is an assault on democracy itself and constitutional principles and creates a fear psychosis in the minds of the public.

Kindelpitiya followed up his letter with a complaint to the Kelaniya police calling for an investigation into the criminal intimidation threat issued by the Minister.

UNICEF employee nabbed with heroin

Gayan Kumara Weerasinghe of Lakbimanews

Police have been ordered to orchestrate a media cover up after an expatriate representative of the UNICEF was caught with 200 mg of heroin in her possession by Kollupitiya Police.
Political and diplomatic bigwigs have prevailed upon police to abandon the case after the UNICEF employee was arrested over the possession of heroin.
The 27 year- old US national whose name has been withheld by LAKBIMAnEWS for reasons of privacy, was arrested by the Kollupitiya Police last week after police discovered 200 mg of heroin in her possession. The arrest had been reported to the Fort Magistrate.
The suspect, attached to the Colombo office of UNICEF had arrived in Colombo on May 5 and was resident in a Star class hotel in Kollupitiya.
On March 12, hotel staff had found her lying unconscious on the floor. Police had been alerted and UNICEF officials who lodged her in the hotel had been informed. She had later been admitted to a private hospital where she was diagnosed as suffering from drug overdose. Later Police recovered 200mg of heroin concealed in her trouser pocket, which she wore when she was found unconscious. She was arrested by police over charges of possessing illegal drugs and the matter was reported to the Fort Magistrate Namal Balalle.
Police said the suspect is being treated in a private hospital under police custody. A senior police official who spoke under conditions of anonymity said Police has been facing heavy pressure from interested parties to release the suspect and not to divulge details of the victims position.

FMM demands cancellation of Rupavahini’s key appointment

The Free Media Movement expressed its “outrage” at the militarization of the media and questioned the President’s bona fides to strengthen media freedom.
Issuing a media statement, the FMM stated that the appointment of an ex military officer to a key post in the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cooperation is disturbing and demanded the immediate cancellation of the appointment.
Following is the full text of the media statement
“The Free Media Movement (FMM) is outraged that the government has appointed retired Army Major General Sunil Silva as Additional Director General (Administration) of the State controlled TV station Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cooperation (SLRC). Major General Sunil Silva retired in January 2008,” the FMM said.
“This appointment beggars belief, especially less than 48 hours after a key meeting with the President of Sri Lanka and SLRC Trade Union leaders and journalists on the spate of brutal physical attacks against colleagues who stood up against the brutish intrusion by Government MP Mervyn Silva into its premises late last year. No one at this meeting was consulted about or told of this appointment.
Though retired, the appointment of ex-military personnel to a key post in the SLRC is particularly revealing. The militarization of State apparatus under this regime is not new, but this is the first time it has extended to the media. Not only does this set an extremely disturbing precedent, it irrevocably vitiates the independence of State media from regressive party political patronage, influence and coercion.
The FMM vehemently protests this appointment on a point of principle. We have nothing against Major General Sunil Silva. We are deeply concerned that the office of a civilian is now in the hands of someone from whom independence and impartiality is simply too much to ask or expect. This is a damning indictment of the President’s bona fides to support and strengthen media freedom and a chilling indicator of the regime’s duplicitous nature.
We believe that this appointment was made in the context of SLRC journalist unions threatening trade union action if the government did not take action to hold the deranged Government MP Mervyn Silva accountable for his actions in a court of law. Given that on the 17th of this month military and police cordoned off SLRC premises to prevent any trade union action we are in no doubt that this military appointment is directly linked to the emerging crisis situation within SLRC and intended to intimidate the institution’s journalists and other staff. We demand that this appointment is immediately rescinded. The media community represented by our organizations will accept no alternative and will not negotiate on this matter. It is simply a point of principle - the militarization of media institutions is tantamount to the curtailment of media rights. The President had, at the conclusion of the recent meeting with journalists, promised to look into the unprecedented intimidation of media personnel in Sri Lanka. Sadly, this appointment is grossly incompatible with that promise, it concluded.

Vehicle imports come to a standstill

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

Government increase of tax by 10 per cent on imports have pushed the reconditioned motor vehicle market in Sri Lanka to a standstill, forcing the used car prices to soar while more and more tax free permits are being issued to state sector employees.
According to industry sources, the existing tax structure levied duties ranging from 250 to 350 per cent followed by the newly imposed 10 per cent which in return have helped in jacking-up the price of an ordinary reconditioned car to Rs. 4.1 million when it reaches the end-user.
Adding more to this, the burden of rising interest rates has managed to keep away a considerable segment of the private sector employees who have the right to better living standards by being the driving force behind the Sri Lankan economy, with an annual contribution of 85 - 90 per cent of the GDP.
Used Motor Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (UMVIASL), is lobbying against the Government’s strategy in curbing the reconditioned vehicle imports from Asia and Europe which has already started driving the industry dry, making it extremely difficult to sell vehicles during the last few weeks, propelling fears of winding-up businesses leading to unemployment.
“The reconditioned motor vehicle industry in Sri Lanka has come to a standstill with the Government introducing this new tax. The imports have gone down by 85 per cent and we find it difficult to sell a reconditioned car where the consumer’s buying power has also gone down. Duty imposed on reconditioned motor vehicles is based on a depreciation table which is provided by Sri Lanka Customs which is totally unrealistic. Sri Lanka is one of the very few countries which has an absolutely rubbish tax structure which appreciates the price of motor reconditioned car by almost 300 per cent when it reaches the shores. We believe that the Government can curb their unnecessary expenditure and be sensible in imposing taxes,” Past President of the MVIASL, Berty Widanagamage told Sunday Lakbimanews FEB.
However, ambulances, funeral hearses, buses and three-wheel are exempt from this higher tax. During 2007 Sri Lanka Customs have managed to collect Rs. 275 billion as revenue for Government coffers which is less than the projection of Rs. 283 billion. The vehicle excise duty has been Rs. 11 billion even though the targets were high as Rs. 15 billion.

JVP to introduce new Bill

By Poornima Wijemanne
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is planning to introduce a new Bill to Parliament to counter irregularities when recruiting personnel into government service.
JVP Parliamentarian Piyasiri Wijenayake said that this draft Bill will be presented to Parliament as a private member’s bill.

“It is a known fact that many irregularities occur when new recruits are made to the government service. In most cases, it is the politicians who decide which person will be employed. But so far, no proper measure has been taken to combat this. That’s why I am going to bring this Bill to Parliament,” he said.

He added that he has already handed over his proposals to the drafting division of Parliament.
He also emphasised that the JVP is trying to include this in Parliament’s order paper and to get it approved as soon as possible.
“I have notified the authorities about the Bill and I am trying to bring it to Parliament for debate and approval,” he said.

He also said that this Bill would be very effective in preventing the political interference that at present occurs when recruiting staff into government service.

“I have looked into almost all the aspects and there are provisions in the draft that will cover all areas including government departments, boards, corporations and authorities,” the JVP MP stated.

Journalist’s wife threatened

 

By Jayashika Padmasiri
After the arrest of journalist J.S. Tissainayagam, it is now learnt that his wife has received several threats. The sources close to the family suspected that the threats emanated from government agencies.

“A fundamental rights (FR) case has been filed at the Supreme Court against the arrests of Tissainayagam and three other journalists. Three other journalists, who were arrested with him were released, but Tissainayagam is yet to be released. We believe this is intimidation. They have even tried to intimidate the wife of Tissainayagam by making several phone calls and threatening her,” sources revealed.

Meanwhile, The Free Media Movement (FMM) also said that it is planning to launch a protest campaign demanding the release of columnist Tissainayagam.

FMM Convenor Sunanda Deshapriya told The Nation that the government has been unable to come up with a proper cause for the arrest of Tissainayagam.

Deshapriya revealed that the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) along with the five media organisations in Sri Lanka are planning to launch a protest campaign against the government regarding the unnecessary harassment of media personnel by the authorities, under the theme “stop war on journalists.”

SLA overruns LTTE defences: 22 killed, 26 wounded in Mannar front

 


Heavy fighting broke out between the SLA and LTTE terrorists in general area Southeast of Adampan, Mannar as troops overran 8 LTTE bunker defences killing over 22 terrorists and injuring at least 26 others during the early hours on Saturday (March 22).

According to latest reports received from the battlefront, troops have gained considerable territory during the multi-pronged assault launched at around 4.45a.m., today.

The advancing SLA battle formations were assisted with heavy artillery and mortar fire mounted at LTTE resisting positions, defence source said. Terrorists were on the run into the rear defence lines in Wanni leaving many LTTE bodies scattered, in what was said to be an 'open patch land' defence sources said, citing ground troops.

Meanwhile, according to MCNS reports, SLA troops have captured one square kilometer following intensive battle with LTTE in general area between Parayakulama and Ilanthaivan in Mannar this morning.

According to latest reports received, 4 soldiers have laid their lives while 16 others were reported wounded during the confrontations. SLA also reported to have recovered 11 LTTE bodies along with 7 T-56 assault riffles and believed that the figures would rise as troops are now conducting search operations while consolidating the defences in the area.

LTTE casualties soar as troops march forward in Wanni and North

 

At least 22 terrorists were reported killed and over 10 wounded in clashes erupted between SLA and LTTE ahead of terrorist defences in Vavuniya and Welioya fronts yesterday (March 22), Wanni military sources said.

These latest figures accounted for over 40 LTTE deaths and similar casualties in total during Saturday's pitched fighting at the Mannar, Vavuniya, Welioya and Jaffna fronts.

According to MCNS sources, 3 soldiers have laid their lives while 6 others were reported wounded in confrontations at the Welioya front. Troops have also recovered 70 AP mines and 4 booby traps following intensive search operations conducted in general area Kallikulama, the sources further said.

A tearful farewell to Clarke

Visionary science fiction writer Arthur C Clarke was buried yesterday in his adopted home of Sri Lanka, where the nation paused for an international "titan" it had adopted as its own.British-born Clarke, best known for his work on the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, died aged 90 of respiratory complications and heart failure, which doctors linked to the post-polio syndrome that for years kept him wheelchair-bound.

"We feel so privileged that you left your mark on us. Your footprint will never fade. If anything, it will only magnify what we do," Tamara Ekanayake, who grew up at Clarke's Colombo home and whose family he adopted, told mourners.

Close family and friends wept and threw yellow roses onto his body in a final gesture of respect as it lay on a white bed beneath curved elephant tusks to music from the Space Odyssey movie before burial at Colombo's main cemetery.

His brother Fred and sister Mary watched on as hundreds of monks, mourners and sci-fi pilgrims clasped hands in prayer for a man who preferred the hard fact of science to organised religion.

Jaffna Security Situation Assessed by Army Commander

As clashes between Security Forces and LTTE terrorists develop in Muhamale and Nagarkovil areas, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka visited Jaffna Saturday (22) morning and met senior ground commanders.

Reviewing the security situation in Jaffna and getting first hand knowledge of military operations against terrorists was the purpose of the Commander's visit.

Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, Commander Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna (SFHQ-J), who received the visiting Army Chief, at the Palaly airport presented a full account on the security arrangements and welfare activities carried out for the civilians by the Jaffna troops.

Commanders of Divisions, Brigades and Units briefed the security situation in their respective areas during their meeting with Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka.

Army Commander, after a thorough study of the briefings, gave further instructions to all formation commanders present on the occasion.

Air Force attacks sea tiger base

The Air Force launched an attack on the LTTE sea tiger base in Nayaru, Mullaitivu this afternoon. The attack follows the sinking of a navy craft allegedly by sea tigers this morning

Heavy fighting erupts in Mannar, over dozen LTTE killed

Heavy fighting broke out between the SLA and LTTE terrorists in general area South of Adampan, Mannar during the early hours on Saturday (March 22).
According to defence sources, troops mounted heavy artillery and mortar attacks followed by a surge into the LTTE forward defences killing at least over a dozen terrorists, since 4.45 this morning.
Damages to the LTTE were not confirmed as enemy communication experienced congestion, defence sources said.
Meanwhile, according to MCNS reports, SLA troops have captured one square kilometre following intensive battle with LTTE in general area between Parayanakulama and Elanthivan in Mannar this morning, killing 15 terrorists.
The sources also reported 2 soldiers killed and 9 injured during the confrontation and further reported that 5 LTTE bodies were recovered by the troops in subsequent search operation conducted.

CPJ worried over deteriorating media situation in SL

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has written to President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressing its concern over manner state is intimidating media in Sri Lanka. While requesting President to ‘vigorously investigate’ reported attacks on journalists and also Rupavahini staff, it has said unsupported terrorist accusations threaten the security and livelihood of Tamil journalists here.

Project Forumulation Mission on expansion of Victoria Hydro Power Project

A five member project formulation mission headed by Dr. Akira Niwa, Senior Advisor, Institute for International Cooperation, JICA was dispatched to Sri Lanka to conduct the feasibility study on the expansion of the Victoria Hydro Power Plant, a technical cooperation proposal submitted by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) through the Government of Sri Lanka in year 2006.
The team was dispatched between 02nd and 18th of August 2007 in order to understand and discuss the content of the proposed project with the relevant organisations in addition to conducting the Environmental I m pact Assessment (EIA).
The project intends to expand the Victoria Hydro Power plant to meet the rapidly increasing electricity demand of the country through -increasing the capacity of the electricity generation of the existing plant.
Minutes of Meeting (M/M) was confirmed between CEB, Ministry of Power & Energy and the mission team on the 16th of August 2007 on the agreed contents.

SLMC demands CM post as dowry for political marriage

by Ranil Dharmasena Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Deputy Secretary Nizam Kariappar yesterday said his party was ready to enter into an electoral pact with any party which would offer it the Chief Ministerial post after the forthcoming polls for the East.
The SLMC leader Rauff Hakim had already had discussions with Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa and informed him of this stance, Kariapper told The Island yesterday.
If the SLMC contested the election as a single party, it could muster a large number of votes, and it was therefore reasonable to demand the CM post, he said.
Among the other demands laid down by the SLMC are stakes in proposed development projects for the eastern province, disarming the armed groups and endorsement of SLMC policies related to the functioning of the Council, he said.
"In case both the UPFA and the UNP don’t agree with our conditions, then we will go it alone," Kariappar said.

Lanka to open embassy in Libya

The government is to open a foreign mission in Libya following the MoU signed between the two countries to send more Sri Lankans for employment to the country. Foreign Employment Development Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the Libyan government noted the importance of having an Embassy in their country.

A Navy craft attacked in Nayaru

Six sailors rescued out of 16 when a locally built fast attack craft of the Navy caught in an explosion in the Nayaru sea in mullative , the Navy spokesman confirmed.

Maruti most preferred imported car in Sri Lanka

NEW DELHI: Country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India has emerged as the most preferred 'imported car manufacturer' in neighbouring Sri Lanka.
The company said that according to recent import statistics released by the Sri Lankan government, it has been declared the most preferred "imported car manufacturer".
This is the fifth year in succession that MSI has bagged the position, it said in a statement.
The company has so far exported over 3,600 units to Sri Lanka, it added. Cumulatively, Maruti has exported over 26,000 units since it started operations in Sri Lanka in 1989-90 with a first batch of 10 vehicles.
The car maker's most popular model Maruti-800 alone accounts for over 16,000 units in Sri Lanka, besides Alto and Swift being the other popular models. It exports all the models to Sri Lanka, but SX4.
According to the import study by the Sri Lankan government, MSI said there had been a shift in consumer's choice from second-hand imported vehicles to new cars.
Sale of new car in the island nation spurred after its government incentivised new vehicle purchases over used or refurbished, which a senior Maruti official termed as "a positive development".

SBI SAARC sector conference to be held in Colombo

COLOMBO: State Bank of India will hold its two-day Annual SBI SAARC sector conference here from Monday.
SBI Chairman O P Bhatt will inaugurate conference in which heads of the bank's branches in SAARC region -- Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka -- will take part, the bank said in a statement.
This is the first time that SBI is holding such a conference in Colombo, officials said here.
"With India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement in place, their bilateral trade has risen substantially over the last three years," the statement said, adding the conference assumed significance at this juncture.
At the end of 2006-07, SBI had total assets of 130.33 billion dollars with deposits touching 100.19 billion dollars and net profit during the year reaching 1.04 billion, it said, adding the bank had 83 offices in 32countries.
State Bank's operations in Sri Lanka started way back in 1864.

Army bus caught to LTTE pressure mine - Mannar

Sri lanka Army bus gets caught to a pressure mine in Mannar in this evening.the Military spokesman said two soliders dead and six wounded.

Mervyn lashes out at ‘Sirasa’ yet again

Labour Minister Mervyn Silva, notorious for threatening media personnel, yesterday has lashed out yet again, on a group of ‘News First’ journalists of the Maharaja Media Network.
The journalists had come to report the latest progress of the Kelaniya flyover.
Addressing the journalists, he has said, “I am neither indebted to you, nor do I have anything to do with you and am not afraid of you. You are the most vagrant, despicable media institution in the country.”
“It is you who create a rift between the Sinhalese, the Tamils and the Muslims in the country. Therefore, I have nothing to do with this channel of yours,” he added.
“Today, I point my finger at you. Hereafter I will raise my hand. Therefore, in the future, do not let me see you attending any function held in my electorate. I ask you who spread evil to find a place to hide,” Minister Silva has threatened.
Sirasa Media officials have lodged a complaint with the police in regard to this open act of intimidation.
Minister Silva’s threat takes place barely before the lapse of three days when he promised not to intimidate the media at the meeting between the President and the SLRC trade unions.

Mangala’s mother passes away -Funeral on Monday

Parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera’s mother has passed away at a private hospital in Colombo today , after a prolonged illness.She was 79 at the time of her death.The late Mrs. Khema Samaraweera was the wife of former minister Mahanama Samaraweera.She was also a member of the Matara Urban Council in 1950 as well as from 1990-1997.During Managala Samaraweera’s tenure as a minister, she was his shadow by being his private secretary.The funeral will be held at 3.00 p.m. on Mar. 24th in Matara.

False propaganda regarding re-deployment of Special Task Force from the Eastern Province

 

The Government rejects the reports in the printed and electronic media referring to the 'total' re- deployment of the Special Task Force(STF) today (21) from the Eastern province as being totally incorrect. Re- deployment of Forces on considerations of Troop levels, requirements, exigencies of the service and ground realities are considered routine for the Police and such matters should not be reported by the media in a manner at this critical juncture and time which could be an advantage to the enemy .

Meanwhile, some media reports of 21st March indicate that the re- deployment of the STF has been made at the instigation of the TMVP in the Batticaloa District . The Government reiterates that the STF was re - deployed to strengthen the TMVP which predominates the Batticalao District and as the Government rejects such media report as a total fabrication and distortion of facts.

Ground realities with reference the strengths available and required in relation to the task of providing the security expected and other matters are some considerations that have resulted in the re-deployment of the STF. The Government whilst reminding that the entire STF has not been re- deployed , calls on the media to correct the false interpretations in the printed and electronic media .

Army elites ambush LTTE vehicle, destroy two bunkers- West of Omantahi

 

Sri Lanka Army Special Infantrymen yesterday ambushed a tractor transporting LTTE terrorists in the Konthakarankulma area, in the West of Omantahi. According to the reports received from Wanni defence, the soldiers had penetrated the LTTE defence line at the Vavuniya battlefront and launched the surprise attack around 2.25, last afternoon.

Ground troops have confirmed that all 5 terrorists travelling on the tractor were killed in the ambush. While on their withdrawal, the soldiers have destroyed two LTTE bunkers killing 3 more LTTE cadres, the reports further said.

No casualties reported to own troops in this incident, the reports added.

Defence observers say that Sri Lanka Army special operations conducted in areas immediately ahead of the LTTE defences have been making a huge contribution in clearing the terrorists' barriers into Wanni region. Increasing number of civilians arriving at security forces camps daily have confirmed the same that they would never be able to escape the terror clutches unless for the dwindling power of the terrorists along the defence lines.

"The walls of the LTTE run mono ethnic hellhole of Wanni is falling down on by one and the much awaited freedom for civilians is getting nearer", said our special correspondent from the Vavuniya battlefront.

Energy minister checks construction works of Norochcholai coal power plant

Construction work of the Norachcholai coal power plant progresses successfully as it passes eight months since its commencement.
Civil engineering activities pertaining to initial constructions have already concluded. Ground preparations for the construction of the main plant is now in its final stage. Minister W.D.J. Senevirathna toured the construction site to view its progress.
He said even though the first stage of the construction was due to conclude in 2011 under the directions of the President it will now end in July 2010.
The Norachcholai power plant will complete constructions in 2014 and contribute 900 megawatts to the national grid.

Government grant all facilities to foreign investors -PM

Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickremanayake assures that the government is prepared to grant all facilities to foreign companies willing to invest in the country.
He said the government is even providing tax benefits to investors who register with the Board of Investment. The Premier was addressing a Chinese delegation at Prime Minister’s Office . He said the government is implementing well planned programmes to uplift the economy which was hampered due to terrorism.
He said Sri Lankan businessmen will take part in China Mascan International Exhibition to be held in May.
The delegation told the Prime Minister that Chinese attention is directed towards new investments to strengthen the Sri Lankan economy. Accordingly, a factory to manufacture agricultural equipment will be opened.

TNA withdraws from Eastern Province election at LTTE chief’s instance

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran has ordered its proxy political party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), not to contest the forthcoming Provincial Council elections in the Eastern Province, reports Daily News.
He issued this order when TNA parliamentarians were attending the funeral of slain TNA parliamentarian Sivanesan.
Meanwhile, the LTTE political wing leader B. Nadesan ordered the TNA parliamentarians to agitate at diplomatic missions in Colombo and complain that the government was violating human rights and also to speak against the ongoing conflict.
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) warned on March 20 that the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) would use weapons to win the scheduled Eastern Province election and called for disarming the outfit, Colombo Page reported. Speaking at a press conference, JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said, "The government should disarm the group as it was bound to use weapons to win the elections through coercion and intimidation. If the government wants a free and fair poll, it should disarm the Pillayan group before holding the Provincial Council election in the East." He added that there is a threat from the LTTE on the TMVP but the security forces were capable of providing sufficient security to the group.
Meanwhile, Minister Mahinda Wijesekara said that a comprehensive devolution of political power to the people in the North is necessary to end the ethnic strife in Sri Lanka. The Minister said that the war alone will never be able to eliminate terrorism.
"War will only kill people, but it cannot kill the ideology that is why they (Tigers) are continuing to come with their belly bombs," he said. "We must be able to rescue them from Prabhakaran and to show them what the real liberty is. That is why we have to share the power," he added.
Further, the Government said that 'high profile visits to the Wanni' had not yielded any tangible progress in taking the peace process forward.
In response to the demands and concerns raised by a visiting high level European Union (EU) delegation, the Foreign Ministry said that such visits are used by the LTTE for propaganda purposes. "On the contrary, it had been observed that the LTTE had cynically used high profile visits by foreign dignitaries to the Wanni, for propaganda purposes," the Foreign Ministry noted. The EU delegation on March 18 said it had demanded from the Government to provide access for the Co-chairs and the Norwegian facilitators to Wanni to meet the LTTE leaders.

Independence group can make their deposits to contest for the EPC polls

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo
The Assistant Elections Commissioner in Batticaloa S. Sudakaran said the Independence group can make their deposits to contest for the eastern provincial council election.The deposits can be made in the branch offices of assistant commissioner located in Trincomalee, Ampara and Batticaloa. The offices will also be opened for this purpose during week ends in addition to week days. Each candidates contesting in this election should make a deposit of 2,000 rupees. The closing date for these deposits will be the 2nd of next month by noon. Arrangements have been made to issue the nomination papers to the independent groups when the deposits are made. Recognised and accepted political parties do not need to make these deposits. The nominations for the eastern provincial election will be accepted from 27th of this month to 3rd of next month. Accordingly, Mr. Sudakaran further said the distribution of applications for the postal voting will end tomorrow. 37 members will be elected from the forthcoming election. The Election Commissioner will announce the date of election on the last date of nominations. Several recognised political parties are expected to participate in this election.

Government launches a whales watching programme

A special programme relating to organise tours of watching whales has been launched to attract local and foreign tourists.
The fishing Corporation, NARA, Tharunya Hetak and Walkers institutions have jointly organised this programme. The tourists will be taken in boats and provided facilities to observe the whales through this programme.
600 dollars will be charged for a tour. An agreement signed in this regard between the Lanka Fishing Corporation and the Walkers Company in Colombo yesterday. Minister Felix Perera said this programme has been launched to make maximum use from the sea resources available around the island.
Deputy Minister Niomal Perera said this programme will generate more foreign income and employment opportunities. Initially, this programme will be launched in Mirissa, Kirinda and Galle harbours.

Mangala’s mother passed away

Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s mother Mrs.Kema Samaraweera passed away at a private hospital a short while ago.She was wife of late minister Mahanama Samaraweera.

Two terrorists killed and a bunker destroyed by Troops

Ground Troops confirm that two terrorists were killed when a LTTE bunker was completely destroyed during an attack in the MUHAMALAI AREA, JAFFNA .

Two terrorists killed in Welioya

Two LTTE terrorists were killed by the Army during a confrontation at JANAKAPURA, WELIOYA in the morning on Thursday (20) around 7.05 while a T56 Assault rifle and a magazine was recovered during the search operation which followed the incident .
A soldier was also reported injured during a confrontation.
Meanwhile a soldier was killed in KIRIBBANWEWA AREA, WELIOYA due to LTTE terrorist mortar fire .

Security for journalists only if needed - Gotabhaya

by Norman Palihawadana
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday said he was prepared to provide security to journalists who needed it under special circumstances.
He told The Island that he was not prepared to act on statements made by politicians but was prepared to do his duty by anyone who needed security, especially journalists.
"My duty is not only to protect journalists but also to protect the lives and property of all the citizens of the country," he said.
When asked about the attack on Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Trade Union leader Anurasiri Hettige he said that he had no knowledge that there would be an attack on Hettige, but if he had been given a list of SLRC employees who faced security threats he could protect such persons.
He said making allegations against the government for isolated incidents of attacks on journalists was a fruitless exercise as the government policy was clear that journalists should be free of threats.

JVP wants Govt. to disarm TMVP

The JVP has called upon the Government to disarm the Pillaiyan Group immediately. It is of the view that there is no need for any group to carry arms while the police and the armed forces are engaged in protecting the public.
Addressing the media JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said his party was not worried at all about an electoral alliance between the Government and the Pillaiyan Group. It was not only the Pillaiyan Group that had come under threats from the LTTE; the LTTE posed a threat to the JVP as well, he said adding that but his party had never asked for arms.
The JVP would go it alone at the PC polls scheduled for May with the objective of creating an environment for the people to exercise their franchise freely, Amarasinghe said.
The JVP had no difficulty whatsoever in selecting candidates unlike the SLFP, which was clinging onto Pillaiyan, unable to stand on its own, he said.