The Commissioner General of Essential Services on Wednesday (Oct 15) submitted a report to His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on the on going operations to supply foods to Wanni. The report states that the government has been able to continue provision of sufficient food stocks to the civilians living in Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu districts effectively despite non cooperation of some international aid agencies . Further, the report recall that it is the government of Sri Lanka that has been providing foods to terror stricken areas during last 20 years and state that this has been carried out with the utmost commitment to protect its own citizen but not to satisfy any international agency.

Following is the report in full :

Food Supplies to Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu Districts
Introduction :
Food supplies to the above districts are based on three categories. i.e.,
(a) People who were displaced prior to 11.08.2006

(b) People who were displaced after August 2006

(c) Food for sales to the general public by the Cooperatives

The government of Sri Lanka under the supervision of the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services maintains food supplies to the first category. The World Food Programme(WFP) under the supervision of the Ministry for Nation Building assists the government to supply food to the second category of people. Food and Non-food supplies for sale to the third category have been provided monthly with the recommendation of the Government Agents of the respective districts. The government has so far maintained uninterrupted supplies to all the categories refereed to above. Details with regard to food supplies from January to date are given in the below illustrated tables.

Emergency Operations

On the directive of H.E. the President, an emergency operation was launched to ensure uninterrupted supplies to the internally displaced people (IDPs) where they are currently located in the above districts. The operational principles and modality for food delivery under this programme was mapped out and executed under the guidance of Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, M.P. and the Senior Advisor to H.E. the President. A high level Committee Chaired by him with the following Members were appointed to monitor and over see the entire operation.

i Hon. Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen - Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services

ii Secretaries of the Ministries of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services and Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development

iii Commissioner General of Essential Services

iv Chief of the Defence Staff

v Mr. Neil Buhne, Resident Representative of UNDP

vi Country Director ICRC

vii Country Director WFP

In order to successfully implement the emergency food delivery programme, the following operational principles were agreed to:

a. To maintain a buffer stock of nearly 5000 MT of essential food commodities (Dhal, flour, sugar, vegetable oil ) at the logistic network already established in Vavuniya. This arrangement was made to ensure speedy supplies to Wanni instead of having to transport from Colombo.

b. An exclusive convoy of 75 trucks containing 750 MT of the above food items to depart from Vavuniya to the above districts weekly. All these trucks to be sealed at the logistic hub in Vavuniya in the presence of Sri Lanka Army to avoid security checks at Omanthai Entry/Exit Point.

c. UN/WFP Staff to accompany the convoy to monitor the delivery of food to the allocated warehouses. i.e., Kandavalai, Dharmapuram, Puthukkudiyiruppu and Mulliyavalai. These warehouses were identified in order to ensure that food is delivered to the places where the people are largely located

Performance
The first convoy of 51 trucks with 750 MT of food items, which left Wanni on 3rd October 2008 successfully completed its mission. The respective GAs have confirmed delivery and distribution of the stock to the beneficiaries.

The second convoy of 50 trucks loaded with 750 MT of food cargo at Vavuniya logistic hub were to depart for Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu districts on 10.10.2008 could not proceed due to reluctance of the UN/WFP to travel on the new route suggested by the Security Forces Commander in Wanni. The first convoy travelled on Vavuniya, Mankulam, Oddusudan route and reached the destination as referred to above. However, the second convoy was advised to take the route from Vavuniya, Pullaiankulam, Nedunkeny and Oddusudan. This change of route was decided due to security reasons. Despite repeated requests by us, the convoy had not moved up to date.

Due to the failure of the WFP to move the food convoy, it became extremely necessary to arrange an urgent procurement from Vavuniya to ensure emergency food supplies to the above districts. On the advice of Hon. Basil Rajapaksa M.P., the Commissioner General with the assistance of the GA Vavuniya and Kilinochchi initiated an immediate action plan to procure food items from Vavuniya on Sunday (Oct 12). Consequently, 20 trucks loaded with nearly 300 MT of flour were sent on urgent basis to the above districts on Monday (Oct 13), on the new route.

Due to a damage of a culvert on this route which was caused by heavy rain the convoy could not move the same day. Having completed immediate repairs with the involvement of GA Vavuniya, the convoy reached the destination by Tuesday (Oct 14) evening, and distribution commenced on Wednesday (Oct 15).

The GOSL continues to carry out the emergency operation to ensure that its people in Wanni will get sufficient food supplies without depending on the foreign aid.

The Role of the World Food Programme
The action of the UN/WFP to delay the 50 trucks already loaded with the goods until security assessment of its Mission is completed is unacceptable. According to the terms of the Letter of Understanding between the WFP and GOSL, the overall objective of the operation to be assisted by WFP. In other words, WFP is to support the Government in its efforts to improve the food security of vulnerable people in conflict areas. The Government is responsible to implement the operation and for ensuring that the commodities provided by WFP are properly transported, received, handled and accounted for and distributed to the beneficiaries. Also, it will facilitate the safe and unimpeded access for delivery distribution and monitoring of these commodities. Security clearance for relief convoys that the government wish to send including food donated by the WFP will rest only on the Government and not on any foreign determination.

Under these circumstances, action by UN/WFP to withhold this convoy is deplorable. This action has impeded the uninterrupted supplies to Wanni Districts for which WFP should take the responsibility. Certain attitudes of some UN Agencies and INGOs have raised serious concerns in the recent past as well.

Conclusion
Despite all these impediments, action has been taken by the government to fulfill its commitment to ensure uninterrupted supplies and avoid any shortage of food. The Committee headed by Hon. Basil Rajapaksa MP, has now decided to make arrangements to deliver a convoy of 150 trucks containing basic food items to these areas.

The Commissioner General has directed respective GAs to distribute the food that is already available in the Multi Purpose Cooperative Shops (rice is available in plenty in these districts), in the event of any shortage. The GAs have cooperated in this emergency endeavour in an excellent manner. Coordinating Committee headed by Hon. Basil Rajapaksa MP is constantly monitoring the operation and it will ensure that there would not be any shortage of food to the displaced people and the public of these districts at this period.

Further, the GOSL has not sought any logistic supervision by any external agencies, as it is fully capable of discharging all its relief and other logistic functions. Any attempt by any agency to undermine its proven logistic role will have to be considered as hostile to the Government.

There has been no control by the UN Agencies and other Non-government organisations on actual distribution of the relief supplies to the beneficiaries. The Government always welcome the representation of the UN or other expatriate agencies to accompany the trucks, if they wish to do so. The Government logistic system works perfectly well to the satisfaction of the beneficiaries and the UN partners. The Government has been providing relief measures and logistic network to these terror-stricken areas for over 20 years. It is being carried with enormous difficulties and threat, not to satisfy the UN or INGOs but by deep-seated commitment of the GOSL to protect and feed its own citizens during these difficult years of their lives.

Foreign Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama who is currently on an official visit to Australia, has called on the UN Working Group under the Security Council's Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) to consider listing the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as an international terrorist group. He made this call, while delivering an address to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), a prestigious, independent think tank in Canberra last Monday (13 October 2008).

Minister Bogollgama, speaking at the forum, stated, "I strongly believe that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) which has earned international notoriety and opprobrium for its countless cold blooded and savage acts of terrorism, targeting not only high profile politicians and military personnel, but ordinary civilians, designed to cause maximum casualties and property destruction, is a prime candidate for consideration by the Working Group for listing, as an international terrorist group.

The LTTE is pre-eminently qualified to meet the criteria for such listing. After all, the LTTE has been described as "probably the most sophisticated terrorist organization in the world", by Dr. Magnus Ranstorp, Chief Scientist at the Centre Asymmetric Threat Studies of the Swedish National Defence College".

The Foreign Minister during the course of his wide ranging lecture on the theme, "Global Action on Countering Terrorism", urged the international community to pursue front organizations of the LTTE, posing off as charities and humanitarian relief groups, which continue to raise funds to fill the LTTE war chest. In this respect, he said that the United States has taken a bold lead in targeting the support network of the LTTE by designating the Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), which had long claimed itself to be a charitable organization, as a front to facilitate fund raising and procurement of weapons for the LTTE.

The Minister stressed that the onus is now clearly upon the international community to support Sri Lanka, by taking tangible and meaningful steps to eradicate terrorism from the island, and help the government to restore democracy and rebuild the damaged infrastructure in the North and the East. He said, "We believe that the true friends of Sri Lanka in the international community, who have the well being of our people at heart must put their money where their mouth is, by taking decisive action to stop funds being raised under various ruses, which are being channeled to finance the LTTE's operations".

Elaborating on the present military operations in the North, Minister Bogollgama declared that the Government of Sri Lanka is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation of civilians in the uncleared areas, as the military operations enter a decisive phase to free these areas from the terrorists. The Minister emphasized that, as a responsible government, President Mahinda Rajapaksa's administration is acutely conscious and aware of its responsibilities towards all citizens of Sri Lanka.

He said that, "this is why, even as there is intensification of the military strikes against the LTTE, there is remarkably minimal collateral civilian casualties. This has not occurred by chance or a fortuitous turn of circumstances, but rather in pursuance of the government directive to the military to adhere strictly to a policy of "zero civilian casualty", in combating terrorism".

Referring to the situation of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts, the Minister said, "it is important that we bear in mind that the situation of those displaced due to the on-going military operations in the Wanni, as previously in the case of the East, is merely a temporary dislocation".

On the other hand, the Minister questioned the lukewarm attitude of the international community towards the plight of the Muslim community of the Northern Province, which has been expelled at gun point by the LTTE 18 years ago. He asked, "I wonder why the shrill voices of those who are screaming of a non-existent humanitarian catastrophe in the Wanni, are deafeningly silent on the plight of the over 100,000 Muslims who are now languishing in refugee camps, after being forcibly evicted by the LTTE from the North. 24th October marks the 18th anniversary of the ethnic cleansing of Muslims from the North by the LTTE.

75,000 Muslims were compelled to vacate their homes at gun point on this day in 1990 by the LTTE, and after they were driven out of their lands, which they had inhabited from time immemorial, the LTTE went about systematically looting and pillaging the properties and valuables of these hapless people". Minister Bogollgama declared, "If any proof were needed of the racist nature of the LTTE, the ethnic cleansing of Muslims from the North, speaks for itself - res ipsa loquitur".

In conclusion, the Foreign Minister urged UN member nations to ratify all major UN Conventions relating to terrorism. The Minister noted, "Nothing short of this commitment would suffice in the global struggle to eliminate the modern day scourge of terrorism, which has blighted the lives of millions of people around the world".

Tamil Nadu state assembly opposition leader and the Southern Indian state's former Chief Minister accused the State's current Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi of actively supporting the LTTE terrorists and not doing anything for the poor Tamil civilians who are being used as a human shield by the Tigers to safeguard themselves.

" Reports reveal that the LTTE is using the innocent civilians, living in that areas, as human shields by preventing the Tamils from leaving to safer places. This horrible practice of using civilians as human shield must be stopped forthwith," she said.

Jeyalalitha Jeyaram, who is popularly known as "Amma" (mother) in Indian politics is also the leader of the other large party in the state AIADMK. She challenged Karunanidhi to prevail upon the terrorist group to send the innocent civilians to safer areas where they are not purposely exposed to the horrors of war by the LTTE terrorists, Jayalalitha said.

AIADMK , the political party she heads officially boycotted the "All Party Meeting" Karunanidhi presided over two days ago on the Sri Lankan crisis .

Karunanidhi in a statement after the meeting claimed they decided that all parties in the Tamil Nadu should resign from their parliamentary memberships both in the lower house and upper house if the New Delhi government does not impose a ceasefire on the Sri Lankan government within two weeks.

But contrary to the announced agreement Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi resigned from her Upper House seat without staying for two weeks.

New Delhi government also said , they cannot impose such measures as they could not interfere with the sovereignty of a foreign government.

Jeyalalitha in her statement accused Karunanidhi of duplicity and charged that he was only trying to safeguard a terrorist group which is banned in India and least bothered about the civilians.

Jayalalitha said Karunanidhi's decision to for the MP's to resign is mere drama and would not serve the purposes of the Tamil people.

Jayalalith said the Indian government does not have the moral right to interfere with the Sri Lankan government and stop the war as it would open floodgates to interfere with the sovereignty of India by other countries.

She said she is amazed that this basic fact is not known by a person who had held the Chief Ministership of the state for five times.

Troops of the 58 Division operating in the Western Kilinochchi battlefront, Thursday(Oct 16) seized total control over Manniyankulama area considered a LTTE strongpoint, 13.5 Northeast of Nachchikuda.

According to military sources, troops are now consolidating defences in the area.

Security forces mounted heavy artillery and mortar attacks at LTTE positions leaving scores killed and as many injured including two LTTE leaders, at Muhamalai, Jaffna, today (Oct 16). Fighting ensued between troops and LTTE since 4a.m, according to Jaffna security sources.

Successive LTTE counter attacks were also thwarted by the military as troops claimed heavy damages to LTTE in the hours long fighting which lasted till noon. The slain LTTE leaders were identified as Kanyan and Isaiman, according to military. 3 soldiers have laid their lives and 9 others reported wounded during the confrontation, security sources said.

JHU national organizer Patali Champika Ranawaka says he strongly believes the president will never betray the country and will not stop the war until the north is saved from terrorism. The government minister also told the media in Colombo today (Oct. 16th) that India had no right to interfere in Sri Lanka's affairs.
Accusing New Delhi of having supplied arms and given training to the LTTE in the 1980s, Mr. Ranawaka said India had to pay for its interference with the life of Rajiv Gandhi.

India will have to face similar repercussions if it tries to involve again in Sri Lanka's internal issues, he warned.

Pointing to pressure by Tamil communalistic parties in South India for a cessation of hostilities, the JHU national organizer said his party would get Buddhist parties in that country to urge New Delhi against any involvement.

He asked Sri Lankan Tamils to ask India to extend its support to the humanitarian missions in the north by the president to save them from terrorism.

Mr. Ranawaka accused certain political parties and groups in the south of trying to create political instability by pointing to attempts by India to involve itself in the Sri Lankan issue.

If that happens, a repeat of what had happened in the 1980s would be unavoidable, he warned.

Since ancient times, South Indian invaders had targeted Sri Lanka, he said, and called for an extensive union to prevent a likely invasion of the sort in the future.

When a journalist questioned the JHU's stance if the government enters negotiations at the request of New Delhi, Mr. Ranawaka ended the media briefing by saying that the media has no right to ask questions of that nature.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has responded positively to the meeting between the prime minister and the opposition leader to discuss appointments to the Constitutional Council, Acting Attorney General, Priyasath Dep told the Supreme Court today (Oct. 16th).
He was reporting the progress of the CC issuer when the SC took up a fundamental rights application filed by Dr. Sumanasiri Liyanage, a senior lecturer of economics at University of Peradeniya and attorney Subash Ravi Jayawardena, an Executive Director of South Asia Peace Institute.

The petitioners allege that their rights had been violated due to the non-appointment of the CC.

Previously, Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva had directed to reach consensus with regard to appointments to the CC in order to fully implement the 17th Amendment to the Constitution.

The acting AG further said the prime minister and the opposition leader have reached agreement on the five nominees and would take the matter up with the President in the neat future.

The SC directed the Acting AG to report progress to the court on November 14th.

A police constable on duty at road block in Chenkaladi, Batticaloa was shot dead at 7.10 p.m. today, police sources said.

Police said they suspected that the LTTE pistol gang was involved in the shooting.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi today said a 'human chain' demonstration would be held in Chennai on October 21, to remind the Centre of the all-party meet's decision, to ask its MPs to resign if no action was taken on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue within a fortnight, according to a PTI report.

In a statement, Karunanidhi said the human chain was to remind the Centre of the six resolutions passed at the all-party meeting here on October 14.

The Chief Minister appealed to the people to participate in the agitation in large numbers.

Meanwhile, writing in the DMK's official organ 'Murasoli', he said as per the resolution, DMK ministers in the Manmohan Singh ministry would quit if the Centre did not take action to stop the killings of Tamils in Sri Lanka within a fortnight.

"The very fact that they will resign their Parliament seats means they will also be resigning from the ministry", he said, replying to MDMK chief Vaiko's demand in this regard.

On AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa's charge that the meet was a farce and the resolutions amounted to supporting the LTTE, he said, her statement had been appreciated by the Sri Lankan President's advisor, Basil Rajapakse.

"This clearly proves who are all with the Sri Lankan government. At least now people of the state will understand who is committing acts inimical to the Tamils', he said.

A British tourist who was in Sri Lanka for a short vacation found dead in the Habaraduwa Sea area in Southern Sri Lanka.

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekara said this British man’s body, identified as Richard Steven was found by the people of the Mihiripana area in Galle this afternoon.

According to the sources the tourist has drowned in the sea while he was bathing in the area with his wife yesterday.

Sri Lankan men’s 4x100m relay team earned another gold medal at the Third Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India yesterday evening.

In the finals Sri Lankan team of Ranil Shehan Jayawardena, Dewage Roshan Chamara Silva, Keith Thishan De Mel and Shehan Sadaruwan Abeypitiyage won the event establishing a new games record with a time of 40.85 seconds.

Today is the fifth day of the youth Commonwealth games and few other Sri Lankan athletes are scheduled to participate in their finals this evening.

Known for its penchant for active involvement in political issues, the Tamil film industry is lending its support to the efforts by the state parties to bring focus back on the issue of Sri Lankan Tamils by calling for a protest rally on Sunday.
Over 2,000 people, including top stars, directors and other film personalities, are expected to converge at Rameswaram island, which is in close proximity to Sri Lanka

The rally will demand a halt to the island army's ongoing offensive in the north of the neighbouring republic, industry sources said.

Hectic arrangements are underway for staging the rally and the industry personnel would travel to the pilgrim town of Rameswaram by a special train from Chennai, they said.

The move, ostensibly aimed at pressuring the Centre to arrange a ceasefire between the Army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, is spearheaded by Director Bharathiraja and comes after the steady revival of the Sri Lankan Tamils issue in the past few weeks after a gap of 17 years.

Political parties, gearing up for next Lok Sabha polls, are attempting to whip up support for the ethnic Tamils apparently to make the emotional issue a poll plank.

The support for Sri Lankan Tamils gathered momentum as the island's army made successful forays into the Tigers' last stronghold of Killinochi, cornering LTTE [Images] chief V Prabhakaran and a vast network of his militant group.

However, unlike the Hogenakkal issue in which the film industry put up a united show in April to oppose the attempts by Karnataka to stall the drinking water project for two border districts in Tamil Nadu, differences have come to the fore over the Rameswaram rally.

A section of actors has expressed reservations over participating in the agitation.

Some actors and artistes are apprehensive about the choice of the venue for the rally as they feel it would be difficult to make themselves available at a far-off place at short notice.

"We are apprehensive about the security of the artistes. Besides, how many people can be accommodated in the small town," an actor speaking on condition of anonymity told PTI.

"In fact, the South Indian Artistes' Association had on Sunday only expressed its moral support to the rally but had not confirmed on its participation," the actor said.

Bharathiraja, on the other hand, had defended the decision to hold the rally in Rameswaram, saying "The island is known throughout the nation and the world and our voice from here will be heard in Sri Lanka."

There is no word yet on the participation of matinee idols Rajnikanth [Images] and Kamalahaasan in the rally.

The industry grapevine has it that Rajnikanth may play safe by absenting himself as he might not like a repeat of the Hogenakkal hunger strike that landed him in trouble both in his home state of Karnataka as well as Tamil Nadu.

Kamalahaasan, who had shared the stage with Rajnikanth and others during the film industry fast over the Hogenakkal issue, too has been silent on the issue. Sources close to the actor told PTI he was busy with his next venture Marmayogi.

However, the actor's pro-Tamil sentiments were well known, they said hinting that he may pitch in at the last minute as Rameswaram was close to his native town of Paramakudi.

Actor-politician Vijaykant appears to be another doubtful for the rally as it comes just a day after the youth conference of his DMDK in Chennai.

Massive protest against Sri Lanka has been called by the Malaysian Democratic Action Party (DAP), Jalan, and Baru branch on October 17, 2008 in front of Jalan, Muniswaran Temple in Malaysia.
According to the Secretary of the Jalan, Baru Branch, Mr. Sathees, Massive protest against Sri Lanka and its genocides against Tamils has been called by the Malaysian Democratic Action Party (DAP), Jalan, Baru branch on October 17, 2008, Friday, 8:00 p.m in front of Jalan, Muniswaran Temple in Malaysia. This protests will be attended by the Elected members of the DAP from both provincial legislative and Parliament.


Malaysian Tamils also express their concerns on the serious plights of over 230,000 Internally Displaced People including 40,000 children who are living in degraded conditions with minimum access to food, medicines, and other basic essentials as UN aid agencies and INGOs were forced out from Vanni by the Sri Lankan government, concerned Jalan Tamil resident told TNS.

New Delhi, 16 October 2008 -- The European Commission, which has already contributed Euro 2 million to provide relief to the victims of the Bihar and Nepal floods, has now allocated an additional Euro 3.5 million for Bihar and Euro 1 million for Nepal to address the continuing urgent needs. These funds will be used for food, shelter, water and sanitation, primary health and protection and will be channelled through the European Commission's partners in the area; non governmental organisations (NGOs) and United Nations (UN) agencies.


This is in response to the events in August, when an embankment on the Kosi River collapsed leading to heavy flooding in Nepal and the Indian State of Bihar .


These were the worst floods in the region for 50 years, affecting the lives of more than four million people. At least two million were displaced from their homes and an estimated 150,000 hectares of crops were destroyed.

Four farmers were shot dead early today by some unidentified persons at Vammiyadikulam, in Ampara, Police spokesman said.

Lakshman Kiriella today addressing a press conference said that the Sri Lankan Government must deal with Tamil Nadu more responsibly than with the Indian Central Government.

The Australian Federal Police says there has been a significant rise in attempted people smuggling operations from Sri Lanka, both by sea and air.

An earthquake has occured at the South Indian Ocean with the magnitude of 4.9 on the Richter scale.

Test results on the leading milk powder brands Nespray, Anchor, Kotmale, Maliban and Diamond have proven to be free of Melamine, Minister of Consumer Affairs Bandula Gunawardena said.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said today that the demand from political parties in Tamil Nadu for a ceasefire in Sri Lanka appeared to be orchestrated by the LTTE and refused to halt the military campaign against the Tigers.

And in remarks, clearly aimed at Tamil Nadu’s politicians, he also said in an interview: “Everyone needs to remember that Sri Lankan Tamils are Sri Lankan citizens. It is our duty to solve their problems.”

Former Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera was summoned before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on Wednesday where he gave a recorded statement pursuant to the Lanka Marine Services Limited (LMSL) Supreme Court judgment which called on several state agencies including the Bribery Commission to launch investigations and act on the Court's findings.

Commission sources said that the investigation which commenced some time ago is now in its last stages.

Chief Justice Sarath N.Silva today directed Counsel for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to inform Court on November 3rd what steps have been taken regarding the complaint pertaining to the financial mismanagement of public funds in the Council based on the findings of the one man committee headed by retired Appeal Court Judge, Chandradasa Nanayakkara.

The CJ made the ruling when the case was taken up today.

Colombo stocks fell on Thursday in line with Asian and US markets where the indices crashed in a continuation of the US financial crisis, brokers said.

They however expected the market to recover in the next few days. Among the main pickings, Dialog fell by 25 cents to Rs 7.75, JKH dropped by Rs 1.50 to close at Rs 74, CIC fell by Rs 2.50 to Rs 35.75 while Maskeliya Plantations saw a stock of 365,200 shares being traded lower by Rs 1.25 to Rs 26.75.

The All Share Index fell by 41.72 points to 1,985.79 while the Milanka dropped by 46.97 points to close at 2,213.28 .

With Tamil Nadu MPs threatening to resign en masse over 'atrocities against fellow Tamils in Sri Lanka,' Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday (October 15th) sent a stern message to Colombo to deescalate hostilities and underscored the need for a political settlement that respects the rights of minorities.

"The situation in Sri Lanka remains a cause of serious concern to India. We are concerned at the escalation of hostilities," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told reporters.

He said this when asked whether he had spoken to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse in the wake of a threat by Tamil Nadu MPs, irrespective of party affiliation, to resign over what they allege to be continuing atrocities against Tamil minorities in Sri Lanka.

'We are concerned about the harassment and killing of Indian fishermen in the neighbouring country,' Manmohan Singh said at a press conference at the end of the third IBSA summit with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and South African President Kgalema Motlanthe.

"India has always believed that there can't be a military victory in Lanka," he said.

"We have always believed that the situation in Sri Lanka required a negotiated political settlement that respects human rights of the Tamil minorities," the prime minister stressed.

The prime minister's remarks came in the wake of an all-party meeting in Tamil Nadu, convened by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi that warned the Centre that all MPs from the state would resign if the government failed to halt the war in the island nation within two weeks.

In a strong message, the DMK, a key ally of the UPA regime, and other parties demanded that India halt all military aid to Sri Lanka, take steps to halt Colombo's military offensive to ensure the return of peace, and dispatch humanitarian aid.

The MDMK General Secretary Vaiko yesterday (Oct. 15th) blamed the union cabinet of India for its 'crime and treachery' against Sri Lankan Tamils by providing military assistance to Sri Lankan government.

The fact of India's military help to Sri Lanka has been conceded in a letter written to him by the Indian PM, he said.

"This is being done with full knowledge that such assistances are used for the genocide of Tamils. India should withdraw all assistance and compel Colombo to stop the war. Failing, India should warn Sri Lanka of severed diplomatic ties and imposition of economic sanctions."

Vaiko also said, "DMK should withdraw its support to the Congress-led coalition government and the Tamil ministers in the union cabinet should resign if India is not acting in these lines."

Vaiko was quoting from a letter written to him by the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on 2nd October, in which he had reportedly stated that India's military assistance to Sri Lanka was to uphold the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka.

Vaiko says this is a testimony from the PM on the military assistance.

Vaiko's demands included the withdrawal of radars supplied to the Sri Lanka Air Force, withdrawal of Indian military contingent in Sri Lanka, freezing monetary assistance, canceling agreement on intelligence exchange, stopping military training in India for members of the Sri Lanka armed forces, pressurizing Colombo to stop the war, restarting peace negotiations through Norway mediation and pressurizing Sri Lanka to allow UN offices to operate.

Vaiko also indicated that the two sitting MDMK Members of Parliament would not hesitate to join the resignation campaign.

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Finalized military reports received from the battlefronts indicated 47 fatalities and 21casualties to the LTTE in counter terrorist offensives conducted yesterday (Oct 14). Also, 6 soldiers laid down their lives and 21suffered injuries during the operations.

On the Kilinochchi front, troops of Task Force 1 heading Pooneryn gained further ground in the Vannerikkulam area during offensives launched in the morning hours. Ground troops confirmed more than 10 terrorists were killed and 6 others were wounded. Also, 4 soldiers laid down their lives and 7 others suffered injuries . During the afternoon hours , troops had 3 separate confrontations in the Vannerikkulam area and reported 3 terrorists were killed and 6 soldiers were injured.

In the Madamoddai area , Task Force 1 troops advance into LTTE hiding areas around 13.30 PM and claimed over 10 terrorists were killed and more were injured. Troops found 2 bodies of slain LTTE cadres and 2 T-56 riffles during subsequent search. In a separate confrontation reported in the same area troops claimed two terrorists were wounded. Also, 3 soldiers suffered injuries. Elsewhere, snipers deployed in the forward area claimed 4 terrorists were shot down during the day.

Meanwhile, 57 division troops heading Kilinochchi carried out series of attacks at LTTE positions located in the East and the West of Akkarayankulam area during the day and claimed 14 terrorists were killed. A soldiers suffered injuries during these operations. Troops found a T-56 riffle and a radio set during a search operation following confrontations.

Troops of the same 57 division heading towards Mankulam from the West of A-9 road , attacked a group LTTE cadres travelling on a tractor around 12.20 PM and claimed 4 terrorists were killed. In a similar attack carried out around 2.20 PM , troops confirmed an LTTE cadre was killed . In a separate confrontation reported from the North of Mankulam area around 12.40 PM , troops claimed 2 terrorists were killed

Troops of Task Force 2 operating in the Vavuniya front attacked and captured an LTTE bunker located in the Nallikulam area around 1.30 PM and claimed one terrorist was killed. During the subsequent search , troops found 2 hand grenades.

On the Mullaittivu front , troops of 59 division conducted daylong offensives in the Andankulam, Thannimurippukulam, Nayaru and Kiriibbanwewa areas. Troops claimed one LTTE cadre was killed, 3 others wounded and 5 more were either killed or wounded. A soldier was killed and another injured in a confrontation occurred in the Thannimurippukulam area at 10 AM. Also , troops engaged in mine clearing operations removed 45 AP mines and 6 IEDs during the day.

In the Jaffna theatre of operations , one soldier suffered injuries in a confrontation with the terrorists at 5 PM on the Kilaly defence. Separately, a soldier suffered injuries in an AP mine explosion on the Muhamalai defence around 6.20 PM.

Apart from the main operational theatres, two incidents reported form the Mannar and Batticaloa areas. Troops confronted with a group of LTTE infiltrators in the Illuppakadavali area around 2 PM and found 2 bodies of LTTE cadres along with one T-56 riffle, 153 ammunition, 3 claymore mines, 9 AP mines, one night vision device and other military gear.

At Pottani in Batticaloa , an LTTE claymore mine attack wounded 2 motorbike riding soldiers around 2.30 PM.

International Organization of Migrants (IOM) in a press release has denied any connection of its staff members with the bag of explosives found in its office in Vavuniya on Tuesday (Oct 14).

The press release said IOM staff had discovered a bag containing an explosive device at 1.30 PM on Tuesday and informed the police and national authorities . According to the IOM the bag apparently belonged to a "contracted cleaner" who was employed at the office. Further , IOM said that it is deeply concerned about this threat to the safety of their staff .

Meanwhile, police sources in Vavuniya said that a suspect named Suseidasan Kristurasa Peries , aged 29 years, was arrested in connection with the incident . Also, police confirmed that the suspect was a temporary labor but not a permanent employee of the IOM.

According to the police, the discovery had been made around 6.30 PM on Tuesday by the Vavuniya police crime division personnel. Police had been informed the presence of suspicious person and a bag in the IOM office premises in Vavuniya earlier on the same day evening . Acting on the information received police had searched the premises and found 1.5 Kg of C-4 high explosives, 4 electrical detonators , and 7.4 feet long detonator code inside a plastic bag.

During the investigations in was found that the bag had been taken to the office by the suspect on September 26. The suspect had brought the bag with fish inside and believed to have kept the bag with the intention to hand it over to another person. Police conduct further investigations.

Defence.lk in its initial report on the incident has called the suspected to be a staff member of the IMO . The website published the report in good faith on information revealed during the primary investigations . However, in light of denial of any such involvement of IOM staff members, the website expresses its regret at any misconceptions about the IOM and or any inconvenience caused by the report.

"The ultimatum of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to the Manmohan Singh government that all the 39 Tamil Nadu members of Parliament (MPs) will resign if it fails to pressure the Sri Lankan government to declare a ceasefire in the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is nothing but political blackmail. The DMK has always flirted with the cause of the Sri Lankan Tamils, which is fired by a dangerous kind of populism", stated the Indian based 'Daily News & Analysis(DNA) web news portal in a timely article published on Wednesday(Oct 15).

Further stressing on the political gimmick by the DMK to defend LTTE, DNA asserts that the DMK has to accept the simple, if unpalatable, fact that there is no room for playing pan-Tamil politics across national borders.

"Unfortunately, various Central governments have succumbed to arm-twisting by Dravidian parties on this subject on the false assumption that there is something common between the Tamils in India and in Sri Lanka" DNA further stated reporting on the ground realities of the DMK led political stunt.

Following are excerpts of the news article published by the Indian web News portal, 'Daily News and Analysis(DNA)'.

The DMK cannot be allowed to play petty politics and interfere in Sri Lanka's internal affairs, which goes against our foreign policy

The ultimatum of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to the Manmohan Singh government that all the 39 Tamil Nadu members of Parliament (MPs) will resign if it fails to pressure the Sri Lankan government to declare a ceasefire in the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is nothing but political blackmail. The DMK has always flirted with the cause of the Sri Lankan Tamils, which is fired by a dangerous kind of populism.

Though the all-party resolution on Tuesday is couched in a language which expressed concern over the civilian population in northern Lanka, it is a way of helping indirectly the banned terrorist organisation, the LTTE, which had a hand in the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. In reality, the support of DMK and others for the cause of Tamils across the Palk Strait has always meant support for Lankan Tamil terrorist organisations.

It might perfect realpolitik on the part of Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi to flex his political muscle when the general elections are just six months away. He may even be looking for an excuse part ways with the UPA. But this is cynical and immoral.

The DMK has to accept the simple, if unpalatable, fact that there is no room for playing pan-Tamil politics across national borders. Unfortunately, various Central governments have succumbed to arm-twisting by Dravidian parties on this subject on the false assumption that there is something common between the Tamils in India and in Sri Lanka.

Forty years ago, the problem of the Indian Tamils in Sri Lanka was solved through the Shastri-Bandaranaike pact through which half the plantation workers were repatriated to India and the rest granted Lankan citizenship. It is an altogether different case with the Jaffna Tamils in the northern part of the island which the LTTE claims to represent. They had migrated to the island some 1000 years ago and they belong to Sri Lanka.

India does not enter the picture. More importantly, India cannot support a secessionist movement and terrorist organisation like the LTTE.

The Lankan government has assured that it would protect the lives of the Tamil civilians. India will have to accept the assurance in good faith. The DMK cannot be allowed to play its petty politics and interfere in the internal affairs of a neighbouring country, which goes against the grain of Indian foreign policy. The UPA must send this resounding message to the DMK.

A government convoy with food and essential items to displaced in the Mullaittivu district has come under an indiscriminate LTTE artillery and heavy mortar attack this afternoon while along the A-9 main Road at Puliyankulama, Mullaittivu, according to informed sources in Wanni.

When contacted to verify the incident sources close to UN confirmed the attack but refrained from further commenting on the incident.

The government food convoy consisting 50 lorries of food and essential items left the Omanthai Entry/ Exit point at around 12.30p.m., sources said. The UN envoy was forced to abandon the mission in safety of the crew and food stocks, the sources said. According to latest information, the food convoy has arrived at Vavuniya this evening.

The latest attack at the food convoy pronounces the callous disregard of LTTE towards the combined humanitarian assistance and relief work by the government and UN for the stranded civilians in Wanni, defence observers state.

More information will follow.

Day This year, and for the third year running, the European Union will co-sponsor the AIDEX sports day scheduled for 26 October 2008 at the Reid Avenue Grounds, Colombo 7.

AIDEX is the annual sports festival organised by the Colombo Friend-in-Need Society, one of the oldest charitable organisations in Sri Lanka that supplies limbs for amputees throughout the island under the Jaipur Foot Programme. AIDEX is part of the rehabilitation programme for the disabled using Jaipur limbs & wheelchairs.

Limb users island-wide are encouraged to participate to showcase their abilities as well as the versatility of the limbs provided free-of- charge by the CFNS. Both children as young as 8–10 years and elders over 70 years participate enthusiastically. This year 325 participants will compete in a total of 53 events including track & field, cycling and archery.

CFNS donates 750 – 900 limbs on an annual basis and since 1985 has donated over 20,000 limbs to accident, conflict-affected and other victims. They also provide free hostel and meal facilities to 30 persons visiting their clinics for rehabilitation.

CFNS & the EU encourage the general public to attend the sports day to show their support towards the participants and join in their achievements.

Tamil Nadu state assembly opposition leader and the Southern Indian state's former Chief Minister accused the State's current Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi of actively supporting the LTTE terrorists and not doing anything for the poor Tamil civilians who are being used as a human shield by the Tigers to safeguard themselves.

" Reports reveal that the LTTE is using the innocent civilians, living in that areas, as human shields by preventing the Tamils from leaving to safer places. This horrible practice of using civilians as human shield must be stopped forthwith," she said.

Jeyalalitha Jeyaram, who is popularly known as "Amma" (mother) in Indian politics is also the leader of the other large party in the state AIADMK. She challenged Karunanidhi to prevail upon the terrorist group to send the innocent civilians to safer areas where they are not purposely exposed to the horrors of war by the LTTE terrorists, Jayalalitha said.

AIADMK , the political party she heads officially boycotted the "All Party Meeting" Karunanidhi presided over two days ago on the Sri Lankan crisis .

Karunanidhi in a statement after the meeting claimed they decided that all parties in the Tamil Nadu should resign from their parliamentary memberships both in the lower house and upper house if the New Delhi government does not impose a ceasefire on the Sri Lankan government within two weeks.

But contrary to the announced agreement Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi resigned from her Upper House seat without staying for two weeks.

New Delhi government also said , they cannot impose such measures as they could not interfere with the sovereignty of a foreign government.

Jeyalalitha in her statement accused Karunanidhi of duplicity and charged that he was only trying to safeguard a terrorist group which is banned in India and least bothered about the civilians.

Jayalalitha said Karunanidhi's decision to for the MP's to resign is mere drama and would not serve the purposes of the Tamil people.

Jayalalith said the Indian government does not have the moral right to interfere with the Sri Lankan government and stop the war as it would open floodgates to interfere with the sovereignty of India by other countries.

She said she is amazed that this basic fact is not known by a person who had held the Chief Ministership of the state for five times.

Twenty six activists belonging to Tamil fringe groups and sympathising with the LTTE cause were arrested yesterday(Oct 15) when they pelted stones at 'The Hindu' office premises and attempted to enter the building to protest against an article carried by the English daily on the Sri Lankan issue.

The arrested included some law college students, lawyers and workers, police said, adding that those arrested claimed that they were activists of Adi Tamilar Peravai and Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam. No one was injured.

Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam sources, however, denied that the workers of the organisation were involved in the incident. The protesters came in two batches. One batch, comprising 16 persons, burnt the copies of the Daily in front of its office and pelted stones on a row of cars parked there. Police, who rushed to the spot, arrested them.

The second batch, consisting of 10 members, including some students, attempted to jump over the main gate but were prevented and taken into custody, they said. The Hindu's Editor-in-Chief N Ram said action must be taken against the fringe groups involved in the incident since the LTTE is a terrorist organisation and a banned outfit.

Police showed quick response in handling the situation, Ram added.

London - British parliament debated Sri Lanka's humanitarian situation as the debate was requested by Joan Ryan, the ruling Labour party MP from London's Enfield North constituency. British government said at least 500,000 people are internally displaced in Sri Lanka due to the ongoing conflict.
Joan Ryan MP said, the Government of Sri Lanka being the party which was unilaterally abroagetted from the cease fire agreement it is the government of Sri Lanka?s responsibility to make the concrete effort to bring back the sustainable Cease Fire Agreement sooner.


The debate in the Westminster parliament was attended by the, Under Secretary of State on International Development, Michael Foster, MP, said a majority, approximately 220,000 people are repeatedly displaced in the north.


"At least 30,000 people have been displaced on average five times," he said.


The British government has increased its aid to the Sri Lanka and urged the Sri Lankan government facilitate the work of impartial humanitarian agencies.


"The UK is constantly monitoring the situation in Sri Lanka and has increased its humanitarian aid in light of the circumstances on the ground," Mr. Foster said.


The UK government, he said, also "lobbied for an immediate delivery of UN food aid to avoid starvation in the north".


In areas under LTTE control, the minister said, there is no tolerance of dissent or freedom of expression.


"The LTTE need to develop its role as a credible partner in peace. It cannot continue to persecute people just because they have opposing views," he said.


The British government called for an immediate stop to child recruitment.


"Similarly, in the south we have seen restrictions on the freedom of expression with journalists and newspaper agents intimidated and killed. Three democratically elected MPs are killed during the last few years," Mr. Foster said.


Welcoming "Sri Lanka government's commitment to protect civilian population," Minister Michael Foster urged all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.


Meanwhile, Rt Hon Keith Vazz MP called on the British government to condemn the bombing of Tamils in Sri Lanka.


Another Labour MP Barry Gardiner questioned and criticised the Sri Lanka Army commander Sarath Fonseka 's comments to the National Post Canadian news reporter Stewart Bell on September 25, 2008 issue where he said,


"I strongly believe that this country belongs to the Sinhalese but there are minority communities and we treat them like our people,"


"They can live in this country with us. But they must not try to, under the pretext of being a minority, demand undue things."


Without exception all Members of Parliament from all three main political parties in a show of solidarity and concern spoke in support of Tamils and the general suffering of the Tamils, particularly in Vanni, North of Sri Lanka. They also showed no remorse in condemning the Government of Sri Lanka for its military action against the Tamil Nation to fundamentally a political problem and its persistent human rights violations.


The UK Government Junior Minister responsible for the Department for International Development (DFID) Rt. Hon Michael Foster MP announced that an additional aid of £2.5 million to support the efforts of the ICRC and other UN agencies and NGOs. This confirms the statement made by his predecessor Rt. Hon Shahid Malik MP to the British Tamils Forum at a meeting held at the end of September that the UK Government will be sending aid via international aid agencies and local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and NOT through the Government of Sri Lanka.

MPs who spoke at the Westminster parliament debate said that everyone is very concerned about the escalating violence in Sri Lanka, the large scale internal displacement that this is causing and the recent expulsion of International Non Governmental Organisations and Aid workers from the Vanni area.


They also pointed out that as a responsible democratically elected government, it should take full responsibility of protecting the internally displaced people from being targeted by indiscriminate aerial, land and sea bombardments.

Around 20 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) personnel Wednesday entered the Magazine Prison in Colombo, verbally abused and stripped the detainees sexually harassing them, the prisoners complained to Tamil National Alliance Batticaloa district parliamentarian P. Ariyaneththiran.
The SLA soldiers beat Tamil prisoners when they asked why they were being harassed, the MP said quoting the prisoners as saying and questioned the Sri Lankan authorities why the military personnel were allowed to enter the prison and urged immediate action to ensure the safety of the detainees.

Five months ago, in May 2008, 68 Tamil detainees, hurriedly transferred from New Magazine prison in Colombo by the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID) interrogators, were verbally abused, tortured and subjected to sexual abuse at the notorious Boosa Prison in Galle.

SriLankan Airlines which flies to 44 destinations in 24 countries in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the Far East has launched an SMS alert facility to keep passengers informed of flight updates.

With the new facility in place the airline is urging all passengers including foreigners with roaming facility to provide their mobile phone numbers at the time they book their tickets, in order to ensure their contactability.

The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has solidified its effort to assist the development of higher education in Afghanistan, opening a permanent office to manage its partnership with Balkh University (BU) located in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan.

The newly launched office, situated on the campus of AIT in Pathum Thani, will support its US$ 1.5 million AIT-BU Partnership Project, an initiative funded by the World Bank and spearheaded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Afghanistan.

The 30-month partnership aims to apply AIT’s expertise and experience in curriculum, institutional and human resources development to Balkh University, located in northern Afghanistan. BU is one of six universities in Afghanistan receiving World Bank support to strengthen higher education in the war-ravaged nation.

At an opening ceremony on 10 October, Prof. Dr. Said Irandoust, president of AIT, noted the significance of the formal tie-up, calling it a pioneering partnership for both partners. “AIT is extremely proud and pleased to partner with the Ministry of Higher Education of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to strengthen the overall capacity of the Faculty of Engineering of Balkh University. This office embodies our ambition to support higher learning in Afghanistan and its launch is an historic day for AIT,” President Irandoust said.

The Faculty Development Plan (FDP) for the AIT-BU Partnership Project includes a doctoral degree program, master’s degree program, short course in administration and management, certificate courses in computer science, English-language, and various other subjects including laboratory management and library management. All educational activities carried out at AIT are administered through the new office. In addition to these programs, special training programs are also planned to be conducted at Balkh University, through the previously established AIT Project Office located in Mazar-i-Sharif. Currently, five BU faculty members are enrolled at AIT under the new program, including the Chancellor of Balkh University.

Photo shows H.E. Mrs. Merete Fjeld Brattested, Ambassador of Norway to Thailand and acting chairperson of the AIT Board of Trustees, cuts the ribbon to inaugurate the AIT-BU Project Office. The ambassador is flanked by AIT president, Prof. Dr. Said Irandoust (left) and BU Chancellor Prof. Habibulla Habib. The event was attended by many distinguished members of the diplomatic corps and high-ranking AIT officials.

Serving an ultimatum to the Centre on the Sri Lankan Tamil problem, an all-party meeting in Tamil Nadu, convened by chief minister M Karunan


idhi, on Tuesday warned that all MPs from the state would resign en masse, if the government failed to halt the war in the island nation within two weeks. ( Watch )

In the strongest ever message from a key ally of the UPA regime, the DMK and other parties demanded that India halt all military aid to Sri Lanka, take steps to halt Colombo's military offensive to ensure the return of peace, and come forward to despatch humanitarian aid.

Resolutions to this effect were passed at the meeting, which was boycotted by the main opposition AIADMK, its ally, MDMK, the BJP and actor Vijaykanth's party, the DMDK.

"If these resolutions are not translated into action and the Union government does not come forward to end the war in two weeks, MPs from Tamil Nadu will have to quit," the resolution said.

Expressing his gratitude to the parties for bolstering his efforts to reach out to the 'Eelam Tamils', Karunanidhi said,

"This outcome, which is intended to be an impetus to India to act and a warning to Colombo, is an important chapter in our history."

For want of an effective mechanism to counter emigration fraud on the part of Sri Lanka, Australia has moved to thwart Sri Lankans from gaining entry to Australia on the pretext of joining Australian Universities and tertiary institutions. In the face of tightening controls, Sri Lankans have increasingly abused Student Visa programme allegedly with the help of some involved in facilitating the process.

After categorising Sri Lanka as one of the worst violators of the Student Visa programme, Australia has introduced tough conditions to discourage Sri Lankans along with people from nine other countries with effect from September 1.

The toughest of the new laws was the sharp increase of the funds available to a student, government sources said. Accordingly, a person seeking to enroll at a University or tertiary institution for a three-year period would be compelled to show nearly 9 million in a savings account for at least six months. The sources said, this would make it extremely difficult for a majority of prospective travellers to meet the mandatory requirement.

The DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) has tagged Sri Lanka a Level 4 country, thereby subjecting Sri Lankans to a set of new rules and regulations. The sources said, this would be an added burden on genuine students now required to show funds for a minimum of six months in a savings account to cover tuition, living expenses and health care as well as return airfare depending on the duration of the course.



The humiliating Level 4 classification is based on fraudulent documentation, visa cancellation and unlawful activity among other criteria..

Although the DIAC has assured that the new laws were aimed at keeping bogus immigrants away, the mandatory requirement to prove a high degree of financial capacity would jeopardise the chances of genuine students.

According to the DIAC students undertaking an undergraduate degree need to show funds to cover the first three years of tuition plus living expenses., as sponsorship for visa purposes and other costs. In many cases the total would be above Rs. 8 million. If the course fee of 4 years Bachelor degree in Engineering at an average Australian university was A$ 20,000 per annum and the living expenses A$ 12,000, the funds required to be shown for at least three years was equivalent to A$ 96,000. At the current exchange rate, this was equivalent to Rs 8.6 million. When Sri Lanka was at level 3, students had to show funds for only the first two years or A$ 64,000. (Rs. 5.76 million) Sponsorship amount for a Business degree with living expenses for 3 years would be around $90,000 or Rs. 8.1 million. In addition, there was a need to show the funds for living expenses, Overseas Health Cover, Travel Cost etc, the DIAC said.

About 80,000 emigrants of Sri Lankan origin call Australia their home. According to 2006 statistics provided by Australia about 500,000 Sri Lankans had been enrolled at Australian universities and tertiary institutes.

According to police and banking sources some students had obtained bank guarantees through fraudulent means, in some instances with the connivance of senior bank employees.

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets launched the second air raid at the LTTE bunker construction site that was pounded earlier this morning (Oct 15), Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.
He said the jets targeted the LTTE heavy vehicles summoned to the location to drag away the damaged earth moving vehicles in the earlier air strike . The air strike was taken at 11.45 AM , he added.

Finalized military reports received from the battlefronts indicated 47 fatalities and 21casualties to the LTTE in counter terrorist offensives conducted yesterday (Oct 14). Also, 6 soldiers laid down their lives and 21suffered injuries during the operations.

On the Kilinochchi front, troops of Task Force 1 heading Pooneryn gained further ground in the Vannerikkulam area during offensives launched in the morning hours. Ground troops confirmed more than 10 terrorists were killed and 6 others were wounded. Also, 4 soldiers laid down their lives and 7 others suffered injuries . During the afternoon hours , troops had 3 separate confrontations in the Vannerikkulam area and reported 3 terrorists were killed and 6 soldiers were injured.

In the Madamoddai area , Task Force 1 troops advance into LTTE hiding areas around 13.30 PM and claimed over 10 terrorists were killed and more were injured. Troops found 2 bodies of slain LTTE cadres and 2 T-56 riffles during subsequent search. In a separate confrontation reported in the same area troops claimed two terrorists were wounded. Also, 3 soldiers suffered injuries. Elsewhere, snipers deployed in the forward area claimed 4 terrorists were shot down during the day.

Meanwhile, 57 division troops heading Kilinochchi carried out series of attacks at LTTE positions located in the East and the West of Akkarayankulam area during the day and claimed 14 terrorists were killed. A soldiers suffered injuries during these operations. Troops found a T-56 riffle and a radio set during a search operation following confrontations.

Troops of the same 57 division heading towards Mankulam from the West of A-9 road , attacked a group LTTE cadres travelling on a tractor around 12.20 PM and claimed 4 terrorists were killed. In a similar attack carried out around 2.20 PM , troops confirmed an LTTE cadre was killed . In a separate confrontation reported from the North of Mankulam area around 12.40 PM , troops claimed 2 terrorists were killed

Troops of Task Force 2 operating in the Vavuniya front attacked and captured an LTTE bunker located in the Nallikulam area around 1.30 PM and claimed one terrorist was killed. During the subsequent search , troops found 2 hand grenades.

On the Mullaittivu front , troops of 59 division conducted daylong offensives in the Andankulam, Thannimurippukulam, Nayaru and Kiriibbanwewa areas. Troops claimed one LTTE cadre was killed, 3 others wounded and 5 more were either killed or wounded. A soldier was killed and another injured in a confrontation occurred in the Thannimurippukulam area at 10 AM. Also , troops engaged in mine clearing operations removed 45 AP mines and 6 IEDs during the day.

In the Jaffna theatre of operations , one soldier suffered injuries in a confrontation with the terrorists at 5 PM on the Kilaly defence. Separately, a soldier suffered injuries in an AP mine explosion on the Muhamalai defence around 6.20 PM.

Apart from the main operational theatres, two incidents reported form the Mannar and Batticaloa areas. Troops confronted with a group of LTTE infiltrators in the Illuppakadavali area around 2 PM and found 2 bodies of LTTE cadres along with one T-56 riffle, 153 ammunition, 3 claymore mines, 9 AP mines, one night vision device and other military gear.

At Pottani in Batticaloa , an LTTE claymore mine attack wounded 2 motorbike riding soldiers around 2.30 PM.

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets raided an LTTE bunker construction site located 2km Southeast of Puthukkudiyiruppu, in the Mullaittivu district at 9.25, this morning (Oct 15), Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.

Speaking further he said that a large number of LTTE cadres and many heavy earth moving vehicles were occupied in the targeted location when the air strike was carried out. Citing Air Force operational sources, he added that the air raid has caused heavy damages to the terrorists.

On information received from a civilian, security forces have found a bag with C-4 explosive and detonators inside an INGO office in Vavuniya last evening, 14 October.

According to the police sources, the bag contained 1.5Kg of C-4 high explosive, 3 m length detonator code and four electric detonators found inside the office of International Organization for Migrant (IOM) which is operating under UN around 6.30 pm.

The recipient of the bag, a staff member of IOM office Vavuniya, has already been taken into custody and he confessed that he received the bag from one of the staff member in Mannar office.

Further investigations are being carried out by the Vavuniya police.

In an attempt to put pressure on the Indian Central Government over the Lanka issue, Indian party Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi today submitted a symbolic resignation to the party chief and father M Karunanidhi.

Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi handed over a postdated resignation to the party chief in support of the party's Tamil cause. Kanimozhi's resignation is dated October 29, 2008.

Karunanidhi's DMK yesterday passed a resolution asking the Centre to stop violence in Sri Lanka against “Eelam” Tamils or they'll withdraw support.

A Sub Inspector attached to a Cabinet Minister had gone into hiding after taking Rs. 5 million from several persons promising them jobs in Korea, Police Spokesman confirmed. Mirihana Police have received 15 complaints in this regard so far.

The newly appointed Parliamentary Select Committee to identify shortcomings in the Inland Revenue Department is expected to assume work shortly with the intention of introducing some recommendations to streamline the tax collection.

Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara recently appointed this select committee under the chairmanship of UNP MP Kabir Hashim to study the shortcomings in this Department and make recommendations to Parliament to correct them.

MP Hashim said that he contacted the Secretary General of Parliament to know his mandate in this committee as the chairman.

“Basically, I intend to introduce a tax collection system which can increase state revenue without burdening people. During the time of ancient kings, the state taxed people in a cruel manner. We do not want to create such a criterion of collecting taxes from people,” he said.

He said that the methodology of collecting VAT from people is highly complicated and therefore a large percentage of accumulated revenue is pocketed by some elements.

The UNP MP said that he would try to introduce a very effective tax collection system through this committee.

Recently, the Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts exposed a massive VAT fraud running into rupees four billion. The Committee cited the loopholes in the Department for such a financial crime.

A foreign employment agency operating in Maharagama was banned by the Foreign Employment Bureau yesterday for allegedly attempting to send an underage girl for overseas employment using false documents. The Foreign Employment Bureau said the agency was planning to send the 16-year-old girl as a housemaid to the Middle East.

The girl was arrested when signing the documents to travel overseas.

This is the second agency to be banned by the Foreign Employment Bureau for similar reasons.

As part of a programme to rehabilitate TMVP cadres, the Eastern Provincial Council opened a Korean language training centre in Batticaloa last week to train 200 TMVP members before being sent to Korea for employment.
After a three-month training stint these members would leave for Korea as part of a government plan to provide employment opportunities in Korea for 500 TMVP cadres. This follows a request by the party which holds office in the Eastern Province.

Provincial Minister M.L.A.M. Hizbullah said that some Sinhala and Muslim youths would also be included in the first batch to be sent to Korea.

“Along with Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, I also attended the opening ceremony of this Korean language training centre” he said.

Meanwhile TMVP spokesman Azad Maulana said plans were also afoot to seek employment for his party members in the tourism industry in the Middle East and that this matter was being discussed with the Tourism Ministry.

“We are planning to give our cadres training in Hotel Management so that they can find employment both locally and internationally,” he said.

The remaining cadres were expected to be absorbed into the security forces and the civil defence force.

Some selective buying was seen in a few counters such as Dialog, JKH, Caltex and Maskeliya Plantations (MP) which pushed Wednesday’s Colombo stock market up, but it was on thin volumes, stock market analysts said.

“Dialog had some foreign interest, but other shares such as JKH, Caltex and MP had buying interest because they had come down to attractive pricing,” Vajira Premawardhana, Executive Director, Lanka Orix Securities said. He said there was no sustained buying in the market adding that tomorrow the same trend will be shown.

Dialog closed 50 cents up at Rs 8, JKH was 50 cents down to close at Rs 75.50, Caltex was Rs 3 up to Rs 106 and MP was Rs 2 up to Rs 28 at stock market close. The All Share Index increased by 43.93 points to 2,027.51 while the Milanka increased to 65.66 points to 2260.25 at stock market close and the turnover was Rs.138 million.

Public interest activist Nihal Sri Ameresekere filed a petition in the Supreme Court this week challenging the Appropriation Bill 2008 (Budget 2009) and seeking a determination as to whether any one or more of its provisions are consistent with and/or ultra-vires to the Constitution.

According to the petition, Mr. Ameresekere submitted that some clauses of the Appropriation Bill 2008 amount to the alienation, relinquishment or removal of legislative power of the people and are inconsistent with articles in the Constitution. The clauses also usurp and subvert the Constitutional mandate that parliament shall have full control over public finance, thereby violating Article 148 of the Constitution. >br>
He further asserted that the Treasury Secretary appointed by the President and being under the control and direction of the Executive, the power attributed to Parliament cannot be alienated, relinquished, removed or transferred to the Executive. He also states that the Bill vests unfettered discretion or authority in the Secretary to the Treasury or any other officer authorized by him, when the Constitution does not attribute any such unfettered discretion or authority, and such is antithetic to the 'rule of law' .

Mr. Ameresekere argues that the Bill violates the basic premise that public finance is held in trust for the people of Sri Lanka, who cannot be denied of the due and proper accountability therefor, which is against the 'rule of law' and that the Bill seeks Parliamentary approval for allocations of public funds, without specifying the public services or specific public purposes for such funds, in violation of Articles 150(2) and 149(1) of the Constitution.

He goes on to state that the Bill violates the Constitutional mandates by not disclosing the 'other funds of the Government' and the utilization of such funds in addition to violating the scheme set out in Chapter XVII of the Constitution for full control by Parliament over public finance. The Bill also violates the 'Directive Principles of State Policy' and 'Fundamental Duties' set out in Chapter VI of the Constitution.

The Attorney General is listed as the respondent in the case. Mr. Ameresekere's submissions, as a respondent, were said to have played a major role in the Lanka Marine Services Limited (LMSL) Supreme Court judgment filed by petitioner Mr. Vasudeva Nanayakkara.

A man was shot dead in Wellawatta , police said.

Police Spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekara said the man was identified to be Megarasa (32).

A unidentified group of people who had come in a threewheeler had shot Megarasa near the IFS building in Wellawatta at 1.30 pm.

The victim's body lies at the Kalubowila hospital morgue, said SSP Gunasekara

No one has been arrested in connection with the murder and Wellawatta police is carrying out the investigation, he said.

Political parties in India’s Tamil Nadu state have issued an ultimatum to the central government in New Delhi that they would resign from parliament unless the Manmohan Singh administration comes out with a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety of Tamil civilians caught up in the war in Sri Lanka’s north within two weeks.

There are some 40 lawmakers from Tamil Nadu in the 541-member national legislature and their withdrawal could spell political instability in India. The Singh government on July 22 won a no-confidence motion by just 19 votes after its Communist allies withdrew support in protest against India’s nuclear deal with the United States.

The decision to issue the ultimatum was taken at an all-party conference held in Chennai on Tuesday. The parties led by the ruling Dravida Munnetral Kazhakam, an ally of the Singh government, called on New Delhi to pressurize Sri Lanka to end its military offensive against the Tamil Tigers and insist on a political solution.

The parties also called on the Singh government to work for a cessation of hostilities in Sri Lankan within two weeks.

DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said the parties had decided to tell their members to step down unless the Sri Lankan government’s military offensive stopped in two weeks.

In a symbolic gesture, Karunanidhi's daugher Kanimozhi handed over her resignation from Rajya Sabha, India's upper house. Some political parties had insisted that such a ceasefire should come within days instead of within two weeks, reports from Tamil Nadu said.

The opposition AIADMK and its allies the BJP and the MDMK led by Y. Gopalaswamay a.ka.a. Vaiko did not attend the all-party conference but said they supported the move. Vaiko in a statement said today his party's two MPs would resign if New Delhi failed to comply with the ultimatum.

The all-party resolution, seen as the strongest ever message from a key ally of the Congress regime, also demanded that India halt all military aid to Sri Lanka and take steps to send humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka's Tamil trapped in the Wanni war zone.

Police will later today release the photograph and details of the alleged suicide bomber who was responsible for the killing of Major General Janaka Perera and 27 others on October 6th at Anuradhapura.

Police have identified the suicide bomber after scrutinising the photographs take prior to the blast as well as the video footage of the scene, DIG Jayantha Gamage said.

The Bank of Ceylon is to launch a Rs. 3 billion-worth debenture issue this week, the Bank said.

No details were given except to say the announcement will be made tomorrow at a media conference. Other Bank sources said the issue listed at Rs 100 per debenture for five years will be listed in Colombo Stock Exchange’s main board. “In the event there is an oversubscription we will extend the issue to Rs 5 billion,” a bank source said. He said managers and the sponsors to the issue will be the Merchant Bank.

Students of Higher National Diploma on Engineering staged a protest walk and demonstration in Colombo today (Oct. 15th), demanding a proper administrative mechanism for their diploma.


The protestors walked from Viharamaha Devi Park to University Grants Commission and staged an agitation there.

Later, Higher Education Minister Vishwa Warnapala had given them an audience, but had left unexpectedly telling them to raise the matter with the president, reports said.

President of HNDE Students Union Madhusha Gunasekara said their demand had been placed before UGC as well as Ministry of Higher Education several times, without any response.

The UNP casts serious doubts on the effectiveness of the police investigation into the killing of Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera, and says its progress is from satisfactory.

Its spokesman Gayantha Karunatilake told the media in Colombo today (Oct. 15th) that even the judiciary is dissatisfied with the probe.

Speaking further, he disputed government claims of having to pay high fuel import bills, noting that the highest bill per barrel had been 34 USD in July.

Despite the reduction of world market price by three-fold, it is unfortunate the government had not brought down local prices and continues to burden the people, Mr. Karunatilake said.

He described the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as a black market, and said its highest profit according to the pricing formula should be 1.5 per cent, and not the 36 per cent it gets now.

Lanka E news

The unofficial discussions underway to take the 17 United National Party (UNP) breakaway MPs back to party have shown signs of being successful.

UNP MP Wajira Abewardhana and several non-MP UNP members including a higher official of a state corporation are engaged in talks.

A member of the 17 MPs’ group said to Lanka-e-News that several rounds of discussions have been held so far with several MPs of his group and dates have been fixed for discussions with more MPs. He said that there is a possibility of Ministers Mahinda Wijesekara, Lakshman Yapa Abewardhana, Hemakumara Nanayakkara, Naveen Disanayaka, Rajitha Senarathna and G.L. Peiris to stay in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Meanwhile, M.H. Mohammed, Gamini Lokuge, Dharmadasa banda and P. Dayarathna have agreed to rejoin UNP. The spokesman said that these Ministers have less responsibility and less recognition in the government. Minister P. Dayarathna has no duty in the nominal Ministry of Plan Implementation.
A member of the 17 MPs group said that although Minister Karu Jayasuriya is considered the leader of the group, the President does not care him and he did not attend the funeral of the mother of Karu Jayasuriya. Moreover, he did not visit the Minister at hospital whilst he is undergoing treatment after a serious surgery.

Sessions of the north central provincial council today (Oct. 15th) have been adjourned following a protest by opposition councilors.

UNP councilors wore black armbands to protest the bomb blast that killed provincial opposition leader Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera and 29 others.

The chief organizer of the opposition blamed the government for the killings, after which all opposition members left the meeting.

The chairman of the council announced later that sessions would be postponed till October 28th.

The most helpless and poorest of all migrant workers, the Sri Lankan housemaids in the Middle East will be heavily exploited, say migrant sources in Kuwait, claiming the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment is also in the know of the scandalous US $ 200 insurance cover.

Sri Lanka Manpower Welfare Association - Kuwait, which claims it is a voluntary welfare organization, has addressed a long letter to the President on 23rd September, 2008, asking for presidential intervention in stopping this exploitative insurance cover.

It says this company that is to be contracted is not a company that deals in insurance coverage and because a well established, recognised insurance company in Kuwait has quoted very much less at US $ 63 per person for 24 months.

This Kuwaiti company “Al-Huqook International”, Insurance Commission Agent at Naser Al-Rumeh Complex, Hawally, which is only a commission agent, is said to be very influential through some embassy officials and have virtually got approval from Colombo to start insurance work, according to Kuwaiti Sri Lankan sources.

Meanwhile, the Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies has negotiated with M/S Enaya Insurance Company (SAK), P.O. box 223, Safat, for a mutually beneficial insurance cover at US$ 63.

It has written about the proposal on 25th July, 2008 under the signature of ALFEA Secretary, M. Faiza Mackeen to the “Sri Lanka Manpower Welfare Association - Kuwait” asking them to pursue in its implementation, with a copy sent to Hussain Bhaila, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

It is thus apparent that this very economical insurance cover had not gone through, for the welfare organization in Kuwait to seek the President’s intervention two months later in September.

An estimated 30,000 Sri Lankans migrate every year to Kuwait for employment, according to foreign employment sources.

Therefore, if the commission agent is given the insurance coverage, the extra dollars collected from migrant workers on the premium payment would be US $ 4,110,000 on a safe estimate, says the Kuwaiti source.

SLBFE sources say they are not in the know about Kuwait, but a similar programme had been discussed for Lebanon.

This insurance cover in the country of work is proposed despite SLBFE maintaining the “Suraksha” insurance cover for all registered migrant employees.

The question asked in Kuwait is who would actually benefit with over 04 million dollars accumulating in foreign banks.

(Lanka-e-News, ) State owned Lake House paid for an entire container to import 250 film rolls used in Image Setters whilst it could be easily transported in two small packages.

When 250 such film rolls were imported in two small packages on August 19, 2008 from Polytechnic Graphic of Hong Kong, the transport cost was US $ 180 (Rs. 19,518.80).

But on September 23, 2008, 250 similar film rolls were imported from Fuji Corporation of Japan and the transport fee for it was US $ 1325 (Rs. 143,697.05). The transport cost went up by more than eight-fold as a result of using an entire container for importing the 250 film rolls.


Cash strapped Lake House sent home around 1000 workers under a voluntary retiring scheme. The Chairman says that paying salaries and bonuses are a problem.

The recent shifting of INGOs including UN agencies out of the LTTE-held territory has allowed the SLAF to target LTTE facilities located close to buildings previously occupied by international agencies.

The military said the removal of expatriate staff had cleared the way for stepped up aerial attacks. SLAF jets bombed ‘Tamileelam police’ headquarters situated near the UNICEF office in Kilinochchi on October 3 causing heavy damages. According to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) which represents all INGOs and UN agencies active in Sri Lanka, damages had been caused to UNICEF office.

The military said the air strikes and operations undertaken by the army behind the enemy lines targeting vehicles would be facilitated by the removal of expatriates from Kilinochchi. But under a tripartite understanding among the government, the LTTE and the ICRC, the Geneva headquartered organisation is continuing its operations in the LTTE-held area.

The firepower of Israeli built Kfir and Russian MiG 27s coupled with a variety of artillery pieces including multi barrel rocket launchers and mortars had given a tremendous boost to the overall offensive which Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa told The Island was approaching a decisive stage.


The IASC in its latest report which dealt with the northern and eastern provinces from October 2 to 9 period said that although air strikes had been directed at Kilinochchi town and its surrounding areas at the beginning of the week, the focus moved to Kilinochchi in the last few days.

With the army positioned west of the A9, parallel to the road stretch from Omanthai to Kokavil, the SLAF has zeroed-in on targets in Kilinochchi and its suburbs in support of the 57 Division pushing towards the town. The fighting elements of the 57 Division are a few kilometres away from Kilinochchi town.

Although civilians had vacated Kilinochchi and moved towards Mullaitivu, the Kilinochchi hospital continued to function, officials said. Some of its wards had been shifted to a government health facility at Tharmapuram and to a school at Vishvamadu along the A 35 road leading towards Mullaitivu.

The Island learns that the ICRC’s presence at LTTE-held Puthukkudiyirippu is likely to be reviewed as the ground offensive spread along the Weli oya front with the 59 Division making slow but steady progress. While reiterating the ICRC’s commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to the needy, Anthony Dalzei, deputy head of the ICRC said that they were continuing operations from Puthukkudiyirippu. The ICRC first set up base there in 1997.

The ICRC last month facilitated the passage of over 10,000 people and 1440 vehicles across the Omanthai entry and exit point. The ICRC presence at the crossing point for six days of the week also facilitated the transfer of 1,400 patients to Vavuniya and bodies of 136 combatants.

"Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in the world where the government provides education from kindergarten to University level, free of charge, said Science and Technology Minister Professor Tissa Vitarana.

However, he said the present number of universities could not admit more than 20,000 students out of more than 100,000 eligible to follow higher education yearly. Many more would be accommodated in the tertiary education system in Sri Lanka. He queried, about the rest?

Vitharana who was the Chief Guest at the Adyapana 2008 Exhibition held on Friday at the BMICH said the private sector was offering to set up institutions of higher education and it was the responsibility of the government to take that into consideration and allow the private sector to do that effectively.

The exhibition was organized by the Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (Pvt) Ltd., with the theme ‘Guiding to pursue your dreams’.

Speaking in favour of establishing private universities, he said, a significant number of poor students with merit who could not afford to go to such universities could be sent there, if we commenced a suitable scholarship scheme for them.

"Either the state must provide it or within the country we must get the cooperation of the private sector to fill the gap," he added.

The minister said it was senseless to send large numbers of young people abroad at considerable expense to themselves and to the country when the country has the capacity to provide that education within the country itself.

He also said even under the best of circumstances providing educational opportunities in the country by the government, "We still need to go abroad to provide opportunities to finetune the skills, facilities for which are lacking in our country".

Professor said the interaction between educational institutions within the country and those abroad as well as the mixing of the students and the teachers here and abroad were essential requisites to widen the knowledge to compete in this difficult world.

"It is the duty of the government to provide facilities to enhance knowledge to the maximum to each and every student." He said Cuba still provides free education upto the post graduate level to everyone who was eligible and capable of following higher education.

"I would like that to happen in Sri Lanka too. The money spent is wealth invested. It is by that initiatve we can develop and build our economy and compete with the rest of the world," he added.

He stressed Sri Lanka could not afford to be ignorant, but had to keep a pace with new knowledge while avoiding the dangers of being cram pots by merely memorizing facts and figures.

"We have to possess sufficient knowledge to get a correct overall perspective, but at the same time we should be able to reason out on the basis of new technologies/knowledge and to apply that knowledge in a practical and useful way."

He said amidst the rise of diverse mushroom educational institutions giving a variety of qualifications which were not worth even the paper of the certificate that is awarded. He cautioned the students to select those institutions which impart quality education.

The Minister also stressed that children should learn not just to acquire knowledge, but to get an acquaintance with new concepts, understanding of new issues with ability to reason, think and solve problems.

Two soldiers on a motorcycle who sustained serious injuries in a suspected LTTE claymore mine blast in Veheragodella area in Aralaganwila border were admitted to Polonnaruwa hospital, Military Spokesman said.

The Special Presidential Commission Investigating Serious Violations of Human Rights will begin the public hearing on the Digampathaha massacre on Monday, Chairman of the Commission retired Supreme Court Judge Nissanka Udalagama said.

Former Inspector General of Police and Governor of the North Victor Perera said he resigned the governorship due to personal reasons.

He told The Island yesterday that the pressure of work as Governor would not permit him to attend to a number urgent private matters which needed his personal attention.

He said some people had expressed different views on his resignation as Governor of the Northern Province but when President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed him he had told the President that he could hold the office only for a short time. "I want to live a quiet life as a private citizen without taking on more responsibilities now," he said.

Investigations into the assassination attempt on Minister Maithripala Sirisena by a LTTE suicide bomber at Boralesgamuwa last week took a new turn with the arrest of a soldier in Vavuniya under whose name the mobile phone used by the suicide cadre had been registered.

Invstigators said the soldier’s national identity card number had been used to buy the Sim card used on the suicide bomber’s mobile phone. According to Police spokesman Ranjith Gunasekera LTTE cadres have used 20 such forged identity cards to buy Sim cards and investigations are now on to trace the 20 people whose numbers had been used by others to buy Sim cards.

Investigations also revealed the last call to her mobile was made through a telephone tower in the Cinnamon Gardens area and she had received a total 26 calls to her mobile on that particular day.

Investigators believed the person who made the last call to her mobile phone was responsible for directing her on the failed suicide mission. Most of the calls received on her mobile phone had originated from Wellawatte

Police, Army and the STF launched a joint search operation in the Wellawatte area on Sunday after positive information received that she had lived in the Wellawatte area under a Sinhala name.Investigators wanted to find out the exact place where she lived in Wellawatte and her acquaintances there.

Investigators also said their search on Sunday failed to reveal any positive information but two suspects were arrested during the search.

Chandula Abeywickrema, Deputy General Manager of Hatton National Bank PLC who is the current Chairman of Banking with the Poor Network (BWTP), the largest Microfinance Network in Asia with over 40 members representing over 15 countries in Asia has been invited in his capacity as the Chairman of BWTP Network to speak at the prestigious SEEP Network Annual Conference to be held in Washington D.C.

The SEEP Network Annual Conference is considered by many to be a premier opportunity for Microfinance and Micro Enterprise practitioners to share the lessons learned and engage in the new learning on innovative practices and the most current issues in the field.


This year’s conference will be held in Washington DC from November 3rd to 8th under the theme "Powering Connections" and will bring together the largest microfinance networks in the world including practitioners from non-governmental organizations, private sector firms, investment funds and bi-lateral agencies. The conference will offer the participants, key opportunities to learn to share to engage through networking.

The Small Enterprise Development Programme (SEEP Network) is one of the leading international network promoter of best practices and financial services and is a global organisation whose membership is committed to reducing poverty through power of enterprise.

This Washington based organisation has 67 member institutions, active over 140 countries reaching 23 million micro entrepreneurs.

Since its inception in 1985 the SEEP Network has been a leader in the development of microfinance and enterprise development fields, through its contribution to the documentation of best practice, through its capacity to convene key stakeholders and its well regarded methodology for lateral learning which offers a platform for productive dialogue.

Embracing renewable and sustainable energy sources (solar, wind, biogas, etc) in a bid to cut carbon emissions is an area that has become relevant to every individual in recent times. However, an issue which is still to be resolved is how alternative energy sources could keep up with the level of energy consumption currently maintained by burning fossil fuels. The answer may come from a very unusual source - UK resident, Sri Lankan Tony Newton.

By creating a way to increase the intensity of LED lights to make them comparable to 40W incandescent bulbs currently used the world over, Mr. Newton has approached the 'consumption' issue from a very different angle: Decrease the household energy burden by lowering the amount of energy consumed by lighting devices.

In fact, Mr. Newton claims that test cases utilizing LED lights, batteries and solar panels incorporated into homes to maintain 'sensible lighting' have seen as much as a 20% immediate savings on the average monthly electric bill. According to the literature, this is just one in a list of multiple benefits, which include: increased efficiency through LED lights which are 90 - 98% energy efficient compared to incandescent bulbs which are only 10% energy efficient; LED lights produce none to very little heat from the load resistor depending on the supply current, whereas incandescent light bulbs dispel 200 degrees Celsius; and LED lights last 50,000 to 75,000 hours compared to incandescent lights, which last 900 to 1,000 hours.

The idea, which apparently occurred to Mr. Newton after visiting a friend outside Colombo following the 2004 tsunami, was in response to the main electricity grid being down. His realization was that many people who did not have access to the electricity grid could be helped by new technologies available in the UK. Following his idea, Mr. Newton consulted with Professor K. Balachandran of Brunel University, UK, and designed LED light panels to maximize illumination, minimize power consumption and increase their lifespan. He also carried out pilot projects and tests in UK and Sri Lanka to determine the feasibility of the LED lights. Currently, the LED lighting systems are available for purchase in the UK as a way to neutralize a person's carbon footprints. Offered in conjunction with co2balance, UK, Mr. Newton's LED lighting systems are primarily available to people in countries with strict carbon emissions standards.

This system allows them to earn carbon credits by investing in LED lights, a battery and solar panels for a rural home in Sri Lanka, which would ordinarily be burning kerosene oil for lighting, and thus offset their 'heavy' carbon emissions by contributing to the 'lightening' of someone else's carbon emissions.

To date, Mr. Newton has shipped 330 LED light panels, which he has branded 'Tia', after his granddaughter. He has also outfitted a school in Mombassa, with plans for a further school in Kenya and South Africa. In addition, he is in the process of completing several projects in Sri Lanka, including Nithyakalyani Jewellery and the lighting of the stairway of the ancient Yapahuwa rock fortress, a charitable project which is currently pending further sources of funding.

ISTActor Arun Vijay’s next venture is Malai Malai produced by Dr NS Mohan’s Feather Touch Entertainments. Starring Pooja and Prakash Raj, the film is directed by A Venkatesh. The shooting is to commence soon and the music tracks are being composed by Mani Sharma.


However, this seems to be no ordinary composing session by the music director. The generous producer has decided to fly the entire 12-member team of Mani Sharma, which includes the percussionist, singers, keyboard player and several others, along with the director to a lush locale near Colombo. Normally it’s only the director, producer and music director who go out of town or abroad to compose music in solitude, away from city's distractions.

When contacted, Arun Vijay explained the reason behind such a move, “This way, the producer gets a clear picture of the songs and a better vision emerges about how they will sound with instrumentation and the voice as well, before the recording session itself.” He adds, “Looks like they have also found some beautiful locales for shooting in Sri Lanka which maybe used later in the film.”

As of now, Arun Vijay is on cloud nine about his next film and the generosity of the production house coupled with the vision to make a finely-tuned product may just be the right shot in the arm for his career.

A team of Indian officials is expected this month in Sri Lanka to prepare groundwork for the second coal power plant in the country that will be located in Sampoor in Trincomalee district captured in 2007 from Tamil Tiger rebels.

Minister of Power and Energy John Senaviratne revealed this at a function held yesterday to mark the inauguration of the second phase of the Upper Kothmale hydro power plant. He said that the Secretary of the Indian Power and Energy Ministry would be a member of the delegation.

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has signed a MOU with India to set up a 500 mega watt coal power plant but the progress of the project stalled due to controversy regarding the venue.

(Lanka-e-News, ) Army Commander Sarath Fonseka left for US suddenly for a private tour on day before yesterday (12).

Army spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara confirmed the tour but did not reveal the reason behind it.

Lanka-e-News learns that the Army Commander has gone to US to extend his Green Card visa. Although it is due to be extended in November, he has left early due to instructions of the astrologers to stay out of the country these days.

The Army Commander who visited Vanni battlefronts on October 11 said that the earth mounds would not prevent LTTE defeat. Meanwhile the security forces are expected to enter into Kilinochchi town, the heart of the LTTE this week and the leave of the senior Army officers have been cancelled, Lanka-e-News learns.

In another front, the pressure from India to Sri Lanka to go for a political process regarding the conflict in Sri Lanka is also on the increase.

(Lanka-e-News, ) Chaminda Athuluwage who was sacked from the post of Chairman of Fertilizer Corporation due to a serious fraud in purchasing fertilizer has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Lotteries Board.

As the JVP MP Anura Kumara Disanayaka revealed in the parliament an instance of calling for tenders for purchasing Rs. 1.3 billion worth fertilizer at 10 AM in the morning and closing them at 4 PM in the evening of the same day, then Minister in charge of the Fertilizer Corporation removed the Chairman from the post. Now the same person has been appointed to the National Lotteries Board which comes under Finance Minister, President Mahinda Rajapakse.


The staff of the National Lotteries Board has also expressed amazement due to the appointment of a person who was involved in a fraud of that sort to the chair of the board.

Former Chairman of the National Lotteries Board was also sacked due to a misappropriation in printing lotteries tickets. An audit query is also conducted by the Auditor General in this regard.

The lights will be on and the media cameras will be shooting Tamil films stars and technicians, live in action at the coastal town of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu on 19 October, protesting against shootings and bombings in the neigbouring island nation.
After the big show of protest on the Hogenakkal water dispute, Tamil film stars, directors and technicians are preparing for the next grand show of solidarity with their people, this time on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.
All activities in Kollywood will come to a standstill for three days from 18 to 20 October to enable the film personalities to gather at the coastal town for a rally and a public meeting condemning the Sri Lankan government for the “Tamils’ genocide”.
The decision was taken at a joint meeting of the associations of film artistes, directors, technicians, producers and theatre owners.
A joint statement said that all film-related work, including postproduction work, would be stopped for three days, as everyone should leave for Rameswaram on 18 October in a separate train arranged for them. Director Mr Bharathiraja, who announced the decision and told reporters that the rally would demand a ceasefire and stopping of the Centre's assistance to the island government.
Meanwhile, the all party meeting to be held tomorrow is likely to be reduced to a meeting of ruling parties and their supporters, since two more Opposition parties, actor Vijaykanth's DMDK and the BJP, in addition to the AIADMK and MDMK, announced that they too would boycott the meeting.
State BJP president Mr L Ganesan recalled that the BJP and other Tamil nationalist parties collected medicines and food for the suffering Sri Lankan Tamil population. However, the Centre did not allow the relief materials to be supplied to the people through the International Red Cross, he said. The all party meeting convened by chief minister Mr M Karunanidhi would not be useful for the island Tamils, he added.
Mr Vijaykanth alleged that the Centre was co-operating with the Sri Lankan government in the island conflict and the all party meeting was only to divert the people's attention.
The Dravidar Kazhagam and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, allies of the DMK, appealed to all parties to take part in the all party meet, so that an unanimous decision, reflecting the sentiments of Tamil Nadu could be taken and conveyed to the Centre.
When asked about the expectations of the Sri Lankan Tamils from the all party meeting, Mr K Sivajilingam, Sri Lankan Tamil MP, belonging to the Tamil Nationalist Alliance, which represents 22 out of the 23 Tamil constituencies, told reporters that the Sri Lankan government should announce a ceasefire, to end the sufferings of displaced civilian population. International relief agencies should be allowed to enter the Tamil area, he said and added that food, medicines and other essential commodities should be supplied to the affected people.

In an eco-friendly measure against the environmental hazard caused by polythene wrappers, the Sri Lanka government has evolved a technique to prepare food wrappers from banana leaves.

The Sri Lankan Agriculture Ministry has claimed that it has perfected in the technology for making available the all pervading aromatic "cured" banana leaves and to keep it for a longer duration without any change in its colour or quality.

"As a result on an experiment carried out at Agriculture Research Station, Telijjawila in Southern Sri Lanka a technique has been perfected to produce cured banana leaves that can be kept more than one month under refrigerated condition without any changes in colour or quality," the ministry said.

"People have been using banana leaves to wrap food items since ancient times and this practice is common among majority of the cultures in the south Asia," the study said.

Meal wrapped in banana leaves has additional taste as it gives a distinct fragrance. It also keeps the food fresh for a longer time, the report said, adding that the non-availability of it had led to the alternate use of plastics.

Polyethylene sheet is a convenient wrapper but these take about more than one year to start degradation thereby creating pollution and leading to many undesirable consequences.

"In addition, these sheets could contain various chemical compounds which may be harmful to the humans when exposed for a longer time period," the study said.

Describing the methodology to keep leaves fresh for long duration, the study said well grown leaves are trimmed and separated into pieces (45cm x 45cm) excluding the mid rib. These pieces may be rectangular or round in shape depending on the requirement.

Iranian Economic Affairs and Finance Minister Shamseddin Hosseini has underscored the importance of enhancing economic relations between the members of the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation, especially during the global financial crisis, MNA reported.

Hosseini made the comments in a meeting with Sri Lankan Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Sarath Amunugama on the sidelines of the annual six-day meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) in Washington, the Mehr News Agency reported.

The Special Unit for South-South Cooperation was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1978. Hosted in UNDP, its primary mandate is to promote, coordinate and support South-South and triangular cooperation on a Global and United Nations system-wide basis.

?On our behalf, we will lay the grounds towards facilitating the trade between the two sides? private sectors,? Hosseini said hoping that the Sri Lankan government would also contribute to this purpose by creating the required bedrock.

?Iran is on the way to becoming one of Sri Lanka?s biggest trade partners,? Amunugama said, pointing to Iran?s significant achievements in the energy sector.

The Iranian delegation is headed by Hosseini and also includes Majlis Economic Committee Chairman Mohammadreza Tabesh, and MP Qolamreza Mesbahi Moqaddam, who is also on the Economic Committee.

The boards of governors of the IMF and WB group normally meet once a year in the autumn for a plenary session to discuss the work of their respective institutions.

Pearaa'ru bridge, located on Maangku'lam - Oddisuddaan Road, which branches off from the A9, the access route which was used by the World Food Programme (WFP) humanitarian convoy to Vanni during the first week of October has been destroyed by the Sri Lankan forces in joint attacks carried out since Sunday. In the meantime, rain has started to fall in densely populated areas in Vanni on Tuesday. Many of the refugees living under the trees were forced to seek shelter in buildings, temples, churches and with the neighbouring houses.

The IDPs were expecting Humanitarian Convoy last Friday.

On Sunday, a Sri Lanka Army DPU team attempted to destroy the 15 meter wide and 10 meters deep bridge, which is located at 9th Mile Post from Maangku'lam. Later, the SLA targeted the bridge with artillery fire. Sri Lanka Air Force bombers also carried out bombardment on the bridge, disabling vehicle transport over the bridge.

Pearaa'ru channels water from Vavuniyaa to Ira'naimadu Tank.

The other access road, which runs thruough Neadungkea'ni from Pu'liyanku'lam in Vavuniyaa towards Mullaiththeevu has been targeted by the DPU for a long time.

Toronto - With blue skies and temperatures reaching over 25 degrees on the 'Thanksgiving' weekend last day, Thousands of Canadian Tamils were seen standing out in the street of the King City cricket ground with placards peacefully handing out leaflets which clearly articulated the gruesome reality for Tamils in Sri Lanka while carrying many placards and chanting slogan against the Sri Lankan army gunner turned cricketer Ajantha Mendis and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The Twenty/20 cricket (T20 Canada 2008) tournament was organized by the Canadian Cricket Club this ‘Thanksgiving’ long weekend, at the Maple Creek Cricket Club, in the outskirts of Toronto between Canada, Pakistan, Zimbathwe and Sri Lankan teams.

The organizers, unable to find a local sponsor had to rely on a sponsor from Dubai to underwrite the expenses related to this tournament. The Pakistan team arrived 24 hours before their first match due to hassles in obtaining visas for some of their players.


The biggest story that brought hundreds of Tamil protesters to the ground was the easy entry into Canada of gunner Balapuwaduge Ajantha Winslow Mendis (S/158405) of the SriLanka artillery as part of the Sri Lankan team.


The fact to note is Gunner Mendis was handpicked by the present Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka who is conducting the current genocidal war in the Tamil homelands, for promotion to the rank of Sergeant. It is the same commander who warned the minorities of the Island not so long ago in an interview with AP that they should not expect equal rights since the country belongs to the Sinhala Buddhists.

Besides the governments around the world refuse visas for the members of the notorious Para-militaries and armed forces, who have been accused of heinous crimes against humanity?


The government of Canada through its embassy in Colombo routinely denies visas for elected Tamil members of parliament for the very reason they speak for the equal rights of the Tamil population. Most recently the Sinhala NSSP Leader Wikramabahu was denied visa, for the very fact that he approves the universally accepted ‘self determination’ for Tamils.


Hundreds of Tamil protesters gathered for last three days of the matches at the cricket grounds to protest the easy entry of a Sri Lankan army gunner into Canada and to bring to the attention of the cricket world that atrocities and human rights violations are part of the human dignity and would not be tolerated in countries like Canada where fundamental human rights are being legislated and practiced. Some of the Sri Lankan players made rude ‘middle finger’ gesture to the supporters of the Canadian team which played against them Sunday evening.


Canada, Tamils are visibly upsets over the serious plights of their brethrens gathered in thousands in front of the cricket venue to show solidarity and expose the plights of 230,000 internally displaced people including 30,000 children are being living with no or limited access to food, medicines, sanitary conditions and drinking water. Some Singhalese fans were looking for the trouble with protesting Tamils were kept away by the York Region Police officials.

3rd and final day of the match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan on the Final game thousands of Tamil Canadians flogged the streets in front of the cricket ground and chanted slogans such as 'Sri Lanka Stop Genocides of Tamils', 'Sri Lanka Get off the Filed', 'Sri Lanka Play By the Rule', 'Sri Lankan President number one Terrorist', 'Sri Lankan state is a terrorist state', 'Sri Lanka Assassinates Elected Tamil MPs', 'Sri Lanka Assassinates Tamil Journalists', 'Sri Lanka stop killings Tamils' and many other slogans along with placards showing the plights of Tamils in North and East of Sri Lankan in the hands of the Sri Lankan forces.


Over head, a plane carrying 'Stop the Genocides in Sri Lanka' circled the cricket stand area for more than two hours.


Canadian Tamils are hitting streets of Toronto to engage the Canadian public on the above Tamils' plights as well as needs for the free Tamil Home land as the solution for the protracted conflict between Tamils and Singhalese for the past 60 years.

The government’s attempt to bring the leading Indian cement manufacturer ‘Aditya Birla Group’ to start the operation of the Kankasanthurai Cement factory has been stalled due to a row between the Construction and Engineering Services Ministry and the Industrial Development Ministry.

The Construction and Engineering Services Ministry earlier held initial negotiations with the government and the company to resume the operation of the cement factory which suspended its activities in 1980s due to the eruption of the conflict. The Ministry was even planning to prepare the Cabinet memorandum in this case. In addition, a site assessment was also carried out.

However, government sources said that the Industrial Development Ministry got involved in the issue claming this as an issue totally coming under its purview. Subsequently, it has taken over the right to make any decision regarding the privatization of the country’s one of the largest cement plants or the resumption of its operation.

Birla Group is a leading cement manufacturer in the world. According to a press release issued by the Company on October 1, the Aditya Birla Group’s cement production for the period April-September 2008 has moved up by 1.37 per cent at 150.06 lakh mt as against 148.04 lakh mt during April-September 2007.

Dispatches grew by 1.91 per cent at 149.87 lakh mt in April-September 2008 vis-a-vis 147.06 lakh mt in the corresponding period last year.

Cement production for the month of September 2008 rose by 2.74 per cent at 23.91 lakh mt. Dispatches are up by 4.12 per cent at 23.93 lakh mt over September 2007.

Asked for comments about the issue, Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama said that he could not make any adhock decision to privatize this cement plant which he cited as a public property.

Minister Welgama said that he would not try to resume operation of this plant either, until the security forces give their clearance for it.

“We cannot sell this plant to any company according to my whims and fancies. Even the media might launch a scathing attack on me if I do such a thing. The military is still occupying the area where this factory is located in Kankasanthurai. We have to get their clearance for venturing into any investment in it,” he said

The government has formally applied to the European Union to extend the GSP Plus trade scheme under which the island's exports will gain duty free access, an official said.Secretary to the External Trade Ministry S. Ranugge, said the government expects to know by December 15 whether or not the GSP Plus scheme would be extended.
The application for GSP Plus extension was sent through the Foreign Affairs Ministry to the high commission in Brussels which had submitted it last Friday, he said.

The island's apparel industry and exporters of a host of other products depend heavily on the duty free access provided under the GSP Plus scheme to sell in EU markets.

Loss of the duty free concession would make Sri Lankan exports uncompetitive against exports of other countries with lower labour, energy and raw material costs.

It would be a critical blow especially to the apparel industry which has seen sales to the United States, the biggest markets, slowing down. The apparel industry has said it fears the EU might not extend the concession because of concerns over alleged human rights abuses by government forces in their campaign against the Tamil Tigers.

Kalutara Magistrate yesterday remanded a mother and six others who surrendered to court for allegedly selling an infant to Rs. 65,000.

Kalutara Magistrate H. Anura Seneviratne remanded the infant’s mother P. Tharanga Nayomi de Silva of Gallanamulla, Payagala and U. L. Mohamed Naleer of Perakum Mawatha, Kolonnawa who had allegedly bought the infant, and Madurawala Manage Piyaseeli, Tuan Dileema, Madurawela Manage Nuwan Chamara, Abdul Latheef Sinthi Naleema and W. Shiromi who had acted as go-between in the alleged transaction.

The suspect W. Shiromi who had allegedly obtained Rs. 10,000 from the transaction was produced before the law through counsel Siri Perera was remanded till October 28.

The applications for bail filed by counsel Siri Perera and Viraj Jayanetti were refused by the Magistrate and ordered to remand them till next hearing.

Kalutara SSP Ravi Vijegunawardena and Officer-In-Charge of Kalutara Women and Children’s Bureau Inspector Malka Thushari appeared for the complainant.

The Cabinet is reported to have turned down Plantation Minister D.M. Jayaratne’s proposal requesting for an increase in the fertilizer subsidy given to tea smallholders, political sources said yesterday.

The Minister had said an increase in the tea fertilizer subsidy would in the long run be a profitable investment for the government as it would help increase productivity and ease the burden on tea smallholders who accounted for 75 per cent of Sri Lanka’s tea production.

But the Treasury is reported to have said that at this time such an increase would not be feasible.

The matter was discussed at the recent parliamentary consultative committee meeting held in the parliamentary complex with the Ministry producing facts and figures as to how an enhanced fertilizer subsidy will eventually increase productivity.

Meanwhile, JVP parliamentarian Chandrasena Wijesinghe, who is thepresident of the Joint Federation of Tea Small Holders’ Association, said fertilizer was absolutely essential to produce quality tea leaves.

“Without producing quality tea, we will find it difficult to maintain our market particularly in the European Union,” he said.

He said that at present a bag of tea fertilizer was issued to growers at Rs.2,950, but the request for a further subsidy has been unfortunately rejected.

Two unidentified gunmen yesterday robbed the Walasmulla Ruhunu Development Bank, police said. The bank manager had complained to police that two gunmen had threatened the customers at gunpoint and robbed them of their cash, jewellery, and mobile phones together with money from the bank counter and fled. Walasmulla police are conducting inquiries. The amount of money stolen is yet to be verified.

A software developed in Sri Lanka, which can alert security men to bomb threats and other emergencies, is among the entries nominated for this year’s Manthan Awards to be held in New Delhi from October 16-18.
The Manthan Awards, an initiative of Digital Empowerment Foundation from India, was aimed at bridging the digital divide between India and worldwide.

The Light Emitting Diode (LED) for providing emergency alerts as well as 17 other nominations from Sri Lanka would contend for the awards.

As many as 15 South Asian countries and 28 states and UTs from India have sent their entries for these awards in 13 categories. Explaining the FM-enabled LED screens for distribution of up-date and reliable information, a senior IT official Chitranganie Mubarak said this would enable police stations and hospitals to receive and provide bomb alerts that could save many lives. "This software for the gadget developed by the government-run Information and Communications Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) will be handy for alerting on any bomb explosions or bomb alerts by installting the LED in sensitive places," Mubarak said.

She said the technology could even be used by India since the LEDs are light and easy to be installed anywhere.

The software and the gadgets are expected to sell for less than USD 100 each with the option of developing large LED boards suitable for community centres.

While the country has been plunged into chaos following the multi-million rupee financial ‘Sakvithi’ scam, Negombo police yesterday started probing a similar institute that had paid depositors a monthly interest of 3%.

Negombo police Fraud Investigation Bureau initiated the probe following four complaints received against an institute called “Samajeeya Arthika Sahanaseva Hawula” in the Pulluhena area in Pamunugama.

Police spokesman Ranjith Gunasekara said the complainants had deposited around Rs.1.5million in the scheme and the institute had paid 3% as monthly interest.

The investigators are being carried out to verify whether the financial institute was operating under a proper registration from the Central Bank, he said.

Meanwhile, police have so far received more than 2,000 complaints in the alleged “Sakvithi Scam”.

The main opposition UNP yesterday appointed K.D. Tennekoon, Rohana Gamage and Anura Gunasekera to fill the vacancies created by the tragic deaths of North Central Province opposition leader Janaka Perera and two others when a suicide bomber blasted himself in Anuradhapura.

NCPC UNP member Kasthuri Anurdhanayake said Mr. Tennakoon who was ninth on the preferential list would succeed Major General Perera while Mr. Gamage and Mr. Gunasekera who were placed 10th and 11th in the list would replace Sunil Dissanayake and M. Anurdeen the two other councillors killed in the blast. UNP general secretary Tissa Attanayake said the party had not finalized the dates for the swearing-in and the naming of Major General Perera’s successor as the opposition leader.

The main opposition UNP obtained 12 seats in the North Central Provincial council the JVP 1 seat and the ruling UPFA 20 seats.

Police have raided the Wellawatte house where the suicide bomber who targeted Minister Maithripala Sirisena was residing. Two inmates of the house were arrested and documents seized.

WELIOYA: THIRTY-NINE besieged men, women and children in MULLIVAIKKAL, in MULLAITTIVU braved the LTTE obstacles and restrictions to reach the Army troops in PULMODDAI on two boats Tuesday (14) morning at about 2.00.

Army troops received those fleeing thirty-nine Tamil civilians, including six small boys, six little girls, fourteen women and thirteen men and entertained them to refreshments and meals before arrangements were made to re-locate them.

Those civilians, in spite of warnings issued by the LTTE, had risked their lives in the seas after starting off their journey from MULLAITTIVU early in the morning.

Following initial investigations, those civilians are to be re-located elsewhere until normalcy is returned to the WANNI.

VAVUNIYA: THE DEAD body of a male terrorist killed in the general area KOKKUTHUDUVAI in WELIOYA was handed over to the representatives of International Committee of Red Cross around 1.20 p.m. on Monday (13). To be taken to the un-cleared areas via OMANTHAI Entry/Exit point.

Meanwhile, a dead body of a man was recovered by the Police around 7.45 p.m. on Monday (13) from PANDARIKULAM area.

12 LTTE terrorists were killed and 3 injured during offensives launched by security forces at identified LTTE bunker positions West of Akkarayankulam, Kilinochchi, yesterday (Oct 13).

Security forces operating in general area Northeast of Akkarayankulama, forced into an LTE bunker defence killing 4 terrorists at around 8.35a.m.

Similarly, troops launched an attack at 2 LTTE bunkers located in general area West of Akkarayankuklama, killing 8 and injuring 3 terrorists at 4.20 p.m., military said citing gourd troops.

2 soldiers were also reported wounded in separate incidents, one due to an anti-personnel (AP) mine explosion and the other due to an IED explosion in the same area.

The government made preparations to send in another fleet of lorries with essential food items for those displaced and deprived of basic needs by LTTE in the non-liberated Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu districts on Monday (Oct 13).

A food convoy consisting of 20 lorries from Vavuniya has crossed over to the non-liberated zone yesterday afternoon from the Omanthai Entry/Exit point, Army sources report. The convoy carrying stocks of dhal, rice, coconuts, sugar , flour, spices, oil, grams, potatoes and cereals for children has made its way across Mundirippu, Nedunkandal, Mankulama and Oddusudan areas where thousands of trapped civilians were reported living.

According to military, the food stocks were thoroughly checked before they passed through the Omanthai Entry/ Exit point.

Earlier, on 3rd October, fifty-one lorries with 650 tons of dry rations were send to Wanni and distributed among IDPs under the supervision of the Government Agents in both Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu.

Troops of the 57 Division operating in general area West of Akkarayankulama, Kilinochchi today (Oct 14) launched a surprise assault at an LTTE bunker also killing 3 terrorists, Wanni military sources report.

The attack was launched at around 6.30a.m., with rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) and small arms, military said adding no damages were caused to own troops during the confrontation.

At least 15 terrorists were killed including a senior sea tiger identified as Kadalmaran, and similar numbers reported injured following heavy attacks carried out by troops of the 57 Division targeting LTTE resistant positions, East of Akkarayankulama, Kilinochchi on Monday (Oct 13).

The fighting erupted since yesterday morning and lasted till 11p.m., Wanni military sources said. Among the dead two were identified as senior sea tigers including Kadalmaran, who was believed commanding the reinforcement elements of LTTE in the area.

According to military, a soldier has laid his life and 8 others reported wounded during the hours long confrontations.

Pitched fighting ensued between troops and LTTE later in the day, when terrorists launched counter attacks to stall the military advance. The LTTE attempts were put all-in vain as troops stepped intense assaults, neutralizing the counter attack, forcing the tigers to flee the area, military sources said.

Thirty-nine Tamil civilians including fourteen women and twelve children from un-cleared area of Mullaittivu sought refuge with security forces this morning, 14 October.

Despite the LTTE's restrictions and obstacles, these civilians from Mullivaikkal area have reached the security forces in Pulmoddai around 9.30 a.m today. Thirteen men are among the escapees. Meals and other basic needs have already been provided before the arrangements made to relocate them.

These innocent civilians underwent severe hardships from the LTTE have crossed the Mullaittivu seas on two boats having risk on their lives.

The civilians were later directed to an IDP centre after completing initial investigations.

The executive editor of the Hindu, Malini Parathasarthy said in a signed editorial of the paper that despite the campaign masterminded by a desperate LTTE in Tamil Nadu the Indian government should maintain its policy of staying out of Sri Lanka's internal affairs.

The lengthy editorial carried on the paper's centre page said, "This latest campaign in Tamil Nadu masterminded by a desperate LTTE must not be allowed to undermine the sound policy decision upheld by successive Indian governments since 1991 to stay out of Sri Lanka's internal affairs."

In no uncertain terms the editorial said, "It is indeed the sovereign right of Sri Lanka as it is of India to eliminate any terrorist organisation that poses a fundamental threat to its survival as a nation."

The newspaper with 1.17 million circulation and considered the most influential national daily in India was commenting on the current agitation by Tamil political parties in the South Indian state to bring pressure on New Delhi to intervene and stop Sri Lanka's offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) the leaders of which are believed to be virtually trapped in their stronghold of Kilinochchi.

The editorial severely warned New Delhi that such an intervention would weaken the moral authority of India to fight against terrorism and separatism in Kashmir.

Parathasarathy, in her comment, under the headline, "The Dangers of Tamil Chauvinism" said, "For the last decade or so, New Delhi has successfully resisted the various attempts made by the LTTE and its supporters in Tamil Nadu to force it to intervene in the Sri Lankan crisis. If New Delhi were to express its disapproval, even implicitly, of Sri Lanka's sovereign right to recapture its own national territory from the LTTE, it would weaken the moral authority of India's own actions in regard to its struggle against terrorism and the separatist agitation in Kashmir. This latest campaign in Tamil Nadu masterminded by a desperate LTTE must not be allowed to undermine the sound policy decision upheld by successive Indian governments since 1991 to stay out of Sri Lanka's internal affairs."

Parathasarathy said while India is anxiously grappling with the enormity of the horrific new threat to Indian society-terrorism- fast becoming an everyday reality on the streets political parties in Tamil Nadu led by the MDMK and the PMK "have recently plunged into high-pitched activity aimed at garnering support for the LTTE, a deadly terrorist organisation. These parties have launched a campaign in the State ostensibly to express solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils trapped in the war zone in northern Sri Lanka but the timing of this campaign which appears to have materialised overnight, is a dead giveaway. The Sri Lankan army, just two kilometers away from the LTTE's administrative capital, Kilinochchi, has successfully encircled the Tigers and their leader who are virtually trapped in their bunkers."

"For the first time in years," said Parathasarathy, "the Sri Lankan government appears to be on the brink of a major success in its battle with terrorism. There is now the very real prospect of the capture of the elusive LTTE chief, Velupillai Prabakaran, who is behind the assassination of a former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi. Tamil Nadu's politicians clearly have different standards for India and for Sri Lanka. It would appear that they accept that battling terrorism in India and saving Kashmir from Islamist jihadis are important national tasks but not so in Sri Lanka which has been menaced for more than two decades by the LTTE.

It was the LTTE which pioneered terrorism in South Asia and produced two generations of suicide bombers who have claimed numerous high-profile victims. For far too long have the legitimate aspirations of the Sri Lankan Tamils been held hostage to the hegemonic ambitions of the LTTE chief Prabakaran who has consistently sabotaged all attempts to find political solutions to the conflict."

The editorial further said, "Yet the Thirteenth Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution which was a consequence of the Indo-Sri Lankan Agreement of 1987, envisaging devolution of power to provincial councils has become a touchstone for the resolution of the ethnic conflict. The Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has made it clear that he remains committed to a political solution of this sort. In a meeting with the All Party Representative Conference (APRC) last Saturday, Mr. Rajapaksa emphasised that it was the duty of the Sri Lankan state "to ensure to the Tamil people of the North the same democratic rights as enjoyed by the people in all parts of the country." He also took care to explain that the military action against the LTTE was against terrorism and not against the Tamil community.

"The Sri Lankan President has acquired unprecedented political space for his military campaign against the LTTE. Several factors including the rebellion of the powerful LTTE commander Karuna and the fact that there is now in place an elected provincial council in the Eastern Province have rendered irrelevant many of the points in the earlier Sri Lankan Tamil political platform.

That there is a credible and workable political solution now in sight has made it easier for Colombo to launch military operations against the LTTE. It is indeed the sovereign right of Sri Lanka as it is of India to eliminate any terrorist organisation that poses a fundamental threat to its survival as a nation."

by Jehan Perera

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has once again reiterated that he believes in the need for a political solution to end the current conflict in Sri Lanka. He has made this statement at a time when the Sri Lankan armed forces are poised to capture the LTTE's administrative capital of Kilinochchi after months of heavy fighting and heavy casualties. When government spokespersons say that the government is for a political solution this is often taken as an affirmation that the government is prepared to negotiate with the LTTE with whom it is engaged in warfare. However, a political solution does not necessarily have to be negotiated with the LTTE, or so the government seems to think.

There is also the possibility of a political solution that is put into place without the LTTE being either consulted or being made a party to it. The government seems to be thinking that it can formulate a political solution by acting in consensus with ideologically allied parties, such as the Sinhalese nationalist parties of the JVP and JHU, and pro-government Tamil parties such as the EPDP and TMVP. The President may be thinking of a political solution that is put into place after the LTTE is defeated on the military battlefield. In the same speech where he spoke approvingly about a political solution, the President also called on the LTTE to lay down their weapons, surrender to the government forces and enter the democratic process by contesting elections.

The President took up these positions in a speech delivered to the All Party Conference. This is an important initiative that he summoned over two and a half years ago to find a political solution to the ethnic conflict. While the representatives of the APC have laboured considerably and made various proposals, the government has not been prepared to accept them. The only recommendation that the government has so far accepted is what the President himself proposed. This was to implement the present constitution, in particular the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, and no more. Unfortunately, this too has yet to be done, although this recommendation was made with much earnestness at the beginning of this year.

The whole history of the Tamil struggle is to find ways of dealing with the outcome of Sinhalese ethnic majority domination of the polity. It is hardly a cause for surprise that in these circumstances many Tamil people continue to place a degree of support in the LTTE, despite their track record of human rights abuses and political bungling. This is on account of the LTTE continuing to possess a measure of bargaining strength through its remaining military strength, which is unavailable to any Tamil political party. Even Tamil allies of the government, such as the EPDP and TMVP have little or no bargaining strength, as they are almost totally dependent on the government for their survival.


TAMIL SUPPORT

Since it was first established, the APC and its representatives have held dozens of meetings, but none of these meetings have included representatives of the TNA, which is the largest Tamil political party. Only a few of the meetings at the earlier stages included the main opposition party, the UNP. The UNP left the APC process accusing the government of bad faith. It continues to say that the whole exercise is one to deceive the international community and is unwilling to join it. In these circumstances, it is readily apparent that the political solution envisaged by the President is one between allied parties, rather than through negotiations with antagonists or those holding oppositional views.

The original source of popular Tamil support for the separatist insurgency was the perception amongst Tamils that the existing political system was based on permanent ethnic majority rule, rather than on any principle of fairness that ought to govern relations between an ethnic majority and ethnic minorities. In the absence of the LTTE, the government can unilaterally seek to impose a solution upon the Tamil people. It is not likely that such a political solution that is designed by Sinhalese nationalist parties such as the JHU and the government's own proponents of Sinhalese nationalism, can even be minimally acceptable to the Tamil people.

On the other hand, the government may reasonably feel that it is simply not possible to negotiate a political solution with the LTTE. This is not simply the view of nationalist Sinhalese. It is also the considered view of many in the international community, who are today giving the government a considerable degree of leeway in militarily dealing with the LTTE. The best opportunity for a negotiated political solution was the peace process of 2002-2005 which was facilitated by Norway, and behind which stood countries like Japan and the United States. But the LTTE continued to think in terms of its own leadership of a separate Tamil state and sought to undermine that peace process.

Today, unfortunately, the members of the government that entered into the ceasefire with the LTTE are in the opposition. There has been a full scale war in the north and east of Sri Lanka for the past two and a half years. The Ceasefire Agreement was formally abrogated by the Government of Sri Lanka, led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in January 2008. But the blame for the return to war cannot be put on the government alone. The foundations of the Ceasefire Agreement were shaken five years earlier when the LTTE walked out of peace talks in March 2003 and refused to attend the Tokyo donor conference in July 2003.


CONTINUING CONFLICT

What Sri Lanka needs for peace that is stable and lasting is a political solution that is fair by all communities, and is perceived as such by them. The challenge for peace making in Sri Lanka is to overcome the two main obstacles to such a political solution that is fair by all communities. These two obstacles are Sinhalese nationalism that sees Sri Lanka as a Sinhalese country and seeks to impose its own vision of a political solution upon the ethnic minorities. The other obstacle is the unwillingness of the LTTE to accept anything less than a separate Tamil state under its own leadership.

The military battles being fought at the present time in the north may get rid of one of these obstacles. The government's ongoing attempt is to militarily eliminate the proto-structures of a separate state that exist in the north, as was done in the east two years ago. The loss of the outer form of a separate state, such as their office buildings and administrative apparatus, might compel the LTTE to have a more realistic assessment of the contours of a political solution. If the present leadership is not prepared to be realistic, but is determined to continue to take the Tamil people to their doom, this can even lead to further splits within the organisation.

The problem, however, is that the very process of a military victory by the government may lead to the strengthening of the other obstacle to a political solution that is fair by all communities. This obstacle is Sinhalese nationalism that claims Sri Lanka to be a Sinhalese country, in which the ethnic majority has the power to impose their own vision of a political solution upon the ethnic minorities. Unless the government is prepared to accept the reality that Sri Lanka is a multi ethnic society, this will be a recipe for continued ethnic strife in the years to come.

During his Presidential election campaign in November 2005, President Mahinda Rajapaksa critiqued the Ceasefire Agreement that was signed in 2002, and pledged instead to design a new peace process that would bring peace with dignity. The ground reality in the north today is one of upwards of 300,000 people fleeing from place to place to escape the ravages of war. This is not peace with dignity for the Tamil people, who have a birthright to this country, who are sons and daughters of Sri Lankan soil, who are necessarily represented by the Government of Sri Lanka, and whose support and goodwill is necessary if Sri Lanka is to reach its full potential as a rapidly developing nation. The plight of the people of the north is reason enough for the government to consider a new peace process based on negotiations that are different from the past.

A petition is being signed in Sri Lanka requesting the Canadian Foreign Minister to recall the First Secretary of the Canadian High Commission on the assumption he has grossly abused his responsibility in handling visa applications.

The petition has been initiated by South Asian Peace Institute and says the signatories could use the draft made available or, re-arrange and edit the petition to suit its purpose.

The draft petition says, “Had Mr. McKinney properly scrutinized Dr. Karunaratne’s passport the proper facts would have been established. We presume that relying on this type of misinformation, Mr. McKinney and his staff would have led to many instances of rejecting visa applications resulting in denying Sri Lankan citizens’ entry to Canada.”

Ex-IGP and former governor of Northern Province, Victor Perera has been summoned again to the Bribery Commission (CIABOC) for questioning, sources say.

Speaking to ‘Lanka Dissent’, a senior CIABOC official said that Mr. Perera was initially quizzed on October 03rd for nearly seven hours after a group of senior police officers complained against him of fraud during his tenure as IGP.

He was again interrogated for four hours on October 10th, he added.

After his interrogation on October 03rd, Mr. Perera resigned from his post as governor of the Northern Province.

Meanwhile, human rights organisations have expressed surprise of the appointment of a person to a Tamil majority area who was IGP at a time where human rights violations against Tamils have been reported

Education authorities in northern Sri Lanka say that 26,168 schoolchildren have been displaced due to fighting between government forces and the LTTE, BBC Sandeshaya reports.

In a letter sent to Kilinochchi district secretary, the Director of Education of the area says there is a need for 125 temporary shelters to accommodate those students.

“There is a very urgent need for 100 urinals for males and 100 toilets for girls. 3000 Mats are needed for the seating arrangement of children,” the letter sent by T Kurukularajah said.

The education official has also requested the DS to provide three million rupees to dismantle the previous temporary schools and bring them to the new sites.

From Colombo to Dhaka, Kabul to Karachi, and Kathmandu to Kerala, Wednesday 15 October is likely to break all records as millions and millions of children practice the power of proper sanitation through soap suds and pledging not to leave their human excreta in the open.

South Asia has the highest rate in the world of people using no toilet at all – 48% of the population. Because of this, six of the eight countries in the region are not on target to meet the sanitation Millennium Development Goal (MDG). However, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are on track to achieve the MDG goal of “Improved sanitation” and of reducing related deaths among children under five years of age, by 2015.

Events in Sri Lanka on Global Hand Washing Day are centred around schools, and more than one million children will participate. The Ministry of Health and UNICEF have supported the training of 1500 Public Health Inspectors who will visit a record number of schools on the day and demonstrate how handwashing should be done according to the correct technique. Additional demonstrations will also be held in clinics, hospitals and tea plantations.

“We know that this single, very ordinary act of washing hands with soap can have an extraordinary impact on saving the lives of Sri Lanka’s children,” said Dan Toole, Regional Director of UNICEF South Asia. “It is inspiring to see all our partners, teachers, politicians, and NGOs - and most importantly children themselves – put so much energy and enthusiasm into Global Hand Washing Day. We know that children can transform this day into an automatic act and this way dramatically improve the chances of their countries to reach the Millennium Development Goals.”

UNICEF will also release a television advertisement staring Sachin Tendulkar, encouraging children to wash their hands. Said Tendulkar: “Having two young children, I constantly have to remind them to wash their hands before and after meals,” Tendulkar said. “I wanted to be a part of this campaign, because washing hands with soap can keep children safe and healthy and protect them against deadly disease.”

Global Handwashing Day’s hygiene promotion activities are aimed at lifting the lid on open defecation, one of the world’s “last taboos”. ‘Open defecation’ presents serious health risks from diarrhoea, worm infestations, hepatitis and acute respiratory infections like pneumonia – all the biggest killers of children. It is also one of the greatest environmental hazards and the greatest contributor to malnutrition in the region.

“Hand washing with soap before meals and after using the toilet, is the single most inexpensive health intervention in the world,” said Ananda Jayaweera, UNICEF’s Project water and sanitation specialist. “Studies have proven that effective hand washing - for at least 20 seconds with soap - cuts deaths from pneumonia and diarrhoea by some 50 percent.”

Due to negligence on the part of the Police Headquarters, the Anuradhapura Multi Purpose Cooperative Society has declined to supply fuel to police vehicles. A petrol shed run by the cooperative society has refused to continue a long standing credit facility since September 20.

The Anuradhapura Police had been told that fuel wouldn’t be supplied until Police Headquarters settled a Rs. 2.2 million outstanding bill. Police said that their movements were badly curtailed due to the dispute between police headquarters and the cooperative society.

The Sri Lanka Hadabima Authority which is under the purview of the Agriculture and Agrarian Services Ministry will commence national agriculture development projects. Under the proposed projects 5000 horticultural projects, preservation of soil in the Central Province, land management, carbonic agriculture and Haritha Udana home gardening competitions will be introduced shortly, the Agriculture and Agrarian Services Ministry said.

Advisor to Agriculture and Agrarian Services Ministry A.H.L.Somathilaka said that soil erosion in the Central Province had caused several problems to the farmers of different crops and the Ministry had prioritized to preserve soil in the Province. All farmers in the Province would be given training programmes on soil preservation techniques, nature of lands and geological varieties, nature of soil and agricultural knowledge. Training on biological aspects of different crops, physical qualities of crops and usage of different agricultural implements for different crops.

He said that the project would also involve in training farmers self-management of the preserved lands for cultivation purposes, importance of intake of a balanced diet of family members, utilization of the available plot of land for total productivity, consumption of non-toxic fruits and vegetables, strengthening of the family income, labour productivity of families. Around 25 Divisional Secretariats covering 5000 families in the Central Province would be selected for the training.

Somathilaka emphasized that the proposed project would also include distribution of seed paddy, different kinds of seeds and seedlings to farmers on short-term, medium -term and long-term basis according to the needs of farming communities in the Province. The Hadabima Authority agricultural and extension officers would visit each farming community and instruct them on modern techniques for self-management of their plots of lands.

He said that a large number of farmers were found to be using primitive methods in cultivating processes and some farmers were in the habit of cultivating crops by means of polythene bags, plastic bags and other bags. It was a popular method used by some farmers. Some farmers had been using indigenous agro-chemicals such as margosa seeds mixture, garlic mixture and natural herbal mixture for cultivation of different crops and these farmers had been using agro-chemicals very rarely. The Ministry had found that some farmers had not been eliminating insects and they were chasing insects, by means of traditional Takaya, scare-crows and puppets farmers had been successful in chasing insects. These environmental-friendly methods were extremely popular in remote farming communities.

Referring to the sustainable agriculture, Somathilaka explained that Rs 50 million was allocated for agricultural development for 2008, the Hadabima Auhtority had been given Rs. 5 million to produce carbonic fertilizer and expand the production for the use of fruits and vegetable cultivation. A separate project to produce carbonic fertilizer among 5000 families of home gardening would be introduced. The 5000 families would be given necessary instructions to produce carbonic fertilizer of 100 sq.ft in each graden.

Somathilka elaborated that the Markadura Divisional Agricultural Research Centre had already trained 7100 farmers on carbonic fertilizer production as the agricultural and extension officers in the Hadabima Authority had been given required training in carbonic fertilizer production.

According to the Hadabima Authority, horticultural competitions encompassing 5000 farming families will be organized at Grama Niladaries and Divisional Secretariats levels. Samurdhi officials, Agricultural Officers, Agrarian Services Officers and Divisional Secretaries in respective districts will select the best farmers in each district. The winners will be presented with gifts and recognized certificates.

Police headquarters yesterday said that lawyer Ms. J. M. Sharmila Fernando was wanted in connection with ongoing probe on the ‘Sakvithi’ scam.

She was among seven other suspects including Abayaranasinghe Mudiyanselage Chandana Weerakumar alias Sakvithi Ranasinghe (National Identity Card No 723591945) wanted by investigators, a senior official said. At the time of the chief suspect’s disappearance, she had functioned as his secretary and the company lawyer, he said.

According to complaints received by Mirihana police so far, the company had accepted over Rs One billion in deposits from about 2,000 persons. Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said that among the victims were nearly two dozen police officers. Releasing the photographs of the eight suspects, Gunasekera said that the public could pass on information about their whereabouts to DIG Chandana Wickremaratne (011-2829384), SSP Deshabandu Tennakoon (011-2852555), ASP U.S.I. Perera (011-2855272), Chief Inspector O. G. Amarabandu (011-2809243) and Chief Inspector Liyanage (011-2852556).

Sri Lankan soldiers attacked Tamil Tiger rebel bunkers along the northern front lines triggering gunbattles that killed 27 guerrillas and three soldiers, the military said Monday.
Fighting has escalated in recent months on the Indian Ocean island with the military capturing a series of rebel bases and large chunks of territory. Officials have pledged to crush the guerrillas by the end of the year.

In the latest fighting, soldiers destroyed three bunkers and captured four others Sunday after battles that killed 15 rebels near their administrative capital of Kilinochchi, the military said in a statement.

Separate clashes in the same area killed four rebels and one soldier, it said.

The military has said it is closing in on Kilinochchi and its forces are about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from the outskirts of the town.

In the northern Jaffna peninsula, troops killed four rebels along the front lines while a rebel mortar attack killed two soldiers, the statement said.

Clashes in Mullaitivu killed four rebels and wounded one soldier, it said.

With nearly all communications to the north severed, a rebel spokesman could not be contacted for comment.

Independent verification of the military's claims is nearly impossible because most journalists are banned from the war zone. Both sides routinely exaggerate enemy losses and underreport their own.

The rebels have been fighting since 1983 to create an independent homeland for the country's ethnic minority Tamils, who have faced marginalization by successive governments controlled by ethnic Sinhalese. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the violence.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, who is visiting Australia, said the global economic turmoil would not cripple the government's ability to fund the war, which he said was in the ``final stages.''

``We are quite confident our financial resources will sustain current engagement with'' the rebels, Bogollagama told reporters at a joint press conference with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith in Canberra Monday.

Last week, the government presented budget proposals for 2009 seeking a 20 percent increase in defense spending to a record 177 billion rupees ($1.6 billion).

The Prayathna People's Movement Places its highest appreciation on the recent rulings of the Supreme Court. Saying the rulings of the Supreme Court have sent a clear warning that former president, the incumbent and future presidents, state officials and others who hold public offices should exercise their duties as enshrined in the Constitution in such a way to uphold the Doctrine of Public Trust, Good Governance, the rule of law and should be accountable to the people for their actions from which they can never escape.

The full text is as follows.

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge and several others have been ordered to pay millions of rupees as compensation in the Waters Edge deal. Itt has also ordered the Bribery Commission to investigate the transaction and the Urban Development Authority to take over the land. It also emphasized that the former President has misused her powers. On the same day former Treasury Secretary P.B. Jaysundera rendered his unreserved apology before the Supreme Court for holding public office even after the findings against him by the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court has ordered him to file an affidavit in respect of the posts he held after the said findings. Earlier, the Supreme Court ordered to withdraw a gazette notification issued by the Secretary to the President related to the extension of the retirement age of public officers appointed by the President.
The Supreme Court has clearly stated that the President’s powers in effecting action of the Government or of State officers is also necessarily limited to the Constitution and that the President does not have the power to shield, protect or coerce the action of the State officials or agencies, when such action is against the tenets of the Constitution or the Public trust. It noted that the principle that those charged with upholding the Constitution –be a police officer of the lowest rank or the President-are to do so in a way that does not violate the Doctrine of Public Trust. The Waters Edge Land deal could be a good example how corrupted elements acquire lands that are meant to accommodate state institutions for their personal benefits and how the political powers have been misused, and shows how ignorant our state officials are about the happenings in the world. The Doctrine of Public Trust that arises from a body of law over 1,500 years deals with the property law, especially on the natural resources.

In 1988, the US Supreme Court upheld a Mississippi Supreme Court decision and ruled that all lands subject to the ebb and flow of the tide in Mississipi belong to the state in trust for the benefit of the citizens. Although the Waters Edge Land transaction was made under the cover of the benefit of the people it transpired that it was not so. The actions of the former President, and other statutory bodies have clearly shown how good governance has been floated in the country. The leaders and other power elites have not seen themselves accountable as individuals and were under the impression that they are above the law and have immunity. Even the immunity of the President is within the framework of the Constitution.

The rulings of the Supreme Court have sent a clear warning that former president, the incumbent and future presidents, state officials and others who hold public offices should exercise their duties as enshrined in the Constitution in such a way to uphold the Doctrine of Public Trust, Good Governance, the rule of law and should be accountable to the people for their actions from which they can never escape.

The Prayathna People’s Movement wishes to state that there is no doubt that the people will appreciate these historic rulings of the Supreme Court.

The Auditor General has sought the opinions of Inspector general of Police regarding unbelievable purchasing such as paying Rs. 200 per a coconut shell spoon which is worth Rs. 20 in the local market.

Audit queries have led to find out that there are equipment purchased below standards and paying 10-12 times higher prices when purchasing kitchen utensils, stores equipment and welfare apparatus to the value of Rs. 5,247,584 for the Police Training Schools in Pahalagama, Katana, Wehera, Boralanda, for the Police stations in Aithiyamale and Karadiyanaru and for the Monaragala police division.

According to the Auditor General,

A fish knife which is Rs. 250 in the market has been purchased for Rs. 1350;

A table knife which is Rs. 100 in the market has been purchased for Rs. 575;

A coconut shell spoon which is Rs. 20 in the market has been purchased for Rs. 200;

A stainless steel rice spoon which is Rs. 40 in the market has been purchased for Rs. 250;

A plastic waste bin which is Rs. 575 in the market has been purchased for Rs. 3950;

A cross saw which is Rs. 875 in the market has been purchased for Rs. 1350;

A coir rug which is Rs. 200 in the market has been purchased for Rs. 2650;

A serviette which is Rs. 20 in the market has been purchased for Rs. 120;

An electric coconut grater which is Rs. 5500 in the market has been purchased for Rs. 23,500;
When 75 money boxes were purchased to the Police Department, tenders were called from four companies. A technical evaluation committee comprised of a Senior Superintendent of Police and two others gave instructions in this regard. However, the minimum price was ignored and the second price was accepted. Purchasing the items at Rs. 1421.73 without VAT caused a loss of Rs. 20,745.75 to the department.

The Auditor General further states that the advantage for the state was prevented when welfare items worth Rs. 1,586,750 were purchased for 30 locations to house 6000 police officers who were on duty for 2007 Esala Perehera.

Although the Senior Superintendent of Police - Kandy had informed that the purchased items could be handed over to the Police Stores by September 02, they were not handed over duly until November 15, 2007. Further, the descriptions of the radio sets purchased were not submitted to stores. The Auditor General has also pointed out that purchasing coconut shell spoons at Rs. 200 each is an erroneous procurement.

The Auditor General has shown to the Inspector General of Police that Rs. 327,750 loss had been caused to state through purchasing 81,000 polysacks by way of paying higher prices.

Whilst approval had been given to purchase 1690 iron beds at the cost of Rs. 10,830, they were procured at Rs. 14,900.

1390 white shirts were purchased for police officers at the cost of Rs. 799,250, but the supplier was not one registered in the Defense Ministry.

Even five years after the five storey police station in Kotahena was completed construction, steps have not taken to acquire it from the contractor, the Attorney General has observed.

“If the President now believes military offensives don’t solve this conflict, then the President has to halt the war immediately and table his political proposals to the society through the APC,” says SLFP M Wing Leader, MP issuing a statement on the APC that was held on 11th October, chaired by the President.

The statement further says, the President has been using the APC and the APRC to his own advantage when international forums like the UN General Assembly, the SL Aid group and SAARC meets and to face regional pressure.

“This time seems no different. This time the Tamil Nadu politicians have formed broad alliances as never before against the war in Sri Lanka. Growing agitations and protests in TN demanding India to intervene in stopping what they call a ‘genocide against Tamils in SL’ has compelled the Man Mohan Singh government to intervene diplomatically.” the statement adds.

Concluding the statement, Mr. Samaraweera says, he therefore demands from the President to do table his political proposals immediately, instead of acting out yet another tragi-comedy and pushing this country into a bloodier future.

India has strongly urged the Sri Lankan government to present proposals for a political solution, diplomatic sources confirm.

The same source further says that the Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Alok Prasad has conveyed the Indian government’s concern on the plight of the thousands of Tamil people in the Northern war theatre due to continued military offensives.

Discussing on the military offensives in the North and its impact on civilians, India has urged Sri Lanka to assure the safety of the IDPs and to provide humanitarian aid to them.

The Indian HC Prasad’s meeting with the President follows a recent meeting between the Indian Defence Advisor, M.K. Narayanan and the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner in India, Palitha Ganegoda in Tamil Nadu.

Sources say the Indian Central government has intervened due to continuing pressure on the Delhi government by Tamil Nadu politics.

The Supreme Court ordered the Consumer Protection Authority to take steps to stop the levy on polythene bags used in supermarkets and other outlets, considering a FR petition filed against the this levy as a fundamental rights violation.

The Ministry of Environment effected the tax on polythene as an environmetal protection step and compelled all consumers to pay an environmental cost for using polythene bags to carry their goods home.

The Consumer Protection Authority and the Environmetal Ministry was cited as respondents in the FR petition.

AG’s department that appeared for the Environmental Minstry explained that this tax was effected on the Environmental Act, but this explanation was not accepted by the SC. The Chief justice said it only exploits the consumer and gave the Consumer protection Authority a weeks time to take steps to stop the levy.

Health Services Director General, Dr. Ajith Mendis said he was receiving threatening telephone calls from unidentified persons after the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry detained two containers of milk powder imported from China at the Colombo port.

The Ministry took measures to detain the two containers last week as China is beset with contamination of milk powder and allied products with Melamine that killed four children and sickened thousands.

“The Health Ministry temporarily prohibited the clearing of the two containers of milk powder imported from China to ensure the safety of consumers who would eventually use the product. We wanted to prevent a situation similar to what happened in China, if by any chance the milk products are contaminated. The Health Ministry is responsible for the safety of foods consumed by the public. We have done the right thing in detaining the two containers. Besides, the entire country would blame the Ministry if something unfortunate happened after the clearing of milk powder without testing,” Dr. Mendis emphasized.

Samples of the milk products in the containers had been sent for testing in two laboratories and a report is expected in two weeks. The Health Ministry will release the consignment for distribution if the tests clear the products of any contamination, he said.

Meanwhile, Trade, Commerce, Cooporative and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardana said that samples obtained from almost all the milk products in the market had been sent to Singapore for testing.

“I expect the reports of the tests of these products this week. However, there must not be any reason for concern as none of these products are imported from China,” Minister Gunawardana said.

Newly sworn-in member of parliament and TMVP Leader, Karuna Amman is to seek a meeting with foreign envoys in Colombo especially the British High Commissioner to clear his name in charges relating to human rights abuses and war crimes.

Karuna who was deported from Britain this year for holding a false diplomatic passport, said he was confident that he would not be denied an entry into Britain despite the whole controversy that led to his arrest and subsequent deportation.

“I am confident that I will not be denied visas into Britain or the US as I have not done anything wrong. I am waiting to meet the diplomats especially the British High Commissioner as I have a lot of issues which need to be discussed with him,” Mr. Karuna said.

He added that during his meeting with the British envoy he would also discuss in detail the reasons which led to his arrest and the events which followed. “I am willing to discuss everything about my stay in Britain,” Mr. Amman added.

During his meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week, Amman discussed his intention of meeting the foreign envoys to which the President had readily agreed.

Amman had also stated he would discuss in length with the diplomats of his plans to develop the east. “We need international support in my plans to develop the east,” Amman had told the President.

Meanwhile, US based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said last week that leaders of both the TMVP and the LTTE might find themselves denied visas to visit the United States under the new Child Soldiers Accountability Act passed by the US government recently.

Legal and Policy Director of HRW James Ross said that active LTTE organisers were known to be operating in the US and Europe while TMVP deputy leader and Eastern Province Chief Minister Pillayan who had been undertaking overseas trips, was yet to visit the US since entering the democratic stream. “Leaders of the LTTE, the TMVP and anyone else involved in recruiting children as soldiers better think twice when planning a visit to the United States. Under the new US law, it could just mean being denied a visa,” Ross said.

A Senior Scientist attached to the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) yesterday predicted that there could be a movement in the Sumatra plate during the coming days which might result in an under sea quake.

NBRO Scientist H. G. S. Ariyaratne said that his prediction was based on the behaviour of under sea species.

He explained that several species of fish which were seen in the Sumatra seas have become widely visible in the seas around Sri Lanka. According to his personal research he had managed to find out that species senses various changes that take place in the sea-bed including changes in plates. “These species move out of the areas when they sense these changes to escape possible quakes,” Mr. Ariyaratne said.

Mr. Ariyaratne said these species which were usually seen in the seas off Sumatra were found around the Sri Lanka seas prior to the 2004 tsunami. “This phenomenon has been visible during several occasions just before under sea earth quakes according to the research I have done,” he pointed out.

He said he was able to predict under sea earth quakes four times in the recent past but stressed that some official research should be made about this development.

“It could be very useful as it could be a breakthrough on predicting an earth quake at a time like this where there is no way of predicting disasters such as earthquakes,” he added.

AP report quotes Swiss authorities as saying Melamine found in biscuits in Sri Lanka; The Consumer Affairs Authority says there is no truth to such claims.

MANILA, Philippines -- A Sri Lankan who police say could belong to an international syndicate producing fake automated teller machine (ATM) cards was arrested as he was repeatedly trying to withdraw money at the Glorietta mall, an officer said Monday.

Superintendent Manuel Santos said Premarajah Rathinem, 39, who was temporarily staying at Copacobana Hotel in Pasay City, was accosted Friday noon by security guards at the third level of the mall when he was seen taking "too long" to withdraw cash from Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) ATMs.

"He was going back and forth to line up at the ATM using different cards. We recovered eight cards, which were certified counterfeit by BPI," Santos said.

Some P32,000 in cash that the suspect had withdrawn from the ATMs was also seized.

Rathinem is detained at the Makati police station.

The police offer said Rathinem could be a member of a syndicate that steals details from ATM and credit cards with "skimming" devices then reproduces fake cards with the copied information.

He said several lookouts likely accompanied Rathinem as he withdrew money but fled when he was arrested.

"We already caught a handful of Filipinos and foreigners with the same modus operandi, but they would not reveal their operations," Santos said.

The suspect will be charged with violation of RA 8484 or the Access Device Regulation Act of 1998, with BPI filing the case.

Country's leading telecom firm Bharti Airtel today said it expects to roll out services in Sri Lanka by December as inter-connection issues with local telecom firms are expected to be sorted out.
"We find the (Sri Lankan) regulator extremely supportive," Bharti Airtel Chief Executive Officer Manoj Kohli told reporters on the sidelines of the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators' Council conference here.

"We are on track to launch the services .... Inter-connection issues have been nearly sorted out and the roll out is likely by December 2008," he said.

The Indian telecom major was facing problem for getting interconnection from the local operators in the island country.

Airtel had said that the incumbent operators in Lanka are not giving interconnections to the company.

Bharti Airtel Lanka Private Ltd, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel Ltd, had already announced plans to launch 2G and 3G services in Sri Lanka under the same brand Airtel.

It had signed a $150-million deal with China's Huawei Technologies to set up a mobile phone network in Sri Lanka.

VAVUNIYA: ONE more fleet of twenty lorries carrying essentials into war-affected un-cleared areas started off from VAVUNIYA and crossed OMANTHAI Entry/Exit point a couple of minutes ago on Monday (13) afternoon.

The latest convoy carrying rice, dhal, coconuts, sugar, flour, spices, oil, grams, potatoes and other cereals in the company of government representatives of the MULLAITTIVU and KILINOCHCHI districts made its way across MUNDIRIPPU, NEDUNKANDAL, MANKULAM and ODDUSUDAN into areas where thousands of trapped civilians are living.

Food stocks were thoroughly checked at OMANTHAI Entry/Exit point before the lorries were allowed entry into those areas. In the first week of October, authorities managed to send more than forty such consignments into battle-torn areas with the coordination of the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

WELIOYA & KILINOCHCHI: HEAVY FIGHTING as well as further weakening of the Tiger terrorists now confined to two districts, continued for another day on Sunday (12) inflicting more losses and damages to the enemy in the WELIOYA, AKKARAYANAKULAM and VANNARIKULAM battle-affected areas.

Troops of the 59 Division in confrontations with LTTE terrorists in the general areas of PERIYAKULAM, ANDANKULAM, THANNIMURIPPUKULAM in the WELIOYA sector had several encounters with terrorists and bumped off at least nine of them. Three more terrorists were confirmed injured during these clashes.

In the aftermath of an anti personnel mine explosion in THANNIMURIPPUKULAM on Sunday (12) at about 12.00 noon injured one soldier. The incident also prompted the troops to conduct a search in the same area and unearthed about eighty-three anti personnel mines and eight Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).

Meanwhile, troops of the Task Force I during their confrontations with LTTE terrorists in the general areas, west of AKKARAYANKULAM and VENNARIKULAM in KILINOCHCHI district on Sunday (12) killed at least nineteen terrorists and injured twelve more.


Troops also ensured eight terrorist bunkers and a strong point of the LTTE were destroyed during those confrontations. Troops also lost the precious life of a soldier and fourteen more troopers sustained injuries due to anti personnel mine explosions, triggered by terrorists and also simultaneous firing of small arms.

Troops, determined to cause maximum losses to the enemy, are currently engaged in a series of clashes in order to achieve further gains.

VAVUNIYA: A SEARCH operation conducted together by combined Army and Police personnel in the general area of KATTAKADU, VAVUNIYA on Sunday (12) recovered two hand grenades, four magazines and one hundred and four ammunition rounds.

JAFFNA: TROOPS operating in the general areas of MUHAMALE and NAGARKOVIL in JAFFNA after observing a gathering of terrorists and a bunker initiated attacks Sunday (12).

Army troops effectively conducted the attack and killed at least six terrorists. A similar number was reported injured during both those encounters. The LTTE bunker was razed to the ground and troops immediately conducted a search surrounding MUHAMALE Forward Defence Line (FDL) and collected thirty T-56 ammunition rounds, one hundred and forty-eight Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunition rounds and one combat jacket from the area.

One soldier was injured due to explosion of an anti personnel mine.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama who is on an official visit to Australia at the invitation of Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith held bilateral talks at the Parliament House in Canberra today, 13th October.

Welcoming the Sri Lankan Minister, Foreign Minister Smith recalled previous meetings they had in Singapore at the ASEAN Regional Forum and more recently in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA.

Referring to the two-way Trade between Sri Lanka and Australia, he mentioned that it surpassed A$ 300 million. Foreign Minister Smith noted that the Australian Government provides A$39 million annually in development assistance to Sri Lanka, and to coincide with the visit of Minister Bogollagama another A$ 6 million will be provided over 03 years for primary school education through UNICEF.

Referring to the importance of the Sri Lankan diaspora of 150,000 and over 5000 students presently studying in Australia, Minister Smith noted that the visit taking place at this juncture was important in reaching out to the diaspora as well as Australian public in general.

Minister Smith observed that this visit was helpful in enhancing the relationship between the two countries as exchanges between Governments further develop people to people contacts, as well as to understand the difficult issues faced by Sri Lanka. Describing the relationship between Australia and Sri Lanka as one based on friendship and cooperation, Minister Smith stated that both countries share positive synergies on the multilateral as well as regional fora.

Minister Smith thanked Sri Lanka for the support given for Australia to become an observer in the SAARC.

While thanking the Australian Foreign Minister for the invitation extended, Minister Bogollagama mentioned that his visit was taking place ten years after the last official visit undertaken by a Sri Lankan Foreign Minister to Australia. He stated that the friendship between the two countries remained close and next year would mark the 60th Anniversary since the establishment of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra. Noting the sizeable presence of a Sri Lankan community in Australia he thanked the Australian Government for being a good host to them and for the contribution made by them to Australia in diverse fields.

Minister Bogollagama also appreciated the assistance given by Australia over the years in various sectors stating that Australia was also an important investor in Sri Lanka. Referring to bilateral trade he stated that there was scope for further enhancement. Further he stated that in view of the Free Trade Agreements Sri Lanka had entered with India and Pakistan, investing in Sri Lanka would be an attractive proposition for Australian companies, as they would facilitate them to enter the vast Indian Sub-continental market on competitive terms.

Minister Bogollagama briefed the Foreign Minister on Sri Lanka's campaign in countering terrorism, but stressed that the solution would be a political one. Quoting the most recent statement made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Minister explained in detail the manner in which provisions of the Constitution of Sri Lanka provides for the devolution of power.

Further, he explained the priority given by the government towards establishing democracy in all parts of the country and the development of the Eastern Province under the Negenahira Nawodaya programme. Minister Bogollagama briefed Minister Smith on how a section of the LTTE had embraced democracy and the manner in which one time deputy leader of the LTTE entered Parliament and how an ex-child soldier was today the democratically elected Chief Minister of the Eastern Province.

Minister Bogollagama described the history of negotiations since the Thimpu peace talks of 1985 and those that followed at different intervals, all of which were used by the LTTE to re-arm, regroup and recommence hostilities. He stressed the need to counter terrorism so as to free the people from the clutches of the LTTE and in this effort emphasized the importance of the LTTE being proscribed as a terrorist organization in Australia.

Foreign Minister Smith responded by stating that the proscription of the LTTE under Australian domestic laws was currently under consideration by his Government. Later on Minister Smith responding to a question at the joint press conference reiterated that the Government is considering the ban.

At the joint press briefing, Minister Bogollagama stated that the Tamil community was part and parcel of Sri Lankan society and that every Tamil was not a terrorist. He emphasized that 54% of Tamils lived outside the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka and Colombo reflects the fusion and amity of Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim communities.

Minister Kumara Welgama says so far 23 industrial zones have been set up this year. Around 15 thousand employment opportunities have been generated through these projects. 188 factories of these industrial zones have commenced their operations and another 58 are under construction.
Minister Welgama revealed this information during a progress evaluation meeting held at the Ministry recently. Construction of the Buttala, Galigamuwa and Embilipitiya Industrial Zones will be completed next year. The Ministry said that over six thousand persons will get jobs at these industrial zones.

Switzerland's Health Ministry said Monday it was halting sales of three Chinese-made food products which contained traces of melamine, but stressed there was no grave risk to public health.

"To-date, small traces of melamine were found in two types of biscuits and a brand of caramel sweets," the Health Ministry said in a statement, adding that there was "no reason to fear a danger to health in Switzerland."

In a separate statement, authorities in the canton of Geneva identified the three products as White Rabbit sweets from China, Milk Cookies S&P from Thailand, and LemonPuff Munchee biscuits from Sri Lanka.

Sales of White Rabbit's milk-flavoured sweets were halted in China last week after they were found to contain melamine -- an industrial chemical that was added to Chinese milk to make its protein content seem higher.

The Swiss Health Ministry said that the levels of melamine in the products would only pose a danger to children aged up to 3 years "if they ate more than one kilogram of the biscuits every day for a long period," and that there was no danger for adults.

"However, this contamination with melamine is still not to be tolerated, and the products concerned will be immediately taken off the shelves," the statement said.

Tainted milk has killed at least four children and sickened 53,000 in China in a widening scandal that has put a spotlight on the country's lax food safety standards and lack of corporate accountability.


Many multinational corporations have become implicated, with Unilever recalling milk powder after finding melamine in its Lipton tea products, Cadbury ordering back all mainland China-made chocolate products and Heinz recalling hundreds of cases of baby food.
Earlier Ceylon Biscuits Ltd (CBL) which produces Munchee biscuits, said it did not use any Chinese milks in its brands and its products were safe for consumption.

"CBL group states categorically that they never used and are not using milk and milk products in the manufacture of any of their group products," the company said in statement.
CBL said it followed stringent quality control measures in accordance to international and local standards, materials were tested before use and its products met international and local food regulations.

CBL says all its products are safe.

With reference to the reports in news media about the employment of World Bank Country Director's husband as a consultant at the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) , the Bank would like to clarify that:

He was appointed to the position through a competitive process by responding to an advertisement placed by SEC in local newspapers and on the Internet.

His employment in Sri Lanka as a consultant was cleared by the World Bank 's Ethics office as one without any conflict of interest.

He is paid a local salary and is employed as an international debt expert with experience of working in the U.S. and Japan. His experience enables him to
contribute significantly to the development of the Sri Lanka debt market , said Information Officer of the World Bank, Sri Lanka Chulie De Silva.

Residents of Orr's Hill, a suburb of Trincomalee city with predominantly Tamils, are being photographed by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA). Members of each family are being photographed as a group to ensure that no strangers live with them, SLA officials said. Trincomalee Brigade headquarters of the SLA is located at the tail end of Orr's Hill facing Trincomalee Harbour.
The SLA and police conduct frequent cordon and search operations in Orr's Hill area where several provincial ministers of the Eastern Provincial Council are also residing in government quarters.

Residents have been warned by Sri Lankan forces not to entertain outsiders or strangers in their houses.

Famous Pacific Shipping Sri Lanka has been named the preferred local freight partner by the Danish contractor MT Højgaard to handle the majority of the logistics services required during the construction of the Oluvil Port Project in Sri Lanka. FPS Sri Lanka, a member of the Famous Pacific Shipping Group, will provide a complete package of freight forwarding services, including documentation, customs brokerage, co-ordination of cargo discharge operations, interim storage and transfer of materials to the site of the new facility. The shipments will include over-dimensional cargo, breakbulk, FCL, LCL and open top containers, as well as airfreight consignments.
Located on Sri Lanka's east coast, 375 km from Colombo, Oluvil's new port will function as a regional facility primarily for bulk and breakbulk shipments, as well as providing a home for fishing vessels.
The estimated cost for the initial stage, which is due to completed by 2010, is €50 million.
FPS Sri Lanka successfully handled the first shipment of more than 1,000 m3 of cargo and 14 TEU at the end of last month.
The company is also providing logistics services for a 300MW combined cycle power station, which is being constructed on the west coast of Sri Lanka for West Coast Power. According to managing director Gihan Nanayakkara, FPS Sri Lanka's appointment by MT Højgaard comes at the same time as members of the Famous Pacific Shipping group are developing a significant track record in project cargo forwarding as a means of diversifying from the group's NVOCC business model.

The Political Head of the LTTE, B Nadesan, issued a statement that symbolized the Tamileelam nation reaching out to the extended hand of support of Tamilnadu.
His statement highlighted the unjust reality of the isolation of the struggle of the people of Tamileelam by the world and the solo hand of support extended by the people of Tamilnadu.
A condensed version of the statement follows:
“We are encouraged by the united support extended by political parties of Tamilnadu for the people of Tamileelam struggling for their rights amidst aerial bombardments and artillery fire.
This genocidal war is heaping indescribable misery on our people. Our people are chased out from their own land and they are displacing daily in large numbers. The people of our proud nation are forced to live like nomads under trees.
All the Sinhala political parties are united in their support of the Rajapakse’s genocidal war against the Tamileelam people. The enemy States of India is supporting this genocidal war. Some other States are also extending economic support. The Sinhala State is trying to defeat the just struggle of the Tamileelam people by gathering together this support from the world. The Sinhala regime is conducting this genocidal war convinced that no one will raise their voice in support for our people. Despite these great odds, the Tamileelam people have waged a brave struggle with dedication and immense sacrifices.
In this context, the support extended by Tamilnadu to our people would send shockwaves to the chauvinistic Sinhala regime.
It is a historical tragedy that the proud Tamil people have no state of their own. We gratefully take extended hand of support to our people who are struggling to setup an independent state for the Tamil people.
We express our deep gratitude for this united stance of Tamilnadu political parties. It is the sincere hope of our people that your support will develop into even stronger political actions in support of our people.

Sri Lankan government says it is considering producing nuclear power in the near future as a solution to future power needs in the country.
Sri Lankan Minister of Science and Technology Tissa Vitharana says this project would be a better answer to the rising power crisis.
“At the moment producing the nuclear power is the cheapest way," the Minister said. The Minister says the Sri Lankan government is seeking Indian experts’ assistance to use the thorium deposits found along the Western coast of the country from Beruwela to Negombo as a source to produce electricity.
Thorium-based nuclear fuels would leave far less waste plutonium than conventional fuels. However, Thorium based nuclear energy is still in experimental stages and most countries do not use this technology for economic reasons.

Sri Lanka Minister of Export Development and International Trade, Prof. G.L. Peiris today confirmed of Sri Lanka's application for the GSP+ concessions from European Union.
“We have filed the application for GSP+ concessions from European Union last Friday. We are not planning to compromise the country's integrity, independence, and unity to receive these concessions. We currently fighting against terrorism and this should be understood by the European Union,” Minister Peiris said.

The Board of Investment approved a venture to establish a project to manufacture stainless steel sinks for the local market last Thursday. Prince Royal Lanka Limited is a joint venture between Valli Steel Industries of India and St. Anthony’s Hardware (Pvt) Limited. The Rs 90 million investment is carried out under Nipayum Sri Lanka 300 Enterprises Programme. Mr. Dhammika Perera, Chairman / Director General signed the agreement on behalf of the BOI.


St Anthony’s Hardware Limited currently imports 15,000 stainless steel sinks per month from Valli Steel Industries, India and holds around 65 percent of the market share. The joint venture will establish a stainless steel sink manufacturing plant at the Industrial Estate Pallekele, Kundasale. The plant is expected to commence production in February 2009 and operate at a production capacity of 20,000 sinks per month. Prince Royal Lanka Limited will provide employment opportunities for a work force of 100. Mr. Nepalraj Thilak, Director signed the agreement on behalf of the company.

CleanCo Lanka’s drivegreen programme recently connected to a superior total voice and data communications solution provided by Dialog Enterprise. The solution facilitates inter-branch connectivity between CleanCo’s island wide fixed and mobile vehicle emission testing centres, enhancing service delivery.

Dialog Enterprise, an integrated business division of Dialog Telekom PLC, has installed its connectivity solutions at 16 CleanCo testing stations, deploying an IP VPN (Internet Protocol - Virtual Private Network) based on MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) technology. This enables users to access corporate and customer information over a secure private communication network. In addition, Dialog7 Fixed Voice Solutions have been provided with unlimited communication facilities between the head office and fixed and mobile testing stations, whilst 10 mobile testing units can receive data connectivity through a GPRS/3G/HSPA solution from Dialog GSM.

CleanCo’s need to connect its fixed and mobile testing centres was an ideal challenge for Dialog Enterprise to demonstrate its capability to deliver fixed mobile integrated connectivity solutions for Sri Lankan enterprises.

Mr. Kavan Ratnayaka, CEO Dialog Fixed Telephony & Broadband Services said, “It is important that we cater to the changing demands of customers. We firmly believe our advanced technology resource enables us to meet this demand. We are glad to partner CleanCo on this project, and hope our ICT solutions will deliver value results to CleanCo and its customers”.

Besides boosting CleanCo’s communication facilities, the solution will reduce costly infrastructure expenditure through the implementation of next generation network infrastructure for a total voice, video, data and broadband internet package.

Mr. Joel Peter, General Manager, CleanCo Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. commented, “We are glad to have selected Dialog Enterprise as our technology partner for the drivegreen vehicle emission project. Dialog’s ICT solutions will definitely enhance our information communication infrastructure facilities and contribute towards achieving our corporate objectives.”

The vehicle emission testing programme is an initiative of the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry together with the Ministry Of Transport to curb vehicle air pollution.

Three Sri Lankans were sentenced to death by Jeddah Court in Saudi Arabia yesterday, the Foreign Ministry confirmed.

Police were taken to task by the Anuradhapura Magistrate Ruchira Weliwatta today for failing to distinguish even the sex of the suicide bomber who caused a massive explosion in the heart of Anuradhapura which killed Retired Major General Janaka Perera and several others.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CB) on Monday said it was reducing the Statutory Reserve Requirement (SRR) for all commercial banks in a bid to release more liquidity in the market as a buffer against the global financial crisis impacting here.

The SRR of commercial banks will be reduced by 75 basis points to 9.25 % effective from the next ‘Reserve Week’ from October17, and this will enable the market to access additional liquidity of around Rs 7.5 billion.

“This step has been taken in order to inject more liquidity to the domestic financial market so as to enable the market to effectively face any liquidity constraint that may arise as a result of the ongoing turbulence in the global financial markets,” the CB said in a statement.

To strengthen this move, the CB said it has also decided to further relax the access of commercial banks and Primary dealers to its reverse repo facility with effect from 15 October, by providing liquidity, when the market is short, at its reverse repurchase rate for a maximum of 10 times per calendar month, up from the current 6 times.

The above two measures, which would be in force until December 31, are being introduced as a necessary precautionary intervention in the face of the extraordinary adverse developments in the global financial

Food, shelter, clean water, sanitation and, above all, security remain the most urgent concerns of the tens of thousands of displaced civilians living in LTTE-controlled areas in the north of the country, said Anthony Dalziel, ICRC deputy head of delegation in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Dalziel, in an ICRC monthly news bulletin, also says that as fighting between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the North of Sri Lanka continues, large numbers of people continue to flee eastwards leaving Kilinochchi for Mullaitivu district, often leaving their personal belongings behind.

"The situation in the Vanni is evolving daily and the ICRC is committed to staying close to those in need of humanitarian assistance. With the agreement of the Government of Sri Lanka, we are continuing our activities for the Vanni population from our offices in Puthukkudiyirippu where we have maintained an operational presence since 1997", said Dalziel.

"While security remains a concern we are in daily contact with the Sri Lankan security forces and LTTE which allows us to obtain the necessary security guarantees to be present and carry out our work in the field", he added.

The bulletin also says:

In an effort to help meet some of these needs, the ICRC, with the help of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society distributed relief items in September to over 4,500 people in the Karachchi and Oddusuddan areas. Among the items were hygiene kits, baby-care parcels, mosquito nets and emergency household kits. Tarpaulins were distributed to provide temporary shelter. Also in September, the ICRC repaired over 20 wells and built dozens of toilets.

Although the ICRC has not been involved in the distribution of food to the population in the Vanni, it supports the relevant stakeholders in their efforts to provide food and other essential supplies to the affected population. The ICRC's presence at Omanthai crossing point as a neutral intermediary facilitates the passage of food convoys, the civilian population and their vehicles, between the Government and LTTE controlled areas.

In coordination with local officials, the ICRC has been closely monitoring the health situation for any outbreaks of malaria or water-borne diseases as the monsoon rains approach. Many Vanni health-care units that previously treated patients had to relocate to safer places and moved alongside the population. They continue to provide medical care for the displaced.

Swiss authorities say they have found high concentrations of melamine in biscuits from Thailand and Sri Lanka and have called on other European countries to withdraw the products, the Associated Press (AP) reported from Geneva today.

Authorities in the canton (state) of Geneva say tests have shown high melamine levels in the Thai biscuits Milk Cookies and a brand of Sri Lankan biscuits of a local producer.

Melamine in milk has been blamed for the deaths of four infants and for sickening more than 54,000 others in mainland China.

The authorities said in a statement Monday that the European distribution channels for the two biscuits have been identified.

They say tests on a dozen baby milk products have shown no melamine contamination.

Troops of the 58 Division operating in general area Vannerikkulama at the western Kilinochchi battlefront confirmed destroying 4 LTTE bunkers, killing 12 terrorists and injuring 6 others yesterday(Oct 12).

According to Wanni military sources, 8 terrorists were killed in the area when troops forced into an LTTE bunker line destroying 4 bunkers, at around 2p.m. Earlier, troops confirmed killing 4 terrorists and injuring 6 others during a short encounter in the same area, at 8.30p.m.

A soldier has laid his life and 14 others were reported wounded including 6 due to anti-personnel (AP) mine explosions in general area Vannerikkulama, military sources said.

Supreme Court rejects JVP petition objecting Karuna Amman's appointment as MP under the national list of the UPFA.

Indian Coast Guard has taken 66 Sri Lankan fishermen into custody on charges of poaching and illegal entry into Indian Sea territory.

The fishermen who were in 12 crafts were arrested when they were fishing 120 nautical miles away from Visakapatmnam in Indian waters.

The court today issued an enjoining order against the manufacture and distribution of a leading brand of chocolates over a complaint that there was suspicion it contained traces of melamine.

The Provincial High Court of Eastern Province in Batticaloa decided yesterday to reserve the order of the case involving the suspension of Kattankudy Urban Council chairman, for October 17.

The Excise Department has increased the price of local and foreign liquor by Rs. 50 per litre and Beer by Rs. 10 with with effect from 08-10-2008.

Eleven LTTE terrorists were killed while 11 more sustained injuries in fierce gun battle erupted in northeast of Akkarayanklulam in Kilinochchi front yesterday, 12 October.

According to the defence sources, the hours long fighting commenced on last morning caused heavy damages to the enemy. By intercepting LTTE radio communication, the damages inflicted to the enemy were confirmed.

Two security forces personnel also made their utmost sacrifice for defending the motherland while engaged with LTTE terrorists, defence sources added.

Confirming the trend in Tamil Nadu that any emotional issue moves to the film arena after it takes the centre-stage in politics, Tamil film industry joined the protests on the Sri Lankan Tamils’ issue and announced that all the film stars and technicians would wear black badges “condemning the genocide of island Tamils”.
Joining the race with all the political parties, vying with each other to show their solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils, a joint meeting of Tamil film artistes, directors, producers and technicians, appealed to everyone in the film industry to wear black badges to draw the attention of the Centre towards the sentiments of state people.
The joint statement issued by South Indian Film Artistes Union, Tamil Nadu Directors Association, Tamil Films Producers Association, Technicians Federation, Distributors Association and Cinema Theatres Association said that the film fraternity would join hands to save the Tamil race in Sri Lanka. The statement also said it would convene a meeting again to chalk out the future course of action to convey Tamil sentiments to the Centre.
Not to be left behind, traders announced that they would down shutters on 17 October, to protest the killings of Sri Lankan Tamils. Mr T Vellaiyan, president of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders Associations, in his statement said that all the traders small and big in all parts of Tamil Nadu without exception should close their shops to reflect the sentiments in Tamil Nadu.
A section of the students and lawyers too joined the incessant protests against the island government and burnt the effigies of Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse. Hundreds of activists belonging to the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, a Dalit outfit, were arrested for similar protests.
Meanwhile, chief minister Mr M Karunanidhi, under fire from the AIADMK and MDMK and most of the Tamil nationalist groups for his silence on the Centre’s economic and military aid to the island nation, has invited leaders of all the political parties, to take part in a all party meeting to be held on 14 October, to expedite the Centre's actions to stop the genocide and war in the island nation.
However, both the AIADMK and MDMK have announced that they would not take part in the meeting `convened by those who have abetted the genocide”. AIADMK supremo Ms Jayalalitha had already demanded that the DMK should withdraw from the UPA government, which has provided training to the Sri Lankan military. However, the PMK, a constituent of the Union Cabinet, and a supporter of the LTTE, said that it would take part in the meeting.
The State Congress, which is facing the heat following charges of the Centre's support to the Sri Lankan government, said that the Centre and State governments were taking steps only to save the island Tamils. Stung by MDMK leader Mr Vaiko's accusations, TNCC president, Mr Thangabalu, said that Mr Vaiko was making charges against the Centre for political gains and his protest was held was `cheap publicity'. However, he was evasive about the Centre's role in the Sri Lankan civil war.

Australian foreign affairs minister, Stephen Smith, has made it clear to his Sri Lankan counterpart that military action alone will not solve the bloody dispute with the Tamil separatists.

Mr Smith who held talks in Australia's capital city Canberra with Rohitha Bogollagama expressed his concern about the ongoing violence and worsening human rights situation.

Mr Smith says all avenues have to be used to end the conflict.

"The need to ensure that people conducted themselves in a way that civilian casualities were avoided - that when it came to displaced people that there was capacity for delivery of humanitarian assistance to displaced people," he said.

"Both of these things apply to all parties concerned in the conflict and that we wanted to ensure that there is a very clear understanding that no long term enduring solution can be found through the use of military force."

Sri Lanka government is currently mulling to increase the standard fixed rate of water bills to minimize the losses.

Non-cabinet Minister for Water Supply and Drainage Mahinda Amaraweera stated that this measure will be taken to reduce the losses incurred by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board.

“Currently a monthly loss of 200 million rupees is borne by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board in providing the pipe-borne clean water to residences though out the island. This loss is due to the increased salaries, increased fuels prices, and the increased cost of chemicals and other purification methods used by the Board,” Minister Amaraweera said.

by Jehan Perera

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has once again reiterated that he believes in the need for a political solution to end the current conflict in Sri Lanka. He has made this statement at a time when the Sri Lankan armed forces are poised to capture the LTTE's administrative capital of Kilinochchi after months of heavy fighting and heavy casualties. When government spokespersons say that the government is for a political solution this is often taken as an affirmation that the government is prepared to negotiate with the LTTE with whom it is engaged in warfare. However, a political solution does not necessarily have to be negotiated with the LTTE, or so the government seems to think.

There is also the possibility of a political solution that is put into place without the LTTE being either consulted or being made a party to it. The government seems to be thinking that it can formulate a political solution by acting in consensus with ideologically allied parties, such as the Sinhalese nationalist parties of the JVP and JHU, and pro-government Tamil parties such as the EPDP and TMVP. The President may be thinking of a political solution that is put into place after the LTTE is defeated on the military battlefield. In the same speech where he spoke approvingly about a political solution, the President also called on the LTTE to lay down their weapons, surrender to the government forces and enter the democratic process by contesting elections.

The President took up these positions in a speech delivered to the All Party Conference. This is an important initiative that he summoned over two and a half years ago to find a political solution to the ethnic conflict. While the representatives of the APC have laboured considerably and made various proposals, the government has not been prepared to accept them. The only recommendation that the government has so far accepted is what the President himself proposed. This was to implement the present constitution, in particular the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, and no more. Unfortunately, this too has yet to be done, although this recommendation was made with much earnestness at the beginning of this year.

The whole history of the Tamil struggle is to find ways of dealing with the outcome of Sinhalese ethnic majority domination of the polity. It is hardly a cause for surprise that in these circumstances many Tamil people continue to place a degree of support in the LTTE, despite their track record of human rights abuses and political bungling. This is on account of the LTTE continuing to possess a measure of bargaining strength through its remaining military strength, which is unavailable to any Tamil political party. Even Tamil allies of the government, such as the EPDP and TMVP have little or no bargaining strength, as they are almost totally dependent on the government for their survival.


TAMIL SUPPORT

Since it was first established, the APC and its representatives have held dozens of meetings, but none of these meetings have included representatives of the TNA, which is the largest Tamil political party. Only a few of the meetings at the earlier stages included the main opposition party, the UNP. The UNP left the APC process accusing the government of bad faith. It continues to say that the whole exercise is one to deceive the international community and is unwilling to join it. In these circumstances, it is readily apparent that the political solution envisaged by the President is one between allied parties, rather than through negotiations with antagonists or those holding oppositional views.

The original source of popular Tamil support for the separatist insurgency was the perception amongst Tamils that the existing political system was based on permanent ethnic majority rule, rather than on any principle of fairness that ought to govern relations between an ethnic majority and ethnic minorities. In the absence of the LTTE, the government can unilaterally seek to impose a solution upon the Tamil people. It is not likely that such a political solution that is designed by Sinhalese nationalist parties such as the JHU and the government's own proponents of Sinhalese nationalism, can even be minimally acceptable to the Tamil people.

On the other hand, the government may reasonably feel that it is simply not possible to negotiate a political solution with the LTTE. This is not simply the view of nationalist Sinhalese. It is also the considered view of many in the international community, who are today giving the government a considerable degree of leeway in militarily dealing with the LTTE. The best opportunity for a negotiated political solution was the peace process of 2002-2005 which was facilitated by Norway, and behind which stood countries like Japan and the United States. But the LTTE continued to think in terms of its own leadership of a separate Tamil state and sought to undermine that peace process.

Today, unfortunately, the members of the government that entered into the ceasefire with the LTTE are in the opposition. There has been a full scale war in the north and east of Sri Lanka for the past two and a half years. The Ceasefire Agreement was formally abrogated by the Government of Sri Lanka, led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in January 2008. But the blame for the return to war cannot be put on the government alone. The foundations of the Ceasefire Agreement were shaken five years earlier when the LTTE walked out of peace talks in March 2003 and refused to attend the Tokyo donor conference in July 2003.


CONTINUING CONFLICT

What Sri Lanka needs for peace that is stable and lasting is a political solution that is fair by all communities, and is perceived as such by them. The challenge for peace making in Sri Lanka is to overcome the two main obstacles to such a political solution that is fair by all communities. These two obstacles are Sinhalese nationalism that sees Sri Lanka as a Sinhalese country and seeks to impose its own vision of a political solution upon the ethnic minorities. The other obstacle is the unwillingness of the LTTE to accept anything less than a separate Tamil state under its own leadership.

The military battles being fought at the present time in the north may get rid of one of these obstacles. The government's ongoing attempt is to militarily eliminate the proto-structures of a separate state that exist in the north, as was done in the east two years ago. The loss of the outer form of a separate state, such as their office buildings and administrative apparatus, might compel the LTTE to have a more realistic assessment of the contours of a political solution. If the present leadership is not prepared to be realistic, but is determined to continue to take the Tamil people to their doom, this can even lead to further splits within the organisation.

The problem, however, is that the very process of a military victory by the government may lead to the strengthening of the other obstacle to a political solution that is fair by all communities. This obstacle is Sinhalese nationalism that claims Sri Lanka to be a Sinhalese country, in which the ethnic majority has the power to impose their own vision of a political solution upon the ethnic minorities. Unless the government is prepared to accept the reality that Sri Lanka is a multi ethnic society, this will be a recipe for continued ethnic strife in the years to come.

During his Presidential election campaign in November 2005, President Mahinda Rajapaksa critiqued the Ceasefire Agreement that was signed in 2002, and pledged instead to design a new peace process that would bring peace with dignity. The ground reality in the north today is one of upwards of 300,000 people fleeing from place to place to escape the ravages of war. This is not peace with dignity for the Tamil people, who have a birthright to this country, who are sons and daughters of Sri Lankan soil, who are necessarily represented by the Government of Sri Lanka, and whose support and goodwill is necessary if Sri Lanka is to reach its full potential as a rapidly developing nation. The plight of the people of the north is reason enough for the government to consider a new peace process based on negotiations that are different from the past.

Sri Lanka Navy once again rescued yet another Tamil family who were fleeing from the barbarous clutches of LTTE close to Veththelekerni on the 11th of October around 0615 hrs.

Sri Lanka Navy Patrol Craft on constant surveillance in the seas off Vettilikerni spotted an unidentified boat leaving the shores of Veththelekerni and promptly reacted and intercepted the same, and rescued the personnel on board after confirming that the boat was carrying innocent people fleeing from LTTE grip.

The family consisted of six, father and mother aged 44 and 42 years, two sons aged 22 and 14 years and two daughters aged 19 and 17 years had fled Tallaidy due to unbearable atrocities of LTTE , on-board a fiber glass dinghy (FGB) fitted with an out-board motor (OBM).

They were provided with their basic needs and other requirements on being rescued by the SLN. Subsequently they revealed that they had fled the area as they could no longer bear up the inhumane torture, hardships and pain inflicted on them by the so called ‘saviours’ of the Sri Lankan Tamils- the LTTE led by despot Prabhakaran, and they wanted to enjoy the freedom their brethrens enjoy in the government controlled areas.

The father who broke down several times during his narration of their miserable life story disclosed that LTTE had tried several times to forcefully conscript his young son, a youth who has been selected to the university and his daughters of whom one has just completed her A/L and the other who is studying for her A/L . However, they had been able to escape narrowly each time from being captured by the brutal LTTE because of their witty measures taken even at the risk of their won skin.

He further revealed that there are a large number of innocent people who are even septuagenarian irrespective of age , being forcefully engaged in securing bunkers and digging long stretched ditches, constructing bunkers and multitude of other severe hard work relentlessly which if they deny to carry out cause them unheard of torture and eventual death.

Another inhumane act of LTTE that was unfolded in the revelation is that the innocent people in LTTE held area, are deprived of their humanitarian support intended by the government in its ever increasing concern towards the innocent people concerned. As such LTTE plunder the food items and other material given to them by the government and subsequently sell them again to the same people again at a price which is hardly affordable for them.

Summarily, the father of the family said that they were living in constant fear of being conscripted and harassed and therefore he fled along with his family from LTTE grip, to seek the protection of the government to turn an new leaf in life rather than getting tortured and devastated his children's future at the blood stained cruel hand of the LTTE which is about to be eradicated from this land by the valiant military forces of Sri Lanka- the true guardians of the peace loving people of this country.

TRINCOMALEE: LTTE terrorists who launched an attack on army troops who were conducting a search operation at DIYAULPATHA in KANTHALE, had fled in the face of retaliatory attack by troops today (12) around 5.00 a.m.

A soldier was wounded in the encounter. In a subsequent search the Army troops were able to recover an I Com type radio set.

Troops operating in Mullaittivu front had several confrontations with LTTE terrorists in general area Andankulam yesterday, 11 October.

According to the finalized military report received from the battlefront said that 3 LTTE terrorists were killed while 6 others suffered injuries during these clashes. 3 more terrorists reportedly either killed or wounded, the report said.

Six soldiers also suffered injuries during these clashes, the report further said.

In a letter submitted to Jan Peter Balkenende , the Prime Minister of The Netherlands, an anti-terrorist organization in the Hague demanded the government should immediately ban the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) which is raising funds for terrorism for pyrported humanitarian purposes.


Delivering the letter immediately after a protest demonstration in the capital , the Hague the protestors said, “ The LTTE is today an international criminal network involved in the global Narcotics trade, Arms Smuggling, Human trafficking, human smuggling, Money laundering, Credit Cad Frauds and a wide range of other illegal activities which collects a huge sum of Euros from The Netherlands on a monthly basis.”


The letter signed by K. Waidyasekera, Ranjith Ranasinghe and Mahanama Kumarage on behalf of the Sri lanka Against Terrorism in the Netherlands further said, the LTTE is a terrorist organization which has never been elected by the people democratically nor appointed to represent the Tamils in Sri Lanka . During the last two and a half decades, the LTTE has been engaging in brutal assassinations of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim Political leaders, academics, journalists and innocent civilians, it alleged.

“Presently, there are 31 countries including the USA (1997), India (1992), Canada (2006) United Kingdom (2000), Malaysia and the EU (2006) which have banned the LTTE as one of the most dangerous and deadly extremist outfits in the world”, the letter informed the Dutch government.

The letter further alleged that the terrorist organization has committed the following crimes :

Two heads of State, Former President of Sri Lanka Mr. R. Premadasa and Former Prime Minister of India Mr. Rajiv Ghandi,

Five Cabinet Ministers including Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar,
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Ten Tamil Members of Parliament, including TULF Leader Mr. A. Amirthalaingam,

Three Tamil Mayors of the North and a large number of innocent Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims, including religious dignitaries of all faiths (Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Islamists),

Former President Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga narrowly escaped from a suicide attack by the LTTE sacrificing an eye,

Army Commander Sarath Fonseka was targeted by a pregnant woman suicide bomber in Colombo . He was among the 22 seriously injured, 12 others died in this attack

The letter further said, “The LTTE pioneered the use of suicide bombs which are copied by many other terrorist Organizations worldwide.


"We understand that the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) is a front organization of the LTTE which is actively engaged in fund raising in The Netherlands and that they collect funds from a large majority of Tamil families in The Netherlands. These funds are directly remitted to the LTTE accounts in France , United Kingdom and Canada . The LTTE is using these funds to buy weapons and to engage in other illegal activities towards destabilizing and terrorizing a sovereign country.


“Therefore, we request The Netherlands Government to Ban the pro LTTE TRO Organizations as an illegal Organization in The Netherlands.

"The LTTE has been recruiting children as Child Soldiers violating the International norm and the United Nations Convention on Children’s Rights. According to UNICEF’s latest report, the total number of child soldiers recruited by the LTTE since 2001 stands at 5794.”

The athletes of the Commonwealth Youth Games have been officially welcomed to Pune in India in a spectacular ceremony at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City. Around 1700 athlete and team officials were greeted by a colourful display showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage and was attended by hundred’s of children from schools who exchanged gifts with representatives from each of the Commonwealth’s 71 countries.
Teams have been arriving across the week in preparation for the Games which are to be officially opened at a ceremony on Sunday night (October 12) by the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil. The 90-minute welcome ceremony took place in the cultural plaza with athletes in high spirits. Each was presented with a turban on arrival, creating a sea of bright orange colour as athletes danced to the Bollywood beat.
A wide range of entertainment is planned for the plaza, sure to make it a central attraction for competitors and fans until the Closing Ceremony on August 18. The athletes, all 18 or under, will compete in nine sports across six days of competition at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City, the single complex that houses all the venues and the residential village. The sports on the program include athletics, badminton, boxing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.

First Global Investments (Pvt.) Ltd (FGI), a Sri Lankan based Islamic boutique financial services provider was recently granted approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Sri Lanka to function as an investment manager. This approval by the country’s leading Security Market regulatory authority should considerably help FGI in gaining the confidence of investors in its move towards entering the capital market.

FGI has sought to transform the local Islamic financial landscape by coming in as co lead arrangers with Investec (Private) Ltd., for the first Sri Lankan Islamic bonds (Sukuk) for Peolples Leasing Company-Islamic Services Unit.

FGI also provides financial advisory services including investment management, restructuring of organizations, structuring of complex transactions and setting up of independent Islamic financial units in compliance with Shari’ah principles

Unless the government intervenes to address the rice mill owners’ request for a higher price for quality rice, local rice production would further decline, the Old Moor Street Importers’ Association (OMSIA) said.

The government’s failure to permit the local rice producers’ request for a higher price for the better quality rice has led to a decline in the supply of good quality rice to the market and has helped the rice importers to flourish, alleged President, OMSIA, K. Palaniandy.

"When the government imposed the price restriction on rice the mill owners refused to supply the best quality to the market which has forced the people to go for imported rice which costs more than the locally produced varieties. If the imported varieties could be sold for a higher price without any restriction what was the reason for the authorities to not permit the local mill owners to increase the prices of their best quality product," queried Palaniandy.

According to Palaniandy although this was brought to the notice of President Mahinda Rajapakse and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena nothing has been done so far to address the local mill owners’ request for the past few months.

"The government is boasting that it is helping the local farmers, but in reality it is indirectly helping the Indian and Pakistani farmers by importing rice from the two countries. Why cannot the government help our own people and allow the mill owners to increase the prices of quality rice to compete with the imported varieties," asked Palaniandy.

Palaniandy further said that Minister Bandula Gunawardena has said that requests for price hikes on rice by mill owners should be made to the Price Control Department and not him. "This is hilarious because the Price Control Department acts only on illegal price hikes and is not authorised to decide on price hikes. It is the Minister who has that power, not the Price Control Department," added Palaniandy.

Consumer Affairs Minister Gunawardena was not available for comment.

The Prisons Department is facing a severe cash crunch and is unable to settle its electricity and water bills.

The lack of cash has resulted in the Prisons Department having to face a possible disconnection of water and electricity supplies. According to the Commissioner General of Prisons, Major Gen. Vajira Wijegunawardena the Treasury has promised to release the required money within a couple of days to enable the department to make the payment.

"Since the Welikada prison is the largest among all the prisons we have to pay huge electricity and water bills compared to the other prisons. The Welikada prison alone has an outstanding electricity bill amounting to Rs.4 million for four months and as we could not heed the warnings issued by the Electricity Board the power supply at the Welikada prison was disconnected last week," said Wijegunawardena.

According to him although the government has allocated adequate funds for the Prisons Department lack of cash when the need arises results in the delay in making payment leading to the supply being disconnected last week.

"This is a common problem for all state departments as the country is facing a financial crisis. We cannot urge the Treasury to release funds whenever we want. But no sooner the electricity supply was disconnected I assured the Ceylon Electricity Board that the bill would be settled within two weeks and got the power supply back," he said.

When queried whether the water supply would be cut as well due to the non payment of water bills Wijegunawardena said that although there was a huge outstanding water bill to be paid to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board so far the water supply has not been disconnected.

"So far we have not encountered such a situation but however since it is our responsibility to settle outstanding bills I spoke to the Treasury and they assured me that they would release the necessary funds by next week. I hope to get the money by early next week to make the payments," added Wijegunawardena.

New Democratic Front leader and Opposition Leader of the Colombo Municipal Council Vasudeva Nanayakkara urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa to appoint a committee comprising retired Supreme Court Judges to look into the circumstances under which 41 State institutions were privatized between 1977 and 2004.

The NDF leader, who is also an Advisor to the President, said that privatization of these State institutions is questionable and has to be probed by competent persons as the entire process has been found lacking in good faith and irregular and dishonest in many aspects.

The veteran Left leader was addressing last week’s media conference held by the five left Party Socialist People’s Alliance on its proposals for the forthcoming 2009 Budget.

Nanayakkara said the government should invalidate the privatization of these State institutions and recover the heavy losses incurred as a result of this ‘irregular and dishonest privatization’.

Also present were the General Secretary of the Socialist People’s Alliance and Chairman of Official Languages Department Raja Collure, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party S. Sudhusinghe and Colombo Municipal Councillor L. R. Stephen.

He said that as the court procedure is very costly and time consuming, a Committee comprising retired Supreme Court Judges or other such eminent persons should be appointed to look into the privatization issue in detail with expert assistance.

Some of these key State institutions are the Plantations, Lanka Indian Oil Company and Queen Elizabeth Quay.

Ceylinco Insurance PLC will at an extraordinary general meeting to be held on October 22 seek shareholder approval to grant a loan up to a maximum of Rs.100 million or a lesser sum to CIESOT (Pvt) Limited (Ceylinco Insurance Employees Share Ownership Trust) in the event that CIESOT request such a loan to purchase Ceylinco Insurance shares.

This is one of three resolutions to be considered at the EGM where shareholder approval is also being sought to pay an interim dividend of Re.1/= per share for the financial year ending December 31, 2008.

A second resolution to amend the Articles of Association of the company, enabling the directors to decide to propose interim dividends (if any) in the future without calling a shareholders meeting, is also down for consideration at the EGM.

Mr. Tilak de Zoysa has assumed the chairmanship of Associated Motorways PLC (AMW) from October 1 succeeding his brother, Ajita, who ended his tenure on September 30, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has been notified.

De Zoysa long served AMW as Deputy Chairman/Managing Director and is expected to continue for some years as the Chairman of the company which is now controlled by Al-Futtaim Engineering which had by last week acquired 96.06% of the company.

Al-Futtaim has nominated three new non-executive directors to the AMW board. They are Mr. Colin Leitch, the CEO of its Automotive Division, Mr.

David Ford, handling strategic investment for Al-Futtaim, and Mr. Avijit Majumdar, a key financial controller.

There are no plans yet to post an expatriate director here and the name of the game at present is ``business as usual.’’

The automotive business is about 60% of the Al-Futtaim group which has been diversifying into real estate and other businesses including, most recently, retailing having acquired Robinson’s department store in Singapore.

These new Al-Futtaim directors succeed Mr. K. Kanag-Isvaran PC, JKH Chairman Susantha Ratnayake, Mr. Dinesh de Zoysa and Mr. J.B.L. de Silva who have resigned from the AMW board with effect from September 26.

Analysts expect Al-Futtaim to look at its AMW investment within a 10-year horizon and initially focus on the IT systems in the Sri Lanka company in order to make them compatible with those of the parent.

The new AMW chairman is a nephew of Sir Cyril de Zoysa, the company’s founder, who currently serves as a member of the Monetary Board and he is also Chairman of Carson Cumberbatch & Company, one of the wealthiest conglomerates in Sri Lanka with massive oil palm plantation assets in Indonesia and Malaysia.

De Zoysa is one of several independent directors invited to serve on the Carson’s board by the two controlling shareholders of the Selvanathan family who also sit on the company’s board.

He is Chairman of HelpAge Sri Lanka and serves on the boards of John Keells PLC (not JKH), Taj Lanka Hotels, Lanka Walltiles, Nawaloka Hospitals, and HelpAge International, UK. A past Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, he is Consul here for Croatia and is also a pat Chairman of the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka.

AMW has already gone public with plans to develop valuable real estate with Union Place frontage in partnership with JKH and James Finlay.

Analysts believe that Al-Futtaim may be interested in expanding these plans with further land acquisitions adjoining the property already earmarked for development.

Before these plans can gel, AMW will have to move out of its Union Place headquarters to Elvitigala Mawatha where its Maruti showroom and workshops are located and develop land available there to enable the move.

Al-Futtaim took controlling interest of AMW in August and had received acceptances of over 0.5 million shares (0.82% of the company) when its mandatory offer of Rs174.50 per share closed last week.

Meanwhile, Al-Futtaim was mopping up all available shares on the secondary market and had acquired nearly 10 million shares (17.87%) on the trading floor of the CSE between August 22 and October 7.

An army captain attached to the Kurunegala army camp has been reported missing and suspected to have been abducted. Police say he was abducted in Yakkala by unknown persons travelling in a white van while he was travelling in a three wheeler.

Police DIG, Kelaniya division Sarath Jayasundara said that prior to the alleged abduction the wife of the army captain and his two children had committed suicide as a result of a family dispute.

Mr. Jayasundera said there was strong suspicion that his abduction may also be linked to the dispute. A special police team from the Gampaha police division are conducting investigations

Colombo Chief Magistrate imposed a fine of Rs. 50,000 each on 13 persons who pleaded guilty on attempting to migrate to Italy from the Wennappuwa seashore illegally.

The Chief Magistrate Nishantha Hapuarachchi while imposing the fine further handed the accused one year’s rigorous imprisonment suspended for five years. The accused are Duminda Fernando, Lanka Perera, P.K. Lalith Sanjeewa, H.D. Juwan Appuhamy, T. M. Premaratna, Sanjeewa Liyanage, K. Wasantha Thushara Fernando, H.G. Dulip Nissanka, B. Gerard Sandun, D. Ananda Nirodha, W. A. Pradeep, S. Wijayan and Nirmal, residents of Dankotuwa and Chilaw.

The CID charged the suspects under the Immigration and Emigration Act for attempting to leave the country illegally in a fishing vessel JMJ from the Wennappuwa sea shore on August 02, 2003.

The accused were arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy while waiting to board the fishing vessel.

Following an application made by the accused counsel Aruna Nishantha the Magistrate allowed the accused to pay the fine in installments. Counsel Ms. Maheshika Bakmeewewa prosecuted with the CID. The case was postponed for November 21.

AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa has said her party had never supported Tamil militancy or terrorism in Sri Lanka. But it supported the Sri Lankan Tamils’ fight for self-determination

World Bank has named 28 countries ailing from financial strain due to high food and fuel costs and from cascading credit crisis in its latest report, published on Thursday 09th October that includes Sri Lanka among the 28 countries.

The report, published ahead of weekend International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings of finance and development ministers, said many of these countries had little or no room to take on new debt to afford the higher prices.

Among the "fiscally vulnerable" countries are Jordan, Cambodia, Lebanon, Jamaica, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Tajikistan, Madagascar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Rwanda, Malawi, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Fiji, Haiti, Seychelles and Mauritania.

World Bank President Robert Zoellick said the World Bank was tentatively forecasting growth in developing countries could slow to around 4 percent, significantly lower than its April forecast of 6.6 percent.

The IMF said growth in emerging and developing states would reach 6.9 percent this year, slowing to 6.1 percent in 2009.

The report comes in the wake of current moves by Sri Lanka to negotiate 150 million US dollars in commercial debt and obtain a further 300 million US dollars in a syndicated loan.

It also comes at a time when a global financial meltdown has hit the United States and pushed several European and Asian countries into recession. Analysts said the financial crisis could severely hit aid-dependent countries with donors diverting much of their financial resources to bail out the faltering banks.

Colombo 13 October 2008. DHL, the world’s leading express and logistics company, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Ports and Aviation to assist the Government of Sri Lanka in supporting disaster response through the donation of specified services by the DHL Disaster Response Team (DRT).

The DHL Disaster Response Team (DRT) is a DPWN initiative under its Corporate Social Responsibility umbrella, to provide a logistics Disaster Response capability, based on its expertise in Airport Logistics Management, to support National Governments in disaster relief efforts.

Worldwide, DHL set up three Disaster Response Teams which are composed of staff volunteers who are experts in the areas of goods handling, warehouse management, inventory and customs. They are strategically placed in Singapore, Dubai and Miami to cover regions which are mostly impacted by natural disasters. In the event of a major disaster the DRT is often deployed to assist in airport ground handling of humanitarian relief cargo arriving on charter cargo flights.

Mr. Thosapala Hewage Secretary of the Ministry of Ports and Aviation said that the Ministry was happy to partner with DHL on a project of this nature. “DHL with its international presence and wide ranging resources is the ideal choice in supporting disaster response. Given its overall profile and excellent track record, I have no doubt of the overall success of this project”, he added.

“We hope we never need to deploy DHL’s DRT in Sri Lanka, but our partnership with the Ministry of Ports and Aviation paves the way for swift reaction and assistance in times of a disaster.” said Country Manager, DHL Express Sri Lanka, Martin Dudek. “In urgent situations, we are committed to making a difference by doing what we do best – helping resolve logistical bottlenecks and helping the organization of aid relief”.

During earlier times, the DRT team helped with relief efforts in Sri Lanka following the 2004 Tsunami disaster, when it actively worked with the Government of Sri Lanka and the Sarvodaya Movement, in the transportation of relief supplies such as purified water and dry rations to affected areas.

Among the wide ranging services provided by DHL are providing leadership and direction of its DRT in the handling of humanitarian relief cargo, delivered via cargo flights to disaster struck areas; day-to-day management of the DRT; supervising the transfer of relief goods in bulk or from aircraft pallets to wooden pallets; providing airside warehouse management; reloading relief goods by forklift and manual labour onto vehicles for onward transportation (trucks or helicopters) and moving relief cargo or freight within airport

Also included are the compilation of an inventory of solicited and unsolicited goods using appropriate software systems, as conditions, manpower, and resources allow and transmitting them at regular intervals to local or national based representatives, and also, providing assistance with customs processes, in consultation with the Ministry of Ports and Aviation.

Most recently, DHL’s Disaster Response Team was deployed in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. There, the team managed a common humanitarian warehouse identified by the UN, for three weeks. DHL’s Disaster Response Team has also been deployed in the wake of the May 2006 earthquake in Jogyakarta and Central Java which left scores dead, injured and homeless. Several months later, in December, the team again provided assistance when Typhoon Reming affected the Bicol region in the Philippines.

DHL has also been called upon in the Pakistan earthquake in October 2005. The company has also assisted relief operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in October 2005 and the earthquake in Peru in August 2007.

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by three wickets to win their Toronto Twenty20 clash with just one ball to spare on Saturday.

Pakistan made 7-141 with man of the match Shoaib Malik hitting an unbeaten 42 after Sri Lanka, who rested skipper Mahela Jayawardene and spin wizard Ajantha Mendis, had hit 9-137 off their 20 overs.

Pakistan were struggling at 7-91 at one stage following a four-wicket return for debutant Kaushalya Weeraratne, but Malik and Fawad Alam added 50 in four overs in front of packed King's City ground.

Malik hit the winning boundary off the penultimate ball to send Pakistan top of the table in the four-nation tournament which also features Canada and Zimbabwe.

Pakistan had needed 13 from the final over but Alam slammed his third six and Malik then sealed victory with consecutive boundaries off Nuwan Kulasekara.

When Sri Lanka batted, opener Sanath Jayasuriya smashed consecutive boundaries off Shoaib Akhtar, but fell next ball when he top-edged to fine leg.

Mahela Udawatte and Jehan Mubarak added 51 for the second wicket but the middle order struggled to push on against Shahid Afridi and Malik.

However, the main late action came from paceman Umar Gul who finished with four wickets.

Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka are expected to meet in Monday's final.

In Saturday's other match, Canada and Zimbabwe tied after both sides made 135 but the African side claimed the points when they won a bowl-off.

Advisor to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and leftist politician Vasudeva Nanayakkara is to compile all necessary documentations seeking Supreme Court intervention in rectifying 41 illegal and unethical privatizations of state-owned enterprises.

According to Vasudeva Nanayakkara all privatizations which have taken place since 1977 including the term of previous President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will be questioned for proper practices adopted during the privatization.

“The privatization which brought in Lanka IOC to Sri Lanka, Queen Elizabeth Queue at Colombo Harbor will be among these investigations which we plan to take up at the Supreme Court,” he said.

Six Indian fishermen, reported missing since September 18 with their fishing trawler off the Chennai coastline, have reached Trincomalee in northern Sri Lanka after a group of Sinhalese fishermen rescued them.


The fishermen left Kasimedu Fishing Harbour in a mechanised fishing trawler (registration number TN- 02 MFB-218) for a three-day fishing trip. They lost contact with the shore when it was about 40 nautical miles off the Chennai coast. The trawler developed mechanical problems and drifted mid-sea.

Confirming the rescue of the six fishermen by their Lankan counterparts six days ago, an official in the Sri Lankan High Commission said they reached Trincomalee harbour on Saturday afternoon. They were doing well and accommodated in rooms provided by the Trincomalee Fishermen Association.

On hearing the news, R Adhimulam, president of Chennai Chengai Singaravelar Mechanised Owner’s Association, spoke to boat driver Vinoth (one of the youngest crew members) over phone and enquired about the condition of other fishermen.

“We cannot forget the Sinhalese fishermen. It was divine providence. They came when our trawler was drifting after it developed a technical snag,” Adhimulam, speaking to this website's newspaper, quoted Vinoth as saying.

After developing a technical snag the trawler drifted in mid-sea for about 17 days. On October 6, the Sinhalese fishing trawler found them, shifted them to their boat and gave food. The Indian trawler was abandoned.

The release of Bollywood fantasy film ‘Aladdin’ starring former Miss Sri Lanka Jacqueline Fernandez, Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjaya Dutt has been postponed. Eros Entertainment had initially scheduled to release the movie on Christmas Eve.

Police have opened an investigation into yet another scandal concerning Sakvithi Ranasinghe the English tutor turned “finance company” operator who swindled unsuspecting depositors of over Rs. 1,000 million and fled the country.

Ranasinghe is said to have hired vehicles on rent and re-rented them without paying the owners.
So far police have received complaints of around 30 such vehicles which were rented by him.
A number of these vehicles had been used by Ranaisnghe himself to run his own businesses
Police investigating the case said “whenever the owners called for payments, he had used delaying tactics, but in most instances he never paid”.

Police who have so far uncovered 27 bank accounts used by the main suspect (Ranasinghe), in his financial scam have yet to move Court to freeze these accounts.

Detectives have also learned that Ranasinghe used many offshore accounts to illegally transfer money out of the country. A detective probing the scam told ‘The Sunday Times’ they would be taking steps to freeze Sakvithi’s funds held in offshore accounts.

To freeze the accounts the detectives will be seeking the assistance from Interpol despite the fact no formal request has been made as yet.

Darshani Maduwanthi who surrendered to Court to make a confidential statement is being held in remand custody.

The other suspects Bataduwa Arachchige Asitha Prabath of Malabe, Sirimal Randeniya of Embuldeniya, Gunaratne Gamage, Anushka Shamal Rupasinghe of Kekirawa, Jayasiri Arachchige Upeksha Sanketha Jayasuriya of Embuldeniya. Ganithaylage Pottal Gedera Chandrika Kavinda Kumari of Walapane, Kongala Boralalage Kesara Sama Kumari of Kotte and Don Nalaka Thushara Karunathilaka are in detention.

Detectives are searching for Sakvithi Ranasinghe, his wife Jamburagoda Gamage Kumari Anuradhini both of No 175/4, Madiwela Road, Embuldeniya. Udahamulla, Priyangika Priyakanthi Fernando of Piliyandala, Chanaka Siriwardena, Damayanthi Sangeethika Adikari of Madinnagoda Rajagiriya, M.N. Hewagama of Pannipitiya and Chaturi Harischandra of Panadura.

Edwin Ariyadasa who was linked to the Sakvithi scam surrendered to Court last Thursday when the case was taken up before the Nugegoda Magistrate. He was released on Rs. one million bail.
Mr. Ariyadasa's lawyer M.L.M. Ameen said his client was only a paid director of the English education section of the institute and had no connection with the scam.

Ariyadasa was ordered to make a statement to the police and inform Court in the event he planned to leave the country.

The case is to be taken up again on 20th October.

By Ranjith Ananda Jayasinghe

With the Supreme Court giving a series of headline-hitting judgments in recent weeks, Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva said in an interview the Constitution was supreme and no one could break the law or was above the Constitution.


In this interview he also denied some reports that he planned to enter politics and on the contrary said he wished to devote his time after retirement to religious activities.

Q: Much attention is now on the judiciary. More and more people are coming to the Supreme Court on issues of fundamental rights and related matters.

A: If people are being deprived of their fundamental rights and corrupt practices are taking place the people apparently believe they could turn to the judiciary for redress. At a time when there is a war in the country, different ethnic groups have different problems. They can get relief from the judiciary.

Q: By giving relief in some instances, isn’t there a risk of jeopardising national security?

A: We did not release people who are held on national security grounds, haphazardly. The only hope of relief for them is through the courts. As the subject of human rights has become much broader now, there are many such cases.

Q: Aren’t many of the recommendations made by Parliament committees such as COPE and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) not properly implemented?

A: There appears to be a lot off lethargy in implementing some of the recommendations of these important parliamentary committees. They have to be dealt with by the Bribery and Corruption Commission. Some officials like those in the Police Department think they are above the law. This is shocking. What is happening now is that the Courts are telling the Bribery Commission and the Police to probe cases. It should really be the other way around.

Q: The Constitution guarantees immunity from prosecution for the executive president but the Supreme Court has ruled that this does not apply in certain instances. Could you clarify?

A: The people of country are sovereign. This sovereignty of the people is executed through the Executive the Legislature and the Judiciary. Our position is that everyone has a responsibility and if they act against this responsibility, then they lose immunity.

Q: Does this apply to the President?

A: We have taken the decision from the standpoint of the responsibility towards the people and the President is also bound by that. In other words what we are saying is that the Constitution of the country is supreme and no one is above it. There is no room for anyone to break the law and act in a manner detrimental to public interest. It is on these grounds that the Court ruling was made against the former President. The land for the Golf Course in Battaramualla was granted on a Cabinet paper submitted by the former President.

Q: If the President fails to carry out the responsibilities entrusted under the Constitution is that considered a violation of the Constitution?

A: Yes, by neglecting such duties, the people are deprived of the rights due to them.

Q: In such a situation does the Court have the right to direct the President?

A: Yes the Supreme Court has the right to direct him at times like that. The question of presidential immunity does not apply in such cases if it is one of public interest.

Q: Doesn’t the Constitution clearly guarantee immunity to the President from prosecution?

A: We cannot summon the President. The Attorney General can appear on behalf of the President in cases related to his work as a Minister. If not, someone else can appear on behalf of the President. But we will not give a judgement against the President. In the recently concluded Golf Course case, the reference was to a former president. As she no longer holds the post, we can give a judgement against her.

Q: When one is holding office of President, is it impossible to give judgement under any circumstances?

A: Recently the President had issued a gazette notice to extend the age of retirement of public servants. In such instances, the Court does not issue a ruling against the President but decides on the validity or non validity of the gazette notification. But these are not directed personally at the President or the former President. Only if they are asked to pay a fine does it become a personnel case.

Q: Your judgement to remove check points was a controversial one and caused uproar?

A: The cases with regards to road barricades came due to the irregularities that occur. That people are asked for bribes. Recently a man who was employed as an aluminium worker, was stopped at a check point. He was arrested and beaten up because he had a Kris knife and Rs 20, 000. He was arrested on the basis he had robbed the money at knife pointThis is wrong. Checks must be carried out in a responsible manner.

Q: Why did you rule that checkpoints on main roads be removed?

A: This is completely wrong. We did not order the check points removed. We wanted them regulated. On the day that the Eastern Province Chief Minister was being sworn in, a suicide cadre on a motorcycle slammed onto a police bus in Fort killing several people. He had come past three check points and was not detected. Terrorist are very tactful. Even a war hero and experienced military man like Janaka Perera misread them at one point. This was why he got caught to a bomb attack.

Q: All along the Duplication Road, there are sign boards saying “No parking.”?

A: This is illegal. We ordered that those boards be removed immediately. Additionally we asked that the public be allowed to use the Galle Face Green. But we have given no judgements that will jeopardise the security near the President’s House or Temple Trees.

Q: You have been a friend of the President for nearly 40 years. How is this friendship now?

A: I have been in public serve for 41 years. I have friends both in Government and the opposition. You asked about the President. We have given no judgements against him. If we give a ruling to stop corrupt practices, we are doing him a service.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

A: I am eagerly awaiting the end of my tenure in office so I can devote my time to my personal religious activities.

Q: Are you getting ready to enter politics?

A: No.

Q: There is speculation that you might be a candidate at the next President election?

A: No. It is completely wrong. I am not interested in politics.

A 'book-bomb' was found in the possession of a school teacher in Bandarawela today, police said.

Police Spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekara said the teacher had been working at a school in Bandarawela for 20 years. She is originally from Jaffna, he said.

The bomb had been made by cutting off a hole in the pages of a book and stuffing it with explosives, SSP Gunasekara said.

All Ceylon Health Service Union (ACHSU) has given an ultimatum to the Health Ministry to pay the overtime, on call, and vocational allowances to the health workers attached to Batticaloa Hospital within a week’s time or face trade union action.

ACHSU Chairman Gamini Kumarasinghe said that the allowances had not been paid for the past four months: “It’s not the done thing to withhold these allowances, as the staff including doctors, nurses; minor staffs are asked to work around the clock due to shortage of staff in the hospital. Therefore, the ministry should know better to pay the allowances without any further delay. We have already informed the Ministry, although they have not shown any interest to settle the payments so far,” he said.
He also said that the number of required staff was last calculated way back in 1979, thus it was high time to recalculate the current requirements at the hospital, since it’s not possible to work round the clock without a break.

“Health workers are humans not robots, therefore the concerned officials should know to pay the allowances on time and appreciate the hard work they are putting in without creating any problem to the authorities, or disturbing patients care so far,” Kumarasinghe asserted.

He said that it was very essential to meet the shortage of health workers to cope with the rising population and immunisation requirements of the area. “It’s not possible to keep the hospital running in an appropriate manner with a dearth of workers, as even injured soldiers are brought to this hospital, since this is the main hospital in the east,” he added.

“I am not able to understand why the Ministry cannot look into the essential requirements of the hospital and its employees, as it is not reasonable by the workers who are working around the clock and specially at a time when the cost of living has increased by a massive margin,” Kumarasinghe added.

Elephant House ‘Cream Soda’ won the award for the ‘PEOPLES FMCG - Beverage Brand of the Year’, for the third consecutive year, in the FMCG category at the recent ‘Power of the People Awards’.

Organised by Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) together with AC Nielson, the largest consumer research company in the world, the ‘Power of the People Awards’ recognise and celebrate brands that are most popular with the vast majority of the general public. The results were based on intense consumer research carried out over a period of six months.

Expressing delight at this unique honour, Head of Beverages, Ceylon Cold Stores PLC Mr. S. Srikanth said that this was an unqualified endorsement by the people of Sri Lanka of the undiminished popularity of the Cream Soda brand. “It is purely the Peoples’ Choice and the Peoples’ Choice alone which has placed Cream Soda and the Elephant Brand right on top for the third consecutive occasion ahead of heavy competition”, he added.

A flagship brand of the Elephant House range, Cream Soda has also supported upcoming Sri Lankan music talent, supporting artists such as, Iraj, Ashanthi, Krishan, Centigrades, Sureni, Chinthy, Shihan and many others.

Cream Soda was in fact one of the leading brands which was supporting the Sirasa Superstars Seasons 1 & 2, a reality show, which brought true raw local musical talent into the limelight. The brand has come forward on several occasions to boost Sri Lanka’s entertainment and music video industry. The Derana Music Video Awards was one such example.

Though the Bar Association yesterday passed a resolution on the Chrishantha Weliamuna grenade attack issue by convening a general meeting — after 19 years —- it appeared that a senior president’s counsel sabotaged any further discussion — not on the resolution per se — but on how else Mr Weliamuna’s security should be bolstered etc., etc., and other related matters.
However, lawyers noted that the notice calling for the general meeting explicitly and categorically called for “discussion’’. No such discussion took place, purpotedly on a spurious “point of order.” Lawyers said that the Bar Association was intent on going through the motions to ‘’pass a resolution and go home..’’ without discussing what should be done to ameliorate Mr Weliamuna’s immediate situation despite convening the meeting explicitly “to discuss and take further steps if any in respect of the requisition received on the attack made on the residence of attorney-at-law Welamuna.’’
There were several other practical issues such as security as there is a real threat on Weliamuna — with his wife personally writing to the powers-that-be to provide him with security. Weliamuna has also moved house, and is not taking work as that could land him in danger.

Any attempt to bring the Sri Lanka Electricity Draft Bill to parliament would put the entire country in darkness, the JVP affiliated Lanka Viduli Sevaka Sangamaya (LVSS) said.

Following Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne’s remarks on the Sri Lanka Electricity Draft Bill, 28 CEB trade unions last week decided to stage protest campaigns islandwide in order to "save" the CEB from possible privatisation.

"In the run up to the 2005 Presidential Election Mahinda Rajapakse assured that he would not present the draft bill in parliament, which was first brought by the UNP during the Ranil Wickremesinghe regime.

"Despite these assurances the present administration on three previous occasions planned to present the bill in parliament but had to withdraw it at the last minute due to strong opposition from CEB employees.

"If the government makes any attempt to pass the draft bill in parliament as stated by Minister Seneviratne, the employees would once again be compelled to launch strong trade union action to safeguard the institution. The CEB employees feel that presenting the draft bill in parliament would pave the way for the privatisation of the CEB," Convener, LVSS, Ranjan Jayalal said.
According to Jayalal the proposed plan to privatise the CEB could bring severe repercussions to the country, as the government would not be able to control the electricity tariff revisions in the future.

"We have seen how the monopoly on gas and wheat flour has burdened the people of this country. Since plans are afoot to give, the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to the private sector the government will not have any control over tariff revisions if the CEB is privatised," charged Jayalal.

"On many occasions we asked the minister for an appointment to discuss the issue; but we were not given a chance to meet him. Now, learning that we are on the verge of launching a series of protests we have been summoned for a meeting on Wednesday, October 15.

Considering the outcome of the discussion we will decide on our future course of action," Jayalal added.

The former UNP Opposition Leader of the North Central Province Janaka Perera had two weeks before his assassination made a complaint to the Anurdhapura Police stating he had intelligence information the LTTE was planning to kill him and requested security which however was not provided.

The complaint was made by Perera on September 19 at 3pm at the office of the Anuradhapura Superintendent of Police where it was stated that as a person who launched many a successful operation against the LTTE he was facing a grave security threat. .

In his complaint Perera requested the police to provide him personal security in addition to his place of residence and office.The security requested was not provided.

" According to information provided to me by officials of my intelligence team, the LTTE terrorists have sent several units from Vavuniya to Thanthirimalaya,Milachchiya,and Padaviya areas. These units according to the intelligence received have been advised by the LTTE that if I take forward my political campaign it will be a serious problem to them and therefore to make plans to destroy me. For this reason please provide security for protect my life, the place where I reside and my office," Perera said in his complaint.

He has further said he intends touring the districts of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to work for the people in those areas and towards that end to make available the security sought at the earliest.

Perera in his complaint further points out that he was provided seven policemen including a sub inspector on an order of the Supreme Court before the provincial Council election but that one week after the election all the policemen were withdrawn and at the time of making the complaint he did not have the security of a single policeman.

Further to the personal request for security, Perera’s office had also in writing asked the DIG North Central Province on October 3 for special security from 8am to 10 am for the opening of the party office on October 6.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama is expected to leave for India today for urgent discussions following a tough message delivered by New Delhi to the government to address forthwith the humanitarian crisis in the north.

Bogollagama is to meet Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan and explain the steps taken by Sri Lanka to address the humanitarian crisis in the north in the wake of military operations launched by the government to recapture Kilinochchi.

The President it is learned had earlier wanted Special Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse to visit New Delhi but later decided on Bogollagama to keep space for manoeuvering in the event India seeks firm commitments during the current visit. The growing concern of New Delhi was also reflected in reports reaching Colombo that India’s mission in New York was expressing concerns on the Sri Lankan situation to humanitarian agencies affiliated to the UN and in particular OCHA.

Indian National Security Advisor, Narayanan on Monday summoned Sri Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner Palitha Ganegoda and expressed New Delhi’s ‘grave concern and unhappiness’ of growing casualties of Tamil civilians due to the ongoing military offensive.

Temple Trees sources said the President was angry at the tenor of Narayanan’s message and communicated his displeasure to India’s High Commissioner in Colombo Alok Prasad.The President ,Temple Trees sources said, had asked the High Commissioner whether India wanted him to end up like Janaka Perera by letting the LTTE off the hook.

Narayanan’s message to Sri Lanka was communicated amidst growing protests in Tamil Nadu across the political divide for the central government of India to intervene and stop the ‘genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.’Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had earlier informed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take immediate steps to intervene in the Sri Lankan conflict and stop the ‘killings of Tamil people.’ A similar call was made by opposition leader and AIADMK Leader, Jayalalitha Jeyaram.

Karunanidhi has also convened an all party meeting for Tuesday (14), to discuss the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka and ‘recent attacks on Tamils.’

In a statement issued Thursday Karunanidhi has said the meeting would discuss various ways to mitigate the suffering of Sri Lankan Tamils and formulate a plan to press the centre to take more action to prevent the ‘genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.’

In a separate statement after Narayanan met Ganegoda, the Indian External Affairs Ministry said, "it was pointed out that there was a need for the Sri Lankan government to act with greater restraint and address the growing feeling of insecurity among the minority community."

India had further expressed the need for vital supplies to the affected population to not be disrupted in any manner.

The Sunday Leader learns the Indian High Commission in Colombo had earlier informed the government that it won’t be ‘business as usual’ if the civilians are affected due to the current operations.

India has also called on the government to submit a political solution at the earliest.

However, President Mahinda Rajapakse in an interview to Al Jazeera last week had said the government would forge ahead to militarily defeat the LTTE and thereafter look at a political solution.

It is learnt Bogollagama will explain to New Delhi the steps taken by the government to address the humanitarian crisis whilst denying that civilians have been killed due to the current operations.

(Lanka-e-News, ) Former Inspector General of Police and the Northern Provincial Governor Victor Perera resigned from the post after the Bribery or Corruption Commission questioned him.

The Commission questioned Victor Perera for seven hours over several complaints received against him pertaining to the period he held the post of Inspector General of Police.

Victor Perera was appointed to the post of Northern Provincial Governor immediately he resigned from the post of police chief of the country.
He has submitted his resignation to the President. Dixon Dela Bandara who was one time the Governor of the Sabaragamuwa Province was appointed to the post vacated by Victor Perera.

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Chandrakantha Chandraneru warned the government that the parliament that Karuna Amman sits in have to be more secured.

Chandraneru said that those who came to shoot him were sitting in the parliamentary gallery on the day Karuna swore in and the government had stealthily released 176 Karuna's cadres from jail. He charged that the government was getting ready to chase away the opposition MPs and to bring those killers to the parliament.


He made these comments at a press briefing held in Asath Saili Foundation in Barnes's Place, Colombo to mark issuing a joint statement by 12 parties in protest of the statement made by Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka to Canadian newspaper National Post that Sri Lanka belongs to Sinhalese.

MP Chandraneru stressed that Army Commander who holds a non-political post has no right to make such statement. Asking where the minority nationalities could go in such context, the MP asked urging to remember that they were not scarecrows. He said that the silence of the minority community politicians in the government over the Army Commander's statement was a shame. He said that legal action would be taken against this statement in future emphasizing that such statements point to the danger of an upcoming military rule in the country.

Colombo former mayor Asath Sali said that Sri Lanka belonged to all communities such as Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay, Burgher etc. and no government could be formed without the support of the minority communities. In such a context, the government's non denial of the Army Commander's statement proves that this is the position of the government, he said.

Asath Sali said although Jathika Hela Urumaya leader Ellawala Medhananda Thero asks the Muslims to go to Arab, they have not come here from Arabia and six persons that came from Yemen married Sinhala women. It has to be sought from where the generation of the Thero who makes such statement came, said Mr. Sali.

Sali said that Mahinda Rajapakse is causing more division among communities than what done by Bandaranaike based on a language issue. He said that mere around 10% racists are the cause for the destruction in a time such things should not take place.

In a function held in Mathara Uyanwaththa esplanade the President brought joker Mervin Silva by a helicopter and made him to make a speech demeaning minorities. The President must repent for what Mervin Silva said.

Chamil Jayaneththi of Left Front said, it is wrong if the government thinks that the minorities are finished after Kilinochchi is captured. He said that the struggle of the minorities would start from Kilinochchi instead. Introducing the Army Commander's statement as a disaster Chamil pointed out that the rights of the minority communities are safeguarded thanks to the Tami struggle. He said that it is inevitable that the minorities will have to unite to fight for their rights.

The Secretary of the Western People's Front Kumara Gurparan and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress MP Rafeek Rajabdeen also addressed the press conference.

United National Party MP Ravi Karunanayaka charged in the parliament on 9th October that the government has granted an unethical appointment of an Adviser to the Exchange and Securities Commission to the husband of World Bank Country Director Naoko Ishi. The salary paid to the position is Rs. 150,000 per month.

The UNP MP made this allegation moving a parliamentary adjournment proposal charging that the Central Bank had not performed its duties of financial regulation.

He said that the inflation of the country had risen well over 30% and imprudent borrowings are also on the increase. He also pointed out that 35% of the currency circulation in the country is black money and charged that a Minister assisted Sakvithi Ranasinghe to flee the country with Rs. 1.8 billion.
Deputy Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said in response that Sakvithi Investment Ltd. was not a registered financial company and an investigation of the Central Bank was underway.

However, he did not mention anything pertaining to the other question of the UNP MP, i.e. appointing the husband of the World Bank Country Director to a post of Adviser to the Exchange and Securities Commission.

Tamilnadu state government has summoned an All Party Conference (APC) on October 14 to discuss the situation in Sri Lanka.

The official statement issued in this regard by the Tamilnadu state says that the Indian central government has commenced taking measures regarding the ethnic problem of Sri Lanka and the APC will urge the center to take further action to seek a peaceful solution and to influence Sri Lanka government to avoid genocide of Tamils.

Left parties of Tamilnadu launched a fast on October 02 to protest the killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka and the conflict in Sri Lanka is becoming more and more an election issue there since then. Ruling DMK avoided the October 02 fast but it is now trying to capture the monopoly of Sri Lankan issue.

WELIOYA: FIERCE FIGHTING that took place between 9.30 a.m. – 2.00 p.m. enabled the troops to capture four more LTTE well fortified bunkers in the general area of ANDANKULAM, WELIOYA after inflicting heavy losses to terrorists.

During confrontations in the area, LTTE lost six of their cadres and received injuries to thirty-seven more, according to confirmed technical reports.

Several attempts made by terrorists to recapture their lost ground were foiled by the troops.

However, two soldiers sacrificed their lives and four others were also injured in the series of confrontations.

A separate confrontation took place in the general area of THANNIMURIPPUKULAM around 6.15 a.m. on the same day. One LTTE terrorist was also killed by the troops.

Three hundred and thirteen anti personnel mines and seventeen Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) were also recovered in a subsequent search conducted by troops after capturing LTTE bunkers.

Meanwhile, two Terrorists were killed in ANDANKULAM in VAVUNIYA around 2.45 p.m. on Friday (10).

BATTICALOA: TROOPS operating in the general are of PALLEMADU recovered a cache of military items including a Claymore mine weighing 7 Kg during a search conducted around 4.00 p.m. Friday (10).

Two Anti Personnel (AP) mines, a Detonating Device and a length of 150m wire were among the items recovered along with the powerful Claymore mine.

Troops also recovered six hand grandees in a similar search conducted in the general area of NAVADI around 3.00 p.m., the same day.

Expressing the futility of attempting to negotiate peace with Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on a political solution a renegade leader of the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Eelam (LTTE) speaking of his 22 years of experience with Prabhakaran said in Colombo that when at an international sponsored peace talks the LTTE delegate leader agreed to accept a federal system and issued a statement Prabhakaran rejected it and instructed them to drag the peace negotiations for five years as a means to accumulate more arms for war.

The TMVP leader Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, addressing the All Party Conference to discuss a political solution to the Sri Lankan conflict at the Presidential Secretariat summoned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday(Oct 11) said, " LTTE delegate leader Anton Balasingham, without consulting Prabhakaran had issued a statement stating that they were willing to consider a federal system. When he discussed this with Prabhakaran he rejected the idea of federalism. He wanted the talks dragged for at least five years till the LTTE obtained enough arms to strengthen itself further."

Karuna Amman, who entered the Sri Lanka parliament recently under his true name Vinayagamoorthy Muralidharan as the leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), as a breakaway political party of the Tamil Tigers said the Tamil question has to be resolved separately without mixing it up with the Tamil Tigers and the only resolution of the Tamil Tigers is to defeat them militarily like in the country's Eastern Province. He was confident, he said they will be defeated very soon in the country's North.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the All Parry Conference repeated his call to the LTTE to lay down arms and surrender.

He said: "I wish to once again very clearly call on the LTTE to lay down their arms and surrender. They should act in this manner and enter the democratic political process. Our aim should be to ensure the democratic political rights of our Tamil brethren."

The President had summoned the All Party Conference to apprise its members of the current developments with regard to the operations to eradicate terrorism, establish peace and restore democracy throughout the country.

"However difficult it may be, it is my belief that the efforts to find political solutions to political issues should be continued. It is my belief that there are no military solutions to political questions. The people have elected us to realize their aims and aspirations. It is our duty to ensure to the Tamil people of the North the same democratic rights as enjoyed by the people min all other parts of the country. Military operations have become necessary to eradicate terrorism from the country and enthrone democracy throughout the land," the President said.

The leader of the Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TVMP) Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, further said he had been with the LTTE for more than 22 years; and with his experience knew that when the LTTE came forward seeking peace it was always to further strengthen itself. On earlier occasions, incumbent governments, possibly by mistake, had encouraged the LTTE by giving it arms and money.

He recalled his own participation in several rounds of talks with the Government held under international sponsorship. They had come to an understanding to accept a federal system as a solution. However, Anton Balasingham, without consulting Prabhakaran had issued a statement stating that they were willing to consider a federal system. When he discussed this with Prabhakaran he rejected the idea of federalism. He wanted the talks dragged for at least five years till the LTTE obtained enough arms to strengthen itself further.

That was when he decided to leave the LTTE. It was called a renegade for talking this decision, which was done after he had explained to Prabharakan the futility of the armed campaign they were engaged in where at least 80,000 people had lost their lives.

He emphasized that it was necessary to defeat the LTTE militarily. This was necessary in the interests of the people of the North, who have already rejected the LTTE, but controlled by the military power of the organization.

He said the President had brought about many important changes in the East with free and fair elections and that all communities in the East were today participating in the development process there.

The Tamil Democratic National Alliance (TDNA) comprising the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) and the Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (Naba faction) has called upon the Tamil Nadu political fraternity to put more pressure on the LTTE to stop fighting and enter the political process instead of turning a blind eye towards the arrogant attitude of the outfit.

TULF leader Veerasingham Anandasangaree who heads the TDNA as well was commenting on the agitation campaign that was staged in Tamil Nadu with regard to the current situation in the Wanni. Anandasangaree told the Sunday Observer that Tamil Nadu politicians should act with utmost responsibility when they deal with the Sri Lankan issue. "The LTTE is solely responsible for the current humanitarian crisis in Kilinochchi and the rest of the Wanni. However, the outfit is giving a different picture to Tamil Nadu politicians. Innocent civilians are not allowed to get into safer areas. The LTTE has threatened those civilians in Kilinochchi and made them to remain as human shields. If the Tamil Nadu political fraternity and the Central Government of India are genuinely concerned about the safety of the innocent Tamils in the battle-hit areas in the north,they should bring more pressure on the LTTE politically to stop the clashes in the Wanni instead of pointing the finger only at the Government.

If the LTTE allows innocent civilians who are sandwiched between the warring sides in the Wanni to enter safer areas several innocent lives could be saved,"Anandasangaree said. The PLOTE leader Dharmalingam Sitharthan said that Tamil Nadu politicians must not get carried away by the false propaganda of the LTTE. "The LTTE is not allowing the Kilinochchi civilians to go into safer areas and shedding crocodile tears saying that the civilians are suffering without food or medicine. Therefore, the Tamil Nadu Government should bring more pressure on the LTTE in safeguarding helpless civilians who are trapped in the battle-hit areas," Sitharthan said.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Government also arrested several agitators from various political parties who openly supported the LTTE in Chennai yesterday.

The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly ratified the landmark US-India civil nuclear trade agreement recently, a rare foreign policy victory for President Bush.
The nuclear pact was controversial both in the United States and in India that raised alarms about a new arms race in South Asia in particular, and in Asia and the Middle East – especially with China and Iran – in general.
Within the U.S. government, the foreign policy process was also questioned by national security experts in light of 9/11 security context. To examine the interagency policy process, the Center for the Study of Presidency, an American think tank, recruited Sri Lankan-born American diplomat, Dr. Patrick Mendis, to study this breakthrough U.S. policy by the Bush administration.
Dr. Mendis, a visiting scholar at the Johns Hopkins University’s Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and the vice president of the Osgood Center for International Studies, produced an extensive case study with one of his former students in the U.S. Navy. Former acting director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), John McLaughlin, currently a senior fellow at SAIS, released the 625-page book of case studies that include Dr. Mendis’ study on U.S.-India Nuclear Agreement.
Former military professor through the University of Maryland in the NATO and Pacific Commands, Dr. Mendis became a national security and foreign policy expert. He worked as the chairman of U.S. government interagency policy working group on science and technology at the U.S. State Department and an advisor to the California-based Center for Global Security Research at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab of the U.S. Department of Energy. At the State Department, Dr. Mendis coordinated the science and technology policy with the White House and served as an advisor to the US Delegations to the United Nations.
The book release at the highly influential Hudson Institute was telecasted by C-SPAN and announced in other media. The CIA director said that the recommendations would be used to formulate new legislation in the new U.S. administration. The nuclear trade relations will become a priority in either Barak Obama or John McCain administration, the director McLaughlin predicted.
Dr. Mendis’ analysis contains the possible implications for the South Asia region as well as insights for improvements in a new interagency working space within the U.S. government.
The study was sponsored by a bipartisan, private-public partnership, through the Project on National Security Reform (PNSR). A guiding coalition of twenty-five former highest-ranking foreign policy and national security officials sets the strategic direction. PNSR is funded by U.S. Congress, foundations, and corporations. All case studies are publicly available.

Former CIA acting director of John McLaughlin (left) and Dr. Patrick Mendis, senior fellow and visiting scholar respectively, at the Johns Hopkins University’s Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, D.C.

A five-member Sri Lankan cricket delegation will arrive in India next week to finalise a 40 million dollars deal with Indian Premier League [Images], the country's sports minister Gamini Lokuge said on Saturday.

"We want good relationship with India and our players have been released to play in the IPL," Lokuge said.

"We will negotiate the proposal of four million dollars to be paid annually to Sri Lanka [Images] Cricket and will depute a five-member delegation that will arrive in India on October 18," Lokuge said.

The minister said the delegation will be headed by Sports Secretary S Liyanagama and Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Executive Duleep Mendis while representatives from the Board and the Sri Lanka Players' Association will also be a part of it.

The Twenty20 [Images] Champions League, headed by chairman and commissioner of Indian Premier League Lalit Kumar Modi, has agreed to pay 40 million dollars to the cash-strapped Sri Lanka Cricket for sending its team for league matches for the next 10 years.

Lokuge said the Board of Control for Cricket in India has also agreed to send the national team to the island country to play matches at mutually convenient dates when there are no other games scheduled for the Lankan team.

India has also agreed to play another tri-nation series in 2010 which will bring in additional money to SLC.

In the second major protest on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, within a week after the CPI fast, MDMK leader Mr Vaiko, a staunch supporter of the island Tamils’ cause, was arrested today, alongwith his supporters, when he tried to proceed towards a Central government office here, as a part of the picketing agitation announced by the party.

Marking a significant change in AIADMK's approach towards the Sri Lankan Tamils’ issue, which also manifests the growing sympathy towards the cause of the island Tamils among the people, party supremo Ms Jayalalitha, declared her support to Mr Vaiko's protest “condemning the Centre for providing military assistance for the genocide of Sri Lankan Tamils”. This is the first time, after nearly two decades, the AIADMK is openly supporting a protest on the island Tamils issue.

AIADMK organising secretary and a former minister in the MGR Cabinet, Mr S Muthusamy, who was present, conveyed the support of his leader Ms Jayalalitha to Mr Vaiko's endeavour for the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils. Citing his party leader's statement on the issue, the senior AIADMK leader said that his party supported the self-determination rights of island Tamils and stressed the need for sending medicines and food to the suffering Tamil people. “The AIADMK is firmly behind Mr Vaiko's protest for Sri Lankan Tamils”, he declared.
High drama preceded Mr Vaiko's arrest, when the police removed the mikes, in a bid to prevent Mr Vaiko's speech, which has become one of the most dreaded things for the DMK government, for its impact on the people, especially youths. However, when Mr Vaiko, began addressing the gathering without a mike, in a loud voice, the police gave back the mikes.
Hundreds of policemen were deployed in the area, with numerous vehicles to transport the protestors and the whole area, at the heart of the city was fortified from early in the morning.
The MDMK leader, read a letter addressed to him by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, in which the former says that he was pained to read Mr Vaiko's earlier letter accusing him of aiding the Tamils’ genocide. Referring to one paragraph in the letter which said that the UPA government was providing the Sri Lankan government with weapons of defensive nature, to protect the integrity of the island nation, Mr Vaiko said: “The Prime Minister himself is admitting what I am saying. Dr Manmohan Singh says that the Centre is providing military aid to Sri Lanka to protect the island nation’s integrity. My warning is that the Centre should not endanger India's integrity, by hastily going to protect the integrity of Sri Lanka”.
Mr Vaiko, whose sustained campaign on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue had brought it to the centrestage of state politics, said that the injury to two Indian military technocrates during air raids by the LTTE had clearly revealed the hand of the Indian government in the island conflict and charged “the Indian government is behind the Sri Lankan civil war, providing advice, intelligence, training, radars and finance, besides military personnel, to the Sinhalese regime, which is engaged in a genocidal war against Tamils”.
“The UPA government did not allow supply of food and medicines through the International Red Cross to about three lakhs people, who had been driven out their homes, due to the military offensive and living in open air and facing severe shortage of food and medicine. But, it is providing military aid to kill them”, he said. As the people of Tamil Nadu had come to know about the involvement of the Centre in the Sri Lankan civil war, chief minister Mr M Karunanidhi, was enacting a drama of sending telegrams to escape the blame.
“Karunanidhi knows about Tamil sentiments. He knows that Tamil people will not forgive him, for being part of a government, which is responsible for killing of their brethern in Sri Lanka. It is too late for him to escape now. The UPA will not be pardoned. People are waiting to punish it, for the crime of aiding Tamils’ genocide”, he said.

Sri Lankan Air Force, MI-24 air and ground combat helicopter gunships launched simultaneous attacks at an LTTE bunker construction site, Saturday (Oct11), Northeast of the Akkarayankulma Tank bund, Kilinochchi, reportedly causing heavy damages to LTTE at around 1.30 p.m.

The air assaults were launched in support of the advancing 57 Division troops and intercepted enemy communication has revealed heavy damages to LTTE, Air Force Spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said, speaking to defence.lk.

Spotting an LTTE construction site with heavy earth moving vehicles, the MI-24 flyers made simultaneous raids engaging the enemy targets at close distance, the sources said. According to available information, a heavy vehicle was completely damaged which is believed to be an excavator used for the construction of the earth bund at the target site, the sources said.

Continuous pleas for casualty evacuation was heard through the LTTE communication circuits and this alone confirms a toll in the expected number of damages to LTTE, the sources further said.

The 9th squadron, MI-24 helicopter gunships have recently made decisive assaults at LTTE, engaging in close combat missions. The use of the MI-24's in close combats, supporting the advancing ground troops have been effective, during the past few months, defence observers state.

Fighting was reported between troops and LTTE in general area Akkarayankulma, since this morning (Oct 11), as security forces claimed killing 5 terrorists in separate confrontations including 2 in an ambush Northwest of Mankulama.
2 more terrorists were also reported killed when troops forced into LTTE positions, East of Akkarayankulama, Kilinochchi.