Infantry, armour and artillery formations of the Army's 57 Division have overrun LTTE forward defences and reportedly entered into general area Mallavi in Mullaittivu district, following fierce fighting since this morning (Aug 31).

According to military, troops have gained control over key LTTE outposts in the area and positioned tactically in the probable fall of the garrison township, despite heavy resistance from LTTE.

Mallavi is a strategically important LTTE garrison located along the Vellankulama - Mankulama main road, linking the Mannar- Pooneryn (A-32) main road and the Kandy- Jaffna(A-9) trunk road. Due its significant positioning this area has been used as the hub of LTTE's administration and logistic activities, accommodating over dozens LTTE offices, defence observes state.

Initial reports from Wanni military sources further said that the troops are engaging heavy artillery and increasing the forward thrust into the Mallavi town area.

Pro-LTTE media have remained tightlipped and declined to comment on the latest ground situation, defence observes further noted.

Troops of the 58 Division operating Northwest of Nachchikudha in the Western Mullaittivu battlefront, have reportedly gained control over an LTTE built earth bund located West of Vannerikkulama, Sunday (Aug 31) afternoon.

According to Wanni security sources, 7 LTTE terrorists were confirmed killed and 9 others wounded in the fighting repoprted since this morning.

Troops are now consolidating defence in the area, sources further said.

A fire broke out in the generator room of the navy vessel 'Sagara' which was at the Colombo Port last night. Police say a short circuit was believed to have been the cause of the fire. An investigation is underway.

A JVP parliamentarian has been deported from Japan after being detained and questioned at the Japanese airport by officials, well informed sources said.
The MP together with another party official had reportedly been questioned on Friday for several hours, among other issues, on the purpose of their visit to Japan.

Subsequently the MP was deported while the other JVP member was permitted to proceed with his visit to Japan.

Though the actual reason for the detention and deportation is still not clear, there is speculation that illegal fund raising may have been one of the reasons.

When contacted by media, Ambassador Ranjith Uyangoda said yesterday he had heard of reports of such an incident taking place but was unable to verify the details as the Immigration and Emigration offices in Japan were closed for the weekend.

However JVP general secretary Tilvin Silva said he was not aware of any JVP MP being detained or deported from Japan.

The JVP maintains an office in Japan with a strong membership base which supports and funds its political activities in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile in May the JVP branch in Japan said it had severed all connections with the party over the ousting of Wimal Weerawansa, ten other MPs and a large number of party members.

The branch claimed that its comrades in Japan had credited the money they earned to the party fund and also funded all elections except the Eastern Provincial Council polls.

It also claimed in a statement that it had loaned a large sum of money to the party on various occasions yet none of it was repaid but the JVP said it had no connections with the branch in Japan.

Chartered Accountant and Management Consultant Brian Angunawela relinquished duties as Chairman EDB from August 31. Mr. Angunawela was appointed to the post in the year 2005. During the past three and a half years he served for two Cabinet Ministers.Coming from the private sector Mr. Angunawela was instrumental in re-organizing the Mushroom Development and Training Centre a project under the purview of the EDB into a profit making venture.
Under his leadership the EDB was able to resurrect and commence operations in the Uva Paranagama Export Production Village and the Tissamaharama Export Processing Village.

During his tenure of office the EDB launched several programmes in the provinces linking the rural producer with the exporter in Colombo thus creating avenues to open the flow of export revenue directly to the rural sector.

Fruits and Vegetables, Spices, Coir Products and Ornamental Fish were among the sectors promoted in Matara,Hambantota,Angunakolapelessa,Thambuttegama, Polonnaruwa,Tissamaharamaya,Kuliyapitiya Uva - Paranagama and Embilipitiya during this period.

Sri Lanka’s National Gem and Jewellery Authority decided to modify the detailed certificate issued for gems, in the interest of the trade.
Currently the certificates are issued only by a gem stone’s family or mineralogical name. This system however, has led to confusion among gem traders. According to them this unfamiliar mineralogical name in certification makes customers confused leading to the possibility of loosing a particular sale.

In trading gem stones, the seller and buyer both generally use trade names such as Blue Sapphires, Rubies and Alexandrites.

Hence when a customer requires a certification for a gem he expects the certification by the trade name.

Certificates are issued by the NGJA branches in Colombo, Ratnapura, Beruwala and the World Trade Center, Fort. The services of all valuers /gemologists are utilized for this purpose on a daily roster basis.

When the system of certifying gem stones by the NGJA commenced in 1980, the detailed certificate was initially issued by trade names. Later on however due to conflicts of practicing criteria, usage and other matters, the trade name was changed to the mineralogical name.

Corundum is Sri Lanka’s most valuable gem resource. In the trade Blue Corundum is called the Blue Sapphire; Pink Corundum is called the Pink Sapphire, Pinkish Orange colour Corundum Padmaraga, red colour Corundum Ruby, yellow Corundum the Yellow Sapphire and so on. Most of the trade names for corundum are formed with the stone’s body colour used as a prefix.

Some gems are formed with two or more colours. Then the colour combination can be interpreted by two pairs of human eyes in two different ways. Due to this customer confusion can arise. Padmaraga, orange sapphire and Alexandrite fall into this category. To minimise such conflicting errors certificates for such gems will be issued only at the NGJA Gem Laboratory in Colombo by a panel comprising three valuers / gemologists.

Five LTTE caders including four women fighters were killed in a clash with troops in Palamudai in Vavuniya on Sunday night.

Troops recovered their bodies this morning and handed them over to the Vavuniya hospital from where they would be handed over to the LTTE by the ICRC.

Seven individuals and one organization from India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka received Asia’s premier award, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, for the year 2008 during presentation ceremonies at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City yesterday, the birth anniversary of the late president.


The awardees are:

Grace Padaca, from the Philippines, for Government Service. She was recognized for "her empowering voters in the Philippines’ Isabela province to reclaim their democratic right to elect leaders of their own choosing, and to contribute as full partners in their own development."

Center for Agriculture & Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), from the Philippines, for Public Service. It was honored for "successful adaptation of microfinance in the Philippines, providing self-sustaining and comprehensive services for half a million poor women and their families."

Therdchai Jivacate, from Thailand, for Public Service. He was honored for "his dedicated efforts in Thailand to provide inexpensive, practical, and comfortable artificial limbs even to the poorest amputees."

Prakash Amte and Mandakini Amte, from India, for Community Leadership, who were recognized for "enhancing the capacity of the Madia Gonds to adapt positively in today’s India, through healing and teaching and other compassionate interventions."

Ahmad Syafii Maarif, from Indonesia, for Peace and International Understanding. He was honored for "his guiding Muslims to embrace tolerance and pluralism as the basis for justice and harmony in Indonesia and in the world at large."

Akio Ishii, from Japan, for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts. He was recognized for "his principled career as a publisher, placing discrimination, human rights, and other difficult subjects squarely in Japan’s public discourse."

Ananda Galappatti, from Sri Lanka, for Emergent Leadership. He was recognized for "his spirited personal commitment to bring appropriate and effective psychosocial services to victims of war trauma and natural disasters in Sri Lanka."

The eight 2008 Ramon Magsaysay awardees joined 263 other laureates who have received Asia’s highest honor to date, according to the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF). This year’s winners each received a certificate, a medallion bearing the likeness of the late President, and a cash prize.

Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honor and is widely regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. It celebrates the memory and leadership example of the third Philippine President, and is given every year to individuals or organizations in Asia who manifest the same sense of selfless service that ruled the life of the late and beloved Filipino leader.

"The Magsaysay awardees of 2008," said RMAF President Carmencita T. Abella, "are indeed pathfinders in a changing Asia, charting new ways to address persistent, often intractable problems in their societies.

"Working in different countries on diverse issues of poverty, prejudice, politics, livelihoods, and health, these awardees nevertheless share an uncommon faith in the tremendous potential of people and social institutions.

"They share as well an indomitable will and persistence to tap into this potential and thus create greater, and lasting, good. Mobilizing many others to join their efforts, their accomplishments bring us reassuring news of progress, justice, healing, reform, and hope.

"In a world grown increasingly fragmented and cynical, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation is uniquely privileged to be the bearer of such inspiring news from Asia," Abella said.

The Magsaysay Award is currently given in six categories:

Government Service — for "outstanding service in the public interest in any branch of government, including executive, judicial, legislative, or military."

Public Service — for "outstanding service to the public good by a private citizen."

Community Leadership — for "leadership of a community toward helping the disadvantaged have fuller opportunities and a better life."

Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts — for "effective writing, publishing, photography, or use of radio, television, cinema, or theater as a power for public good."

Peace and International Understanding — for "outstanding contributions to the advancement of friendship, peace and solidarity as the foundations for sustainable development within and across countries."

Emergent Leadership — for "outstanding work of an individual, 40 years of age and below, on issues of social change in his/her community, but whose leadership is not yet broadly recognized outside of this community."

During the Foundation’s four decades of existence, Asia has made great progress, some nations more than others. Yet the region continues to grapple with problems of poverty, malnutrition, disease, and violence, as well as with newer problems that have come with progress itself, the Foundation said.

In recognizing individuals and organizations who have addressed these issues with extraordinary vigor, integrity, and selflessness, the Foundation seeks to honor the memory of President Ramon Magsaysay and to place living examples of exceptional service before the public.

Currently, India leads the number of awardees with 47, followed closely by the Philippines with 46. The other countries whose citizens and organizations have received the Magsaysay Award are Japan, 22; Thailand, 21; South Korea, 19; Indonesia, 18; Pakistan, 12; Malaysia, 11; and China and Taiwan, with 10 winners each.

Other winners have come from Bangladesh, with nine; Sri Lanka, eight; Hong Kong, six; Vietnam and Nepal, with four each; Burma and Cambodia, with three winners each; Laos and Singapore with two winners each; and East Timor and Tibet, with one laureate each.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award was established by the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) based in New York City in April 1957. With the concurrence of the Philippine government, the prize was created to commemorate late president of the Philippines and to perpetuate his example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society.

In May 1957, seven prominent Filipinos were named the founding board of trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, the nonprofit corporation tasked with implementing the awards program.

Invited to serve as honorary chairman and vice chairman, respectively, were Sergio Osmeña, former president of the Philippine Commonwealth, and Don Exequiel Magsaysay, father of Ramon Magsaysay. Belen H. Abreu, then legal counsel of the Commission on Elections, was asked to serve as executive trustee.

In 1959, the Philippine Congress donated to the RMAF a parcel of land on Roxas Boulevard equivalent in value to the original RBF grant and, in subsequent legislation, gave the Foundation full tax exemption privileges.

Additional grants and a loan from the RBF made possible the construction of the Ramon Magsaysay Center which, since 1968, has housed the RMAF staff and provided revenue to support the Foundation’s work.

Contributions from private individuals and companies in the Philippines and abroad have enabled the RMAF to accept custodianship of the Magsaysay Papers and Memorabilia, to maintain a public library on contemporary Asia, to sponsor national and international symposia on subjects of vital current interest, and to fund continuing projects of awardees through the Program for Asian Projects (PAP).

Today, the awards program is managed by a board of trustees composed of nine Philippine citizens serving staggered fouryear terms. An appointed president oversees the fulltime administration of the program.

The RMAF recognizes and honors individuals and organizations in Asia regardless of race, creed, sex, or nationality, who have achieved distinction in their respective fields and have helped others generously without anticipating public recognition.

The awards were orginally given in five categories: government service; public service; community leadership; journalism, literature, and creative communication arts; peace and international understanding.

In the 2000 Magsaysay Awards Presentation Ceremonies, the Foundation announced the creation of the sixth category, Emergent Leadership, which was established with the support of a grant from the Ford Foundation.

The award for Emergent Leadership honors "individuals, forty years of age and below, doing outstanding work on issues of social change in their communities, but whose leadership is not yet broadly recognized outside of these communities." An award in this category was given for the first time in 2001.

The RMAF solicits award nominations from selected persons throughout Asia who are qualified by virtue of position, expertise, or experience each year. Nominations are carefully investigated and the awards themselves are determined following rigorous evaluation by the Foundation’s board of trustees.

Presentation ceremonies are held annually in Manila on August 31st, the birth anniversary of the late president.

by Jehan Perera

The Sri Lankan diaspora broadly defined consists of all those who have left the shores of Sri Lanka. Some of them have gone abroad only for a short time, such as the migrant workers in the Middle East. But others have been in their adopted lands for over a hundred years, such as those in Malaysia. The Sri Lankan diaspora covers all its communities, Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers. But the most influential, and most controversial, has been the largest group, the Tamil diaspora.

The vast majority of those in the Tamil diaspora left the country in the aftermath of the events of July 1983, the 25th anniversary of which was commemorated only recently. The Sri Lankan government sought actively to play down those commemoration events, warning its embassies abroad that there was an LTTE campaign against Sri Lanka. Even within the country, those who organised commemoration events in order to show their solidarity with the Tamil people, found their efforts were viewed with suspicion.

The Tamil diaspora is seen by the Sri Lankan state as an important actor in the ongoing war against the LTTE that needs to be checked. It is a fact that many, if not most, who left the country did so in circumstances that were extremely painful and bitter to them. They left homes that were burnt, families that were scattered, and a larger society that did not trust them and equated them with the violence of the Tamil militancy. They left for an uncertain future into alien cultures and societies, in which they would be an underclass for many years. But due to the essentially egalitarian and merit-based nature of the Western societies to which they migrated, many of them and their children have finally prospered.

It is no surprise then that large sections of the Tamil diaspora should feel alienated from the Sri Lankan state that failed to nurture, give them opportunities and protect them as equal citizens. The Tamil diaspora has become a source of support for the idyllic vision of a Tamil homeland which the Tamil people can govern, develop themselves, and live in security. Members of the Tamil diaspora, who once were part of the intellectual and social elite of Sri Lanka, have been very effective advocates for the notion of Tamil Eelam and the main source of support for the LTTE which continues the fight for separation.


MAIN CONCERNS

At the same time, however, there is diversity within the Tamil diaspora. One is the difference between the first generation of the diaspora who left the country well before the ethnic conflict got into its violent phase, and the second generation who left after the violence had commenced. The Sri Lankan diaspora in Malaysia includes a small number of Sinhalese as well, and consists largely of the first generation who left Sri Lanka in happier times and have correspondingly happier memories.

Last week I was able to participate in a conference organised by the Federation of Malaysian Sri Lankan Organisations, which is an umbrella group that has been able to bring together many of the Sri Lankan diaspora members of all ethnic communities in Malaysia. Most of the participants at the conference came from the Tamil diaspora in Malaysia, but also from other parts of the world, including Australia, Europe and Canada. One of the highlights of the conference was the participation of a large and multi ethnic group of Sri Lankans belonging the Association of Justices of Peace (JPs) for Human Rights, a Sri Lanka-based organisation.

As could be expected one of the main concerns expressed at the conference was to find ways to sustain the life of the people and families left behind in Sri Lanka. The participants at the conference were acutely aware of the tragic situation currently facing many of the Tamil people of the north. With the Sri Lankan military advancing on LTTE-held territory, the government has been advising the people in leaflets dropped from the air to flee their homes for government-held areas. More than 200,000 people have been rendered homeless due to the recent rounds of fighting.

Ever since the mass exodus of Tamils abroad 25 years ago, the Tamil diaspora has been in an oppositional mode with the Sri Lankan state. There has been little or no attempt on both sides to engage in a constructive manner. A large part of the reason has been the confidence of the Tamil diaspora that the LTTE's armed struggle for separation, which they support, will end in success. So long as this belief, and desire, continues there will be little incentive on the part of the Tamil diaspora to engage constructively with the Sri Lankan state.


RETHINKING GOALS

However, recent developments on the ground and in international politics suggest that the struggle for Tamil Eelam will not be successful. The minds of its different ethnic communities may be separated, but the geographical boundaries of the country will remain intact. The worldwide war against terrorism which is gaining in intensity, the opposition of India to an independent Tamil Eelam led by the LTTE on its doorstep and the determination of the vast majority of the people of Sri Lanka to pay any price to keep the country's borders intact, are most unlikely to be overcome.

This means that if the Tamil diaspora wishes to come to the aid of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka, they need to be prepared to engage constructively with the Sri Lankan state, and find ways to do so. It also means that the Tamil diaspora has to reconsider its separatist option and be prepared to accommodate themselves to the reality that the LTTE's military force will not win peace, happiness and prosperity for the Tamil people in the homeland.

The Sri Lankan state also has an obligation to reach out to the Tamil diaspora instead of viewing them suspiciously as agents of the LTTE and of separation. The Tamil diaspora consists of people who were citizens of Sri Lanka, and their children, who continue to yearn for the home they once had in a beautiful island, with people who are closer to them racially and culturally than any other people in the world. One of the anxieties of the Tamil diaspora is that with the passing of the years, and the growing up of their children in foreign lands into the third generation, they will lose their unique identity. But this need not be.

During the period of the Diaspora conference in Malaysia, former Indian President Abdul Kalam paid a visit to the University of Malaya, where our conference was being held. More than 2000 students, nearly all of them members of the Indian diaspora in Malaysia came to listen to President Kalam speak. These were third generation members of a diaspora, and citizens of another country, but their emotional bonds to their Indian homeland were powerful and visible. Even the Sri Lankan diaspora participants could not feel unaffected by the tide of emotion that bonded everyone in the auditorium at that time.

This emotional bonding of the former President of India and the third generation of Indian-origin citizens of Malaysia was not simply a spontaneous phenomenon. It is also one that is carefully cultivated and nurtured by the Indian state, that recognises and calls out to its children and their children living in faraway lands. As a result, wherever there are members of the Indian diaspora, India has its loyal. proud and willing representatives. So must we make it happen for Sri Lanka, with our own Tamil diaspora. Increasing the number of Tamil officers and diplomats in the foreign service and stationing them in Sri Lankan embassies abroad with the specific mandate of reaching out to the Tamil diaspora could be a first step.

The Secretary of Defence, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksha, accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Donald Perera and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, visited Mannar yesterday-the 30th August 2008, in order to assess the security situation in the area.

The itinerary of the visit comprised of visiting and assessing security condition of the area under North Central Naval Command. They had visited the naval detachment at Irrukkalmpiddy- the naval installation closest to un-cleared areas, the naval base in Thalaimannar, Special Boat Squadron and the Rapid Action Boat Squadron. He also declare opened the newly constructed two-storied North Central Naval Command Headquarters in Mannar which was built by the naval personnel in the civil engineering branch of the navy within a short span of time like three months saving a large sum of money that would have incurred.

In his visit, the Secretary of Defence, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapakshe, had inspected the Special Boat Squadron and the Rapid Action Boat Squadron which has been imposing a severe threat to the LTTE activities in the Mannar Sea and had also spoken to the troops. The boats and the craft used by the Special Boat Squadron and the rapid action Boat squadron, on board one out of which the Secretary Defence sailed around in his inspection tour, have been constructed by the personnel in the naval engineering branch utilizing indigenous material and expertise. The SBS and Rapid Action Boat Squadron very recently raided the Iranativu Island which was under the presence of LTTE cadres.

The naval troops deployed in the North Central Command have successfully been putting in a blockade on the sea route of smuggling weaponry and other war-like materials by LTTE from the narrow sea strip in the Gulf of Mannar.

The 29th GSM Asia Pacific Conference of the GSM Association is scheduled to kickoff on September 7, 2008 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

This year’s conference themed ‘Beyond 21’ will coincide with the 21st anniversary of the GSM. The selection of Colombo as the event in the regional GSM calendar indicates the stature of the local telecommunication industry and the acceptance of Sri Lanka as a preferred location for international summits.

GSM Asia Pacific, the regional interest group of the GSM Association consists of 49 countries and over 130 GSM operators. The Asia Pacific Interest Group spans the Pacific rim and includes Australia, New Zealand, China, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

Elected members of the Sabaragamuwa and the North Central Provincial councils will sworn in as Provincial Councilors within this week and the General Secretary of the SLFP Maithreepala Sirisena said their existing Chief Ministers namely Berty Premalal Dissanayake and Maheepala Herath would be appointed as the Chief Ministers of the respective provincial councils.
However UNP is still on discussions to select their Opposition Leaders .In Sabaragamuwa former Opposition Leader A.A.Wijetunga has shown his interest to hold the post of the Opposition Leader, but Ranjan Ramanayake also shown his interest to hold the similar position.
Major General Janaka Perera who obtained highest votes at the North Central Provincial Council’s election shows his willingness to represent the Opposition Leadership.
Meanwhile Minister Mithreepala Sirisena said a number of new comers who obtained highest votes would be received minister portfolio.
“It is under consideration, he said.
He said another batch of UNP parliamentarians are discussing with the UPFA to join the ruling party.
He said there is no final agreement with these MPs and the UPFA.

Defense Ministry report said that Sri Lankan peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) have helped victims of Hurricane Gustav in the aftermath of the storm.

In the immediate aftermath of the storm, members of the Sri Lankan battalion distributed food and water and provided medical support. The peacekeepers have helped clean up the waste and rubble that blocked the main streets.

Sri Lanka contributes almost 1,000 troops and police to the United Nations peacekeeping force in Haiti.

Hurricane Gustav has left a trail of death and destruction in several impoverished Haitian communities leaving 71 people dead in the Caribbean, including eight in the Dominican Republic bordering Haiti.

A Sri Lankan fishermen's trade union Sunday sought the release of two fishing boats held by the Indian authorities for poaching.

Sirimal Pinto, spokesman of the union, told reporters that they have alerted the Sri Lankan ministry of fisheries on the matter.

'Two boats have been held since Aug 28 by the Indian authorities. They are now being held at Visakhapatnam port,' Pinto said, adding that the two boats were seized by Indian Coast Guards Aug 17.

G. Piyasena, secretary to Sri Lanka's ministry of fisheries said the government was aware of the seizures.

Both Indian and Sri Lankan navies have intensified patrolling in the maritime borders mainly to prevent Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka's north from smuggling in military hardware.

The Sri Lankan Navy early this month refuted Indian allegations of firing at Indian fishing boats and killing several fishermen.

(AP) _ People in the poor, mainly Tamil neighborhood in Colombo described it as a harrowing day.

It was 5 a.m. on a Wednesday when police started knocking on doors. They searched hundreds of homes, then forced thousands of men, women and children to get dressed and walk through the narrow streets lined with soldiers to a nearby sports field. Over the next six hours, authorities questioned, photographed and videotaped the neighborhood's inhabitants.

Still, few of those rounded up expressed surprise at the intrusion.

Members of Sri Lanka's minority Tamil community say police raids, harassment, arbitrary detentions and even abductions have become routine in recent years as violence has escalated in the 25-year civil war between the government, dominated by the Sinhalese majority, and the Tamil Tiger militia fighting for a separate state in the island's north and east.

"They think every Tamil-speaking person is a terrorist. They want to control us," said Sanjeevi Ramiah, 47, one of the few residents of the Kimbulla Ela neighborhood willing to speak publicly about the July 2 raid.

While Tamils and human rights advocates complain about police excesses, most agree this Indian Ocean island nation is faced with a serious threat from the rebels.

The Tigers have been blamed for deadly attacks over the past year that have spread fear across the capital, Colombo, in the south. A June bombing on a crowded suburban bus killed 21 people, two days after a blast targeting the railroad in the city narrowly missed a passenger train.

"No one suggests for the moment that there should not be security measures and precautions," said Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, executive director of the Center for Policy Alternatives think tank. "At the same time, we need to be a lot more serious in finding the balance between democratic rights and human rights and the right security measures. We can't alienate an entire community, an entire section of the citizenry."

Emergency regulations renewed by parliament each month give the government wide-ranging powers to arrest terror suspects and detain them indefinitely.

With each new attack in the capital, the complex web of checkpoints, road closures and random searches tightens. And many Tamils say their lives grow harder.

They say police assume they sympathize with the rebels' fight for a homeland for ethnic Tamils and single them out at checkpoints and during searches on buses.

Many are routinely detained on minor infractions or for no reason at all, according to residents and human rights groups. Those who fled the northern war zone, where the rebels control a de facto state, say they risk arrest for not registering with police or for having overnight guests without police authorization.

In June 2007, authorities briefly expelled more than 300 Tamils from Colombo boarding houses before the Supreme Court forced them to back down.

Following a pair of bombings in November, the government detained more than 2,000 Tamils in a mass arrest sweep, a common tactic after major attacks. It released nearly all of them days later after a groundswell of criticism.

In addition, nearly 200 Tamils have "disappeared" from the capital in recent years, said Mano Ganesan, an opposition parliamentarian who heads a group that catalogues the disappearances. The government denies any connection to the phenomenon.

"The root cause of this is the unresolved ethnic issue," Ganesan said, referring to the historic tension between the country's mainly Hindu Tamils and the mainly Buddhist Sinhalese. A Sinhalese nationalist movement arose after Sri Lanka's independence from Britain in 1948. The civil war began after a 1983 rebel ambush killed 13 Sri Lankan soldiers and sparked an anti-Tamil riot in the capital that human rights groups say killed more than 2,000 people.

Keheliya Rambukwella, a government minister and its chief defense spokesman, acknowledged Tamils were singled out for scrutiny in Colombo, but only because rebel attackers — who have killed members of all ethnic groups — routinely hid among the capital's large Tamil community.

"It is not a bed of roses. You have to undergo certain kinds of inconveniences," he said. "I really don't think it is discrimination. It is for their own good."

Tamils, just 18 percent of the country, make up as much as one-third of the capital's population, according to officials. And they are an important part of the fabric of Colombo. Some are doctors, lawyers or other wealthy professionals. Some, such as Rambukwella himself, are even government ministers.

While upper class Tamils are rarely inconvenienced, the majority of Colombo's Tamils are poor or lower middle class and feel powerless in the face of the mainly Sinhalese security forces.

Unknown armed men shot and killed two youths Sunday afternoon east of Jaffna District Secretariat in Chu'ndikkuzhi, Police said. The victims were identified from the identity cards in their possession as 26-year-old Nithyananthan Thushyanthan, from 120 Brown Road, Jaffna and 29-year-old Kanagaratnam Narmathan, from Kantharmadam 119/2. One of the victims is a student of a Malaysian University, who seems to have come to Jaffna recently.

Police recovered the dead bodies and handed them over to the mortuary of the Jaffna Hospital for identification after Acting Magistrate of Jaffna, Sinnaththuai Kesavan, inspected the crime site.

The killings have taken place in a by-lane, 200 meters from Jaffna Kandy Road.

The Government is expected to appoint a new Chairman to head the vital Ports Authority on Monday after its incumbent Saliya Wickramasuriya’s resignation was accepted by the Ports and Aviation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa early this week.

Mr. Wickramasuriya said that his letter of resignation submitted in July was accepted by the Minister on Tuesday and his last day at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority would be tomorrow. The delay in acceptance of his resignation, Mr.Wickramasuriya attributed to him being away in London and the Minister being involved in SAARC summit activities, provincial council elections and the marriage of his youngest son.

According to well placed sources the Government will appoint present Vice Chairman Priyath Bandu Wickrema to the top post . His relations with the unions have been such that in 2004 unions requested the Government to appoint him to the Board of SLPA as their representative.

Present SLPA Executive Director Dr Sanjaya Senarath is expected to be elevated as Vice Chairman.
While Dr Senarath is from the medical field, Mr. Wickrema is a chartered Mechanical Engineer, who joined the Ports Authority as a young BSc graduate in 2001. Hailing from Walasmulla, he completed a PhD in Port Management recently.

Contacted to get a confirmation, Ports Ministry Secretary T. Hewage, however, said he could not answer any of our queries as he was abroad. Ports Minister Chamal Rajapaksa could not be contacted.

More than one million could benefit if new proposal is adopted
The retirement age of some 1.1 million public servants may be raised to 63 in keeping with worldwide trends and the increase in life expectancy of Sri Lankans,Pensions Director K.A. Thilakaratne said yesterday.

He said the move was also aimed at preventing officials from drawing double salaries by retiring at 55 and rejoining to do state jobs, thus getting both a state pension and a state salary. Mr. Thilakaratne said President Mahinda Rajapaksa had studied the proposals and called for trade union observations on the issue before deciding on it.

Under current regulations, the retirement age is 55 but state officials can extend their service until 57 without seeking an annual extension. They face compulsory retirement at 60. Some officials told The Sunday Times the negative aspects of raising the retirement age to 63 would be the blocking of job opportunities of new recruits to the public service and promotions of junior officers.

Mr. Thilakaratne said both positive and negative aspects of the move were being considered with the unemployment issue being given priority. He said there were cases where those who retired rejoined the public service even as secretaries to ministries – thus drawing a big pension as well as a big salary.

Mr. Thilakaratne said the government had taken into consideration the fact that the life expectancy rate had also increased over the years and some of the countries had now increased the retirement age to 65.

President’s men entitled to extension

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has vested in himself the power of extending the compulsory retirement age of any public officer appointed by him. No time bar has been proposed on the extension.

An amendment to the Public and Judicial Officers (Retirement) Ordinance has been effected by the President through an Extraordinary Gazette notification. The Attorney General, the Auditor General, the Ombudsman, the Inspector General of Police, Service Commanders, Ministry Secretaries and Provincial Chief Secretaries are among those appointed by the President.

However, the move would not apply to the Chief Justice and judges of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and High Courts as their age of retirement is specified in the Constitution.

An STF personnel was killed in a sniper fire in the Rufaskulam camp in Kanjikudichchiaru camp in the east, police source said.

The victim was identified as Indika.

Shell Gas Lanka limited will increase the price of a 12.5kg domestic cylinder by Rs.126 with effect from midnight today a company spokesman said. Accordingly the new price of a domestic cylinder will be Rs. 1863.

Mob assaulted security of Minister P. Chandrasekaran including two police officers, after his vehicle collided with a three-wheeler killing one passenger on the spot, at Dehiowita in Avissawella this evening. The Minister was not in the car at the time of the incident.

A veteran broadcaster and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Hudson Samarasinghe instructed to re-launch English Commercial Service of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation to provide additional valuable hours for their listeners.
According to Mr.Samarasinghe the re launching of the English service would commence from 1st of September.
Earlier SLBC management has reduced local programmes of the English Commercial service and allocate more time belt for the BBC World Service.
Mr.Samarasinghe has mediated with the BBC management and later reduced BBC time belt , which were used to broadcast BBC daily programmes .
Due to this decision local listeners could listen to more programmes , music and other entertainment programmes.
“It will once again resume its pristine glory. Programmes like Breakfast drive, Classic gold, Bright Spot, Your choice in music, Hits of the past will be aired, said Mr.Samarasinghe. .
Existing Programmes have been re-vamped and new programmes will be added to the channel. At present Sri Lanka has a number of English Radio Channels. However the English service has continued to receive a good response from listeners, he explained.

Army's elite Special Forces (SF) troops in pursuit of terrorists encircled at Konketiyawa, East of the Padawiya tank have reportedly observed at least 10 LTTE bodies scattered in the area, according to latest reports received, Sunday (Aug 31).

Intermittent gunfire exchanges were reported in the area since this morning our Welioya correspondent said, citing military, as troops further claimed to have sealed all 'way-routes' combined with the Civil Defence Force(CDF) personnel in the area. Details of the latest confrontations are not available our correspondent said, adding that the terrorists' chances of survival are minimum in the area, given the mobility and fire superiority of the Special Forces (SF).

Troops have already seized an LTTE body, a T-56 assault riffle and 3 belt orders in subsequent search operations conducted. The SF troopers were immediately reinforced after clashes broke out between CDF personnel and LTTE since 6.30 a.m, Saturday, when troops on patrol observed a group of terrorists in Army guise attempting to infiltrate into the area. A civilian was also reported wounded due to the indiscriminate LTTE gunfire attack and later transferred to the General Hospital at Anuradhapura.

According to military, the LTTE group may have been given specific orders to infiltrate into the liberate areas and cause destruction to both civilian and military targets triggering a slow down of the military advances into the last LTTE bastions at Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu Districts.

3 personnel were killed including a Civil Defence Force (CDF) trooper, while similar numbers were reported injured in yesterday's confrontation, according to reports received.

Meanwhile, Police have also reported killed a terrorist in general area Vahalkada and subsequently recovered the body, according to defence sources.

Police found no truth in the bomb rumor in the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission office in Chennai.

According to sources, Tamil Nadu police thoroughly searched the premises of the Deputy High Commission office, located at 196 TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai for suspected explosive materials and found nothing.

Sources said , that Tamil Nadu Police received an anonymous call around 8.30 PM yesterday of bombs being planted in the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission office.

Immediately Police rushed to the Office of the Deputy High Commission and requested office be opened and searched thoroughly, in the presence of High Commission staffs till 2.15 AM this morning and found nothing suspicious inside the chancery building.

Mohammed Rasooldeen

DAWADMI: The interpreter who translated the statements of a Tamil-speaking Sri Lankan maid sentenced to death for the alleged murder of a Saudi baby in her care is an ethnically non-Tamil Kannadiga speaker.

The revelations were made during a high court hearing held here yesterday.

Kateb Al-Shammary, the lawyer representing the maid, Rizana Nafeek, asked whether the interpreter, Karim Mawiya Cader Mohammed, was qualified to accurately translate Tamil into Arabic.

He told the court that he wanted to know whether Mohammed — who has been working for an electronics company in Dawadmi for 20 years and is originally from the Indian state of Karnataka — is proficient enough in Tamil to interpret Nafeek’s police and court statements.

The court told the attorney that it would summon two witnesses to the next hearing to vouch for the translator’s honesty, integrity and ability to translate from Tamil.

Mohammed told the court that he translated Nafeek’s statement in May 2005 when she was brought to Dawadmi, from Jezma, some 100 km from Dawadmi.

“I come to courts on request for translation purposes and I am paid SR100 per case,” Karim told Arab News. He added that he knows Tamil which is widely spoken in India’s Tamil Nadu state and Sri Lanka.

In his written submission, Al-Shammary also argued that Nafeek, who was 17 when she came to the Kingdom on a passport that stated she was 23, was never hired to be a nanny and that the death occurred due to her inexperience in dealing with newborn children.

A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice Sheikh Abdullah Al-Rosaimi, decided to hold the next hearing on Nov. 5.

Also attending the hearing was Nafeek, the father of the deceased Naif Jiziyan Khalaf Al-Otaibi, Sri Lankan Ambassador Abdul Ageed Mohamed Marleen and a team of officials from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh.

Yesterday marked the fifth time Nafeek appeared at Dawadmi High Court since the baby’s death in May 2005. The court first sentenced her to death in June 2007; the ruling was then appealed a month later. In December 2007, the Cassation Court sent the case back to Dawadmi. In March this year, the Dawadmi court sent the case to the Supreme Judicial Council, which ordered judges to hear the defense attorney’s objections.

Nafeek came to the Kingdom through an unidentified placement agency, which — in violation of Sri Lankan and international laws on trafficking minors — forged the age on her passport to make it appear she was 23.

Nafeek’s birth certificate states she was born on Feb. 4, 1988, meaning she was 17 when she came to the Kingdom.

The family maintains that Nafeek committed premeditated murder. On the day of the baby’s death, the Sri Lankan housemaid was taken to a police station in Dawadmi where she is alleged to have signed a murder confession.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has emphasised the need for enhanced cooperation among Member States of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to combat terrorism.

The Minister expressed his ideas addressing the tenth session of the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi on Friday (August 29). The Foreign Minister said, "Terrorism is an abominable phenomenon that affects all of us, big and small, directly or indirectly, today. Terrorist groups network with one another globally. Their operations, in our own experience include fund raising through the narcotic trade, human smuggling, procurement of arms and ammunition, and money laundering, all of which pose a grave threat to our societies in more ways than one.

Sri Lanka views the BIMSTEC Convention on Cooperation in Combating Terrorism, Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking as an important landmark of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Sector, which would intensify our cooperative efforts in combating terrorism.

The Group on intelligence sharing relating to Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime has had two meetings in Colombo. These meetings have been useful in exploring ways and means to share information to combat terrorism and transnational crime. Enhancement of cooperation in all sectors relating to combating terrorism is crucial. I therefore emphasize the urgent and dire need to further enhances cooperation within BIMSTEC in this important area", Bogollagama said. BIMSTEC had its origin in BIST-EC, when Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand joined to form this new sub-regional grouping in June 1997 in Bangkok. In December 1997, Myanmar was admitted as a full member and subsequently Bhutan and Nepal were admitted to its ranks in 2003.

At the first Summit in July 2004, the leaders of the group agreed on the new nomenclature. Minister Bogollagama held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from India, Pranab Mukherjee, Thailand, Tej Bunnag, Myanmar, U Nyan Win and Nepal, Upendra Yadav, on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting. He is also scheduled to call on the Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh prior to his return to Colombo.

The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) Export Awards will be held on September 26 at the Hilton Colombo.

The Annual Export Awards conducted by the NCE, is the most glamorous and looked forward to event in the business calendar of Sri Lanka.

The NCE which is the only Chamber exclusively serving Sri Lankan exporters has been conducting this event since 1993 annually. It recognises and rewards export excellence of Sri Lankan exporters, who make an indispensable and vital contribution for the sustenance of the economy.

This year the Chamber received around 140 applications.

Award winners are selected from each of the three major areas of Export of Products, Export of Business and Professional Services and Suppliers and Service Providers to Exporters.

Enterprises which are selected for awards are sub divided into Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large categories to ensure a level playing field for enterprises by comparing the achievements of enterprises of similar size.

The export of products which has been the main area recognised from the inception of the scheme has undergone several refinements to recognise the contribution made to national exports by emerging new product sub sectors such as manufactured jewellery and processed food products.

The export of business and professional services area gives special recognition to the export of financial, educational, medical and legal services, consultancy services, ship repair services, development and export of software and IT related services, services provided by call centres and employment agencies, as it has potential to develop into a major export area as in the case of the apparel sector which has developed to comprise almost 50 percent of Sri Lankan exports over the last two decades.

Security forces have launched a fresh attack targeting LTTE bunker defences in general area Muhamalai killing one terrorist and injuring 7 others in early hours this morning, 31 August.

Troops have launched this attack around 2.45 a.m on selected terror points observing their activities. Terror transmission also confirmed their damages, intercepted LTTE communication revealed.

The former military commander of the LTTE and Leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan has called upon international human rights agencies and the UN to urge the LTTE to free innocent civilians as the LTTE is now rounding up civilians to make its human shield for its last stage of the battle in Kilinochchi.

The TMVP Leader also called upon human rights agencies and the UN for a strong commitment to prevent these civilians dying in the battlefronts in Kilinochchi.

Muralitharan, who was better known as Colonel Karuna Amman, accused the international human rights organisations of ignoring the plight of these civilians who are being forcibly used in the battlefronts. "I know the mindset of Velupillai Prabhakaran better than any one else. He is now under severe tension as the LTTE is getting badly defeated. He will use this human shield for his survival," he told the Sunday Observer.

According to Muralitharan, over 200,000 people are suffering in Kilinochchi and they are being forcefully kept by the LTTE as the Tigers have closed all possible routes to government controlled areas. He questioned the role played by the international human rights agencies and the UN to highlight the sufferings of these people.

He said, "so far none of these agencies has protested that the LTTE is using civilians as a human shield. They always clamour for human rights when the security forces are heading for Tiger strongholds. Why are they now so silent", the one-time most trustworthy LTTE Leader of Prabhakaran queried.

Muralitharan who broke away from the LTTE accused the LTTE of ill-treating the Eastern cadres and added that the LTTE still keeps over 300 Eastern cadres with the outfit and does not allow them to flee to government controlled areas. "These people are denied all basic human rights and conscription goes on unabated as the LTTE cadres die in the battlefields in numbers", he said.

He said that the LTTE has ordered all government and private sector employees to undergo weapons training and attributed this as a gross violation of human rights as most of these civilians were not properly trained in the use of offensives. "They are being sent forcibly while keeping their loved ones in LTTE custody. These civilians are not left with any option other than to die in the fierce battlefronts", he said.

"Why can't they have a strong lobby against the LTTE", he said.

Muralitharan said that according to information the LTTE leadership had called Pottu Amman to the Muhamalai front.

"He is not a good leader in the battlefront and he does not know anything about ground battles. He has mastered killing people by planting bombs. Soosai has also been called to lead ground battles but he is not a good leader in ground battles", he said.

Meanwhile, Muralitharan who appreciated the efforts by the government to welcome civilians fleeing Kilinochchi said according to information people grouped in numbers are planning to flee terror stricken LTTE controlled areas.

He said that civilians would flee to government controlled areas without heeding LTTE's orders.

The World Bank has allocated Rs. 385 million to rehabilitate the Giant's Tank in the Mannar District under the Re-awakening project launched by the Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development, the Project Director, P. H. Sugathadasa said.

The tank which was the main reservoir in the Mannar district had been abandoned due to the conflict situation for the past two decades.

As a result of the channel system the tank has been filled with mud and its bund has been eroded due to lack of proper maintenance for a long period, he said.

The total capacity of the tank is 31,500 acre feet and it provides irrigation facilities for over 32,422 ha of paddy lands through 223 medium and small tanks in the area, he said.

With the completion of rehabilitation work on this project over 19,887 families will benefit and they would be able to cultivate their lands throughout the year, he said.

REPORTS RECEIVED from National Hospital COLOMBO revealed that a few more civilians with injuries sustained in the explosion on the OLCOTT Mawatha, COLOMBO this morning have sought admission for treatment by 2.30 p.m..

Forty one males and seven females including two children were treated at the National Hospital after they were brought in.

According to initial investigations, the explosive device had been placed at a wayside stall where wristwatches were kept for sale.

Police together with Security Forces are conducting further investigations.

By Chathuri Dissanayake and Damith Wickramasekara,


Media organisations have come out strongly in condemnation of an attack last week by a group of medical students on two photographers and a video cameraman. The journalists, who were conducting random interviews relating to the marking of Advanced-level exam papers, were attacked by students in the vicinity of the Bloemfontein Men’s Hostel of the University of Colombo’s medical faculty, in Colombo 7.

The media groups, who have demanded a full police enquiry, say the government has created an atmosphere that puts journalists in jeopardy. Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association secretary Podddala Jayantha said the government should take responsibility for having created a volatile environment that was dangerous for the media to work in. “A culture where people assault any journalist with a camera or a notebook has been created in our society,” he said. “This is a serious situation, and the government is responsible for it.”


Colombo university medical students give their statements to the Cinnamon Gardens Police Station.
Mr. Jayantha said the country had reached a point where the public believed that journalists could be manhandled and assaulted and their equipment damaged or stolen and that nothing would be done about it.

“The government has worked towards establishing a Mervyn Silva-media culture in the country,” Mr. Jayantha said. “This is why medical students assaulted journalists who were collecting material for a current news matter.”

According to Jatila Wellabada, secretary of the Editors Guild of Sri Lanka, incidents of this kind occurred because of apathy on the part of the authorities in cases relating to violence towards media people. He said that such indifference even suggested that the harassment of journalists would be condoned. “They make the best use of the journalists, and then attack them. This is a regrettable situation,” he said.

Mr. Wellabada called on politicians and responsible citizens to take action against harassment of the media, pointing out that freedom of expression reflected a free society. “Media freedom is strong evidence of democracy and a free society. No one here understands what a free media really is,” he said.

Sri Lanka Photojournalists Association president SriLal Gomes said the state had a responsibility to reassure the people that incidents of this kind would not recur. “First, politicians started assaulting journalists, and now civilians are following their bad example. This should not be allowed to happen. We are asking the government to conduct an independent inquiry and punish the wrongdoers. We are waiting for the state to take action,” he said.

Media organisations are threatening union action if the government failed to take action. “If the police do not take action, we will take action against the police,” Mr. Jayantha said. The assault on three journalists, representing the Lankadeepa daily newspaper and Sirasa TV, occurred on Thursday. Reporters Yamuna Gallearachchi and Janaka Gallappaththi were interviewing members of the public about the ongoing marking of A-Level exam papers.

According to Ms. Gallearachchi, the incident occurred just after the reporters had finished interviewing two students and a family in the vicinity of Carey College, and had stopped to talk to a medical student who was on his way to the medical faculty hostel. The medical student, Nadun Kiribathgoda of Kolonnawa, had agreed to be interviewed.

Photojournalist Ms. Gallappaththi said she had asked the student to turn in the direction of the medical faculty hostel for a photograph, saying she needed to angle her camera away from the glare of the sun. When the reporters were about to leave, they were approached by a young man, dressed in shorts and a shirt, who demanded to know with whose permission they had taken the photographs.

“We were on the road, and none of the photographs we took showed any building in the background. Janaka [Gallappaththi] presented his media ID and explained that the student had given his permission for the photograph. The picture we took did not include the hostel. Janaka further explained that only the student’s profile would appear in the published photo, without any background structures showing,” Ms. Gallearachchi said.

The man in shorts, later identified by the university as a security guard, then attempted to seize the camera from Mr. Galappaththi, at which point Mr. Galappaththi backed away. As he was moving away, he took a snapshot of the man in shorts for reference.

“Janaka then fell, and the man tried to grab the camera, and then others came and started to beat Janaka,” Ms. Gallearachchi said. “They then went back into the university premises, taking with them the camera equipment. We stopped outside the gate of the hostel and asked for the camera. In the meantime, we called the Sirisa office, and we also called 119. The police came on the scene some time later.”

According to Ms. Gallearachchi, a group of medical students emerged from the hostel and surrounded Mr. Galappaththi and started assaulting him. Meanwhile, other students started to threaten and hurl abuse at Ms. Gallage.

“All the while, we remained outside the university premises. When the police arrived, they put us inside their jeep,” Ms. Gallearachchi said.

Lankadeepa’s Shantha Rathnayake, the other photojournalist, said that when he arrived on the scene he saw both Mr. Galappatti and Ms. Gallearachchi standing on the road and being harassed by students.

“I saw the Sirasa cameraman recording the incident. I quickly took a few photographs, put my camera away inside my vehicle, and ran to help the Sirasa journalist who was being attacked by a crowd of about 50 students. I couldn’t do anything. They dragged him into the hostel premises and continued to attack him.”

Lankadeepa’s Mr. Rathnayake said the police arrived before the students could turn on him, but found his camera equipment missing when he returned to the van. Dushantha Manoj, another Sirasa TV employee, said that when he arrived on the scene, he saw Mr. Galappatti being attacked.

“I immediately started to record the incident. The students then came up to me and grabbed my camera. I showed them my ID and told them I had come to help my friend. They seized my ID and hit me. Some police officers were looking on as I was dragged into the hostel grounds and beaten up. Shortly after, police officers intervened and put me into their jeep.”

The medical students, on the other hand, have a different story to tell. According to Medical Faculty Students’ Union president Kasun Weerakkody, the Lankadeepa journalists had forced their way into the hostel premises, and refused to produce any kind of identification. “The photojournalist would not identify himself, and acted aggressively towards our sub-warden, who was only doing his duty. We got involved in order to defuse a tense situation,” he said.

He added that the Sirasa TV journalist had attempted to film the university premises without permission.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, the University of Colombo vice-chancellor, Shanika Hirimburegama, said she would decide on what action to take once she had received the police report on the incident.
She added the university required permission through the proper channels for photographs to be taken of the university. “We are in high security zone,” she explained.

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekara told the newspaper that the police had already submitted a report on the incident to courts.

“All parties involved have been ordered to appear in court on October 10. Meanwhile, we are continuing our police investigations,” he said.

They are supposed to heal, not wound: Publishers

The Newspaper Society of Sri Lanka issued a statement condemning the assault on three journalists by students of the Medical Faculty last week.

‘It is with a sense of regret and even greater concern, that the Newspaper Society unreservedly condemns the meaningless assault on Lankadeepa Journalists Gallappaththi and Gallearachchi, and Sirasa correspondent Manoj Dushantha. This violence was perpetrated by a group of students of the Medical Faculty’ the statement said.

The Newspaper Society further said the public pays for the education of these students in the anticipation that they will be the healers of the future. Instead they have chosen to be those inflicting injury on this occasion, on media personnel who were merely going about their duties. ‘Students of the Medical Faculty comprise the elite of our youth who must aspire to the highest levels of professionalism in their discipline. The crude behaviours of some of them, have cast a sad reflection on the entire faculty,’ it said.

Infection has spread: Editors Guild

The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka has condemned the attack by Medical Faculty students on two photographers and a video cameraman and pointed out that failure to take action against high profile individuals have created an atmosphere for sections in low ranks to carry out attacks on journalists.
The statement said: The Editors Guild of Sri Lanka vehemently condemns the despicable attack on four journalists and seizing of their camera equipment, by a group claiming to be students from the Medical Faculty and security personnel of the faculty hostel.

The Guild does not approve of these continuing acts of violence and intimidation targeting journalists and requests immediate legal action against those responsible.

In recent times journalists have been subject to assault and abduction. Action not being taken against the perpetrators of these crimes has resulted in an increase of such incidents. It was high profile individuals who were behind a majority of violence against journalists in the recent past. However, since no action was taken against any of these individuals, the infection has spread to others.

This trend of intimidating the media by persons of all walks of life has a negative effect on the freedom of expression of a democratic society. The Guild will continue to support the action taken against this trend by various media personnel and organisations.

The body of a member of the LTTE team that attacked Padaviya Police post last morning, was found in Kahatagasdigiliya with gunshot injuries last night. Police fired at the LTTE cadres when they attacked the police post.

A team of 125 Sri Lankan police personnel today landed in Chennai en route to New Delhi for a month's training. The team, which had come from Baticola, would be leaving for Delhi later in the day.

In the wake of the Eastern, North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council elections, the government is now planning to hold elections to the Jaffna Municipal Council to gauge public opinion in the northern capital, a Minister said yesterday.

EPDP leader and Social Services Minister Douglas Devananda said the election would be conducted soon and the government was holding a series of discussions to work out the preliminaries. “We will be able to conduct it before the end of this year.

This is to test the waters in the peninsula,” Mr. Devananda who represents the Jaffna district as an MP said and added that this would be followed by elections to the Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas in the district.

He said in lighter vein that this election would be a battle between him and TULF leader V. Anandasangaree.

The elections to the Jaffna Municipal Council were last held in 1998 after the peninsula was liberated from the LTTE. The TULF won the elections at the time and took over the administration of the council.

TULF member Sarojani Yogeswaran was elected Mayor but she was gunned down allegedly by the LTTE soon after her election to office.

Her successor K. Sivapalan also died in a bomb blast in September 1998 that targeted a Jaffna meeting between the councilors and security officials. He was succeeded by parliamentarian N. Raviraj.

Meanwhile, EPRLF leader P. Sritharan said that he too had heard about government plans to hold elections.

“We will definitely contest if there is an election,” he said.

The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society made a donation of CHF 10000 (US dollars 9100) to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on 30th of August for utilization in its services in the emergency phase in multilateral programming aimed at the recent flood affected people in Bihar State in India.

SLRCS made this donation from the money generated through public donations and cooperate funding collected through the Emergency Disaster Response Fund of the Society.

President of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Jagath Abeysinghe handed over the cheque to Paul Emes, Head of Delegation, IFRC Colombo to send it to Regional Office in India.

Mr. Emes while thanking the SLRCS for the contribution said that this was a sign of Federation had become global. He recalled that the SLRCS had made similar donations when people affected by disasters in China and Myanmar.

National Secretary of the Red Cross Society S.H.Nimal Kumar was also present at the handing over.

A local newspaper is exposing an attempt by a privatized insurance firm to swindle its insurance assets in the event of it being reacquired by the state. ‘Ravaya’ reports that Sri Lanka Insurance management has unsuccessfully tried to register two institutions - Sri Lanka Life Ltd. and Sri Lanka Insurance General Ltd.

The aim of this attempt was said to be to prevent the insurance deeds SLI is already having from being going into the hands of the state.

However, the registration applications had been rejected by Registrar of Companies, as the use of ‘Sri Lanka’ as part of a company name should receive consent by the Minister of Commerce.

Furthermore, no permission has been sought from the Sri Lanka Insurance Board, the state regulatory authority, for the two proposed companies, its directress Lasini Serasinghe has told the newspaper.

The Supreme Court has heard two fundamental rights petitions that challenge the privatization of SLI and only the verdict remains to be delivered.

The hearing of an appeal against the death penalty handed down to Sri Lankan housemaid in Saudi Arabia, Rizana Nafeek has been postponed.

The Dawami District Court, which was due to take up the appeal today (Aug. 30th), had put off the hearing for November, after the services of a translator had not been made available for the case.

Nafix, whose appeal was allowed by KSA's topmost judicial body, had earlier been sentenced to death by the Dawami Court which found her guilty of the charge of murdering the baby in her charge.

However, she has maintained that the infant had suffocated while being bottle-fed.

The leadership battle in the crisis ridden United National Party (UNP) is set to explode in the coming weeks, with a rigid Ranil Wickremesinghe unexpected to make any moves to please some of his party members who are demanding his immediate resignation.

However, an equally adamant group – led by several seniors of the likes of Lakshman Seneviratne, Johnston Fernando, Jayalath Jayawardena and Thalatha Atukorale – has threatened to launch a campaign to ensure his removal from the party.
During a meeting on Friday evening with Wickremesinghe, Parliamentarian Johnston Fernando had warned the UNP Leader that he and his group were like “suicide bombers,” ready to fight for the good of the party.

He had added that even in the event Wickremesinghe sacked him and the other vociferous members from the party, they would fight to ensure his removal from the UNP leadership.

At the meeting, the group – comprising Fernando, Seneviratne, Jayawardena, Atukorale and Indika Bandara – had instead proposed that Wickremesinghe should hold a position similar to that of India’s Congress Leader Sonia Gandhi, but that it should be a powerless position.

However, it is learnt that Wickremesinghe had not responded to any of the calls positively and had instead told the group that he would look after them well with ministerial positions once the party won an election.

The group had then retorted that as long as Wickremesinghe led the party, it would not win any election, and asserted that past records were proof of this.
“The party needs a change; we have been very faithful to Ranil Wickremesinghe, we have protected him in the past during other crises, but today he has to step down if the party is to survive and perform. We have made it clear that we will fight until he makes way for a new face as the party leader,” party front-liner Fernando told The Nation yesterday.

He was of the opinion that Wickremesinghe should move out and let party strongmen Rukman Senanayake, S.B. Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa take over its leadership.

“There are rumours that we are going to join the government. This is utterly false. We are not looking for a party change. We are only looking for a party leadership change. Some interested parties are attempting to shift the attention from the crisis by creating false rumours,” Fernando noted.

At the meeting, the group had also challenged Wickremesinghe on how he hoped to win elections if he decided to remain in his post. In response, the UNP Leader had pointed out that he had brought in many new faces such as popular actor Ranjan Ramanayake and Major General Janaka Perera, who amassed a large number of preferential votes at last Saturday’s election.

However, the group had pointed out that there was no point in them performing well if the hierarchy was not performing well.
They had also said that most new faces had a tendency of coming and going from the party, which would not help the UNP in any way.

“If a vote is called for, Wickremesinghe will stand no chance even within the party. So why should such a person be the leader?” the UNP MP queried.
“He has no option but to leave, we are going to bring in amendments to the Party Constitution after we get approval, then we can move him out from the party,” Fernando said.

“We will do everything possible to ensure he resigns,” Fernando added. The group, which apparently has the backing of some 27 UNP Parliamentarians, intends to hold close door discussions in the coming days to discuss the amendments that should be brought in.
Meanwhile UNP rebel turned Government Minister Rajitha Senaratne has disclosed that his group was willing to enter into a dialogue with a new UNP leadership to discuss a possible return. “We have always wanted Ranil Wickremesinghe out. If he does leave and if a new leader is appointed, then, yes, we are ready to discuss a possible return to the UNP,” Minister Senaratne said.

A transfer order given to a Government Agent (GA) on August 22 and then cancelled the very next working day has raised eyebrows in the public sector.

Mullaitivu GA Imelda Sukumar was in a state of shock when she was transferred to Vavuniya on August 22 (Friday) and was informed the next working day (Monday) that her transfer had been cancelled.

She was informed by the government that while accepting the transfer to Vavuniya she should also oversee Mullaitivu as the Vavuniya GA was being transferred to the Public Administration Ministry.

Accepting the government directive, Sukumar left Mullaitivu and came to Vavuniya to commence her duties on August 25.
The following day (Tuesday) she had been directed by the government to visit Mullaitivu to attend to some official matter. During her stay in Mullaitivu on Tuesday she had been informed that her transfer to Vavuniya had been cancelled.
The Nation learns that a top politician is responsible for this turn of events.

A fibre glass boat builder, also manufacturing trailer covers and furniture at the Fullerton Industrial Estate at Kalutara has recently signed a BOI agreement to develop an export project targeting Europe and the Middle East where potential markets have been identified.

Danusha Marine Lanka Exports (Pvt) Limited, has plans for a joint venture with a reputed foreign company and is also applying for ISO certification of its products.

The company’s Managing Director G.S. Fernando and Mrs. Nilmini Fernando, a director, said that Danusha Marine will make an initial investment of Rs.25 million on this project.

The Danusha Marine group which was incorporated in 1990 currently has a capacity of over 50 boats per month exported mainly to European and Asian markets.

The company builds speed boats, leisure boats, transport vessels, fishing boats, kayaks and paddle boats as well as dinghies.

The new BOI approved company expects to commence production next February investing in an experienced team of professionals and state-of-the-art equipment.

Mahavilachchiya farmers received loans from the Lankaputhra Development Bank on easy terms to purchase hand-tractors at an event held at the Mahavilachchiya Divisional Secretariat recently.


Apart from hand-tractors, loans were also disbursed for investments in diverse sectors such as agriculture and agricultural development, livestock farming and jewellery manufacture.


Lankaputhra Development Bank has been set up with the aim of encouraging and facilitating small and medium scale entrepreneurs who form the backbone of the economy. The Bank has come a long way in fulfilling this objective within a short period of time, providing concessionary credit to these entrepreneurs. According to the Chairman of the Bank, Mr. Sarath de Silva, the Bank should expand the opportunities available to entrepreneurs in rural areas in order to achieve its prime objective of encouraging small and medium scale entrepreneurs. On this premise, the Management at Lankaputhra Development Bank made arrangements to provide Loan Certificates and hand-tractors for projects in the Mahavilachchiya area. This initiative is the first stage of activities that seek to achieve village based development.

A new programme Nildiyawara was launched to dredge sand deposited in fisheries harbours at the Fisheries Harbour in Negombo on Thursday (28), the Fisheries Ministry said.

Minister Felix Perera also opened a fishing net mending centre at the fisheries harbour.

The cost of the entire project was 200 million rupees. About 5,000 fishermen and about 400 deep sea fishing trawler crews will benefit from the project, the release noted.

Labour Minister Dr. Mervyn Silva refuses to honour his pledge that he would resign his ministerial portfolio if Maj. Gen. (retd) Janaka Perera obtained more votes than a disabled soldier who contested the NCP polls on the UPFA ticket.

The Minister said he had no intention of resigning but would do so only if President Mahinda Rajapaksa requested him to step down.

"I am not prepared to dance to the tune of Janaka Perera but if my leader asked me to resign, I will step down immediately," he said.

Janaka Perera polled more votes and demands that Mervyn Silva honours his pledge.

A Sri Lankan student was assaulted and robbed in India on Wednesday, the Indian media reported yesterday. Two suspects were arrested over the incident which took place in Noida, police said.
Aslam Marika from Sri Lanka and Backkoo from Kenya, students of Marwah studio institute in Noida, were robbed on Wednesday night when three motorcycle borne-men snatched the bag of one of them containing a passport and other documents.

The arrested duo has been identified as Sanju and Saluddin, while the third one is still absconding, they said, adding that the bag along with the documents had been recovered.

UNP MP, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardene, lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, stating his right to manifest his religion was denied after being turned away from the Madhu Shrine during the annual feast of the shrine.

Dr. Jayawardene through his lawyer requested the HRC to conduct an inquiry into the complaint, and declare that his fundamental right guaranteed by the articles 12(1), 12(2) and 14(1) (e) of the Constitution had been violated.

He also requested the commission to recommend to the authorities that he and other Catholic pilgrims be permitted to stay at the Madhu Shrine to take part in evening religious activities and prayers.

Dr. Jayawardene said he had been praying on August 14, 2008 in the Madhu Church when a soldier had informed him that a General, who was in the Mission House of the church at the time, wished to speak to him. He had therefore gone to the Mission House and Major General Lalith Daulagana informed him that he had to leave at once as The Secretary, Ministry of Defense had not given him permission to stay there. He had then left the Madhu Shrine and stayed at the Bishops House in Mannar for the night and then returned to Madhu the following morning.

The photojournalists association yesterday condemned Thursday’s attack on their colleagues allegedly by a group of Colombo medical faculty students and urged that their profession be respected.

They urged the government to take stern action against the brutal assault on the Lankadeepa and Sirasa journalists allegedly carried out in the presence of policemen.They said they expected the government to intervene and look into the matter as there was little confidence in the impartiality of the police.

The association’s President Srilal Gomes told a news briefing at the Sri Lanka Press Institute that the journalists were assaulted by the medical students in the presence of the policemen who did not even want to intervene.

He said the Registrar of the faculty had said that the journalists had reportedly entered a High Security Zone without permission and that the students had been instructed to be on their watch. He questioned when and where the area had been declared as a High Security Zone.

Mr. Gomes asked why the police had not taken action against those responsible if the cameras grabbed from the journalists had been recovered.

Meanwhile the association’s Secretary Suranimala Perera asked how medical students who are considered to be part of an intellectual community of the country would serve the people if they adhere to this kind of behaviour now.

He also reminded how some media institutions went out of their way to raise a huge fund of Rs. 30 million to cure a female medical student Samitha who sustained serious spinal injuries recently.

They asked why people treated media in such a shabby manner way when they always tried to help the society in various ways.

The main opposition UNP has established a special fund for the payment of compensation to party supporters who were affected by violence unleashed by pro- government elements during election time.

UNP media spokesman Gayantha Karunatilake told a news conference yesterday that this fund was established at the Working Committee meeting held on Thursday with leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in the chair.

Mr. Karunatilake said the party was able to collect some Rs.3.5 million at the meeting.

“We have decided to pay compensation to our party members whose properties were damaged during the election period. We will continue to maintain this fund for future elections as well,” he said.

Mr. Karunatilake said the Working Committee passed a resolution to compel the government to fully implement the 17th Amendment to the Constitution.

A security officer of former beauty queen and UNP member Rosy Senanayake was arrested last night for attacking Wijeya group employees opposite their advertising office at Union Place- police spokesman.

Sri Lanka has been ranked second among South Asian countries which faced the most violence so far this year. Pakistan tops the list while Bangladesh was the most peaceful country in the region.

National Hospital Director Dr. Hector Weerasinghe said that no one had suffered life threatening injuries in the bomb blast in Olcott Mawatha, Pettah. Among the 47 injured persons, he said, three were discharged after medication while the others are still being treated.

As the annual festival at the most sacred nallur 'Sri Kandaswamy' Hindu Kovil (temple) in Jaffna is reaching its climax with culminating Theru Pooja (offerings), Security Forces in the Jaffna peninsula, have completely lifted the curfew hours from the Nallur Divisional secretariat area during August 29 - 31.
The colourful festival at this historic sacred place, commenced this year on 6th August generally draws thousands of devotees from all corners of the island every year in view of its religious significance. On the instructions of Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, Commander Security Forces, Jaffna, troops in coordination with the Police and other civil organizations have mapped out elaborate arrangements in order to facilitate the movement of devotees for the festival with the least inconvenience.
Removal of total curfew hours from the area has enormously eased passage of the devotees even late at night during next three days, it was declared. However, curfew hours outside Nallur Divisional sector remain unchanged due to security concerns (9.00 p.m.- 4.30 a.m.)
More significantly, Security Forces have also cooperated with temple arrangements by way of supply of many extra state buses, attached to the Jaffna bus depot on a request made. Troops are also planning to distribute some 10,000 lotus flowers and meal packets among devotees, expected for the finale on Sunday ( August 31).
History of this most venerated Hindu temple goes back to the reign of the King Parakramabahu IV who was compelled to appoint Prince Sapumal (Sembaka Perumal), the new Count for Jaffna region, since his predecessor has deceitfully tried to evade paying taxes to the King. The newly appointed Prince Sapumal in turn has fought a great battle against the expelled Jaffna Count and drove him away from the area before establishing his new rule in Jaffna. The new Count finally succeeded. Later, the victorious Prince, a pious Hindu from birth, built a Kovil, dedicated to God Katharagama (God Muruga), closer to his palace and continued his offerings.
However, that Kovil was later destroyed by Portuguese, Dutch and British invaders. The present Murugan kovil was afterwards erected, about 1 km away from the old premises by Mudliyar Mapa and his clan who are said to be inheriting the family legacy until to this date. Nallur Sri Kandaswamy Kovil is well known for its conduct of Poojas, according to precise Hindu traditions and rituals sticking to highest standards of punctuality and discipline.

The Japanese Government has extended further support for humanitarian de-mining activities in Sri Lanka and has provided a grant assistance of US$ 1.6 million (approximately Rs. 170 million) to FSD (Swiss Foundation for Mine Action) and DDG (Danish De-mining Group) to accelerate de-mining activities in the conflict-affected areas, particularly Jaffna, Batticaloa and Trincomalee, so that the resettlement of the IDPs will be further facilitated.
Japan has contributed more than US$ 15 million (approximately Rs. 1,635 million) for mine clearance activities through INGOs as well as for the creation of the "De-mining Unit of the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation" (DUTRM) in Sri Lanka since 2003 through its "Grant Assistance for Grass roots Human Security Projects" (GGP).
The humanitarian mine clearance directly contributes to the resettlement of the internally displaced persons and human security in the conflict-affected areas.
The FSD project carried out in 2007/2008 directly supported 730 families to resettle and restart their normal life in conflict-affected areas.
The humanitarian mine clearance directly contributes to the resettlement of the internally displaced persons and human security in the conflict-affected areas. The FSD project carried out in 2007/2008 directly supported 730 families to resettle and restart their normal life in conflict-affected areas.
The DDG project carried out in 2007/2008 also directly contributed to the resettlement of 938 families and expects to resettle an additional 500 families in Trincomalee and Jaffna.
Along with the cooperation for Humanitarian De-mining Activities, the Government of Japan extended the GGP assistance for livelihood and food security projects to the conflict-affected communities through the local NGOs such as "Sarvodaya" and "Sewalanka Foundation" as well. These projects are being implemented very effectively, creating synergy effects between the de-mining initiatives and the resettlement of IDPs.

An LTTE attack on a joint army and police guardpost was repulsed killing one of the LTTE cadres in Konketiyawa, Kumbukwewa of the Padaviya police area today morning.

A civilian girl caught in the attack also has been injured.

The weapon of the LTTE cadre was found in the area and a search operation is on.

Ten Army deserters who had been arrested by the Military police escaped from detention from the Pelawatta camp on Friday night, Police spoeksman SSP Ranjith Gunasekara said

The deserters had cut the barbedwire fence and escaped from detention, he said.

Colombo-Badulla and Badulla-Colombo night mail trains will be cancelled tonight due to a passenger train derailment at Ohiya at 4.00pm this evening, Railway Controller Nihal Fernandez said.

He said that due to heavy rains railway authorities were not able to attend on the repairs immediately. However, operations would be normal by Sunday evening.

The body of a Sri Lankan housemaid who was killed 10 months ago was bought to the country today.

Ihalagedara Indrani who was a resident of Dodangaslanda, Pansalwatte had gone to Saudi Arabia as a housemaid in March 2005 and her family had not heard any news from her after 6 months.

The Airport police said that the job agency which provided her the job had called her home and informed that she was killed in September 2007 and that the Saudi police is investigating the murder.

The police said that later had removed the buried body and sent to Sri Lanka and Burnt marks are visible in the dead body.

Chief Inspector of the Airport police, Eric Perera told that a post mortem would be held soon according to a complaint which had been lodged by the brother of the deceased. The body lies at the Negombo base hospital.

The Colombo District Judge Sisira Rathnayake, Court yesterday (August 29th) issued summons on the leader of the UNP, Ranil Wickremesinghe to appear before Court on an allegation of contempt of court.
Accordingly, the UNP leader is to appear before Court on September 18th.
The Court issued summons after taking up a petition filed by former UNP MP Anura Bastian and Western Provincial Councillor Sunil Kumara Wijesinghe, which cites the UNP leader and the Convener of the SLFP’ Mahajana’ Wing, Mangala Samaraweera as respondents.
The plaintiffs charged Mr. Wickremesinghe had filed a false affidavit in court in the case filed by them challenging that the alleged agreement entered into between him as party leader and Mangala Samaraweera as being in violation of the UNP’s constitution.
Noting that the MoU that was signed without the approval of the party working committee and the majority of party members was illegal, the two plaintiffs requested the court to issue an order to make the agreement null and void.
The Colombo District Court also issued an interim order that directed to suspend implementing the MoU until the end of the case.

A soldier of the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps, who resisted sexual harassment in the Maduru Oya Army camp has been shot, the ‘Ravaya’ reports.
Afterwards, a statement has been obtained from the victim, identified as Y.K. Sandya Kumari that she shot herself in an attempt to commit suicide, it adds.
The victim has been hospitalized after being shot in the back on March 29th. The bullet has surfaced from her lower abdomen.
The victim’s mother, Mrs. D.M. Siriyawathi has told the ‘Ravaya’ that despite her daughter being hospitalized in a critical condition; she was not briefed on the details until she herself contacted the chief of the Maduru Oya Army camp.
According to Mrs. Siriyawathi, the chief of the Maduru Oya camp, Major Kumarasighe has told that her daughter was hospitalized after shooting herself, the ‘Ravaya’ says.
Also, a lady soldier posted at her daughter’s bedside has told that the victim has shot herself and there was a video tape to prove it, it adds, citing Mrs. Siriyawathi.
This lady soldier has also placed a pen in her hospitalised daughter’s hand and forced her to sign a document, which was given to a SLA officer who arrived for investigations, the ‘Ravaya’ further reports.
Though the condition of the victim has improved after receiving treatment for over three months, she will never recover completely, the weekly tabloid says.
It adds that Mrs. Siriyawithi has lodged a complaint on the true issue with the police headquarters after a complaint has lodged with the Aralaganwila police proved to be in vain.
Though the DIG of the North Central Province has initiated an investigation on the matter, Mrs. Siriyawithi says that she cannot expect justice from the SLA as her daughter’s life is at jeopardy, it further says.
Citing military spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, the ‘Ravaya’ says that the victim has arrived at the Minneriya camp with her mother and as a second statement, said that she was shot.

However, she has deserted her ranks at the present. Investigations cannot be continued until she re-joins her regiment, the ‘Ravaya’ says, further citing the military spokesman.

The Sri Lanka Chapter of Transparency International (TISL) has been severely censured for its collaboration with persons of questionable conduct in the corporate sector, in a letter written to the Director, Global Private Sector Programmes of the TI, by a concerned Sri Lankan citizen.
In a world of very intricate and dubious collaborations, Mr. Amrit Muttukumaru is questioning the credibility of the seminar “Building integrity and transparency in business relationships” organised by TISL with 03 of the 05 listed panellists who were/are Directors of JKH, a corporate entity that has been proved wholly corrupt in its LMSL dealings, with its present Chairman Susantha Ratnayake named for such corruption.
TISL is also questioned for its extravagance in having this seminar at Cinnamon Grand hotel on 03rd September, a five star hotel with JKH shares. Registration for the seminar per person is Rs. 7,500 thus excluding the public in its discussions and Mr. Muttukumaru notes in his letter to Mr. Jermyn Brooks, “If the seminar is serious about 'Building Integrity and Transparency', should it not have specifically included this judgment (LMSL privatisation) in its 'programme' and given it due importance ?”
The said letter also says “It is noted that the programme includes 'suggested next steps for an action plan'! This is indeed very strange because it was only last year that a staggering Rs. 250 Million USAID funded 'Sri Lanka Anti-Corruption Plan' was inaugurated. It was dominated by a handful of NGOs which included Transparency International Sri Lanka, in the absence of any meaningful financial accountability.”

On the special invitation of the Indian government, a group of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians is to tour New Delhi in early September, embassy sources say.
During the Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s visit to Sri Lanka for the SAARC summit, a group of TNA leaders has requested an opportunity to discuss the current political situation of the North- East region of Sri Lanka.
The invitation is extended as a response to their request, reports say.
Accordingly, a delegation of TNA parliamentarians including the party leader, R. Sampanthan is to leave for India during the first week of September.
They are to hold discussions with several leading figures of the Indian government including Prime Minister - Dr. Manmohan Singh, Minister of External Affairs - Pranab Mukherjee and National Security Advisor - M.K. Narayanan.

A bomb explosion in the heart of Sri Lanka's capital blamed on separatist Tamil Tiger rebels wounded at least 45 people Saturday, the military said.
Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara accused the rebels of targeting civilians with the blast.
"They are desperate because of defeats in the northern front lines and are targeting civilians," Nanayakkara said.
Hospital spokesman Dr. Anil Jasinghe said 45 people were receiving treatment for injuries received in the blast.
"Most of them have suffered minor injuries," he said, adding that no deaths were reported.

President of the Chamber of Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Industries Adrian Basnayake said yesterday it was not only unethical but also illegal for doctors to accept offers such as holiday packages from drug companies.

Mr. Basnayake said any such offers should be reported to his association for action against errant companies.

He said so in response to an allegation made by Dr. Ananda Wijewickrema at yesterday’s national colloquium on health issues, at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, that he was aware of bashes organised by drug companies for doctors.

Dr. Wijewickrema said such practices militated against professional ethics of doctors and amounted to measures to influence doctors. There were some pharmaceutical companies bribing doctors by giving them weekend holiday packages to market their products, he said.

Several doctors rising in support of Dr. Wijewickerema said it was common knowledge that drug companies resorted to such methods to market their brands.

Consultant Paediatrician Prof. Priyani Zoysa said unfair marketing practices had infiltrated the medical profession and doctors were sponsored by pharmaceutical companies on foreign trips and given other perks to promote their brands of drugs.

There was corruption. It was not fiction, but the truth. "I have brought this to the notice of the profession but somehow it goes on," she said.

Director, Medical Supplies Division of the Ministry of Health Dr. Hemantha Beneragama said if such practices existed, both the giver and the taker were at fault.

Prof. Krishantha Weerasuriya, (WHO) South East Asian Regional Office, said pharmaceuticals represented a very imperfect market, where the one who decided (the doctor) did not pay and the one who paid (the patient) did not decide.

In such a situation, having an unlimited number of products for the same disease with a price variation up to 1,000 percent could cater to a very small minority who could afford it while those who could not afford expensive brands might have to sacrifice other essentials like food, education or shelter to buy medicine.

The Sri Lanka government in the 1960s had focused on providing affordable generic medicines in keeping with the late Prof. Senaka Bibile’s policies on pharmaceuticals for both the public and the private sectors. This had benefited the people to buy medicine at affordable prices, Prof. Weerasuriya noted.

He said: "Some pharmaceutical companies produce both expensive branded products and the same medicine as an affordable generic product––both of the same quality. Is this defensible in health, legal and commercial terms? It certainly is not defensible in health terms, but that is to judge pharmaceutical companies by an irrelevant yardstick. Companies are commercial organisations whose object is profit maximisation."

Health was a basic right and it was the responsibility of the State to continue to provide quality medicine to achieve the goal of health for all, he said.

WHO Country Representative Dr. Augustiono Borra said he was happy that the WHO with the help of PANOS Sri Lanka with The Island had been able to organise a national colloquium to draw public attention to some contemporary health issues of national importance. Involvement of the media as partners in health was very important as the public expected credible proven scientific information on medicine, Mr. Borra said.

Panos Programme Manager Public Health and The Island Health Editor Dr. Prasanna Cooray said the colloquium had been a huge success in that it had managed to bring professionals from various backgrounds together and generate a national debate, which he said had to be continued in the public interest. He said the colloquium would be taken out of Colombo and opened for those who spoke only Sinhala and Tamil as well. He thanked the WHO and its Resident Representative Dr. Borra for having readily sponsored the colloquium.

Country Representative of Panos South Asia Suvendrini Kakuchi made the welcome speech. Prof. Siri Hettige moderated the colloquium.

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka signed agreements for new projects. Mr. Dhammika Perera, Chairman / Director General signed the agreements on behalf of the BOI and formally presented the investors with the BOI Certificate of Registrations.

The agreement signed with Direct Technologies Limited is for a project to develop and export software and provide IT related services for overseas clients. The investment is made by Saudi Arabian company, National Technology Group.

The company provides Online Stock Trading Solution, "Mubasher". The project will integrate the global solution with reputable banks and brokers to trade with the solution.

Director / General Manager of the company, Arjuna Nanayakkara said "This is our second BOI project and we have been operating is Sri Lanka for over 7 years. We looked at investment opportunities in other Asian countries but decided on Sri Lanka because we have a good base in Sri Lanka for expansion". He also commended the fast service offered by the BOI.

The venture is an initial investment of US $ 300,000 and will generate around 100 employment opportunities. Mr. Arjuna Nanayakkara (Director / General Manager) signed the agreement on behalf of the company.

The agreement signed with Korea Lanka Plastics is for a project to manufacture woven plastic bags for industrial use. The investment for this project is sponsored by Hyosungo & Tec Company, South Korea.

The venture is an investment of Rs. 54 million and will create employment opportunities for a work force of 100.


The manufacturing plant will be located at Horana and will commence commercial operations in September. Mr. Jung Ki Soo (President) signed the agreement on behalf of the company.

BOI also signed an agreement with Bam Apparel to manufacture garments for export by taking over assets and employees of an existing garment manufacturer in Kitulgala. This project is an investment of Rs. 63 million and is expected to generate employment opportunities for 400. Mr. Harshana Mahipala (Director) signed the agreement on behalf of the company.

An earlier travel advisory imposed by the government of Belgium advising visitors to refrain from non-essential travel to Sri Lanka has been revised since Friday, August 29, 2008, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) said.

The new advisory allows tour operators from Belgium to market Sri Lanka aggressively for the upcoming winter season, a release from the Bureau said.

Sri Lanka's government is to build a 250 metre tall common broadcast tower for television, radio and telecom firms, information minister Anura Yapa said.
"The building of towers in a haphazard manner cannot be allowed," Minister Yapa said. "The tower will be a national icon, like those in China, Kuala Lumpur and Tehran."
Sri Lanka's telecom regulator, Priyantha Kariyapperuma said that the tower will be located in the greater Colombo area and will be open to the public with a restaurant and observation deck.
While the government will fund and construct the tower, it has not ruled out a sale later if companies are interested.
The BT Tower in London, UK also originally opened with a revolving restaurant at the top - but this was closed following a terrorist attack.
Despite being opened to the public initially, and dominating the skyline, until the mid-1990s, the BT Tower was officially a state secret, and did not appear on official maps. Its existence was finally "confirmed" by Kate Hoey, MP, on 19 February 1993: "Hon. Members have given examples of seemingly trivial information that remains officially secret. An example that has not been mentioned, but which is so trivial that it is worth mentioning, is the absence of the British Telecom tower from Ordnance Survey maps. I hope that I am covered by parliamentary privilege when I reveal that the British Telecom tower does exist and that its address is 60 Cleveland Street, London."

By BHARATHA MALLAWARACHI, Associated Press Sri Lanka urged civilians living in Tamil Tiger rebel-held areas to flee to government-controlled territory as fighting escalated in the embattled north, officials said Friday.

Tens of thousands of Sri Lankans have been driven from their homes in the north in recent months as government forces seize large chunks of territory that had been controlled by the separatist guerrillas, international aid groups say.
Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said government helicopters dropped leaflets Thursday in rebel-held areas urging villagers to come to government-controlled territory and assuring their safety.
Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said authorities were urging civilians to leave areas of fighting because "the government's main concern is to protect them."
U.N. spokesman Gordon Weiss said about 150,000 people have been displaced from their homes in rebel areas, including about 50,000 within the last three months.
Aid agencies say health authorities are struggling to meet the basic needs of the displaced, but the government insists it is providing adequate food and shelter. In an uncommon arrangement, the government maintains agents and offices inside rebel-held territory to provide services to the population.
The civil war flared 2 1/2 years ago, and the government drove the rebels out of the east last year. The two sides were locked for months in a virtual stalemate along the borders of the Tamil Tigers' de facto state in the north, but troops broke through the rebels' defenses in recent weeks and have seized a series of key towns and bases.
Government officials say they hope to crush the group by the end of the year.
In the latest fighting, air force planes bombed a northern rebel base Friday, and ground battles across the northern region killed 34 rebels and one government soldier, the military said.
Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan could not immediately be reached for comment.
Both sides routinely exaggerate enemy casualties and underreport their own. Independent verification of the fighting is not possible because most journalists are barred from the war zone.
The rebels have fought for an independent state in the north and east since 1983, following decades of marginalization of ethnic Tamils by governments dominated by the Sinhalese majority.
More than 70,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

Sri Lanka Transport ministry is planning to restart the train service between Medawachchiya and Thalaimannar that was discontinued nearly 25 years ago due to the ongoing war in Northern Province.
Ministry officials said that the preparations are now under way to restart the train service between the two cities. Transport ministry hopes to finalize the arrangements before the end of this year.
“Then we can restart the train service between Medawachchiya and Thalaimannar at the beginning of the next year,” a Ministry official said.
Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma had taken this decision with regards to the government development programs in the liberated areas in Northern Province of Sri Lanka.
According to the Sri Lankan Railway Department the train service on the northern track, which headed to Jaffna and Thalaimannar is now limited to the Medawachchiya.

Handicraft products produced in Kegalle District of Sri Lanka is quite renowned among craft lovers across the world. In order to make this sector more proficient, the National Crafts Council (NCC) has decided to take the exquisite craftsmanship of the region to newer heights.

According to Mr Buddhi Keerthisena, the Chairman of NCC, construction work for two common facility centres has already been started, to provide training to craftsmen of the region. Even, a crafts showroom has been opened at Kitugala by the members of the ‘Kelani Kala Crafts Society’ – Yatiyantota with assistance of NCC.

New training programmes will be introduced by NCC for the artisans of Kakurugammana and Thellka villages, to sharpen their skills. These trainings would include application of latest technology to handicraft industry, new designs to handicraft making.

NCC has arranged marketing opportunities for ten crafts people in Kegalle District at the trade fairs conducted at National Art Gallery Colombo and Kuliyapitiya Town Hall.

The President has extended the one-year maximum period of detention without a court order by another six months, 'Ravaya' reports.
Through gazette extraordinary 1561/11 of August 05th 2008, the president has appointed the Defence Secretary as the executing authority.
According to the newspaper, the gazette extraordinary says the Defence Secretary order the holding of a detainee for further six months after the lapse of a year, if his release endangers national security.
The detainee will have to be produced before a magistrate every 60 days, and cannot be freed without prior written permission by the Attorney General, it adds.

Police have been severely reprimanded for failing to produce Labour Minister Mervyn Silva before court in connection with a poll-violence incident in Polonnaruwa.
Taking up a case pertaining to an attack on a shop during the recent provincial polls, Magistrate Ruwan Pathirana also asked the OIC of Dehiattakandiya Police as to how Attorney General's advice could be sought without court permission.
The magistrate ordered the DIG of the North Central Province and the SP of Polonnaruwa to inquire into this and submit a report on September 29th.
Mr. Pathirana also inquired from the police as to how the law could be enforced differently for different persons.
Meanwhile, Minister Mervyn Silva was at the Colombo Magistrate's Court today (Aug. 29th) to face charges of assault of a SirasaTV cameraman, but the police had not turned up for the proceedings.
The minister was accompanied by Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Prasanna Ranaweera and 'Munchee' Nihal.
Peliyagoda Police had given no reason for their absence, and additional magistrate Manjula Tilakaratne postponed the hearing until September 14th.

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets conducted two air raids targeting a Sea Tiger training facility and a mortar location in the Wanni this morning and afternoon (Aug 29).
Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara speaking to defence.lk said that the first air raid was launched around 11.30 AM targeting a Sea Tiger training facility located 4.5km Northwest of Poonaryn junction in Kilinochchi. .
Later, the fighter jets targeted an LTTE mortar location situated 3km North of Nachchikudha , around 1 PM. The air raid was conducted in support of Task Force 1 troops operating on the South of Kilinochchi warfront, said the Air Force spokesperson.
The SLAF sources said that both targets were accurately acquired.

Security forces continued multi-pronged counter terrorist operations at the Wanni and Northern battlefronts Thursday (Aug 28), as military reports confirmed 20 LTTE terrorists killed and 10 wounded in the fighting.
6 other terrorists were also believed either killed or seriously wounded during the day's operations. A soldier has laid his life and 26 sustained injuries military reports further stated.
Heavy fighting was reported in the Vavuniya- Mullaittivu battlefront in general areas at Palamoddai and Navathkulama: 14 LTTE terrorists were killed, 7 injured and 4 others reported as either killed or wounded in the clashes.
According to reports, troops of the Task Force 2, have increased offensives at LTTE strongpoints in the area since yesterday and reportedly have overrun an LTTE garrison located at the Palamoddai area. 4 soldiers had received injuries during the confrontations, sources said, in addition to another soldier who was reported wounded due to an AP mine explosion.
Meanwhile, troops have also recovered 2 LTTE bodies following a separate confrontation with LTTE at Palamoddai, around 4p.m.
Confrontations were also reported between troops of the 58 Division and LTTE at VANNERIKKULAM, North East of Nachchikudha yesterday. According to military, a soldier has laid his life while 18 others were reported injured during the day's confrontations.
At the Eastern Mullaittivu battlefront, at Andankulama skirmishes escalated between troops of the 59 Division and LTTE, killing 5 terrorists and injuring 3 others according to reports. 2 soldiers were also wounded during the confrontations, military further said.
On the Jaffna theater of battle, a soldier was reported wounded due to an AP mine explosion in general area Nagarkovil, at around 8.40a.m.

Mr. Chris Du Toit, Chief Security Advisor, United Nations Department of Safety and Security Sri Lanka and Mr. Steve Ray, Field Office Coordinator and Deputy Head of Office UN-Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian affairs, on Wednesday (27) met Major General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander Security Forces, Wanni (SF-W) in order to receive an update on the present security and civil situation in the Wanni area.
Major General Jagath Jayasuriya briefed the visiting UN representatives on ongoing humanitarian operations in the Wanni and many relief measures in operation for relocation of civilians, arriving in cleared areas under the troops. Special attention was particularly focused on developments taking place in the Kilinochchi sector villages as LTTE violence was on the rise.
Major General Jagath Jayasuriya told the visiting delegates how the SOS plans now put into practice with coordination of ICRC, UNHCR and other government and non-governmental organizations. Security provided to those displaced people also figured during the discussion. Meanwhile, representatives of the ICRC, UNHCR and Mrs. Ketheeswaran, on behalf of the Vavuniya District Secretariat, during a separate meeting with Wanni Commander, Major General Jagath Jayasuriya Wednesday (27) afternoon, discussed elaborate arrangements now in place to receive hundreds of civilians, reaching cleared areas under the troops due to LTTE atrocities. It was decided that those people from un-cleared areas should be received warmly and provided them with initial basic needs on arrival in cleared areas and be directed afterwards to temporary shelters. As the second phase, those displaced people are to be housed in major centers for Internally Displaced Persons, the meeting was told.

Kanthan, a leader of LTTE in Batticaloa, who was arrested by Special Task Force (STF) yesterday (28) with a cache of arms committed suicide by drowning himself in Batticaloa lagoon while travelling in a boat with STF to show another hideout of LTTE weapons.

Police Media Spokesman Ranjith Gunasekara said that Kanthan was arrested with a large cache of arms, ammunition and other military gear. They included; a claymore, two T-56 rifles, 475 numbers of T-59 ammunition, three magazines, 29 numbers of 9mm rounds, two hand grenades, a camouflage LTE uniform, shirts, Army uniforms and a large stock of medicine.


Another cache of arms was recovered last evening following information obtained from Kanthan. He promised to show another stock of arms and when STF was taking him to the hideout he jumped into the lagoon and drowned himself, police said.

Sri Lanka Freedom Party People's Wing (SLFP-PW) leader Mangala Samaraweera says that an alternative media center on war will be set up since the Media Center for national Security (MCNS) and state media do not reveal the truth of war.

He said that the alternative media center will hold media conferences every fortnight to reveal the truth to media.

Mr. Samaraweera says that the state that launched a media operation until August 23 upholding the view the security forces were close to capture Kilinochchi, went into a suspicious deep silence after that. He says that establishing a media center that will relate the truth regarding war to public cannot be delayed in this context.

He further stated that the contrast between the statements made by state authorities and the other news sources regarding the LTTE air raid in Trincomalee increases the necessity of such media center.

United National Party (UNP) Media Spokesman Lakshman Kiriella points to the contrast between the results of opinion polls and the real election results and says that the UNP is conducting a study to find if this election made a long time tradition collapse or if it was done artificially.

MP Kiriella says that five opinion polls held by National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), NGOs, civil organizations, the government and the opposition calculated that the percentage of the winners would be between 0.5% and 1%. He questions how all five opinion polls were faulted and the opinion polls did not reflect the people's opinion.

Addressing a press briefing held in the official residence of the Opposition Leader yesterday (28) Mr. Kiriella said, "In each election, the polling agents were allowed to seal the ballot boxes. It is questionable why it was not allowed in this election. Political party agents were not allowed to follow the motorcade that transported the ballot boxes to the counting centers. Some ballot boxes were handed over to people clad in clothes similar to Army uniforms. As a whole, there were many unacceptable phenomena in this election."


The way the government funded LTTE before the Presidential was revealed one and half years later. In the same wasy things behind the Provincial Council election would also be revealed in the future and UNP is currently studying them, he said.

ONE of the two Tiger terrorists who had tried to harm troops at ARIYALAI, JAFFNA Thursday (28) was gunned down and his dead body with two hand grenades and a cyanide capsule was found by the troops, a few meters ahead of them.

Those two terrorists, pretending to be ordinary civilians had come closer to the troops in the area and unsuccessfully tried to throw a hand grenade at them, but alert troops overpowered their criminal attempt after firing at them. Troops immediately searched the area and found the dead body of one terrorist along with two hand grenades and his cyanide capsule. The dead terrorist was handed over to the JAFFNA hospital through the Police. The other terrorist mingled with civilians and slipped the scene.

Meanwhile, one soldier was injured due to explosion of an anti personnel mine on Thursday (28) at about 8.40 a.m. in NAGARKOVIL, JAFFNA.

Former fruit and vegetable exporter to Maldives C.P.Jayatunga, 49 whose body was found at Cooray Mawatha, Welikada Rajagiriya had been strangulated to death before leaving behind his body in his own car, Police investigations have revealed.

An unidentified body has been found close to the Ethulkotte junction away from the Parliament road, Rajagiriya police said.

The National Trust Sri Lanka, which operates as a national body, for protecting and safeguarding the tangible and intangible heritage of Sri Lanka, including: sites, monuments, sculptures, paintings, artefacts, music, dance, and the fauna and flora, has linked with Sri Lanka Tourism, in a joint bid at conservation.

Investor attention waned in Friday morning trade at the Colombo bourse for property shares after yesterday's heavy punting in this sector with the market being sluggish most of the day, stock brokers said.

The curfew in the Nallur AGA division in Jaffna has been relaxed from the 28th to the 31st of August in view of the Nallur Hindu festival.

At least six prisoners including four EPDP cadres were injured when a grenade went off inside the Batticaloa prisons today morning, police said.

Ports Authority Chairman Saliya Wickramasuriya tendered his resignation with effect from September 1 citing personal reasons, Ports Authority Spokesman said.

A prominent businessman was found shot dead in a vehicle at Welikada, Rajagiriya this afternoon, Police Spokesman confirmed.

An Army Major in civil attire who was not given permission to enter a high security zone had physically assaulted a police constable in Sugaskanda today. The Police officer had been admitted to the Kiribathgoda hospital.

IGP Jayantha Wickremaratne has appointed a special police team to hold an inquiry into the incident of burning down the house of Dr. Raja Johnpulle, UNP district manager of Anuradhapura, assaulting him and causing damages estimated at Rs. 500, 000.

The special police team headed by SP Kuliyapitiya Ranjith Padmasiri on Wednesday commenced investigations at the residence of Dr. Johnpulle at Harischandra Mawatha, Anuradhapura.

The team recorded statements from Dr. Johnpulle, his wife and the nurses present at the medical centre at the time the house was set ablaze.

The IGP appointed this team after the Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge of Anuradhapura Ruchira Weliwatte on Monday (25) directed the IGP Jayantha Wickremartne to discontinue investigations into the incident by the Anuradhapura police and promptly appoint a special police team for the purpose.

The rights petitions of MTV channel and its journalist against Minister Mervyn Silva and the IGP claiming Rs 110 millions as compensation was yesterday (28) re-fixed for support on September 4.

The matter was listed to be taken up yesterday before a Bench comprising Justices Ms Shirani A. Bandaranayake, Saleem Marsoof and P.A.Ratnayake. However Justice Marsoof was not in attendance and Justice Ratnayake also was disinclined to hear the matter.

The Registrar was directed to list this matter before a Bench of which Justice Ratnayake is not a member.

The MTV channel and its media personnel J.K.A.Waruna Sampath cited Minister Mervyn Silva, Peliyagoda SSP K.D.Somapala, IGP, Peliyagoda HQI Jagath Rohana and the Attorney General as respondents. Sanjeeva Jayawardena with Manoj Bandara and Rajiv Amarasuriya instructed by Sudath Perera Associates appeared for the petitioners.

Petitioner Waruna Sampath stated that his employer on July 31 received a communication from the Media Unit of the Ministry of Highways and Road Development inviting them for the ceremonial opening of the second stage of the Jeyaraj Fernandopulle memorial fly-over bridge and on August 1 a further communication from the Media Unit requesting them to provide media coverage for the said event. On August 4 too they received another invitation from the Department of Information requesting them to provide a media team to cover the event.

He stated that the said opening was to be held at the very same location in Kelaniya where Minister Mervyn Silva had previously abused and threatened MTV and told its personnel not to attend any government function within the Kelaniya electorate.

Petitioner Sampath stated he had expressed concern for his safety to News Director Susil Kindelpitiya who in turn telephoned the Highways Minister’s Media Secretary Shirantha Premawardane and inquired as to whether adequate security would be provided to the MTV media personnel at the event. He stated the Media Secretary had informed Kindelpitiya that there was no need for concern and that he too would be present at the ceremony.

In view of this re-assurance as well as the fact the function was one which had state patronage and the occasion was to be graced by the Prime Minister, he and MTV were confident that there would be harm coming to either him or his crew and consequently agreed to cover the event.

The Petitioner was detailed to cover the event together with a camera assistant, Deeptha Ranasinghe and MTV provincial correspondent, Saliya Ratnayaka.

He said while he was recording the events/activities prior to the ceremonial opening, Minister Mervyn Silva together with his security contingent and associates, arrived at the location and told MTV media personnel to leave the place immediately.

Minister Mervyn Silva then approached the petitioner and first asked for the video camera and tried to forcibly grab his video camera, which is the property of MTV, from him. When the petitioner refused to release the video camera several associates of the Minister surrounded him and grabbed him by his shirt collar. He claimed he had spotted SSP Somapala close to where the incident took place but he had walked away without rendering any assistance or protection to him or his crew.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says giving timeframes for the completion of northern military offensives would be a pointless exercise.

The commanders of the three armed forces are having a clear-cut war strategy, and the operations to liberate the north are progressing successfully, he told the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo .

The Wanni offensive is being carried out as a precursor to a political solution to the national conflict, Mr. Rajapaksa added.

Speaking further, he condemned the Air Tiger raid on the Trincomalee naval base three nights ago, but stressed it was no indication the military has weakened.

The Defence Secretary also elaborated on the plight of the war displaced in the north.

Foreign diplomats have been briefed about the homeless, he said, adding that it was an achievement of the military that there have been zero civilian casualties.

Mr. Rajapaksa said the Sri Lankan armed forces were one of the best disciplined in the entire world.

Only the armed forces could bear arms and anyone else armed will be considered terrorists, he added.

Being well-prepared and capable of fast and effective triage (the sorting and treatment of patients based on the degree of their injuries) are the key to caring for war-wounded.

That is the core guidance given by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in war surgery seminars it has been conducting in Sri Lanka, Morven Murchison, the ICRC health coordinator in that war-torn country, said.

Treating those injured in battle requires specialised training and knowledge of traumatic injuries caused by bullets and explosives, she said. "It is different to what you would get under ordinary circumstances. War surgery is not something that you would learn in-depth at medical college."

The ICRC has been conducting - in Sri Lanka since 2001 - a series of war surgery seminars for medical personnel who work with victims of conflict. In July 2008, it concluded the sixth such series for personnel working in the conflict-affected northern areas. The seminars were conducted by two experienced war surgeons from the ICRC's headquarters in Geneva.

"This year the programme targeted personnel working in hospitals in the conflict zone like Jaffna, Padaviya, Mannar and Vavuniya," Murchison told IRIN. "The participants include doctors and others like nurses and physiotherapists involved with treating the wounded."

Two seminars were held in 2008 - one in Anuradhapura, a north central town, and the other in Jaffna in the north. A total of some 50 participants attended the two training sessions.

Murchison said the aim of the seminars was to give medical personnel the latest knowledge on treatment and management of the war-wounded in the field.

Awareness of wounds

Medical staff needed to be aware of the damage that could be caused by a ballistic wound and how best to treat it.

"You have to know what a bullet will do when it hits the body, or a fragmentation mine or a landmine. And when the wounded start coming in [in large numbers] triage is very vital. you classify cases based on the [extent] of the injuries," she said.

Newer techniques in triage and managing the wounded were two vital issues examined at the seminars, according Champika Abeyakoon, medical officer at the government hospital in Padaviya town in the northeast, who was a participant.

"We got a chance to compare our management methods with those from other situations in the world," Abeyakoon told IRIN. "There was a lot of emphasis on newer techniques in triage and treating trauma."

Since 2006, on several occasions his hospital has had to deal with civilians injured by fragmentation mines, some of which had targeted public transport buses.

Need for practical training

Abeyakoon said that in future seminars he would like to see practical training sessions and the inclusion of more surgeons working in the field. "That will help us to gain greater knowledge of the wounds and what needs to be done."

ICRC's Murchison told IRIN such suggestions would be considered.

"The next seminars in 2009 will have a component in which we will have practical sessions involving the use of dummies for training," she said. "We try to structure the seminars according to the needs and feedback of the participants."

Sri Lanka's health infrastructure was in a better position to deal with the war-wounded compared to other countries where the ICRC works. "It is not like in Darfur where there is hardly any equipment and facilities," she said. "Here the hospital network is pretty good but what we need is more training."

SriLankan Airlines recently marked a significant milestone in the country's aviation history when Captain Anusha Siriratne was appointed as the National Carrier's first Lady Captain.

Congratulating Ms. Siriratne , the airline’s CEO, Manoj Gunawardena said that it is a significant event for the National Carrier.

“Sri Lanka has been in the forefront of women’s empowerment and it is certainly high time that a Sri Lankan woman took command of an airliner.”

SriLankan has several female managers in senior positions in most of its nine Divisions. It has also employed women in areas that have traditionally been dominated by men such as aircraft engineering.

Leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Mahajana Wing Mangala Samaraweera has called for unity among all progressive forces in the opposition under a common symbol to come out strong from the present political abyss.

Speaking to the media in Colombo today (Aug. 28th), he said, "President Mahinda Rajapaksa had won the provincial polls by claiming the battlefront victories of the three armed forces as achievements of his own and by selling their fame. We should admit that the opposition and social forces have weakened after the election. All progressive forces in the opposition should join hands under a single symbol to come out of this political fall down."

According to him, the ruling party with executive powers always emerges winner at provincial or local government polls.

Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga had overcome that challenge by bringing small parties together and building up the People's Alliance, Mr. Samaraweera noted, adding that it is obvious in Sri Lankan politics that the opposition could not triumph without such a broad alliance.

The SLFP (M) leader went on to say that he was confident as a person who had led and won election campaigns for 14 years from 1993 that a union of opposition parties would find it easier to defeat the anti-democratic Rajapaksa junta at a provincial or local government election.

However, he warned that remaining inflexible along political, religious and other lines would make it difficult to form such alliances.

Despite the JVP's opposing stance on the national issue, the party could become a member of a wide-ranging political union in order to reestablish democracy, Mr. Samaraweera stressed.

Speaking further, he said the government's victory at the polls for the North Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces was nothing to be proud about, as, unlike the UNP, the UPFA had failed to improve on its votes from the 2004 elections.

The SLFP (M) leader is of the view that giving unconditional support in politics is the shortest way to dictatorship.

"History has proved that people's vote could also create an authoritarian ruler. Adolph Hitler was the result of the absence of a strong opposition. It was the beginning of a tragedy of massive proportions that both the opposition and Hitler were of the same stance," he said.

Through his craftiness, the dictator had painted Jews and Bolsheviks as the worst enemies of the German people and misled them. Similarly, the showing of the LTTE as the common enemy of the suppressed people of Sri Lanka prevails over President Mahinda Rajapaksa's inefficient governance, Mr. Samaraweera added.

Chief Editor of 'Nawamani' newspaper, M.P.M. Azhar, passed away this morning (Aug. 28th).

UNP M.P. Lakshman Kiriella said, the Govt. converted its defeat which was writ on the wall before election into a victory by election law violations, violence, deception and manipulation. Like how the President won the last Presidential elections by the illicit pact with the LTTE which came to light only later ,after one and half years in power , when his own Ministers exposed the fraud ; even in these elections , all the deceits and malpractices indulged in by the Govt. are beginning to seep through , only now.


The malpractices are so many that he cannot recount all of them at once, he added. However, he explained how the usual practice of sealing the ballot boxes with wax and even the vehicles travelling behind guarding them were obstructed. This was definitely a premeditated plan by the Govt. to racket. In some instances, the ballot boxes were carried and transferred by men in army uniforms without proper identification. These malpractices among others were further confirmed because , this is the first time all the pre election survey results conducted by all recognized bodies including the State bodies and NIB ( which conducted 5 surveys ) , went wrong. All of them projected a very close fight and stated either party, whoever may be the winner cannot get more than 1% votes over the other.

The UNP is continuing its investigations and evidence is mounting against the Govt. in confirmation of the suspicions, he exhorted.

The President by moving heaven and earth to abstain from implementing the 17th amendment is only proving that, if the independent Police Commission, the Elections Commission, the Public service Commission and others are appointed duly by the Constitutional Council as required under the 17th amendment , he cannot use and manipulate the Police Force , the Elections procedures and the State media in the way he wants and he will be bound to adhere to the laws of the country and constitution which is not the case now , he regretted.

The Govt. would have suffered a humiliating defeat if it had had elections lawfully and democratically , which fact not only the opposition parties , but even the voters are aware. A robber is not a winner even if he maneuvers and aligns all the powers with him, because some day he has to face the consequences. Hence, it is a victory for the UNP who seeks victory on the genuine votes of the people, he concluded.


The UNP is to find out as to how the government had proved all opinion polls wrong and emerged winner at the election for the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils.

He said they would inquire into malpractices at the polls at district level.

He said the national intelligence, civil society groups, pollsters supporting the government and the opposition as well as the media had all maintained in the run up to the election it would be a very close one and that the difference between the two main parties would be around one per cent.

A feature of this election was that a higher number of women had exercised their franchise to protest the 'war in the kitchen' due to escalating commodity prices, Mr. Kiriella said.

A high turnout of around 60 pc in both provinces would have been advantageous to the opposition, going by the accepted political and electoral traditions.

Speaking further, he said that election officials had failed to seal the ballot boxes at the conclusion of the voting, as is the usual practice, and UNP observers were refused to accompany their transport to counting centres.

In some instances, the ballot boxes had been taken into the care of persons in military uniform, upon whom the UNP spokesman cast doubts whether they actually were military personnel.

At many polling centres, the ballot papers made available had been tampered with, as in the case when the party's Medirigiriya organizer K. Nelson had gone to vote.

Despite all these obstacles, it was quite an achievement for the UNP to poll around 40 pc of the votes in both provinces, he said.

The non-execution of independent commissions under the 17th Amendment helped the government to misuse the state media and property in its electioneering and unleash terror against its opponents, Mr. Kiriella alleged.

The government promised to completely defeat the LTTE and capture Kilinochchi by Election Day, and the president had said that war would have to be reconsidered if the election was lost, which were clear indications that it had waged war to win elections.


Mr. Kiriella reiterated the UNP challenge to the government to conduct a general election, which Minister Dallas Alahapperuma had accepted, but the president had immediately intervened and refused, because he was certain of defeat, Mr. Kiriella added.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the European Union (EU) Ravinatha Aryasinha recently protested to the President of the European Parliament Dr. Hans-Gert Pottering, on the aspersions cast on the Sri Lanka government by Robert Evans, Member of the European Parliament, who headed a group of MEPs to Sri Lanka in late July.

The row between the Government and the visiting MEP delegation arose after Mr.Evans told journalists at a press briefing that the government had sabotaged a pre panned visit by them to visit the east during their five day trip to Sri Lanka from 21-25 July 2008.

Ambassador Aryasinha said Sri Lanka was keen to engage with the European Parliament cutting across country and party lines, and it was in that spirit that a comprehensive programme was arranged for the visiting EU Parliamentary delegation, in the period requested by them, despite the heavy commitments of the SAARC Summit the following week.

The EU President appreciated Sri Lanka’s efforts to engage the European Parliament through the South Asia Delegation and also the Friends of Sri Lanka group and stated that he looked forward to welcoming a parliamentary delegation from Sri Lanka to the EU Parliament. President Pottering expressed concern about the turn of events concerning the recent visit and requested a report from his office on this matter. He also emphasised that this should not discourage Sri Lanka’s engagement with the European Parliament.

Earlier, Ambassador Aryasinha expressed appreciation to President Pottering for the personal role he had played in expediting the rapid Tsunami assistance package which was granted to Sri Lanka through the European Parliament and also for his intervention in obtaining assistance from the German Government.

Security forces have taken control of the Palamoddai town, ahead of Vavuniya marking a significant milestone in the ongoing military operations, the Defence Ministry said.

The town is located 10 kilometres north west of Omanthai, the last point held by the Security forces on the A 9 (Kandy- Jaffna road) above Vavuniya town.

Troops of Task Force 2 advanced along the northwestern border of the Vavuniya district on the west of the A-9 road have gained the total control over the Palamoddai town despite LTTE resistance.

At least seven LTTE cadres were killed and 12 others were injured.

Earlier, troops of Task Force 2 recapture the the Navvi village on July 11.

The UNP reforms on reorganising the party will be ready by, party General Secretary Tissa Attanayaka said.

He said that the decision was taken at the party’s executive committee meeting.

Mr. Attanayaka ruled out that any decision was taken to amend the party constitution.

Earlier in the day, an official at the UNP headquarters said a group of four party MPs had met leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and asked him to step down.

Given this situation, the official predicted the WC meeting to be a heated one.

However, the four MPs - Johnston Fernando, Lakshman Seneviratne, Indika Bandaranayake and Thalatha Atukorale - had all agreed with the seniors' proposals.

Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene has ordered the IG Police to take immediate action and apprehend the medical students allegedly behind the mob-style attack on a group of journalists near Carey College Punchi Borella.

A photo journalists from the independent Wijeya Newspaper group were allegedly assaulted by a large group of medical students while they were taking pictures during the course of a mild newspaper interview and their camera equipments forcibly taken away.


Later a Sirisa and Lankadeepa cameraman who had arrived at the scene to cover the incidents were brutally assaulted by the students resulting in the hospitilisation of the Sirisa journalist.

At least 10 students were later questioned by the Cinnamaon Gardens Police and later released after their statements were recorded..

Meanwhile several Media Rights organizations strongly condemned the incident and called on the police and relevant authorities to hold an urgent inquiry and apprehend all those behind the attack saying it was a real threat to media freedom in the country.

A mission of the Cyprus division of Doctors of the World is currently in Sri Lanka to hand over to the Sri Lankan authorities a series of projects that have already improved the standard of living of locals, especially after the December 2004 tsunami and its consequences.

Member of the mission Aphrodite Christinaki has told CNA that the first official visit of the mission was to Honorary Consul of Cyprus in Sri Lanka Sicille Priya Carmini Kotelawala, who referred to the work of the organisation in the years following the tsunami.

During the visit, Neapolis Bishop Porfyrios, who is participating in the mission on behalf of the Church of Cyprus, said the people of Cyprus, who have suffered in recent history, are concerned and help others.

The Malaysian government has revoked the visa-on-arrival (VOA) facility for nationals from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, a Malaysian news report said Thursday. According to the report the ruling came into effect on Aug 1.

Malaysia has introduced the VOA scheme in September 2006 to promote tourism in the country. However the Malaysian cabinet recently has made the decision to revoke the VOA privilege to nationals from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka Afghanistan, Colombia, Israel, Montenegro, Serbia and 21 countries in the African continent as well.

The foreign nationals with VOA overstaying the 30-day visa period is reportedly the reason for the government to take this step. According to the Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung 5,093 Sri Lankans have overstayed the visa period. Indian nationals are the largest group of violators.

Sri Lankans can obtain a Visa Without Reference (VWTR) or Visa With Reference (VWR) at the Malaysian Embassy. VWR is issued for those traveling only on business or investment for two months initially with a four-month extension while the short term travelers with VWTR gets a visa for one month initially with another month extension.

A total of 29 Tamil civilians from the non-liberated areas at Mullaittiuvu and Kilinochchi Districts have sought protection with security forces yesterday (Aug 27) at Pulmoddai (Eastern coast) and Iluppaikkadavai (Western coast) military detachments.

According to military, 17 civilians including 3 women, 2 girls, a boy and 11 men were among those who had arrived at the coast of Pulmoddai, in a fiberglass boat at 2p.m. The civilians have fled due to unprecedented hardships experienced in the hands of LTTE, including forced abductions and fear of child conscription by the outfit who are running blank of fighting cadres.

Earlier, on Wednesday, 10 more Tamil civilians had arrived at Pulmoddai and sought protection with security forces, according to military reports received.

In addition, 2 more civilians found protection with troops at the newly liberated Iluppaikkadavai area in the Western Wanni battlefront, at around 8.45a.m.

EAST: TEN CIVILIANS including of four women, one girl, one boy and four men belonging to four families from un-cleared areas in MULLAITTIVU, reached PULMODDAI in government controlled areas seeking Army protection on Wednesday (27) at about 6.25 p.m.

They were handed over to the Police for relocation.

EAST: ALERT TROOPS serving recovered ten chargers containing 700 gram gelignite, five non -electric detonators, four ft safety fuse, one T-56 weapon, one magazine, thirty rounds of ammunition and portable radio set from GANDHINAGAR, KANGANKUNGU and IRANKULAM areas in TRINCOMALEE on Wednesday (27).

Those items, believed to have been kept concealed by Tiger terrorists intending a bloodbath in civilian dominant areas in the east were handed over two Police authorities.

Meanwhile, members of the Special Task Force of Sri Lanka Police found two hand grenades and one 15-kg heavy claymore mine from KATHTHANKUDY in BATTICALOA area on Wednesday (27).

WANNI: WEDNESDAY’S (27) pitched confrontations in the VAVUNIYA front covering areas such as PALAMODDAI inflicted death on eleven more Tigers and injuries on thirteen more terrorists.

One brave soldier in the same area fell victim to explosion of an improvised explosive device, planted by the terrorists on Wednesday (27). Two more soldiers sustained wounds during confrontations and blast of LTTE anti personnel mines.

Meanwhile, forward-marching troops of the 59 Division in the WELIOYA sector were able to capture three more LTTE trench lines on Wednesday (27) killing five more LTTE terrorists. Fighting wounded seven more terrorists during clashes in the general area of ANDANKULAM. Troops, engaged in de-mining work in the same area unearthed 26 anti personnel mines and 7 improvised explosive devices. Troops confirmed that they were able to overrun three LTTE trench lines in the same ANDANKULAM area during Wednesday (27) fighting.

TRINCOMALEE: AIRMEN of the Sri Lanka Air Force on ambush following reliable information were able to kill two Tiger terrorists moving about in VELLANKULAM area in TRINCOMALEE late night on Wednesday (27).

Those two T-56 weapon carrying Tiger terrorists including an area leader called, VINEETHAN perished in the attack according to the Air Force. Both dead Tigers were removed to TRINCOMALEE hospital for post-mortem and investigations. Recovered two T-56 weapons were handed over to the Police. The incident took place at about 9.15 p.m.

Police investigations are in progress.

KILINOCHCHI: DETERMINED and advancing troops of the 57 Division, bagging more and more gains in the battle-front late Wednesday (27) evening expanded their territory further and amalgamated ALANKULAM area with rest of the areas captured by the troops in TUNUKKAI to the west of MULLAITTIVU.

Fighting in the east of TUNUKKAI, ALANKULAM and areas, about 2 km to the east of NACHCHIKUDA in KILINOCHCHI district that lasted till Wednesday (28) dusk inflicted death on nineteen Tigers. Heavy fighting was effectively backed by Sri Lanka Air Force fighter craft intermittently taking precise terrorist targets as terrorists were resisting troops’ advance.

A well-fortified LTTE bunker line was reduced to the ground during those clashes in TUNUKKAI area as the heat of the fight escalated.

Four valiant soldiers made supreme sacrifice during the day’s fighting. Thirty-two injured in the clashes were admitted to hospital for treatment immediately after their injuries. In the meantime, troops dominating newly captured areas with the help of engineers were able to unearth sixty-two LTTE anti personnel mines from TUNUKKAI areas.

ONE HUNDRED and twenty-two soldiers attached to HENANIGALA Army camp in DEHIATTAKANDIYA were admitted to DEHIATTAKANDIYA hospital this morning (28) following a history of food Poisoning.

Reports said soldiers after consumption of their breakfast with fish have developed vomiting and fainting due to reasons still to be investigated.

All 122 soldiers in hospital are reportedly out of danger but the medical experts maintain it would take some time for full recovery. A sample of the food is to be referred to the government analyst and the Medical Research Institute in Colombo 8 for further investigations.

An LTTE local area leader for Trincomalee North and another member was shot dead in Vellankulam in Trincomalee in ambush by the air force on Wednesday night.


It was not immediately clear as to how the two LTTE members were operting from a cleared area in the east.

Meanwhile the STF recovered a claymoremine of 6.5 kilograms, a hand grenade and two detonators in the Kalmunai area on Wednesday.

Dehiattakandiya police have started preliminary investigations into the food poisoning of that resulted in 272 soldiers being admitted to hospital.

The soldiers attached to the Sennanigama army training camp fell ill this morning after their breakfast, Police sources said.

Police sleuths suspect that it could have been a case of the food being deliberately adulterated.

Six of the soldiers are reported to be in critical condition.

A newspaper photographer and a video cameraman of private television station were beaten by the security and students of the Medical faculty hostel and their camera equipment damaged today afternoon.

The photographer attached to the Lankadeepa newspaper had been assaulted when he was photographing a student who was being interviewed. The student had consented for the interview.

Initially the security officer had objected for the photographs being taken claiming that the board of the hostel was also being photographed. After the security guard assaulted the photographer students too had intervened and also assaulted the cameraman.

A video cameraman of the Sirasa TV station also who arrived there had been assaulted and his camera damaged.

Complaints have been lodged in the police.

Meeting their leader Ranil Wickremesinghe this morning (Aug. 28th), UNP MPs Thalatha Athukorale, Lakshman Seneviratne, Johnston Fernando and Indika Bandaranayake have requested him to step down.

Responding, the UNP leader has assured them that their request would be raised at the party's Working Committee that meets later in the day.

Party MP Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena had earlier agreed to accompany the four WC members to meet Mr. Wickremesinghe, but had later changed his mind, saying that he did not want the leader to resign at this moment.

The UNP WC has 90 members, but only these four called for change in the party leadership.

Former opposition leader of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council A.A. Wijetunga is seeking a reappointment and has written to UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe over the matter.

Mr. Wijetunga is reportedly receiving the backing of Ratnapura District MP Thalatha Athukorale, said sources at the UNP headquarters.

The position was likely to go to Ranjan Ramanayake, but the ex-opposition leader has pointed out that he had contested only for chief minister.

Mr. Wijetunga is also asking the party leader consider the services he has rendered to the party and the province in that position.

At last week's Sabaragamuwa PC polls, Mr. Ramanyake polled the highest number of preferential votes (130,258), while Mr. Wijetunga obtained only 26,280 votes.

Meanwhile, the North Central Provincial Council is facing no such situation as its former opposition leader A.M.R.B. Abeysinghe failed at the election.

The Justice and Peace Commission in the Wanni has written to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on the plight of internally displaced people in the area.

Its president Fr. James Pathinathan handed over the memorandum to the Resident Representative of the UNHCR in Wanni on August 26th.

The appeal notes that epidemics were threatening the people in the absence of sufficient medical facilities.

The JPC staged a protest march, joined by hundreds of people, including religious heads that began from Kilinochchi St. Theresa’s Church.

Following is the full text of the appeal:

JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION - WANNI
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF JAFFNA
St. Theresa's Church, Kilinochchi

His Excellency Ban Ki Moon
The Secretary General
United Nations

Date: 26 August, 2008

Your Excellency,

PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF WANNI

Wanni has been the eye of the war storm for the past two years. Deaths, injuries, displacements and attendant misery pervade the lives of the innocent Tamil civilians. The Draconian economic embargo imposed slyly on Wanni has become a monstrous obstacle even in giving relief and solace to the 170,000 persons recently displaced. Day and night, Wanni is thundering with Artillery Guns, Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers, Supersonic fighter jets and Naval gunboats.

A great human tragedy is exploding in Wanni which is calculatedly concealed from the world outside.

The Sri Lankan Government and its Security Forces with scant regard to, leave alone the Geneva Ethical Codes on the Conduct of War, humanitarian concerns for their fellow citizens, wage an aggressive and ruthless war in Wanni. The sanctity of the civilian settlements, hospitals, schools and places of worship are blatantly violated with impunity.

The Sri Lankan security forces heavily bombard villages after villages forcing the people to flee from their traditional homeland. Not once, but again and again displacements continue. Even before the displaced people begin to settle down in one place, they are shelled to flee again. This inhuman exodus goes on and on. People are languishing under trees and on the waysides under the scorching sun and dusty winds, and in pouring rain and thundering blasts of artillery and mortar shells. Only a few of the displaced take shelter in schools, places of worship and with friends and relatives. All these innocent people continue to live amidst severe deprivations.

The assistance that reach the people from GOs, NGOs, INGOs and the people of goodwill, even though praiseworthy, are not adequate to cater to the basic human needs of theirs. Even though the Government claims to allow all the necessary amenities, essentials such as Tarpaulin sheets, water containers, fuel, medical supplies and food are drastically slashed at the entry-exit points in reality. There are severe restrictions imposed on the movement of the INGOs thus hampering their humanitarian services to the helpless displaced people.

Besides the old and the sick, pregnant women and lactating mothers and children are the most affected ones. School children are subjected to untold hardship and bitter and traumatic experiences. The General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) examinations is being held in the country now and imagine the plight of these children who are sitting this exam under these tragic conditions. If the situation is such with the grown ups, imagine the plight of Grade 5 children who sat for the scholarship exam on the 17th August, 2008. Epidemics are threatening the people in the absence of sufficient medical facilities. Drinking water has become a scarce commodity.

These innocent people continue to live amidst dire distress.

These fundamental human rights violations strike all over Wanni, and the truth of which doesn't reach the world at large. There are numerous obstacles calculatedly laid across the path of truth so that the dissemination of it is effectively arrested. Instead, diabolic lies are spread with ease. Prevention of the media personnel from entering Wanni and reporting impartially on the horrendous situation of the innocent Tamil people is the most cruel and cunning mode of the repressive violence perpetrated by the Sri Lankan Government.

The call of the hour is urgent. Protect the people of Wanni who are threatened with death and destruction and dehumanization.

This is an ardent appeal from the Justice and Peace Commission - Wanni to the people of goodwill all over the world.

Fr. James Pathinathan,
The President,
Justice and Peace Commission – Wanni

President Mahinda Rajapakse has expressed his regrets to UNP Anuradhapura District Manager Dr. Raja Johnpulle whose house and dispensary were set on fire by a gang right before the elections. President had agreed to help him to recover the losses, Dr. Johnpulle said.

While warning that the victory in the provincial council election would lead to a government dictatorship, SLFP (M) Convenor Mangala Samaraweera called for the setting up of a joint opposition alliance a short while ago. He also added that he would initiate an alternative defence information centre to educate the masses on the real situation of the war.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) yesterday said the government’s bid to show that the party is week by getting other minority parties to contest alone at the recently concluded provincial council election to show their strength had failed.
SLMC General Secretary Hassan Ali in a statement said yesterday that the government’s effort had failed because of the miserable performance of some pro government political Tamil parties who contested alone.

Mr. Ali said the government used intimidation and violence to win the provincial council election just as it did at the provincial council election in the East. He said holding a free and fair election without the implementation of the 17th Amendment has become impossible. The SLMC said the party has been successful in getting its candidate in Kegalle District Rawuther Naina Mohamed elected to the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council while Hussen Ahamed failed to get elected narrowly. However he said Mr. Ahamed will be the next in the list and has the chance of entering the council in the event one of the UNP members resigns.

The Sinhala speaking jury in the murder trial of slain journalist Sivaram Dharmaratnam was dissolved since one of the prosecution witnesses was not present for the case or his whereabouts was not known.

When the case was taken up for inquiry before the High Court Judge W.A.T. Ratnayake yesterday it was revealed that the Sinhala speaking jury had been dissolved since the third witness for the prosecution Prasanna

Pubudu Ratnayake was not present for the case.

The court appointed a Sinhala speaking jury to hear the trial on the request of the defence. The journalist Sivaram Dharmaratnam was killed on or about January 05, 2005 and the suspect Arumugam Sri Skandaraja was indicted for the killing before the Colombo High Court.

The hearing was fixed for October 4.

Netherlands Ambassador in Sri Lanka Leuni Cuelenaere expressed her concern on the TID interrogation of WPF leader and parliamentarian Mano Ganeshan.

She expressed her concern when she met Mr. Ganeshan at his office yesterday.

Deputy Head of Missions Netherlands Embassy Ferdinand Lehnstein also accompanied the Ambassador.

TID questioned Civil Monitoring Commission Convener and Western Peoples Front Leader Mano Ganeshan for six hours from 11am on Tuesday.

The questions were based on his peace delegation visits to Killinochchi during the CFA period in 2002 and 2004.

He was questioned for more than nearly seven hours during which he was asked whether he had developed any special relationships with LTTE during those visits.

Mr. Geneshan has said he had visited Kilinochchi several times and carried a message to LTTE leader Velupillai Prabakaran from then president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to Karuna Amman in 2005. This has been his last visit to Kilinochchi

WPF Leader accepted the written request extended to him by the Director of TID. This is in accordance with our policy of supporting the maintenance of Law and Order and cooperating with the legal system.

The Sri Lankan authorities have expressed hope that the Sri Lankan woman in death row, Rizana Nafeek, might soon be released.
The Supreme Judicial Council in Saudi Arabia has ordered the lower court to hear an appeal against the death sentence.
Sri Lankan ambassador in Saudi Arabia, Abdul Ajeed Mohammed Marleen, told BBC Sandeshaya that the appeal hearing is scheduled to be taken on 27 August in Dawami.
Rizana Nafeek was found guilty by a court in Saudi Arabia of killing an infant on her care and sentenced to death in 2007.

The conviction was based on the statement given to the police by Ms. Nafeek, allegedly admitting killing the baby.
However, Ms. Nafeek has told the court that she did not admit killing the infant, Mr. Marleen said.
The counsel hired by the embassy on behalf of Ms. Nafeek has submitted a written appeal based on a couple of grounds, he added.
Suspicions were raised on the interpreter whose services were hired by the Saudi police.
“According to our information, the interpreter was a Malayali national from Indian state of Kerala. We have genuine doubts over his interpreting Rizana’s statement at the police,” the ambassador told BBCSinhala.com.
Mr. Marleen added that the interpreter was not called in to the trial to cross question over the accuracy of his translations and it will be difficult to call him now as he has left Saudi Arabia.
He stressed however that although not taken as the final say in Sri Lanka, confessions are considered as valid evidence according to Saudi legal system.
The ambassador expressed hope that Rizana Nafeek would be released on Wednesday as the Supreme Judicial Council has already upheld the objections by transferring the hearing to the lower court.

By Dayan Jayatilleka, PhD

Foreign policy derives from a country's efforts to best represent its national interests in the world, and to reconcile those national interests with existing yet changing international realities.

The challenge before Sri Lanka's current foreign policy is to correctly identify and defend the country's fundamental interests in a changing world. As a small country, our foreign policy should always be globalist. It should build bridges cross-regionally, reduce or diversify our dependence and give us more scope to engage in power-balancing. A concerted effort must be made to reach out at a high political level, to all three continents of the global South, and we must reaffirm our commitment to our traditional non-aligned foreign policy stance.

What are Sri Lanka's fundamental national interests? The defence of the nation's independence and national sovereignty and the restoration of territorial integrity are clearly fundamental to the country’s interests.

In concrete and contemporary terms, this translates itself into the eradication of the LTTE as a military enemy. In terms of foreign policy, this means obtaining external support for and limiting external opposition to, the elimination of the LTTE's military capacity.



In this struggle, we need the support of our neighbours, particularly the support of Asia's rising super-powers: India and China.

China is a reliable and long standing friend and shares our views on state sovereignty and secessionism. However, we also need the support of our closest neighbour- Asia's other rising power-India. A laissez-faire policy on her part would enable the LITE to operate relatively freely from or through Southern India. Given the simple realities of geography - India is a vast and very near neighbour; we will not be safe if India turns against us, or simply turns away from us.

For its part, the West has demonstrated that it is not averse to the fragmentation of existing states and the proliferation of new ones. The recent recognition of Kosovo by Western countries is a clear example of this. Moreover, other powerful phenomena, such as transnational capital, neo-liberal economic policies, international NGOs, the influential Tamil Diaspora, and the Sinhala and Tamil 'federalists" also give the West both incentives and instruments for undermining this nation's sovereignty.

The West therefore would consider the military victory of the Sri Lankan state over the LTTE an undesirable outcome and would prefer a negotiated settlement.

However, we Sri Lankans know from bitter and bloody experience that negotiations with the LTTE cannot lead to a settlement within a united Sri Lanka, and that entering negotiations would only give the Tigers a respite while debilitating the morale of our soldiers. Therefore, as long as the LTTE remains possessed of hostile intentions and a military capability, there will be a conflict between Western perception and policy on one hand, and the fundamental strategic and security interests of the Sri Lankan state on the other.

The answer to this does NOT reside in a foreign policy that is isolationist or even purely Asiatic (which is but a regional version of that isolationism). It resides rather in building as broad as possible a network of allies among those nations which privilege state sovereignty and oppose any attempts to weaken the state through external (interventionist) or internal (secessionist) means.

This means a foreign policy that is firmly anchored in Asia but not restricted to our home continent; a foreign policy that constantly renews its non-aligned credentials and character (reaching out to Latin America and Africa); and strengthens strategic ties with those states (chiefly but not exclusively Russia and China) that value state sovereignty and act as counterweights to the forces who would weaken sovereignty and the state.

Our foreign policy must constitute a set of concentric circles. The innermost circle will inevitably be our regional South Asian identity but this should be enveloped by considerations of our broader Asian identity. However our Asian identity too should in turn be surrounded by our developing country (G 77) and non-aligned identities, our Euro-Asian identification and finally by our character as a (legitimate, democratic) state fighting terrorism.

However, this last objective cannot be pursued unilaterally, and for the moment, the West refuses to treat us on the basis of this identification. Sri Lanka has to operate within this context and maximise the political space available to it while striving to prevail over the LTTE.

A foreign policy is only as good as those who represent and implement it, and if we are to secure the external strategic environment that will enable us to win the war-indeed to continue waging it - the principle of merit has to be rigorously observed or re-instituted.

However constructing this architecture is not the main challenge to Sri Lanka's foreign policy. That challenge springs from the changing, transitional nature of the world order. Today that world order is living through the effects of recent changes and current ones. We live in a period of history that is post-Cold War, and post 9/11, but also in the throes of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. We are living through an era that will see the end of uni-polar hegemony but not of uni-polarity since the US will remain the sole superpower, the resurgence of Russia and the rise of Asia led by the explosive economic rise of India and China. All this is known, if insufficiently digested, but it is not all, and the most dramatic changes may be yet to come.

It is probable that a new, positive cycle of world history will commence If Barack Obama wins the forthcoming US presidential elections. If he succeeds, be may not only legitimise and complete the liberal democratic revolution in the US metropolis and thereby hasten its globalization, he may also, being himself a synthesis of civilisations, pave the way for addressing clashes of civilisations.

That change, the paradigm shift represented by Obama, epitomising anti-discrimination, equality, multi-culturalism and meritocracy, is already underway in the USA and will eventually influence the world at large. Is the Sri Lankan mindset ready for such a change? Defending our vital interests in such an era of dramatic change will require nothing less than a change within our collective consciousness and identity. Our policy, profile and we ourselves will have to change. We shall have to evolve.

That is the main challenge before our decision makers and policy makers. Particularly those policy makers and diplomats responsible for conceptualising and managing our relations with our external environment in a changing world.

Dayan Jayatilleka is Sri Lanka's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, and holds a PhD in Political Science from Griffith University, Brisbane. The views expressed in this article are his private ones.

SLAF MI-24 helicopter gunships launched successive air strikes at identified LTTE bunker defences located 2km East of Nachchikudha in Kilinochchi, today (Aug 27) at around 4.30 p.m.

The air strikes were launched, also in support of the Army troops advancing along the Mannar-Pooneryn main road, Air Force sources said.

WELIOYA: A GROUP of civilians numbering 17 of ten families arrived in PULMODDAI area in WELIOYA sought protection from the troops on Wednesday (27) around 2.00 p.m. Those civilians from MULLAITTIVU un-cleared areas have fled in a fiber glass boat leaving their homestead due to LTTE harassment. Two girls, one small boy, three women and eleven men were among them.

At the same time two more civilians reached the troops in ILUPPAKADDAVAI, MANNAR on Wednesday (27) morning around 8.45 a.m. They were hand over to the Police for onward investigations.

Lanka IOC, the only Sri Lankan fuel retailer other that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, saw its post-tax profits more than double to Rs 1.0 billion in the quarter to June 2008 from Rs 490 million in the corresponding 2007 period despite fluctuating fuel prices and higher costs during the period under review.

LIOC, in a communication to the Colombo Stock Exchange late on Wednesday, said interest/finance costs fell sharply while turnover increased marginally to Rs 10.9 billion from Rs 9.7 billion in the periods under review.

Gross profit at Rs 1.2 billion was marginally up from Rs 973 million but the lower interest costs boosted net profits. World fuel prices have been easing in recent months to a low of $109 per barrel against a high of $140. The LIOC share in the Colombo bourse has gained in recent weeks (before June) in anticipation that the company profits will rise with overseas crude rates falling.

Police have detected some explosives and T -56 bullets from a jungle area in Sinnanagar in Muttur this evening.

Among the recovered explosives were a claymore mine weighing five kilos, a rocket and eight grenades, Police said. They also found 630 T 56 bullets.

The rising cost of food and the urgent humanitarian needs of newly displaced people in Sri Lanka's war-torn districts have forced the UN and other aid organisations to appeal for increased donor funding. The UN's resident representative in Sri Lanka, Neil Buhne, told IRIN non-governmental organisations (NGOs), were asking for US$190 million - up from about US$145 million sought at the beginning of 2008 - mainly for emergency relief, protection and early recovery projects.

The All Party Representative Committee (APRC) will submit a document to the UNP in the course of this week outlining the progress it has made in its deliberations so far and on the issues on which a consensus had been reached, Chairman Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana said today.

The University of Kelaniya has given a punishment transfer to its employee R. Keerthi Tennakoon, who is also spokesman for local election monitor Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE).

Secretary of CaFFE Senaka Wattegedara has informed the Free Media Movement that in addition to Mr. Tennakoon's transfer from the Faculty of Social Sciences, he is to face a disciplinary inquiry.

Five Media, including the FMM, said in a statement that this constituted an infringement of fundamental and freedom of expression rights.

Mr. Tennekoon acted as CaFFE spokesman during the recent polls for the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces.

Quoting from the establishment code of universities, the statement said campus staff has the right to express their political viewpoints.

Five Media said it considered the action as politically motivated, and urged university authorities to halt exacting revenge from Mr. Tennekoon.

The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the Colombo High Court’s indictment of journalist J.S. Tissanayagam on terrorism charges for articles he published in 2006.

In a news alert, CPJ says that the Terrorist Investigation Division arrested Tissanayagam, the editor of news Web site OutreachSL, and five of his colleagues within a few days in March 2008.

Three of the group were released later that month, according to the Free Media Movement.

‘Tissanayagam and two others, OutreachSL manager N. Jasiharan and his wife, remain in custody without charge. It is not clear if Jasiharan and his wife have also been indicted,’ it adds.

Charges against Tissanayagam cite a magazine, North Eastern Monthly, which the journalist edited in 2006, according to his lawyer, M.A. Sumanthiran, who spoke with CPJ by telephone on August 25th.

Two charges relate to articles Tissanayagam wrote for the magazine.

The journalist’s lawyer told CPJ that the government said the articles incited communal disharmony, an offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

A third charge says he furthered an act of terrorism by collecting money from NGOs to publish the magazine, he told CPJ.

Tissanayagam, an ethnic Tamil, is also a columnist for the Sri Lankan weekly The Sunday Times.

FMM's Sunanda Deshapriya told CPJ that North Eastern Magazine was a known as a pro-Tamil English-language publication that was not considered pro-LTTE, he said.

It closed down over a year ago.

“We condemn J.S. Tissanayagam’s long detention and harsh charges for publishing a magazine, which should not constitute an offence,” said Bob Dietz, CPJ Asia Program Coordinator.

“This is the latest step by the Sri Lankan government to intimidate journalists who write about security issues.”

Tissanayagam pleaded not guilty because he does not believe he committed a criminal act, Sumanthiran told CPJ.

He was denied bail and will go to trial on September 18, the lawyer said.

Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, denied to Human Rights Watch on August 12th that Tissanayagam had been detained for criticizing the government.

“Some of their publications were designed to embarrass the Sri Lankan government through false accusations,” Wijesinha said of Tissanayagam and “his business associates,” according to the text of the letter, which is published on the website of the Sri Lankan permanent mission to the UN in Geneva.

He does not name the business associates in the letter.

Tissanayagam’s Sunday Times column, written from a Tamil viewpoint, frequently tackled issues sensitive to the Sri Lankan government, including security issues.

One of his final columns before his arrest was titled “Child soldiers: What the govt. report did not report.”

Addressing a press conference held in the office of the Opposition Leader, Major General Janaka Perera said that he would permanently reside in Anuradhapura district to fulfill the task he was given and the oppressed party men would be supported by him.

Denying a state media report that stated ‘Janaka Perera leaves for Australia’, the retired Major General said that he would be committed to politics in North Central Province.

He further said: “This election was not free and fair at all. Since thousands of people stood against state terror and violence, the government moved to a strategy to change ballot boxes. A group that went from the Presidential Secretariat bribed the Senior Polling officers and District Secretaries to implement this scheme. Polling agents were not allowed at this election to seal the ballot boxes. UNP is collecting data from each and every polling center and the party leadership will decide what action to take accordingly. Minister Mervin Silva challenged that he would resign from his portfolio if I would achieve more votes than disabled soldier Upali. Since I have gained more preferential votes than the top runner of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Berty Premalal Disanayaka, now he can submit his resignation to the President amidst the fire cracking of the happy supporters.
“It was reported that I had achieved 136,000 preferential votes while Berty had gained mere 79,000 before his son Minister Duminda Disanayaka rushed into the counting center and assaulted the officials. Later my preferential votes reduced to 116,000 while Berty’s rose to 105,000. Some respectable polling officers rejected the proposal to change the ballot boxes. Duminda’s operation followed it. If it was not there, UNP’s votes could be further risen while my preferential votes could go up to the level of 250,000. Mr. Ranjan Ramanayaka said that other than state terrorism, state media aimed at insulting him personally. The photo of injured Ramanayaka was published in a newspaper in mirror form and Ministers sling mud at him based on it. The newspaper apologized for this in its front page and a half page advertisement of Mr. Ramanayaka was published free of charge while the Ministers were silent on it.

He charged that the government hired several artists each paid Rs. 15,000 to praise the government war strategy through public media after the election propaganda was over.

He said that some Ministers blamed the organizers without getting on to the rally stages since there was no crowd. In such background, the result could not be admitted since it was gained through frauds, malpractices, terror and wrong manipulation of state power, Mr. Ranjan Ramanayaka said.

An unidentified group attacked a business place belonged to Rizvi Mohammed, the Media Secretary of Major General Janaka Perera who gained the highest number of preferential votes from North Central provincial Council .

The café run by Mr. Mohammed was attacked by a group that came in a double cab and in several motorcycles around 1.30 AM on 26th , according to the complaint lodged by Mr. Mohammed’s uncle.

Mr. Rizvi Mahammed lives under cover due to threats to his life. He has received threats that two houses and another business place belonged to him will be destroyed.


Mr. Berty Premalal Disanayaka said in election rallies that he would ‘look after’ the people of Anuradhapura after the election. Mr. Mohammed is also a resident of Anuradhapura.

SriLankan Cargo has recently introdued an air-conditioned storage area in addition to its wide range of facilities at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport.

The new facility at the BIA Cargo Centre has a temperature range of 15-25 degrees Celsius, and is ideal for temperature-sensitive items that should not be placed in traditional cold rooms where the temperature is below freezing.T he BIA Cargo Centre already has facilities such as Freezer Rooms (0 to minus 30 Celsius), and Cool Rooms (0 to +10 Celsius).

Customers with perishable or temperature-sensitive items of cargo are advised to instruct their agent or supplier at the point of origin to indicate the required storage temperature range in the Airway Bill.

SriLankan Cargo is the freight handling arm of SriLankan Airlines, and has positioned Colombo as the “Hub in the Ocean” to carry all types of cargo into and out of South Asia, in particular linking the fast-growing Indian economy with the rest of the world.

SriLankan Cargo is also the handling agent for cargo carried by all airlines through BIA.

Spices and Allied Products Producers' and Traders' Association (SAPPTA) states that 2008 will be a record breaking year for Sri Lanka clove exports which earned Rs. 3 billion exporting 5,000 metric tons.

According to SAPPTA, during January - June 2008, Sri Lanka has already exported 4,838 tones of cloves and should end up by the end of the year, exporting around 5,500 tonnes. Earnings from exports during January - June 2008 was Rs. 2.7 billion and for the year 2008, this figure should go past Rs. 3 billion.

“Exports of cloves from Sri Lanka have been mainly to India as Sri Lankan cloves enter India duty free under the Indo Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) as against a tariff of 27 to 35% applicable to other origins. Of the total exports from Sri Lanka, over 90% is exported to India and this trend will continue as long as the advantageous tariff continues to be made available to Sri Lanka,” explained SAPPTA sources.

(KUNA) -- Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Tourism Faizer Musthapha said on Wednesday that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) tourists to Sir Lanka increased 30 percent in 2008, marking a noticeable improvement.
Musthapha told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) upon his meeting with Kuwaiti tourism officials that he was expecting this number to double next year, according to Sir Lankan tourism plans.
He pointed out the his country was keen to attract more GCC tourists, in the light of future tourism plans to develop the tourism sector, asserting on the importance of providing all possible means to facilitate Kuwaiti-Sir Lankan tourism cooperation.
Musthapha explained that the security situation in Sir Lanka would be restored soon.
On his part, Acting Commerce and Industry Undersecretary Jamal Al-Shaya said that Kuwait was seeking through such meetings to activate that role of local tourism through benefiting from other countries successful experiences.
Al-Shaya who is assistant undersecretary for corporate licensing tourism affairs pointed out that Sir Lanka obtained a lot of potentials that enables the country to be tourism hot spot.
He said that promoting bilateral cooperation between both countries, namely in the area of commerce topped their meeting talks, as well as activating the role of joint commercial committees Kuwaiti investors best interests.
Al-Shaya further noted that the ministry was sparing no expense of effort to revive local tourism through family projects strategies.

Six naval personnel were killed and 24 others injured in an air raid by the LTTE on the Trincomalee Naval Base last night (August 26th), defence sources said.

Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry website, citing Navy sources, said the navy base was warned by the Air Force of an approaching Air Tiger aircraft around 9.00 pm.

"After few minutes, naval troops detected the aircraft and engaged it with anti aircraft guns. The machinegun fire caused the aircraft to make away without entering the naval dockyard," it adds.

Noting that the LTTE craft dropped two bombs into the camp, the website says that only one had exploded.

Communication was cut off with the eastern port city following the incident.

The LTTE is yet to confirm the said air attack.

A journalist was injured in an accident involving opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe's vehicle in Anamaduwa today morning, eyewitnesses said.

The accident occurred when Mr. Wickremesinghe was on his way to the residence of the journalist to visit his father who is ailing.

The vehicle had collided with the motorcycle of the Journalist, Terrance Wanigasinghe close to the residence of the journalist.

The journalist attached to the Divina newspaper is reported to fractured his leg in the accident.

Mr Wickremesinghe was in the area to visit the offoce of UNP MP Ranga Bandara which was set on fire on Sunday.

Air Force fighter jets bombed LTTE bunkers located two kilometres west of Nachchikudha in the Kilinochchi district on Wednesday morning, a military spokesman said.

The attack was carried out in support of ground troops advancing in the area.

The military said the attack was successful.

The Special Presidential Commission Investigating Serious Violations of Human Rights (Commission) will begin public hearing on the two terrorist attacks at Kebitigollawa and Digampatana in 2006 after the conclusion of the ongoing probe on the massacre of 17 aid workers of the French NGO Action Against Hunger in Muttur and five youth in Trincomalee in 2006.

Upon returning to the country today morning from the Beijing Olympics sprinter Susanthika Jayasinghe stated that she would retire from athletics very soon.

Mano Ganeshan, the Western People’s Front (WPF) leader and Civil Monitoring Commission against Disappearance (CMC) convener, was questioned by the Terrorist Investigation Division for more than six hours yesterday -- causing panic among party members and the entire opposition.

Mr. Ganeshan said that he was questioned about his tour of Kilinochchi during the ceasefire period. He said the TID personnel had asked him whom he had met while in Kilinochchi. They had also asked him whether he had any LTTE connections, to which he had replied in the negative.

He had also given full details of his meeting with Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa and Mr. Jeyaraj Fernandopulle prior to the presidential election -- when they had asked him to help them to communicate with the LTTE.

Mr. Ganeshan had been asked to come to the TID office in Colombo and give a statement in writing. He had accordingly gone there at around 11.00 am last morning. Questioning had ended at around 6.30 pm.

The WPF Leader said he was a law abiding person as he was a Member of Parliament. He said he would not engage in any unlawful activity: “We try to achieve our goals within a democratic framework and cannot understand why the government subjected me to an interrogation,” he said.

He asked why only he was questioned when there were a number of government ministers facing charges who had not been questioned.

Mr. Ganeshan denied reports that he was questioned about one of his party’s candidates who contested the provincial council elections and was accused of involvement with the LTTE.

A number of UNP MPs, including Johnston Fernando, Lakshman Seneviratne, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardene and Thalatha Athukorala had rushed to the TID office. Some of them had stayed there till Mr. Ganeshan was released.

The European Union (EU) will examine a draft report on Sri Lanka sometime next month before it is put forward to the EU Parliament, an EU official said.

The report prepared by an EU delegation which visited Sri Lanka recently is expected to tilt heavily against the government.

Philippe Kamaris, Administrator, Directorate General for External Policies of the European Parliament said the European Parliament's delegation for relations with South Asia would examine the draft mission report on Sri Lanka most likely by mid next month.

“From a procedural point of view, what I can say is that the situation in Sri Lanka will again be on the agenda of the EP's Delegation for relations with south Asia when it will examine the draft mission report, likely in mid September,” Mr. Kamaris said in a short email to the Daily Mirror.

He said the report would subsequently be forwarded for a follow up to the relevant Parliamentary Committees of the House including the Foreign Affairs Committee, the International Trade Committee and the Human Rights Subcommittee.

The report is likely to have an impact on the deliberations by the EU when it considers the extension of the GSP Plus trade concession for Sri Lanka in October.

The government on its part, the Daily Mirror learns, has initiated moves to counter the report and is of the view that most of the delegations members who visited Sri Lanka recently led by EU Parliamentarian Robert Evans, were biased in their findings and are mainly after votes from the Tamil Diaspora in the EU at the next elections to the EU Parliament.

Under the GSP Plus concession awarded in 2005 to help Sri Lanka rebuild after the 2004 tsunami, Sri Lankan exporters enjoy preferential tariff treatment from the EU. As a result, the EU is Sri Lanka ’s biggest export market, accounting for annual sales of around $1 billion; about half are covered by GSP Plus.

Beneficiaries must however comply with 27 international conventions, on environmental, labour and human rights standards to be eligible for the concession.

Sri Lanka's failure to address human rights concerns, including a "frightening" number of abductions, could cost the island nation a lucrative trade concession, the European Union warned last month.

"The European Parliament delegation remains extremely anxious about the impact a possible loss of GSP+ status would have on the economy and employment in Sri Lanka," the EU said last month.

Holcim Lanka, the Sri Lankan subsidiary of the Swiss cement multinational, says it is interested in bidding for a defunct cement plant in northern Jaffna that is eyed by India's Birla group.

Holcim Lanka chairman Manilal Fernando said Tuesday he believes the government will give all interested parties a chance to bid on equal terms for the plant.

"Holcim is interested," he said. "We're sure the government will go about it in a transparent manner so all those who are interested can be given the chance to bid on equal terms."

Construction minister Rajitha Seneratne, who has been promoting the Birla deal, said other cement firms could also bid although they had not made any proposals so far.

"Any foreign investor can come and make an offer," he said. "We are having talks with the Birla group."

The government plans a site visit with company officials to assess the current state of the plant in Jaffna, which is cut off from the rest of the country as the Tamil Tigers control the land route. The only access is by air and sea.

Asked if others firms too could bid for the plant if they are interested, Senaratne said: "They can if they want to. But all this time there were no bids. Everybody said they were interested but nobody came."

India's Aditya Birla group had proposed reviving the defunct cement plant in Kankesanturai in the northern Jaffna peninsula following talks in Colombo earlier this month.

The plant is sitting on a rich limestone deposit in Jaffna and had long drawn the interest of other cement producers such as Holcim, and Tokyo Cement, which is partly owned by Japan's Mitsui.

But they had been deterred so far by the risks of the war, with the plant now part of a sprawling military base and damaged by shelling by Tamil Tigers in previous battles.

The plant is owned by Lanka Cement, a government firm listed on the Colombo bourse, whose share price has been rising in recent weeks after reports of the Birla deal.

Senaratne has said he was keen to revive the plant in Jaffna both to meet the current cement shortage and bring down high prices and also to provide youth of the peninsula employment opportunities.

Birla's interest was sparked by the current worldwide shortage of cement owing to a construction boom, especially in emerging economies like China and India, which have sent up cement prices.

The Defence Ministry today stated that 10 Navy personnel were injured after the LTTE air raid on Trincomalee Naval base and harbour.

MTV Channel, and one of its journalists who was allegedly attacked, have filed two fundamental rights applications in the Supreme Court against Minister Mervyn Silva and the IGP, claiming Rs. 110 millions as compensation.

MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited and MTV journalist J. K. A. Waruna Sampath filed these applications citing Labour Relations and Manpower Minister Mervyn Silva, Peliyagoda Police SSP K. D. Somapala, The Inspector General of Police, Peliyagoda Police HQI Jagath Rohana and the Attorney General as respondents.

The petitioners complained that Mervyn Silva manhandled, assaulted and forcibly snatched two video cameras from media personnel attached to the television company who were present to cover the ceremonial opening of the second stage of the flyover bridge at Kelaniya on August 8, 2008, on an official government invitation.

They complained that the media personnel were subjected to cruel and degrading and inhuman treatment and their freedom of movement and freedom of expression were violated by the respondent.

The petitioners stated that, when they were at the scene to cover the ceremony, Mr. Silva had come there and told the MTV media personnel to leave the place. When they informed him that they had come at the invitation of the media secretary of the Minister of Road Development, their cameras had been snatched. When the media personnel protested Mr. Mervyn Silva had grabbed Waruna Sampath by his collar and asked for the cassettes.

This unlawful incident had taken place in the presence of senior law enforcing officials and, unfortunately, instead of providing security they had left the place despite the victimised media personnel pleading for help. Later, when the petitioner went to make a complaint to Peliyagoda SSP D. Somapala, he had asked the media personnel why they had come to Kelaniya when Mervyn Silva had ordered them not to.

The petitioners also stated that President Mahinda Rajapaksa and several senior government ministers and other groups had condemned Mervyn Silva’s alleged conduct.

The petitioners complained that their fundamental right to freedom of expression had been infringed due to the attack by the minister and the failure of the police to enforce law and order. They asked court to declare that intimidation by Mervyn Silva against the MTV journalist and his colleagues and his seizure of the cameras and cassettes were wrongful and illegal. Journalist Waruna Sampath claimed Rs. 10 million as compensation while MTV asked for Rs. 100 million.

Elephants, Ceylon Tea, Kandyan Dancing and Sri Lankan costumes vividly punctuated the Asian Elephant Day celebrations, held at the United States National Zoological Park in Washington D. C. on 23rd August 2008, while as many as 15,000 visitors attended the attractions scheduled for the day. The celebrations, organized jointly by the prestigious Smithsonian Institution, Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), an NGO working with the Smithsonian, and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C., highlighted the efforts being made for protecting wildlife in the Asian region with special emphasis on Sri Lankan elephants. At the center of attraction were Shanthi, a female elephant donated to the National Zoo by Sri Lanka in 1977 and Kandula, a male elephant born to her in 2001.
The activities planned for the day kicked off with a breakfast reception, which was attended by a large number of VIPs, including the newly appointed Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Mr. John Berry, Director of the National Zoological Park, Mr. Robert Lamb, Executive Director of FONZ, a host of senior officials representing US Departments of State, Commerce, Agriculture, Office of the USTR, the FBI, media and many animal lovers and enthusiasts.
Director of the Zoological Park, Mr. Berry, having extended a warm welcome to all the VIP guests, briefed them on the on-going construction project of Elephant Trails, a facility designed for providing a larger area for elephants within a natural setting. He also highlighted the new strategies, pursued by the authorities concerned in Sri Lanka, in particular, the Center for Conservation Research and the Department of Wildlife in close collaboration with the National Zoo for mitigating the human-elephant conflict.
In his remarks, Ambassador Wickramsuriya touched upon the cordial relations continuing between the Smithsonian and the wildlife conservation authorities in Sri Lanka and the efforts being made for protecting elephants. He was pleased to note that Shanthi and Kandula had become a symbol of the strong friendship established between the people of the United States and Sri Lanka. The Ambassador assured that the Embassy would extend every possible support and cooperation to the Smithsonian Institution and FONZ in further enhancing the existing relations.
The Ambassador also thanked the United States for all the assistance and cooperation extended to the people of Sri Lanka. He said that fostering closer relations between the people of the two countries would certainly help them have a deeper understanding about each other and understanding each other would help them effectively overcome the common challenges and difficulties they face today in the international arena.

The public events, commenced after the VIP reception and continued till evening included many attractions such as Sri Lanka dance performances, demonstration of sari wearing, tea tasting, elephant bath and weigh-in, logging and mud wallow demonstrations, 60th birthday celebration of Ambika, a female elephant donated by India and research and conservation projects carried out by the Smithsonian Institution and the FONZ around the world.
The dances, performed by “Sigiri Lalanavo” a group of young Sri Lankan female artists with soothing background music combining Kandyan drums and fusionistic rhythms provided a fitting environment to the celebrations, toughly enjoyed by thousands of visitors.
The female staff, who manned the demonstration of sari wearing, hardly had any time for their lunch, as well over hundred ladies, young and old, lined up to enjoy draping themselves in saris, both Kandyan and Indian styles, and taking pictures with their friends.
The tea tasting stall was another hive of activity from the beginning to the end with many queuing up for a cup of world famous Ceylon tea, served both hot and iced. By the end of the day, the stall had served staggering seventy gallons of tea, mainly iced, to the traditionally coffee drinking Americans. Walters Bay International, a Texas-based business partner of Bogawantalawa Estates in Sri Lanka, supported the Sri Lankan Embassy by providing teas and all the iced tea brewing equipment on complementary basis. It is pertinent to mention that Walters Bay International was adjudged the best iced tea at the World Tea Expo for four consecutive years from 2004 to 2007. The celebrations ended around 4.00pm in the evening, providing an informative and enjoyable experience to the visitors on the one hand, while injecting a new impetus to the US – Sri Lanka relations on the other.

A 37 year old man identified as Alighah Yoganathan was shot dead inside his shop at Nawakkuda in Kattankudi by an unidentified gunman on Tuesday night around 9.00p.m, Police said.

The motive for the killing is still unknown.

Major General (retd) Janaka Perera yesterday called on Labour Minister Mervyn Silva to honour his pledge to resign from office if he (Perera) got even one more vote than Upali, a disabled soldier who contested the North Central Provincial Council Election on the UPFA ticket.

"Mervyn, like a true gentlemen should now go before President Mahinda Rajapaksa and hand over his resignation, since I have obtained the highest number of preference votes in the North Central Province," he told a news conference in Colombo.

"I don’t intend wasting my time with Mervyn Silva who got only 2200 votes at the last parliamentary election. Not only did I disprove him, but also beat the UPFA’s chief ministerial candidate Berty Premalal Dissanayake on the preference count."

The Supreme Court yesterday granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights violation application of two police inspectors attached to the Permanent Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption.

The petitioners complained that they were given a surprise, mala-fide transfer, on July 31, 2008, merely because they continued to investigate a complaint against a Minister. Certain authoritative persons at the commission had persuaded the petitioner to stop the investigation, but they had not responded. They were then transferred.

The first petitioner, A. M. Nihal Amarasiri had been transferred to Vavuniya, the second, K. A. Sujatha Kumari to the IGP's Command and Investigations Division.

The petitioner alleged that the investigations so far carried out had revealed that the Minister had wealth amounting to Rs. 450 million, but he had never declared his assets.

The petitioners requested the Court to cancel the transfer orders.

The Court advised the Deputy Solicitor, General Sanjay Rajaratne, to look into the possibility of finding a more conducive station, other than Vavuniya for the first petitioner.

The petition will be argued on September 10, 2008. M. A. Sumanthiran appeared for the petitioners.

The Bench comprised Justice J. A. N. de Silva, Justice Saleem Marsoof and Justice K. Sripavan.

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka signed an agreement with Energy Generators to set up a small scale hydropower plant. Dhammika Perera, Chairman / Director General signed the agreement on behalf of the BOI and formally presented the investor with the BOI Certificate of Registration.

The project will setup a hydropower plant in the Matale District using the Mahaweli waters to generate renewable energy. This venture is an investment of Rs. 280 million and will provide employment for 10 locals workers.

The power plant will commence construction shortly and is expected to be completed within 2 years. The power plant will provide electricity to the National Power Grid. Initially the plant will generate 2.8 megawatts of electricity which is expected to be increased up to 4 megawatts at a later stage.

S. R. Perera (Director) and Ms S. R. Gunasekara (Director) signed the agreement on behalf of Energy Generators.

Four sailors were injured when a LTTE aircraft dropped two bombs in the Trincomalee Dockyard, and escaped, military and Navy officials said.

A Navy spokesman confirmed that four sailors had received slight injuries in the attach which they believe was targetted at the Jetliner vessel.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that air craft had escaped, though the security forces had activated the air defence system around the Trincomalee harbour.

The jetliner ship has been the target of the LTTE earlier as well. Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the ship was due to carry food to the north.

The Defence Ministry in a statement on the incident said "LTTE terrorist have carried out an abortive air raid attempt at the naval base Trincomalee short while ago. According to the available information, the terror aircraft have dropped two improvised bombs and fled the area"

The Pro-LTTE Tamilnet website said there was sounds of heavy explosions inside the harbour. They said the LTTE was yet to confirm the attack.

"Residents panicked following the outburst of firing rockets targeting the sky from SLN (Navy) headquarters side in Trincomalee", Tamilnet said.

Electricity had been cut off in the area.

Soon after the incident The air force also was put on alert in the north western coastal line.

The incident comes two days after the miltiary carried out a training exercise in Colombo, flying one of the miltary aircrafts at a low altitude.

Member of Parliament Mano Ganeshan was questioned by the Terrorism Investigations Division (TID) over his visits to the Wanni among other matters today.

A party spokesman said that the questioning lasted for more than six hours and the MP had left the TID after 7.00 p.m.

Earlier the TID had told Mr. Ganeshan to call over at the TID to record his statement. The MP had requested that he be permitted to take a lawyer and accordingly was allowed, but the lawyer was not allowed to be present when the questioning took place, the MPs brother Prabha Ganeshan said.

LTTE terrorists have launched an abortive air raid at the Trincomalee Naval base tonight (Aug 26).

According to Navy sources , the navy base has been alarmed on approaching terror aircraft by Sri Lanka Air Force around 9 PM. After few minutes , naval troops have detected the aircraft and engaged them with anti air guns . The machine gun fire has caused the aircraft to make away without entering into the naval dockyard, said the sources.

However , the terrorists have dropped two improvised bombs into the the navy camp. The sources said that only one out of two bombs has exploded. According to the available information , 4 sailors have suffered injuries in the attack.

Troops made further progress along Wanni battle lines on Monday (Aug 25) claiming 18 terrorists were killed, 13 others wounded and 25 more were either killed or wounded during the day's clashes. Also, 7 soldiers laid down their lives and 18 others suffered wounds during these incidents.

Troops of Army 56 division maintaining active defence on the Vavuniya front attacked a terrorists' movement detected in the Velarchinnakulam area around 8.15 in the morning and claimed 2 terrorists were killed.

Meanwhile, 2 soldiers were killed and one injured due to an explosion occurred in the Periyamadhu area last evening. Elsewhere in the same area, a soldier suffered injuries due to an AP (anti personnel) mine explosion in the evening hours.

In the general area Palamoddai, 2 soldiers suffered injuries due to an AP mine explosions during evening hours.

On the Mullaittivu western front, troops of Army 57 division continued their offensives in the Tunukkai area with in course of the day. During the confrontations 2 soldiers were killed and 2 others wounded. Separately, a soldier suffered injuries due to an AP mine explosion occurred in the Yogapuram area during morning hours. A sniper deployed in the Tunukkai claimed shooting down of a terrorist around 6.15 in the evening.

In the Kilinochchi southern front, troops of Task Force 1 confronted with a group of terrorists in the Vannerikkulam area around 7.45 AM. Radio monitoring reports confirmed 6 terrorist were killed and 4 others wounded in this incident. Also, one solder reported killed and 4 others wounded.

In Nachchikudha, snipers claimed confirmed shooting down of 2 terrorists in the evening hours. Further, Army reported two AP mine casualties from the Panaikandamadu on the same day evening.

On the Mullaittivu eastern front, troops of Army 59 division made a significant battlefield victory by capturing an 800m stretch of Thannimurippu tank bund. Troops claimed at least 25 terrorists were either killed or wounded in this incident. Also, 2 soldiers sustained injuries. Troops destroyed one LTTE boat and found 2 bodies of LTTE cadres along with a T-56 rifle. Whilst consolidating the own defence troops removed 121 AP mines and 5 IEDs (improvised explosive devices) from the area.

In the general area Andankulama, troops had several confrontations with the terrorists during day time. Troops claimed 5 terrorists were killed and 9 others wounded during these incidents . A soldier was killed and 2 others suffered injuries during the same.

Separately in the Ranabapura area , a soldier suffered in juries due to LTTE small arms fire around 4.20 PM.

Meanwhile, troops engaged in mine sweeping operations removed 340 AP mined, and disposed 11 IEDs during the day's operations.

The Supreme Judicial Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has upheld the objection filed by the attorney of Sri Lankan housemaid, Rizana Nafeek, against the death sentence imposed on her.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo said today (Aug. 26th ) the case file has been returned to the Dawadmi High Court.

Rizana had been arrested on 22nd May 2005 by the Police in Dawadmi, a town located 220 km west of the capital, Riyadh and charged with the murder of the infant son of her employer, left in her care.

Rizana, who had recently arrived in the Kingdom and 17 years old at that time, claimed that the child had choked to death during bottle feeding.

However, the Dawadmi High Court had sentenced Rizana to death in June 2007, upon conviction for the murder of the infant, based on her initial confession to the Police, which she had subsequently retracted in Court.

The Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh arranged the law firm of Kateb Fahad Al - Shammary to represent Rizana, with the financial support of the Hong Kong based Asian Human Rights Commission.

The lawyer had filed objections against the verdict of the Dawadmi High Court to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) in Riyadh, the highest judicial body in Saudi Arabia.

The SJC has upheld the objection of the lawyer pertaining to the initial translation of Rizana's statement to the Court, upon which the death sentence had been issued.

The SJC has returned the case file to the Dawadmi High Court, which is expected to take up the case for hearing on Saturday, 30th August 2008.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Embassy officials in Riyadh have visited Rizana at the Dawadmi Jail on 17th August and found her to be in sound physical and mental condition.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has directed the Embassy to closely monitor developments of this case and extend all possible support and cooperation to Rizana's lawyer.

ANURADHAPURA: A COMBINED search operation conducted by the Army and the Civil Defence Force in ABHIMANPURA, KEBITHIGOLLEWA area Monday (25) around 7.00 a.m. uncovered one T-56 weapon, four T-56 magazines, one hundred and twenty rounds of (120) T-56 ammunition, two hand grenades, one map, one compass, two cyanide capsules, one mobile phone, one belt order, one pack, food items and some water cans.

Those arms and ammunition, belonging to Tiger terrorists were believed to have been brought to the area by Tiger terrorists intending a carnage.

WELIOYA: PANIC-stricken terrorists in the WELIOYA sector on Monday (25) fired on the troops serving in the general areas of ANDANKULAM and RANABAPURA Monday (25) while the troops were advancing in the WELIOYA front.

Two soldiers laid their lives in both attacks.

In the meantime, latest reports confirmed two valiant soldiers received injuries during clashes that brought 800 m stretch line of the THANNIMURIPPUKULAM tank bund under troops on Monday (25).

MULLAITTIVU: TROOPS MOVING past TUNUKKAI faced a shower of LTTE mortar rounds, that were directed from the east of TUNUKKAI and also from ARIYAMADU area to the west of MULLAITTIVU town center Monday (25).

Four valiant soldiers sacrificed their lives while resisting the enemy fire. Four more soldiers received injuries in the same incident.

Meanwhile, one more soldier sustained injuries due to terrorist fire in YOGAPURAM, about 5 km southeast of THUNUKKAI, Monday around 3.30 p.m. when fleeing terrorists fired on the troops.

According to the sources , a strong LTTE bunker line in VANNERIKKULAM, KILINOCHCHI District was attacked and destroyed by the troops Monday (25) afternoon using heavy weapons. Six terrorists were confirmed killed and four more were injured during confrontations.

One soldier laid his life during that encounter while four more soldiers sustained injuries.

In the meantime, several clashes in the same area during Monday (25) injured three more soldiers, while causing damages to the enemy.

Similarly, confrontations occurred in the general area of VELLANKULAM Monday (25) around 11.20 a.m killed one terrorist and injured two more.

Explosion of an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) trapped by the LTTE in the same area around 1.30 p.m. injured three soldiers, the same day.

UNP Member of Parliament Mano Ganeshan has been called by Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) to record a statement, Prabha Ganeshan, Western Provincial Council member said.

Mr. Prabha Ganeshan who is also the brother of the MP said that permission had been sought to take laywer, but although the lawyer was allowed into the TID premises, was not allowed into the room where the statement was being recorded.

Last week the TID had sent a letter to Mr. Ganeshan saying they wanted to record a “special statement” and wanted him to call over at the TID.

The MPs brother said the Speaker W.J.M.Lokubandara has been informed about the developments.

by Jehan Perera

Many years ago, a senior government official whose birthplace was Jaffna told me of the apprehension with which the people of Jaffna awaited the results of elections in the south. They knew their fate was being decided in the electoral verdicts that the more numerous southern electorate would be delivering, and which they in the north had little or no opportunity to influence. This is one indication of the psychology of resistance that developed in the north and east to the reality of ethnic majority rule over the ethnic minorities.

The day before the provincial council elections, at which the government obtained a thumping victory, I received a telephone call from Jaffna. On the other side of the line was a Tamil social worker I have known for the past several years when he worked in Colombo with a local humanitarian organization. He explained that the reason for his call was to see if anything could be done to alleviate the plight of the civilians trapped in the LTTE controlled parts of the north. An estimated 200,000 persons are reported to be on the move in the Vanni, looking for places of safety from artillery and air bombardments and enforced arms training and conscription.

In the past fortnight or so, the Sri Lankan military has been making rapid progress against the LTTE. With the expected and threatened LTTE counter attack not happening, the impression is growing that the LTTE is indeed weak in comparison to the Sri Lankan military that is advancing into their heartland. Military spokespersons say that the army is only 12 kilometers away from Kilinochchi town, which is the administrative centre of the LTTE. The fall of Kilinochchi would be a tremendous blow to the LTTE, both in terms of lost territory and morale. Kilinochchi possesses the LTTE's administrative infrastructure, including its judicial and police headquarters and peace secretariat.

The caller from Jaffna's immediate concern, which he immediately shared with me, was the plight of the people. They had been fleeing from the artillery barrage of the advancing Sri Lankan army and their space for movement was getting less and less. He proposed a method by which the civilian population could leave the war zones for safety. The first step would be to persuade the government, LTTE and International Committee of the Red Cross to open up a humanitarian corridor to enable the people to leave. The Bishop of Jaffna, Thomas Savundranayagam, has also made a similar appeal.

The second step in the process of ensuring safety to the civilian population would be to establish a safe sanctuary to which people could go to. Entry into this place of safety would be open to anyone, so long as they are unarmed. This would even enable LTTE cadre, such as those who have been recently and forcibly recruited, who wish to give up the fight to enter for their safety. The sanctuary would be managed entirely by the ICRC without either the military or the LTTE going into it. The question, however, would be whether the LTTE would agree to letting the people leave. This would be a huge blow to the LTTE, as they would lose a cause to fight for, a pool of recruitment and a human shield.


CONTRASTING SENTIMENTS

It was in this context of the divergence of interests of the LTTE and civilian population that I asked the caller on the other side of the line what the mood of the people of Jaffna was. His response echoed the Indian National Security Advisor, M K Narayanan's opinion, which enraged many in Sri Lanka. Mr Narayanan made a comment that the government may be winning the battle (for Kilinochchi) but it risks losing the war. He observed that the Tamil people in Sri Lanka were sullen in the face of the government's military approach to conflict resolution, and the government needed to do more to convince the Tamil people by means of a credible political package that it also had their interests at heart.

My friend said that the people of Jaffna continued to be fully alive to their rights and felt unhappy at the grim situation they found themselves in. He added that the common talk in Jaffna is that they will be treated like slaves if the war ends in the LTTE's defeat, until another Prabakaran comes along. This sense of alienation and apprehension amongst the Tamil people is the other side of the euphoria that the government and its supporters would be feeling today. The government's resounding victories at the recently held provincial council elections in the Sabaragamuwa and North Central provinces constitutes a vote of confidence in the government at its mid term mark.

The government's victory indicates that it has a set of policies and programmes of action at the present time that has won ethnic majority acceptance. The chief amongst these is undoubtedly the government's attempt to defeat the LTTE by military means. President Mahinda Rajapaksa's speeches expressing the government's determination to preserve the unity of the Motherland at any cost have been extremely powerful in keeping popular sentiment behind the government. The government is given credit for its success in retaking LTTE held territory at whatever cost. The general expectation is that this will be a one-time cost that will come to an end soon.


POTENTIAL DANGERS

The problem for the government will be to ensure the sustainability of its military victories if the LTTE continues to fight back militarily and target areas under government control. Government troops now appear poised to capture the big LTTE-held towns of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. But this will not necessarily mean the end of the war. As an organization that started as a small guerilla group, the LTTE will retain its capacity to go back to their origins. The havoc that even a small group of determined persons can do is inestimable.

It also needs to be remembered that this will not be the first occasion on which Kilinochchi has been retaken by the government. The army commander, Gen. Sarath Fonseka himself has warned that the forces of Tamil nationalism and the Tamil diaspora can ensure that the armed conflict goes on for another two decades if not more unless a political resolution is found. If my friend from Jaffna is to be believed, the LTTE will continue to have the support of a sullen but rights-conscious Jaffna population in the absence of a political solution that meets with their sense of justice. This is also the message of the Indian National Security Advisor who urged that the government give emphasis to a political settlement that would satisfy the Tamil people's sense of justice.

The government frequently projects the Eastern Province as a success story of having militarily defeated the LTTE, evicted them from eastern territory and of having conducted democratic elections there. However, the ground situation in the east continues to be tense and unstable, and not at all conducive to the rapid economic development that ought to accompany a sustainable peace. There is a very heavy military presence and armed groups continue to act outside of the law together with LTTE infiltration. In addition the elected politicians of the east continue to be relatively powerless, with major decisions on policy and financing being referred to the central authorities in Colombo, notwithstanding the claims of devolution and devolution plus plus.

The danger exists of short success that will not solve problems in the long term. The continued high level of expenditures on the war can become more and more unbearable in the longer term. The government's electoral victory in the two provinces, which have a large rural sector, suggest that the government's strategy of targeted subsidies, especially for agriculture, and rural road building delivered benefits to the rural sector. But those who do not get these benefits are likely to become disgruntled in the longer term, as the high level of inflation affects them severely. The vote of confidence in the government's mid term performance by a largely Sinhalese and rural electorate cannot end there. It must be built upon to include the other sections of the Sri Lankan population, especially the Tamil people of the Vanni who are presently running for their lives.

A cabinet paper on interim salaries of teachers would be submitted at parliament tomorrow, said Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.

He said that the present trade union action where a few groups of teachers have boycotted paper marking would not cause a delay in results or a delay in beginning of the 3rd school term would take place as a majority of teachers are indulged in paper marking.

“There are a considerable number of teachers indulged in paper marking and only a few groups involved in the trade union action since 20th. We hope that these teachers too would join following the submission of the cabinet paper” he said.

"We have got a mandate till 2010. Therefore, I am not in a hurry to hold a general election until then," President Mahinda Rajapakse said today (August 26th).

The President has emphasized this at a meeting with his cabinet at Temple Trees this morning.

However, Treasurer of the SLFP and Minister, Dallas Alahapperuma told the media yesterday that the government was prepared to take up the challenge by the UNP leader to hold a parliamentary election, without dissolving provincial councils.

Responding to this statement, General Secretary of The UNP, Tissa Attanayake said that the UNP repeated its call to the President not to hold min-elections and to go straight for parliamentary polls.

A loss amounting to millions of rupees will be incurred after the government yesterday (August 25th) signed a pact with an Iranian company to improve and expand the oil refinery in Sapugaskanda, said sources at the Ministry of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development.

At initial discussions, the Sapugaskanda Refinery quality enhancement and expansion project was estimated to cost nearly US $ 700 million.

However, according to the agreement signed yesterday, the estimated cost of the project was US $ 1,500, an official of the Petroleum Ministry told ‘Lanka Dissent’.

The pact also demands that the Sri Lankan government should invest 30 per cent of the estimated sum to initiate the project, he added.

Noting that an enhancement project of a refinery would cost around $ 700 - 800, the ministry official said that spending such a huge sum was unacceptable.

He further said that the project has not even received approval of the cabinet.

Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Mohammed Reza Nematzadeh was in Sri Lanka recently to finalize the oil and petrochemical agreements between the two countries.

He met Petroleum Minister A.H.M. Fowzie and President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on August 23rd.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake yesterday said that as far as the Government is concerned there are no chemical weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction in the country.

Expressing his doubts on whether the LTTE has chemical weapons, he said he was certain of one thing, and that was, that the LTTE is on its last legs. "Our security forces have cornered them in their holes in a stretch of wilderness in the North of the country. We expect to be soon rid of this menace, weapons and all, but life must go on and people must always be alert," the Prime Minister said inaugurating Regional meeting of Asian Parliamentarians to discuss the National Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention in Colombo where he was the Chief Guest.

"There is no harm in talking about such things, to be aware, and to guard against possible evil intentions harboured by others now, or in the future," he said.

As described by the CIA, LTTE is the most ruthless terrorist organisation in the world. "We have to be prepared and alert."

He stressed the need for all countries in the region to cooperate in combating the menace of terrorism as it is a scourge that afflicts and threatens all of us.


"Chemical weapons are weapons of terrorism. There are no peaceful uses for chemical weapons he said adding that when the British used gas to kill hundreds of Kurdish people in their wars in West Asia, early last century it was terrorism.

The arch imperialist Churchill justified it saying that "It is all right to kill niggers". That was the white man’s attitude, a lack of feeling for people of a different colour that accompanied the dropping of atomic bombs which massacred hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the World War II and those were weapons of mass destruction and that was terrorism. That was by the Americans, who were later to accuse Iraq’s Saddam Hussein of possessing weapons of mass destruction, despite the testimony of their own inspectors, that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Wickramanayake explained.

"These are the people who are now questioning our Human Rights record when we are fighting the "World’s most ruthless terrorist outfit," so named by them." He said.

The Prime Minister urged the regional leaders to cooperate in ridding the menace of terrorism and stressed that chemical weapons can be for no other purpose but terrorism.

Japan had offered employment opportunities under the Japan International Technical Cooperation Organization for welders, tailors, food processors, moulders and painters, Chairman Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Kingsley Ranawaka said.

A delegation from the JITCO, Japan will be in Sri Lanka on a two-day visit later this week to meet the SLBFE and employment agents.


The visit was on a request of the Minister of Foreign Employment Keheliya Rambukwella who visited Japan recently to discuss employment opportunities for Sri Lankans with the Japanese authorities, he said.

The SLBFE will train the prospective employees in the Japanese language, lifestyle and social habits as well as physical training to ensure that the candidates selected for employment were fit to work in Japan, he said.

At the moment there were a number of local agencies preparing people to go to Japan for employment and the SLBFE will coordinate with the agencies and ensure that a standard training is given to all candidates.

by Matthew Hemley

BBC Radio 4 is to explore the assassination of campaigning human rights journalist Richard de Zoysa, with a drama recorded entirely on location and featuring an all-foreign cast.

The Last Time I Saw Richard will run in the broadcaster’s The Friday Play slot in November, featuring drama alongside real-life testimonies from people who knew and worked with him.

It is being made by independent production company Art and Adventure, which makes its shows out of the studio and on location.

Last year, the company produced The Two Gentlemen of Valasna, an adaptation of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, for BBC Radio 3. The play transposed Shakespeare’s play from Italy to India and was recorded entirely on location in Maharashtra, with an all-Indian cast.

Producer Roger Elsgood told The Stage that recording the production in Sri Lanka would give it an authenticity that could not be achieved in a studio.

A well-known journalist and broadcaster, de Zoysa was shot and killed in 1990. After his death, reports claimed he was killed because of articles he had penned on human rights.

Elsgood said that he and the production’s director Willi Richards had used testimonies from those who knew de Zoysa to script the drama.

Meanwhile, Art and Adventure has also been commissioned to make an adaptation of the P C Wren novel Beau Geste.

A two-part serialisation, Beau Geste will be recorded on location in the UK and Algeria, and is scheduled to run on Radio 4 in the new year.

Elsgood, who is producing the drama, said: “It’s a rollicking boy’s own adventure. It just needed doing because it has not been done on radio forever. It was a commissioning opportunity Radio 4 seized.”

The story is being adapted by Graeme Fife. Casting has not yet been finalised, but Elsgood said the drama had parts for “good young actors” from the UK.

The new Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, Hewa M.G.S. Palihakkara, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today.

Mr. Palihakkara, who currently serves on the Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters.

Network for Election Monitoring of Intellectuals for Human Rights (NEM IHR) continued its North Central and Sabaragamuwa provincial council election monitoring process since the beginning of August; and the following conclusions were arrived by taking the pre-election process, election day and post-election process in to consideration. NEM IHR concludes that the pre-election process was corrupted and post election situation is also considerably worst. However, when comparing to pre and post situations; the voting and casting on the election day was free of corruption.
Though irregularities took place in some areas they were not severe to affect the final result of the voting. Again post election violence has intensified causing damages to people and property of the area. NEM IHR came to this conclusion based on our observations and after analysing the reports we have received from our observers and the representatives of the political parties we used as a source of information in monitoring the election process. NEM IHR monitored the election since 01 st of August deploying observers on a divisional secretariat basis.
Results of the Election The election result was not corrupted due to several factors. Firstly, the new steps that have been taken by the Election Commissioner have been able to block the avenues that could make opportunity for fraudulent votes. New rule introduced by mandating the identity card to confirm the identification of the voters, is one such important measure. This has prevented vote rigging. However, our observers have reported that a large number of people were unable to cast their votes, due to unavailability of identity card and therefore they failed to prove the identification. Though the temporary identity cards were issued, there were issues in time taken to issue the temporary cards. Also, people were not introduced properly to the new rule and hence lack of awareness about the new rule caused problems for casting votes. This rule is a long felt need for the election process of the country and commencement of it is commendable. We, the election monitors can say the election result was not corrupted because of the situation created by this new regulation. Secondly, involvement of the civil society organisations, election monitors, religious leaders, media organisations and concerns expressed by the foreign missions in Colombo also contributed to prevent corruption. Despite the accusations made by opposition political parties on the biasness of the police during the pre election process, the Police’s services to prevent election malpractices on the election day was commendable. NEM IHR believes that this could be due to intensified pressure from civil society organisations and the media.
Pre election situation Although the election result is not corrupted, we cannot say that the election is free and fair, because the government used all the state power to win this election. This illegal and unethical election campaign of the gov ernment for the victory of the ruling party United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) violated all basic conditions that are essential for a free and fair election. First, the UPFA unleashed violence against the opposition political parties; Government ministers, UPFA candidates and supporters were involved in carrying out these violence activities. On the other hand the police turned a blind eye on it. Police miserably failed to maintain law and order in the two provinces and instead some of the police officers supported assault against the campaigns of the opposition parties. Activists of the opposition political parties were arrested without valid reasons while the complaints made by opposition parties against the UPFA violence was not even inquired. Secondly, a large number of government employees and public resources were used in the UPFA election campaign. A large number of vehicles belonging to ministries, government departments and other state institutions were also used in the UPFA campaign. Senior government officials used their power to gather junior officials and people for UPFA propaganda programmes. Public money spent for various development programmes such as infrastructure projects boldly targeted the election.
Thirdly, all the state media were used for the propaganda campaign of the UPFA and that had a massive impact on the election process. That impact was too significant at this election compared to previous elections in the recent pasts, the private media were unbiased or were in ethically acceptable limits in supporting one favored political party. According to all these factors, the North Central and Sabaragamuwa provincial councils election were not free and fair and as a whole it was a corrupted election. The result does not reflect the real opinion of the people. On the other side the violence that took place in this election, violatedthe democracy and freedom of the country.
All main political parties were engaged in organised violence during the election campaign, especially at the edge of the election, opposition political parties were also started to respond violently. NEM IHR recommends that, to ensure a free and fair election process in the country; v iolence, malpractices and use of public resources by the relevant parties should be stopped. This can be achieved by further strengthening the Election Commissioner’s power by empowering independent Election Commissioner and independent Police Commission. NEM IHR urges that it is right time to activate the independent commissions under the 17 th Amendment to the constitution.

At least 15 LTTE cadres and seven soldiers were killed in fighting in the Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Welioya areas as troops continued their offensive operations after capturing LTTE strongholds, military officials said.

Eight LTTE cadres were killed in Welioya area where the security forces said they have taken control of an 800 metre stretch Thannimuruppkulam tank after a fierce round of fighting.

Two soldiers were also killed in the Welioya area.

Two soldiers each were killed in Ariyamadu, of Mullaitivu and in Thunukkai on Monday while one soldier was killed in Pandiwelikulam in Kilinochchi.

Six more LTTE cadres were killed in Kilinochchi while another was killed in Vellankulam in Vavuniya.

Security forces were advancing into LTTE controlled areas after consolidating positions in the recaptured areas.

An ex-soldier was killed in a grenade explosion in Mudungoda, Balummahara in the Welieriya police area on Monday night.

The soldier identified as K.N.Ruwan Kumara, 34 was formerly attached to the Mechanical Engineering division of the Ambepussa camp.

Police said it was not clear whether he had exploded the grenade or he had been attacked with the greande.

An explosion has occurred in Kandalama today morning. The Police suspect a grenade to have caused the explosion. No one was injured from the blast.

The Geological survey Bureau said that there's no tsunami threat for Sri Lanka from the 6.6 magnitude quake close to Indonesia

Sri Lanka has assured India that there will be no firing by the Sri Lankan Navy on Indian fishermen hereafter, Indian National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan told Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi yesterday during a 40 minute long meeting.

Government defence spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday the need to hold another election did not arise, because of the decisive mandate given by the people in the Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provinces to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s war against terrorism.
“This election result is not only for war, but also for other government projects as well.
So the need to hold another election does not arise at this moment,” the Minister told the press at his Colombo residence.
He said troops were almost in the LTTE-held Kilinochchi area and would reach the east of Kilinochchi soon.
“I think our troops will gain control of Kilinochchi ahead of time,” the Minister said.
He said there was a time when Prabhakaran hiding in a bunker became the decisive factor in the southern political situation, but President Rajapaksa had changed it completely.
Referring to the comment made by UNP National Organiser S.B. Dissanayake the government had marketed military victories in the north at the provincial council elections, the Minister said.
“I thought Mr. Dissanayake is an experienced politician, but he has proved otherwise.
Any government would use its successful projects to win an election. This government too used its most successful project - the war against the LTTE - to win the election”.

Lanka Dissent
Dilan Perera has been asked to vacate his Justice portfolio by August 30th and to continue only as Port Development Minister, Justice Ministry sources said.
Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga had written to Mr. Perera yesterday (Aug. 25th), reminding him of a presidential directive that ministers having additional portfolios could retain only one ministry.
Only the late Sripathi Sooriarachchi had resigned from his additional portfolio the day after the directive came.
Several ministers, including Dilan Perera, Salinda Dissanayake and Ranjith Siyambalapitiya had earlier consented in writing to the request, and Mr. Perera had sent his undated letter of resignation.
Being busy with the provincial polls for the past few weeks, the president has now paid attention to the matter, and informed Messrs. Perera and Dissanayake that their resignations have been accepted.
In the meantime, the president had been notified of the trouble brewing in the Justice Ministry due to differences between Mr. Perera and Secretary Suhada Gamlath.
A senior official of the ministry told 'Lanka Dissent' that the acceptance of Mr. Perera's resignation had also been prompted by his remarks at the election platform that a senior SLFP minister would be appointed Prime Minister shortly, which had displeased the president.
Our attempts to obtain a response from Mr. Perera were unsuccessful, as he is overseas at present.

The leader of the Western People's Front had been summoned to the Police Terrorist Investigation Department at 11.00 am today (Aug. 26th).
A statement was to be obtained from Mano Ganeshan regarding a testimonial by a suspect in TID custody.
Speaker of Parliament W.J.M. Lokubandara has permitted the police to record a statement from the WPF leader.

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has announced that the EU is seeking ways to use EU trade policy to provide relief for regions and businesses affected by the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean.
A possible measure is the fast-tracking of the adoption and implementation of the new Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) scheme which provides preferential access to imports from vulnerable developing countries. Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia and India would be among the greatest beneficiaries of GSP scheme, with Sri Lanka receiving duty free access to the EU for almost all its GSP exports including its vital textile and clothing exports.

By Gaurav Ghose,
Dubai: With the number of outbound Arab travellers on the rise, a direct outcome of the region experiencing unprecedented economic prosperity, Sri Lankan tourism is diverting increased attention to tap into the growing traffic, a top Sri Lankan government official told Gulf News.
"Strong growth, especially with oil at more than $100 a barrel, the whole world is looking at the Middle Eastern travellers and we don't want to be left behind," said Faiszer Musthapha, Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Tourism. "We have been focusing on the region for the last two to three years and it has paid dividends."
For 2006 and 2007, traffic from the region has grown at an annual rate of 30 per cent and for the first six months of this year the growth has maintained the same momentum, the minister pointed out.
"Last year, we had about 20,000 Arab travellers and 30,000 expatriates of this region travelling to Sri Lanka," Musthapha said. "In terms of growth this has been the fastest growing market for our tourism industry when compared to other regions. Our promotion budget for the region has grown fivefold in the last two years."
Marketing strategies have included promoting Sri Lanka on Al Jazeera television, media familiarisation trips for the regional media and setting up a tourism promotion bureau in Dubai.
Air connectivity with the region over the last few years has also grown with more than 100 flights a week to the island nation. Emirates airlines, in this year's brochure, has promoted Sri Lanka as a prime holiday destination.
"We are very competitively priced. If you look at hotels, our rates are $150 per night compared to $200-$300 in other destinations and the facilities we offer is second to no other. It is value for money destination."
On a visit to UAE, Musthapha has been meeting hoteliers and tour operators to see how to drive up the traffic from the region to the island nation. Tourism strategies of the country are undergoing a change with an eye on this market, especially catering to the cultural and geographical needs of the travellers, the minister said. Malaysia comes in for a mention, by way of comparison.
"If you look at geographical proximity, you see a lot of Arab nationals going to Malaysia on holiday which is a long-haul destination. But Sri Lanka is only four-hour flight and we have all the diversity of what Malaysia has to offer," Musthpha said. "The country has a lot of greenery and cool destinations. Nuwereliya, Kandy and Colombo are some popular spots and with a 10 per cent Muslim population, the visitors can profess their faith without any worry."
Previously catering to European visitors primarily as a beach destination, the tourism board's recent focus on the Middle East has meant initiating a series of steps such as halal food being made available and ensuring privacy and more family type of accommodation and providing Qibla directions.
"Menu cards are now in Arabic and there are Arabic translators in hotel, with more and more staff of hotels being trained to speak in Arabic," the minister said.
Investments from the region to set up hotels and hospitality training schools are in the talks, he said.

Government of Sri Lanka says if the UNP wants a general election the government would arrange it in three months time. Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said on Monday the government would not avoid elections and follows democratic path.
Minister Dalas Alahapperuma requested the public cast aside political differences since the election is now over and contribute to defeat terrorism and build the national economy.
Responding government’s proposal General Secretary of the UNP Tissa Attanayake compared to the 2004 Provincial Council elections the UNP vote base has increased while the Government vote base has decreased.
"We challenge the govt to hold a general election instead of PC polls" he added.

Speaking to the Media on Monday he said voters faced a number of
obstacles created by the government against them. Despite all the treachery, tyranny, blatant lies, deceits ,election law violations , violence and corrupt activities , the government could not increase its number of votes received in both electorates . The number of votes were much lesser than what it received in 2004, he stated. On the other hand, although the Govt. is making bombast of its so called victory, the UNP had received over 70,000 votes in Sabaragamuwa and over 100,000 votes in NCP more than in the 2004 elections in these provinces, he added.

The Govt. is trying to paint a picture to the world that the elections was peaceful making just the election day look calm, after engaging in all the lawless activities and election violence .But, during the 60 days leading to the elections, it used all its thugs, hooligans, Ministers and stooges to commit the worst crimes of violence and assault on the opposition parties. Until the last day, just before elections it went on unabatedly on its rampage of death, despair and destruction against its opponents. On classic example is the wanton damage and assault inflicted on the UNP er Dr. John Pulle on the eve of elections. John Pulle’s residence and vehicles were burnt down causing a loss of over Rs. 50 million while he too was assaulted. Lawlessness in the country too was demonstrated when the Police who were there in hundreds, and a DIG present did nothing to obstruct the holocaust or protect the victim.

He asked why this government is wasting people’s money on untimely and uncalled for elections causing damage to person and property. If it really wants to prove its popularity, it can hold a General election whose result will be the people’s correct verdict. But, such elections cannot be allowed to be held as is done now by the Govt. without implementing the 17th amendment to the constitution which makes it mandatory the appointment of the Police Commission, Elections Commission, the Public Service Commission etc. The President is deliberately sidestepping and delaying this issue in order to exert his Executive powers illegally, politicize the State Institutions; and use the Police and State Bodies according to his whims and fancies, he exhorted.
Meanwhile Minister Keheliya Rambukwella charges that the UNP is presenting feeble arguments to cover up their severe defeat in the provincial council elections. UNP General Secretary Tissa Aththanayake has compared election results of 2004 and not the more recent election of 2005. The Minister pointed out that the JVP, which portrayed itself as the leaders of farmers, government workers and students have also experienced heavy defeat. He pointed out that the election is further proof of public approval to the President’s leadership in uprooting terrorism. The Minister added that this victory would be used as a blessing to advance towards an end to the terrorism issue.
SLFP General Secretary Minister Maithreepala Sirisena points out that the victory in the north-central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Elections is a victory of the President’s state policy and other affiliated parties.
UNP Democratic Group said that UNP claims that it has received a higher number of votes in Saturday’s election are totally false. Minister Dr. Rajitha Senarathne said in comparison to the last presidential election the UNP has lost around 100 thousand votes.

Troops operating from Welioya have taken control part of an irrigation tank after clashes in the area in which at least eight LTTE cadres were killed on Monday evening, the military said.

Troops were now in control of 800 metres of the Thannimuruppukulam tank bund and are continuing their operations .

Rebels made a futile attempt to come by boat and launch a counter attack on the troops.

Two bodies of the LTTE have been found while 11 others had been injured, the military said.

Colombo stocks came down at market close on Monday brought down by blue chips such as Bukit Darah, John Keells, Distilleries and Nestles.This sluggish trend is likely to continue tomorrow as well, stock analysts said.

Bukit Darah was down by Rs.44.25 to Rs.1555, John Keells was down by Rs.0.50 closing at Rs.99.50, Distilleries dropped by Rs.0.75 to Rs.82 and Nestles came down by Rs.3.75 to Rs.330.

Stock analysts said the market will show sluggishness and will be speculation driven with the indices showing volatility.

The All Share Index decreased by 4.74 points to 2,409.63 while the Milanka decreased to 8.36 points to 2,803.60 at stock market close and the turnover was at Rs.114 million.

The United National Party has assigned its two chief ministerial candidates at the provincial polls as members of the party's Working Committee.

Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided that Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera and popular actor Ranjan Ramanayake be appointed to the UNP WC with immediate effect.

This is in recognition of their contributions and skills shown at the polls for the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils two days ago.

He made the announcement to the media at his office in Colombo on Monday.

The opposition leader designate for the NCP, Maj. Gen. Perera said he was more popular than Berty Premalal Dissanayake, comparing his 81 per cent preferential votes to his UPFA rival's 52 pc.

He claimed that Kachcheri sources had told him that he had polled 130,600 votes as against 79,000 votes for Mr. Dissanayake.

However, his son, the UPFA politician Duminda Dissanayake and a group had stormed the Kachcheri and changed the result, Maj. Gen. Perera alleged.

Also speaking at the media briefing, Mr. Ramanayake said the state media had excessively been used by the UPFA for its campaign.

Several artistes had been paid Rs. 15,000 each to sing hosannas of the present regime, he added.

The JHU says the result of the polls for the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils is a public endorsement of the government's ongoing effort to wipe out Tamil separatism.

Secretary of the party Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera said in a statement that the people of the two provinces had given priority to the national issue over their educational, transport, health and other development problems.

Thanking the voters for handing down a landslide win for the UPFA, the JHU said it was also a defeat for the boastful words of UNP's Ranil Wickremesinghe that talks should resume with the Tigers.

The people are urging him to change his policies and go with the tide, without betraying the country and nation.

For the JVP, the JHU is advising to end its threats and strikes and extend support to overcome the challenge posed by terrorism.

Voters in the two provinces have also decisively crushed attempts by NGOs and foreign diplomatic missions to destabilize the government and to halt the forward march of the heroic soldiers in the Wanni offensive, the party statement added.

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today issued show-cause notice to Ten Sports for not sharing feed of India- Sri Lanka ODI matches with Doordarshan in alleged violation of the government's notification on content sharing with Prasar Bharati.

A Bench comprising Justice Manmohan Sarin and Justice Veena Birbal sought response from Ten Sports by tomorrow on a petition filed by a cricket buff Ravi Dev Gupta seeking direction to Prasar Bharati to telecast the remaining (two) matches of the current ODI series.

"Show-cause notice be issued to Ten Sports as to why this court should not prohibit Ten Sports from telecasting matches scheduled for tomorrow and on August 29 unless they (Ten Sports) share live feed with Prasar Bharati," the court said.

D K Singh, counsel for the petitioner, contended that government had issued notification on October 3, 2007 under Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing of Feed with Prasar Bharati) notifying ODIs and T-20 cricket matches involving India as matches of national importance -- feed of which should be shared with Prasar Bharati by the respective telecast rights owner.

Counsel for Prasar Bharati Rajeev Sharma informed the court that on the request of public broadcaster, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued notice to Ten Sports for violating Sports Broadcasting Signals notification and threatened to cancel the channel's licence.

Directing the registry and the counsel for Centre to send the show-cause notice to the sports channel, the court indicated that it would pass ex-parte interim order if the channel failed to file its response by tomorrow.

CMEV deployed stationary observers in 420 polling stations, 11 mobile teams and 28 field monitors in the two provinces. During the course of the day 976 polling stations were visited of the 1768 polling stations in both provinces.

CMEV notes that apart from a few serious incidents and in comparison with previous provincial elections, Polling Day of the elections to the Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provincial Councils was relatively incident free. The expectations of violence that were based on the incidence of violence in the last three days of the campaign in particular, were fortunately not met. Accordingly, CMEV acknowledges the positive impact of the announcement by the Election Commissioner that he would order a re-poll in areas where violence and malpractice were confirmed to have occurred, as well as his decision to strengthen law enforcement in the areas that recorded high levels of violence throughout the campaign. Likewise, CMEV also acknowledges the positive impact of the actions of the police in those areas where its presence and commitment was reinforced.

As emphasized in its earlier communiqué of today (Communique 6, August 23, 2008), the effective disenfranchisement of voters on account of them not having the required identity documentation, is a cause for serious concern. No citizen should be deprived of the fundamental right to exercise franchise. Be it because of a failure of communication or administrative delay, the resulting, effective disenfranchisement of voters has deprived citizens of the right to participate in the basic process of choice and change in a functioning democracy. This needs to be addressed as a matter of priority. CMEV strongly urges the Elections Commissioner to initiate an independent inquiry into what transpired and to hold to account officials found to be responsible for this. We also strongly urge the authorities to take similar action in respect of local officials who are found to be similarly responsible.

CMEV has supported the mandatory use of the National Identity Card (NIC) for voter identification, but reiterated that its use for this purpose should not result in the deprivation of fundamental rights and to the disadvantage of citizens. Consequently, we repeat our call for the expediting of the issue of NICs. The prospect of further elections in the near future, underscores the importance and urgency of this.

In this context, CMEV also repeats it call for the full implementation of the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for the establishment of independent commissions for elections and the police - an issue which the constituent organizations of CMEV have, and continue to lobby and litigate on.

In the course of these elections, CMEV also monitored the media coverage of the election campaign. We found that in the case of both the print and electronic media, state controlled media organs were comprehensively biased in favour of the ruling coalition. The private print media organs were also found to exhibit partisan bias. CMEV calls on the Commissioner, to issue guidelines to the media, even during provincial elections and reminds the state media in particular, of a primary obligation to serve the public interest. We call upon all media organs to observe internationally recognized guidelines for reporting during elections.

An illustrative sample of the incidents of violence and malpractice reported by CMEV monitors is provided below.

Assault of a polling agent and parliamentarian
At least four JVP supporters were assaulted near the Galthamburawa Junior School (Polling Station 92) in the Polonnaruwa Electorate. One of the assaulted included JVP candidate Chandraratna Kumara. JVP parliamentarian S.K Subasinghe who rushed to the scene was instructed to report to the nearest police station. While Mr. Subasinghe was enroute to the station, he was pulled over by a gang of UPFA supporters and attacked. Mr. Subasinghe and three of his supporters sustained injuries. They were all admitted to the hospital with injuries. The JVP has alleged that the attackers were supporters of Minister Maithripala Sirisena's brother, Chaminda Sirisena, a UPFA provincial council candidate for the North Central Province. This incident, which occurred at around 4.45 p.m, was reported to CMEV by the JVP.

Two children hurt in attack on UNP candidate
A vehicle belonging to UNP provincial candidate G.P.K Kumara Nelson was stoned near the Bandiweva Maha Vidyalaya (Polling Station 71), Jayanthipura, Polonnaruwa Electorate, Polomaruwa District. Two children who were by the road side were injured during the course of the attack and were admitted to the Polonnaruwa hospital. They alleged that UPFA persons had stoned the vehicle.

Election monitor assaulted in Kegalle
A monitor connected to the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE) was assaulted by supporters of UPFA Chief Ministerial candidate Mahipala Herath near the Walpola Junior School (No. 15) in Rambukkana. The mob had used a T- 56 rifle to carry out their attack. The victim, Sampath Kumara, was admitted to the Kegalle Hospital.

Threat and intimidation of candidates, polling agents and supporters
Prabath Weerawansa, son of the UPFA former minister G. Weerawansa, had threatened to kill National People's Party Polling Agent Senaka Chandana at the Polling Station at the Olambawa Community Hall (Polling Station 13), in the Kekirawa Electorate, in the Anuradhapura District. At the same Polling Station, Prabath Weerawansa and his supporters had also damaged the vehicle of Priyaranjana Rathnayake, a National People's Party candidate.

In Wiyeyaramaya Polling Station (Polling Station 11) in Kalaweva Electorate, Anuradhapura District, a UPFA Rajangana Pradeshiya Sabha representative D.M. Wimarshana Prabath Vithana threatened a UNP supporter named P. Sampath Rajindra.

Voter intimidation
Two separate incidents of voter intimidation were reported from Wee-Oya Junior School (Polling Station 29) and Malalpola Maha Vidyalaya (Polling Station 18) both in the Yatiyantota Electorate, Kegalle District. In both incidents unidentified persons who drove in Defender Jeeps had shot into the air. CMEV was informed by the Senior Presiding Officers in both stations that they had not witnessed the incidents but had heard gunshots. CMEV was informed that other Polling Officers had witnessed the incidents. It was also reported that police officers were witnesses to the incident but had not taken any action.

A JVP supporter reported to the CMEV an incident at the Aralaganwila Ruhunagama Veeralanda Junior School (Polling Station 7), in Polonnaruwa Electorate, where UPFA supporters threatened JVP supporters.

In R/Udugala Vidyalaya (Polling Station 17) and R/Pimbura Vidyalaya (Polling Station 19) in the Kalawana Electorate in the Ratnapura District, UPFA candidate Lambert Bandara and his supporters threatened and intimidated voters.

Voter Impersonation
It was reported that 12 persons attempted to cast their votes at 9.40 a.m. at the A/Heambawewa Junior Secondary School (Polling Station 29), Anurdhapura West Electorate, Anurdhapura District using false identification.

At Sumanagala Vidyalaya (Polling Station 28) in the Anuradhapure West Electorate, a farmer named R.M Ratnayake was not allowed to vote as the SPO informed him that his vote had already been cast. He was told that his vote had been cast via a postal vote by an army officer of the same name. The application to file this vote was requested by Maj. Gen. M.J.K Jayapriya, commander of the Kavachikkuda army camp.

Voter transportation in Mihintale
UNP provincial council candidate H.M Prasanna Sugath Herath transported voters to the A/Ganthiriyagama Maha Vidyalaya (Polling station 42), in the Mihintale Electorate, Anurdhapura District. He used a white Tipper vehicle bearing license plate number 48-5961 for this purpose.

Damage to property
Supporters of Chief Minister candidate of UPFA in Sabaragamuwa Province, Maheepala Herath who had arrived in seven vehicles and attacked a cab bearing the number plate 56-2218 belonging to the JVP in front of the in Pinnawala Central College (Polling Station 27), Rambukkana, Kegalle District.

Inability to vote due to lack of proper documentation
CMEV has reported that a number of voters both in the Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provinces were deprived of their right to vote because of the lack of appropriate identity documents. CMEV spoke to the National Organiser of the Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC), Mr. Yogarajan who stated that out of approximate 95,000 Upcountry Tamils who are registered voters in the Sabaragamuwa Province 10% were unable to cast their vote because of this. CMEV has also received reports from its monitors and political parties of other incidents of this nature, suggesting that the overall figure in both provinces of those who were effectively disenfranchised could be high. As at the close of polls, CMEV had received reports of over 570 persons being so deprived in the areas of Dedigama, Deraniyagala, Eheliyagoda, Kegalle, Kolonna, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Ruwanwella and Yatiyantota in the Sabaragamuwa Province and Anuradhapura West, Horowapathana, Kekirawa, Medawachchiya, Polonnaruwa in the NCP.

According to a notice issued by the Election Commissioner on 16th July 2008, eight forms of identification were listed as accepted documentation for voting. A clear procedure was set out in the above notice which provides alternatives for those who lack any of the eight forms of identification.

Some of the incidents encountered were:

Sabaragamuwa
The majority of incidents reported to CMEV regarding the lack of proper documentation were made in the Kegalle District. In the Kegalle Electorate at the Hettimulla Bandaranaike M.V, 40 persons were not allowed to cast their votes as the SPO did not recognize the identification presented by the voters, which was authorized by the Grama Sevaka. A similar incident has been reported in the Ambuwangala Junior School (Polling Station 44) Rambukkana Electorate, Kegalle District. 10 persons were denied permission to vote in this instance. As the SPO was unable to recognize their IDs as valid, 15 persons were turned away from the Polling Station at the Hinguralakanda Maha Vidyalaya (Polling Station 36) in the Deraniyagala Electorate, Kegalle District. At Deewala Maha Vidyalala, Hall number 1 and 2 (Polling Stations 6 and 7) in the Kegalle Electorate, 36 voters were turned away due to ID issues. In the Kegalle District, in the Mawanella Electorate, 20 voters were turned away from Udamakadawara Junior School Hall Number 1 (Polling Station 20) as the SPO was unable to verify their identification. In two different polling stations in the Ruvanwella Electorate, Kegalle District voters were turned away. Also in the Ruvanwella Electorate, the Anguruwella Pre School (Polling Station 33) 3 persons were turned back at 7 45 am and at the Gonagala North Kanishta Vidyalala (Polling Station 24), 5 persons were turned back at 8 am.

CMEV received reports of differing standards being used in neighbouring polling stations. For example, there were reports of persons being able to vote without the requisite documentation in the Garagoda Muslim Vidayalaya (No 10) in Yatiyantota Electorate, Kegalle District. In contrast, persons were not allowed to vote in the nearby Panawatta Tamil Vidyalaya (No12) due to the lack of proper documentation.

CMEV monitors also received complaints from the Rathnapura Districts. In the Eheliyagoda Electorate of Ratnapura District at the Minnawa Sri Muchalindaramaya Polling Station (Polling Station 07), a large number of persons were turned away from the Polling booth due to the lack of National Identity cards.

North Central Province
There were a few incidents of voters not being allowed to vote in the North Central Province, particularly from Anurdhapura District. In the Anuradhapura Morahewa Vidyalaya (Polling Station 10), Horowpothana Electorate, Anuradhapura District, between 7:00am to 1:20 pm, CMEV monitor reported that about 100 voters were sent back by the SPO because they did not have a proper ID card and thus were unable to vote. In the Adampane Sudharshana Maha Vidyalaya (Polling Station 04), Anurahapura West Electorate, four voters had turned up without any of the eight forms of identification, but with the Grama Seveka certification. The Senior Presiding Office did not, however permit them to vote. Five persons have turned up without Identity Cards but with GS certification to vote at the Maha Bulankualama Vidyalaya Polling Station (Polling Station 54), Anuradhapura West Electorate, Anuradhapura District but the Senior Presiding Officer has not permitted them to vote. Eight persons were not allowed to cast their votes because the Senior Presiding Officer has refused them permission to vote because the IDs that they presented were a form of identification authorized only by the Grama Sevaka. This incident occurred in at the Anuradhapura Maha Bulankulama Vidyalaya (Polling Station 54), Anurdhapura West at 9.10am. Approximately 25 voters were sent back between 7:00am and 1:50pm,by the Senior Polling Officer at the Anuradhapura Moragahadigiliya Viduhala (Polling Station 07), Horowpothana Electorate, Anuradhapura District reportedly due lack of identity cards.

In Yodhaela Maha Vidayalaya (Polling Station 50) in Minneriya, Polonnaruwa District the JVP complained that persons were able to vote with a document attested by the GS. At the Yodhaela Maha Vidyalaya Polling station, Mineriya Electorate, Polannaruwa District, voters were allowed to use a letter issued by the GS as formal identification. However, at polling stations in some of the other polling stations, the Senior Polling Officers refused to recognize such a letter.

Continuation of campaigning on Election Day
In the Ruwanwella Electorate, Kegalle District, Kananthota Suleimaniya Muslim Vidyalaya (No.38)at 9 .05 am, supporters of Nihal Farook (UNP) had been seen near the polling station telling voters to vote for Nihal Farook.

A large numbers of leaflets and posters of UPFA Chief Minister Candidate Mahipala Herath were distributed at Polling stations Kalugala Rural Development Society Hall (Polling Station 1), Puwakdeniya Junior School (Polling Station 3), Beragala Junior School (Polling Station 22) and Paragammana Dharamapala Junior School (Polling Station 26) in the Kegalle Electorate, Kegalle District.

Supporters of UPFA Chief Minister candidate Bertie Premalal Dissanayake and UPFA candidate Udaya Nalin Wijeyaratne were seen distributing small cards bearing their names and candidate numbers to voters. This incident occurred around 10am within 200 metres of the Kidavarampulam Vidyalaya (Polling Station 50), in Madawachchiya in the Anuradhapura District.

The leaflets bearing the details of candidate no. 22, Dushmantha Mithrapala of UPFA, have been spotted near the polling station in Deraniyagala Junior School (Polling Station 22) in Deraniyagala Electorate, Kegalle District.

Distribution of election related materials
In the Pollonaruwa District, at the Sarvodaya District Center (Polling Station 83), in New Town Pollonnaruwa, UPFA candidate Peshala Jayaratne's supporters distributed election related materials using a trishaw bearing number plate QC- 8870.

Restriction of access to the Polling Station
In the Dereniyagla Electorate of Kegelle District, Sabaragamuwa Province, near the Basnagala Polling Station (Polling Station 04), obstruction of road access to the polling station had been engineered by cutting and placing of two trees on the road.

Monitor obstructed from entry
A CMEV stationary monitor was denied entry into a polling station by the SPO at A/Ganthiriyagama Maha Vidyalaya (Polling Station 42), Mihinthale Electorate, Anuradhapura District. After speaking with the police, and a further delay of 15 minutes, the monitor was allowed inside.

CMEV monitor reprimanded by SPO
In the Anuradhapura East Electorate, at the D.S. Senanayake School (Polling Station 39), the CMEV stationary monitor was reprimanded by the SPO. The polling officer had also refused to sign the CMEV personnel's monitoring sheet.

UPFA complains of bias
CMEV has received a complaint from the UPFA that at the Kadawathmaduwa Dharmapala Junior School (Polling Station 63), Polonnaruwa Electorate, that the SPO and his staff were biased toward the UNP supporters.

Sri Lankan journalist, accused under the country's Prevention of Terrorism Act, has been remanded in custody.
JS Tissainayagam was held for five months before he was charged with bringing the government into disrepute and stirring up communal disharmony.
Campaigners say Sri Lanka is fast becoming one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists.
They say that Sri Lanka's government is trying to stifle criticism of the war against the Tamil Tigers.
At least 12 journalists have been killed in Sri Lanka since August 2005.
Widespread attention
JS Tissainayagam stood silently in the dock at Colombo's High Court as his lawyers appealed for bail.
But the State Council opposed it on the grounds that he has been charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Mr Tissainayagam's case has received widespread attention in Sri Lanka.
Sunanda Deshapriya of the Free Media Movement said it showed Sri Lanka's government was willing to go to any lengths to suppress critical reporting of the war against the separatist Tamil Tigers.
Mr Tissainayagam was held for more than five months before he was charged with publishing and distributing a magazine, alleged to have brought the government into disrepute.
He is also accused of collecting money from non-governmental organisations for running the magazine.
Professor Rajiva Wijesinha of the Ministry of Human Rights said journalists had to be careful to make sure what they write could not be used by "terrorists".
If the security forces felt people were acting against national security, against the law, it was not for others to tell them not to proceed, he added.

Nine children between the ages of 3 and 12 and two adults have been admitted to the Kalutara hospital after mistakenly consuming a poisons fruit which has a cyanide content, Director of the Hospital Dr. Nanda Waduge said.

The children who had gone into the jungle to collect firewood in an area close to Aluthgama had collected these fruits assuming it to be ‘Himbutu’ which is usually eaten.

The children on return to their homes had made further inquiries whether it was safe to eat and some of the parents had said it was safe.

Soon after consuming the fruits they had started vomiting and fallen ill.

Dr. Waduge said one of the children was serious as he had eaten more fruits than the others. All of them are warded at the Kalutara hospital.

“These children may face complications in the future as it could have an impact on internal organs such as liver”, he said.

He said the fruit has been identified as “Hondala” and earlier the Health Education Bureau had educated the people on the danger of this fruit.

He said though there is popular yam known as “Hondala”, this particular fruit was from a different tree.

JVP Leader challenged the NFF to contest future elections to show their political strength and not making allegations against the JVP.He said the NFF wanted to remove him from the party leadership.
Responding NFF allegations Mr.Somawansa Amarasinghe said the JVP follows democratic path and the members of the JVP could remove or appoint their leadership in any moment.
Speaking at a press conference held on Monday in Colombo he said the recent election results show a setback of the JVP. However he said it would not changed political activities and the policies of the party .
“We faced similar setbacks during our party history .We could overcome those setbacks .Politically these election results do not show people’s verdict and it would not represent the whole country, he said.
Responding questions made by the media he said the JVP would not join with the UNP or the UPFA.
“It is not our policy, he explained.
On Saturday provincial council election the JVP obtained only three seats from Anuradhapura, Ratnapura and Kegalle. The party could not obtain a seat from Polonnaruwa which was a JVP supportive district.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake addressing a press conference today stated that compared to the 2004 Provincial Council elections the UNP vote base has increased while the Government vote base has decresed. "We challenge the govt to hold a general election instead of PC polls" he added.

Minister Dullas Alahapperuma today said today that if the UNP wants a general election now, the Goverment will go for one in three months.

JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said today that the Provincial Council Poll results do not portray the true mandate or opinion of people.

UNP MP Palitha Ranga Bandara's office in Anamaduwa has been burnt by an unknown gang yesterday night. Police said that the office had been totally destroyed and the damage estimated to be over Rs. 1 million.

According to the finalized military report received from the battle front said 7 LTTE terrorists were killed and another 2 suffered injuries due to the clashes ensued in Mullaittivu, Vavuniya, Jaffna and Welioya fronts yesterday, 24 August. 6 more terrorists also reportedly either killed or wounded.

Troops of Task Force 1 operating in Mullaittivu district gunned down an LTTE terrorist in general area Thunukkai. Meanwhile, another soldier suffered injuries while engage in mine clearing operations in Yogapuram area in same front. Separately, troops of Task Force 2 operating in Vavuniya district had confronted with a group of LTTE terrorists killing at least two.

Troops of 59 Division operating in Welioya front had series of confrontations in north of Janakapura, Kiriibbawewa and Andankulam areas. 3 LTTE terrorists were killed two others suffered injuries due to these confrontations. 6 more terrorists were either killed or wounded, the report said citing ground troops. Meanwhile, one soldier also suffered injuries while conducting mine clearing operations in general area Andankulam.

Troops have unearthed 34 anti-personnel mines and 4 IED's from Andankulam and north of Janakapura areas in 59 Division conducting mine clearing duties in recently liberated areas through out the day.

In Jaffna front, army snipers gunned down an LTTE terrorist in general area Kilaly. Two army soldiers suffered injuries while performing duties at forward defence positions in general area Ponnar and Muhamalai.

Separately, on information received STF personnel have found a T-56 weapon along with some other warlike items from general area Kurukulmadam, Batticaloa. 114 T-45 rounds, 2 Magazines, 3 Micro Pistol rounds are also found during this search operation.

CHENNAI: In a swift pre-dawn operation, Narcotics Control Bureau sleuths arrested a drug peddler who was evading arrest for many years, The Hindu newspaper reported.
Chellappa Saguneswaran, 42, of Vavuniya was picked up from a lodge at Periamet on Saturday.NCB sources said the police intercepted a person identified as Shanmuganathan a resident of Colombo at the Chennai international airport on Friday night when he was about to board a plane to Sri Lanka. A search of his baggage brought out 750 gram of heroin concealed in an oven and electric cooker.

Enquiries revealed that Mr. Shanmuganathan had no knowledge of the drug being stuffed in the baggage, and that he had only agreed to hand over the materials given by his friend, Saguneswaran, to a family in Colombo.

Based on the inputs given by the passenger, a NCB team launched a manhunt for the suspect in Chennai and neighbouring districts.

Taking its cue from the mobile phone communication and tower location, the team raided hotels in suspected areas. At about 2 a.m. the police located Mr. Saguneswaran in a lodge at Periamet.

He was in possession of another 750 gram of heroin. He confessed that on August 14, he smuggled to Sri Lanka 2 kg of heroin, with the help of an agent in Tuticorin.

“Saguneswaran is a big time drug peddler who was formerly a teacher in a school at Vavuniya. Though he was into drug business for years, he managed to keep his identity and movements secret. Investigations are out to find out the source and supply network of the contraband,” NCB South Zonal Director S. Davidson Devasirvatham told The Hindu.

The suspect was using carriers who had no knowledge that they were transporting drugs. The NCB was investigating the possibility of Saguneswaran’s links with the banned LTTE, the sources said.

Two wild elephants were killed after being knocked down by the mail train from Colombo Fort to Batticaloa causing derailment, the Anuradhapura Railway control office said.

The accident had occurred yesterday morning at Karandapatana close to the Horiwila railway station between Kekirawa and Palugaswela. A spokesman of the Anuradhapura Railway Control Room said that a wild elephant knocked down by the train lay dead under the engine while another was dying by the track.

Another two elephants were also hit by the train and have crept into the jungle with injuries, train passengers said. According to information, the villagers were looking for the injured elephants. The Railway Control Room said action has been taken to clear the track.

By Sunimalee Dias

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) said that renovation of the Kankasanthurai port is a “tough task” in view of the current ongoing projects in four other ports in the country.

The government has expressed interest in opening up the Kankasanthurai port following the capture of some key areas, SLPA Acting Chairman Priyath Bandu Wickrama said.

In an interview with the Daily Financial Times he said that they were currently discussing the development of the harbour and believed it would take some time in view of the security clearance required in this respect from the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN).The opening of this harbour would be carried out in a bid to ensure that essential commodities are being transported to the North and East for which currently facilities are not in place, the acting chairman stated.

The required improvement has been called for by the government as they have come up with plans to ensure that the port will be operational and in full gear before the end of this year.

It was mentioned that currently the SLPA is engaged in work relating to the inspection of the breakwater of the port while at the same time conducting discussion with the SLN in addition to yard and road renovation.

SLPA is expected to obtain monetary assistance from the Treasury for the renovation work at the Kankasanthurai port. Meanwhile, the SLPA is gearing up to call for tenders for the Colombo South Port next month. He noted that t