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 ar