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India denies military assistance to Sri Lanka

In a significant move, the Prime Minister announced Wednesday that India would not extend any military aid to the Sri lankan Government, which is embroiled in a bloody ethnic conflict against Tamils in the Island.While India was for long maintaining a steadfast neutral approach, Sri Lanka's perceived closeness to China and Pakistan and the public opinion within India opposing Sri Lanka's bloody tactics may well have caused India to come out strongly against the Sri Lankan Government.Both Sri Lanka and LTTE have been in close touch with New Delhi, trying to woo the Congress lead UPA Govt. to their respective side as the ceasefire lies in tatters and conflict escalating every day.

Sri lankan Armed Forces have recently been charged with the murder of 17 French Aid Workers that took place early this month."India will not do anything that will strengthen Sri Lankan military," Dr Singh assured Mr Vaiko, who called on the Prime Minister here.The Prime Minister also accepted another demand of the MDMK delegation, which included its four MPs, that he meet the 22 Tamil MPs of Sri Lanka, Mr Vaiko told reporters.Dr Singh told Mr Vaiko and his party colleagues that he was willing to meet the Tamil MPs of Sri Lanka if a request to the effect was received from them.

The MDMK delegation met the Prime Minister after the demonstration outside the Sri Lanka High Commission to protest against the military offensive against the LTTE. During the 90-minute demonstration, they also demanded that Sri Lanka immediately pull out its forces from the Jaffna area.The MDMK delegation submitted a memorandum to Dr Singh, demanding that all medical and other humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka be routed through international organisations such as the Red Cross.They also wanted India to give asylum to all the Tamils from Sri Lanka and raise the financial assistance to such refugees.The meeting between Dr Singh and the MDMK delegation, held at the Prime Minister's 7 Race Course residence, lasted about 20 minutes.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is scheduled to meet British Premier Tony Blair in London today to discuss issues related to Sri Lanka’s faltering peace process.Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera will join the President at today’s meeting with Mr. Blair and top British officials.President Rajapaksa, who flew to London on Tuesday was due to return to the country today.

Artillery and Multi Barrel attacks were launched Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning by the government forces to weaken the LTTE stranglehold at Sampur. This is the third consecutive day of attacks. The LTTE chargers that the government has come to the threshold of starting the 4th Elam war with this operation to capture Sampur.Army media spokesman said that the army is only retaliating to LTTE fire.According to unofficial sources the defence forces have attacked LTTE controlled Trincomalee west townships between Selvanagar and Sampur and has advanced a considerable distance. The plan of the security forces is to bring Sampur area under its control.According to LTTE Sampur comes under area controlled by them. But the contention of the security forces is that the LTTE brought the said area under its control after the signing of the CFA.

According to the section 1.5 of the CFA of any area which does not came under government or LTTE control, should be decided on the basis how it remained on the 24th December 2001. Till borders are deeded under section 1.6 both parties should preserve status quo. Both parties have flouted the CFA as if it does not exist. The LTTE has flouted it 4546 times and the security forces 216 times.In the battles that raged during the last 3 days 31 have been killed from both parties. LTTE says that 22 civilians too have lost their lives. As Sampur area is devoid of civilians there cannot be any civilian casualties. Sampur was first attacked when the LTTE attempted on the life of Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka, 4 months ago.Navy camp at Trincomalee and the harbour at Trincomalee are two main targets of the LTTE. Both there are extremely important for the safely of the security forces. Though LTTE has attacked both these targets several times the security forces managed to repulse it every occasion.

Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka vowed to regain full control of Sampur, from the hands of the LTTE in Trincomalee, within the next couple of days, even as heavy fighting continued between Government troops and the rebels, in the strategic area.Speaking to the Daily Mirror Gen. Fonseka claimed that after 3 days of heavy fighting the military had moved into areas previously controlled by the LTTE in the Sampur region including Kataiparichan.“Our people have moved into Sampur and the LTTE is beginning to flee. We already have total control of Kataiparichan and within the next few days, we should be able to have 100% control of Sampur,” Gen. Fonseka said.

When asked by the Daily Mirror if “100 percent” could be interpreted as taking control of the entire Sampur region, Gen. Fonseka responded in the affirmative, backing it with claims that the military was moving into key localities, which are the cornerstones of Sampur.Fighting was less intense yesterday but the Military said that troops, backed by the Air Force, engaged in extensive search and clear operations last afternoon, by continuing their consolidation process in Sampur and Ichchalanpattu, removing thousands of booby traps, landmines, claymore mines and explosive devices.

“The LTTE fired artillery and mortars from areas in Sampur yesterday, which was retaliated by the troops, backed by aerial attacks by the Air Force. The fighting was not as heavy as in the last three days,” military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said.The Army Commander is of the view that the LTTE is showing very little resistance in Sampur and attributes it to the heavy casualties suffered by the rebels, owing to the intense fighting over the last couple of days.“The LTTE is clearly very weak and that is why they are showing little resistance. They have lost more than a 100 of their cadres during the last two days,” Gen. Fonseka said.

The Security Forces on Sunday, launched an operation to neutralise LTTE positions in Sampur which were considered a threat to the Trincomalee harbour and the adjoining naval base, while ground troops were also involved in clearing rebels from Mutur and Thopur.The battle for Sampur had so far claimed more than 31 lives and injured around 101, which includes 13 soldiers dead and 79 injured, while the rebels say they have lost 18 of their cadres, with another 22 wounded.

Mr.Guruparan who was abducted at Dehiwala yesterday morning has been set free near the Kalubowila hospital this morning at 3.00 am.He has said that some unknown persons stopped his vehicle,blind folded him and put him under the seat and took him to an unknown place.Though he was told that he will be questioned,no one has questioned him. Mr. Guruparan who looked visibly shocked said that right throughout this ordeal he was kept blindfolded.President Rajapaksa who left for Landon yesterday has called the IGP and the Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his way to the Air port has instructed that the abduction of Mr.Guruparan should be thoroughly investigated.The president has further stated whoever are the abductors that Mr.Guruparan should be freed unhurt and his government should safeguard journalists and he is expecting good news of the release of the journalist soon.

The SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem who met the released Sooriyan FM news editor Nadaraja Guruparan hours after he was released by the abductors last morning, had told Mr. Guruparan that he was going to raise the issue of his abduction in parliament and ask for a thorough investigation into the matter.Mr. Hakeem who has been a long standing friend of Mr. Guruparan, came on Sirisa TV on Tuesday night and made a special appeal to the abductors to release Nadaraja Guruparan whom he said, he respected as a neutral commentator on the North-East conflict and had been a long standing personal friend.

During the meeting with the SLMC leader, Mr. Guruparan had said that the abductors had been initially aggressive but later had turned friendly towards him.During the meeting Mr. Hakeem had with the Sooriyan FM news editor which was also attended by SLMC Chairman Bashir Segudawood and Senior Deputy Leader Abdul Majeed, the SLMC leader had said unless a national dialogue is built upon the security of media persons the situation will only get worsen.

Tamil Nadu leaders heavily come down on SL military for defacing statue of late TN chief minister MGR

The southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu political leaders including MDMK general secretary Vaiko and AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa have vehemently condemned the incident of defacing the statues of late TN chief minister MG Ramachandran by Sri Lankan armed forces in northern Jaffna.The former chief minister of Tamil Nadu and the general secretary of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Ms Jayalalithaa issued a strongly worded statement against Sri Lankan armed forces for defacing the statue of late Tamil Nadu chief minister M G Ramachandran (popularly known as MGR).

The Sri Lankan armed forces based in northern Jaffna on August 27 defaced the statues of MGR in Valvettithurai and Gurunagar which were erected by the locals for the enormous contribution of MGR to Eelam Thamils in their struggle for liberation. Ms Jayalalithaa said in the statement issued on Tuesday that the incident of defacing the statues is the manifestation of revengeful attitude of Sri Lankan military.She said that the Sri Lankan military is hurting the feelings of Thamils across the world.Mr Vaiko, general secretary of Marumalardchy Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) also strongly condemned issuing a statement earlier on the incident.

The three week long curfew in Jaffna and the disruption of University session has stranded large number of students of Jaffna University who are from out of town. Many of these out of town students come from Colombo, Puttalam, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Mannar, Trincomalee, Amparai and Batticaloa. They total around 1500. Over and above the lack of classes the students are very fearful due to the rampant arrests by the Sri Lankan military. University students in particular is being targeted by the military. The re-emergence of Thalaiyaddi in Jaffna has heightened the fear of the out of town students.These 1500 students have begun to agitate for their return to their home town.

Following is the full text of the statement from Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) head Ulf Henricsson on recent attacks in which civilians have been killed.

Noting the facts outlined in the SLMM findings there are very strong indications of the involvement of the security forces in the act despite their denial. Firstly, the SLMM cannot find the reasons for the restrictions of movements into the said areas especially in above-mentioned circumstances acceptable, thereby strongly indicating the GoSL's [government of Sri Lanka's] eagerness to conceal the matter from the SLMM. Taking into consideration the fact that the security forces had been present in Muttur at the time of the incident it appears highly unlikely to blame other groups for the killing. Provided that was the case it would in particular be illogical for the security forces to prevent the SLMM from entering the area and making proper inquiries in order to find the perpetrator(s). The head of SLMM has also had confidential conversations with highly reliable sources regarding the party who most likely has been responsible for the act. The views have not proved contradictory and the security forces of Sri Lanka are widely and consistently deemed to be responsible for the incident. Concluding with the supporting information arisen from the persons interviewed and the conversations with the representatives of the international community the SLMM is, with the obtained findings, convinced that there cannot be any other armed groups than the security forces who could actually have been behind the act. Consequently, the killing of the 17 civilian aid workers in Muttur on 4 August 2006 is ruled as a gross violation of the CFA [ceasefire accord] by the security forces of Sri Lanka. The committed act of assassination has approved to be one of the most serious recent crimes against humanitarian aid workers worldwide and has been strongly condemned internationally. I urge the GoSL to take all necessary actions to immediately stop any kind of violence against the civilians of Sri Lanka and to do its utmost that the matter is thoroughly investigated by the Sri Lankan authorities.

II. CLAYMORE MINE ATTACKS CONDUCTED BY THE GOSL IN LTTE-CONTROLLED AREAS BETWEEN 1 APRIL AND 15 JUNE 2006.

SLMM findings and internal analysis of both individual claymore mine attacks, as well as of the pattern arising from the same show that deliberate, planned and co-ordinated offensive military operations were conducted between 1 April and 15 June 2006 in LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]-controlled areas to execute these claymore mine attacks. SLMM findings have also verified two attempted claymore mine attacks carried out by the GoSL security force's special units in LTTE-controlled area on 13 and 15 June 2006. Two SLA [Sri Lankan Army] soldiers from the special units were killed by the LTTE in an exchange of fire and subsequently transported to GoSL area under the convey of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The aforementioned claymore mine attacks were carried out using a high level of military expertise with regards to planning, co-ordination and execution. The attacks required very good knowledge of the specific area, excellent intelligence skills along with the capability and skills of deploying and handling such weapons professionally. Moreover, it is clear that the units/groups executed these attacks with the possibility to escape into GoSL-controlled areas where safe exit/entry points, logistic and other assistance must have been provided by the security forces and/or GoSL/police units deployed along the Forward Defence Line (FLD). Based on the verified activities of the SLA special unit soldiers in LTTE-controlled areas there are firm indications of the involvement of the SLA in such attacks.

Both under the clauses of the CFA, international human rights law as well as treaty-based and customary international humanitarian laws, it is absolutely forbidden to deliberately attack civilians or without due care for civilian lives and property carry out attacks against an adversary in an armed conflict. Also all places of worship are protected under the CFA and international humanitarian laws and all parties to the CFA should refrain from using or execute attacks at places of worship such as the Madhu area, including such roads leading to and from the shrine. Despite the binding laws and regulations it is particularly serious to notice that a) the vast majority of the attacks have been directed or resulted in death and serious injuries to civilians; b) seven of the attacks/detonations using claymore mines have taken place in and around the area where the holy Madhu shrine is located.

Considering all the findings and assessed plausible motives SLMM is convinced that there can be no other than GoSL security forces or other armed elements with the support and assistance from the GoSL security forces who have been capable of having carried out these series of claymore mine attacks in the Mannar and Vavuniya districts during the relevant period indicated above. Therefore, the GoSL security forces, having the motive, capability and capacity to carry out such attacks against the LTTE in the north-east, bear the responsibility for killing and injuring the LTTE cadres and the civilians caught in the blast from these attacks.

Consequently, the executed and attempted attacks during the period 1 April - 15 June 2006 are part of a pattern of a deliberate strategy against LTTE cadres and civilians in LTTE-controlled areas in Mannar and Vavuniya districts by the GoSL security forces or by other armed elements with the substantial assistance and support from the GoSL security forces. These attacks are ruled as a gross violation of the CFA by the GoSL. I urge both parties to the CFA to put an end to all forms of attacks, protect civilians lives and the Madhu shrine area as well as to investigate any reported killing of civilians executed by individuals or groups of the LTTE or the armed forces of Sri Lanka or affiliated armed group(s).

SLMM findings have shown that the attack on the civilian bus was carried out by using military expertise with regards to planning, co-ordination and execution. The attack required very good knowledge of the area and intelligence skills along with the capability and skills of deploying and handling such weapons professionally. The LTTE has condemned the Kebitigollewa attack and denied their involvement in the incident expressing that another armed element, the Karuna group, has had a motive to execute the attack in order to discredit the LTTE. The SLMM does not find that plausible based on various grounds.

Based on SLMM inquiries and the well known modus operandi for the LTTE, the SLMM considers highly probable that there can be no other armed element than the LTTE and LTTE-affiliated forces that have had the motive to carry out the attack, in particular in GoSL controlled areas. Taking specifically into account the prevailing circumstances and obtained findings there are strong indications that the attack on Sinhalese civilians had been a deliberate retaliation for the recent killings of civilians and LTTE cadres in LTTE-controlled areas in the north and the east.

Both under the clauses of the CFA, international human rights law as well as treaty-based and customary international humanitarian laws it is absolutely forbidden to deliberately attack civilians or without due care for civilian lives and property carry out attacks against an adversary in an armed conflict. Therefore, being the only element with the motive, capability and capacity to carry out the attack, the LTTE must bear the responsibility for the killing of civilians. Consequently, the attack on the civilian bus in Kebitigollewa on 15 June 2006 is ruled as a gross violation of the CFA by the LTTE.

The MDMK, a constituent of India's ruling coalition, Wednesday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to sell weapons to Sri Lanka but to supply food and medicines to Tamil areas in the island. A delegation of MDMK MPs led by party leader Vaiko also urged the prime minister to oust Sri Lanka's top diplomat based in Chennai for criticizing a Tamil Nadu assembly resolution denouncing attacks on Tamils in that country.Vaiko submitted a memorandum to Manmohan Singh after a brief demonstration near the Sri Lankan high commission here to protest against military attacks on Tamil areas that have claimed scores of lives in recent weeks.

The memorandum urged New Delhi not to provide 'any sort of military assistance to the Sri Lankan government' and at the same time supply food and medicines through international agencies to 'the suffering Tamils'.It attacked Sri Lanka's top diplomat in Chennai who had said that a Tamil Nadu assembly resolution accusing Colombo of killing over 50 school girls in aerial bombing was based on 'totally fabricated reports'.'The Sri Lankan deputy high commissioner has no official status or right to criticize the Tamil Nadu assembly resolution. Therefore, we urge the government of India to take up the issue seriously with the Sri Lankan government and see that the deputy commissioner is sent back to Colombo.'

Vaiko, one of the most vocal supporters in India of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), also urged Manmohan Singh to take steps to ensure that the stalled Norwegian-brokered peace talks are resumed.'Peace talks are not an end in itself, but only a means to find an end. Any solution to the Tamil ethnic problem can be arrived (at) only if that solution fulfils the aspirations of Tamils... No solution can be thrust upon the Tamils either by cajolery or by coercion,' the memorandum said.'We would request you to send a delegation of Indian MPs to Sri Lanka to study the ground reality and also give an opportunity for the elected Tamil MPs of the island to meet (our prime minister) to present their case,' it added.

Vaiko later told reporters that Manmohan Singh had agreed to meet members of the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance, the largest Tamil grouping in the Sri Lankan parliament.He accused Sri Lankan Tamil minister Douglas Devananda, who is bitterly opposed to the LTTE, of campaigning against the Tamil cause and told the Indian prime minister that Devananda should not be allowed to lobby in New Delhi.The MDMK memorandum went into detail about the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils and referred to the growing military links between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.Wednesday's protest comes amid escalating violence in Sri Lanka, where government troops are trying to recapture Sampur area in the island's east so as to secure the port town of Trincomalee. The fighting has left hundreds dead and sparked warnings from the LTTE that it could lead to the collapse of the 2002 Norway-sponsored ceasefire.

Students at the University of Waterloo didn't account for money collected at an event honouring rebels killed in the struggle for an independent Tamil homeland.Held in November 2004, the memorial led to the suspension of the Waterloo Tamil Student Association as a sanctioned group on campus.The president of the association at the time was Suresh Sriskandarajah, the alleged leader of four former or current U of W students now accused of supporting the Tamil Tigers terrorist group.In place until January of this year, the rare suspension was also imposed because a Tamil Tigers flag -- featuring the head of a roaring tiger, two rifles and a ring of bullets -- was raised during the memorial.The suspension meant the association couldn't hold events at the university.But it did get special permission to stage another memorial to fallen rebels in November 2005 that was attended by dozens of people in the main hall of the Student Life Centre.

Martin Van Nierop, a spokesperson for U of W, said that event was closely monitored by university officials, who found it complied with the rules.Overt support of the Tamil Tigers -- who have been fighting for a separate homeland in northern Sri Lanka since 1983 -- was allowed because Canada didn't add them to a list of terrorist groups until April of this year.The event at U of W in 2004 broke the rules because organizers didn't notify the Federation of Students of their plan to collect donations or deposit the money in a designated bank account.It's not known how much money was collected or what it was supposed to be used for."That's part of the problem," Van Nierop said. "The control of finances is the issue here."

Sriskandarajah and three other current or former students -- including two other executives of the Tamil student association -- are among 12 men in custody after a joint investigation by the FBI and the RCMP.The allegations include an attempt to buy weapons, bribery, smuggling, money laundering and aid to the Tamil Tigers funnelled through front charities.The Tamil Tigers have been on a U.S. list of terrorist groups since 1997.Authorities there say the group relies heavily on supporters around the world to raise and launder money, gather intelligence and buy technology, military arms and equipment.They link the group to about 200 suicide bombings and several political assassinations.In addition to Sriskandarajah, 26, the U of W suspects are Thirukumaran Sivasubramaniam, 27, Thirukumaran Sinnathamby, 27, and Ramanan Mylvaganam, 29.

All four are charged with conspiring to provide material support and resources to the Tamil Tigers starting in 2003.Sriskandarajah, Sivasubramaniam and Sinnathamby are also charged with dealing in the property -- typically goods or money -- of the Tamil Tigers.Among other allegations, Sriskandarajah is accused of using student couriers to smuggle equipment into terrorist-controlled areas of Sri Lanka after telling them to conceal it with toys and chocolate in their luggage.Sriskandarajah is known to have gone to northern Sri Lanka at least twice in 2004, including one trip approved as a work term through U of W's co-op job program.In light of the recent arrests, U of W is doing an audit of the Tamil student association and a review of overseas co-op placements.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse has left here on a sudden visit to London for talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair, official sources said. Rajapakse and Blair were expected to discuss Sri Lanka's collapsing ceasefire with Tamil Tiger rebels, officials here said on Tuesday.The trip comes amid international efforts to salvage the truce, officials added."The president left for London this morning," a senior government source said. There was no formal statement from the government about Rajapakse's surprise departure at a time when government forces are battling Tamil Tiger rebels in the island's northeast.Some 1,500 people have died since December, when Sri Lanka's three-decade-old ethnic conflict escalated again as a truce struck in February 2002 started unravelling.The visit to London -- where Tamil Tiger chief negotiator Anton Balasingham is based -- is Rajapakse's first to Britain since he came to power in November.

Britain, Sri Lanka's former colonial power, banned the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in February 2001.But Balasingham, now a British national, remains in London and holds meetings with foreign dignitaries involved in the island's peace process. Rajapakse has said he was ready for unconditional talks with the Tigers and described the current military action against the rebels as a "defensive operation" to prevent attacks against security forces and civilians.

Mr. Nadaraja Guruparan the news manager of Sooriyan FM which belong to ABC Radio Network has disappeared since this morning. According to his wife Mr. Guruparan has left his home at 4.00 am to go for his workplace in his car. Mt-Lavinia police have found his car and the office mobile phone switched off. A beggar who has seen the abduction have hold the police that 4 armed persons who have came in a white van abducted Mr. Guruparan.Journalists have staged a protest apposite Fort railway station this afternoon against the abduction of Mr. Guruparan.Mr. Guruparan (39) was the father of 2 children.Mr. Guruparan served as a special features writer in the Tamil News Paper Sarinegar published by MERJ. Kuruparan, who joined the PLOTE movement in his early days, left the movement, like the slain TamilNet editor Dharmeratnam Sivaram, and later became an independent journalist. At time of his abduction Mr. Guruparan was employed as the News Manager of Sooriyan FM and conducted the popular TV political programme Vilithugal. This programme very often discussed the politics and rights of the people of North East.When talks were held outside Sri Lanka between the government and the Tigers Mr. Guruparan assisted the reporting of the deliberations spending his own money.

It has been reported from a reliable source that a Tamil journalist has informed a female Journalist daughter of a former secretary to the Foreign Ministry that three more Tamil journalists have received death threats.Mr. Sunanda Deshapriya of the Free Media Movement made a special frantic appeal to the abductors to release Mr. Guruparan. He further said that if the abduction of journalists continues in this manner, they will be compelled to go for international action with the assistance of assistance of Journalist organizations.Mr. Deshapriya further stated that journalist could only ask for protection as media organizations do not have state power in political power. He stressed the importance of creating an international opinion with the assistance international media organization as murder (Specially Tamil Journalists) and abduction of journalists have become a common occurrence.At a media briefing this morning Mr. Tissa Attanayaka the Deputy Secretary General of the UNP said that the government should pay more attention to the abduction of Mr. Guruparan and if not allegation will be leveled against it too.The other day the president who summoned media bosses for tea said that he maintain a close link with the media and does not wish to introduce censorship of News of North East developments. Though such sentiments were expressed by the president one could see that a censorship is visibly taking place in the form of abductions and death threats.

Sri Lankan troops facing heavy resistance halted an advance into territory held by the Tamil Tigers, as the death toll from recent fighting hit 119, officials and LTTE said. The drive to nullify rebel artillery guns in Sampur town, which threaten the strategically important naval port of Trincomalee about 10 kilometres (six miles) away, stalled because of LTTE resistance, a military officer said on Tuesday. He said artillery duels had died down Tuesday, but war planes bombed suspected Tamil Tiger bases north of Trincomalee in a bid to knock out guerrilla supplies. The battle for Sampur included air, artillery and ground attacks over late Sunday and Monday. Military sources said 15 soldiers were killed and another 92 wounded.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) also shelled an army camp in the neighbouring district of Batticaloa."There were heavy mortar attacks against Vavunathivu army camp at Batticaloa and troops retaliated in kind," the military officer told AFP by phone from the region. "We have no details of casualties there yet.” Meanwhile troops killed at least 16 Tiger guerrillas in the northern town of Vavuniya after they attempted to attack a military bunker line early Tuesday, the defence ministry said in a statement. It said two civilians were also gunned down by unidentified gunmen in Vavuniya.

S.Elilan Trincomalee Political Leader for the LTTE, has said 20 civilians were killed and 25 wounded in the Government Forces' attack. He said 20 LTTE cadres lost their lives and 50 Sri Lankan soldiers dead. He pointed out that if the intention of the Govt armed forces was to capture Sampur, then they would have to make a huge land move along Kaddaiparichchaan and Mahindapuram and might have to sacrifice many men and incur heavy losses. The defence ministry said at least 66 rebels were killed on Monday by security forces in and around Sampur.It was not possible to get independent verification of the casualty figures. The ministry said the Sampur offensive was launched after the rebels fired mortar bombs and small arms at security forces from their positions in the town.

Trincomalee is the starting point for soldiers and supplies sent to the embattled northern Jaffna peninsula. The port is also the site of an oil storage facility that provides energy security for Sri Lanka's 19.5 million people. A previous truce ended in April 1995 when the LTTE sank two naval boats anchored at Trincomalee harbour, which lies some 260 kilometres (160 miles) northeast of the capital. More than 60,000 people have been killed in the Sri Lankan conflict. Political talks on ending the violence stalled in April 2003.Continued LTTE attack on Trincomalee harbour is feared could paralyse the Trincomalee to Jaffna supply route, essential for the government to retain in order to provide food and provisional assistance to the 43,000 troops stationed in the peninsula, with the land route passing through the Vanni rendering transport impossible during war.

Vaiko’s ongoing campaign against the genocide of Thamils in Sri Lanka is now set to rock Indian capital New Delhi crossing the boundaries of Tamil Nadu as his party MDMK is fully ready to hold protest demonstrations in front of the Sri Lanka High Commission there (New Delhi) on August 30, Wednesday. “We want to tell the international audience that our kith and kin are being butchered in Sri Lanka, only because they are Tamilians. We realise that Delhi is the apt venue to attract international attention,” MDMK leader in Lok Sabha L Ganesan told media. Addressing a public meeting in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on Monday Vaiko categorically said Tamil Eelam, a separate nation for Thamils, "is the only solution to the Sri Lankan Thamils issue".

Vaiko flayed the Centre for advocating a solution within the framework of a united Sri Lanka and said only the Thamils of the island nation had the right to decide their destiny."The Sri Lankan Thamils will decide for themselves. The final battle for Tamil Eelam is on and LTTE is capable of winning a separate nation for Thamils on their own. We want the LTTE to win and they will be victorious," he said.Some days ago he said he is even ready to go to gallows for supporting Tamil eelam. "The MDMK will continue to support the LTTE and I am willing to be imprisoned all my life or even face the gallows for supporting the LTTE," Vaiko asserted.Vaiko said 22 of the 23 Tamil MPs in the island, belonging to the Tamil Nationalist Federation, were backing a separate homeland for Tamils and the self-determination rights of Sri Lankan Tamils should be respected.

Vaiko warned that any assistance of India to Sri Lanka would create another Kashmir-like situation if angry Thamil youths took over the political leadership in Tamil Nadu, making democratic leaders like himself irrelevant.The world community's conscience had been awakened after the killing of 61 schoolgirls in Sri Lanka. The UNICEF and the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission had confirmed that the place raided by Sri Lankan forces was an orphanage, Vaiko said.The MDMK will hold a protest in front of the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi on August 30 to condemn Sri Lankan government sponsored terrorism and genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.A rally will also be held in Chennai on September 1 to mobilise support for the Sri Lankan Tamils.

India and the rest of the international community are seeking an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sri Lanka, but Colombo is saying 'no' until it retakes a strategic region overlooking the eastern port of Trincomalee. India and the US have conveyed to the Sri Lankan leadership, directly and otherwise, their concerns over the long-term consequences of continuing with a bloodletting that has taken a serious turn in recent months leaving hundreds dead.India and members of the co-chairs to Sri Lanka's peace process, including the US, European Union, Japan and peace facilitator Norway, say their message is also directed at the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), not just Colombo.But disregarding the appeals, Sri Lanka has launched a major military offensive to recapture Sampur and nearby areas from LTTE so as to secure Trincomalee, the island's most important naval base.

The dominant feeling in the international community is that unending fighting is not going to help resolve a problem that basically needs a political resolution.'We want a cessation of hostilities, we want an immediate full stop to fighting,' a representative of one of the co-chairs told IANS, just before Sri Lanka's latest offensive started Monday in Trincomalee district. 'No one has really gained in fighting so far and no one is really going to gain much.'The Sri Lankan government argues that its Trincomalee base is vulnerable to attacks from LTTE-held Sampur and any offensive to capture Sampur area should not be seen as a violation of the Norway-brokered 2002 ceasefire agreement.

The LTTE had earlier informed Norway that it would respond adequately if Colombo halted its campaign of artillery attacks and aerial bombardments on Tamil Tiger territory. This was seen as a small window of opportunity. But Colombo is being presently driven by an assessment that this is the time to strike hard blows at the LTTE.This, one Western diplomat said, may pay off for now but not in the long run.'It is astonishing that there are still people in Sri Lanka who think a military victory is possible,' the diplomat said. 'The only places where they think this way are Kilinochchi and Colombo,' he added, referring to the capitals of the LTTE zone in northeastern Sri Lanka and of the island nation itself.

Norway is in touch with both parties and doing what it can to somehow make the two sides understand the necessity to talk so as to end a conflict that has dragged on and on since 1983, left over 65,000 people dead and badly decimated a country that was once seen as South Asia's answer to Singapore.The feeling in the international community is that the Sri Lankan government is 'very clear' about its immediate military objectives. But the question is whether strategic victories will help push the LTTE to the negotiating table or harden its stance further?There is another fear, and this relates to the heavy price non-combatants, mainly the Tamils and Muslims, are paying in the renewed conflict, a situation that could contribute to making a long-term solution to the conflict that much harder to reach.

Already, many Tamils feel that devolution of powers can no more be an answer to the conflict because Colombo may one day simply take back what it gives to a Tamil region. What they want, they say, is genuine power sharing, perhaps a la the Indian system.But even if Colombo and LTTE agree, can a solution come when unending casualties and sufferings of innocents cause more and more bitterness?The international players in the peace process, which has more or less collapsed, are blaming both Colombo and LTTE for the current state of affairs. In the past too Colombo has felt on some occasions that the LTTE was on the run but the latter rebounded, further prolonging what is already one of the world's longest running separatist struggles.

Many moderate Sinhalese in Colombo say the government seems determined to wage war, whatever the cost.Tamil circles that articulate LTTE thinking say its failure to make major military gains should not be seen as a weakness, notwithstanding the tremendous international pressure the group is under, but as a lull before the storm.And knowing that the only predictable trait of the LTTE is its unpredictability, this may well be true.

We can’t wait while Sri Lankan soldiers hang our women and kids’- LTTE Military Spokesman Ilanthirayan Interview

Irasaiah Ilanthirayan, the Military Spokesman of the LTTE, talking to PC Vinoj Kumar, the Current Affairs Correspondent, Tehelka, explains that the military measures adopted by the LTTE presently, both in Trincomalee, Muthur area and in the Jaffna Peninsula are all defensive. He has pointed out that wherever there are clashes, they have all been initiated by the SL Armed Forces. When the Forward Line is breached and the govt forces are trying to advance, the LTTE is rightfully repelling the move.

Q: There are conflicting reports about the situation in Jaffna. What’s happening there?

A: There was an attempt by the Sri Lankan troops to breach the Eluthumattuval frontline. We retaliated and they fell back. There are no advances from their side at the moment.

Q: Do you have plans to launch any pre-emptive attacks on the Sri Lankan troops (in Jaffna)?

A: If they are making preparations (for another attack), we have to do something about it. That’s what they did in Muttur. They attacked our forward lines, and also launched attacks against civilians. We don’t know what’s in their mind.

Q: If the current conflict escalates into a full-scale war, does the LTTE have the capability to take Jaffna? Or would you target Kankesanturai port first?

A: At the moment, we are only retaliating, (undertaking defensives measures). But further decisions have to be taken by our defence council, which is chaired our national leader (V. Prabhakaran).

A: Matters of strategy cannot be discussed with the media. Besides, our action has been defensive. We are now in a position to put pressure on the places the government is using as launching stations – along the border -- to attack our civilians.

Q: The Sri Lankan army says that LTTE has suffered severe casualties. How many people have you lost?

A: If you were to add up the casualty figures (of LTTE) as claimed by them (over the years), then there won’t be any Tamil population left in Sri Lanka. The numbers are exaggerated. We have lost 88 soldiers. On their side, 485 soldiers have died, and about 1250 injured. The injured (Lankan soldiers) will not be able to return to the war.

Q: What about the attack by the Sri Lankan Air Force in Sencholai that claimed the lives of over 60 children? The army claims they were not orphans, but LTTE cadres.

A: They may say so, but the UNICEF and SLMM (Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission) representatives are aware about the truth. UNICEF representatives have visited the orphanage several times in the past.

Q: The Sri Lankan government has held the LTTE responsible for the bomb attack against the Pakistani envoy in Colombo. What do you have to say?

A: I have nothing to say about it. The LTTE has no connection with the incident.

Q: What in the LTTE’s view is the main cause for the escalation of fighting in Sri Lanka?

A: Our agenda is open and transparent. There’s a peace accord and we abide by it. The Sri Lankan military continually violated it. Even the problem at Maavilaru could have been resolved through negotiations. But the Sri Lankan government militarily intervened and spoilt all the efforts. It launched a massive operation against our areas, bombarding civilian targets, 15 and 20 kilometres away from the theatre. (Later,) the Sri Lankan forces tried to breach our borders in the Northern Fronts. We have the responsibility of protecting our people.

Q: Are you saying that it was Sri Lanka’s military response to the Maavilaru incident that has aggravated the situation?

A: After seeing the manner in which the Sri Lankan government behaved in the Maavilaru issue, we can’t be waiting in other (LTTE controlled) areas till the Sri Lankan soldiers march into our homes and hang our women and children.

Q: The theatre of war appears to be spreading fast. What began in Maavilaru has now spread to other parts of Trincomalee, southern Jaffna peninsula, and also Batticaloa. Who is responsible for this?

A: The Sri Lankan government is responsible for this situation. The government and the military did not show the slightest sign of honouring the pledges made at the Geneva Talks (conducted early this year). All those following the developments in Sri Lanka know who is responsible for this scale of escalation.

A: It did not keep a single pledge it made. (Among other things, the government had promised to disarm anti-LTTE paramilitary groups operating in its areas).

Q: You are probably upset with the way the government has backed the Karuna group. Is that also one of the reasons?

A: Yeah, (but) actually it cannot be seen as Karuna group. Karuna is a mere person (an individual) and he is not holding any importance in the theatre. He is (operating) along with other paramilitary groups like EPDP (Eelam Peoples Democratic Party) and EPRLF (Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front), Varadaraja Perumal team.

A: Yeah, they (Karuna supporters) have publicly opened an office in Colombo. Everybody knows that, don’t you? (Tamileela Viduthalai Pulikal, a political party headed by Karuna opened an office in Colombo a few days ago.) How can a paramilitary team claiming that ‘we killed this man, we killed that man’ have an office in Colombo publicly, without the support of the government?

Q: For the first time in its history, LTTE has used an aircraft to bomb the Palaly air base. Tell us about your fledgling air force.

A: I am afraid I can’t directly comment on the issue due to its strategic nature. All I can say is that to protect our people we will deploy our sailors, soldiers, airmen and marines.

A: You are once again going into some strategic things. I am very sorry I cannot comment on it.

Q: Though you have cited several factors for the escalation in fighting, the present flare-up appears to have been caused due to the closing of the Maavilaru sluice gates? Why did you close the gates in the first place?

A: I need to tell you what was happening in and around Maavilaru. Sri Lankan soldiers were not allowing essential commodities to reach LTTE controlled areas in Maavilaru. People were denied drinking water and children went without milk and food. The people came together and tried to solve the problem through several ways. When negotiations did not bear fruit, they blocked the sluice. They were trying to find a solution through the SLMM (Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission) when the Sri Lankan government intervened militarily and spoilt everything.

Q: What are LTTE’s plans on Trincomalee port? The LTTE has been shelling the Sri Lankan navy base there.

A: The objective is to stop the bases from being used to launch attacks against our people. We want to stop the movement of troops through the Trincomalee port.

Q: Let’s talk about the Sea Tigers. They played an important role in the capture of Mullaitivu in 1996, and Elephant Pass in 2000. What will be the role of Sea Tigers in the present operation?

A: I do not know about the role of Black Tigers in this particular operation. It is a matter of strategic nature and I cannot comment on it.

Q: In spite of a near total war, both the LTTE and the Sri Lanka government claim that the ceasefire is still in place. Is the reluctance on both sides to formally declare war due to fear of offending the international community that is opposed to a military solution to the ethnic conflict? (The co-chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference for Sri Lanka Peace Process – the US, European Union, Japan and Norway, - have stated that “violence is not the way to resolve the ethnic conflict in Sri Lank” They had urged the government of Sri Lanka and LTTE to “cease hostilities and return to the negotiation table”.)

A: As a military doing its duty towards its homeland, we are only executing what we are ordered. The political decisions are made at a higher level, about which I am unable to comment

The British High Commission yesterday confirmed that over 50 British nationals and dependants had been moved from Jaffna to Colombo.This happened as part of an operation by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) which saw about 160 foreign nationals and other individuals in humanitarian need moved, from Jaffna to Trincomalee by ferry and then from Trincomalee to Colombo by bus. The British government has, for some weeks, advised British nationals to leave the north and east of Sri Lanka, at the first available opportunity.

The British High Commissioner Dominick Chilcott said, “Our staff met the British nationals at a reception centre in Colombo. We were able to assist them with onward travel plans and ensure that none were in pressing need of medical or other assistance. Other diplomatic missions also met their nationals.There are still some 60 British nationals in Jaffna, with whom we remain in contact. We are working with the ICRC on arrangements to help them leave.”Dominick Chilcott added“We are very grateful for the professionalism of the ICRC, in organising this evacuation and the support of the Colombo Hilton, for agreeing to host the reception arrangements at short notice.”

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	102.50		103.62
Sterling Pound	194.07		197.09
Euro	130.95		133.24
Swiss Franc	82.58		84.67
Australian Dollar	77.56		79.37
Singapore Dollar	64.79		66.09
Japanese Yen	0.8729		0.8913
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	273.86
Kuwait	Dinar	357.04
Oman	Rial	268.17
Qatar	Riyal	28.36
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	27.53
UAE	Dirham	28.11

Both sides have sustained severe damages in the Battles that have raged in the eastern townships Selvanager and Thoppur between government troops and LTTE using Mortar s, artillery and multi barrel rocket launches. In the arial attacks that were conducted this evening government sources say that airforce Kfirs completely distroied a LTTE artillery point at Ichchalimpattu. Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe the media spokesman for the army said that 22 soldiers have sustained injuries and 2 have lost there lives. A spokesman for the Kantalai hospital said that they have been informed that 4 dead bodies of soldiers will be brought to the hospital. According to to the latest reports reaching 'LeN' 79 soldiers have sustain injuries and admitted to Kantale and Polonnaruwa hospitals while 13 have lost their lives. Two of the soldiers who have sustain serious injuries have been rushed to national hospital Colombo.

Though LTTE cadres have sustained severe damages from the attacks of the security forces, nothing is known of their casualties.According to sources of the security forces, attacks on Selvanagar and Thoppur was a part of the operation to clear the surrounding areas of army camps as attacks were mounted at Muttur targeting Trinco navy camp and the harbour during the battles that raged in this area few days back.

Heavy clashes between the security forces and the LTTE in the Eastern parts of Sampur continued till late last night while four civilians and a soldier were killed in separate Tiger attacks in the conflict areas yesterday.Three civilians in a tractor at an LTTE-controlled area at Kanniya in Uppuweli, Trincomalee were killed in a claymore mine explosion on Sunday evening. The victims identified as Kandhaiya Ganesh (51), Kulasekaram Jayarathnam (52) and Appukutti Sugumar (59) had reportedly gone to collect firewood in Kanniya area when they were caught in the blast around 7.30 pm.Meanwhile, in Uppuweli, a Sinhala civilian, Amal Janaka of a Cooperative shop in Ambalipuram was gunned down by a suspected pistol gang yesterday afternoon.

In Vavuniya, two soldiers were shot at by rebel pistol gang members last morning and one succumbed to his injuries later. According to Vavuniya Police the two soldiers were at a private garage attending to some repairs to an army vehicle. The victims were rushed to Vavuniya Hospital.A sailor on a route clearing patrol at Pesalai in Mannar was seriously injured in a claymore mine explosion yesterday. Meanwhile, Tigers fired several mortar rounds at the security forces in Jaffna and Batticaloa on Sunday afternoon. The troops retaliated but no casualties were reported.In Puttalam, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was recovered from the sea by a fisherman on Saturday in Sinnapaduwa and defused by the Army Bomb Disposal Unit. In Batticaloa, an LTTE child soldier surrendered to the Polwatta Army Detachment on Sunday. The 16-year-old who surrendered without weapons was handed over to the Batticaloa Police.

Former President of the Supparmadam Fisheries Society was shot dead by unidentfied men, around 3:30 p.m, Monday. Sellathurai Gopalasingham,53, was abducted from his house situated close High Security Zone (HSZ) demarcated by the Sri Lanka Army. His body was found close to Kali tempel in Supar Madam, source said.Assailants came to his house located along seaside, took him for questioning to Athisoodi Pillaiyar temple and shot him in his head, civilian sources said.

Sri Lankan Army and police during joint-search operation in Colombo and its suburbs on Sunday arrested 76 Thamils of various ages, including eight women.During the search that began at noon and continued till midnight in Borella, Kollupitya, Kotahena Bambalapitiya and Wellawatte police divisions, all Colombo bound vehicles were thoroughly checked, police said. Police said they are interrogating the arrested persons at different police stations in Colombo.

The Colombo High Court yesterday refused bail to a suspect arrested in connection with the killing of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. The court refused the bail application filed by Perumal Thanalechmi of Kalinga Mawatha at Polhengoda in Kirulapone on behalf of her husband Muththiah Sahathevan.The applicant said that her husband worked as a garden labourer at a house of a person employed in the UNO and also in the house of one Thalayasingham at Buller’s Lane in Colombo 7. She cited the OIC Crime Detection Bureau (CDB), Dematagoda Police Station and the Attorney General as respondents.

Counsel for the applicant, A. Vinayagamurthy informed court that the suspect was arrested by the CDB on August 13, 2005 in connection with the murder of Lakshman Kadirgamar. He stated that the suspect was detained for nearly one year and there was no evidence with regard to his direct involvement in the incident. Counsel denied the suspect’s involvement in the murder of the former Foreign Minister and asked court to grant him bail.State Counsel Yohan Liyanage, appearing for the Attorney General, objected to the suspect being granted bail. The State Counsel stated that Sahathevan was one of the leading suspects and was working at the house from where the shooting was carried out.Having considered the submissions, High Court Judge Ms. Deepali Wijesundara refused the application

Unidentified armed men set fire to LTTE’s political office in Jaffna on Sunday night.Local people said armed men went to the two-storey building, which located at Pottpathy in Kokkuvil, near Jaffna University Medical Faculty and once housed the LTTE’s political office, and set fire to it. They also said the building is not being used since the LTTE's political wing was withdrawn from Sri Lanka government controlled areas in December 2005.

The SLFP Central Committee will meet next week to take a final decision on the JVP’s stand on the party proposals submitted to them earlier.The JVP is expected to communicate its stand shortly to an SLFP committee comprising party General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena, Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Mangala Samaraweera, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and MP Dalles Alahapperuma.After studying the JVP proposals, they will call for a Party Central Committee meeting to finalize matters within the week.

The statue in Jaffna of a well loved Indian personality, MGR, was defaced by the Sri Lankan military on 27 August. Late M G Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, was the chief minister of the Indian state of Tamilnadu for several years during the 1990’s. Prior to that he was a popular film actor who even toady is referred as the progressive artist. In his films he took up the cause of the downtrodden. Fans of MGR even now gather and form fan groups. MGR also gave his support to the struggle of the Tamil people .The statue of MGR was erected only last year by the people of Jaffna.

A notorious underworld figure, wanted in connection with the assassination of Colonel Meedin, of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), is believed to have recently carried explosives to Kandy, where the LTTE made an abortive bid to target the government’s security spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwelle.Rambukwelle Sunday said that he was aware of the underworld link in the attempt on his life. The wanted man, identified as ‘Ice Manju’, is believed to have set claymore mines closer to Rambukwelle’s Kandy residence. Police and the security forces are on the look out for ‘Ice Manju’, who pulled the trigger on Colonel Meedin at the officer’s Kiribathgoda residence.

Schools in the Jaffna Peninsula remained closed indefinitely as rest of the schools island wide reopened yesterday for the third academic term.Jaffna Education Department authorities said schools in the peninsula would remain closed till curfew was further relaxed. The 24-hour-curfew on the Peninsula was of late relaxed by six hours - from 9 am to 3.pm.But six hour lifting of the curfew was not enough for schools to re-open, they said.

The Janata party today demanded that action be initiated against the "open supporters of LTTE" under the National Security Act.If the MDMK leader Vaiko had spoken in support of the LTTE, the government should not hesitate to take action against him, party president Subramanian Swamy told reporters here.They should file a case, and it is for the court to take "cognizance of such serious offences and take action as per the law," he said.On the Sri Lankan issue, he said India should persuade the Sri Lankan government to bring in a Federal constitution bill and get it passed in Parliament for a permanent solution to the ethnic crisis.

The 18 suspects arrested with weapons at a piggery at Pamunugama and Usketiyaya have been handed over to the Terrorist Investigation Unit for further investigation.TIU sources said two of the suspects had direct connections with the LTTE and had been holding the weapons for them.The owner of the piggery said he was unaware of any LTTE connections. Police say that none of the suspects had been registered with the police. Investigations are continuing.

Five accused Sri Lankan gang members are behind bars in connection with a massive fraud scam that police suspect may have bilked thousands of Mississauga residents. "This was a highly organized and sophisticated ring," Det. Steve Craddock of 31 Division said yesterday. "We are interested in what the money was being used for." The men were arrested near Keele St.-Finch Ave. W. on Saturday. Craddock said two suspects were nabbed after a long footchase. He said the arrests followed the seizure of a palm-sized debit machine that has been illegally in use since May at a branch of a restaurant chain located in a busy mall.

Detectives refused to identify the restaurant or mall due to an ongoing probe. "The machine was removed from a mall in a highly populated area of Mississauga," Craddock said. "There is a potential of thousands of residents being affected." Police said the machine captured -- for both the restaurant and fraudsters -- customers' credit card and debit numbers and PINs. Craddock said officers found more than 20 bogus cards -- created using stolen data -- and $4,000 in cash after searching the suspects. Detectives are now probing the trail of stolen cash to determine whether loot was sent to Sri Lanka for the Tamil Tigers terrorist group. "With recent events in the world we have to be vigilant and concerned about where money is going," Craddock said.

The arrests follow the RCMP-FBI roundup of 13 suspected Tamil Tigers -- including six Canadians -- who were allegedly trying to purchase rocket launchers, missiles, truck launchers, night goggles and other gear. Police are warning Mississauga residents to check their bank and credit card statements carefully to avoid losses. "Residents should keep a close eye on their bank balances," Craddock said. "If there are any discrepancies, they should notify the bank or police." Charged with 25 fraud- related offences are Ganeshananthan Mahadevan, 36, Thuthikaran "Thuthy" Thurapalasingam, 26, Tharmaraj Nagularajah, 26, Thubaran Subas, 22, and Kishokanth Tharmapalan, 26. The men appeared in Old City Hall court yesterday and their cases were adjourned until this week.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	102.78		103.88
Sterling Pound	193.70		196.89
Euro	130.79		133.35
Swiss Franc	82.42		84.60
Australian Dollar	77.33		79.38
Singapore Dollar	64.78		66.15
Japanese Yen	0.8727		0.8919
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	274.29
Kuwait	Dinar	357.55
Oman	Rial	268.60
Qatar	Riyal	28.41
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	27.57
UAE	Dirham	28.15

A Sri Lankan navy boat patrols nears the naval base in Trincomalee. At least two Sri Lankan soldiers were killed and 41 wounded as security forces launched a ground offensive to push back guerrilla artillery threatening a strategic naval port, officials said. Troops backed by multi-barrel rocket launchers and artillery guns moved towards the rebel-held town of Sampur at the southern edge of the Koddiyar bay where the main naval port of Trincomalee is located, officials said. At least two Sri Lankan soldiers were killed and 41 wounded as security forces launched a ground offensive to push back guerrilla artillery threatening a strategic naval port, officials said.Troops backed by multi-barrel rocket launchers and artillery guns moved towards the rebel-held town of Sampur at the southern edge of the Koddiyar bay where the main naval port of Trincomalee is located, officials said.

"A ground offensive was launched this morning and troops are moving towards Sampur," a military source said. "Troops are expecting close quarter fighting, but the casualties so far had been due to artillery and mortar bombs."Hospital sources said 43 soldiers with shrapnel wounds were brought to hospitals in the region. Two of them died.Troops mounted the offensive with a barrage of rockets and artillery towards Sampur, a strategic location used by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to hit the Trincomalee naval port and the nearby military airport.A military official in Trincomalee, 260 kilometres (160 miles) northeast of the capital, said the latest offensive was part of a move to secure the Trincomalee military facilities against long-range attacks by the Tigers.

"The objective is to neutralise the heavy Tiger artillery pieces located at Sampur," the official said.There was no immediate reaction from the Tigers to the latest offensive in the Trincomalee district. It was also not clear if the guerrillas suffered any casualties.The rebels have shelled Trincomalee port, the main naval base for troops in the embattled northeast and the starting point for soldiers and cargo headed for the northern peninsula of Jaffna.Trincomalee, which was a staging post for Allied forces during the two world wars, has an oil storage facility that provides energy security to this nation of 19.5 million people.The oil tank farm is also within striking distance from Sampur, less than 10 kilometres (six miles) from the Trincomalee naval facility across the Koddiyar bay. The port was hit by Tiger artillery this month.

The Tigers launched a major offensive against military camps in and around the Muslim-majority town of Muttur, southeast of Sampur earlier this month.President Mahinda Rajapakse told international donors last week that Sampur should not be allowed to be used by the rebels to threaten Trincomalee.The latest long-range attacks came a day after the Red Cross ferried 150 foreign nationals to Trincomalee from the Jaffna peninsula where troops and Tigers have been trading fire across a de facto front line since August 11.Passengers spoke of relief at leaving amid food shortages and communication problems as sporadic fighting continued on the peninsula where more than 40,000 have fled their homes in the worst violence since a February 2002 ceasefire.

Both the government and the Tigers have said that they are committed to upholding the truce and described the latest upsurge in fighting as defensive action.Nordic truce monitors have said that the ceasefire is only holding even though at least 1,500 people have been killed in fighting since December when clashes began escalating.More than 60,000 people have been killed in Sri Lanka's drawn out Tamil separatist conflict and political talks on ending the violence have been on hold since April 2003.

Let’s think of Lankan Tamils!---Ananda Vikatan Editorial a Tamil weekly Magazine, based in Tamil Nadu

As we witness heated exchange of words over the Sri Lankan ethnic issue in the Tamil Nadu political circles, it appears that there is confusion between the welfare of the Sri Lankan Tamils and our view of the LTTE. In case, the Sri Lankan government rejoices over our divergent and divided stand on this issue, the sorry plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils subjected to naked violence will be worse. It must be said that the Sri Lankan Tamils have always been concerned about the security of India and the greatness of Tamil Nadu soil.

In the sixties, during the Indo-China war, Sri Lankan Tamils carried till boxes along every road in Jaffna, raised funds, and it was their leader, Eela Thanthai Chelvanayagam who dispatched the war fund to Jawaharlal Neru, the then Indian Prime Minister. The photograph of Netaji Subash hangs in the sitting rooms of the Sri Lankan Tamils. In this context, every word that Dr.Karunanithy,Tamil Nadu Chief Minister uttered in the Tamil Nadu assembly is real. “In trying to save Tamils, there can be competition as to who should extend help but it is not prudent to drive away any body who opts to extend support to Lankan Tamils. If we quarrel among ourselves in this manner, we will lose our moral right to offer any advice do them”. A wonderful advice, indeed! We reiterate that this prudence is appropriate to all political leaders including the Chief Minister

India should play a much bigger role –SL President Interview India Today

COLOMBO: With his brawny good looks, Mahinda Rajapaksa could easily pass for a hero of South Indian films. He did, in fact, act in a Sinhalese film but first chose law and then politics as his main vocation. "If I had continued in films, I would have been another Karunanidhi (the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister)," he joked, settling down for an exclusive interview last week. More comfortable in a lungi and shirt than formal wear, Rajapaksa comes across as earthy and pragmatic. He takes pride in his rural upbringing in Hambantota. His emergence as the top leader of the Sri Lankan Freedom Party and then as President of the nation last November signalled a major political shift - till then, the party had been dominated by the Bandaranaikes, the last being Chandrika Kumaratunga.

At 60, Rajapaksa looks fit enough to lead the party for the maximum of two terms that a President is entitled to. Once in power, Rajapaksa was expected to be hawkish in his dealings with the Tigers given that during the election campaign he had ridiculed the "peace-at-any-cost" approach followed by his predecessors and was against the Norway-led international mediation. But as President, he has displayed tremendous patience despite the LTTE launching a series of lethal attacks, killing many people, including Kethesh Loganathan, Deputy Secretary-General of the All Party Representative Committee for Peace. Only when the LTTE wounded Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, in an attack in Colombo in April and then blocked the supply of water from a major dam to farmers in the East, did Rajapaksa order his Forces to retaliate.

A: For me, the ceasefire is still on although the LTTE has been waging an undeclared war ever since the agreement was signed. We are now just defending ourselves. But we want peace. We want a settlement. The LTTE and the Government must get together and negotiate this. I am ready to talk directly to Prabhakaran (LTTE chief), man to man. Even after all that has happened recently, we are ready to move forward.

Q: During the election campaign, you had said you were against Norwegian mediation and that when you come to power they would be out. Is that still your approach?

A: I never said I was going to chase them out. We have our alliances-some of them felt they should go. After the elections, our allies agreed that they should still try and negotiate. My alliance partners gave me the mandate to go ahead with the peace talks, so we went ahead. The LTTE broke away from the peace talks because we didn't provide a helicopter to fly them across. Can you imagine this?

Q: Did you approve of the way your predecessors were negotiating the peace deal?

A: I felt, to reach a solution, the whole country must get together and we must have a consensus on how we are going to do it. We can't force anything down anyone's throat. My strategy is to unite all parties represented in parliament on a common peace platform that will propose a framework for a solution. I wanted to get them to study the past history of the problem, study the Indian system and the other systems in the world and give me a Sri Lankan model. That would be used as a basis for negotiations with Tamil groups like the LTTE with whom we shall sit together for discussions. I believe in a frank and direct approach to the problem.

A: Why should I do that if this is not a process I believe in? My political strategy is transparent and I have no hidden agenda. I told them that I want concrete proposals within a clear time frame. But what time has the LTTE given me? Ever since I was sworn in, they have replied to our peace initiative with bombs, terror and assassinations. I didn't retaliate. I was just watching the situation, trying to say we must negotiate. Only after they hit Colombo and struck my Army Commander, did I react.

A: The West looked at me like that because they thought I came from a rural background. I was not glamorous enough for them. They wanted an Oxford graduate, fluent in English and one who spoke with an accent and all that. They thought a man wearing a tie would make a better leader. Now, the whole world must understand that when the LTTE attacked initially, I showed great patience and restraint.Otherwise, I would have started (retaliating) from the time I came to power and used any excuse to walk in with all my firepower. Whatever the image they may try to build, I am still Mahinda Rajapaksa who knows what the people want and their needs. What I want is peace and prosperity.

Q: So, you don't want to be the lion of Sri Lanka who would get rid of the Tigers?

A: (Laughs) I want to live with the tiger, not take it over. But the LTTE must give up this armed struggle and talk. Mind you, we are talking to terrorists, not freedom fighters. There's a difference. With a freedom fighter, you can negotiate. With a terrorist, you decide.

A: No. Because, as I said earlier, I want peace. I don't want war. Like India and so many other countries, our choice is to address such problems through negotiation and accommodation, not through heavy-handed repression. That's why, whatever actions I have taken have not been in a fully offensive mode. But we will not sit idle in the face of terrorism. We will not bow down to pressure.

A: You never know how Prabhakaran's mind works. Today, the world has recognised that the LTTE is a terrorist organisation. Apart from India, the EU has banned it and so have the Americans and the Canadians. The Australians are to follow soon. In his Independence Day speech, the President of India (A.P.J. Abdul Kalam) spoke of the need for uniting against terror-we have to forget all differences and do that. Not only for Sri Lanka, but also for India and the rest of the world. There must be international pressure-there cannot be three different approaches for one word which is terrorism.

Q: But what about the incident in which children of an orphanage were reportedly killed in an attack carried out by your army recently?

A: Instead of listening to propaganda and rumours, people must study the facts. Everybody knows it was a training camp for child soldiers and women cadres opened by the LTTE. Photographs showed the bodies were clad in black trousers, shirts and headbands. In Sri Lanka, most Hindu and Tamil girls never wear clothes like that. We had identified the camp in the jungle in 2004. We had to take action when attacked. I will never order an attack on an orphanage or on children. It was sad. We are family people. I have given clear instructions to the forces that there should not be any human rights violations.

Q: On your first visit to India in December last year, there was a feeling that the reception you got was not warm enough.

A: I didn't feel so. I understand India perhaps more than any other political leader in our country today. I have had the closest ties with Indian leaders ever since I was a minister in Chandrika Kumaratunga's Cabinet in the 1990s. The Prime Minister was friendly and we had discussions and a good understanding with the political leadership. We are two sides of the same coin-India and Sri Lanka-with all our culture, our religion and history. A close understanding between our two countries is basic to the security of the South Asian region. Our economic destiny, too, is closely tied to that of India. These are the basics that should guide our relations. No question about it.

A: I have been repeatedly requesting the Indian Government to play a much bigger role in helping Sri Lanka solve its crisis. It is not just I who look to India for this, the whole world is looking to India to provide the initiative to move the peace process forward.

A: I won't say India is not doing enough. I know they have to balance their political considerations. I can understand there is a coalition. We also have coalitions. The LTTE knows this and exploits this. We need India's help in the seas around Jaffna and Trincomalee to prevent arms for terrorists being smuggled in to our country. We make a special appeal to India's Tamil leaders to take the initiative and help the misguided though small section of our Tamil population to unite for a peaceful solution to its problems.

Q: Your critics say you have veered towards Pakistan and buy defence equipment from them?

A: (Laughs) Not just from them. We buy equipment from Israel, China, Ukraine, Russia and even at times from India. We have a very close relationship with all the nations. India is the main country that can ensure peace. So, India is our first option-not only in defence but in every other aspect.

A: Not just for our defence but (we want India's help) to develop our country. I invite Indian investors to come here. We are now the third biggest importer of Indian goods. And with my new policies, all the Tatas and other Indian vehicles are plying here. We are encouraging Indian investment in a big way. We would like to see more direct investment from India in all sectors of our economy, especially in infrastructure development. We want India to become an important stakeholder in our economy.

At least seven soldiers of Sri Lankan Army were injured when the LTTE fired mortar shells at troops attached to the Selvanagar Army Detachment in Trincomalee on Sunday morning. Military sources in Colombo said the soldiers came under attack when they were on routine foot patrol at about 6.30 a.m. The injured soldiers were admitted to the Polonnaruwa hospital for treatment. To retaliate LTTE attack, local sources said, SL troops also launched artillery shells on identified LTTE positions in Sampoor.

Armed LTE cadres mounted an attack on the Black Bridge army checkpoint, Batticalao around 6.30 last evening. They had tried to overrun the checkpoint to build a bunker, but the attempt was foiled, the Media Centre for National Security said.12 LTTE cadres were killed in retaliatory attacks and more than 20 were injured, the Centre further said. No reports of any damage caused to security forces. Mortars and light arms had been used in the attack and one of he mortars had landed in a nearby village.Meanwhile unconfirmed reports said an offensive had been launched from the Trincomalee Navy Camp last evening jointly with the Army towards LTTE held areas in Muttur and Thoppur. Trincomalee could not be reached over the phone since the launching of the offensive.Two claymore mines have been detected from a government controlled area in Muttur and they were later defused by the Muttur police. The police said this was a deliberate move by the LTTE to disrupt fast returning normalcy in Muttur. Meanwhile Kfir fighter jets carried out air strikes on LTTE held areas in Muttur. Our Muttur reporter said that a naval craft too had launched attack on the area.

A crucial meeting between UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and his deputy Karu Jayasuriya will be held today regarding President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s invitation to join the Government. Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya told the Daily Mirror last night that the President’s request was an important matter to be discussed at the party’s parliamentary group meeting, and therefore they would discuss it with Mr. Wickremesinghe today.

The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has occupied the village of Manatkadu in the Vadamaradchi East and established a camp in the precincts of St. Anthony’s Church, residents said Sunday. People are being prevented from leaving the village and many fear they are being held as a human shield to protect the SLA base at nearby Nagar Kovil. Manatkaadu is situated between Nagar Kovil and the eastern coastline. The fisheries society at Manatkadu Sunday accused the Sri Lanka Army of preventing 300 families in the coastal hamlet from leaving.SLA soldiers based in Kudaththanai junction and Vallipuram are not allowing the villagers to leave Manatkadu to go to other safer areas, whilst troops establish a camp at the village’s St. Anthony’s Church.

Relgious activity at the church has been suspended since the SLA troops occupied it. The Jaffna Bishop has transfered the parish priest of the church to Karaveddy, church sources said.The SLA has stepped up security in the costal area of Vadamaradchi, sources said.SLA authorities have ordered the fishermen living between Katkovalam in Pt.Prdro and Thondamanaaru to hand over their outboard engines to their respective Fisheries Societies.Sources in Vadamaradchi said SLA Special Forces soldiers are stationed in a newly established camp in a private tutory, close to the North-Hindu Ladies College in Pt. Pedro, sparking anxiety amongst local residents and parents of the students.

New search operation in Colombo

The security officials in Sri Lanka have launched a new search operation in the capital, Colombo.Major General Laurence Fernando has been appointed as Joint Commander of security operations in Colombo by the Ministry of Defence.The military and the police initiated a new search operation under the new commander in an aim to avoid further violence in the city, military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe said.He told BBC Sandehaya that the security forces found claymore bombs and other explosives in and around the capital during the last few days.“The public has been very supportive and we were in fact tipped off by the public of these explosives,” Brig. Samarasinghe told bbcsinhala.com.Assuring that no community would be harassed due to the ethnic background, the spokesman urged the public to keep an identity with them always so that any eventuality could be avoided.

The politburo of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) at a meeting held on Friday night, has decided not to take a hasty decision to join the Government. It has decided that it would watch how issues that plague the community are addressed, before deciding in this regard.SLMC General Secretary Hasan Ali told the Daily Mirror that the issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mutur, shortcomings in the peace process and the deteriorating law and order situation, had compelled the party to take this stand. However, Mr. Ali explained that the SLMC had decided to support the Government in the peace process and will continue to participate at the All Party Conference (APC) and the Experts Committee.

Mr. Ali said his party would continue the dialogue with the Government through the APC.It was also decided at the Politburo meeting to continue with the SLMC’s relief programme for displaced civilians from Mutur and also to assist the Government in its resettlement efforts.According to Mr. Ali, Government assistance was still a far cry from what was expected by the displaced civilians and most relief work was being done by NGOs and individuals.

The CID has made a major breakthrough in the probe into the assassination of TNA MP Joseph Pararajasingham with the arrest of two key suspects. Pararajasingham was assassinated by two gunmen at the St. Mary's Church in Batticaloa while attending the Midnight Christmas mass on December 24, 2005. His wife and seven others were wounded in the shooting. CID investigations had revealed that the MP's decision to attend the Holy Mass was known only to his wife. The MP and his wife had sat in the front row on the right side facing the altar for almost two hours before he was shot at during the taking of Holy Communion. The two assailants had used two 9 mm handguns.

The empty casings found at the scene has been sent to the Government Analyst to ascertain supportive material. The Analyst's report is awaited. The CID had recorded statements from all devotees who were present at the Church. Some of them had stated that they could identify one of the assailants and furnished descriptions. The suspects are to be produced in Court for an identification parade. According to the CID, the in-depth investigations by CID officers had unearthed many vital clues, leading to the arrest of these two key suspects alleged to be involved in this killing. CID sources added that on the completion of inquiries, they would consult the A-G to consider instituting criminal proceedings.

This week's arrest of six Canadians of Tamil origin on terrorism charges reminds me of Sir Peter Ustinov's brilliant maxim: "Terrorism is the war of the poor, and war is the terrorism of the rich." In an apparent rush to U.S. President George Bush's ideology and policies, the Harper government recently added Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers guerillas to its terrorism list. The U.S. added the group last year. In 1983, civil war erupted in Sri Lanka after decades of growing strife between majority Sinhalese Buddhists and minority Hindu Tamils. Tamil Tigers guerillas have waged a ferocious, bloody struggle against the Sinhalese government for an independent Tamil state. Over 65,000 Sri Lankans have died. The war continues in spite of foreign mediation.

Sri Lanka's Sinhalese control the army, navy and air force. The Tigers have only small arms, in large part purchased with money raised by Canada's 250,000 Tamils. Canada's Irish did the same for the IRA. Canadian Jews raised funds to buy arms for Israel's independence struggle from Britain. Sikh separatists in Punjab were funded by Canadian Sikhs. The Tigers are courageous, highly effective fighters -- call them the Hezbollah of South Asia. They used their bodies as human bombs to fight first the government army, then India when it invaded Sri Lanka in the 1980s in an effort to annex the island. A female Tiger blew up Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.

The Tigers are exceedingly brutal and often murderous. They are a fanatical, highly dangerous totalitarian organization. But they are not "terrorists," as the U.S. and now Canada claim. Terrorism is generally defined as "attacks on civilians for political purposes." Mad dogs who blow up airliners, trains and schools are terrorists, no question. But under this definition, then what do we call the Allied mass slaughter of civilians in Dresden, Hamburg, Tokyo, Osaka, Nagasaki and Hiroshima? Or Russia's massacre of 100,000 Muslim Chechens a decade ago; Israel's 1982 bombardment of Beirut that killed 18,000 civilians; U.S. destruction in 1991 of Iraq's water treatment plants, creating an epidemic that killed hundreds of thousands of children?

What about the indiscriminate bombing of Afghan villages by U.S., Canadian and NATO forces? Or the recent killing of over 1,000 Lebanese and Israeli civilians, denounced by Amnesty International as a war crime? Those accusing others of terrorism are often far more guilty of it themselves. Tamil Tigers ably govern a third of Sri Lanka. Dismissing them as "terrorists" is as meaningless and misleading as calling Hezbollah, which is Lebanon's only effective, non-corrupt government, "terrorist thugs." Enough with propaganda labels. I detest this deceitful, poisonous term, "terrorism," which has become a propaganda weapon to demonize political opponents.

Canada has recently made itself an enemy of the Muslim world and now faces attacks on its citizens and business interests abroad. This is not a good time to kick the Tamil Tigers hornet's nest. Sometimes it's better to avert your gaze, as previous Canadian governments did, and not seek trouble -- particularly when the Tigers have committed no hostile acts against Canada or the U.S. Terrorism is a tactic, not a thing. Tamil Tigers are fighting for independence after decades of oppression. We westerners have forgotten that armed resistance to intolerable oppression is a legitimate right of all peoples. One really must ask why Ottawa is sticking its nose into another remote, bloody foreign war and creating new security problems for Canadians when it can't provide even Second World health care to its own people.

“The LTTE which lost face over the Mavil Aru issue also suffered heavy casualties in Muttur and Jaffna. As if rubbing salt in their wounds, the FBI staged a crackdown on the Tiger operatives in North America. Those who dole out money to the LTTE and its front organisations are also likely to be prosecuted. This will have a major effect on the LTTE’s fund raising from not just the Diaspora in Canada (250,000 Tamils) and the U.S. but also the 25 countries in the European Union which banned the organisation end May.”“The year 2006 was indeed a bad year for the LTTE which now wants to prolong the struggle till 2008. It is now reliably understood that the LTTE has softened its approach and is not demanding outright grants but requesting for loans to be settled once Eelam is established in 2008.”

Ever since Velupillai Prabhakaran blocked his people from crossing Tiger-held territory to government-controlled area to cast their vote at the last presidential polls, he gave the upper hand to Mahinda Rajapaksa.The boycott gave Rajapaksa the coveted all-powerful six-year long executive presidency. Democracy was defeated in the North and East and the whole country in effect. Prabhakaran failed to cross the great barrier. Deprived of the ballot, the Tamil community in the North and East realised the bullet was already loaded, and loaded certainly not in their favour.The writing on the wall was crystal clear: The nasty war was to return with ferocity unfathomed. Prabhakaran could not have gone back to war under a Wickremesinghe Presidency. He had to do so under Rajapaksa to be justified before the eyes of the international community as well as his own people.

Rajapaksa was no fool to return to hostilities immediately on assuming the mantle of leadership of the country. Even during campaigning, Rajapaksa did not advocate war; he allowed the JVP and the JHU to do the war mongering. It is pretty much the same even now as he faithfully beckons the Tigers to come to the negotiating table saying the “doors are still open”. It is the JVP, the JHU and sections of the media that advocate war. Well, if the war is thrust upon Rajapaksa, he can do nothing but fight it as hard as he could. Prabhakaran’s calculations went wrong. Rajapaksa is not willing to be the bad boy internationally. He is not willing to give into the LTTE either.Few months after assuming the presidency, true to form, Rajapaksa proved Prabhakaran absolutely right.

Prabhakaran described Rajapaksa during his Heroes’ Day Message on November 27, 2005 as “a realist committed to pragmatic politics.”Rajapaksa proved himself a pragmatist and not an idealist like say, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who, even when hit, would not hit back. Wickremeisnghe believed in gentleman politics and kept appealing to the umpire. Wickremesinghe’s success however was that he prevented the return of war by keeping his forces under check, even in the face of provocation. The only exception perhaps is the downing of Tiger vessels carrying arms and ammunition. To an extent Chandrika Kumaratunga also ensured the CFA was upheld for two long years after she forcibly took over the defence ministry in November 2003.

Rajapaksa has said no to the JVP demand of withdrawing from the CFA but at the same time is not willing to take things lying low. Rajapaksa has given strict instructions to hit back. “First hit back and later appeal to the umpire if necessary,” seems to be his guiding principle. At times even the umpire is checked. He waited for the right time to hit the Tigers hard. He did it with ferocity when the Tigers targeted Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka. From then on, it was a pair of eyes for one eye, and teeth for a tooth. Otherwise how does one explain the many aerial bombings? The military response to the water blockade by the LTTE also buttresses this argument.

Chandrika Kumaratunga did not order air strikes like Rajapaksa even when her Foreign Minister was assassinated in August last year. Until the peace process was exhausted, she restrained the forces. We saw that in April 1995. She had her military successes (Riviresa and the rest) but in the end, the debacles brought her government down. All those who underestimated Rajapaksa- the LTTE and others who wanted him at the helm of matters- will now have to live with him for another five years. Rajapaksa, who won the favour of India, to secure the presidency has, via the latest India Today magazine, appealed to India again to play a bigger role in the peace process. Some may say Rajapaksa’s appeal fails to consider the practical realities in domestic Indian politics, but others say the appeal is meant to do a balancing act given the military role played by Pakistan in supplying arms to Sri Lanka. Rajapaksa needs the central Indian government on his side to stave off any support to the Tigers via Tamil Nadu.

Rajapaksa is capable of doing both talking peace and preparing for and prosecuting the war. He went in for a huge defence budget, not taking any chances. This is exactly what the LTTE did with Wickremesinghe; talk peace and prepare for war. The LTTE never stopped collecting funds, never stopped stockpiling weapons and never stopped recruiting. But the LTTE is beginning to feel the pinch with the crackdown in Northern America- Canada and the Unites States. Prabhakaran’s men have been arrested and charged with multiple crimes. The US is expected to extradite the Canadian citizens involved in raising funds for the organisation as well as attempting to purchase weapons- A K 47s and Surface to Air missiles to take on the Kfir jets that are bombing its targets. Attempts to bribe officials to remove the LTTE from the list of Foreign Terrorist Organisations have also been exposed.

This is on top of the unsuccessful attempts made by his cadres in pushing their way to Jaffna at Kilali, Muhamalai and Nagarkovil over the past two weeks. The recovery and return of Army Commander Sarath Fonseka after his attempted assassination has raised the morale of the troops. He has resolved to meet any challenge by the Tigers and in his military pursuit, he wants no obstacles, politically. The LTTE which lost face over the Mavil Aru issue also suffered heavy casualties in Muttur and Jaffna. As if rubbing salt in their wounds, the FBI staged a crackdown on the Tiger operatives in North America. Those who dole out money to the LTTE and its front organisations are also likely to be prosecuted. This will have a major effect on the LTTE’s fund raising from not just the Diaspora in Canada (250,000 Tamils) and the U.S. but also the 25 countries in the European Union which banned the organisation end May. Member states ought to freeze LTTE financial assets, prohibit the provision of funds- directly or indirectly to the LTTE- and observe a travel ban on Tiger delegations to these countries.

Canada listed the LTTE in April under the new Conservative Government after years of resistance by the Liberal Government which maintained that the ban be withheld to keep peace process going. In March this year, the US-based Human Rights Watch castigated the organisation for its strong arm tactics in raising funds in North America. The LTTE denied these allegations, albeit violently, but as others have noted for those who faced such harassment the contents of the HRW report would strike a chord. The year 2006 was indeed a bad year for the LTTE which now wants to prolong the struggle till 2008.It is now reliably understood that the LTTE has softened its approach and is not demanding outright grants but requesting for loans to be settled once Eelam is established in 2008.

Come November 27, 2006 what will Prabhakaran have to tell his fighters, the Tamil Diaspora, the international community and President Rajapaksa? Last year at this same Heroes’ Day message Prabhakaran calling it his “final appeal” urged the new government “to come forward soon with a reasonable political framework that will satisfy the political aspirations of the Tamil people.” “If the new government rejects our urgent appeal, we will next year, in solidarity with our people, intensify our struggle for self-determination, our struggle for national liberation to establish self government in our homeland.”The “realist” President Rajapaksa has pledged political proposals for which he convened the All Party Conference. The country looks forward to these proposals and only hopes they would be pragmatic enough, given that previous diluted devolution proposals have been rejected by the LTTE, which of course must exhibit the same amount of realism given that the East is also the homeland of many Muslims and Sinhalese while the former were driven out of the North.

The government is to be put on notice by the Co-Chairs to Sri Lanka's peace process unless it addresses as a matter of priority the humanitarian crisis in the north-east. The Co-Chairs, Norway, US, EU and Japan will inform the government of their decision following a meeting scheduled in Brussels early September. The EU, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the Co-Chairs' representatives in Colombo last week called on President Mahinda Rajapakse to address the humanitarian crisis in the north-east and allow aid workers access to the Internally Displaced People (IDP). The request came after the Defence Ministry issued directives preventing access to the conflict zone citing security considerations.

The number of refugees in the north-east following the outbreak of hostilities has risen to over 200,000 according to the UNHCR. The Co-Chairs and Annan also called on the President to address the human rights abuses and allow independent international investigations into the murder of 17 aid workers of a French NGO and other civilian killings. A top EU source in Brussels told The Sunday Leader the government faces the prospect of sanctions unless the humanitarian crisis is not addressed as a matter of utmost urgency. India's External Affairs Ministry Secretary Shyam Saran also visited Oslo last week and discussed with Norwegian Foreign Minister J. Gahr Store and International Development Minister Erik Solheim the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka, its fall out on India and the need to ensure a speedy cessation of hostilities.

Meanwhile the UN Human Rights Commission is expected to take up the human rights situation in Sri Lanka at their meeting on September 14 in Geneva. The Sunday Leader learns the Human Rights Ministry has failed to address the urgent humanitarian needs of the IDPs as urged by the international community due to restrictions on movements imposed by the Defence Ministry.

The Jathika Hela Urumaya alleges that the mandate received by President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been besmirched by roping in the support of the Ceylon Workers Congress and the pcountry People's Front to the government by offering ministerial and deputy ministerial posts and calls on the President to immediately declare to the country whether these two parties joined the government by accepting Mahinda Chintana policies. JHU leader Ven. Ellawala Medhananda thera objected to the offering of ministerial portfolios to these parties in Parliament today.

The JHU strongly condemns the joining of the CWC and UCPF with the government, its spokesman Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe said adding that the mandate received by Rajapaksa was undoubtedly from the Sinhala people and charged that these two parties are pro-LTTE and claimed they clearly maintain links with the LTTE. At the last presidential election they sided with the United National Party against Mahinda Rajapaksa and Mahinda Chintanaya and were highly critical of the JHU and the JVP and by getting such parties to join the government Rajapaksa has defiled his mandate, Warnasinghe explained.

He alleged that the President has committed a grave mistake by prostituting his mandate in this manner. "These parties joined the government after losing their power base with the aim of gaining privileges and benefits. They clearly are anti-Sinhala communalist parties. They are also two terrorist parties that suppressed the rights of the Sinhala community in the central hills and want to drive away them from these areas. The President has kicked his mandate by winning over the support of these two pro-LTE parties", Warnasinghe noted.

"We also object to the offering of ministerial and deputy ministerial posts to everyone crossing over to the government form other parties. People are reeling under escalating cost of living and the people have to bear the burden of extra expenditure incurred on maintaining all these ministers. Expanding the Cabinet in this way is also a breach of Mahinda Chintanaya. This act of the President will lead to people loosing their faith on him", the JHU spokesman concluded.

60,000 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu-Finance Minister Anbalagan in Tamil Nadu Assembly

Professor Anbalagan, the Finance Minister in Tamil Nadu government, Friday told the Tamil Nadu Assembly that there are sixty thousand Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu as at today. Professor Anbalagan said that the Sri Lankan refugees came to Tamil Nadu for the first time in 1983 following communal violence in Sri Lanka. Thereafter the coming of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees ceased in September 2003. He further told that with the recent escalation of violence in Sri Lanka and with the impending threat of war, Sri Lankan Tamils flowing into Tamil Nadu has gathered momentum again.

He explained that these Sri Lankan refugees are housed in 105 camps. 16,537 families comprising 60,425 members are looked after in these camps. All of them are provided relief in cash on a monthly basis. A sum of Rs 17.71 corers is allocated for the welfare of the Sri Lankan refugees this year. Finally finance Minister assured the House that they are in dialogue with the central government for special seat allocation to the children of Sri Lankan refugees for higher studies as this facility that prevailed earlier had been stopped in 2003. He concluded in an optimistic note that they could persuade the central government to accept their request.

A bomb explosion incident took place between Eluthumadduval and Muhamalai at about 11.30 a.m. on Saturday killing six Sri Lanka Army soldiers, SLA sources said. Sources said the explosion occurred when the SLA troopers were on a road clearing operation. Four other troopers were injured in the explosion who were rushed to Karainagar Sri Lanka Navy hospital, military sources said.

The Special Task Force (STF) raided a private estate in Pamunugama around 4 a.m. yesterday and seized a haul of weapons, police said.Eighteen persons suspected to be linked to the LTTE who were living on this estate at Palanambalama in Uswetikeiyawa at the time of the swoop-down were arrested.The suspects, 16 males and 2 females, had told investigators that they worked on the estate and piggery run by a private company.The haul of weapons included a T56 assault rifle, seven grenades, two claymore mines, two magazines, 20 pieces of wire, four detonators and 115 live ammunition.All the suspects are from Batticaloa, police said. The Bomb Disposal Squad later defused the explosives while the suspects and the weapons were handed over to the Pamunugama police.Further inquiries are being conducted by the Pamunugama police under the direction of SSP (Negombo) Premasiri Vitharna.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) is considering joining the Government with their remaining six MPs, shortly after the Government reaches a compromise on their demands. "Now the negotiations are going on with the Government but no finality has been reached", SLMC National Organiser K. Baiz told the Sunday Observer yesterday. When asked what were their demands, he said that they have a problem with the 'united' Sri Lanka policy of the Government because the SLMC has faith in federalism. "We are totally against the war. We support devolution of power since it is the only way to settle the North and East problem. Muslims need a separate unit in the final solution because we cannot live under Tamils", Baiz reiterated. He noted that Muslims too should be included as a separate delegation at future talks.

Evacuation ferry departs Jaffna

A Red Cross ferry carrying foreign nationals trapped by fighting in northern Sri Lanka has left Jaffna. More than 150 people, most of them foreign aid workers or Tamils from abroad, are on the ship which is bound for the town of Trincomalee. Several hundred more foreign nationals are still awaiting evacuation. The UN says more than 200,000 people have been displaced by clashes between Tamil Tiger rebels and government troops in the north of the country. In the latest violence the army said six soldiers died when a booby-trap bunker abandoned by the rebels exploded. Earlier, separatist fighters released a policeman they had taken prisoner in the north more than 10 months ago.

On Friday the first aid shipment arrived for those stranded in Jaffna, which has been cut off for the past two weeks following the hostilities. Supplies on the northern peninsula are running low and thousands of people have fled to churches seeking refuge. The past month has witnessed the worst violence in Sri Lanka since the 2002 ceasefire between the government and rebels. Sri Lanka's undeclared war is being conducted on three fronts, with air raids, artillery strikes and mortar attacks. More than 60,000 people have died during two decades of conflict in Sri Lanka. The Tamil Tigers want autonomy for minority Tamils in the north and east.

British GP charged over rocket sales-Source: The Sunday Times - Britain

A BRITISH doctor has been arrested in New York, charged with aiding Sri Lankan terrorists by facilitating the purchase of American rockets and British submarine technology. Dr Murugesu Vinayagamoorthy, 57, from north London, is in a detention centre in New York, accused of laundering terrorist money. He is also alleged to have tried to bribe an official with $1m to have the Tamil Tigers removed from the government’s terrorist blacklist. He was one of 11 men arrested and named last week after an FBI undercover sting operation. In London, however, his wife Pushpam insisted his trip to America was an innocent one to open a Hindu temple.

The Tamil Tigers have been waging a civil war against the Sri Lankan government since 1983, conducting 200 suicide bombings including the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, the former Indian prime minister. The FBI alleges Vinayagamoorthy, known as Dr Moorthy, is a senior Tigers intermediary, who is said to have said in a tape-recorded conversation that suicide bombing was inevitable: “We have no other means.” He is accused of trying to bribe undercover agents posing as corrupt State Department officials, and last year reportedly met a Chicago congressman to finance his trip to a Tigers stronghold in Sri Lanka. He and his wife are NHS GPs with the Enfield Primary Care Trust. They live in a large refurbished house with a swimming pool. He drives a silver Mercedes, she a silver Porsche, but they also have a maroon Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit and matching four-wheel drive.

India must drop the facade of neutrality

For too long has India stood by the sidelines and watched as Sri Lanka skeetered these past months from a fragile peace to an all out war. Today, as a crafty Indian politician tried to tap into pan-Tamil sentiment in India over the brutal military assault that the Sri Lankan government of Mahinda Rajapakse has unleashed on the separatist Tigers, and the unfortunate Tamil populace in northern and eastern Sri Lanka, it's clear that Delhi's inactivity is laying the ground not just for mayhem in Sri Lanka but for the certain destabilisation of its own Tamil dominated south.

Three years after he spent nineteen months in jail for making pro-LTTE statements, 'Vaiko' Gopalaswamy, head of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam openly saluted the flag of the Liberation Tigers for Tamil Eelam at a rally in the southern city of Chennai, capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. He exhorted the Indian Tamil masses to rise up and support the separate state of Eelam. He praised the shadowy Tiger leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran for his role in battling the Sinhalese majority.

Seeking to whip up Tamil sentiment in favour of fellow Tamils across the Palk Strait may buy the LTTE-backed leader from Kalingapatti a new lease of political life after the recent electoral debacle. But it's the kiss of death for New Delhi's hands off Sri Lanka policy where the Norwegians push Delhi's agenda by default. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government must ask whether its policy of strict neutrality in the face of a nation at its doorstep, at war with itself, is not fraught with the gravest consequences.

The quagmire that India walked into when it sent its so-called peace-keeping soldiers to police the granting of local councils in the north and west, only for that mission to quickly degenerate into a bloody conflict with the Tigers, makes Delhi wary of getting involved militarily ever again. Its support has been limited to a non-existent military pact and some gratuitous advice. But the recent bomb blast that nearly killed the Pakistani envoy to Colombo demonstrates with startling clarity the extent to which countries that are inimical to India's strategic interests are willing to step in where Delhi fears to tread.

Newspaper reports in The Sunday Times quote high level sources as saying Pakistan's supply of multi-barrel rocket launchers and other arms and ammunition that helped give the Sri Lankan armed forces a qualitative edge, raised the hackles of the vengeful Tigers. In recent months the separatists have systematically sought and eliminated every critic.

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse may have had little choice but to unleash his military in the face of the separatists' determination to go to war. Equally, despite posturing on the need for peace, Colombo inched towards war rather than dialogue over devolution. Ever since Rajapakse came to power on a wave of support from the stridently anti-Tiger communists and hardline Sinhalese groups, the call to redraft the 2002 cease-fire remained the centre-piece of the current conflict.

Despite the four-year truce, the Sinhalese and Tamils remained deeply suspicious of each other, neither willing to accept the idea of a state within a state giving Tamils a degree of autonomy. The Tamils wanted a full-fledged state; Colombo, a subject statelet. Adding to the unease, Colombo had embraced a breakaway faction led by renegade Tiger leader Colonel Karuna. Rajapakse was using the guerrilla's tactics to decimate the Tiger men and armoury, secretly augmented through the four years of peace.

What must India do? As a first, the incendiary Vaiko could be reminded of the unpleasantness of another stint inside Vellore jail. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi, allied with the widow of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, assassinated by the LTTE, must be told sub-regional politics cannot dictate the nation's foreign policy.

Singh cannot afford a repeat of 1983 when Tamil Nadu was swamped with refugees fleeing the massacre. An uncertain Delhi must rise to the challenge. It must persuade both sides to end hostilities, drop the facade of neutrality and the back door diplomacy employed so far. The obliteration of Tamils is not an option, tying the Tigers down is. The Norwegian interface must include trusted interlocutors like Japan and India to ensure the country does not slide back to civil war.

The LTTE has warned it has virtually lost patience and will not restrain itself any longer in light of the continuing air force aerial strikes on rebel positions in the north and east, the LTTE media unit said yesterday.According to the LTTE the warning was issued during last evening’s meeting between the LTTE political head S.P. Thamilselvan and the newly appointed acting head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission former Norwegian army Chief Maj. Gen. Lars Johan Solvberg.Mr. Thamilselvan has also expressed disappointment over the EU ban on the LTTE which he says was a result of false claims and views expressed by the government over the activities of the rebel group.Following the EU ban the LTTE had called for the removal of EU member states from the SLMM which included the incumbent Swedish head of the cease fire monitors and members from Finland and Denmark. Mr. Solvberg, accompanied by the outgoing SLMM head Mr. Ulf Henricsson, went to Killinochchi as part of his familiarisation tour of the country where he has also met with government representatives in Colombo.Both Mr. Solvberg and Mr. Henricsson stayed overnight in the Wanni, which incidentally came under air force aerial bombardment last morning, and are expected to return to Colombo some time today.Mr. Solvberg will return to Norway after completing his familiarisation tour to the country over the weekend and will be back in Sri Lanka on September 1st to assume his duties as the new chief of the SLMM.

Air Force jets yesterday bombed an LTTE base north of Kilinochchi, as a passenger ferry left for Jaffna to drop off a medical team and bring back hundreds of foreign nationals stranded there due to the on going battles between the Military and the Tigers, Defence sources said.The air force attacked an identified LTTE target in Kilinochchi causing heavy losses to the Tigers. Sources said the strikes hit an LTTE camp near an airstrip north of Kilinochchi, Defence sources said adding that they had information that the LTTE had some unauthorized air assets and could prove a threat to the Air Force base in Palaly. An LTTE spokesman admitted that the Air Force Kfir jets had carried out several sorties daily into their territory.The SLMM said they had heard of the airstrikes north of Kilinochchi yesterday but were unable to give further details.

The ship carrying essential food items and medicinal drugs reached Kankesanturai yesterday morning, as Air Force fighter jets continued air strikes on identified Tiger targets east of Iranamadu in Kilinochchi.ICRC Spokesman Sukumar Rockwood confirming the arrival of the ship that left Colombo on Tuesday, said the unloading process began yesterday morning. He said the Jaffna Government Agent would handle the distribution of goods after the unloading process was completed.On Tuesday, the ship left Colombo with some 1,500 tonnes of essential food items and medicines. Government forces and the LTTE yesterday traded artillery and mortar fire in Muhamalai too. The military also fired Multi-Barrel Rocket Launched shells at LTTE positions in Palaly following continuouss LTTE artillery and mortar attacks on the military line.

Air Force Kfir jets bombed the LTTE air strip at Iranamadu for the third time yesterday.A senior defence official said it was an accurate bombing mission that had caused considerable damage to the runway at Iranamadu.Indian defence sources earlier warned Sri Lanka that the Iranamadu air strip could be a threat to Sri Lanka’s security.According to pictures received from unmanned UAV aircraft before the bombing there were a few light aircraft on the runway, hit by four bombs.An earlier LTTE claim that a light LTTE aircraft dropped bombs on Palaly air base was refuted by the Air Force.

More than 200,000 Sri Lankans now displaced by fighting – UN refugee agency

After gaining greater access to areas of strife-torn Sri Lanka that had been cut off by recent fighting between Government forces and the separatist Tamil Tigers, the United Nations refugee agency says the number of people dislodged from their homes since April has surged to 204,620.Even though humanitarian agencies still cannot reach all the locations where displaced people are residing, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis told reporters in Geneva today that relief workers can now move into the town of Muttur, which has been at the centre of military operations in Trincomalee District. A joint UN mission to the area is gauging security and the immediate needs of local residents to ensure that the appropriate aid reaches them in the coming days.

Ms. Pagonis said conditions in Kanthale, which hosts most of the individuals who fled the fighting in Muttur, have improved, with Colombo playing an active role in relief efforts. Local authorities have identified new sites where displaced communities can be housed in emergency shelters, freeing up the schools and other public buildings where they have been sheltered. Earlier this month, UNHCR estimated that more than 162,200 people had fled their homes but remained within Sri Lanka, while 6,672 had crossed the Palk Strait to become refugees in India’s Tamil Nadu state. UNHCR now puts the number of Sri Lankan refugees that have arrived in India since the start of this year at 8,742.

In the north, the recent relaxing of daytime curfews has given the residents of Jaffna town five hours to leave their homes and buy food and other essential items. However, many displaced persons trapped on the islands off Jaffna peninsula need help, and UNHCR is trying to gain access to these areas.

A silent protest march was held Friday morning in Mannar town demanding the release of the disappeared Allaipiddy Parish Priest Rev.Nihal Jim Brown. The march began around 10.15 a.m. from Mannar St.Sebastian Church arrived at Mannar District Secretariat building at about 11 a.m. About six thousand people including the Head of the Mannar Diocese and Parish Priests of Pallimunai and Mannar and other several priests, nuns numbering about seventy five and TELO Central committee member & parliamentarian Mr.Vino Noharathalingam and representatives of EPRLF (Suresh Wing) and TELO and other humanitarian and civil rights' groups participated in the march carrying placards with the photograph of missing priest.

A memorandum addressed to President Mahinda Rajapakse was handed over to Mannar Additional District Secretary Ms Mohanathan by the Head of Mannar Diocese. Copies of the memorandum were handed over to representatives of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, and Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka based in Mannar.Thereafter the silent march proceeded to the office of the Mannar office of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC). Representatives of the peace march handed over a copy of the memorandum to ICRC delegate there.Earlier on the day a special mass was held in the St Sebastian Church.In support of the silent protest march shops in Mannar town were closed till Friday afternoon. Fishermen did not go for fishing.

Jaffna Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Saundaranayagam has written to President Mahinda Rajapaksa about Rev. Fr. Thiruchelvam Nihal Jim Brown, 34, who has been missing from the Jaffna diocese from August 20. Layman W. V. Vimalathas, 39, who assisted the priest has also gone missing. According to the Bishop, Fr. Brown had been at St. Philip Neri's Church in Allaipetty, when the church had come under artillery attack on August 13. The attack had left nearly over 100 civilians injured. While 20 had been killed, about 30 had been seriously injured. The Bishop has appealed to the President to bring the conflict to an end and to uphold the strict observance of the ceasefire agreement and to proceed with negotiations for peace and for a political solution. "I make this urgent appeal to the LTTE leader too," he said in the letter.

Responding to the request of outgoing Head of SLMM, Major General Ulf Henricsson, LTTE leader V. Pirapaharan on Friday ordered to release the third Sri Lankan police who is detained in custody since October last year.Mr. Henricsson made his request at a meeting on Friday for release of the SL police to show LTTE’s goodwill-gesture. SL Police B.W. Bopetigoda will be handed over to the SLMM today (Saturday), LTTE sources said. Head of Tamileelam Police, B. Nadesan, took part in the meeting with the Head of SLMM in Kilinochchi on Friday.

It is worth mentioning here that LTTE arrested three Sri Lanka Police, K.A.D. Sarath, B.W.Bopetigoda and W.G.D.S. Hemantha, for trespassing into Liberation Tigers held area in Mannar on October 11, 2005. During interrogation the Sri Lankan police officers told Tamileelam police that they had entered the area by mistake at the time of searching a convicted British pedophile who was believed to be hiding in Mannar. Finding contradiction in the statements of the police they were kept in custody. A case in this connection is in progress in Tamileelam court in Kilinochchi.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating a report that the fugitive former chief executive of Comverse Technology Inc. has escaped to a small fishing village in Sri Lanka, a U.S. Embassy official said.The Maariv daily reported Thursday that Kobi Alexander, who is wanted in the U.S. on charges of manipulating stock options for personal gain, had been tracked down by a local private investigator.Alexander, a dual citizen of Israel and the U.S., is a founder and former chief executive of Comverse, a leading maker of voicemail software based in the United States.

The two other executives have turned themselves in to U.S. authorities, but Alexander disappeared -- after having transferred $57 million to Israel.Maariv said the private investigator, Moshe Buller, discovered Alexander's whereabouts through an Internet phone call placed by the fugitive. Buller, who was hired by an unidentified U.S. venture capital company, was out of the country and refused to comment on the report, the newspaper said.U.S. Embassy spokesman Stewart Tuttle said on Thursday that American authorities "are aware of the report and the FBI is investigating." He gave no further details on the investigation, but said the U.S. has an extradition treaty with Sri Lanka.

Two Indian Tamil parties joined the Sri Lankan Cabinet today, months after pledging support to the government of President Mahinda Rajapakse.The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) party and its rival Upcountry People's Front (UPF) joined the Cabinet.The CWC, a political party of Tamils of recent Indian origin, was given one Cabinet position and two deputy ministries. Party leader Arumugam Thondaman was sworn in as Minister of Youth Empowerment for Social Economic Development.Two members of the CWC were sworn in as deputy ministers for Estate Infrastructure (Muthu Sivalingam) and deputy minister of education (M Sachiththanandan).UPF's leader P Chandrasekaran was sworn in Minister of Social Equity while his other MP Radakrishnan was made deputy minister of Social Services.The UPF has only two MPs in the 225-member Parliament and the party is a breakaway faction of the CWC.The two Tamil parties representing mainly the plantation sector Tamils in the central part of the country would dilute the power of the Marxist JVP, or People's Liberation Front.

The US embassy in Colombo says it does not agree with the views expressed by Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Mr. M.K. Eelaventhen who branded America as “terrorist” during a parliamentary session on Wednesday.“The US embassy does not agree with that characterisation. The US record speaks for itself. Our human rights record, -how we treat minorities and how our forces operate- also backs that,” US embassy spokesman Mr. Evan Owen told the Daily Mirror.

Mr. Eelaventhan on Wednesday interrupted a speech made by Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and accused the government of supporting the US and later while the bench mikes were off the TNA MP branded the US as terrorist.The views expressed by the TNA MP was not added to the hansard nor expunged.While dismissing Mr. Eelaventhan’s views the US embassy spokesman noted however that the TNA MP was entitled to his views as Sri Lanka is a free country and anyone can say anything they wish.Mr. Eelaventhan’s views were spurred by the arrest of several suspects in the US and Canada who were charged with attempting to sell weapons to the LTTE to be used in their fight against government security forces.

Karuna sources said Six Tigers were killed at a road block of Batticaloa Vavunativu uncleared area after suicide member of Eastern Tigers rushed at them on a bicycle. This incident has occurred yesterday at day time. This is considered as the second suicide attack by KarunaGroups. Firs attack was done on the 28th of July at a road block in same area.TMVP have announced they have 100 suicide members and earlier they have warned Tigers to leave Eastern province unless, they will be attacked.

LTTE's Batticaloa District Political Head P. Daya Mohan. Denying the claim that five Tigers were killed in a Karuna Group Suicide attack, Mr. Daya Mohan said the bike exploded 80 meters away from the Tiger FDL in Vavunatheevu, 5 km northwest of Batticaloa. The boy was an innocent captive of paramilitary cadres, he added.The victim was identified as 19-year-old Sathyaseelan Tharsan of Market Road in Thimilathivu.

Arrangments were being made to hand over the dead body of the victim to his parents, Daya Mohan said."Sathyaseelan Tharsan was abducted by an armed group few days ago and he was sent to our FDL in a motor bike fitted with a bomb. The bomb in the motor bike was detonated by remote control when Sathyaseelan Tharsan was about to reach the FDL. The bomb exploded about 80 meters away from the FDL", said Mr.Dayamohan.

Mr.Dayamohan totally denied the claim by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) that the Tamil youth was a "suicide bomber" entering the FDL of the LTTE in a motor bicycle to blew himself by detonating the bomb with him.SLA had claimed that five LTTE cadres were killed and two others injured in a suicide attack.Also last month, two youths were killed when a bomb fitted in an auto rickshaw they were travelling exploded near LTTE FDL in Batticaloa district.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	103.05		104.03
Sterling Pound	194.06		196.91
Euro	131.07		133.30
Swiss Franc	82.82		84.41
Australian Dollar	77.92		79.65
Singapore Dollar	65.06		66.23
Japanese Yen	0.8796		0.8972
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	274.61
Kuwait	Dinar	358.02
Oman	Rial	268.90
Qatar	Riyal	28.43
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	27.60
UAE	Dirham	28.19

Fresh clashes erupt in Vavuniya : SLA closed A9 Omanthai entry point after brief opening

Fresh clash between Sri Lankan army and LTTE was reported from Vavuniya on Thursday and Sri Lankan Army closed the Omanthai entry point to LTTE controlled Vanni from SLA controlled Vavuniya after opening the gates for a brief period on the day.SLA soldiers launched artillery shells towards LTTE Forward Defence Line (FDL) saying that they retaliated after the Tigers had fired 10 mortar shells towards SLA FDL. Meanwhile, two LTTE cadres were killed at Semamadu FDL, the SLA sources in Vavuniya claimed, saying they have recovered one of the bodies. An SLA trooper was killed at Mamadu FDL during a clash, according to Vavuniya police. Claiming that 10 shells were fired from LTTE FDL positions, SLA soldiers closed down the A9 entry point again, after keeping it open for a brief period during which time only three passengers could pass through the gates. The gate is closed for public transport since August 11. After exchange of artillery shells by both sides, Representatives of International Red Cross Society (ICRC) and Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) hurriedly withdrew from the site suspending their monitoring activities in the no man zone, locals said.

The SLMM’s new chief, former Norwegian Army chief Maj. Gen. Lars Johan Solvberg, will travel to Kilinochchi today for meetings with the LTTE including the rebel political head S.P. Thamilselvan.Mr. Solvberg acompanied by the outgoing SLMM head Ulf Henricsson will be visiting Kilinochchi this afternoon as part of a familiarisation tour before formally assuming duties next month.The acting head of the ceasefire monitors arrived in the country last morning and met SLMM staff as well as Government representatives in Colombo. Mr. Solvberg will return to Norway after completing his familiarisation tour over the weekend and will be back in Sri Lanka on September 1 to assume duties as the new SLMM chief.

Outgoing Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission head slams European Union's decision to ban LTTE

The outgoing Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) head, retired Major General Ulf Henricsson, today slammed the European Union (EU) for imposing a ban on the LTTE. He told a news agency that he wrote a memo to the European Union more than a month before May's ban was imposed, warning of a rise in violence and attacks in the capital of Colombo if the EU carried out its plan. “We had (seven) bullets in that memo which was some kind of worst case scenario; all of the bullets were fulfilled,” he said. “They can't say they didn't know or at least have any signal about what could happen. I think it was not read very carefully. It was a more high-level decision made in the cafes of Brussels. “I think the EU thought that the government of Sri Lanka was a responsible government who could take the appropriate decision and work for peace instead of war,” he added

The UNP has cautioned the president that the JVP is hatching a plot of politicizing the armed forces.The UNP accuses the JVP of creeping into camps without the knowledge of the commander of the three forces, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and spreading communalism in the forces.This red alert was made by at a press briefing held at leader of the opposition's office this morning by UNP parliamentarian Hemakumara Nanayakkara and Johnston Fernando.Mr. Nanayakkara questioned how come an ordinary JVP parliamentarian like Wimal Weerawansa creep into services camps and address the members of the three forces, when the authority of controlling lies with the with the commander of the forces President Rajapakse, deputy Minister of Defence the prime minister and the secretary to the Ministry of Defence.

The MP said that Mr. Wimal Weerasa who does not hold any post goes to address services personnel by helicopter at government expense.Mr. Nanayakkara further stated that political analysts question whether JVP is in the process of creating the Red Army they tried to create in 1971 with the three forces and the police.The JVP which drove thousands of youth to grave in two failed insurrections, are trying today to politicize the armed forces and police on a communal and military agenda which might escalate to a military coup d'etat said Mr. Nanayakara. As a member of a responsible political party, he said that he is cautioning the Prescient.Mr. Nanayakara requested the President to put a full stop to members involved in two uprisings addressing the forces.

Mr. Johnston Fernando inquired how president who says that he is not aware of outsiders entering services camps and addressing the forces could conduct a war. He also said that what the JVP could not achieve in 1971 and 89 remaining outside the camps is trying to achieve it from within.

Amidst a lull in fighting in the Jaffna peninsula during the past four days, Air Force fighter jets yesterday pounded LTTE’s strategic Sea Tiger base in Mulliar south of Vettilaikerni.However in Trincomalee there were artillery and mortar attacks aimed at military locations on Wednesday morning.A senior Air Force official confirmed the successful bombardments that destroyed the Sea Tiger base. He said the Tigers had launched several offensives against the military in the North from this base targeting Navy vessels passing the area.

The government last week maintained it was only engaged in defensive action against the Tamil Tigers. Meanwhile, the relief ship carrying 1,500 tonnes of food and medicinal drugs for some 350,000 civilians in the peninsula was scheduled to arrive in Jaffna last evening. The ship departed from Colombo last Tuesday evening after a two- day delay due to bad weather. The army headquarters said a bomb exploded in Batticaloa yesterday injuring one soldier, while a police officer was killed by a mine explosion in Valaichchenai.

The much awaited marriage between the Government and the Ceylon Workers Congress will take place today with three members scheduled to take oaths at the Presidential Secretariat as ministers.CWC Leader Arumugam Thondaman will be sworn in as the Youth Empowerment and Socio-Economic Development Minister while Mutu Sivalingam and M. Satchithanandan will take oaths as Deputy Minister of Education and Deputy Minister of Nation Building respectively.Meanwhile SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem who was expected to return from India last night, is due to meet top Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa for urgent talks today.

Mr. Rajapaksa had invited Mr. Hakeem for talks following a telephone conversation on Wednesday night with the SLMC leader who was in New Delhi, government sources said.Mr. Hakeem met Indian National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan, several ministers, parliamentarians and government officials while in New Delhi.The Daily Mirror learns Mr. Rajapaksa briefed Mr. Hakeem about the progress made during President Rajapaksa’s discussions with the CWC and invited him too to initiate a fresh dialogue with the government.

Since his election, President Mahinda Rajapaksa had held several rounds of talks with the SLMC leader with a view of roping the SLMC into government ranks. However the SLMC had been adopting a cautious approach so far without committing itself to join the government.Mr. Hakeem yesterday met India’s External Affairs State Minister E. Ahamed and on Wednesday met Shipping, Transport and Highways Minister T.R. Balu.

A group of armed men who entered the premises of Nelliaydi Central College on Wednesday night knocked down the statue of Captain Miller, first Black Tiger. The statue, symbol of the destruction of Nelliyadi Sri Lanka Army camp, was erected in the SLA captured Vadamaradchi during the Eelam War I, in 1987. During the Eelam War III it was kept hidden by local people and was installed again in 2002. Captain Miller rammed a truck loaded with explosives into Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops in Nelliyadi on July 5, 1987, the day is observed as Black Tigers Day.

The Government of Japan provided a sum of US$ 52,550 (approximately Rs. 5.4 million) towards the "Project for Holistic Care of the Differently Abled in Conflict and Tsunami Affected Areas". The project will be implemented by Survivors associated, an NGO engaged in psychosocial development, disability rehabilitation, conflict resolution and empowering the differently abled in the North, East, South and Northwestern provinces.There are many differently abled people in the conflict affected areas and in areas affected by the recent tsunami. These persons have been traumatized by the adverse effects of the conflict and tsunami and mentally unstable creating a difficult situation for their families to take care of them without specialized guidance. Therefore it is necessary that adequate measures be taken to provide special care, medical attention, counselling and support for training economic independency so that they could enter into the mainstream of society. Similarly the families of these persons also require necessary assistance in terms of gaining an understanding on how to handle the differently abled in their families and make the lives of both parties comfortable.

The grant will be utilized to conduct awareness building on prevention and comprehensive care of the differently abled, psychological support programmes including befriending and counselling, awareness on enterprise development which helps them to improve their ability competence and skills. Further, more assistance will be provided to these groups to develop self esteem and independence by providing required equipment and training for setting them up micro enterprises.The project will benefit over 2000 persons directly and approximately 4000 persons indirectly living in Ampara, Valaichenai, Vavuniya, Mannar, Tangalle and Puttlam Districts.

Survivors Associated, a Non-governmental Organization (NGO) established in 1996, has been engaged in offering holistic care at grassroots level to differently abled people of all ethnic groups affected by armed conflict and tsunami. This is the second such occasion that the Government of Japan has funded Survivors Associated to execute holistic care programmes in North, East, South and North Western Provinces. The signing of the Grant Contract took place at the Embassy of Japan on 23rd August 2006. Mr. Nobuaki Ito, Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of Japan and Ms. Shanti Arulampalam, Executive Director of the Survivors Associated signed the Grant Contract. Dr. Yuji Miyahara, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan was also present at the ceremony.

The Wellawatte police are investigating the intrusion of four men into the Chapel Lane branch of the Electricity Board where one of them was shot dead by a security officer. OIC Wellawatte police Mangala Dehideniya said the victim has not yet been identified. Police said the intruders had come clad in black. The victim had also worn a black dress and was 5 feet two inches in height. He had a set of tools in his pocket. Public support is sought to identify the body. Inquiries are continuing.

Over 800 Jaffna citizens,unable to proceed to the North and stranded in Vavuniya, yesterday stormed the Vavuniya Government Agent’s office and launched a protest. They shouted slogans and disrupted the functioning of the GA’s office. As a result the GA was compelled to close the office.These people have been stranded at Vavuniya since August 8 and pleaded with the GA to make some arrangements for them to proceed to the North.The protest prevented normal activities in the GA’s office and employees were prevented from entering or leaving the office. Police arrived at the scene and dispersed the protestors. Additional GA Mrs P. H. S. Charles assured the protestors that she would make some arrangements for them to travel to the North.

On 21 August, a bus load of passengers traveling in bus belonging to the state run bus service from Mannar to Vavuniya was stopped at a location, Kurumankady very near Vavuniya town.Four bearded men entered the bus. One of them appeared only 15 years old. The four men demanded that all the passengers buy a copy of the newspaper “Thinamurasu”, a publication of the EPDP political party which is a coalition partner with the GoSL. The cost demanded by the four men was Rs20.00. Those who said they do not have the money to buy the paper were told that they must get off the bus for inquiry. Fearing this, because the bus had been stopped only 100 metres from an SLA post, people borrowed money from fellow passengers to buy the paper.

A group of armed men in the early hours of Thursday attacked the office of Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) in Jaffna and damaged its all computers and furniture.Local people said the attackers seemed to be paramilitary men, working with Sri Lanka Army (SLA), entered the Jaffna District Secretariat of the NGO, located on Temple Road, ransacked inside the office. They threw away computers on the floor damaging all data and at one stage set fire to the office building that gutted everything. On getting information from another NGO, the Fire Brigade personnel of Jaffna Municipality rushed to the spot and extinguished fire.“They have been able to save the building only, nothing else”, one witness said.

None was present in the office at the time of the attack. The TRO Jaffna office is located about 250 meters away from the SLA checkposts at Kailayapillayar temple and very close to some UN offices including UNHCR, UNICEF and UNDP, and several international organizations including office of Sri lankan Monitoring Mission. It is worth mentioning here that unidentified attackers lobbed a grenade into the TRO office in broad daylight on July 15 that sparked widespread criticism both at home and abroad.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	103.16		104.16
Sterling Pound	194.60		197.45
Euro	131.20		133.46
Swiss Franc	82.99		84.61
Australian Dollar	77.96		79.74
Singapore Dollar	65.17		66.35
Japanese Yen	0.8819		0.9000
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	275.25
Kuwait	Dinar	358.79
Oman	Rial	269.54
Qatar	Riyal	28.51
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	27.67
UAE	Dirham	28.25

President Mahinda Rajapakse on Monday sent a special message to LTTE Leader Velupillai Pirapaharan through Norway calling on him to stop all fighting and get back to the negotiation table.The President’s message was to be communicated to the LTTE Leader by Norway’s Minister for International Development Erik Solheim.This message was conveyed by the President when he met with the Co-Chairs on Monday at Temple Trees.The President told Norway’s Ambassador Hans Brattskar to tell Solheim to speak with Pirapaharan and get a commitment on the cessation of all hostilities and the recommencement of talks.He said the government was ready to reciprocate if there is a positive response from the LTTE.

The President also said he was making a commitment to start talks as Head of State and a similar assurance must be given by the LTTE Leader, Pirapaharan, and not any other member of the organisation.Ambassador Brattskar left for Oslo Monday night for consultations with Solheim, Special envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer and the Norwegian Foreign Ministry on the latest developments in Sri Lanka.President Rajapakse also told the co-chairs at the meeting the government was only taking defensive action and had not launched a single offensive operation.I am giving a commitment to cease all hostilities and resume talks. You should get an equal commitment from Pirapaharan. We can then start talks, the President had said.

The Church in Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka has appealed for immediate action to discover what happened to a Catholic priest who disappeared on 20 August. The priests and people of Jaffna are shocked and seriously concerned about the fate of 34-year-old Fr Jim Brown, who was last seen by a fellow priest at the Allaipiddy military checkpoint. Fr Jim was going to Allaipiddy, his new parish, accompanied by Mr Vimalathas, a father of five. They never returned and efforts to track them down have so far proved useless. Fr Jim went missing barely a week after more than 20 people were killed in Allaipiddy in crossfire between the security forces and Tamil Tiger troops. The violence was part of fierce fighting across Jaffna peninsula that has now started to die down.

The church-run Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in Jaffna yesterday issued an appeal for swift action: “It is our cry to the international community to pressurize the government to attend to this burning issue immediately. Act in time and save these innocent victims.”Unexplained disappearances are bound to cause concern in Sri Lanka, which has one of the highest rates in the world of unsolved cases of people who have gone missing. So far, requests for information to the authorities have yielded nothing: “The Bishop of Jaffna and the Human Rights Commission have contacted the Navy Commanders of the North. To our shock, they washed their hands, saying they do not know anything about the incident.” Sedec, the national Caritas, has informed the president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse, about the disappearance of the two men and awaits a reply.

Ordained in 2003, Fr Jim was appointed parish priest of Allaipiddy a few weeks ago. His parish church of St Philip Neri came under fire when the Navy and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) clashed at Allaipiddy on 12 August. Many civilians were killed as they sought shelter in the church. After this, Fr Jim took his parishioners – about 800 – to shelter in St Mary’s Church in neighbouring Kayts, literally begging the Navy troops on his knees to be allowed to go there. Shortly afterwards, he was scolded by the Navy commanding officer of Allaipiddy during a meeting. “The officer shouted at Fr Jim, saying he had helped the LTTE to dig bunkers,” said the director of the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation. “Jim told me they had dug bunkers to take shelter from the shelling of the church premises.” In fact, Fr Jim survived by jumping into a trench.

On 20 August, at around half past noon, Fr Jim left Kayts on his motorbike with Vimalathas to say Mass in Mandaithevu, where displaced people had sought shelter in a Hindu temple. But navy troops at Mandaithevu did not allow him to say Mass so he left. He met another priest on the road, Fr Peter Thurairatnam, the last man to see him. The priests rode abreast to the Allaipiddy checkpoint and parted ways there. When they did not return to Jaffna or Kayts, a priest went to the checkpoint to ask about them and was reportedly told the two men had left Allaipiddy.

Their black gowns flapping in the traffic, scores of Indian lawyers form a "human chain" around the red-brick court building while other protesters burn Sri Lankan flags or stage symbolic fasts. "Don't kill innocents," reads one banner held by a middle-aged woman in a lawyer's black waistcoat. "Sinhala government, racist government," she chants. The escalating conflict in Sri Lanka between the Buddhist Sinhala majority and the Hindu Tamil minority has prompted daily protests in the southern Indian city of Chennai for the past two weeks, with ethnic Indian Tamils coming out in support of their "brethren" across the seas.

The focus of their anger -- allegations that the Sri Lankan government bombed an orphanage in the rebel-held north of the country earlier this month, killing 61 Tamil schoolgirls. The outrage is fuelled by a sense that their own government is siding with the Sri Lankan authorities against the Tamils. "The government of India should take steps to bring peace to Sri Lanka," said Paul Kanakaraj, president of the High Court Advocates Association in Chennai. "It is talking to the government of Sri Lanka but the voice of the Tamilian people should also be heard." But if Indian Tamils expect their government to get involved on behalf of Tamils living across the narrow Gulf of Mannar, they will be disappointed, analysts say.

For India, it is a case of once bitten, twice shy. And India was very badly bitten when it last tried to stick its nose into Sri Lanka's bitter ethnic conflict. After arming and training Tamil militant groups in the 1980's, New Delhi tried to turn peacemaker and sent thousands of peacekeeping troops across the waters in 1987. The force found itself dragged directly into the conflict when they tried to disarm the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and about 1,200 Indian troops were killed. The troops withdrew in 1990.

In 1991, a Tiger suicide bomber killed India's Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at an election rally outside Chennai. Those scars still run deep in India, especially in a government dominated by Gandhi's Italian-born widow Sonia. "I don't think India has either the stomach or the wherewithal to make any assertive contribution to what is happening in Sri Lanka," said Uday Bhaskar of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. "But it will be concerned." India will never again send troops to Sri Lanka, analysts say. Diplomatically, it even plays down an offer to help Colombo draw up a plan for the devolution of power between the Sinhalas and the Tamils.

"What we have basically done is given them documents and copies of some Indian laws that prescribe how power should be shared between the states and the centre," said one foreign ministry official. "It is for them to decide what they want to pick from our experience and decide on their own model," he said. "We are not advising them on what they should do or not do." That doesn't please the extreme fringes of India's 60-million Tamil community. One leader thundered this week that the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu could turn into another "Kashmir" and professed open support for the Tigers.

But his words simply fail to resonate with most Indian Tamils as support for the LTTE disintegrated after Gandhi's assassination and they were banned as a terrorist group in 1992. Even a change of government in Tamil Nadu this year, which brought to power a party seen as more sympathetic to Sri Lankan Tamil militancy, is not expected to move the masses. "The people of Tamil Nadu were very much with the LTTE in the 1980s, but after Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, their fate here was sealed," said Chennai political analyst Cho Ramaswamy.

LTTE: No link with US detainees

The Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka have denied that they tried to buy arms from US dealers.LTTE military spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan said that the organisation had ‘nothing to do’ with the men arrested in the US on charges of consiring to buy missiles.“We don’t know who they are,” Ilanthirayan told BBC Sandeshaya.Police in the United States said they have arrested a number of people on suspicion of conspiring to buy arms for Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels.

The men are accused of conspiring to buy surface-to-air missiles and assault rifles for the rebels. Some of the arrested are also accused of seeking to bribe US officials to have the rebel movement removed from the US list of terrorist organisations. The police said the arrests were made in sting operations across the US. Permanent Representative for Sri Lanka in the UN, Prasad Kariyawasam, told bbcsinhala.com that the men had tried to buy missiles worth of US$ one million.

“They have also admitted having bank accounts in Swiss banks and other countries,” he said.Kariyawasam said the men will have to serve 10-15 years imprisonment if found guilty.But Ilanthirayan said the ‘biggest supplier’ of arms for the LTTE is Sri Lanka military.The charges also include using charities sympathetic to the rebels as a front for money-laundering and fund-raising. In a detailed report, Human Rights Watch earlier accused the LTTE supporters of forcefully collecting money from Tamil diaspora mainly in Canada and UK for the Tigers.

The four young Canadian men arrested on suspicion of conspiring to buy weapons on behalf of the Tamil Tigers told security officials they were going to a bachelor party in Buffalo, N.Y. when they arrived at the U.S. border last week.One of the men then took a taxi home after he was turned away because of his criminal record.The four men were in fact planning to buy $900,000 US worth of weaponry from arms dealers in New York City, according to a U.S. indictment unsealed in New York.Their alleged plan was to expedite the weapons to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam -- commonly known as the Tamil Tigers -- who have been waging a battle for a separate homeland for two decades.

However, the arms dealers they were dealing with were actually under-cover agents working for the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. The suspects, most of them professionals in their mid-20s, walked into a major sting operation that began more than a year ago and spanned ten countries, including Canada.Three of the men were arrested in New York on Friday, while the fourth was arrested at his family home in Kitchener, Ont., on Monday."The cooperation of law enforcement agencies around the world was vital and our work with the RCMP was especially important," FBI special agent Leslie Wiser told CTV's Canada AM Wednesday."We believe these individuals are very important players in the Tamil Tigers. By arresting them, we think we've had a significant effect on their ability to raise funds."

Canadians Suresh Sriskandarajah, Sathajhan Sarachandran, Sahilal Sabaratnam, and Thiruthanikan Thanigasalam face charges of conspiring to buy weapons to help the Tamil Tigers in their escalating conflict in Sri Lanka.American authorities allege Sarachandran, Sabaratnam, and Thanigasalam travelled to New York from Canada to try to buy missiles, launchers and AK-47s.The fourth man, Suresh Sriskandarajah, 26, was arrested in Canada on a provisional warrant and will likely face an extradition hearing, said RCMP Sgt. Michele Paradis.The former University of Waterloo engineering student is charged with conspiring to provide material support and resources to the Tamil Tigers. Police would only say the arrest took place in southern Ontario, although Sriskandarajah appeared Tuesday in a court in Kitchener, Ont., where he's scheduled to appear again Friday.Nick Devlin, a lawyer with the federal Justice Department, confirmed Sriskandarajah was arrested without incident on Monday.

However, Devlin added that he couldn't comment further because of a publication ban on the details of the allegations."There's certainly a summary of the allegations in what we've already put before the judge and that's what can't be printed at the moment,'' said Devlin.He said the U.S. would now be expected to make a formal request for extradition, "which would include a summary of all the evidence'' against Sriskandarajah.David Poopalapillai of the Canadian Tamil Congress, said the arrests had "shocked the entire community." In a statement released Tuesday, Poopalapillai said the allegations "do not serve the community well and are counterintuitive to the Tamil Canadian thought process. ""We are extremely concerned about this issue and are closely monitoring the situation," he added.

In a related sting, the FBI also arrested five American Tamils this week on suspicion of trying to bribe U.S. State Department officials into lifting the terrorist ban on the Tamil Tigers. The charges against the men also include fundraising and money laundering through "front" charitable organizations and U.S. bank accounts.In addition to weapons and fundraising charges, complaints unsealed in U.S District Court in Brooklyn allege the men tried to obtain classified information and bribe U.S. public officials to remove the group's terrorist designation.Six of the nine Canadians and Americans charged appeared in court Monday and were ordered held without bail.As many as 65,000 people have been killed in the Tamil Tigers' two-decade war with the Sri Lankan government.A ceasefire was brokered in 2002 to end the bloodshed, but both sides have since returned to fighting, with some of the fiercest violence occurring this year.The Tamil Tigers are considered a terrorist organization by Canada and the United States.Canada added the Tamil Tigers to its official list of terrorist organizations in April. The U.S. added the group to its own list in 1997.

Responding to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse’s call for the LTTE to declare its commitment to the ceasefire, the head of the LTTE’s Political Wing, Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan said that it was the Colombo government which launched a major military offensive in Trincomalee against the Tigers and thereby triggered defensive measures by the Tigers resulting in an escalation of hostilities. "The Norwegian facilitators and the SLMM monitors are witness to the fact that Colombo deliberately chose to launch an offensive in Maavilaru despite the civil dispute being resolved peacefully," Mr. Thamilchelvan said.

"The Sri Lankan military has a long-term hidden agenda which underpinned its decision to launch a large-scale offensive with massive firepower into our territory in Muthur East," Mr. Thamilchelvan charged.“This was evidenced in repeated airstrikes on the region for some considerable time, even before the water dispute emerged,” he added."Furthermore, although the Sri Lankan government claimed the purpose of the offensive was to restore the flow of water, the Sri Lankan military continued its offensive even after the gates were opened," he said."These actions clearly proved that Colombo had wider objectives behind its military offensive."

"And when the Sri Lankan military escalated their offensive from their Trincomalee naval base, we were forced to respond towards their launchpads for artillery fire and troop movement towards the frontline," Mr. Thamilchelvan said.Thamilchelvan also accused Colombo of escalating its military offensive and attacking the LTTE in the Batticaloa and Jaffna districts."In Jaffna, heavy weapons and troop movements were observed in Eluthumadduval, Kilali, Nagarkovil and Muhamali areas throughout the day on August 11. The movement of civilian traffic was restricted to assist the Sri Lankan military buildup."

"Finally, at 5:40 p.m. that day, the Sri Lanka Army launched a major offensive towards our area across the Northern defence lines, in another major breach of the ceasefire.""However, our fighting forces, well aware of the impending Sri Lankan offensive, were prepared to face the confrontation and defeated it," LTTE political head said.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that action has been taken to evacuate hundreds of foreign nationals trapped in Sri Lanka's war-torn Jaffna peninsula. Head of the ICRC office in Trincomalee Yvonne Dunton said, “We are still putting together the passenger list, but the maximum number should be about 150.” Meanwhile, a news agency quoting the Canadian High Commission said it has 76 Canadian nationals who are to be evacuated from Jaffna, while the British Embassy said there were 89 people on its books, including dependents. The Sri Lankan Ministry of Disaster Management also said it is working with the ICRC to evacuate 300 foreign passport holders in Jaffna.

North Sri Lanka Journalists Association (NSLJA) on Tuesday appealed to the international community for taking steps to stop the attacks on media persons, media workers and media institutions in Jaffna Peninsula. In a press release the NSLJA said: "We deplore the pathetic situation prevailing in Jaffna from 11th, where attacks on media persons and media institutions have resumed. Earlier, a delivery agent from Uthayan daily was shot dead and a store belonging to a newspaper in Nallur was burnt down”.

It further said : "Yesterday night, the Managing Director of Namathu Eelanadu, Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah was shot dead. We have no responses so far from the government, even though we have already informed the uncertain situation in the District citing the shooting attack in the Uthayan Daily office, the continuing killings of newspaper delivery agents, arrests of journalists and intimidations”.

It urged the international community to force the relevant authorities to implement the following:

1. The attacks on media persons and media workers should be stopped forthwith.
2. The attacks on media institutions should be stopped forthwith.
3. Security should be provided to the newspaper delivery agents to ensure that all the dailies published in Jaffna be delivered in all parts of Jaffna District."

In letter released on 23 August 2006, LTTE Leader, V Pirapaharan, bestowed the supreme title of Mamaithar to the 68 year old slain Tamil community leader Sinnathamby Sivamaharasa. In the letter, Pirapaharan praised Sivamaharasa for his tireless work for the Tamil community and his work for the freedom of his people. He particularly mentioned that Sivamaharasa worked bravely from Jaffna which was under the brutal occupation of the Sinhala military.Sivamaharasa was shot dead at his home on 21 August at 7.20 pm by Sri Lankan military intelligence personnel.

LTTE held areas are severely affected by the shortage of fuel and medicine and as for food the LTTE has given the green light to the ICRC to facilitate the distribution of the government sponsored 3,800 metric tons of food items, expected to arrive in the North on Friday, Tiger spokesman Daya Master said.He said that distribution of food items in Kilinochchi would be handled by the Divisional Secretary and the LTTE would not interfere in the distribution process.On the present skirmishes between the security forces and the LTTE, Daya Master said his organization had not entered into a full scale war as the ceasefire still holds. "If the government is getting down arms from foreign countries to engage its forces in the present battles, that means they are not for a political settlement" he said.Asked from where the LTTE is getting weapons to engage the security forces, he said that they were arms obtained from the security forces after victories over them. "Some of our weapons are obtained from international arms dealers operating illegally and that is a big business and happens everywhere in the world," he said.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	103.35		104.35
Sterling Pound	194.57		197.43
Euro	131.71		133.97
Swiss Franc	83.25		84.86
Australian Dollar	78.36		80.10
Singapore Dollar	65.39		66.59
Japanese Yen	0.8835		0.9015
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	275.74
Kuwait	Dinar	359.47
Oman	Rial	270.01
Qatar	Riyal	28.55
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	27.72
UAE	Dirham	28.30

Kfir jets of Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) dropped several bombs in and around the Pallai town in southern Jaffna throughout Tuesday, civilian sources said. The bombardments intermittently continued till afternoon that began at around 11am on the day. Details about the casualty could not be known.” After the air force bombing, fighting broke out between the government and the LTTE. The army was called in to assist the air force .Unconfirmed reports said that the Tiger gun position at west of Pallai had been destroyed. The Tigers have been using the gun positions to fire artillery at the Pallaly air base, disrupting air traffic.

Military Spokesperson, Brigadier Prasad Samarasingha, confirming the attack said that firing had continued in Palai for many days and security forces had now begun firing towards Muhamalai. "Fighting has continued for several days and the security forces have been successful," Brigadier Samarasingha said. Meanwhile curfew in Jaffna was further relaxed from 12 noon to 5 p.m. yesterday the army said.

Police acting on a tip discovered a powerful bomb planted on a bicycle in a busy shopping district in the Sri Lankan capital on Tuesday, an official said. The explosive was concealed among cabbages and other vegetables in a box on the back of a bike in the eastern Colombo neighborhood of Berolla, Police Chief Inspector Percy Perera told The Associated Press. Police and army cordoned off the area and people were evacuated from nearby homes, shops and offices while the bomb squad defused the explosive. The officer who found the device, Constable Ranasinghe, told The Associated Press at the scene that a grocery store owner noticed the abandoned bicycle and alerted police. The constable declined to give his first name. Police also found a remote-control device a distance away from the bomb, said a duty officer at the national security media center. The bomb was planted on a road often used by politicians, and its target may have been a high-profile official, the center said.

Swiss Thamils urge Switzerland government to ban Sri Lanka, mediate peace talks between GoSL and LTTE

Swiss Thamils concluded the ‘death won’t deter us’ which began on July 24 with daily events throughout Switzerland and concluded Monday (August 21) with thousands of participants in front of the Swiss parliament with the demand to Swiss government to ban Sri Lankan government and act as a leader in mediating peace talks between Sri Lankan government and the LTTE.TELO Leader and TNA parliamentarians Selvam Adaikalanathan (Vanni MP) and S Jayananthamoorthy (Batticaloa MP) also spoke at the protest meet.Switzerland parliamentarians and representatives of some NGOs also spoke at the protest event.

Mr. Selvam Adaikalanathan said that the freedom struggle led by the LTTE will be taking forward successfully by destroying all the hurdles and the bans imposed by the European Union, Britain, Canada, India and the US.He said all the Thamils living in the Northeastern part of Sri Lanka are united under the leadership of LTTE’s leader Pirapaharan.Mr. Jayananthamoorthy told the protesters that no one should disappoint by hearing some false and malicious propaganda of some sinister elements.He said Thamil Eelam will come into being after defeating the enemies in the battleground.At the end of the protest a memorandum was submitted to the Swiss government. The memorandum urges the Switzerland government to:

(a) recognize Thamils as a nation, self-determination
(b) recognize the LTTE as a the sole representative of Thamils
(c) condemn the Sri Lankan government for unleashing state terrorism against Thamils
(d) stop the Sri Lankan government from ethnic cleansing
(e) ban Sri Lanka for terrorizing Thamils in the island
(f) help bring an end to the plights of displaced people and make sure no one harmed by Sri Lankan armed forces.

Tamil Eelam, a separate nation for Tamils, "is the only solution to the Sri Lankan Tamils issue", MDMK chief Vaiko has said. Addressing a public meeting here last night, Vaiko flayed the Centre for advocating a solution within the framework of a united Sri Lanka and said only the Tamils of the island nation had the right to decide their destiny. "The Sri Lankan Tamils will decide for themselves. The final battle for Tamil Eelam is on and LTTE is capable of winning a separate nation for Tamils on their own. We want the LTTE to win and they will be victorious", he said.

Vaiko said 22 of the 23 Tamil MPs in the island, belonging to the Tamil Nationalist Federation, were backing a separate homeland for Tamils and the self-determination rights of Sri Lanka's Tamils should be respected. He recalled that the Vattukottai resolution, which called for a separate Tamil Eelam, had the overwhelming support of Sri Lankan Tamils during the general election held in the island before the 1983 anti-Tamil riots.

"Tamils should have the same rights as Sinhalese. If Sinhalese can have a separate nation in the island, why not the Tamils, who were the orginal habitants of Sri Lanka before Sinhalese settled there," he asked. Vaiko said any assistance to Sri Lanka would create another Kashmir-like situation if angry Tamil youths took over the political leadership in Tamil Nadu, making democratic leaders like himself irrelevant.

Unidentified men shot dead three persons in separate incidents in Trincomalee on Tuesday. The body of a Thamil youth, abducted one day back, was recovered on Tuesday morning from Sampaltivu with gun shot injuries. His identity could not be known. Another Thamil civilian, driver of auto-rickshaw, was shot dead by unidentified men at 2 p.m. at Murugapuri, a suburb in Uppuveli police division, on Tuesday. He was identified as one Balachchandran. Police said a body of one unidentified man was recovered in Iqbalnagar in Kuchchaveli police division.

A Tamil Tiger camp in Vadamunai in Batticoloa district was destroyed this morning by Karuna Group.According to reports reaching Colombo five of the Tiger cadres were killed and three arrested. TMVP sources said that their cadres surrounded LTTE's Vadamunai camp and a launched a fierce attack at 6.10 a.m.A spokesman for the Karuna Group said that their men have returned to their base unhurt after demolishing the LTTE camp.

Eight men have been charged with plotting to buy surface-to-air missiles for Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels, U.S. federal prosecutors have announced.The men also are accused of plotting to bribe U.S. State Department officials into removing the Tamil Tiger group from a list of terrorist organizations and of trying to obtain classified information.All eight are charged with conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, according to the U.S. Attorney's office in New York. Prosecutors said the men were "closely connected" to the Tamil Tiger leadership, but disclosed little else about the suspects.

According to prosecutors, the men conspired to buy surface-to-air missiles from a black-market source in the United States. They also sought to have the group -- formally known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam -- removed from the U.S. list of terrorist organizations and obtain classified intelligence by bribing State Department officials."As charged for more than 15 years, the LTTE has waged a war of terror, assassinations, and suicide bombings in Sri Lanka and elsewhere," Roslyn Mauskopf, the U.S. attorney in Brooklyn, said in a statement announcing the charges. "We refuse to allow the LTTE and its supporters to use the United States as a source of supply for weapons, technology, and financial resources."

The group was made up of Canadian and Sri Lankan nationals, and only one was living in the United States, said Bob Nardoza, a spokesman for Mauskopf's office. The investigation was still going on, and more arrests were expected, Nardoza said.The Tamil Tigers have fought for a separate homeland for Sri Lanka's ethnic Tamil minority for decades in a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people. The group was behind the 1993 assassination of Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa and the 1991 killing of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The State Department added the Tamil Tigers to its list of international terrorist organizations in 1997, barring it from raising money, obtaining weaponry or lobbying for support in the United States.The defendants -- Sathajhan Sarachandran, Sahilal Sabaratnam, Thiruthanikan Thanigasalm, Nadarasa Yograrasa, Murugesu Vinayagamoorthy, Nachimuthu Socrates, Vijayshanthar Patpanathan, and Thirukumaran Sivasubramaniam -- were being held without bail and had initial appearances before a federal judge in Brooklyn on Monday, Nardoza said.

Prosecutors said Vinayagamoorthy and Socrates met an informant and two people posing as State Department officials numerous times beginning in 2004, offering them $1 million in advance to get the LTTE off the terrorism list and to provide U.S. secrets to the group. The plan was later shelved, according to court papers.Reached at his home in Simsbury, Connecticut, Nachimuthu Socrates' son, Aristotle Socrates, told CNN that the charges were "absurd," that his father was innocent and that he would be contesting the charges.Socrates said his father was a businessman who had lived in Simsbury for 24 years."They've made a gross miscalculation," he said.

Three of the defendants traveled to New York from Canada last week in an attempt to purchase hand-held anti-aircraft missiles from an undercover FBI agent, prosecutors said. Those three, and a fourth defendant, were arrested on Long Island last week, prosecutors said.Attempts to reach any of the defendants or their attorneys were unsuccessful.According to court papers, the defendants wanted the missiles to bring down Sri Lankan government warplanes.Prosecutors allege the defendants also used several U.S. e-mail accounts to make inquiries about buying weapons; unmanned aerial vehicles; submarine design software; flight lessons; and radio and satellite-navigation equipment.

A man alleged to be an informant of the Sri Lanka Army was shot dead at Kilavi Thoddam in Karaveddy, around 5 p.m., Tuesday. He was identified as Perumal Chandrakumar,44. Separately, a vegetable vendor was shot dead while he was on his way to Chunnakam public market, around 8 a.m., soon after after the curfew was lifted. Kandiah Ganeshalingam, 34, was shot dead by assailants came in a car. The body was lying along the road between Chunnakam and Urumpirai for several hours without being taken to hospital, eye witnesses said.

Chairman of Lankan devolution panel quits

The controversial legal expert, HL de Silva, has quit the post of Chairman of the high level Experts' Committee on devolution of power, appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to solve the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka.De Silva told Hindustan Times that he quit as Chairman on Monday in view of the fact that he was involved in a litigation, which created a conflict of interest.He is the chief counsel for a group of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leaders who had filed a case in the Supreme Court against the merger of the Northern and Eastern Provinces to form a single, Tamil-dominated North Eastern Province.

The merger or de-merger of the North and East is an emotive political and legal issue in Sri Lanka, which impinges on the question of devolving power to the Tamil minority.De Silva, will however, remain a member of the Experts' Committee.The new chairman of the Committee is MDD Peries, the veteran administrator and a non-controversial person.But De Silva's exit has not watered down the strength of the Sinhala nationalists in the committee.Lawyer Manohara de Silva, associated with the Sinhala-nationalist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), has been inducted into the committee.He has migrated from the All Party Representative Committee on devolution, which President Rajapaksa had set up to go into the political dimensions of devolution.

Relief ship sets sail for Jaffna

An aid ship carrying emergency supplies to people trapped by fighting in Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka has left the capital, Colombo. The entire Jaffna peninsula has been cut off for more than a week following renewed hostilities between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels. A month of clashes in the country has displaced tens of thousands of people. Earlier on Tuesday, the bomb squad said it had defused explosives strapped to a pushbike in the capital.

The BBC's Dumeetha Luthra in Colombo says it has taken days to negotiate safe passage for the cargo ship carrying emergency supplies to Jaffna. The vessel is sailing under the Red Cross flag and is expected to take almost three days to get to the peninsula. Supplies in Jaffna are running low and thousands of people have fled to churches seeking refuge. One eyewitness, Dharmamurthi Mauran, who escaped from Jaffna described a severe shortage of essential food items in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi. "They sell very little amounts of sugar and flour. Prices have gone up by at least three times. There is also a fuel shortage," he told the BBC's Tamil service.

"Parents are finding it difficult to find milk or food for their children. People are suffering." The government and Tamil Tiger rebels are still exchanging fire on two other fronts in the north-east of the island, Trincomalee and Batticaloa. The curfew imposed when the hostilities began in the north is slowly being lifted. Meanwhile in Colombo, police conducting a random spot check found what they said was an explosive device in the central market. There have been two bombings in the capital in the past two weeks. The Tigers are the key suspects. The international community has called on both sides to stop the violence, but it shows no signs of abating.

Retired major general of the Swedish Army, Ulf Henricsson vacates his position as Head of the Nordic truce monitors next week. On September 1, Henricsson’s country, Sweden, joins fellow EU member countries, Denmark and Finland in a pull out from the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, leaving the truce observing group at exactly 50 percent its original strength. Outgoing Head of Mission, Henricsson spoke to The Nation last week on his near miss at the Mavil Aru sluice gate when the military launched an artillery barrage in the area, the prospects for the SLMM’s continuing in Sri Lanka and the frustration of the monitors at the deteriorating security situation.

“I think the parties too often forget that it is not Norway’s conflict, it is Sri Lanka’s conflict and Norway is just here as a facilitator. Just now Norway and even the SLMM has no good ideas any more, because our advice is not being taken or accepted. I think people in Sri Lanka, and the politicians, too often forget that it is not our conflict, it is a Sri Lankan conflict. We have not created it, we are trying to help you solve it”

“I think that the importance of the water was exaggerated a lot. Of course it was bad but it was definitely not 30,000 acres which was in the short term dependent on this water. And the crops could have done definitely much more days without water. So I think there were several days for negotiation without launching an attack.

Q: What has been your previous experience with conflict? How does the Sri Lankan experience compare?

A: I have worked two and a half years in the Balkans before as Battle Group Commander but also as a person responsible for security and confidence building measures. The first position was during the war in 1993-94 and the second appointment at the organisation for security and cooperation Europe from 1999-2001. When I got this position a French colleague said “remember, you’re not going to the Balkans. It is another conflict.” But my experience now is that it is much more similar than different. It’s the same mechanism – human beings fighting. The behaviour is very much alike. The biggest difference is the climate.

Q: What can you say about the Mavil Aru crisis which ignited the present conflict situation?

A: As you know the water was closed by the LTTE. We advised them to reopen it and they said that it was to draw attention to the bad humanitarian situation in Eastern Sampur which I would say is very bad, because I have seen it. I advised them to open the water because attention was achieved. And they didn’t do it immediately and then the government started a military offensive which I think came too fast. I think there were still possibilities to negotiate it. I think also that they did what the LTTE wanted and the government has I can see it, not yet conquered the sluice gate, at least I haven’t seen proof or pictures of it yet. I should be surprised if they had achieved that goal.

A: Some 10 days ago, when I was in Trincomalee trying to monitor the situation in Muttur and we were denied access to the area which I was bad and created a lot of rumours. It would have been much better if we had been able to monitor it. We were refused transportation across the bay to Muttur so we took the road around. We got through the lines and met with Mr. Elilan and Jon Hanssen Baur had negotiated with the LTTE leadership to open the sluice gate. It was all on the same day and it was more or less a coincidence that it happened that way. We were on our way to open the gate and we had informed the government at least at two levels, and got confirmation from them. They knew where I was. When we closed into the dam, I think we were about three kilometres from the dam, an artillery barrage was launched. I don’t think we were actually at risk, but the problem here is that the government didn’t know where exactly we were. We were on a ferry and if it had been faster we may have been in trouble. The artillery lasted a long time and there was no idea to proceed to the water gate.

Q: Can you tell us at which two levels the government was informed of your visit to the sluice gate?

A: Yes, the Peace Secretariat definitely knew and the division commander, 222 brigade in Trincomalee. I think if that is not enough for the system then something is wrong with the system. I think there was enough information.

Q: Do you think the government’s firing of artillery was intentional that day? What is the SLMM’s view on the matter?

A: Well I think that the government should have known where we were and then they should not have launched artillery fire.

Q: What about the LTTE’s claims that you had been pushed into an LTTE bunker by Elilan? Was that true?

A: No it was not true. I was standing in a rather small hole in the ground, not a bunker. That was a little dramatised.

Q: What are your views on the water crisis? Could it have been resolved a different way?

A: I think that the importance of the water was exaggerated a lot. Of course it was bad but it was definitely not 30,000 acres which was in the short term dependent on this water. And the crops could have done definitely much more days without water. So I think there were several days for negotiation without launching an attack. And I am definitely rejecting the government’s claim that this was a humanitarian operation, because an operation that causes some hundred deaths and 30,000 refugees is not a humanitarian one. I understand the military reasons for it, but don’t call it a humanitarian operation.

A: Sweden is going to leave the mission because the LTTE is not going to guarantee full security for EU citizens. So it affects the Swedes, the Danes and the Finns as well. That means that the mission will be cut down from 60 to 30 monitors. They will come from Norway and Iceland only. That will happen on September 1. I will also be leaving.

The SLMM will stay here. But reduced by 50 percent. There’s been discussions to bring in other countries into the mission. But in the present situation I doubt that will be possible. Because of the security on the ground. I think with the respect, or rather the lack of respect the parties have shown, I think the country that was thought to be possible is not interested.

A: No. But I think those in tune with the situation would be able to figure out which country it is. It cannot be an EU nation, it can’t be one which has put the LTTE on the terrorist list. Then the country should also be approved by the government.

Q: Have Norway or Iceland shown a willingness to send more monitors to replace the EU citizens that will leave the mission at the end of this month?

A: They will add some, I think, but not upto the full strength. I think Norway is not very happy to getting all the criticism for everything down here. I think the parties too often forget that it is not Norway’s conflict, it is Sri Lanka’s conflict and Norway is just here as a facilitator. Just now Norway and even the SLMM has no good ideas any more, because our advice is not being taken or accepted. I think people in Sri Lanka, and the politicians, too often forget that it is not our conflict, it is a Sri Lankan conflict. We have not created it, we are trying to help you solve it.

Q: With the CFA now largely confined to paper and monitors being recalled from combat areas deemed high risk, has the role of the SLMM become redundant?

A: We are no longer in our previous accommodation in Trinco because there were some shells that came down a few hundred metres from it. And then of course my monitors are not very happy. So they withdrew to a more secure facility. The monitors are not here to be any peace enforcers or a peace keeping force. We are here to monitor a ceasefire and there is no ceasefire. Some of us might be ready to take risks, but they haven’t signed a contract for this and we are not equipped for it. So I cannot force people to take risks. I think that has to be understood. I think that it is different to risk your life for your country or nation than to be far away from home and with a job to help people to keep and comply with the CFA, and then end up in situations where you risk your life. Most people are not comfortable with that situation. We have left our previous accommodation for a safer place, but we are still operating in Trincomalee.

Q: The SLMM visited that site in Mullaitivu that was bombed on Monday (14). Could you tell us what the monitors’ observations were?

A: My monitors up in Kilinochchi visited the area. They saw the premises that was definitely bombed by the Sri Lankan air force. I think we counted 12 bombs which was confirmed. They were mostly fragmentation bombs which explode in the air and spread out a lot of pellets or fragments. They were dropped at premises that have been or is said to be an orphanage although at that time it was not used as such because there were no children there. According to the LTTE, it was used to train young women in first aid. Nobody was left when we came to the site, but obviously people have been killed there. I cannot count the number. I doubt it was 61, as claimed by the LTTE for several reasons.

A: It was a training camp – but for first aid. We found no traces at all for military training or military equipment.

Q: There is a popular notion that the SLMM is quick to pounce on the government but is less harsh with the Tigers’ misdemeanours. Your comments?

A: If you go through our rulings on these matters you will find that we are as quick on the LTTE. The government is rather happy when we punch the LTTE and critical when we punch them. Sometimes the formal ruling takes a long time to get the right indication. We are not ruling a case from comments from just one side and I am not too impressed by the police reports that we get and if you look into all the cases we have ruled on, very few have been put forward for prosecution at all. We will never rule on a one sided view on an issue. So I am punched on both sides, I have big problems. I think if you had an impartial judge, he would say that we are not biased.

Q: Norway and the SLMM has been subject to severe criticism from both parties to the conflict over the last four years. Do you think that this is common to any conflict situation or unique to Sri Lanka?

A: I think it happens in all these kind of conflicts, where you blame someone else instead of looking at yourself. We are prepared for that and I don’t take it personally. I have a rather good cover of Teflon and it is a part of the rule I have and the facilitator has. But then of course there is a limit. A lot of people are very badly informed about the mandate of the SLMM or the facilitator and they criticise us. So we understand that.

Q: Where do you think the situation is headed? Is there any hope as far as you see for a resumption of talks?

A: I think the international community is not very happy with the present situation and is not very impressed with the peace work of either the government or the LTTE. I think they should stop and go back to talks. Because there is no military solution to this conflict. And I can’t understand how so many can believe that. You have tried for 25 years and it hasn’t worked. I think people should learn from history.

Communications between the western zone villages and Batticaloa Town has been affected due to the closure of roads and bridges connecting these villages to the town.In a letter to President Mahinda Rajapakse, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, K. Thangeswari stated that there has been no contact with Pattiruppu, Chenkaladi, Vavunathivu, Kiran and Valyaravu since August 11.She stated that the ferry services to Ambalanthurai and Manmunai has been suspended as well. Thangeswari said that civilians in the villages had no way of coming to Batticaloa."There are many people who come to Batticaloa to sell their produce including paddy. Now they are affected due to the closure of the roads and bridges," she said.She said that three water bowsers, which were sent to refugees in Vaharai were sent back by the security forces."We have complained to many authorities but they have fallen on deaf ears," she said.

Thai authorities have arrested three Sri Lankans who were procuring arms for the LTTE. They were arrested while trying to ship a quantity of arms and ammunition to Mullaitivu, Thai authorities have informed Sri Lanka.On a request by Sri Lanka Police, Thailand has agreed to extradite the suspects to Colombo. The three have been identified as Asirvatham Sathyapavan of Jaffna, Thevarajah Sashiharan of Nedunkerny and U. G. Gunapala.The arms include a variety of pistols and 45,000 rounds of ammunition.The three suspects were recently released from prison after serving a three year term. The suspect U. G. Gunapala’s passport has been recommended by a local politician, inquiries revealed. Thai authorities said the suspects were involved in arms smuggling for a very long period.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	103.40		104.54
Sterling Pound	195.04		198.18
Euro	132.52		134.98
Swiss Franc	83.83		85.62
Australian Dollar	78.26		80.13
Singapore Dollar	65.42		66.78
Japanese Yen	0.8859		0.9054
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	275.88
Kuwait	Dinar	359.62
Oman	Rial	270.16
Qatar	Riyal	28.57
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	27.73
UAE	Dirham	28.32

Sri Lanka's key financial backers held talks with President Mahinda Rajapakse to try to salvage the island's collapsing ceasefire, officials said. Diplomats from the United States, the European Union, Norway and Japan met Rajapakse at his official residence to discuss the worsening security situation in the island's embattled northeast, officials said on Monday."The discussions focused on the peace process and the current security situation in Jaffna and elsewhere in the northeast," an official in Rajapakse's office said.Details of the talks were not immediately known but officials said the diplomats expressed growing concern at the violence between troops and Tamil Tiger rebels which has claimed over 1,500 lives since December.

Nordic truce monitors have said the Norwegian-arranged 2002 truce now exists on paper only. The two sides have traded artillery fire across a de facto front line in the northern peninsula of Jaffna for the past 10 days.The backers have been pressing for an immediate halt to the bloodshed and a resumption of talks which were put on hold in April 2003 by the Tiger guerrillas.More than 60,000 people have been killed in Sri Lanka's Tamil separatist conflict in the past three decades.

The SLMM announced that it was temporarily withdrawing from the troubled North-East of Sri Lanka and re-locating in the capital city of Colombo in view of the lack of security for its personnel in the North East.The current SLMM chief Ulf Henricsson has been complaining that neither the Sri Lankan government nor the LTTE is ensuring the security of the monitors.With the withdrawal of 39 monitors from Denmark, Sweden and Finland, (because they were from EU countries), Norway and Iceland have agreed to increase their personnel in the mission.When this happens, the SLMM will have 30 monitors, but still 27 short of the original strength.

The former Norwegian Army chief, Major General Lars Johan Sølvberg, is going to be head of Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission (SLMM), international ceasefire monitors in Sri Lanka, according to diplomatic sources.Incumbent SLMM head Swedish Maj. Gen. Ulf Henricsson will hand over the charge to Maj. Gen. Sølvberg at the end of this month.Maj. Gen. Sølvberg, 54, retired from the post of Chief of Staff of the Norwegian Army in 2005. He is credited with a key role in the Army transformation process over the past decade. He has commanded an infantry brigade, a mechanised infantry brigade, a tank squadran as well as holding of staff positions at all levels.

With the opening of the Omanthai exit-entry point by the LTTE, over 500 Tamil nationals from Kilinochchi entered government controlled areas along the A-9 highway. Among them were nearly 100 foreign and local international NGO workers trapped in the LTE held areas. The ICRC has acted as the mediator between the government and the LTTE to bring them to the government held areas. They crossed the Omanthai checkpoint on the A-9 highway when it was opened for several hours around 2.30 this afternoon. Meanwhile the Media Centre for the National Security said 174 crossed to Kilinochchi.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said on Monday that his government would "seriously consider" cessation of hostilities if the LTTE's chief Velupillai Prabhakaran came up with "an explicit commitment to a comprehensive and verifiable" proposal for a ceasefire.The President told the representatives of the Co-Chairs of the Tokyo donors' conference who are the accredited "international community' in the Sri Lankan peace process, that Prabhakaran would also have to guarantee that the Sampur area (across the Koddiyar Bay in Trincomalee district) would not be a threat to the Trincomalee harbour and naval base.

" The Government will seriously consider any initiative incorporating a clear and explicit commitment to a comprehensive and verifiable cessation of hostilities to be made by the LTTE leader Prabhakaran.""Such a cessation of hostilities should include explicit modalities of ensuring that Sampur area does not pose a military threat to the Trincomalee harbour and its environs emanating from the LTTE military presence in that area in violation of the ceasefire agreement," a release from the Presidential Secretariat said.

Former Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) parliamentarian Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah was shot dead last night at his residence in Tellippalai, Jaffna. Sixty-eight-year-old Sivamaharajah was a senior member of Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), the main constituent party of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and contested the last two general elections on the TNA ticket to represent the Jaffna district, but he was unable to win. He was also the managing director of the local Jaffna newspaper, ‘Namathu Eelanadu’. Sivamaharajah is from Kollankaladdy, Tellippalai. He has also served as the President of the Consortium of Valikamam North Public Organizations.Tellippalai is located 14 km northeast of Jaffna town..

The Tamil trader who was gunned down by unidentified gunmen yesterday in Trincomalee was the brother of the area's Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Special Commander, Sornam, said the Trincomalee police. Unidentified men shot dead Vasthiampillai Arul, 40, on Sunday morning in the Grand Bazaar area of Trincomalee town. He was running a video centre at Court Road in Trincomalee when he was killed.

About 150 persons, including a few students, observed a one-day fast in Tamil Nadu yesterday, to condemn the recent air strike in Mullaithivu in Sri Lanka which killed 61 girls.The protesters, including students from the Government Law College and various other colleges, activists from PUCL and Periyar Dravida Kazhakam, sat in a specially erected pandal in front of Tamil Nadu Hotel near Central Bus stand.Addressing the protestors, leaders of the organisations condemned the incident, police said.

Refugees wishing to return home are to benefit from the restoration of the ferry service commenced between Trincomalee and Muthur, Sunday.Two services from the landing points at each end will be made available every day.The service was disrupted after the commencement of the clashes between the govt. forces and the LTTE took place recently.People who fled Trincomalee, Kantalai, Kinniya and Tambalagamam will benefit from the resumption of the ferry service. They were reluctant to use the land transport facilities as they were dangerous.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	103.40		104.54
Sterling Pound	194.58		197.71
Euro	132.66		135.12
Swiss Franc	83.78		85.57
Australian Dollar	78.09		79.86
Singapore Dollar	65.51		66.87
Japanese Yen	0.8893		0.9088
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	275.89
Kuwait	Dinar	359.70
Oman	Rial	270.17
Qatar	Riyal	28.57
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	27.73
UAE	Dirham	28.32

With bloody conflict raging in Sri Lanka between the government forces and the LTTE, India has pitched in to help by offering a political formula to resolve the crisis. India has offered a devolution formula, based on the Sarkaria Commission's recommendations, which could take care of the interests and aspirations of all sections of the society of the island nation, official sources said. New Delhi has suggested that Sri Lanka look at the Indian model of governance, where there is a clear-cut distribution of power between the Centre and the states, they said. In this context, a copy of the Sarkaria Commission report, which has an elaborate definition of devolution of powers, has been given to the Sri Lankan government.

New Delhi has also conveyed its readiness to provide constitutional experts to help Colombo reframe the national Constitution. Other kinds of political help is also on offer. The offer comes in the midst of increasing demands here that India should do something to help end the two-decade-old conflict in Sri Lanka, which is again becoming bloody after a brief lull. India has suggested to the Sri Lankan government that a larger political vision needs to be clearly spelt out by it to help various sections of the society to firm up their positions.

LTTE attacks on the Muhamali forward defence lines yesterday were successfully repulsed and bodies of 88 LTTE cadres killed in heavy fighting were recovered and 6 troops were also killed, the Media Centre for National Security said.Two LTTE artillery positions at Pooneryn directing fire at the Palali base were attacked Air force Kfir fighter jets destroying tow artillery guns, the Centre also said adding that the LTTE attacked the Vavunathivu Army camp using mortar and small arms fire and the troops responded by launching multi barrel rocket fire.

According to the Media Centre the security force death toll since fighting erupted ten days ago was 131 while another 170 had been injured, however the LTTE put the security force death toll in fighting over the last three days alone at 485 and admitted that 88 of their cadres too perished. The organisation said that 6 civilians too had been killed in the fighting.

A senior Norwegian diplomat yesterday questioned the European Union's decision, taken last May, to classify the LTTE as terrorists.Jon Hanssen Bauer told the BBC that the move had damaged the chances of renewed talks, aimed at ending the recent upsurge in violence.He said the EU ban had only served to harden the Tigers' position. The group is now insisting that all peace monitors from EU countries must leave Sri Lanka. “We see now that the Sri Lankan monitoring mission will be reduced to half its original capacity in a situation where it's badly needed, and where the work has been more demanding than ever. I would have hoped that the situation would have been different,” Hanssen Bauer told the BBC.

He said such reduced numbers were clearly insufficient.The non-EU members of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) have meanwhile decided to increase the number of monitors from their countries as members from Sweden, Denmark and Finland are leaving soon.SLMM spokesman Thorfinnur Omarsson told BBC Sandeshaya that members from three EU countries would leave by 31 August due to the demands of the Tamil Tigers after the EU ban

Chartered ship flying Red Cross flag to deliver supplies to Jaffna

A chartered Indian ship flying the flag of the International Red Cross will this week take emergency supplies to the Jaffna peninsula, Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said on Saturday."I’ve arranged with the ICRC for the 3,800 mt, freighter to fly the Red Cross flag with the necessary guarantees given," Samrasinghe said. ``It is loading now and will sail on Monday or Tuesday."The guarantees would ensure that there will be no military supplies carried on board the vessel.He said that the Jaffna GA has informed him that there were sufficient food supplies for a week to 10 days in the peninsula so that there was time to replenish stocks. These supplies which are intended for the civilian population will include essential dry rations like rice, sugar, dhall and canned fish.Samarasinghe said that he is in contact with the ICRC and the navy about arrangements to evacuate foreigners who are sick or injured in Jaffna.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa along with a group of SLFP frontliners, met Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) members last Friday at Temple Trees, in a bid to woo them into government ranks. The President also had a round of talks on the matter with CWC Leader Arumugam Thondaman while he was in Kandy for the Perahera. With the JVP’s 20-point demand to the SLFP, kept in abeyance and a date for a meeting between the two parties yet to be fixed, the President rushed to finalise a deal with the CWC, to garner the much needed numbers in Parliament. The Rajapaksa government is short of 15 members in Parliament, for a two-third majority.

The Daily Mirror learns that a team, including Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Agriculture Minister Maithripala Sirisena and President's confidant Dulles Allahaperuma, met Thondaman including CWC Administrative Secretary A. Rajan. A two-member committee, comprising Dulles and Rajan, was appointed to discuss the allocation of portfolios. The swearing in of the CWC members is likely to take place within this week, with Leader Thondaman, Muttu Sivalingam and M. Sachidanandan tipped to be the new ministers.

Ten Tamil girls residents of Mannar district working in a garment factory in Negombo were arrested by Peliyagoda Police Wednesday. They had been residing in a house when they were taken into custody by the police on suspicion, TamilNet reported. The father of a girl now in custody of the Peliyagoda police Saturday lodged a complaint with the Regional Office of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) regarding the arrest of the ten Mannar girls. HRCSL officials in Mannar immediately contacted the Peliyagoda police and inquired about the arrest. Peliyagoda Police told Mannar HRCSL officials that these girls were taken into custody on suspicion and the inquiry was being held. Meanwhile the Peliyagoda Police has asked the Mannar Police to furnish a report of these girls.

The warehouse of the Uthayan daily newspaper published from Jaffna was burnt down by four men arriving on motorbikes at the warehouse at 10.30 pm on 18 August. The guard at the warehouse was tied up and blind folded while the arson was carried out. Three days earlier on 15 August, a delivery agent, Sathasivam Baskaran (44) of the same newspaper was shot dead at Puthur junction in Jaffna while he was out working during the two hour lifting of the week long curfew.

The press office of the same daily was attacked on 2 May when masked gunmen sprayed bullets at the staff and destroyed equipment. Marketing manager, Suresh (35) and another employee Ranjith (24) were killed. Two more staff, Uthayakumar and Thayaharan were seriously injured. During this attack the gunmen were looking for the editorial staff to shoot and failed to find them.Jaffna is “guarded” by 40,000 military personnel and 10,000 police and to date the gunmen has not been apprehended. Most observers suspect the Sri Lankan military’s hand in all of the above attacks.

The Sri Lanka Army on Sunday claimed that at least 100 cadres of the LTTE have been killed in latest clashes in Jaffna peninsula even as the life of ordinary citizens is in dire straits after nine days of curfew. The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) said a few pockets of LTTE cadres who launched assaults on soldiers establishing their positions at the Kilaly Forward Defence Line (FDL) were overpowered and chased away on Saturday with heavy casualties to the enemy. "The dead bodies of terrorists killed in confrontations were later buried in a ground by the forces. Security Force members are still consolidating their positions at the FDL's", it said.

The cryptic statement by the military is a clear indication that fierce fighting continues in the peninsula. It is also a reflection of the plight of the ordinary citizens reeling under shortage of food and medical supplies plus the power cuts. With the peninsula virtually cut off from the rest of the world, there is every possibility of a major humanitarian crisis. Reports from Jaffna city suggest prices of food items have soared by 100 to 150 per cent and vital drugs have disappeared.

Because of the incessant rains in the national capital, efforts by the Government to rush a ship load of relief supplies to Jaffna under the supervision of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) has suffered a setback. "We are worried about the situation. The loading operations at the Colombo harbour have been affected due to the non-stop rain. We would get on with the job as soon as the rain gods relent", M.I.S.M. Ameer Ali, Sri Lanka Disaster Relief Services Minister told The Hindu .

TamilNet reported that amid continuing heavy fighting in the northern Jaffna peninsula, hundreds of wounded SLA soldiers have been brought to hospitals in and around Colombo, with hundreds more awaiting transfer from Anuradhapura. "While the Government officially says 106 soldiers have been killed in a week of fighting, defence sources in Colombo said Friday the bodies of more than 400 soldiers had been brought to the south", it said.

In the week of heavy artillery exchanges and fierce gun battles, Sri Lanka says it has killed 700 Tamil Tigers and lost 106 soldiers and sailors. LTTE spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan told reporters that 88 LTTE cadres had been killed. TamilNet also said SLA on Saturday night arrested about 85 civilians including men, women and children fleeing in an Indian fishing trawler to seek refuge in Tamil Nadu.

Dozens of aid workers have been stopped from trying to leave a stronghold of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers, colleagues said on Sunday, as the government prepared to ferry supplies to a northern enclave under siege.A convoy of vehicles carrying 141 mostly local staff from foreign and local aid agencies was stopped as it tried to leave the Tigers' northern base of Kilinochchi, officials said.The foes are locked in fierce fighting that many analysts say has effectively collapsed a 2002 truce and reignited a two-decade civil war. Shared borders separating rebel from government territory are shut most of the time, hampering the flow of aid and people.

"They are being stopped from leaving. We are not quite sure who is to blame," said one aid worker on condition of anonymity. "Maybe to have humanitarian aid workers in Kilinochchi is a way to put pressure on the government."Rebel media coordinator Daya Master said the aid worker convoy was unable to leave because the crossing points into government areas were shut. He denied the Tigers were stopping them, and said they were free to go.

The military said it would allow the aid workers through if they are able to reach a crossing point in the northcentral district of Vavuniya.The United Nations says 160,000 people have been displaced in Sri Lanka's northeast and dozens have been confirmed killed during over three weeks of fighting that has shattered hopes of sealing an end soon to years of ethnic strife.The Tigers are furious at President Mahinda Rajapakse's refusal to consider their demand for a separate ethnic homeland for minority Tamils in the north and east, and each side accuses the other of trying to start a full-blown war.

However, there was a relative lull in fighting on Sunday, with only sporadic exchanges of artillery fire in the northern Jaffna peninsula.The military said it hoped a ship carrying 4,000 tonnes of food aid and essentials would set sail for Jaffna, which is cut off from the rest of the island by Tiger territory and where food supplies are running out fast, as early as Monday.Many foreign passport holders in Jaffna -- most of them expatriate Tamils -- are scrambling to register themselves for any eventual evacuation, and are appealing to be ferried out once aid has been offloaded.

Battering the LTTE is not the Problem -Where are the Solutions of the Government ? World Powers

Sources close to the government have revealed that the government conducting retaliatory attacks at the LTTE has been asked by the world bodies and other countries sympathetic to Sri Lanka on the National Question, to furnish its solutions.All the last cabinet meeting minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Mangala Samaraweera has articulated about the force exerted by international community on the government's proposals.He has said that priority should be given to this as at the forums where he has come across world leaders, they stress about the solutions to the National Question of the new government and not the confrontations with the LTTE. As a result it is reported that the foreign minister has stopped going to his ministry.

Without the foreign Minister at the centre stage the government has be compelled to conduct a war.A senior minister of the government revealed 'Lanka e News' that organization such as United Nations and European Union and Countries like USA, England, India, Japan have forced Sri Lanka to start negotiations for a sustainable solution.The Secretary General of UN Kofi Annan who phoned President Rajapakse last 16 th has stressed the importance of starting negotiations again.

The media release of 18th from the Presidential secretariat also stated that this question was directed by Secretary General at the President. The President has said that Sri Lanka is for a negotiated settlement and the doors are still open for such a settlement.Party leaders attached to the government has brought to the attention of the President about the serious economic repercussions that world befall on the country due to the massive spending on the war, armaments, government spending and continuation of the war.A committee has been appointed under the chairman ship of Minister Siripala de Silva, a senior leader of the party, to declare the stand of the SLFP on the National Question. The committee is expected to give its report at the SLFP sessions on the 1st of September.

Tough resistance by security forces has thwarted a week-long attempt by Tiger guerrillas to infiltrate the Jaffna peninsula. Heavy fighting on Friday left a high toll of casualties on both sides. The heavy fighting came on Friday when troops moved ahead to fall back to their original defence lines after the ceasefire at the Muhamalai entry-exit point and the defence lines westwards of Kilali and eastwards of Nagerkovil. Army Headquarters moved in promptly to airlift the casualties to Government-run hospitals in the Colombo district where security arrangements were stepped up.

Despite pitched battles, security forces prevented Tiger guerrillas from breaking through defences located south of the Jaffna peninsula. Despite losses and injuries to their cadres, Tiger guerrillas continued attacks on Friday night and yesterday. They were made in the belief that security forces losses and casualties would make it easy for them to infiltrate. However, the attacks were repulsed.Whilst continuing their week-long attacks in the general area of Muhamalai, Tiger guerrillas also directed almost daily artillery fire at the Air Force base and the runway in Palaly. This continued to disrupt both military and commercial flights to Palaly.

On Wednesdy, however, an Air Force transport plane touched down and took off after unloading cargo. This was whilst helicopter gunships gave cover and a reconnaissance plane looked out for possible guerrilla gunfire.These developments came as Jaffna remained under a curfew. It was relaxed for limited hours allowing civilians to obtain food supplies. The Government has chartered an Indian cargo vessel to move food stocks to the peninsula. In addition arrangements are now being made to charter another vessel and obtain the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to evacuate foreign nationals and the sick from the Jaffna peninsula.

The military top brass is puzzled as to why the LTTE did not fire anti-aircraft missiles during the over week-long battle across the army’s frontlines in the Jaffna peninsula."If they brought down a fighter aircraft over Jaffna it would have a catastrophic impact on the defenders. A successful missile strike would have given the attackers the upper hand," a senior military official said. "That would have facilitated an LTTE siege on the peninsula and Jaffna islands."The battle erupted on the evening of August 11 shortly after the SLAF targeted LTTE bases in the Batticaloa district.

The military believed that the LTTE acquired anti-aircraft missiles during the Oslo-arranged ceasefire agreement. Ground forces repulsed a series of assaults on the frontlines with the help of heavy Kfir strikes on LTTE targets. The attack could not have been beaten back without air strikes, another official said. Kfirs operate from SLAF base at Katunayake, targeted by the LTTE during the previous PA administration. Israeli-built Kfirs, a multi-role fighter in service with the SLAF since 1996 played a pivotal role in the counter attack. The aircraft has sophisticated equipment to maximize strike efficacy.

"If they had missiles, they would have used against Kfirs," a Tamil politician said. Speaking to The Sunday Island on the condition of anonymity, he expressed the belief that Tigers did not have missiles. In fact ordinary cadres and the civilian population in the embattled region were led to believe that the LTTE acquired arms, ammunition and equipment over the past four years, he said. According to him a massive fund collection campaign was mounted in the West for what the Tamil Diaspora termed as the final war.

The Jaffna based Russian built helicopter gunships were also involved in recent operations. The military acknowledged that a loss of a Kfir or a helicopter gunship would have been disastrous, particularly as the MIG 27 ground attack aircraft are grounded pending servicing.The LTTE had previously used heat seeking missiles believed to be Russian built SAMS or US Stinger against aircraft with devastating success.President Mahinda Rajapakse authorised air strikes immediately after the April 25 suicide attack on Army Chief Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka.

Army headquarters said that operations will continue in the Jaffna peninsula to prevent the LTTE from strengthening their forward positions. Friday’s air strikes were part of this strategy, a senior official said, adding that President Mahinda Rajapakse Thursday explained the government position to State Department official Steve Mann. In response to the US call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, Rajapakse is believed to have assured an end to counter attacks if the LTTE ceased offensives.

Meanwhile troops on duty at Kallikai, Jaffna Friday around midnight engaged an LTTE group, killing two. "We recovered their bodies along with a T-56 weapon with two magazines, one pistol with one magazine, one hand grenade, one radio set, one compass, two cyanide capsules and Rs 2,150.00 in cash," a spokesman said.

Sri Lanka's politicians are masterminds when it comes to making businesses out of calamities; the tsunami and even the recent eruption in Muttur are just two such examples. Politicians often attempt to always score points whenever a catastrophe befalls their people. Apart from promising the masses the sun, moon and stars, some politicians, such as some of our ministers try to sound a bit more realistic and pledge to provide lunch packets in the thousands, but more than five days later after the pledge was made initially, no lunch packet let alone even a piece of stale bread has arrived.

When we contacted this minister to question him why he had not stuck to his promise of delivering 1000 lunch packets to the displaced he replied, "what nonsense! I initially promised 1000 packets but actually gave 20,000 lunch packets courtesy government money which cost Rs. 5 lakhs," he claimed. Meanwhile, while the government claims that it has already dispatched 'more than enough' food items such as rice and dry rations, almost all the organizations currently actively engaging in relief work at camps in Kantale which according to estimates is housing about 40,000 displaced civilians, categorically refute such claims.

General Secretary of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka M. D. M. Rizvi said that if the government had actually sent out the food items, and if the Kantale Government officer had received these items, why was he silent during a meeting presided over by presidential advisor Basil Rajapakse in Kantale mid this week, when organizations actively involved in providing relief to the displaced levelled charges that no government relief had been provided to the victims?.

"The rhetorical promises are continuing. Some politicians have come and promised 400 toilets to the displaced, some food items, while other political parties have put up notices on their websites requesting aid to help the victims, but these are only political ploys. Not a single promise has so far materialized," Mr. Rizvi, who represents MCSL, a network comprising more than 58 of Sri Lanka's largest and most influential Muslim civil organizations, said. Meanwhile, while acknowledging that there were shortcomings in the relief efforts launched by the government, Muslim Minister A.H.M. Fowzie categorically denied charges levelled against the government to the effect that 'no relief including food had reached the displaced.

"These are all lies. Food items have been dispatched already. Meanwhile, steps are also being taken to reconstruct the infrastructure such as the laying of fresh electricity and telephone lines, rebuilding of damaged houses and other buildings. Our aim is to create a good environment, better than before, so that this would attract the displaced to their original homes once again," Minister Fowzie claimed. Shortage of proper health facilities and basic sanitation has meanwhile led to at least 50 of the displaced victims suffering from diahrroca, Muslim Aid country director Amjad Mohammed Saleem said. He also disclosed that due to the excess dusty conditions prevailing in the Kantale camps even aid workers and volunteers are beginning to fall sick with respiratory diseases.

Sri Lankan military officials on Saturday claimed government air force jets destroyed a strategic Thamil Tiger sea base in the north in overnight strikes, killing a number of Tigers cadres. ilitary spokesman Maj. Upali Rajapakse said Thamil Tigers have been using the base to launch attacks on government positions in Jaffna Peninsula, which the Tigers claim as the cultural homeland of the country's 3.2 million ethnic Tamils. The strikes came as the Sri Lanka President on Friday talking to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan over telephone, said the doors were still open for peace talks with the rebels, according to the government. Upali Rajapakse said the air force hit a "key sea Tiger base," but he did not reveal how many LTTE cadres were killed in the overnight attack. According to statistics, about 800 Tigers and security forces have been killed in fighting in Jaffna since August 11, when the Tigers made a major push to retake the government-held but Thamil-majority peninsula.

The total number of refugees in the northeast has crossed the 100,000 mark, Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA) Director Jeevan Thiagaraja said. Speaking to The Sunday Leader on the state of civilians affected following the outbreak of hostilities, he said that the civilians in the Jaffna peninsula were living in fear due to the ongoing fighting. "The civilians are being treated in a criminal nature. Some of them are killed and injured. Their movements are restricted and they are not allowed to step out of the peninsula," he said. Thiagaraja also said that there were shortages of essential items.

"It is the same case in Trincomalee and the Wanni. There are no movement of goods especially to places like Muttur and the LTTE-controlled areas. The situation is very much the same in the LTTE-controlled areas in Batticaloa," he added. He said that the Jaffna Government Agent had requested goods to be brought into Jaffna. "But I have not heard of any through movements to Wanni. The civilians who are cut off from access in the Jaffna peninsula are facing a severe shortage of essential items," he added.

Speaking on the issues faced by the non-governmental organisations working in the northeast, he said that NGOs in Jaffna and the Wanni are facing difficulties in continuing their work. "Their main concerns are safety, security for the workers and access to some areas in the northeast," he said. Thiagaraja said that some NGOs have vacated the areas due to these reasons. "Some are leaving permanently while the others have decided to move out until the situation is back to normal," Thiagaraja added. He also urged both parties to respect the ceasefire agreement (CFA), which officially still stands.

"The civilians should be allowed to move out of the conflict areas and fighting should cease in civilian areas. Those who are injured other than the civilians should receive immediate medical assistance. The two parties should respect the CFA or issue notice of withdrawal," he added. Meanwhile Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe told The Sunday Leader he is negotiating with the relevant authorities and humanitarian agencies to ensure the IDPs get a steady supply of relief assistance.

In a startling political development, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi told the Assembly on Saturday that his initiative to find a solution to the Sri Lankan Tamil issue, as requested by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1989, was pre-empted by his then party colleague Vaiko's visit to the island. In the Indian context, the Sri Lankan Tamils' issue can be divided into two phases: "pre-Rajiv Gandhi [assassination] era" and the "post-Rajiv Gandhi era," Mr. Karunanidhi said. "If the `post-Rajiv Gandhi era' had not been created, the situation in Tamil Eelam would have been entirely different now. After a long time, I have to narrate an incident. My friend and brother Kannappan is also aware of this."

Mr. Karunanidhi made a statement on this episode while responding to Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam legislature party leader M. Kannappan, who raised the issue following the Sri Lanka Government's reaction to the Tamil Nadu Assembly's resolution on Thursday, condemning the aerial strikes conducted by the Sri Lankan Armed forces. Mr. Kannappan criticised the Centre for "not even issuing a warning to the island Government," and wanted essential articles and medicines sent to the Sri Lankan Tamils. It was unfortunate that India was providing technical military assistance to the island's armed forces, which were bombing churches and killing children, he said.

The Chief Minister, recalling his visit to New Delhi in 1989 to pay a courtesy call on Rajiv Gandhi, close on the heels of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's Assembly elections victory, said the then Prime Minister asked him to visit Sri Lanka to hold talks with the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam V. Prabhakaran in Vavuniya. Assuring him of transport arrangements, including a flight to Vavuniya from Colombo, Rajiv Gandhi asked him to take either Mr. Vaiko, who was then known as V. Gopalasamy, or Murasoli Maran with him. Alternatively, he could go with both of them. He had even fixed a date for the visit, Mr. Karunanidhi said. The next day, after having a detailed discussion with the then External Affairs Secretary Natwar Singh in Tamil Nadu House, he again called on Rajiv Gandhi, who reiterated his assurance and asked him to go ahead with the visit, the Chief Minister said.

To his surprise, Rajiv Gandhi, who spoke highly of Prabhakaran during the discussions, even said the LTTE leader's valour was unparalleled. Meanwhile, Vaiko had gone to the island, not through legal passage, he said. (Mr. Vaiko left the country on February 6, 1989 and returned on March 4,1989.) Mr.Vaiko had left a note seeking his pardon as he was leaving for the island without informing him and explaining the reasons for undertaking the visit, Mr. Karunanidhi noted. Mr. Vaiko's trip had come in for adverse comments in the Rajya Sabha too. At that point, Rajiv Gandhi had magnanimously stated that he was more worried about the safety and security of Mr. Vaiko than about the manner in which he went to Sri Lanka, Chief Minister recalled.

Immediately, he contacted Rajiv Gandhi and expressed his regret. He informed him that Mr.Vaiko had left for Sri Lanka even before he (Mr. Karunanidhi) reached Chennai from New Delhi. He could not fulfil the promise made to the then Prime Minister because of the subsequent developments. During a transit visit to the Chennai airport also, Rajiv Gandhi broached the subject with him. However, he did not want to dwell on Mr. Vaiko's visit and the consequent stalemate caused to the peace efforts.

There was confusion in the Sri Lankan Government. Several problems, including those posed by then Sri Lankan President Premadasa, contributed to the setback suffered by the Tamils' upsurge, Mr. Karunanidhi said. Rajiv Gandhi had to shed his blood on the Tamil soil. To what extent the sympathy, upsurge and sentiments in favour of the Sri Lankan Tamils had dissipated after this was evident from the statement made by the then Chief Minister in the Assembly last year, he said. Mr. Karunanidhi said, "Our brethren, our own race are being killed, hunted down and victimised in Sri Lanka. This is no pleasant to news to us. It is like bombarding us with missiles. It is because of certain circumstances that we have to bear this sad news."

The JVP has removed Kalutara District Parliamentarian Nandana Gunathileka from the party's politburo. Gunathileka, a senior member of the party, was the JVP'spresidential candidate in the 1999 presidential election and is also the chairman of the UPFA. He has been removed from the politburo for going against party policies and supporting the SLFP, and even deciding to accept the post of organiser for the Panadura electorate under the SLFP. The Sunday Leader and its sister paper Irudina exclusively reported a secret meeting Gunathileka had with the President at Temple Trees a few weeks ago to discuss a possible agreement where he would support the SLFP along with several JVP parliamentarians.

Cops raid Vavuniya PLOTE office-Sunday Island

Vavuniya police Sunday night raided PLOTE office at Ambakulam on the Vavuniy-Horowpathana road shortly after people apprehended an LTTE operative and handed him over to PLOTE cadres. Identified as Yogarajan, the LTTE cadre is wanted in connection with armed robberies and killings. Tamil sources said that the police took away Yogarajan and a PLOTE cadre. The sources said that the raid took place before the PLOTE could hand over the suspect to Vavuniya police. Shortly after the police raid, LTTE cadres threw a hand grenade at the PLOTE office and exchanged fire with troops and police deployed there.

Four young men were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the Jaffna Peninsula, in separate incidents, after curfew was relaxed in the Valikamam sector at 12 noon, Saturday, police sources said. The curfew was reimposed at 5 p.m.Nageswaran Mayoorathan,24, was shot dead at Aarukal Madam in Aanaikoddai.Sooriyapatham Mayurathan,26, a trader was shot dead near Nallur tepel, around 12:30 p.m., Saturday.Balasubramanium Raju,25, was shot dead at Koddady near Jaffna town.Another young man was shot dead at Kasthuriyar road, near Jaffna Hindu College. He is yet to be identified.

MDMK's South Chennai district secretary Manimaran was today arrested on the charge of making "an inflammatory speech, in support of the outlawed LTTE". A police release said Manimaran's speech was in a fashion that could "hinder" the sovereignty and unity of the country. He was arrested under various sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention Amendment) Act 2004 and IPC section 153 (b) (committing any act prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different religious, racial or regional groups), police sources said.

The release said Manimaran, while participating in a fast organised by the DPI here on August 17 to condemn the killing of 61 school girls in an airstrike in Sri Lanka, had issued a warning to the Centre that "We are ready even to carry AK 47 rifles for the betterment of Sri Lankan Tamils." He had also said that "If you do not take action to support the suffering Tamils there, an agitation demanding a separate Tamil Nadu will erupt." Another speaker at the meeting, DPI's Chennai district secretary, Kadamban, is also wanted by police for his inflammatory speech but was absconding, the release said.

Kadamban, in his address, had stated that if no solution was found to the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, "Tamil Nadu would be off the Indian map", the release said. While Manimaran was being remanded to judicial custody, a manhunt has been launched to arrest Kadamban, the release added. Reacting to the arrest, MDMK Chief Vaiko condemned it and said said his party would go ahead with a public meeting to express solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils here on August 21. He said the arrest had only exposed the "dictatorial attitude" of the DMK Government in Tamil Nadu. During the previous AIADMK rule, Vaiko and eight others were detained under the controversial POTA Act for making similar pro-LTTE speeches.

Tamil people living in LTTE controlled Paduwankarai area in Batticaloa District face starvation and danger of health hazards due to the closure of all the entry points to the LTTE controlled area from Military controlled Eluwankarai area by the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) from 12 August, local residents said. "This act of collective punishment by the SLA has affected mostly the poorest civilians in the LTTE-controlled areas in Batticaloa," civil society sources in Batticaloa said. The gateways to the LTTE controlled area are Ampilanthurai and Manmunai Ferries, Boat services in Kinnayady and Santhively, bridges at Paddiruppu, Vavunathivu, Chenkalady and Kiran and access roads via Kavaththaimunai and Vaharai.

According to the 2004 annual report released by District Secretariat in Batticaloa, 419198 people live in 14 Divisional Secretariat (DS) divisions. Out of the 14 Divisions, 5 divisions, Porathivu Pattu (Villanelle), Manmunai Southwest (Paddippalai), Manmunai West (Vavunathivu), Koala Pattu south (Pulipainthakal), and Koralai Pattu North (Vaharai) are under total LTTE control, and one Division, Eravur Pattu (Chenkalady) is under partial control of the LTTE.The total population of this area is 140.000, mostly Tamils, living in 70 per cent of land in the entire District. Presently the number increased with the influx of 40,000 refugees from Muttur East of Trincomalee District.

31 percent of this population is farmers, 18 percent fishermen, 36 percent laborers, 5 percent government servants, and 10 percent in other occupations.The farmers, and businesses from many other sectors, usually buy their row materials and sell their products in military controlled areas. The gateway closures have disabled the business and trading activity for many residents with the concomitant loss of their daily income.The day laborers travel to the Military controlled areas daily to find jobs. During post-Tsunami months construction sector had high demand for day labourers and workers enjoyed a healthy economic period. Day labourers have been made jobless after the gateway closures.

The women head of families mainly depend on income from small industries including pounding rice, and packing jobs in food preservation industries, have completely lost their income.Since the 80 percent of the government servants including teachers, health workers and civil servants who come to the LTTE controlled area for work are unable to attend to their work, further worsening the predicament of the people in the LTTE controlled areas.Poorly equipped Rural Hospitals in Mahiladiththivu, Thandiyadi and Vaharai, and Indigenous Hospital in Porathivu are also crippled as the medical staff from Military controlled area are not allowed to travel and only attend to the very basic medical needs of the local residents.

Patients who need urgent medical attention for snakebites, severe injuries and deliveries, and generally have to go to the Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa or District Hospitals in Kaluwanchikkudy, Chenkalady and Valaichchenai, are denied from obtaining the required medical treatment thereby increasing fatalities.More than 8 Children's homes which take care of children lost who had their parents either in war or in Tsunami, are located in LTTE controlled area and the children are undergoing immense hardships without lack of basic provisions and health facilities.P.Ariyaneththiran, Tamil National Alliance Member of Parliament for Batticaloa District said the civil administration of this area will cease to function if the basic needs of the local civilians.

The spiralling humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka, and the global pressure to end fighting, may eventually force the adversaries to return to square one, making the lost lives so far a criminal waste.Still President Rajapaksa’s main advisor the 'Marxist' JVP has not budged from its original position: Continue the war to its logical end; do not give in to foreign pressure. If Mahinda Rajapaksa stops the war we will withdraw our support to him and independently campaign to carry on fighting. JVP theoreticians have an illusion that if the government stops the war at this stage then the 'patriotic' Sinhala/Buddhist masses and the troops will rally around them to finish the job; and that will mark the JVP’s leap as the mass-party to replace the two big parties - the SLFP and the UNP!

Contrary to the leaders' dream, the developing political chaos in the country may unmask the naivety of Somawansa Amarasinghe-designed 'Sinhala chauvinist path' before the socialist layers – including some central committee members - in the party. And that may cause a grave political crisis in the JVP, probably in a positive way.

In late 1990s, an inspirational group of JVP cadres – who were in charge of its popular newspaper 'Hiru' at the time - took a brave stand against Chandrika-regime’s war effort in the aftermath of the peace process's collapse. The paper published a statement calling upon southern progressive forces to condemn the war totally and unconditionally. [Read my 'Tamil Exodus and Beyond' (p.12-15) 1996] The statement even went to the extent of asking the Sinhalese in the east not to back government forces and support the Tamil struggle instead. Sinhala progressives should come to an alliance with the Tamil struggle, it said. [Note the similarities with V.I Lenin's 'revolutionary defeatist position' during the First World War.]Soon the party leaders reacted against the anti-war socialists and they were forcefully ejected from the party. But they could not be silenced. Their campaign among JVP’s socialist layers went on. If JVP’s justification of the war continues to falter, the potential for a far more serious challenge against the present leadership is very real indeed.

JVP's 'Marxist/nationalist dichotomy' has been a major source of its internal conflicts. To understand this contradictory phenomenon one must probe into the theoretical foundation of the party: JVP is a hybrid organization, driven partly by Sinhalese nationalism and partly by 'Marxist socialism'.Stalin’s 'two-stage revolution' theory it inherited since its inception is often used to justify this cross-breed condition of the party. The first stage is seen as a mere transitional episode on the road to the socialist transformation of Sri Lanka.The party's Marxist-orientated layers are not entirely comfortable with the ultra-nationalist elements but feel they have to tolerate them for the time being.

These Marxist elements also have to endure many embarrassing situations as the party comes to terms, for tactical reasons, with the 'national bourgeoisie' (the SLFP).Compromises with the bourgeoisie are interpreted as a sort of 'necessary evil' during the 'first stage' of the revolution – 'the bourgeois democratic revolution' prior to the ultimate 'socialist revolution'. The indigenous capitalist class still has to play a limited progressive role during the first episode, they believe. Ardent nationalist backers of the JVP, like Prof. Nalin De Silva, on the other hand, constantly urge the JVP to drop its Marxist heritage and instead become wholehearted Sinhala/Buddhist nationalists. The JVP leaders usually keep mum on such advice!

Theoretically speaking, the JVP's political philosophy has nothing to do with anti-Tamil, anti-Muslim or anti-Christian sentiments. However, they fiercely oppose the Tigers' 'separatist ideology'. For, they believe, there are no 'nationalist solutions' for the problems of the oppressed people during the imperialist era. They believe that the solution to Sri Lanka's national question should not be along ethnic lines. The whole state-structure must be reformed upon principles of equality in order that no community is discriminated against or dominated by another.

Socialist Equality Party – the Sri Lanka Trotskists connected with the World Socialist Web Site - has designed a transitional slogan 'The Socialist Union of Eelam and Sri Lanka' to accommodate Sinhala/Tamil unity. The JVP, however, would have none of this. It merely opened up its gates to 'patriotic forces' of the Sinhala-Buddhist majority in the first stage of the revolution, using Sri Lanka’s history to justify their stance.In 1971, the JVP used estate-workers of Indian origin as the scapegoat to whip up Sinhala/Buddhist sentiments. JVP said Tamil estate workers were being trained as a fifth-column by India as part of its expansionist scheme. [They coined the term 'Indian expansionism' in their lectures around the country to identify the up-country Tamil threat.]

In late 80s, the arrival of Indian troops to confront the Tigers provided the catalyst for the JVP to demonstrate its theory of Indian expansionism. By 1989 the JVP built its 'patriotic movement' primarily on this issue. But, President Premadasa at the time shrewdly hijacked the 'anti-Indian troops slogan' himself, isolated the JVP from the Sinhala masses and brutally crushed it – in which JVP’s entire leadership, except the present leader Somawansa Amarasinghe, was massacred.JVP’s new leadership has chosen the 'defeat-the-Tiger' slogan to rally the Sinhala/Buddhists and we saw how the party got dominated and hijacked by chauvinists – that made its identity (Marxists or nationalists?) a source of confusion.

Although many JVP socialists are becoming alert to the dangers of the leaders’ policy, often what happens is, by the time they fully realize the implications and try to stem the nationalist tide it is too late. The 'indigenous/comprador capitalists' (the SLFP/UNP duo) get together to ruthlessly crush them the moment they feel threatened. This has happened twice, in 1971 and in 1989.No doubt many socialists always thought it was important to build bridges between revolutionary forces erupting in the north and south, irrespective of the nationalist forms in which they emerge, and forge a common programme to carry out a socialist transformation of the entire country. Such sections must have already developed links with the Tigers. [No wonder a well-written Sinhala paper called 'Theydunna' (Rainbow) emerged in Kilinochchi as the LTTE’s Sinhala publication some years ago.]

I myself have always tried to promote north-south progressive links in my own way [Read my: 'Towards a broader-based Tamil mass movement' in my website, www.lankaeye.com]

During my BBC days in late 80s and early 90s, I had a unique opportunity to make acquaintances with some JVP and LTTE leaders.In 1994, as a BBC journalist, I visited Jaffna peninsula during war and had the opportunity to meet with LTTE leaders. In response to my request I was allowed to see nearly fifty Sinhala war-prisoners (soldiers), whom I interviewed without any supervision or restriction from the Tigers. [By the way, my ex-wife who is a Sinhalese was a witness to everything what happened there.] We took many photographs with them to be handed over to their parents in the south, which we duly did when we returned to Colombo. [Ravaya editor Victor Ivan arranged the meeting of parents.]

The soldiers’ reflections of their personal experiences were very enlightening indeed for me to develop faith in human brotherhood. Prior to this I had many JVP friends who convinced me about the validity of my vision. While the JVP leader, Somawansa Amarasinghe, was in exile in France I was in touch with him. As the producer of the BBC World Service’s Sinhala programme at the time, I gave airtime to Amarasinghe and various JVP journalists in Colombo, allowing them to present their viewpoint and respond to listeners’ questions.At one stage, Amarasinghe sent a photocopy of Rohana Wijeweera’s book on the National Question to me, urging me to read it and understand the JVP’s political stance.

Meanwhile, in the late 1980s the LTTE’s Col. Sathasivam Krishnakumar (better known as ‘Kittu’) – who took his own life to escape capture by the Indian navy – was based in London. I also gave him the opportunity to answer questions on the World Service raised by our Sinhala listeners.At a time when the Tigers were fighting the Indian army, the JVP too was vehemently campaigning against its presence in Sri Lanka. I made an effort to bring the two sides into a friendly dialogue.Kittu agreed to have a meeting with the JVP. “If they can discard their chauvinistic line and come to an alliance with us,” he told me, “we would open up an entire area in Vanni for them.”The JVP’s London branch leader at the time, however, was reluctant to take part in any kind of meeting with Kittu, so I kept quiet.

An ominous period of unprecedented terror in the south emerged next. The Premadasa regime unleashed a ruthless campaign to crush the JVP. Tens of thousands of youth were killed. Many thousands disappeared. From Sri Lanka I smuggled recorded interviews of weeping mothers telling heartbreaking stories about what happened to their sons and daughters. Despite strong complaints from the Colombo government to the BBC, I continued to broadcast their stories from the Bush House in London. Since then, state ‘Intelligence’ in London made sure they do everything in their capacity to destroy my credibility and image in the BBC. First, I was branded a ‘JVP terrorist’; then, eventually, a ‘Tiger terrorist’!

Incidentally, my close links with the LTTE at the time led some in the Sri Lankan media to spread slanders about me and brand me a ‘Tiger spy’. Ironically, at a later stage, following my resignation as editor of the London-based Tamil Guardian newspaper in 1998 some within the LTTE became convinced that I was a spy for the Chandrika administration!

During the 1980s, Chandrika Kumaratunga also came to London for her own safety after the political murder of her husband Vijay Kumaratunga, allegedly by the JVP.At a small group discussion with her, held in Kingsbury, I read a discussion paper in which I once again argued about the importance of bringing progressive parties (including the JVP) in the south to come to an alliance with the LTTE as the first step towards pacifying Tamil/Sinhala nationalistic hostilities.Ms. Kumaratunga was not impressed. She did not want anything to do with the JVP. “They’re CIA agents,” she claimed angrily.

Although I gave up the effort at that stage, I tried to realise my vision of ‘north/south progressive link up’ again during my tenure as the chairman of Sri Lanka’s state television. I went to Jaffna and discussed with Anton Balasingham and Thamilselvan the possibility of opening a TV transmission studio there. The LTTE agreed. But hostilities in the south prevented that project taking off. I kept my contacts with JVP open and had many subsequent useful discussions with them. Referring to the Tamils’ right to self-determination, one JVP member told me: “Supporting the right to divorce does not mean that the breaking-up of all marriages is justified.’

The point he wanted to make was that a break-up is not appropriate for Sri Lanka. If there is a serious problem with the country’s state structure then it should be changed.The belief in separatism, in other words, is seen more as ‘ideological’ than anything else. Tamil nationalists who believed in separatism for ideological reasons, the JVP said, were merely exploiting Tamils’ grievances in order to promote their own agenda.

Hundreds of thousands of Tamils living in and around Colombo and in the up-country cannot, for obvious reasons, share a separatist vision to solve their problems. Only a radical transformation of the central administration will be directly relevant to their needs.Thus, the separatist vision that grew among layers of oppressed Tamils in the north and east cannot be the right answer to the Tamil Question taken in a larger context. The ever-expanding number of entrepreneurs in the Tamil Diaspora with strong business links with Sri Lanka would presumably also prefer a solution within some sort of a united framework – rather than a separate state.

The same would apply to the Muslim community, who are also Tamils with a different religion.

Thus, a wider campaign to democratically transform Sri Lanka’s post-colonial state structure – the Pandora’s Box that gave rise to all ethnic troubles since independence – would be the most prudent path.No partial or regional solution that leaves the central government intact will solve Tamil/Muslim problems. On the contrary, a prospective northern Tamil state besieged by southern enmity may well end up as the albatross of all Tamils – rather than a guarantor of their democratic aspirations. Perhaps, the answer is to unite all Tamil parties in a democratic vision, and build bridges to southern movements committed to radical democratic change of the entire state structure.

Above all, profound changes in the Tamil campaign along above lines may help close the JVP-LTTE gap indeed.For, unlike the two corrupt elitist capitalist parties – the UNP and the SLFP – the ‘Marxist’ JVP understands equality as the focal point of democratization.In fact, the JVP has suffered immensely under both SLFP and UNP governments, when over 60,000 Sinhala youth were killed. And the JVP knows what post-independence Sri Lankan regimes are all about. So, it would be a misfortune if the Tamils failed to harmonize their aspirations with the southern campaign for social, political and economic emancipation. But, to win the trust sincere dialogue is necessary. Respecting Tamils’ ‘right to divorce’ should be the starting point to convince them that keeping the marriage is in everyone’s interest.

Perhaps, the time has arrived for all nationalist movements – Sinhala/Tamil/Muslim - to rise beyond narrow nationalist perspectives and merge with the unfolding social revolution to reach a common goal: the democratic transformation of the capitalist state and revolutionising the economy on socialist values.A theoretical confrontation between the socialist versus nationalist tendencies within the JVP may act as the catalyst for a constructive metamorphosis. Similarly, the growing awareness among the Tamils that ‘there is no separate solution for the northeast Tamils’ may prepare the ground for unity of northern and southern social forces to reach a common goal.

A delegation of Tamil National Alliance (TELO,TULF,EPRLF AND ACTC) will meet Indian Prime Minister to apprise him of the atrocities being carried out by Sri Lankan armed forces in northern and eastern regions of the island country, according to TNA sources. An attempt in this connection is underway, sources said.TNA, Sri Lanka's main Tamil political party in Parliament, has 25 MPs in the Sri Lankan parliament.

Colombo appeals to Government of India for supply of relief goods With curfew in force for the eighth successive day and no end in sight to the fighting between the Sri Lankan military and the LTTE, a humanitarian crisis seems looming large in the Jaffna peninsula. Because of the intensity of the fighting, all routes to the peninsula are closed. Air operations are suspended and the sea traffic has come to a standstill. Food stocks and medical supplies are fast running out. Alarmed over the developing situation, the Government of Sri Lanka is believed to have approached India for supply of relief goods. "We have approached India for supply of goods from Chennai," Sri Lankan Government spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told The Hindu . However, sources in the Indian mission said they are not aware of such a request.

Reports from the peninsula suggest that there is a serious shortage of fuel and people are reeling under prolonged power cuts. Telecommunication links are badly affected because of the power situation. The international and national community here is seriously worried about the prospect of a major crisis. Colombo-based diplomats raised the subject at a special briefing given to them by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Wednesday.

Such is the gravity of the situation that at the meeting there was a suggestion to the Government to allow "safe passage" for people wanting to leave the peninsula. The Minister said since the suggestion involved a larger question, the Government needed to look into it. He, however, assured the envoys that the Government has enlisted the services of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) to send a shipload of relief goods to the peninsula. Minister for Disaster Relief M.I.S.M. Ameer Ali told The Hindu that a shipload of relief goods under the supervision of the ICRC is being despatched to the peninsula.

"We are conscious of the enormous hardships of the people in the peninsula thanks to the LTTE. We are doing everything possible to relieve their travails. We also have a request for 1,000 tents in the Batticaloa district to house the displaced. Unfortunately, there is shortage of tents in the country. We are trying to arrange from outside", the Minister said. The situation in the LTTE-controlled territory in the north is also grim. According to Jayalath Jayawardena, a Member of Parliament, the fighting has resulted in serious shortage of life-saving medicines.

Government opens roads

The Sri Lankan government has reopened access into Tamil Tiger-controlled territory from the south of the island.Access into Kilinochchi was opened for the first time since fighting erupted in the north a week ago.It was only for two hours to allow people and relief supplies to go in, but no-one was allowed to leave. The military said this was to allow people and relief to get in. No-one was allowed to leave.However, the Jaffna peninsula which lies on the other side of the Tiger areas is still cut off.The United Nations has appealed for access. It said there were serious concerns about the welfare of civilians in that area and that food and water supplies had fallen to alarmingly low levels.

Sources say the rebels have hit the runway of Jaffna's military airport, so only helicopters can fly in and out. There are some forty thousand troops in the area who will also need fresh supplies of food and weaponry. The government says the situation is under control, but both sides are fighting a propaganda war. Phone lines are intermittent so it's hard to verify the claims by the two groups.Heavy fighting has continued on the peninsula as well as around the northeast district of Trincomalee.

UNHCR has called on both the government and the LTTE to permit urgent freedom of access to humanitarian aid workers to reach all affected populations from the ongoing fighting between the government troops and the LTTE.The relief agency estimates more than 162,200 people had fled their homes since fighting erupted in April but remain within the country, while another 6,672 had crossed the Palk Strait to become refugees in India's Tamil Nadu state.“We and our partners are now seriously concerned about the welfare of civilians in areas inaccessible to humanitarian agencies because of strictly enforced travel restrictions, as fighting continues in the north and east of Sri Lanka,” UNHCR spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis told the press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva yesterday.

UNHCR notes that with the closure of the A9 access road to the Jaffna peninsula through the LTTE-controlled Kilinochchi District, supplies of food and water have fallen to alarmingly low levels in many locations and as a result, people are hoarding food,while merchants sharply hike prices in local markets.The Daily Mirror learns however that the government, through the government agent in Jaffna, has warned of taking serious action against traders in Jaffna who sell their goods at exorbitant rates owing to the lack of stocks created by the fierce fighting in the area.

Pagonis meanwhile says the situation in Point Pedro, in the north of the Jaffna peninsula, is even more fluid and unpredictable than in the Jaffna town, as people in the town have sought refuge in large communal buildings while displaced civilians in Point Pedro are staying in vacant homes and with host families, creating electricity, water and sanitation problems.Eastern districts face a similar crisis. Thousands of displaced families in Muttur, Eachchilampattu Divisions of Trincomalee District, and the Vaharai Division in Batticaloa District, are in desperate need of sustained humanitarian relief, UNHCR said.

Some 15,000 to 20,000 people are now said to be displaced in LTTE-controlled Kilinochchi District as a result of repeated artillery shelling and air strikes. Humanitarian agencies are targeting their help to those displaced people – some 9,500 individuals – living outdoors or in communal buildings. Around 500 families have reportedly moved to the grounds of the Madhu Church in Mannar District, a previous displacement site during the 1983-2002 civil war. All permanent houses around the church are now fully occupied by displaced people, and nearly 75 families have erected tents in the surrounding area.

Sri Lankan air force planes destroyed a rebel boat-making yard in the north in overnight strikes, the military has said.The attack on the boat yard in Thalayadi, at the southern end of Jaffna Peninsula, also killed a number of separatist Tamil Tiger rebels, the Media Center for National Security said Saturday.Air Force Group Cap. Ajantha Silva said Friday that the rebels had been reinforcing their front defense line, the de facto border that separates rebel and government-held territory in the north.Rebel officials were not immediately available to comment.

Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka says that four new Army camps will be constructed within the next week to strengthen the control retained after taking over of Mavil Aru sluice gates.The Army Commander said at present the sluice gates and area surrounding are in the hands of the army and in order to fortify power the new camps will be constructed.In this way, in an emergency the army would be able to reach the sluice gate area immediately. He also said that the army is ready to meet any new attacks from LTTE and will not leave room for Tigers to enter the area in any manner.

A parliamentary delegation of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on Wednesday briefed Mr. Swiss diplomats, Y.V.E.S. Nicoler, First Secretary and Mr. M.R.C.Mark Andre Vunzely, Assistant Secretary of the Swiss Embassy in Colombo, on the situation prevailing in the North East following indiscriminate aerial bombardment and artillery shelling by the Sri Lanka forces.They told foreign diplomats that a huge number of Thamil population was internally displaced because of recent military offensive of the Sri Lanka forces. All land and water routes towards the LTTE held areas in the Batticaloa district have been closed by the SLA causing untold sufferings to the local people, TNA delegation alleged.

In the meeting TNA parliamentarians also apprised foreign diplomats that SL army is denying to take food relief and other essential items including medicine for the internally displaced people (IDP) located in the LTTE held areas in the North East. Many IDPs may die of starvation or without treatment if the ban continues further, TNA lawmakers said. Reciprocating, Swiss diplomats assured that they would communicate the ongoing sufferings of local people and prevailing situation to their government for taking action, TNA sources said.

Sri Lankan Army on Thursday afternoon arrested 16 Thamil youths during a cordon and search operation in Chavakachcheri town and its suburbs Allarai, Periyamawadi, Kappachchi Mavadi and Kovilkuddiruppu, local people said.Civilian sources said during the four-hour search that began at 12.30 p.m., SLA personnel took about five thousand civilians to Chavakachcheri Hindu College where and were produced before a masked man who identified sixteen civilians. Later these 16 persons were detained in the Varani SLA camp.

Family members of these arrested civilians lodged complaints with the Jaffna regional office of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) protesting arrest, but Jaffna HRCSL official said they had received only four complaints.These complaints were lodged for Ponnambalam Rajapooshanan, 25, student of Open University, Jegatheeswaran Jeseevan, 19, student of Chavakachcheri Hindu College, Thirunavukarasu Gayathiri, 24, and Arumugam Thusheevan, 25, driver of three wheeler, according to HRCSL officials.

A suspect believed to be a senior LTTE cadre who was to receive the large quantity of weapons and explosives recovered at Wattala was arrested yesterday, police said.A special police team from Peliyagoda arrested the suspect while he was hiding in a house at Templars Road in Mt. Lavinia.The suspect had come to the city sometime ago and was maintaining a low profile while gathering information and planning attacks on VIPs. According police sources one of the two suspects arrested in Wattala several days ago identified as Kugan, who committed suicide by consuming a cyanide capsule, was to deliver the lorry load of claymore mines and other weapons to the arrested cadre.

Sri Lanka Army (SLA), in large quantity, rounded up the Jaffna University, broke open the office of the Jaffna University Students Federation, arrested a student activist and taken away the computers and documents, Friday, while the curfew was strictly observed, student sources said.More than thousand troops arrived at the scene at 10.00 a.m., asked the employees to gather in a certain spot, searched every nook and corner thoroughly, even broke open some closed doors, until 5.00 p.m., the first time in the history.

SLA broke open the Federations office, housed in the 2nd floor of the Arts Faculty, seized the computers and documents belonging to the Federation and arrested T. Paherathan, 24, 3rd Year student reading Arts , from Mullaithivu, a student activist wanted for questioning by the Army.The curfew in Valikamam area was relaxed at 12.00 noon instead of 10.00 a.m. Meanwhile, a group of internally displaced people who were traveling towards Allaippiddy , when the curfew was relaxed, came under artillery attack from Palaly, Friday morning.

Security information sources indicate that a Sea Tiger leader Rani Mohindas and few other Tiger leaders died by retaliation attacks by the security forces on Thursday early morning at Kilali.It is said that Rani Mohindas is the deputy to Sea Tiger leader Soosai. In addition Tiger leader Muhilan and woman leader Sudanmani have also perished from the attacks.The security forces have recovered 98 bodies of Tigers from the attack and if Tigers do not accept these bodies through the ICRC, arrangements would be made to bury them at a mass burial.Although about 150 Tigers have died from these attacks, they are hesitant to accept the fact.

On-the-spot report from Sri Lanka's war-torn Jaffna peninsula - WSWS

Fierce clashes between the Sri Lankan military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been taking place over the past week on the northern Jaffna peninsula. Little of what has been taking place has been reported in the Colombo media, which relies almost entirely on military and government briefings, or the international press, which has few correspondents on the spot.

The extent of the fighting and the number of casualties is unclear. According to military spokesman Major Upali Rajapakse, 106 soldiers and at least 700 LTTE fighters have been killed over the last week. Yesterday he claimed another victory for the security forces in repelling LTTE attacks at Kilali on Wednesday. Such claims are routinely denied by the LTTE.

Government authorities have immediately imposed harsh measures over the area. Blanket curfews have been added to the regime of checkpoints, searches and identity checks used by security forces to harass and intimidate the local Tamil population. In some parts of the peninsula, the curfew has only been lifted for one or two hours since Monday. On Thursday, the curfew throughout government-controlled areas was in place for all but four hours.

Food shortages are developing. Basic items such as rice, flour, meat, fish and fruit are scarce. The government agent in Jaffna, K. Ganesh, has called on the government to send 5,000 metric tonnes of basic food items to the district immediately. Road links to the south, however, have been cut due by the fighting and any supplies have to be brought by sea or air.

The deepening social crisis is being compounded by a growing flood of refugees. As in previous fighting in the eastern areas of the island, the military is indiscriminately using air strikes, multi-barrel rockets launchers and artillery, causing civilian deaths and the displacement of thousands of people. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that 135,000 people have been displaced by the current fighting.

Queues as long as 300 metres have been reported in front of chemist shops. There is no electricity on the Jaffna peninsula and no fuel. Few telephones are operating.WSWS correspondents in Jaffna made the following report after queuing for several hours to use a phone at a private home—a practice that has become common. The report is brief because the time allowed for the call was limited but it provides an insight into what is facing people throughout the area.

The LTTE attacks on the military in Jaffna started on August 11 at about 7 p.m. at various points, including Muhamalai, Nagarkovil, Mandathivu and Allaipiddy.Allaipiddy is a small island under the control of the Sri Lankan navy about seven kilometres from Jaffna town. As the clash between the LTTE and security forces began, local residents sought refugee in the St. Phillip Nary church. The LTTE captured Allaipiddy, forcing government soldiers to retreat several kilometres.

Early the following morning, shells fell in front of the church killing four people on the spot and injuring many more. Others have been killed elsewhere on the island by the artillery barrage. The military was firing from the Palaly military complex, about 20 kilometres away, in bid to recapture Allaipiddy. The LTTE finally withdrew and the navy returned.About 213 families, or more than 750 people, arrived at St. Mary’s church on neighbouring Kayts Island. There are 66 children under the age of five and 38 children under the age of two. People fled because they feared further attacks on Allaipiddy.

According to the refugees, at least 74 people were seriously injured in the clashes—57 are in Jaffna teaching hospital and 17 in Kayts hospital. Before reaching the church, most people had been hiding out without food or water since Sunday night. The navy had prevented people from Mankumban village from leaving Allaipiddy. A few managed to reach Jaffna.

Government authorities are providing no food or supplies to the refugees at the church. They rely on food and other assistance from local villagers. Fishermen’s societies and cooperative organizations are also helping out. The toilet facilities are inadequate for so many people and church authorities fear the outbreak of disease.

One of the injured told us that his uncle, aunt, grandmother and grandfather had been killed by the shelling. A wall collapsed on his father who now cannot walk. His brother has a piece of shell in his leg. Most of the houses have been damaged by shellfire.“When the army retook the villages they photographed us all. They suspect us of being LTTE members and interrogated us. Some people were beaten. We can’t go back to Allaipiddy. We face too many dangers there,” one person told us.

A housewife explained: "We heard the sounds of bombs at night. We didn’t know where to run with our children. The LTTE members told us not go anywhere—to stay inside and make bunkers. We were inside a bunker for two days without food. Later a priest brought us here by bus."People on Kayts and other places are running out of food. There are no vegetables available. People eat rice mixed with salt or rice mixed with a little dried fish. It is an extremely difficult situation.

Some women from Karainagar who are living on Allaipiddy tried to go fishing. They thought that because they were women the navy would not harm them. But sailors attacked them with sticks and chased them away.Everyone wants to see an end to the war. But they don’t believe that the government or the LTTE will stop fighting.

Director of Education for Kilinochchi district, T Kurukularaja, and Director of Education for Mullaitivu district, P Ariyaradnam, have informed their respective Government Agents the details of the 55 victims killed in the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombing on Sencholai campus in Vallipunam Monday. On Thursday, Mullaithivu Principals Association and Kandavalai Principals Association, the organisors of the ten-day program, condemned the aerial bombardment that killed 55 schoolchildren and staffers.

"The residential course progressed to its fourth day, when on 14 August at 7:00 a.m the students were getting ready for the day's program when four Sri Lankan government Kfir jets started showering the area with bombs," the organisors said in a joint press release.The final tally of those killed in the Vallipunam school camp aerial bombing (55 killed of which 51 are students and four are staff)Names of students killed and the school they were attending from Mullaitivu district compiled by the Director of Education for Mullaitivu district, P Ariyaradnam, and sent to the Government Agent for Mullaitivu:

Thambirasa Lakiya DOB: 26-03-89, Mullivaikal west
Mahalingam Vensidiyoola DOB: 07-10-89, Mullivaikal west
Thuraisingam Sutharsini DOB: 28-07-89, Ward 10, PKT

Nagalingam Theepa DOB: 29-03-87, Puthadi, Visuvamadu
Thambirasa Theepa DOB: 07-02-87, Valluvarpuram, Redbarna
Thirunavukkarasu Niranjini DOB: 29-11-88, Puthadi, Visuvamadu
Raveenthirarasa Ramya DOB: 14-11-88, Thoddiyadi, V. madu
Kanapathipillai Nanthini DOB: 05-10-88, Koddiyadi, Visuvamadu
Vijayabavan Sinthuja DOB: 24-05-88, Koddiyadi, Visuvamadu
Naguleswaran Nishanthini DOB: 11-04-89, Thoddiyadi, V.madu
Tharmakulasingam Kemala DOB: 09-09-87, Kannakinagar,
Arulampalam Yasothini DBO: 18-01-88, Puththadi, Visuvamadu

Muthaih Indra DOB: 08-08-88, Suthanthirapuram centre
Murugaiah Arulselvi DOB: 14-07-88, Suthanthirapuram centre
Sivamoorthy Karthikayini DOB: 13-02-88, Vallipunam
Santhanam Sathyakala DOB: 20-08-86, Vallipunam
Kanagalingam Nirupa DOB: 11-02-89, Visuvamadu
Kanagalingam Nirusa DOB: 11-02-89, Vallipunam
Navaratnam Santhakumari DOB: 28-05-88, Kaiveli
Nagalingam Kokila DOB: 12-02-87, Vallipunam
Sivamayajeyam Kokila DOB: Kuravil
Shanmugarasa Paventhini DOB:
Balakrishnan Mathani DOB: 09-05-88, Vallipunam

Sivanantham Thivya DOB: 30-05-88, Vannankulam
Thambirasa Suganthini DOB: 18-02-88, Alampil,
S Vathsalamary DOB: 20-11-86, Manatkudiyiruppu
Thanabalasingam Bakeerathy DOB: 03-02-87, Mullivaikal west
Thanikasalam Thanusa DOB: 02-12-87, Kallappadu
Pathmanathan Kalaipriya DOB: 23-09-88, Kovilkudiyiruppu
Markupillai Kelansuthayini DOB: 14-07-88, Vannankulam
Rasamohan Hamsana DOB: 29-05-87, Alampil

Vivekanantham Thadchayini DOB: 31-01-88, W 10, PTK
Santhakumar Sukirtha DOB: 08-08-87, Ward 7, Kumulamunai
Uthayakumaran Kousika DOB: 22-08-87, Kumulamunai
Nallapillai Ninthija DOB: 03-03-88, Ward 6, Kumulamunai
Veerasingam Rajitha DOB: 28-02-88, Ward 5, Kumulamunai

Thamilvasan Nivethika DOB: 02-12-88, Ward 2, Mulliyavalai
Suntharam Anoja DOB: 12-09-89, Kumulamunai
Puvanasekaram Puvaneswari DOB: 06-06-89, W 4, Mulliyavalai
Kiritharan Thayani DOB: 28-12-89, Thannerutru, Mulliyavalai

Mahalingam Vasantharani DOB: 23-03-88, Alampil, Chemmalai
Thuraisingam Thisani DOB: 06-12-88, Alampil, Chemmalai
Vairavamoorthy Kirithika DOB: 12-07-87, Alampil, Chemmalai
Chandramohan Nivethika DOB: 04-01-89, Alampil, Chemmalai

Sellam Nirojini DOB: Koolamurippu, Oddusuddan
Names of students killed and the school they were attending from Kilinochchi district compiled by the Director of Education for Kilinochchi district, T Kurukularaja, and sent to the Government Agent for Kilinochchi.

Tharmarasa Brintha DOB: 06-01-89, 189/1 Visuvamadu
Thevarasa Sharmini DOB: 09-03-89, 90, Periyakulam, Kandavalai

Varatharaja Mangaleswari DOB: 24-07-89, 577, 13 U, T.puram
Rasenthiraselvam Mahilvathani DOB: 04-12-88, Tharmapuram
Nilayinar Nivakini DOB: 04-04-89, Kaddakkadu, Tharmapuram

Chandrasekaran Vijayakumari (Age 27)
Kandasamy Kumarasamy (Age 48)
Solomon Singarasa (Age 65)
S Jeyarubi (Age 20)

The clash began when a group of monks who represented the JHU got on to the stage of the National Anti-War Front meeting and disrupted it.few bikkus who forcibly entered peace rally held at the open air Theatre of Viharamaha Devi Park by the Anti War National Front this evening. The people who were summoned by the Anti War National Front came in procession to the Viharamaha Devi open air theatre and commenced their rally. The fracas started when few Bikkus who came on the stage tried display a pro war banner forcibly. At that time Mr. Mervin Silva MP was seen addressing the gathering. The Bikkus and their pro - war supporters shouted slogans asking the organizers to hold the rally beyond Kilinochchi. Though the religious leader who were there tried is bring the situation under control the melee continued for sometime. It is believed that the Bikkus who tried to disrupt the rally were members of the Jathika Sanga Sammelanaya.The provoked anti war supporters were seen manhandling the Bikkus and their supporters and their banner too was burned. The Police arrived later at the scene and escorted the Bikkus out. The meeting continued later.

The European Union expressed concern on Thursday about the renewed violence in Sri Lanka and urged the government and the Tamil Tiger rebels to stop fighting at once and resume peace talks. "The senseless violence will not resolve the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka," EU President Finland said in a statement, adding that it was deeply concerned about the growing humanitarian crisis in the country."The presidency urges the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to cease hostilities at once and to resume peace talks," Finland said.

It reiterated its full support for the peace process and the work of the Norwegian facilitator and called on both parties to guarantee free access for relief agencies to those affected by the violence.Sri Lanka has seen three weeks of fierce fighting that many regard as a new chapter in a two-decade civil war halted by a 2002 ceasefire. International truce monitors say they believe hundreds of civilians have been killed in the renewed violence.The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are fighting for a separate homeland for minority Tamils.

A senior US envoy met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse to demand an immediate halt to continued violence between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels. The US was "deeply concerned" over fighting that has left more than 1,500 dead since December and urged both sides to negotiate a political settlement, ambassador Steven Mann told reporters after a "thoughtful" two-hour meeting.President Rajapakse said Wednesday the door was still open for peace talks with rebels fighting for autonomy for the nation's Tamil minority."We believe a continuation of the fighting will only make the prospects for peace worse and will benefit neither side. The US therefore calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities," said Mann."Our call for cessation of hostilities cannot and must not be one sided.

"I wish to underscore there is a clear and direct responsibility for the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) to cease all acts of violence immediately and return to negotiations."The meeting came hours after Sri Lankan troops beat back a fresh attempt by Tamil Tigers to overrun the main defenses of the northern peninsula of Jaffna that left at least 98 rebels dead.The US has listed the LTTE as a foreign terrorist organisation but Mann, principal deputy assistant secretary of South and Central Asian affairs, said the government had to address "legitimate" grievances of the minority Tamil community.International monitors said a February 2002 ceasefire now exists only on paper as both rebels and the government blamed each other for an upsurge in fighting that has also displaced 135,000 civilians since December.More than 60,000 people have died in three decades of Tiger insurgency.

The Tamil Nadu assembly Thursday unanimously passed a resolution condemning the killing of 61 school girls in Sri Lanka’s north by air force jets apparently targeting the Tamil Tigers.Members observed silence for two minutes to pay homage to the dead children in Mullaitivu district.Speaker R. Avudiayappan tabled the condolence resolution and expressed shock and grief over the killing of the girls at the ‘Sencholai’ orphanage Monday.The resolution termed the mass killings ‘uncivilized, barbaric, inhumane and atrocious’.It said: ‘There can be no two opinions on putting an end to the attacks, which cannot be forgiven.’

Sri Lanka says it only targeted a training camp of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and has insinuated that the dead girls were ‘child soldiers’. The LTTE said they were school students attending a session on first aid.The resolution noted that Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to persuade Sri Lanka to ’stop the killing of innocent Tamils … and find a solution through peace talks’.Karunanidhi had Wednesday described the orphanage killing as ‘atrocious’. ‘There should be a full stop to such incidents as they cannot be condoned by anybody,’ he said.

Members of the Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) walked out of the legislature Thursday, protesting against the Indian government’s silence over the air force bombing.DPI member K. Selvam accused the central government of ‘helping the Sri Lankan armed forces’ and urged all political parties in Tamil Nadu to fly their party flags at half mast. DPI leader Thol Thirumavalavan is on a one-day fast here Thursday condemning the Mullaitivu killings.The parties in the opposition have vowed to take out peace marches every day for a whole of this week.

MDMK leader Vaiko has urged Manmohan Singh to send a delegation of MPs from India to assess the situation in Sri Lanka.Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy warned: ‘No political party in the state will accept the brutalities meted out to the Tamils by the island government.’ He, however, refused opposition demands to disclose the talks the chief minister had with National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan on Sri Lanka. The minister argued that the content of their discussion last week ‘could not be disclosed by the government as it concerned the security of the country and it was an official secret’.

Kalaignar M Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister (CM) of the southern Tamil Nadu state of India, has condemned the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombing, in Vallipunam in Mullaithivu district in NorthEast Sri Lanka, where tens of schoolgirls were killed and more than 100 wounded Monday. Describing the SLAF air-strike as an "atrocious and inhumane act", the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu state, home to 60 million Tamils in India, has urged the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, to request the Sri Lankan government to hold talks to settle the issue peacefully and stop killing innocent Tamils..

The House condemned the killings, characterising it as "uncivilised and inhumane act" of the Sri Lankan military. "There should be a full stop to such incidents which cannot be forgiven... There cannot be two opinions on this," Chennai Online reported Chief Minister Karunanidhi as saying.Referred to as Kalaignar, Karunanithi, the leader of the DMK Party and five times Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu State since 1969, is known for his oratorical skills, for writing historicals and scriptwriting.Meanwhile, the opposition MDMK Floor Leader M Kannappan urged the Tamil Nadu Government to convince the Centre to invite the Tamil parliamentarians from NorthEast Sri Lanka, and to send an Indian delegation consisting of Tamil Nadu MPs to Sri Lanka.Tamil Nadu is the second most industrialized state in India.

Stocks of rice, wheat flour and sugar have gone empty in private shops in Vadamaradchi and Valikamam sectors of Jaffna where curfew was lifted for 4 hours Thursday, when family members separated since last Friday due to the curfew were able to re-join. 300 meter long queues were seen in front of medical shops. No fuel was available. Curfew was lifted between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in Valikamam and from noon till 4:00 p.m. in Vadamaradchi and Thenmaradchi, according to the announcement from Palaly military base. Curfew was not lifted in Jaffna Islets where residents were forced to bury more than 30 bodies as the region remains under Sri Lankan curfew continuously for 7 days.

The price of a coconut has gone up from 50 Sri Lankan Rupees to 250 rupees and the price of one kilogram green chilli pepper has risen from SLR 10 to 50.No fuel is available. Electricity remains cut. Telephone lines are not working.Scarcity of rice, flour, meat, fish and fruits has made the life of daily wage workers difficult although the Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society (MPCS) shops are struggling to distribute rations.The Government Agent of Jaffna, K. Ganesh, has urged the authorities in Colombo to arrange for immediate transport of 5000 MT basic supplies to Jaffna district.

A Colombo Tamil radio has opened it phone lines and airwaves to help people find each other in the aftermath of the recent upsurge in fighting and displacement in Jaffna.The popular FM station announced today to call Sooriyan FM 00 94 112346444, and leave names and place(s) of living in Jaffna, if someone is unable to locate loved ones in Jaffna due to current situation. The Dialog mobile phones are not working in Jaffna peninsula since Saturday Aug12th, morning. Land lines are not working either, except for a few in the town area. If unable to reach the main number, dial 00 94 114799776- Sooriyan FM Newsroom, and leave the details. All the commercial flights to Jaffna have been cancelled from Saturday. A9-Jaffna-Kandy highway is closed from Mugamalai to Omanthai. Nobody is allowed to travel, except for the Government officers to travel during certain hours.There is no power in Jaffna since Saturday.

Sri Lanka troops 'kill 75 rebels'

Sri Lankan troops have killed at least 75 Tamil Tiger rebels in an overnight offensive in northern Jaffna peninsula, the army says. Military spokesman Brig Atula Jayawardhane told the BBC the offensive took place near Killali lagoon. Fighting has been going on in the area for the past week. Officials say more than 100 soldiers have been killed. There has been no comment from the rebels and there are no figures available for any civilian casualties. In a separate incident, right-wing Buddhist monks clashed with anti-war protesters in the capital, Colombo. No one was injured.

Sri Lanka's undeclared war is being conducted on three fronts, with air raids, artillery strikes and mortar attacks. About 100,000 people have now been affected by three weeks of hostilities. The Jaffna peninsula, which is cut off from the rest of the country, has become the centre of the clashes. The latest fighting came after the rebels said 61 schoolgirls died on Monday when the air force bombed an alleged former orphanage. The government says it was a Tamil Tiger training camp. International truce monitors and United Nations officials visited the site in Mullaitivu district and said they had seen no sign of rebel activity there. They could not confirm the casualty figures, saying only that they had seen the bodies of 19 young people at a nearby hospital. Reports from Jaffna say there is a shortage of food and drinking water in the area. Aid agencies are trying to evacuate those who want to leave and get assistance to those who need it.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	103.39		104.53
Sterling Pound	195.74		198.89
Euro	132.43		134.89
Swiss Franc	83.78		85.56
Australian Dollar	78.84		80.72
Singapore Dollar	65.38		66.74
Japanese Yen	0.8896		0.9092
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	275.84
Kuwait	Dinar	359.63
Oman	Rial	270.11
Qatar	Riyal	28.56
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	27.73
UAE	Dirham	28.31

LTTE attack is now on at Nilavely, Sixth Mile Post and Eighth Mile Post in addition to the attack started 3 hours ago on Sally Camp.LTTE artllery Attack on Nilavely started around 9.30pm and the attack on the other two venues commenced around 10.30pm Meanwhile, SL army has shot dead three Tamils in Pankulam, Nochchikulam areas. Suppu and Mohan from Pankulam and Ponnampalam from Nochchikulam were the victims of SL army fury Wednesday evening.

Air Force jets yesterday bombed several identified LTTE bases in the north, while the Navy killed at least five LTTE cadres in Kayts Island, off the Jaffna peninsula, an Army spokesman.He said the bombing was to prevent further LTTE attacks on the Jaffna peninsula. “Air strikes were carried out on the LTTE bases in Puthukudiyiruppu, Iranamadu and Pooneryn from where the LTTE sent cadres to attack Jaffna last week,” the spokesman said.He said that according to initial reports the bombs had destroyed selected targets. However he failed to give any details of casualties.

The spokesman said the air raids were carried out while the security forces were engaged in consolidating their hold on Muhamalai, Kilali and Nagarkovil.In Kayts, Navy personnel shot and killed five armed LTTE cadres, when they came under fire from inside a Grama Niladhari’s residence, the spokesman said.He said the forces later recovered seven T-56 rifles and 21 magazine rounds, ammunition boxes, five pouches, four hand grenades, a map, two calculators, a night vision device, a battery box, 14 code sheets, a GPS receiver, two communication sets and 890 small arms ammunition.

The security forces were conducting search operations to hunt down LTTE cadres, who infiltrated the peninsula last week.Meanwhile, police assisted by the security forces were on high alert across the country to prevent a possible LTTE attack. Up to now, nearly 150 security forces personnel have been killed and over 200 wounded, while more than 250 LTTE cadres have been killed and hundreds injured.

Describing as "a total lie" the claim of Sri Lankan government that the air-strike which killed many children, only targeted an LTTE training camp, MDMK leader Vaiko today said he had requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to send a delegation of MPs to the neighbouring country to find out the truth. The UNICEF team and the peace monitoring committee had come out with statements that the air-strike was on a school and innocent children had been killed, he told reporters here.

The Sri Lankan Army had also killed the family of a doctor who was helping the Tamils and treating them, he charged. Vaiko said he had requested the Prime Minister to send an MPs team to Sri Lanka and he had agreed to consider his request favourably. He said the Prime Minister could also invite a delegation of Sri Lankan Tamil MPs to know about the ground realities. While the Indian government could help the Norwegian peace process, it should not help the government of the island nation in any manner, he said.

The Norwegian Government has provided Rs. 150 million as humanitarian relief for the people affected by the recent violence in the Trincomalee District, Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar said.The funds will be used to provide food, water and other essential items to IDPs in welfare centres and camps. Special attention will be given to the needs of women and children, he said in a press release.Portion of the allocated funds will go through three local NGOs working in the Trincomalee

District. The local organizations that have been granted funds are the Rural Development Foundation (Rs. 19.5 million), Community Trust Fund (Rs. 27.3 million) and Sinhala Tamil Rural Women’s Network (Rs. 17.6 million), revealed the release.Mr. Brattskar expressed his sympathy for the innocent civilians who are victims of the violence. “I hope these funds can help ease their most immediate suffering,” he said.

General shut down and the day of mourning day was observed in the districts of Vavuniya and Trincomalee Wednesday condemning the massacre of about sixty one children in Puthukudiruppu Sencholai children home in Mullaitivu district by Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), killing of seventeen workers of French NGO in Muthur by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and indiscriminate killing of Tamil civilians in the North East by the State armed forces, sources said.Tamils of Vavuniya district observed day of mourning and hartal in response to the call made by Tamil National Brigade and in Trincomalee Tamils to the appeal by Tamil Resurgence Community, sources said.

In Vavuniya and Trincomalee business establishments of all three communities were closed. Central government and provincial council offices did not function. Branches of State and private sector banks did not operate. Post offices were closed. Law courts in the two districts did not function as lawyers and litigants did not turn up. Public markets did not function as vendors did not turn up. Bus services run by state and private sector to and from Trincomalee and Vavuniya to other parts of the country came to a halt as bus stands were seen deserted without commuters, sources said.In Vavuniya people in villages hoisted black flags. More Sri Lankan troops were deployed in Vavuniya to enforce law and order.In Trincomalee roads were seen deserted without civilian and traffic movement.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has spoken to Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Pakistan Premier Shaukat Aziz on Monday. He briefed them on the current situation in the country.A spokesman for the President’s Office said that the President had reassured the Indian leader on the safety of the visiting Indian Cricket team.The President also had an in-depth discussion Monday’s bomb attack on the Pakistan High Commissioner’s vehicle and convoy in Colombo in-depth the spokesman said.

Under the arms deal agreement, two ships of loaded with arms and ammunitions have reached Colombo port early this week, reliable military sources told Eelam Nation in Colombo.The Sri Lankan leaders including President of the island country visited Pakistan to strike a deal with Pakistan to acquire military weapons and two unmanned planes.The two countries signed the agreement to buy worth $ 250 million weapons and other military hardware.One portion of the weapons reached Sri Lanka’s capital on Monday in two ships with tight security.

It is worth noting that the Sri Lankan government kept on asking Indian government to provide military supplies to Sri Lanka to win the war with the Liberation Tigers of Thamil Eelam (LTTE).Due to pressure from southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu the Indian government refused to provide military weapons.Pakistan and China are among some countries who are going to supply weapons to Sri Lanka those will be used to kill innocent civilians in the northeastern part of the island.Thamil analysts told Eelam Nation in Colombo that the weapons being procured from different countries will come to the hands of the LTTE ultimately as the Sri Lankan armed forces usually flee the battle ground by leaving the weapons behind.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	103.39		104.53
Sterling Pound	195.37		198.51
Euro	131.74		134.19
Swiss Franc	83.17		84.95
Australian Dollar	78.55		80.43
Singapore Dollar	65.27		66.62
Japanese Yen	0.8864		0.9059
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	275.89
Kuwait	Dinar	359.63
Oman	Rial	270.16
Qatar	Riyal	28.57
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	27.73
UAE	Dirham	28.32

Unofficial reports have revealed At least three Tiger artillery shells have hit the runway and the control tower area at Palaly military airbase Tuesday morning, the runway of the Palali Air Port was damaged is not being used now. It is believed that the two runways built by India is presently being used and only small planes could land and take off as these runways are short. The main runaway is being repaired the report said. The source also verified that the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) attempt to land an airplane Tuesday morning was cancelled due to the artillery fire. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Army began firing artillery shells towards Pooneryn, Tuesday evening around 6:00 p.m.

Police and Navy personal have raided the 'Sudoroli' office situated at Jayantha Mallimarachchi Mawatha, Colombo 14 and have inspected the cupboards and checked the identify cards of the employees.All of them have produced their National Identity cards when the navy and police personnel requested for their accreditation cards issued by the government information Department and the identity card unused by their employer.This raid which was done at 3.30 pm has lasted 45 minutes and the editor of the 'Sudoroli' was not informed before hand and it has been conducted under emergency regulations.When questioned by Lanka E news the editor of 'Sudoroli',

Mr. N. Vidyadaran said that the driver of Jaffna 'Udayan' newspaper who has gone to distribute the paper after the lifting of the curfew this morning has been shot dead by the security forces.The Police security that was provided to residences of Mr. Vidyadaran and his managing directors about one and a half months ago has been withdrawn day before yesterday without any notice.It is Mr.Vidyadaran who carried the special message from President Rajapakse to Prabakaran on the Peace process sometime back. He is supposed to be very close to President Rajapakse.

A top official of the United States Government is due in Sri Lanka tomorrow to take stock of the current developments in relation to the peace process.The US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Steve Mann is expected to meet with President Mahinda Rajapakse Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and other government officials during his visit where the current status of the ceasfire agreement is up for discussion.Mann who succeeded Donald Camp is visiting the different posts he is responsible for in the region.A spokesperson for the US Embassy confirmed the visit of Mann and said, "I am sure in the process of the conversations the current status of the ceasefire is going to be up for discussion."

Civil life in the East was crippled due to a ‘hartal’ yesterday in the Batticaloa and Ampara districts. The ‘hartal’, called for by an organization called the Tamil National Organization, was to protest the non issuance of relief items to displaced Tamils, due to the hostilities in Trincomalee, the killing of a group of aid workers and continued attack on areas occupied by Tamils.Public transport was crippled in Batticaloa, Kalmunai and Akkaraipatu and Valachchenai. All shops and boutiques were closed in these towns.No CTB buses were available in any of the towns. Life was normal within Ampara town limits and in Sinhala areas, with public transport operating as usual.However, no commercial vehicles were seen either in ‘hartal’ or non ‘hartal’ areas.No violence was reported from any place.

The Tamil National Alliance yesterday launched a diplomatic offensive against the government accusing it of pursuing a war agenda using civilians as human shields.A TNA delegation led by parliamentary group leader R.Sambandan briefed the EU Ambassador Julian Wilson,UNDP chief Miguel Bermeo and Acting German Ambassador Wolsgang Erdmannsdoerfer yesterday on the situation in the north-east and said it was clear the government was using the Mawilaru issue to recapture new territory. Associated with Sambandan were MPs Mavai Senathirajah, N Raviraj and Gajen Ponnambalam.

The diplomats were also told the government had at least three opportunities to resolve the Mawilaru dispute through negotiations but opted for military action with the aim of capturing Sampur.The TNA MPs said the SLMM has already gone on record of the government’s actions on all three instances with regard to the Mawilaru issue, especially after the LTTE had agreed to open the sluice gates unconditionally.The TNA MPs further said the government had imposed a curfew in the north to prevent people from moving out of the conflict zone in a bid to use them as human shields.

The diplomats were told fighting was continuing on Tuesday in the Thenamarachchi areas but the government was refusing to allow the people to move out of the area.The TNA MPs also charged that the government was hampering the work of the NGOs and INGOs thereby preventing the people from getting adequate relief supplies.Dealing with the aerial bombardment of the Mullaitivu orphanage, the MPs said the government had deliberately targeted it killing a large number of young students who were undergoing a first aid training programme.

The MPs said from reports given by the SLMM it was clear the site was not used as a military camp or a training center contrary to government claims.It was further said the LTTE would be forced to take defensive action if the government continues with its military strategy.Asked by the diplomats about the attack on the Pakistan High Commissioner, the TNA said no conclusions should be reached before investigations are concluded since many groups were operating under different guises.The TNA delegation is expected to brief the diplomatic community throughout the week at separate meetings.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a special meeting yesterday evening at the President’s Office requested the UNP to support him to take forward the peace process. Mr. Rajapaksa held talks with a UNP delegation headed by its Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya to brief it on the war situation in the North and East. The Government also obtained the assistance of military officials to explain the military victories gained during the recent fighting with the LTTE in areas such as Muttur and the Jaffna peninsula, using visuals.

At the meeting, Mr. Rajapaksa vehemently denied the LTTE allegation that the security forces targeted a school in Mullaitivu killing 61 students. He impressed upon the meeting that current attacks were aimed at resisting Tiger hostilities. Chief of Defence Staff Doland Perera also countered the LTTE allegation saying that what they targeted was a well- identified Tigers’ training centre. Mr. Perera presented the visuals of the camp before and after the attack to support the argument.

The President requested the Opposition to make representation to the committee of experts assigned to draft a constitutional framework to solve the ethnic conflict, highlighting the need for an all- party approach to the issue.In response, the UNP delegation pledged their unconditional support to the Government while requesting Mr. Rajapaksa again to come up with his stand on the issue.UNP MP T. Maheswaran pointed out to the President that a large number of civilians had been killed in Jaffna during the last five days due to fighting between the security forces and the LTTE, and asked for assistance to recover their bodies.

The security officials said the Government was only resisting Tiger attacks.MPs Prof. G.L. Peiris, M.H. Mohamed, Gamini Lokuge and Milinda Moragoda also participated in the meeting, and the Government delegation included Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Jeyaraj Fernandupulle and MP Dulles Alahapperuma.

The TULF last week called on the JVP politburo to meet to discuss a solution to the ethnic issue based on the Indian Model.Denouncing what he called LTTE terror and control over people in the North and East, including in government controlled areas, and citing the Muttur incident as an example, TULF President V. Anandasangari in a letter to the JVP called on the party meet with him to discuss an ethnic solution based on a model that was neither federal nor unitary."The JVP should, without sticking firmly to its policy, come down at least out of sympathy for the kith and kin and thousands and thousands of innocent Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims killed by the LTTE in the war front," Anandasangari said.He pointed out that the ultimate goal of the JVP and TULF is the same.

"The Island", a daily of Sri Lanka, has reported as follows on June 17,2004: "Pakistan with the concurrence of Sri Lanka has appointed Colonel (retd) Bashir Wali as Islamabad's top envoy here, Sri Lankan and Pakistan High Commission officials said. "He is expected to take over the mission before end of this month," an official said."We don't see any reason to disagree with Pakistan's choice," the official said, dismissing concerns over the planned appointment among a section of political analysts in India."

2. For Col. Wali, this would be the second posting in the Pakistani High Commission in Colombo. He had earlier served as the head of the Pakistani intelligence set-up in the High Commission in the 1990s and then as an intelligence officer in the Pakistani High Commission in London.

3. It was during his previous stay in Colombo that Al Ummah, the terrorist organisation of Tamil Nadu, expanded its activities in Tamil Nadu and Kerala and , during his stay in London, the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET) set up secret cells in the UK to recruit volunteers for its jihadi terrorist operations from amongst the members of the Muslim community in the UK. This ultimately led to a ban on the LET by the British Government.

4. It is reported that Col. Wali was and still is an active member of the Tablighi Jamaat (TJ), which acts as the cover organisation of Pakistani jihadi organisations such as the LET, the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM), the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HUJI) and the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM) and helps them in their recruitment of cadres not only in Pakistan, but also in other countries of the world. During his earlier stay in Colombo, he had reportedly sent a number of Tamil Muslims from the Eastern Province to Karachi to study in the Binori madrasa on scholarships provided by the TJ. Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai of this madrasa, who was considered the mentor and god father of the Taliban, Al Qaeda and the Pakistani jihadi and anti-Shia organisations, was assassinated by unidentified elements in Karachi on May 30,2004.

5. While in Pakistan, Col. Wali used to attend regularly the annual conventions of the LET at Muridke, near Lahore, and was also attached to the Taliban as an adviser for some months in the 1990s. He was considered a protege of Brig (retd).Imtiaz, who headed the political division of the ISI during the tenure of the late Gen.Zia-ul-Haq, and had helped Imtiaz in running the ISI operations for training the terrorists from India's Punjab in Pakistani territory and arming them.

6. When Benazir Bhutto came to power in 1988, she sacked Imtiaz, who was taken by Nawaz, the then Chief Minister of Pakistani Punjab,as his intelligence adviser. After the sacking of Benazir by the then President Ghulam Ishaq Khan in 1990, Nawaz, on taking over as the Prime Minister, appointed Imtiaz as the Director of the IB, a post which has since been upgraded as Director-General. Imtiaz took Wali into the IB and made him responsible for assisting the terrorists in Punjab and J&K. The training of the terrorists from Mumbai, responsible for the blasts of March,1993, was allegedly organisded by him on behalf of the ISI in association with Dawood Ibrahim, the mafia leader, who was designated by the US in October last year as an international terrorist because of his linkages with Al Qaeda and the LET.

7. Before the appointment of Wali as the DG of the IB, the "News", the prestigious daily of Pakistan, wrote on him as follows on December 23, 2002: " Lady luck seems to have been smiling over the head of a career intelligence officer Col (retd) Bashir Wali, who is believed to have delivered half a dozen tribal MNAs to Prime Minster Jamali for government formation, owing to his present posting as the deputy director-general of IB Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas with offices in Rawalpindi.

8."Col (retd) Wali's intelligence career speaks volumes of controversy as on the one hand he is considered as one of the controversial intelligence officers, who believed in intrigues, while on the other there are many who are very fond of his intelligence 'pursuits' and considered him as an asset for the IB. Amid these allegations and counter-allegations, Col Wali after serving the Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) ultimately landed in the IB with the help of Brig (retd) Imtiaz Billa allegedly in violation of rules and regulations. For quite some time he was made OSD upon change of the first Nawaz Sharif government but as soon as Nawaz Sharif returned to power for the second time, Col Bashir Wali was posted to Sri Lanka over and above the head of the then DG IB Ch Manzoor Ahmed, who never liked him. Later on, he managed his posting to London allegedly by influencing the next DG IB Col (retd) Iqbal Niazi and stayed in London for over three years before the present DG Maj-Gen Tallat Munir brought him back after great efforts.

9."Similarly, Col Wali's promotion in 2001 also remained a questionable issue since his latest ACR was carrying adverse remarks of the former DG IB Maj-Gen Rafiullah Khan Niazi, at present, posted as GOC Log Area, Multan. The most amazing aspect of his promotion was that even the incumbent DG Maj-Gen Tallat Munir, who attended the board meeting that approved Col Wali's promotion, was not aware of this fact. Soon after realising that his promotion has been materialised despite adverse remarks by the former DG IB, Maj Gen Munir raised the issue with the Establishment Division for reversion. The reply is still awaited on the part of the Establishment Division, making the issue more and more complicated. Even Gen Niazi has reportedly raised the same point with the incumbent DG Gen Munir.

10."During Nawaz Sharif's second stint, when Saif-ur-Rehman was playing havoc with the crude intelligence business over the heads of the then two DGs IB, Ch Manzoor and Col (retd) Iqbal Niazi, through Col (retd) Mushtaq Tahir Khaili, the political secretary of the then Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, Col Wali managed to get himself adjusted with Col Tahir Khaili. The naked interference of Col (retd) Mushtaq Tahir Khaili in the IB was so prominent that he even single-handedly managed to obtain orders of the then Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, for the promotions of Col (retd) Bashir Wali and Col (retd) Hikmatullah Khatak without involving the Establishment Division and the administration of the IB. These orders had only been reversed when Ch Manzoor raised the issue with the PM house, which replied that Nawaz Sharif was under strong impression as the orders had reached to him after passing through the traditional channels.

11."Col Wali appears to be an intelligence officer, who is equipped with the skill to survive despite inviting the wrath of the top men of the agency and at the same time managing good postings by keeping goody-goody relations with those who ultimately matter. Neither Ch Manzoor nor Gen Niazi or the incumbent DG Maj-Gen Munir were fans of Col Bashir but he successfully sustained the tenure of all these DGs, which included two serving major-generals.

12."His reported 'liaison' with the Premier (My comments: the present Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali)) goes back to the dates when Jamali was the Minister in (late) Gen Zia's cabinet and Col Wali was serving with an ISI detachment in Peshawar. When Col Wali was posted in London, he reportedly helped Jamali on certain occasions, when Jamali landed in London some two years back for plantation of his elder son's affected liver. This goodwill gesture on the part of Col Wali earned him the appreciation of Jamali." (Citation ends)

13.It is not clear whether the Sri Lankan Foreign Office consulted India before conveying to Islamabad its agrement to the appointment of the former head of the Pakistani Intelligence Bureau (IB) and a former senior official of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), who used to co-ordinate the activities of the Pakistani jihadi terrorist groups in Jammu & Kashmir and other parts of India, as the new Pakistani High Commissioner in Colombo.

14. If it had, India should not have agreed to his being based in Colombo, which would pose a threat to our national security.If it had not, it speaks disturbingly of the insensitivity of the present Government to India's concerns over likely threats to its security. It may be recalled that it was the late Indira Gandhi's unhappiness over the insensitivity of the then Government in Colombo in the early 1980s to New Delhi's concerns over the security implications for India of a proposal of the Voice of America (VOA) to expand its presence in Sri Lanka and another proposal to let out the petrol storage tanks of Trincomallee to a Singapore firm with suspected links to the USA's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) which was one the factors that contributed to her decision to help the Sri Lankan Tamils, whom she viewed then as the natural allies of India, in achieving their aspirations.

15. Now that the Sri Lankan Government seems to have confronted India with a fait accompli by agreeing to the appointment of a die-hard anti- Indian sponsor of terrorism against India as the head of the Pakistani diplomatic mission in Colombo, India has to carefully analyse the implications of his presence in Colombo and take the necessary follow-up action. His presence in Colombo will pose a threat not only to India's national security, but also to stability and law and order in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province. (18-6-04)

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	103.37		104.51
Sterling Pound	194.84		197.97
Euro	131.03		133.47
Swiss Franc	82.86		84.63
Australian Dollar	78.00		79.87
Singapore Dollar	65.05		66.40
Japanese Yen	0.8820		0.9015
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	275.70
Kuwait	Dinar	359.39
Oman	Rial	269.98
Qatar	Riyal	28.55
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	27.71
UAE	Dirham	28.30

Within hours of the brutal bombardment of the Orphanage at Kilinochchi and as the 61 bodies of the young girls lay sprawled at the scene of the carnage, Karen Parker, the Human Rights Jurist from the US rose in the auditorium of the UN to knock at the door of World Conscience and shock the Human Rights experts with the gory details, crying for justice and demanding immediate international investigations.Karen Parker was in the auditorium, billed down to make her presentation to the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights of the UN Human Rights Council when she received the shocking news of the war crime committed with impunity at the Orphanage in Tamil Eelam.

In her speech, Karen Parker, referring to the atrocities perpetrated by the government of ethno-religious chauvinists and political opportunists in Sri Lanka, charged, "……..One of these is the conflict in Sri Lanka, where since the elections in November there has been the worst levels of fighting since the 2002 Cease Fire Agreement. In the past few weeks, the level of fighting has increased dramatically, as have the numbers of military operations of the government armed forces flagrantly targeting protected

facilities and persons. For example, on 6 August 2006 17 humanitarian aid workers from the French NGO Action Contre le Faim were brutally massacred in the government- controlled areas in Trincomalee, prompting 3 independent experts of the Council (H.Jilani, human rights defenders; P. Alston, extrajudicial, arbitrary and summary executions; J. Ziegler, the right to food) to issue a press release on 11 August 2006 in which they state: “the deliberate targeting of humanitarian workers is a serious violation of the basic principles of international and humanitarian law and the Declaration of Human Rights Defenders.” Also on 6 August 2006, several members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission narrowly escaped attacks from the government forces in Maavil Aaru. On 9 August 2006 government forces attacked an ambulance belonging to Nedunkerni hospital killing a doctor, 2 nurses and the driver. On 15thof August, the government forces deliberately bombed a girl’s orphanage killing 60 girls and wounding 120 who were between the ages of 15 and 18. An attack on St. Philip Neri's church in Allaipiddy left 15 dead and more than 100 injured.

Since the renewed fighting, there are more than 100,000 newly displaced, many without food or water. UNICEF and the UNHRC report the continued blockage by the government forces of urgently needed aid to the rapidly increasing numbers of displaced, prompting the UN officer in Sri Lanka to express concern. UNHCR reports that of the over 40,000 newly displaced in Muttar, more than half are women and children, but in a statement on 8 August 2004 indicated they were not allowed access.

The situation of Tamil civilians is made much worse because so many Tamils are still displaced by the Tsunami and because most of the international aid raised on their behalf was not allowed to be delivered. For example, the American Red Cross, that received hundreds of thousands of $$US for Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka, was told by US authorities that they could not distribute it in the Tamil areas. The Sri Lankan government also severely restricted aid to the Tamil Tsunami victims, only allowing aid raised by the Tamil diaspora and then restricting that as well. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of Tamil refugees who have sought and obtained asylum outside of Sri Lanka, the current figures of internally displaced indicates nearly 1/3 of the entire Tamil population is displaced or in exile….."Karen Parker concluded her address with a request that the HRC should "act."

Parking vehicles alongside the main roads of Colombo city has been completely banned by the Sri Lanka Police with immediate effect, as security is being strengthened after the claymore bomb explosion in the city centre this afternoon. Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando said permanent checkpoints will be located in the city and trishaws will especially be checked thoroughly. Two claymores that exploded today in Colombo were fixed to the rear face of a trishaw, and the vehicle had been parked to allow the rear side to face the road. The mines are believed to have been set off by a remote control device. The claymores blew the escort vehicle of the Pakistani High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, killing four elite commandos deployed for the diplomat’s security. Police investigations are being carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the guidance of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Asoka Gunatilake.

Sri Lanka has ordered the indefinite shutting of all schools amid fears of reprisals after an airforce bombing of a rebel-run orphanage where 61 children were killed.Schools across the country will not open on Tuesday as the authorities feared they could be a potential target for the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a government official said. "The government officially announced that the August vacation will be advanced to Tuesday instead of next week," the official said.

Seven have died so far at the Bomb explosive that took place near the Liberty circus this afternoon at 1.05 p.m. It is believed that the target was vehicle of a Pakistani High Commissioner. Twenty three people including the dead have been admitted at the hospital with serious injuries. Among the dead were four military personnel who were providing escort to the VIP. 23 of the injured were admitted to the accident ward out of them three are supposed to be in serious condition.It is believed that the Pakistani High Commissioner along with the his escort vehicles and the vehicles that provided security to the Ambassadors of Bangladesh, Philippines, Kenya and South Africa who handed over their credentials at the temple trees was passing this point at the time of the explosion According to the police two claymore mines fixed to a three wheeler has gone off damaging the High Commissioners vehicle while he was travelling in it. The bomb has gone off in the close proximity of Temple trees where the president lives. This is the second bomb to go off within one week.

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers are closing down several small camp-houses in the Jaffna peninsula and withdrawing into stronger camps Monday, sources in the northern peninsula said.Sri Lankan forces are commandeering private vehicles to move troops and equipment from closed down camp-houses where soldiers numbering upto 10 were staying. Several SLA-houses in coastal villages are also being closed.Civilians say the SLA is pulling out of areas vulnerable to attack by LTTE ground forces which broke through the Muhamalai front defence lines (FDLs) on Friday.Meanwhile SLAF Kfirs resumed airstrikes in the Pooneryn sector, Vanni, Monday evening, as fighting was raging in southern Thenmaradchi sector, sources said.

Sencholai attack “not merely atrocious, inhuman--it clearly has a genocidal intent”-TNA

The parliamentary group of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) strongly condemned the air strike on Sencholai childrens' home by Sri Lankan government forces. The group said “This attack is not merely atrocious and inhuman - it clearly has a genocidal intent. It is yet another instance of brazen State Terrorism. The heavy aerial bombardment on the premises clearly indicates that the attack was premeditated, deliberate and vicious." The parliamentary group in an urgently issued press release appealed to the International Community "to take the earliest possible action to stop the Sri Lankan State from proceeding with its genocidal program”.

The SLMM officials after visiting the site of carnage confirmed that they did not find “any evidence of military installations or weapoins”.After visiting the site that was bombed by Sri Lankan forces leaving 61 school girls killed and 129 injured, Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), Ulf Henricsson, said monitors found at least 10 bomb craters and an unexploded bomb. “It was not a military installation, we can see [that],” Mr. Henricsson told Sri Lanka’s MTV television. Mr. Henricsson said his staff visited Chencholai Valaham at 11 a.m. Monday. They examined the site and spoke to eyewitnesses who described the raid was done by four jets of Sri Lankan Airforce.

He said his staff did not count the dead, but said the official count of 61 killed seemed “fairly correct.” The statement of SLMM head contradicts with that of Sri Lankan government’s official spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who insisted the bombed site was a Thamil Tiger training camp. “We have complete proof. We will show it to the relevant authorities,” the Minister Rambukwella added, but declined to elaborate.

Annan Calls Situation in Sri Lanka "Deplorable"

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today spoke out today against the rising bloodshed in Sri Lanka, saying he deplored the recent attacks, including the weekend assassination of a Government peace official, and called on both sides to stop fighting and resume talks."The Secretary-General stresses that a return to civil war will not resolve the issues involved," a spokesman for Annan said in a statement released in New York, voicing alarm at the ongoing violence and joining the Sri Lanka Co-Chairs - the European Union, United States, Norway and Japan - in calling on the parties "to cease hostilities immediately and to return to the negotiating table."

Annan "is profoundly concerned at the rising death toll, including the seven people killed in a bomb attack in Colombo today, and reports of dozens of students killed in a school as a result of air strikes in the northeast," spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.The Secretary-General deplored the assassination over the weekend of Ketheshwaran Loganathan, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Government Peace Secretariat and veteran Tamil human rights advocate. Both parties, Annan said, must allow humanitarian agencies free and unimpeded access to the affected population.

The violence in Sri Lanka has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, which is working with local organizations to provide relief to those in need. Last week, Annan's special representative on human rights defenders Hina Jilani, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, arbitrary and summary executions, Philip Alston, and the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Jean Ziegler, expressed alarm at the growing violence, especially the killing of relief workers from French organization Action against Hunger who were providing assistance to survivors from the 2004 tsunami when they were murdered execution-style in the town of Muttur.

The UN country team in Sri Lanka called the killings "totally reprehensible" and urged an independent investigation of the incident, which took the lives of 17 aid workers. UN Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery and former US President Bill Clinton urged the authorities to do "everything possible to apprehend the perpetrators of this crime and to bring them to justice."

The Swiss foreign ministry has said it is "extremely concerned" about the flare:up of hostilities in Sri Lanka.On Monday it called on the parties to the conflict to halt the fighting immediately and go back to the negotiating table. The ministry said it was willing to assist in peace talks.The foreign ministry's comments come after a day of heightened violence in Sri Lanka.Tamil Tiger (LTTE) rebels have accused government forces of bombing an orphanage in the northeast of the country, killing at least 61 schoolgirls and injuring 155 other children.The Sri Lankan government has denied the claim, saying the air force had targeted an LTTE training camp.

Hours later, a bomb explosion in the capital Colombo killed seven people and injured 17 others. The Tamil Tigers have denied responsibility."Switzerland regrets the immense suffering caused to the civilian population in the disputed territories," said the Swiss foreign ministry in a statement."It calls on the parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and to protect the civilian population."The statement described the alleged bombing raids on a children's home in northeast Sri Lanka "an outrage".

The ministry called for the two sides to restart peace negotiations and said it was willing to assist in carrying out talks as it did in Geneva in February this year.On this occasion Switzerland hosted the Norwegian:organised talks between the Tamil Tigers : who want a separate homeland in the north and east of the country : and the Sri Lankan government.The meeting ended with the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers agreeing to respect the 2002 ceasefire between the two sides and to stop all forms of violence. But tensions have been increasing since April.The latest chapter of violence has centred on a Tamil stronghold in the northeast and started after rebels cut off water supplies from a reservoir.

Swiss aid agencies in Sri Lanka expressed concern last week following the shooting of 17 workers from a French relief organisation in the area on August 7.The Swiss foreign ministry has also condemned the assassination in Colombo on Saturday of Ketheesh Loganathan, the deputy secretary general of the Sri Lankan government's peace secretariat.It said Loganathan, who had coordinated the government's side of the Norway:brokered peace process, had made "a decisive contribution to the search for a peaceful solution to the conflict".

Sri Lanka's central bank will probably raise its benchmark interest rate for a third straight month to curb inflation stoked by higher fuel costs and an accelerating economy. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka will increase its key policy rate by one-eight of a percentage point 9.25 percent, a new 3 1/2-year high, according to five of seven analysts in a Bloomberg News survey. Two expect no change after borrowing costs were unexpectedly raised to 9.125 percent on July 22. The decision is due at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning in Colombo.

Central banks across Asia are increasing interest rates to damp inflation sparked by rising oil prices. Nivard Cabraal, who took over as Sri Lanka's central bank governor on July 3, also have to deal with a surge in consumer prices amid renewed violence in Sri Lanka's two-decade civil war. ``A further rate hike is the only way to combat inflation,'' said Dudeepa Ratwatte, head of global markets at Commercial Bank of Ceylon in Colombo ``The government's expense side will also be much greater, especially now because of the military front.''

Sri Lanka's key inflation gauge rose to a six-month high of 10.4 percent in July from 10.1 percent in the previous month, the Department of Census and Statistics said July 31. Inflation may rise further after the South Asian island's two fuel retailers this month raised prices for the third time in 2006 to ease subsidy costs. The government plans to limit fuel subsidies to 3 billion rupees ($29 million) this year from 26.1 billion rupees in 2005.

A military offensive that began last month to restart water supplies in the northeastern Trincomalee district is one of the largest since a 2002 cease-fire halted the civil war that has killed more than 60,000 people. The cease-fire is further threatened by rebel demands for the withdrawal by September of monitors from European Union nations as the EU in May designated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam a terrorist organization. Sri Lanka's $24 billion economy has recorded uninterrupted growth since the February 2002 cease-fire, brokered by Norway.

The South Asian island is targeting growth of 7 percent in 2006, the fastest in almost 30 years, as the government boosts spending on roads, ports and other infrastructure. Gross domestic product rose 8.1 percent in the three months ended March from a year earlier on higher farm and garment exports and as roads and hotels damaged by the Dec. 2004 tsunami were rebuilt, the central bank said on June 29. Sri Lanka needs to rebuild about 100,000 houses, as well as bridges, hospitals and ports damaged by the tsunami that killed more than 35,000 people and left half a million homeless.

This year's interest rate increases will help cool inflation and ease pressure on the rupee, central bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said in a July 25 interview. ``With some easing off of inflation and less pressure on the rupee, the central bank is likely to hold back this month,'' said Rohan Rodrigo, head of global markets at Deutsche Bank Sri Lanka. ``The growth momentum has to be kept going.''

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	103.35		104.49
Sterling Pound	195.35		198.47
Euro	131.27		133.71
Swiss Franc	83.02		84.80
Australian Dollar	78.84		80.73
Singapore Dollar	65.15		66.51
Japanese Yen	0.8846		0.9040
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	275.66
Kuwait	Dinar	359.33
Oman	Rial	269.94
Qatar	Riyal	28.55
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	27.71
UAE	Dirham	28.29

Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels accused the government of bombing an orphanage in rebel territory on Monday and killing 43 schoolgirls soon after a suspected Tiger front group threatened attacks in the country's south.The government -- which on Sunday called on Tiger fighters to simply surrender -- accused the rebels of shelling civilian areas in the northern Jaffna peninsula, saying it feared fatalities as the worst fighting since a 2002 ceasefire raged on.A military source confirmed air strikes had been launched on rebel territory but had no details of targets hit or casualties. With contact with the conflict-hit areas limited, the rebel report could not be immediately confirmed.

"The Sri Lankan air force bombed the premises of an orphanage where schoolgirls were studying first aid," Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) military spokesman Rasiah Ilanthiraiyan said. "Forty-three ... students were killed and 60 wounded."The government said civilian casualties were also likely around the Jaffna peninsula, where the LTTE over-ran government forward positions on Saturday, although the army says they had since been repulsed."They have mingled with civilians and are calling artillery fire onto the areas of the security forces," said Major Upali Rajapakse of the National Security Center. "It is falling in and around civilian areas. There has to be civilian dead."

The pro-rebel Web site www.tamilnet.com said 15 civilians were killed when army rockets and shells hit a church, but there was no independent confirmation.The High Security Zone Residents Liberation Force (HSZRLF), a presumed Tiger front group that says it wants the military out of civilian areas, said if the military targeted minority Tamils then bombs would explode in the majority Sinhalese south. We regret to inform that the HSZRLF's Central Committee has given orders to all cadres stationed across the island to carry out attacks against civilian targets in southern Sri Lanka if Sri Lankan armed forces continue to massacre innocent unarmed civilians in the Northeast," it said in a faxed statement.

The HSZRLF claimed responsibility for previous attacks on troops in the north, and proclaimed a ceasefire in early 2006 when the Tigers went to peace talks before claiming more attacks in April. Analysts say it is clearly a Tiger tool.Many of Sri Lanka's most prominent Tamils come from Jaffna -- including shadowy rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran -- and analysts say the Tigers are bent on eventually capturing a town that they have controlled in previous phases of a war that has killed more than 65,000 people since 1983.The Tigers are furious at President Mahinda Rajapakse's outright rejection of their demands for a separate ethnic homeland for Tamils in the north and east.

The Sri Lanka Peace Secretariat says the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) has officially stated that it is withdrawing from monitoring the ceasefire between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The SLMM has informed both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE of its decision. The withdrawal will be made in three steps, with withdrawal from the country as the final stage.

While, both the Government and the LTTE make claims as to who is in control of the Mavil Aru anicut, the SLMM head Ulf Henricsson said that the LTTE was in full control of the area at the time he was on his way to the site on Sunday, the 6th of this month.Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Mr. Henricsson also said he has yet to see any photographs, which indicated that the Government military was in control of the anicut, as claimed by them over the last few weeks.“That may be one sign who controls the dam still,” he said, adding, however, there was no independent verification as to who controls the dam, at this very moment.

Both the Government and the LTTE insisted they re-opened the sluice gates of the anicut, while last week, photographs were circulated showing Government soldiers manning a dam, which was claimed to be the Mavil Aru anicut.The Government says it is now in the process of consolidating its hold on the dam, while the LTTE military wing spokesman says the photographs published by the Government was that of an anicut in Kall Aru and not Mavil Aru.

“Anybody who knows the geography of Mavil Aru will be able to say the photos are from Kall Aru. The army shut the Kall Aru anicut when we opened the Mavil Aru anicut, just to say we hadn’t opened it. After a few hours, they opened the Kall Aru anicut and made claim to have opened the Mavil Aru anicut,” LTTE military wing spokesman Illentheriyan told the Daily Mirror last week.

The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) has condemned the assassination of Katesh Loganathan, the deputy head of the Sri Lankan Government Peace Secretariat, on the anniversary of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar's assassination one year ago. Issuing a statement today, the SLMM said, "After having worked with Katesh Loganathan, and last time met him on Friday, 11 August, 2006, the message of his death came as a shock, not only for SLMM, but also for all people longing for peace. Taking part in his experiences, his well founded arguments and his professionalism has been a pleasure for all people who got to work with him. "There are no words strong enough to condemn this viscous and cold blooded murder of yet another statesman living for peace," the statement said. Mr. Loganathan was shot at close range in his home in Dehiwala and died on the way to the Kalubowila Hospital. Mr. Kadirgamar was also assassinated at his residence on August 12, 2005.

Averting a possible massive attack in Colombo, Wattala police yesterday morning took into custody two suspected Tiger cadres and a lorry carrying a large haul of explosives and weapons.The lorry contained eight claymore mines, a magnet, a GPS machine (Global Position System), three claymore boosters, eight tripods, 15 hand grenades, two cyanide capsules, two T-56 rifles, three T-56 magazines, 175 rounds of T-56 ammunition, a sniper gun, a 9mm automatic pistol, two 9mm magazines, 240 9mm ammunitions, a micro pistol, 10 detonators, 15 metres of code wire, nine 9v batteries, a remote controller, three receivers and one antenna.

According to a woman of the area she had noticed an unattended lorry parked near her house for three days and complained to Wattala police. Police had visited the scene but found nothing suspicious. When the woman complained to police for the second time yesterday they were able to arrest the two suspects who had claimed they were the driver and the cleaner of the vehicle.One of them swallowed a cyanide capsule and committed suicide. The other suspect also consumed cyanide but was immediately rushed to the Ragama hospital in a critical condition.

Following information gathered from the suspects, the police recovered the lorry which had been parked near the ice factory close to the Mabole Mosque. The suspects had divulged to the police that the duo along with another 10 had come in the lorry packed with explosives and weapons from the uncleared areas of East to launch a massive attack in Colombo. Acting OIC Wattala, Inspector Gnanaratne and a special team is conducting investigations under the directions of Kelaniya division SSP Upali Gunasekara.

Tamil Tigers deny peace overture

Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels say peace talks with the government are "impossible" while heavy fighting continues between the two sides. The government had said it received a message from the Tigers on Friday via ceasefire monitors, saying they were ready to talk. But a senior rebel spokesman, Seevarathnam Puleedevan, denied this. About 60,000 people are now living in shelters after fleeing the fighting in the north and east of the country. Sri Lanka's northern Jaffna peninsula has seen more heavy shelling and artillery fire as government forces and the Tigers battle for control of key areas.

The Sri Lankan military said the rebels had attacked an island off the peninsula, but that the area remained under government control. In separate fighting near the eastern town of Batticaloa, police say commandos targeted a rebel camp. Shelling has also been heard around the north-eastern town of Trincomalee. There has also been violence away from the front lines. On Saturday, a senior government peace official, Ketheesh Loganathan, was shot dead in the capital, Colombo. He was the deputy head of the government's peace secretariat, which co-ordinates the Norwegian-brokered peace process between the government and rebels.

A spokesman for the Norwegian ceasefire monitors, Thorfinnur Omarsson, said the Tigers had contacted them to request renewed talks. Palitha Kohona, the chief of the peace secretariat, told the Associated Press news agency that the government "gave a very positive answer and we said we will start talks immediately". But Mr Puleedevan told AP: "The Sri Lankan government's offensive attacks make peace talks and the implementation of the cease-fire agreement impossible. "The government must take the responsibility for the negative atmosphere."

The recent flare-up in fighting has alarmed Sri Lanka's key foreign donors - the US, Japan, the European Union and Norway - who have called for an immediate end to the hostilities, which they said was "seriously unravelling" the 2002 ceasefire agreement. They also expressed serious concern about the humanitarian situation. The ceasefire aimed to halt more than two decades of war between the government and the rebels, who are fighting for an independent homeland for the country's minority Tamil people in the north and east. It remains officially in effect, despite months of violence.

Three LTTE cadres who attempted to attack the security forces were killed by the military while a soldier and a civilian were injured in fresh bout of violence reported from the North - East during the weekend. Two suspicious persons on a motorcycle who were fleeing, defying curfew orders, were fired upon by the security forces on Saturday afternoon in Jaffna. One suspect had committed suicide by consuming a cyanide capsule while the other, who sustained serious injuries, had been hospitalized. He had later succumbed to his injuries. The two victims have been identified as Sutharan Jegan and Ravichandran Pradeepan.

Chavakachcheri police who investigated the case recovered two hand grenades that were in the suspects’ possession.Meanwhile in Mannar a civilian had been shot and injured by suspected LTTE gunmen. The victim who was walking on the road in the Parapthakandal area had been shot on Saturday morning. He was immediately transferred to the hospital by the troops and the SLMM informed.A soldier sustained injuries when suspected rebels fired at an army night patrol in the Mankerni area in Batticaloa on Saturday night. The terrorists attack, using small arms, was repulsed by the army. In Ampara one LTTE cadre was shot dead by Police Special Task Force personnel on Saturday morning. The attack took place in the Tempitiya area. Following the attack the troops recovered a hand grenade and a cyanide capsule.

from New Delhi says “both sides should commit themselves to a negotiated settlement and refrain from violence” or words to that effect.But diplomats, bureaucrats and politicians all agree that New Delhi wants to see the Blues and the Greens come together in Colombo at the expense of the Reds. The President has resisted this notion thus far. Even Ranil Wickremesinghe, harbouring visions of the Presidency for himself in six years, is not overly keen. But for how long will Mother India be content to sit idle, while war, The Bay of Bengal is best known, in meteorological circles for its bouts of ‘low pressure’ across the Palk Straits that usually causes ripples of heavy weather in neighbouring Sri Lanka.

These days, the climate is slightly different, maybe not in meteorological terms, but certainly in political terms: there is ‘high pressure’ being applied on Colombo from across the Palk Straits.Many a time has political arm twisting been attempted. And what does New Delhi want, vis-à-vis the war in the North and East and the ethnic question?What exactly do the mandarins in Delhi or Prime Minister Manmohan Singh desire for its southern neighbour is not crystal clear, but it appears that Mother India wants Colombo to concede significant autonomy to the minority communities, based on the lines of its own federal system.

This it wants done expeditiously, and it sees the presence of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) being a part and parcel of the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration so to speak, if not officially, as a stumbling block to achieving this objective.So we have the spectacle of a red carpet welcome being accorded to Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe - who apparently was molly-coddled more than Rajapaksa himself - when he visited India.

The Indian thinking is that a federal system in Sri Lanka will see the light of day only if the two major parties, the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) join forces. Considering that this has never ever happened since the two parties came into being, this is a tall order.It is understood that the idea of a national government has been mooted. On paper at least, a government with President Rajapaksa at the helm and Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister would be ideal. It would provide a southern consensus that has been lacking in dealing with the ethnic question over the past 50 years.

But the real politik is much different. President Rajapaksa knows any truce with the UNP must mean war, most certainly with the JVP and perhaps with the JHU too. And that is a gamble the President is not prepared to take.He must also not relish the prospect of having a handful of UNP stalwarts in his cabinet with Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister. The chances are that Rajapaksa himself will be upstaged and the stage will be set for the UNP to aspire for higher rewards. It is a course the President is extremely unlikely to pursue, no matter what New Delhi says.

Therefore, he does the next best thing: he poaches Members of Parliament from the UNP, one at a time, slowly but steadily. Some of those who have joined the government maybe the riff-raff of the UNP, but they do have power bases in their local strongholds and they do add up the numbers in Parliament.Clearly Rajapaksa is aiming for a two-thirds majority in the House, not by stealing back-benchers from the UNP alone, but by hoping that the JVP, JHU and minority parties such as the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) will also support him, when it comes to crunch.

But where does all this leave New Delhi? Will it wield the big stick on Colombo? Or will it crack the whip on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)?New Delhi once did make Colombo do what it wanted when it air-dropped ‘parippu’ over the north, signalling to then President J.R. Jayewardene that he would not be allowed to pursue a military option in the north.But times have changed. The world community views terrorism in general and the LTTE in particular differently now. India too has learnt its own lessons the hard way, losing Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to a LTTE suicide bomb attack. So, New Delhi will not endorse any move that would encourage separatism and a victory for the LTTE, more so in the context of the volatile politics of Tamil Nadu.

But at the same time, the government in Delhi has neither the stability nor the inclination to take on the LTTE, by supporting Colombo’s military efforts. Relations between the Rajapaksa administration and New Delhi are not as warm as they could be and what has particularly irked the big neighbour is Rajapaksa’s flirtatious overtures to Pakistan.Then, for now at least, we have India and its suave envoy Nirupama Rao publicly mouthing diplomatic sweet nothings in Colombo’s ear. Statement after statement in all its gory intensity, erupts on its southern doorstep? The coming months will tell.

In an urgent letter to the President, members of the TNA have appealed to safeguard the personal safety of the Tamil civilian population in the North-East. They have pointed out to the indefinite curfew on the people making their quest for safety, impossible. Here's the appeal:

Restriction in the movement of the Tamil civilian population in the Northeast In the recent past the Sri Lankan armed forces and the LTTE have militarily confronted each other in several places. This has endangered the personal safety and security of the civilian population in these areas who have been compelled to flee in search of personal safety and security to safer and more secure places. This has happened in the recent past to the Muslim and Tamil civilian population in the Trincomalee District.

Since yesterday a confrontation has commenced between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the LTTE in the North particularly within the Jaffna peninsula. The Tamil civilian population for their own safety and security would desire to move to safer and more secure places. The army authorities within Jaffna are preventing the Tamil people from doing so. Since last evening a curfew has been imposed in the Jaffna peninsula, which is continuing. The armed forces are thereby denying the Tamil people their legitimate right to move to safer and more secure places in the interest of their personal safety and security. This is a severe violation of their fundamental human rights. Women and children will be the worst victims.

We have every reason to fear that in the event of the confrontation becoming more intense civilian casualties would be inevitable and such casualties would be very high in number. We would therefore urge you to issue directions that no restriction whatever be imposed on civilians moving to safer and more secure places in order to ensure their personal safety and security.

Gun fire at Padmini Sidambaranathan MPs’ housing Complex

Two sounds of gun fire had been heard from A-23, a house occupied by Padmini Sidambaranathan, a TNA female Parliamentarian from Jaffna District at MPs’ housing complex at Madiwela. According to sources at the housing complex the sound of the first gun shot was heard at 7.55 p.m. and the second had been heard after three minutes. The reason for the gun fire has not been disclosed yet. According to security arrangements of the housing scheme outsiders are not allowed to come in with any arms. As such how the fire arm that went off was brought to the complex is a mystery say sources. The police is said to have been alerted regarding the incident.At the time of the incident the Parliamentarian was not in the house but her security guards had been seen near the house. Ms. Padmini Sidambaranathan is the wife of prof. Sidambaranathan, the Jaffna University who is in charge of organizing ‘Pongu Thamil’ festival .

Kethesh Logananathan, Deputy Secretary General of Sri Lanka Government's Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP), and a former member of EPRLF, was shot dead by unknown gunmen near Vandervet place in Dehiwela Colombo at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Mr Loganathan received serious gunshot wounds and died on the way to Kalubowila Hospital, sources in Colombo said.Mr. Ketheshwaran Loganathan resigned from the Board of Directors and as Head of the Peace and Conflict Analysis Unit of the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA), a Colombo-based think-tank, 1st April 2006.

He was a member of the EPRLF during the period 1983-1994, and took part in the negotiation processes between the Government of Sri Lanka and Tamil militant groups spanning the Thimpu Peace talks of 1985 to the Mangala Moonesinghe Parliamentary Select Committee of 1992. During his involvement in the Tamil national movement as a member of the EPRLF he did not contest in either the NorthEast Provincial Councils elections of 1988 or in the subsequent parliamentary elections of 1989 and 1994. He resigned from EPRLF in 1995.

Military and commercial flights between Colombo and Jaffna were suspended yesterday after Tiger guerrillas mounted artillery attacks on the Security Forces Headquarters including the Air Force base and the runway on Friday night. Security authorities were yesterday carrying out a threat assessment. The suspension will be in force until counter measures are formulated. The only exception was Air Force helicopters which were ferrying commandos to battle areas yesterday.Security sources said the guerrillas directed 130 mm mortar fire at Palaly from positions near the Pooneryn area. Simultaneously they also fired artillery at security forces positions at Muhamalai and the adjoining Kilali area.

At Muhamalai they had taken control of six bunkers and a further 16 near the Kilali area after a ground assault that came on Friday night. Troops backed by commandos retaliated yesterday and regained control of the bunkers. However, last night guerrillas gained some ground near Muhamalai and Kilali and heavy fighting erupted. Some were damaged and the troops were rebuilding them. In Friday night’s fighting, six soldiers were killed and twenty injured. In the battles to retake the area, at least 35 security forces personnel, including three officers, were killed.

Fresh battles broke out in the seas off Mandaitivu, Point Pedro and in the Kayts island. There were also reports of some groups moving in the Kilali lagoon where troops on Friday night destroyed at least four of their boats. Whist escalating attacks in the North on Friday night, Tiger guerrillas also launched artillery attacks on the Eastern Naval Area Headquarters in Trincomalee. It continued till early yesterday. One sailor was killed and another wounded. Besides the Naval establishment, artillery fire was also directed at the Air Force base in China Bay and the nearby Prima flour milling complex.

Whilst an officer and an airman were injured at the Air Force base, at Prima, a driver who was waiting with his lorry to load flour was killed. Seven other lorries were badly damaged. The A-9 Colombo Kandy highway was closed yesterday and the Jaffna peninsula was under a curfew from Friday night.

The annual two-day conference of World Tamil Confederation, participated by delegates from different parts of the world, commenced here today. Around 100 delegates, including Members of Parliament of Malaysia and Sri Lanka and representatives from countries like Australia, Canada, the US, Europe would take part in the deliberations, confederation officials said. The Confederation, which was formed in Chennai in 1999, aims at bringing the various Tamil organisations across the globe under a single banner. The conference would discuss the issues relating to ethnic Tamilians all over the world, they said.

The inaugural function was attended by the president of the organisation P Nedumaran, Manolmaniam Sundaranar University former Vice-Chancellor S Aravanan and state unit president of the organisation, M Subramaniam, among others.MDMK leader Gingee Ramachandran, Periyar Dravida Kazhagam's Kolathur T S Mani, Thol Tirumavalan of the DPI, Puthiya Thamizhagam leader K Krishnaswamy would also attend the two-day conference.

LTTE forces broke through military defences in the island's far north Mugamali and overran army bunkers on Saturday, truce monitors said, as the fiercest fighting since a 2002 truce spread. The Tigers and army exchanged intense artillery fire and government jets bombed near the rebels' forward defence lines in the northern Jaffna peninsula, residents said, as thousands of civilians fled to churches. Jaffna correspondents quoted Sri Lankan military sources as saying the Kilali-Nagerkoil FDL running through Muhamalai had been breached at several locations and that several SLA strong points had been overrun.

The military said it sank five Sea Tiger boats as the rebels' feared sea arm attacked army posts on the shore in Jaffna, but analysts said they suspected the Tigers were trying to divert pressure from their fighters battling in the east rather than trying to capture Jaffna."Ten bunkers of the Sri Lankan Army were taken but five of them were retaken by the security forces," said Robban Nilsson of the unarmed Nordic truce monitoring mission. "They are still 500 metres (yards) inside the (army) forward defence lines."

"It's an extremely serious situation," he added, saying Tiger fighters had landed on a Mandathivu island west of Jaffna and had engaged the navy. The SLN is said to have abandoned parts of Mandaithivu, which LTTE officials said was being prepared as a springboard for another SLA offensive into the Pooneryn region of LTTE-controlled Vanni.The military said it still controlled the whole peninsula and had killed 100 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels, but said a few might have got through. Around 40,000 troops are stationed in Jaffna, which is cut off from the rest of the island by rebel territory. As civilians from coastal villages sought refuge, expatriates headed to a UN compound after being warned to leave immediately.

The LTTE sprang into action in Trincomalee at 2.50am, attacking the navy base. The heavy attack continued into the morning. Trincomalee harbour is under artillery attack," said Navy spokesman Commander D.K.P. Dassanayake. There were no immediate details.Civilian residents from Manayaveli area quickly moved into the town to escape crossfire.Meanwhile, the LTTE fighters from the Muhamaalai end were progressing past Achchelu, in the Point Pedro area. Needless to say, the SL army troopers were retreating much faster than expected to save their lives.Reports from Jaffna say the mobile telephone service is now inoperable. Only the landline is functioning. All night Curfew has not had any impact on the civilians as a self imposed curfew prevails in the peninsula every day.

At least one unidentified aircraft flew over the Sri Lankan military base at Palaly firing rockets at around 9.30 p.m. Friday, sources in Jaffna town said. Sri Lanka Army (SLA) artillery fire being directed from the base stopped after the attack, the sources said. Meanwhile a curfew has been clamped on Jaffna town. The LTTE has vowed to repel the SLA offensive on the Elephant Pass area. “We will use our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines in an all out defensive measure to protect our people and homeland,” Mr. Irasaiah Ilanthirayan, the military spokesman of the Tigers told TamilNet when contacted to comment on the reports of aerial attack on Palaly military base.

Sri Lankan artillery elsewhere kept up their shelling towards LTTE controlled southern Jaffna from there large numbers of people are fleeing into Kilinochchi district.The A9 road in LTTE controlled areas along which civilians were attempting to move was being targeted by SLA shelling, sources said. The LTTE’s official radio, Voice of Tigers (VoT), meanwhile urged civilians living close to SLA positions in Thenmaradchchi to move away. The radio warned that LTTE artillery fire responding to the SLA offensive would target camps there.

The Tiger radio urged civilians to stay 1 km away from Eluthumadduval, Pulo-pallai, Kilali, Kodikamam, Kachchai and Varani in particular.Meanwhile, the Superintendent of Police in Jaffna, Erik Perera, imposed an indefinite curfew from 7:00 p.m. Friday in Jaffna.

As a result of the explosion that occurred in the Allai Camp it is believed that 7 Artillery guns and a large quantity of ammunition used in those guns were destroyed and the authorities have brought 3 Artillery Guns from Minneriya camp.Three soldiers have sustained injuries as a shell has exploded inside the barrel of a gun that was used to attack LTTE targets.According to media centre for National Security, three people had died from to injuries they sustained when they tried is clean the live cartridge that was thrown out due to the explosion, to obtain its brass.

According to the Army Media Unit the barrel of the Artillery gum exploded as it had overheated due to over use. In the normal practice an artillery gun fires two shells per minute with maximum provision for three per minute. In this instance due to LTTE attacks the army had used 4 to 5 shells per minute, which had resulted this explosion.When the barrel gets overheated the normal procedure is to put wet gunnies over it to cool down. A spokesman of the Media unit said due to constant attacks from the enemy there was hardly any time to cool it using gunnies.

The LTTE has made an appeal to Tamils living in close proximity to the SL army camps in the Jaffna peninsula to shift their dwellings to safer a places, at least a mile distant from those camps.People living in Kilaly, Pulopallai, Manthuvil, Eluthumadduvaal, Varany, Kachchaay, Meesaalai and Kodikaamam in Thenmaraadchi area have already statrted responding to the alert.The SL army has opened attack on two new venues, Batticaloa in the East and Muhamaalai in the North on Friday, expecting the LTTE to flee.

Batticaloa was subject to aerial bombardment in the morning and Muhamalai frontline was attacked with heavy shelling and artillery fire in the evening. At Muhamalai there was a stiff resistance from the Tiger fighters causing heavy damage to the army. Resistance from the LTTE is very much controlled, fearing not to cause damage to civilians.

The Sri Lankan armed forces have held Vanni TELO & Thamil National Alliance (TNA) parliament member Mr Vinothalingam for hours while he was on his way to hear the plights of people in the northern part of the island.Mr Vinothalingam said he was intercepted by the Sri Lankan army at the intersection of Murungan and Vangalai when he was traveling towards Murungan from Vavuniya.He alleged despite knowing that he is member of parliament the SLA soldiers held him for hours without showing any reason. He said through these incidents the dignity of parliament members are curbed and despite being people’s representative they are being dishonoured.

Mr Vinothalingam said such incident by SLA armed forces should be stopped immediately.“How general people can walk though these areas where the armed forces do not show respect to the members of parliament”, he posed a question. He said the locals are facing enormous problems daily because of frequesnt interception and interrogation by the occupying forces.Mr Vinothalingam said locals should be allowed to live and move freely in their homeland. The armed forces have to stop torturing the common men and women under the guise of providing security.

The sources in the Sri Lankan Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs revealed that all the MPs of the Marxist People's Liberation Front (JVP) who were opposing the extravagance of luxury vehicles by parliamentarians, have themselves bought similar luxury vehicles totally duty free. The Marxists have obtained licenses to import 38 luxury vehicles duty free each worth of US $ 35,000. Sri Lanka Customs sources said that some of the JVP parliamentarians have already imported their vehicles. JVP earlier said that its MPs will buy vehicles only to the value of $ 22,000 for their use as the people of the country are suffering due to the rising cost of living.

Hundreds of Muslims, including Muslim political leaders participated in a slogan chanting ‘Protest March’ yesterday in Colombo, after the Jumma prayers (afternoon Friday prayers), around 1.30 pm from Dematagaha Jumma Masjid located near the Colombo Town Hall. The protest march that set out from Masjid went along the Town Hall roundabout, the Lipton circle and to the Maradana Jumma Mosque along Deans Road. From there the protestors marched along D.R.Wijewardena Mawatha to Pettah where the protest march concluded.

About nine Tamil shops along the route of the protest march located in Armour Street in Colombo city were attacked by a group of Muslims during a demonstration, police sources in Colombo said. Krishna Vilas and Vaani Vilas, two prominent restaurants were heavily damaged in the attack, One policeman was injured in this incident, Additional Police squads were rushed to the area and the situation was brought under control after a few hours police sources said. Tension prevailed for some time and protestors later on dispersed on the advice of the Police.

Renegade rebel leader Karuna Amman’s party Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP) will be opening its next political office in Ampara, Kartheive. At present the party which is planning to enter mainstream politics is searching for a suitable site for its office in Ampara, their Intelligence Unit reported yesterday. The first office of TMVP was opened last Wednesday (August 09) at Schofield Place in Kollupitiya.

India’s cricket team arrived in Sri Lanka to play a tri-nation limited-overs series, after fine-tuning with what local media was dubbing military training.Sri Lanka’s The Island’ newspaper carried front page photographs of Yuvraj Singh in camouflaged dress taking aim with a rifle assisted by personnel from the Indian Parachute Regiment, and other players climbing ropes walking a tight rope in military-like dress.

The training was part of India’s preparation in the southern city of Bangalore, before the tournament which also involves South Africa.It’s nothing extraordinary, whatever we do is blown out of proportion’ Indian skipper Rahul Dravid told reporters in Colombo when asked about the exercise.We were there just to explore their (players’) minds and to show that there is more to life than a game of cricket,’ Dravid said.

We have to give them opportunities to explore different things.’Sri Lanka is hosting the tournament amid bomb threats in the capital and raging battles between government forces and separatist rebels in the country’s northeast.On Tuesday, suspected Tamil Tiger rebels, who are fighting to create a separate state for the country’s ethnic minority Tamils, detonated a car bomb in a busy street in Colombo killing two people.

There have also been two other suicide bomb attacks in and around Colombo in the past four months targeting high ranking officers of Sri Lanka’s army.Boosted by the return of prolific batsman Sachin Tendulkar after five months of rest because of shoulder surgery, the Indians will play a warm-up match on Saturday before taking part in their first tournament match on Aug. 16 against Sri Lanka.

Dravid conceded India has not had much success playing in Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka, particularly on their home conditions, have played really well. It’s been quite a challenge for us,’ he said.India needs to get better at the simple things, like taking singles against slow bowlers in the middle overs, to overcome the problem, he said.

Heavy fighting erupted between government troops and the LTTE in Mavil Aru yesterday resulting in scores of casualties on both sides as a new phase of ‘operation watershed’ resumed with both the government and the LTTE attempting to consolidate control of the now infamous anicut.The Media Centre for National Security(MCNS) said government troops launched an operation to retaliate attempts by the LTTE to regain control of the anicut which was re-opened on Tuesday ending more than two weeks of suffering by thousands of villagers who depended on the water.

The LTTE denied claims it was attempting to close the anicut once again adding that the fresh military offensive resulted in the deaths and injuries to scores of innocent civilians.“The army came under heavy mortar and artillery firing by the LTTE around 4.00 last morning. The LTTE were firing artillery and mortar bombs from civilian locations. The Tigers have kept their 122 mm. artillery guns and mortars in civilian areas in Sampur and Echchalampattu to attack us and are using civilian as a shield to escape from our attacks,” MCNS spokesman Major Upali Rajapakse said.

“We are compelled to retaliate in response to the LTTE attacks to secure the re-opened sluice gates so as to ensure that drinking water and irrigation facilities will continue to be provided.”Meanwhile, Air Force jets conducted air raids over Sampur and Echchalampattu areas targeting LTTE gun positions.Military sources said that six soldiers were killed and nearly 50 injured. The injured were evacuated to Kantale and Polonnaruwa hospitals. Some soldiers had been airlifted to Colombo due to their critical condition.

They also said more than 30 LTTE cadres had been killed and a large number injured when the military retaliated.LTTE military wing spokesman Irasiah Illentheriyan told the Daily Mirror thousands of government troops backed by air support attacked rebel cadres in Mavil Aru resulting in the fierce battle between both sides but declined to comment on rebel casualties.“It has been more than 48 hours since we reopened the anicut and the government troops launched a fresh operation to regain control of the sluice gates.

The government propaganda says we are trying to close the anicut again and that is why the new operation was launched. That is not true. We opened it on humanitarian grounds so there is no need for us to close it again,” Mr. Illentheriyan said.He claimed some 50 civilians from areas surrounding Mawilaru were killed and some 200 injured owing to the fresh military operation adding that as of last afternoon 15 of the civilian bodies were with the LTTE Trincomalee political head S. Elilan.

Major Rajapakse said he was did not wish to comment on the LTTE’s claims of heavy civilian casualties but charged that the LTTE was attacking from within civilian populated areas in an attempt to force the army to retaliate on the civilians.The MCNS said Security Forces were compelled to retaliate in response to the ‘Tiger’ terrorist attacks to secure the re-opened sluice gates since 8.00 p.m. on Tuesday to ensure that drinking water and irrigation facilities would continue to be provided to some 15,000 people.

Mr. Illentheriyan however claimed the LTTE had full control over the anicut and that the military had infact shut the Kallaru anicut as soon as the LTTE reopened the Mawilaru sluice gates at 5pm on Tuesday.“They closed the Kallaru anicut so that the water that comes from Mawilaru which goes through the Kallaru gates does not reach the villagers or else it would prove we had control of the sluice gates. At 8pm the army opened the Kallaru anicut and then tried to fool the people by announcing they had opened the Mawilaru anicut at that time,” Mr. Illentheriyan said.He also claimed the government was publishing photographs of the Kallaru anicut claiming it was the Mawillaru sluice gates in an attempt to deceive the public into believing the government had control over Mawillaru.

Many troops battling Tamil Tiger rebels in east Sri Lanka were feared dead or wounded on Thursday after an ammunition dump at an army camp apparently accidentally exploded, military sources said."We fired artillery all day. Maybe one of the guns overheated and accidentally blew up," said one source. "The dump exploded. We expect lots of casualties and deaths."Reuters correspondents in the eastern town of Trincomalee heard sustained explosions coming from the camp about 30 km (20 miles) away, which lit up the night sky on the horizon.The army said the explosion appeared to be accidental, but had no details on the damage caused. Hospital officials at the nearby government-held town of Kantale sent four ambulances to the area as a precaution.

In a rare show of unity, representatives from some of the major political parties including the SLFP, UNP and the TNA yesterday called on both the government and the LTTE to end the fighting and resume peace talks.The political parties have decided to lend their voice for peace by taking part in a massive peace rally organized by the National Anti War Front on August 17 with more than 100,000 participants expected to attend.Addressing a press gathering to announce the event, SLFP MP and Justice and Law Reforms Deputy Minister Dilan Perera stressed that though as political parties those taking part in the rally might have differences of opinion they agreed on two key points which was peace and power sharing.

“The type of model of power sharing can be discussed later but we all agree the national question should be solved on the basis of power sharing. A handful of people go out and shout for war but we who want peace are silent so we have now decided to let our voices heard by saying no to war,” the Deputy Minister said.TNA MP N. Raviraj said his party also firmly wanted peace recalling that four years of peace had proved that through war nothing could be achieved. UNP MP Dr. Rajitha Senaratne noted that peace loving people had been confined to their buildings as those who advocate war took to the streets.

Democratic Left Front leader Vasudeva Nanayakara said although the JVP and JHU have attempted to prove that war was the only solution, the consequence of the conflict had proven otherwise.“We are of the joint opinion that peace must prevail and the voice of the people be heard. National unity will only create love for the country and not war. We should not let innocent people be the victims,” he said.National Anti war Front Chairman Dr. Kumar Rupasinghe said people of this country wanted peace, peace and peace a view expressed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as well.He said the organizers of the rally hoped to have the participation of the President and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at the event on one stage lending their voice for peace and unity.

The TNA yesterday in parliament said the ‘Kiranthammunai incident’ was totally unacceptable if it had actually taken place.The SLMC alleged earlier that some Muslims were massacred by the LTTE in the area while they were fleeing Mutur due to hostilities between the government and the Tigers.Speaking during the adjournment debate on the humanitarian crisis triggered by the Mutur attack, TNA leader R. Sampanthan said they were yet to receive definite information about the incident.Mr. Sampanthan said, “if such a thing had occurred, it is totally unacceptable.”

He said that the humanitarian crisis triggered by the recent violence was not a matter to be neglected or overlooked.Commenting on the blockade of the water passage in Mavil Aru he said the non-implementation of a water supply project funded by the Asian Development Bank in the uncleared areas compelled the LTTE to close the sluice gates of the Mavil Aru anicut.

He said the ADB project was to bring benefit to people in the Tiger-held areas, and the North East Governor and the Government Agent of Trincomalee allegedly decided not to implement it.However, Mr. Sampanthan said the LTTE was willing to open the sluice gates. Citing statements made by the SLMM and others concerned, he said the LTTE’s willingness to settle the matter through negotiations was scuttled by the military offensive.

He said such a military approach to solve the matter was thrust upon the government by those who wanted to show their muzzle in the area.He said there had been killings of civilians yesterday as well and queried whether there was a military agenda which went beyond the supply of water to farmers.

While continuing to consider the LTTE as a ruthless terrorist organization, India’s knowledge that Tamil civilians have a genuine grievance has prevented the Indian government from advocating a military solution to Sri Lanka’s conflict, India’s External Affairs Ministry Joint Secretary Virendra Gupta said.Mr. Gupta, currently on deputation to the IDSA, was addressing a group of senior journalists from Sri Lanka held at the semi-government think tank – Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA) in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Mr. Gupta said Tamil grievances would continue to remain as they were unless the two principal parties in Sri Lanka – the SLFP and the UNP took a common stand on the final settlement and worked towards that jointly.Mr. Gupta’s comments came a few days after a similar statement by Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran on the urgency for the two main parties to join hands and help bring the peace process back on track.

The Indian Foreign Secretary however added it would be much better if the other minor and minority parties too joined the main parties and formed a broader alliance and spoke in one voice.He said this to the same group of journalists at the Indian External Affairs Ministry on Friday while the Sri Lankan security forces and the LTTE were locked in fierce battles to wrest control of Mutur.Mr. Saran said it was India’s position that the Sri Lankan security forces and the LTTE should put an immediate end to the direct confrontations and commit themselves to the ceasefire agreement.

He added that the Indian government was disturbed by the steady breakdown in the peace process – with the interim settlement and joint mechanism for tsunami relief both being rejected and the latest bout of violence seriously jeopardizing the ceasefire at a time the SLMM was also facing a crisis with members from EU countries opting out.Maintaining that Norway was doing its best, as the key facilitator, under extremely difficult circumstances, the Indian Foreign Secretary said there was a need to look at Norway’s role a little more “dispassionately”.

“Norway is the only country whose facilitation has been accepted by both the government and the LTTE and right now no other interlocutor has come forward to facilitate the process,” Mr. Saran said, adding that India was satisfied with the role played by Norway so far.Commenting on the delays in sealing the much-hyped Defence Co-operation pact between India and Sri Lanka, Mr. Saran said it was currently “under review” and that India would continue with its non-lethal military supplies to Sri Lanka to strengthen the capacities of the Sri Lankan forces Besides this the Indian intelligence he said, was closely monitoring the LTTE to avert a possible LTTE infiltration into South India.

A two-member forensic team from Australia met Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe yesterday before launching an investigation into the killing of 17 NGO s workers at Mutur. Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Australian High Commissioner Greg French who had accompanied the team expressed thanks to the Sri Lankan Government for its swift response and decision to conduct an impartial investigation into the killings.

The forensic team set to be joined with a third member this evening will look into the incident that has evoked severe condemnation from governments all around the world and International NGOs. They are to inspect the place where the bodies were recovered and work to establish a connection between the killings and a possible guilty party by inspecting evidence including bullets that were found at the scene of the crime.

More experts from Australia are expected to be called in next week depending on the findings of the present team. Authorities are hopeful of getting results which could lead to the apprehension of the killers. Once the investigation is completed a report will be handed over to the Government and the Australian High Commission.IGP Chandra Fernando who was present at the meeting confirmed that those among dead comprised 16 Tamils and one Muslim aid worker. Four among those killed are said to be women.

A medical doctor, his wife, two nurses and the driver of the ambulance belonging to Nedunkerni hospital, were killed Tuesday night when Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) attacked the ambulance, medical sources in Puthukudiyiruppu hospital said. Three Claymore mines in a row were exploded. Meanwhile, a cvilian bus with 75 passengers narrowly escaped another Claymore attack around 12:45, ten kilometers from Nedunkerni ambush site. The SLMM monitors, returning from Nedunkerni, were within one kilometers when the second Claymore explosion took place.

The attack on Ambulance has taken place at Pandarakulam on Nedunkerni Oddusuddan Road when the doctor, Kathirkamathamby Jeyamalina, 68, the only doctor in the Nedunkerni area, was returning with his crew and his wife to Nedunkerni hospital after admitting a pregnant mother at Puthukudiyiruppu hospital around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Jeyamalina Ponnamma, the wife of the medical doctor, Rasalingam Gnaneswari, 22, a nurse, Jehananthan Nahuleswari, 37, nurse and mother of three, and the driver Kasupathy Gopalasundaram, 54, father of three, were killed in the DPU Claymore attack.

Mr. Kathirkamathamby Jeyamalina succumbed to his wounds while he was being taken to Puthudiyiruppu hospital.Three Claymore mines were exploded in a row. The vehicle was thrown 50 meters away. The attackers had taken position 15 meters from the explosion site. Pieces of wire and biscuits were recovered from a bush, Tamileelam Police said. ICRC official, SLMM officials and Vavuniya LTTE Political Head, Gnanam, and SLMM Vavuniya officials visited the site.

12 hours later, at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, another Claymore mine exploded, 10 km away from the ambush site. This explosion took place when Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission officials were returning after visiting the Claymore explosion site from Nedunkerni towards Puliyankulam. They were 1 km away when the explosion took place. A civilian bus, carrying 75 passengers, the target of the Claymore, narrowly escaped from the attack. A medical vehicle that was following the bus, was hit. No one was wounded in the attack.

The SLMM officials and the Vavuniya District DPDH Ms. Bavani, were unable to return to their offices due to security concerns, medical sources said. They later returned to Vavuniya. Mr. Jeyamalina's body was lying at Puthukudiyiruppu hospital. Dead bodies of four, were taken to Nedunkerni hospital.

TULF Leader V. Anandasangaree has told Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi that his decision to send back the first batch of 200 Sri Lankan policemen undergoing training in Coimbatore, is not only hasty, but also ill-advised.“This decision has been taken without the full knowledge of the ground situation, merely to satisfy some political organizations,” Mr. Anandasangaree said in a letter addressed to the Chief Minister.

Anandasangaree has requested the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to reconsider his government’s decision to send back 200 Sri Lankan Police officers, who were undergoing training in Coimbatore, South India. Anandasangaree has said that the Police are not a fighting force, it settled disputes, maintains law and order, file plaints and assists in Court proceedings. He has also said that a large number of Tamil Police officers have been killed by the LTTE and as such Tamils are reluctant to join the Police.

"Tamil Nadu has not been properly briefed on the ground situation in the North and East. Tamils living in the LTTE controlled areas are living like slaves without any democratic rights. Even Tamils living in government controlled areas are not spared by the LTTE," he has said requesting Karunanidhi to allow the Sri Lankan Police officers to continue training in Tamil Nadu.

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) revised its travel advice for Sri Lanka and warned its nationals against all travel to north and east Sri Lanka following armed attacks in the area. A revised advisory issued yesterday by the FCO said “We advise against all travel to the north or east of Sri Lanka. This covers all areas north of the A12 road (which runs from Puttalam in the west to Trincomalee in the east) including the Jaffna peninsula; and all of the eastern districts of Batticaloa and Trincomalee, as well as coastal areas of Ampara district north of Pottuvil.”

“If you are in these areas, you should consider leaving,” the statement advised.The statement also strongly recommended that all British nationals who are resident and/or working in Sri Lanka, or visiting for over one month, to register with the British High Commission in Colombo and to obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.

India rules out direct involvement in Lankan peace talks

India today ruled out direct involvement in the Sri Lankan peace talks to solve the ethnic strife in the Island nation, for the time being."Our position is that we are not directly involved (in the peace talks)... India's persuasion is important that everyone talks about our involvement. The Norwegians and truce monitoring mission members also talk about our involvement. There is no such possibility at the moment", National Security Adviser M K Narayanan said here today.

Narayanan, who met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi here to brief him about Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraveera's recent talks with Indian leaders, said the Sri Lankan government was very sensitive to the Tamil issue."They had agreed for devolution of powers to Tamils. But, they have problems in dealing with LTTE. After our past experience, we have not involved ourselves so far."

On Karunanidhi's remarks that the Centre's s ban on the LTTE was "debatable", Narayanan justified it saying the outfit was "dangerous one" and said the Centre had no doubts regarding the ban.He also ruled out any attempt by the banned organisation of indulging in violence on Indian soil."I do not think the LTTE plans threats to Tamil Nadu. They will like to have support from India to some extent", he said.

When asked whether Karunanidhi sought change in foreign policy, Narayanan said "there is complete unanimity between the Centre and the state on foreign policies". Referring to the talks between Indian leaders and Samaraveera, he said: "we have explained our position on restoring the safety and security of Tamils in Sri Lanka; what should be done with regard to devolution and to make a distinction between the LTTE and Sri Lankan Tamils".

When asked whether the report about possible penetration by 'Jihadi' elements into the armed forces figured in the discussion with Karunanidhi, Narayanan said the Centre thought it necessary to share information in this regard with state governments.The National Security Council secretariat had done a study on 'Jihadi' organisations' possible penetration into the armed forces. The 40-page report contained information on new techniques used by organisations like the LeT in the recruitment of educated people, he said.However, the Air Force which conducted an enquiry, said that no penetration had taken place, he noted.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) claimed yesterday evening it had opened the sluice gates at Mawilaru ending what had become a prestige battle with the government.LTTE Spokesperson Daya Master told The Morning Leader last evening that LTTE Trincomalee Political Wing Leader S. Elilan accompanied by civilian representatives opened the sluice gates at 5pm.The LTTE on Sunday following an appeal by the Norwegian facilitators agreed to unconditionally open the sluice gates that afternoon but an LTTE delegation accompanied by the SLMM which proceeded to the sight were forced to withdraw after the military commenced shelling.

Government Defence Spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was quoted on Monday as stating that the security forces had already taken control over the area surrounding the anicut and the reopening of the anicut was scheduled to be done the previous evening by the military. He said the LTTE will not be allowed to unilaterally open the sluice gates.The Head of the Government Peace Secretariat Palitha Kohona contacted by The Morning Leader for a comment on the LTTE claim of opening the sluice gates said, "Oh good,"

Kohona said he was hearing it for the first time through The Morning Leader and was therefore not in a position to make an immediate response.Asked how he would respond to the government’s earlier position as stated by Minister Rambukwella that the military would open the sluice gates, Kohona said, "If the gate is opened, water flows. What more can I say?"Meanwhile, Elilan was reported as saying, "The LTTE as agreed with the Norwegian facilitators opened the sluice gates as a goodwill gesture amid artillery firing by the Sri Lankan forces that were unable to reach the Mawilaru site,"

However, the Military Acting Spokesperson Major Upali Rajapakse told The Morning Leader, "These are just claims made by the LTTE that they have opened the gates. There is no water flowing as yet,"It is learnt the water has to travel approximately five kilometers to reach the government controlled areas from Mawilaru.

A ‘hartal’ organized by the Muslim Students Federation, protesting the killings of Muslims in Muttur, was staged in the coastal areas of Ampara district. Tyres were burnt in the morning along the main road in Sainthamaruthu and Nintavur preventing traffic movement.All shops, government offices, markets, schools and banks were closed in Kalmunai, Sainthmaruthu, Nintavur, Addalaichchenai and Akkaraipattu and transport services were crippled. Though, the STF cleared all the roadblocks, the main road was deserted.

Former EPDP Parliamentarian Seriously injured in the Bomb attack at Bambalapitiya

A three-year-old child and another were killed when a bomb, targeting EPDP activist, former Parliamentarian and Chairman of the Palmyrah Development Board S. Sivathasan, exploded near St. Paul’s Girls School Milagiriya yesterday.Sivathasan survived the attack but received serious injuries and was warded at the ICU of the Colombo National Hospital.The bomb had been attached to Sivathasan’s vehicle and exploded at around 2.45 p.m., police said, adding that had it been 45 minutes earlier, there would have been chaos and more fatalities as school children would have been just streaming out after school.

The child killed in the blast had been passing the vehicle with her mother when the explosion occurred. The other person who was killed is believed to be Sivathasan’s bodyguard.Eight others were seriously injured and are presently warded at the National Hospital.Police believe the bomb would have weighed around one kilo and it was fixed to the fuel tank of the vehicle Mr. Sivathasan was travelling in. The vehicle was a ball of fire soon after the explosion, eye witnesses said.The road was cordoned off and the government analyst was summoned to the spot.

A delegation of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC ) led by its leader Rauff Hakeem met with envoys of Muslim countries in Colombo at the Galadari Hotel Monday(7) evening to apprise them the security problems of the Sri Lankan Muslims and the condition of the Muslim internally displaced people. Over 38,000 Muslims have been displaced as a result of week long fighting between the Sri Lanka Government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) in Muttur and its neighbouring areas of the eastern port city of Trincomalee. The SLMC delegation met with the envoys of Libya, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bangladesh and Maldives. The talks lasted over two hours. The SLMC hopes to submit a detailed statement on this regard to the Organization of Muslim Countries shortly.

Though it was reported that President Rajapakse had stopped the tank deal worth US $ 110 million to buy 22 battle tanks,people have become suspicious whether it is the Rajapakses who are behind the deal. We were to buy 22 of these Chinese made battle tanks which is 1.5 million US dollars per unit.Though the price of a tank is 5 million US dollars when purchased form Pakistan, the cost would be US $ 1.5 million when purchased directly for China. Therefore the Pakistan agent would collect a profit of US $ 3.5 million per tank.Buying the tanks from Pakistan at a higher price when it was possible to obtain directly from China for a lower price is commonly called Corruption. In the business jargon it is called taking Commissions or kickbacks.

This morning at a press briefing the Deputy Secretary General of the UNP Mr.Tissa Attanayake raised few questions implicating Rajapakses for this shady deal. Who is behind this deal? State security and the defence forces are under the President. His younger brother is the Secretary of Defence. Another brother is the advisor to the President and the three defence chiefs. Who wanted to but these battle tanks? Who went to China to discuss terms? The President who cancelled the deal has now given the green light to buy two tanks. If two are purchased the commission will still be SLR 700 million. Who approved this deal? Mr. Attanayake put forward these questions to the President and the sensible people of this country.

Mr.Attanayake further said that officials of the defence forces could only recommend required and suitable armaments. Buying is the business of the Defence Ministry. There is a fraud of Rs.700 million in this deal. And Mr.Attanayake questioned whom are they trying to hoodwink.It s believed an high profile advisor who is known among the media and alert people of this country as Mr. Ten per cent was behind this deal.

Former US president Bill Clinton, who is a UN special envoy on tsunami recovery efforts in the Indian Ocean, expressed shock Monday at the killing of 16 aid workers in Sri Lanka."I was shocked and saddened to hear of the killings in Sri Lanka" of the workers "who I understand were providing assistance to tsunami survivors in the eastern part of the country", Clinton said.The slain workers were staff in the Sri Lankan city of Muttur for the French aid group Action Against Hunger (Action Contre le Faim), which has decided to withdraw from the country because of the attack.

"I hope that this wanton act will not deter the critical efforts of aid workers in Sri Lanka, who have operated with courage and determination under difficult circumstances," added Clinton in a statement released by the UN's office of the special envoy for tsunami recovery, set up after the December 2004 disaster in the region."I offer my condolences to the victims and strongly urge the authorities to do everything possible to apprehend the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice," said Clinton.

French FM condemns aid worker killings

French Foreign Minister, Philippe Douste-Blazy, in a statement of condemnation on the killing of 15 members of the France based NGO, Action Against Hunger (ACF) in Muttur last Friday, called it an appalling and cowardly murders."My deepest sympathy goes to the families and next of kin of the victims. I offer my total solidarity to ACF which works throughout the world in difficult conditions on behalf of the poorest people, and I do pay tribute to their work," he said in his statement.The Foreign Minister called on both parties to resume talks to reach a political settlement to the conflict which he described as tearing Sri Lanka apart.

The JVP yesterday in parliament stressed the need to eliminate the LTTE in the Sampur area as well in the present context.Making a special statement in the House yesterday, JVP Parliamentary Group Leader Wimal Weerawansa said the government should continue to follow the same strategies as those adopted to neutralize the terrorist attacks.He said the security for the Trincomalee harbour could not be ensured as long as the LTTE holds control of the Sampur area. “This matter has been confirmed in a report submitted in 2002 by an American Commander,” he said.

Mr Weerawansa said the LTTE gained control of Sampur only after the ‘so-called Ceasefire Agreement’ endangering the people in the area and the security of the Trincomalee harbour. He also referred to a statement made by Norwegian International Development Minister Erik Solheim whom he referred to as ‘Norwegianu niwataya’. “This meek Norwegian requested both parties to go back to the positions which they held before the Ceasefire Agreement. According to him, the Mawilaru area belongs to the LTTE,” he said.

He said that Mr. Solheim was indirectly asking the government to withdraw from the area without attacking the LTTE.Mr Weerawansa said the government was not accountable to the Norwegians and the so-called international community, but to the country’s Constitution. “A government should work according to the people’s mandate and it is the duty of the patriotic forces to encourage and lead the government in the proper direction,” he said.The JVP also paid tribute to the members of security forces killed in the Verugal-aru battle, and conveyed its deepest sympathies to the families of the people killed in the senseless violence.

Academic work at St. Johns’ College Jaffna was affected the last two days as the students protested for a nearby army camp to be removed from the place.Civilians in Jaffna said that the camp had been there for nearly ten years."The students have been requesting the camp to be taken away for a long time and they started to protest last Monday," a school official told The Morning Leader.The official said that a few students who were protesting were taken by the army and then released."About 30 students involved in the protest were taken by the security forces, but were soon released," the official added.

The political arm of the Karuna faction, Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP), will be opening an office in Colombo today with several top officials of the breakaway LTTE faction in attendance.Karuna spokesman Thuyavan said the office would be opened down Schofield place in Kollupitiya this morning with multi religious observances and speeches by TMVP political cadres as part of the agenda.Police were seen guarding the premises yesterday and tight security is expected to be in place today in light of yesterday’s bomb explosion in Colombo targeting an EPDP member, known to be a close ally of the TMVP.

Karuna cadres recently launched several assaults on their former comrades from the LTTE in the east including the first suicide attack against the LTTE in Batticaloa and the TMVP Colombo office is likely to be a prime target of the Tigers.This is the second political office of the Karuna faction to be opened in government controlled areas, the first being the controversial ‘meenagam’ office down Govinda Road in Batticaloa.The TMVP, which is planning to enter active politics under the guidance of its leader Karuna Amman, is a registered political party in Sri Lanka and as such is permitted under the law to open offices purely for political purposes in government controlled areas.

Construction of new Arugam Bay bridge by US begins

The U.S. agency for International Development (USAID) officially commenced work on a state-of-the-art bridge over Arugam Bay. The new bridge will replace the original bridge that was devastated in the tsunami and is the single largest infrastructure project in USAID’s Sri Lanka Tsunami Reconstruction Program (SLTRP).Designed to last 100 years, the two spans totalling 185 meters will connect the communities of Pottuvil, Arugam Bay and Panama to enhance economic Expansion of the fishing, agriculture and tourist industries. Construction of 900 meters of asphalt paved access roads, and improvements to water supply systems will complement the improved access the new bridge will foster tourism for scenic Arugam Bay. The value of the project is approximately $10.6 million.

The ground breaking ceremony included Chairman of the Road Development Authority, M. B. S. Fernando, USAID Director Dr. Carol Becker, and U.S. embassy Charge d’ Affairs James More in his first official function since arriving in Sri Lanka. Several hundred community members participated in the event.

"No one can repair the loss of life wrought by the tsunami," said Dr. Becker "Yet reconstruction affords us the opportunity to help the country develop economically. Beautiful Arugam Bay has tremendous potential to be a highlight of Sri Lanka for tourists, and we hope a strong permanent bridge across the bay and infrastructure improvements in the surrounding areas will bring together ethnically diverse communities in the east" he added.

"Other projects have come to our area, but they did not bother to talk to the community," said Niroshana Silva, Chairman of the Lahugala Pradesha Saba, and resident of Panama. "The bridge is important for all the people living in this area. Given this opportunity, we must try to cooperate on the issues we raise and bend our heads for the greater good."

The project will be executed by an American firm, cH2m Hill. Community consultations established that the local work force will be utilized as much as possible, and continued strong community support will be a key factor in ensuring the success of the project.

"This contribution of the United States will have a lasting impact on these communities," said Mr. Moore. "For a long time, the beauty of Arugam Bay has been one of Sri Lanka’s best-kept secrete. We are confident these infrastructure improvements will bring the communities in the area together and improve their lives." he further said.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	103.42		104.49
Sterling Pound	196.49		199.41
Euro	132.15		134.37
Swiss Franc	83.70		85.76
Australian Dollar	78.37		80.15
Singapore Dollar	65.44		66.71
Japanese Yen	0.8942		0.9124
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	275.84
Kuwait	Dinar	359.57
Oman	Rial	270.11
Qatar	Riyal	28.57
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	27.73
UAE	Dirham	28.31

A Senior Superintendant of Police and his driver were killed yesterday morning when their vehicle was hit by a suspected LTTE claymore bomb explosion at Digana in Kengalle – sending shockwaves in the area as Kandy prepares for the last two days of the Randoli Perahera.SSP Upul Seneviratne (41), a father of two, was on his way to his work place at the STF training school in Katukurunda from his home at Digana where he had spent his weekend. His driver S. Adikari (32) was seriously injured and died at the Kandy General Hospital. DIG Nimal Mediwaka said according to information the bomb had been detonated by two men who had arrived at the scene on a mortorcycle.

Following a cordon and search operation, another claymore bomb, six hand grenades and some detonator wires were found in the area.STF Chief Nimal Leuke said SSP Seneviratne was one of the most senior men of the STF having joined the police departnment in 1982 as an SI and served the STF since 1984. SSP Seneviratne was an old boy of Dharmaraja College, Kandy. IGP Chandra Fernando said he had ordered two special teams to investigate and report.

In the face of protests by political parties in Tamil Nadu and the state government's reservations, the Centre has stopped the training of Sri Lankan policemen in Coimbatore and they have been sent back.Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi told the state assembly today that "the state government has written to the Union Home ministry on the issue, after MDMK leader M. Kannappan raised it in the House on August 2. The Centre has informed that the training has been stopped and all the Sri Lankan policemen sent back from Coimbatore last night".Karunanidhi made the announcement an hour after the principal opposition.

AIADMK and its allies MDMK and DPI walked out of the assembly, condemning the Centre for training Sri Lankan policemen "Which will assist the killing of Tamils" in the island nation.AIADMK whip K.A. Sengottaiyan said "the training could not be conducted without the knowledge of the state government. DMK is also responsible for the decision, as it is part of the central government. "DPI leader K. Selvam, who raised the issue, said "Sri Lankan Air Force is conducting air strikes on Tamils, resulting in the killing of innocent civilians, including women and children. A full scale war is going on there and providing training at this juncture, to Sri Lankan police in Tamil Nadu, has aroused the anger of the Tamils." DPI and MDMK members staged a walkout, condemning the attitude of the Centre.

A member of Tamil Elam Liberation Organisation (TELO) has been shot and injured by unknown gunmen in Kuman Kulam area in Vavuniya on Sunday afternoon. TELO member named Arumugam Navasiyam had been hospitalized in a critical condition.

Workers from a French aid group on Monday recovered the bodies of 15 local colleagues found executed in a battle-scarred Sri Lankan town, taking them by tractor on Monday towards their families. The French government angrily condemned the murders of staff from Action Contre La Faim (ACF) -- also known as Action Against Hunger -- which took place in the northeastern town of Mutur where they were working on rebuilding after the 2004 tsunami.

Rumours circulated for several days that the staff were dead, but with the town practically cut off it was not confirmed until the first aid mission found them on Sunday on the floor of their office wearing ACF T-shirts. Most were shot in the head. The news shocked the tsunami aid community in the nearby northeastern port town of Trincomalee. Most are now also working to help thousands of newly displaced people who fled days of fighting in Mutur and elsewhere after a dispute over water prompted the first ground fighting between Sri Lankan government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels since a 2002 ceasefire.

"For the time being, we have stopped all our activities in the area," said ACF head of mission Eric Fort. "Then we'll see what we'll do. For now, we have no idea who could have done this thing." Pro-rebel website Tamilnet blamed the government for the killings, while the army pointed the finger at the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who have fought for an ethnic Tamil homeland for two decades. "The bodies were found by the army when the Tigers had taken control of certain pockets in the town and when they pulled back it was reported by civilians that they had robbed banks and killed indiscriminately," said Major Upali Rakjapakse, senior coordinator at the national security media centre. "It could have happened during that time."

When Reuters and other media visited Mutur with the military on Saturday as firing continued in its suburbs, local commanders said they had reports the Tigers had killed Muslim civilians. But asked about other civilian losses, they did not mention the 15 dead aid staff, of whom 14 were Tamil and one Muslim. Hardline government allies from the majority Sinhalese community have long accused aid agencies of favouring Tamils and aiding the rebels. Angry mobs have attacked several aid agencies trying to move into the conflict area over several days.

In Paris, Action Contre La Faim said it might ask for help from the United Nations or Red Cross to uncover what had happened. French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy condemned what he called "the appalling and cowardly murders". "I offer my total solidarity to Action Contre la Faim, which works throughout the world in difficult conditions on behalf of the poorest people, and I salute their work," he said.

UN condemns execution-style killings of aid workers in Sri Lanka; urges probe

The United Nations today strongly condemned the execution-style killings of 15 aid workers from French organization Action against Hunger in northeastern Sri Lanka, calling on the authorities to apprehend those responsible and urging an immediate cessation of hostilities between Tamil separatists and the Government on the strife-torn island. The aid workers, who were providing assistance to survivors from the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, were killed in the town of Mattur, according to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Country Team for Sri Lanka, which is chaired by the UN’s humanitarian coordinator but also brings together non-governmental aid agencies.

“The country team said the killings were ‘a totally reprehensible act’ and called for an independent investigation. It added that many civilians have been killed since fighting started in the area and called for a cessation of hostilities,” UN spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters in New York. UN Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery and former United States President Bill Clinton expressed his shock at the killings, extending condolences to the affected families and urging the authorities to do “everything possible to apprehend the perpetrators of this crime and to bring them to justice.”

“I hope that this wanton act will not deter the critical efforts of aid workers in Sri Lanka, who have operated with courage and determination under difficult circumstances,” he said in a statement. Last Friday, the UN refugee agency expressed deep concern about the plight of civilians caught up in the violence between the Government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who have been fighting for more than 20 years in a conflict that has already claimed some 60,000 lives.

Heavy fighting is reported from Mavilaru in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka for the ninth consecutive day as the Sri Lanka security forces continued its offensive in the area to open the sluice gates closed by farmers backed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The Sri Lankan Government Information Department said the LTTE has shifted 122 mm artillery to the area and the Army is shelling to neutralize them. Both sides are exchanging artillery, mortar and gun fire, sources said.

The Sri Lanka government yesterday rejected an offer from the Tigers to open the sluice gate following an agreement with Norwegian Special Peace Envoy for Sri Lanka Jon Hanssen-Bauer. Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Chief Ulf Henricsson narrowly escaped the Sri Lanka Army’s artillery attacks when he was in Mavilaru meeting with the LTTE's Trincomalee leader Elilan on opening the sluice gates.

The Political Head of the LTTE, S P Tamilselvan, told Norwegian Special Peace Envoy, Jon Hanssen Bauer, and Norwegian Ambassador, Hans Brattskar, at the meeting on 6 August 2006 in Kilinochchi, that the LTTE leadership has decided to open the Mavilaru sluice gate, without any conditions, which was shut by the protesters and requested the delegation to address the concerns of the Tamil people of Mavilaru that were put forward by the protesters.

This information was immediately conveyed by the Norwegian Special Peace Envoy to, the GoSL Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera, Secretary General of the GoSL Peace Secretariat, Palitha Kohana, and Norway’s’ Development Minister Eric Solheim. Agreement was reached to act on the decision made by the LTTE to open the Mavilaru sluice gate.

On the same day, accompanied by the Head of SLMM, Ulf Henricsson, and SLMM Trincomalee district Head, Ove Jansen, the LTTE Trincomalee Political Head S Elilan and protest leaders went to the dam location to open the sluice gate. The GoSL forces began shelling the location. Some fell very near the SLMM Head and exploded. SLMM monitors and others who went to open the sluice gate were forced to take cover in bunkers.

With the full knowledge of the presence of the SLMM monitors at the location and the decision by the LTTE to open the sluice gate, the GoSL had decided to shell the exact location. The LTTE considers this act by the GoSL as deliberate and strongly condemns the attack. The GoSL action by implication not only rejected LTTE’s good will gesture it also shows that the GoSL is paying scant regard to Norway’s peace efforts.

The very next day, at 7.30 pm on 6 August, 15 civilians were killed when the GoSL forces shelled the civilian areas in the LTTE administered section of Mutur. Many more were injured and large number of people were displaced. Buildings and property sustained severe damages. 40,000 civilians living in LTTE areas were displaced.Do these actions reveal anything about the GoSL’s intentions? It is the plea of the Tamil people to the international community that it understands the stark truth behind these actions of the GoSL.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	103.43		104.52
Sterling Pound	196.84		199.81
Euro	132.82		135.08
Swiss Franc	84.10		86.19
Australian Dollar	78.74		80.54
Singapore Dollar	65.56		66.84
Japanese Yen	0.9000		0.9185
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	275.86
Kuwait	Dinar	359.60
Oman	Rial	270.14
Qatar	Riyal	28.57
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	27.73
UAE	Dirham	28.31

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera who arrives in New Delhi today will meet his Indian counterpart to discuss the current crisis in Sri Lanka, diplomatic sources said.Mr. Samaraweera is arriving for the ministerial meeting of economic bloc BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) but will hold talks with his counterpart on the sidelines of the two-day conference starting tomorrow, the sources said.The Sunday Times learns the Indian government has urged Sri Lanka to maintain the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) while strengthening the political process and cautioned that the CFA might break down in the absence of negotiations.

In an effort to strengthen the political process, the Indian government which had already offered expertise.on constitutional matters, last week provided detailed documents on matters of sharing power.Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner Romesh Jayasinghe confirmed to The Sunday Times that the documents which also included judicial cases on the subject had been provided and dispatched to Colombo. He said the documents had been submitted to the expert group set up under the All Party Conference (APC).

Mr. Jayasinghe said the Government has so far not sought any assistance of constitutional experts. Among the documents submitted is the Sarkaria Commission report on sharing power between the centre and the regions.On Friday, an Indian Foreign office spokesman said India believed that war was not an option to resolve the Sri Lankan crisis and that the political process should be expedited

Government artillery pounded Tamil rebel positions in northeast Sri Lanka on Sunday as a Norwegian peace envoy was due to meet the guerrillas in the hope of ending days of new fighting. A rebel source told Reuters on Saturday the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) would halt their first offensive on army territory since a 2002 truce and pull back to their original positions. The government said that would stop hostilities. "I can't see the reason for them to fight any longer down here because they are stuck in roughly the same position they were before it started," said retired Swedish Maj Gen Ulf Henricsson, head of the Nordic mission monitoring the truce.

"You never know. Of course, it is up to the parties." But he said the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) had not received any official communication from the rebels to say they were withdrawing. Nor did he have any reports they were doing so. Intermittent artillery fire from government bases around the northeastern port town of Trincomalee could be heard in the morning, with a multi-barrel rocket barrage just before dawn.

There was no immediate word of any casualties. The rest of the island was largely quiet, the army said, except for an attack on a night patrol in the northwestern Mannar district that killed one soldier and a grenade attack in the same area that wounded two policemen. A dispute over a rebel-held water supply to government territory sparked days of aerial bombing around the northeastern port city of Trincomalee and heavy but localised fighting. Thousands fled the government-held town of Mutur just south of Trincomalee as Tigers infiltrated into it and a two-decade civil war that has already killed more than 65,000 people seemed to be restarting.

The government says Mutur town, now devastated and abandoned, is once again under their control -- although on Saturday pockets of resistance remained in its outer suburbs. The army says it has killed 100 or more Tigers, pushing the rebels back. Many of the Muslim population fleeing Mutur say they believe the Tigers, who want a homeland in the northeast for ethnic minority Tamils, wanted them out of town. The army says there are reports the Tigers massacred 100 Muslim civilians.

The Tigers deny the charge. Exact casualty figures are unavailable but residents say both sides shelled the town. "The government claim that we massacred civilians is completely false," said LTTE peace secretariat head S. Puleedevan. "It is an attempt to tarnish the credibility of the LTTE." Norwegian envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer was in the northern rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi on Sunday to meet the Tiger political leadership and try and broker a halt in the fighting and perhaps even a return to talks the Tigers pulled out of in April. But few are optimistic.

He will likely try to persuade the Tigers to allow members of SLMM from European Union states Finland, Sweden and Denmark, to stay in the monitoring mission. The Tigers say they want them want out by September 1 because the EU has banned the LTTE as a terrorist group. That would only leave a couple of dozen monitors from non-EU members Norway and Iceland in the country.

Close on the heels of claims that Colombo’s underworld had connections with the LTTE and undertakes contracts on its behalf, comes the news that a senior police officer who allegedly shot himself may have been linked to the recent assassination of Major General Parami Kulatunga.Chief Inspector Mudith Nishantha of the Special Operations Unit of the Colombo Fort Police allegedly committed suicide using his own pistol at a guest house in Kurunegala on Thursday. A few days before his death, the inspector had been questioned by police investigators in connection with General Kulatunga’s killing.

“Yes we questioned him,” confirmed SSP Sarath Lugoda, Director of the Colombo Crime Division.“I wanted to collect more information before further questioning him but when we tried to contact him, he avoided us and we sent a message to the OIC of the Colombo Fort Police to get him to come.”However Chief Inspector Nishantha had made an entry that he had been given permission by a senior officer to go home and left his station. “But no such permission had been granted,” SSP Lugoda said.

Disclosing details of the suicide, Kurunegala Headquarters Inspector Anil Priyantha told The Sunday Times that a person had checked into a guest house on the wewa rawma (bund of the lake) around 7.15 on the night of August 1. “He had taken dinner and gone to bed. He had been there the following day too. On August 3, at breakfast, he had requested that his bill be brought to the room around 9.30 a.m,” the inspector said.

“When the guest house staff knocked on his door there had been no response. Repeated knocking had also been futile. The staff then called 119, the police emergency in Kurunegala. When the police got into the room they found a person in civilian clothes fallen on the bed with a shot through the head,” HQI Priyantha said adding that the police also found the man’s identity card indicating his rank. “His service pistol was found by his side,” he said. According to HQI Priyantha, the inquest revealed that death was due to gunshot injuries and a verdict of suicide was returned.

Sri Lanka rebels say they will lift water blockade

Tamil Tiger rebels Sunday told a top Norwegian peace broker they would lift a water blockade at the root of the latest fighting in Sri Lanka that has killed hundreds, a rebel spokesman told AFP.The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) told Norway peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer that they will open the Maavilaru irrigation sluice gates at 4:00 pm (1030 GMT) Sunday.

He said Norway agreed to work towards setting up a committee to provide drinking water to civilians in rebel-held areas of the northeastern Trincomalee district. The move is hoped to end a crisis that began more than two weeks ago when Sri Lankan troops attempted to force the rebels to open the canal through air strikes and ground assaults.More than 425 people have been killed in the latest fighting, according to an official count.

Only a drill says army

The army said yesterday that the 50 grams of explosives detected near Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka’s office at army headquarters were part of an internal security drill.A packet of high explosives was reportedly found by sniffer