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Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday told Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake that the government should proceed to forward a comprehensive devolution package and resume peace talks now that there was a stable majority in parliament.The Indian Premier made his comments when the duo met in New Delhi on Monday. Wickremanayake is in India to attend the Congress Party Convention.Manmohan Singh had also drawn attention to the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka and called for its speedy resolution.Following the meeting with the Indian Premier, Wickremanayake also met UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who is also in India to attend the Congress Party Convention.Wickremesinghe met the Indian Premier yesterday and said President Mahinda Rajapakse by his actions had sent a clear message he was not interested in UNP support in the resolution of the country’s problems.

Newly appointed Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama left for India yesterday on an invitation by his counterpart Pranab Mukherjee. He will also visit Germany on February 1, to hold bi-lateral talks between the two countries. The Minister is expected to meet his German counterpart Frank Walter Steinmier to promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries. He is also expected to meet the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Bundestag, the members of the Committee for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Chairman and the committee members of South Asia Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag.

The Free Media Movement (FMM) is deeply disturbed to learn that basic communications facilities to the Jaffna Peninsula have been blocked since 28 January 2007. Internet facilities and approximately 8,000 landline telephones of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) are currently dysfunctional. SLT, jointly owned by the Sri Lankan government and Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation (NTT) of Japan, is the sole Internet provider in Jaffna Peninsula with a population of approximately 600,000, according to official statistics. The FMM was told that there has been no official decision by the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority to block communications in this manner in the Peninsula. However, a number of citizens and journalists in Jaffna, when contacted through mobile phones, confirmed that there has been no Internet access in Jaffna since 28 January. The SLT Jaffna office told FMM that for security reasons the SLT link to Jaffna had been disconnected from Anuradhapura, a north central city.

Two Tamil newspapers, "Sudaroli" and "Thinankkural", told FMM that they have been unable to send or receive news or photos via email to other newspapers in their media group since 28 January. Freelance and independent journalists based in Jaffna also cannot send any photos by email nor access the Internet. FMM notes that the freedom to receive and impart information and ideas through any medium, regardless of frontiers, is enshrined as a fundamental right in Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We also note that given the context of uncertainty and fear, access to and the dissemination of accurate information through the media is of paramount importance in securing human rights and human security in the Peninsula. Accordingly, the FMM strongly urges the relevant authorities to take immediate steps to reconnect the Jaffna peninsula by unblocking access to the Internet and by facilitating unrestricted access to basic telephony in the region.

With widespread dissension in the SLFP following Sunday’s cabinet reshuffle, President Mahinda Rajapakse on Monday approached a business tycoon to prevent senior ministers in his government forming a dissident group to protest the accommodation of UNP crossers-over in cabinet.Informed sources said President Rajapakse had Monday night at 10.30 p.m. telephoned the business tycoon and urged him to use his good offices with National Heritage Minister Anura Bandaranaike and prevent him from visiting the residence of Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s who has publicly opposed the decision to accommodate UNP crossers-over.The President, it is learnt, had told the business tycoon to tell Bandaranaike not to visit Samaraweera’s residence since the Ports Minister was conspiring against him and the government.

The President’s call to the business tycoon follows information that several senior SLFP members had gathered at Minister Samaraweera’s residence after the new cabinet was sworn in on Sunday to protest the allocation of ministries where the top posts were given to the UNP crossers-over.The Morning Leader learns that among those present at Samaraweera’s residence which numbered around 15 were Ministers Bandaranaike, Arumugam Thondaman, A.L.M. Athaullah and Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi.The President had also reportedly told the business tycoon to inform Bandaranaike not to worry and fall into a trap set by Samaraweera and that he will look after him.Bandaranaike, informed sources said, had told the business tycoon to tell the President he will visit any house he pleases and that Samaraweera was a cabinet colleague and that he would continue to visit him.

"At Samaraweera’s residence, Anura Bandaranaike said his birth sign was Leo and that while the lions sleep most of the time, when they wake up they stretch out, sniff the air and let out a great big roar and then go on the hunt," a top source present at Samaraweera’s residence said.Contacted by The Morning Leader, Bandaranaike confirmed he received a message from the President through the business tycoon but declined to give details.Meanwhile, despite the President’s request, Bandaranaike and several senior SLFP members met at Samaraweera’s residence again last night to discuss the current political situation.

Sri Lanka announced securing 4.5 billion dollars worth of overseas aid pledges, but foreign donors insisted that the nation risked losing the cash unless there was peace. Investment Promotions Minister Sarath Amunugama said Tuesday that foreign donors pledged help to build roads, ports, coal power plants and highways during the final day of the two-day aid review meeting in the southern town of Galle. "International donors expressed satisfaction at our economic track record and we have got commitments up to 4.5 billion dollars this year," he told reporters. He did not specify a timeline and did not give details on the precise amounts promised by individual donors and lending institutions.

The comments came after donors and international lenders warned Colombo that it could face a cut in assistance unless it made peace with the Tamil Tiger rebels and ended a conflict which has claimed over 60,000 lives since 1972. "Building on the successful response we received today, the government is now working up to raise 9.0 billion dollars in pledges for long-term development work in the next three years," Amunugama said. Sri Lanka had originally planned to convert 1.5 billion dollars in aid pledges received for this year's development work into firm commitments amid rising concern that the island was heading for more violence.

The European Union, a key backer of Norwegian-led peace efforts, showed its displeasure by sending low-level diplomats for the Sri Lanka Development Forum opened by President Mahinda Rajapakse, diplomats said. The EU has also been critical of the government's human rights record in the face of escalating fighting with Tamil rebels. Late last year Germany announced a halt in new aid to Sri Lanka and asked others to follow suit. But the government appeared determined to resist pressure from international donors and lenders to link aid to progress in the island's faltering peace efforts with rebels.

"We are now increasingly looking at securing bilateral aid from friendly countries like China and India, who are keen to help us in our development work," Amunugama added. The United States, breaking ranks with its European partners, sent ambassador Robert Blake, but he issued a warning to Sri Lanka against pursuing a military solution to the separatist conflict. "We remain unwavering in our conviction that there can be no military solution to this terrible conflict," Blake said, raising government eyebrows at the first ever aid meeting attended by the island's military top brass.Blake urged Sri Lanka to "seize the opportunity to forge a power-sharing deal that can form the basis for talks" with the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Diplomats and lenders attending the closed-door conference feared that the government might not take their warnings seriously. "Some of the biggest lenders to Sri Lanka came out strong for a power-sharing deal," a delegate said, adding that they had the impression that the authorities were unmoved.

"The tone suggests that they (the government) imply that donors should support the war," said Harsha de Silva, an economist at LIRNEasia, a regional economic think-tank. However, Sri Lanka's chief peace negotiator Nimal Siripala de Silva dismissed donor concerns, saying the government could not resume talks unless the Tamil Tigers agreed to negotiate. Sri Lanka believes that donors should separate aid from the conflict and allow the administration to press ahead with its own economic agenda."We are not ready to accept any conditions linking aid with peace," Sri Lanka's Central Bank governor Nivard Cabraal told AFP.

Another move to resume peace talksSLMM carries urgent message from Govt. to LTTE

A top SLMM delegation will travel to the North today carrying an urgent message of the government, probably giving the Tigers the final call to resume peace talks.This comes in the wake of donors who met in Galle over the past two days also calling for a political solution to the conflict.SLMM acting head Jon Oskar Solnes will travel to Kilinochchi today for the crucial meeting which had been postponed for the past two weeks owing to the government’s failure to provide a helicopter for the trip.While the helicopter was only promised by last afternoon, the monitors were even prepared to use land transport as an alternative today in view of the importance of meeting the LTTE to discuss several crucial issues resulting from the current environment in the North and East.SLMM spokesman Thorfinur Omarsson told the Daily Mirror a meeting would take place between the monitors and the LTTE today.

This would be the first high level meeting between the LTTE and the SLMM since November last year.The SLMM met government peace secretariat head and Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona two weeks ago and discussed the escalating violence as well as amendments expected in the role of the monitors to make the SLMM more effective.Today’s meeting comes at a crucial time with the military continuing to advance further into rebel territory in the east with Thoppigala the next target.In an interview with Indian website ‘Tehelk.com’ Mr. Thamilselvan claimed the rebel leadership had many “strategies” to defeat the military and was confident that no force however powerful could defeat the moral strength of their people.“These air force fighter planes are not something that came into being only yesterday. Throughout our struggle we have battled the government air force, navy and the land-based forces.

We have faced this air force during 2000 when we retook the Wanni mainland and the Elephant Pass military complex. In the end, we destroyed these fighter planes in their own airport. That is the history known to everyone. Our leadership has many strategies to defeat these mercenary forces. We will implement these strategies to defeat them in the future. We are confident that no force however powerful can defeat the moral strength of our people. We will win,” Mr. Thamilselvan said.The rebel political head further emphasised that their fight was to have a peaceful life devoid of military occupation and warned that a situation would arise where the fake confidence of the government will be shattered.

LTTE Chief Velupillai Pirapaharan is likely to make an important policy statement shortly, according to the LTTE leadership in the east.Seelalan, a top LTTE military leader in the east, last week said that Pirapaharan had been patient during the recent confrontations in the east but was expected to make an ‘important statement’ soon.The Tigers have been evicted from most areas under their control in the east and are now boxed into areas around Toppigala, west of Batticaloa and jungle areas between Trincomalee and Batticaloa Districts.The Tigers have remained sketchy about the battles in the east, only saying that they took a decision to withdraw from areas around Vaharai due to the government imposed blockade and civilian suffering.

STF personnel engaged in clearing operations in the Kanchikudichchiaru area yesterday overran a major Tiger medical center and a food store.Military spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe said the STF captured a Tiger hideout called ‘Puvi Master’ base and another store used by the LTTE for storing dry rations in the Gangamuvegoda area.He said the LTTE cadres who had been preparing their meals at the time of the raid, had fled the area leaving behind several vehicles, a large quantity of medicines and medical equipment and other items.He said the STF also found 52 gunny bags of rice, 12 camping tents, 25 plastic baskets, a stock of medicine and a large number of empty bags reportedly with the WFO emblem.During the past few weeks, STF troops captured 20 LTTE bases in the same area.

The security situation in Vavuniya is critical and unpredictable, and is likely to deteriorate in the coming days, peace monitors warned yesterday.Violence and confrontations between security forces and the Tigers had seen a marked increase in the town following the army regaining control of Vaharai two weeks ago. Monitors have warned that Vavuniya could be the next fissure point."We are deeply concerned about the situation in Vavuniya and we hope the violence subsides soon. The situation is only getting more critical everyday," SLMM Spokesperson Thorfinnur Omarsson told The Morning Leader.The military also warned that the situation in Vavuniya remained unstable especially last week as more than seven civilians were killed within a period of seven days. "The general situation in the area is very critical as small group attacks and mortar firing continue. All ethnic groups have suffered and continue to suffer," Military Spokesperson Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said.He added that while the Tigers had initiated most of the violence, government forces had been compelled to retaliate.The SLMM situation reports have continuously warned that if violence was not stopped, the chances of a major confrontation between the Tigers and the government forces were great. The reports said that civilians continue to suffer and have repeatedly requested both parties to respect international humanitarian norms.

A set of Canadian Memorial Stamps and First Day Cover were issued at a memorial function in Toronto Saturday, honoring the contribution by late V. Navaratnam, a doyen of Ilankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK), the Federal Party, and who called upon the Tamil youth to fight for the establishment of a separate self-governing Tamils State in 1969. Mr Navaratnam urged the youth to fight, when he left the Federal Party and founded Thamil Suyadchi Kalaham, the Organisation for Tamil Self-Governance, after witnessing failed negotiations for power-sharing with Sri Lankan leaders for almost three decades. Mr. Navaratnam's son, Jegan Mohan, recalling past conversations with his father, toldthe audiance a conversation, which took place between Felix R. Dias Bandaranaike and Navaratnam, 39 years ago in the Ceylon Parliament Cafeteria, after his father called for a Separate State for the Tamils.

Felix R. Dias Bandaranayake had approached Mr. Navaratnam and commented that the Tamils were always demanding for something, which they cannot obtain, and cited G. G. Ponnambalam's cry for fifty-fifty and Chelvanayakam's demand for Federal State. All of them were rejected by the Sinhalese."Now Navam, you are asking for a separate state. Do you really believe that you can attain it?," asked Mr. Bandaranaike. Navaratnam had responded: "Felix, I don't know whether you and I may be alive, but a day will come, when Sinhalese would come forward to offer the Tamils a Federal State, and the Tamil leadership will consider the offer too little too late."

Navaratnam had issued the first postage "Thamil arasu" (Tamil State) in 1961 as part of the disobedience campaign, with an aim to challenge the state of the Government of Ceylon, contravening a Post Office Ordinance and its monopoly to raise tax, similar to Gandhi's Salt March Campaign.Navaratnam was quoted as having had the idea of breaking the Post Office Law and running a parallel postal service as a part of a mass civil disobedience campaign, following the Trincomalee Resolution in 1956, long before the Satyagraha in 1961, and had drawn the sketch of the stamp, reflecting the concept of a Tamil State. He designed it to incorporate the symbolic features of the Tamil State's economy, agriculture, industry, shipping and trawling. It was finally released in 1961 after the B. C. Pact was nullified by the Sinhala leaders.

The image of the Thamil Arasu stamp is also printed on the First Day Cover. Mr Navaratnam's last advice to the Tamil diaspora, was to mobilize with a unified message to the International Community, and that the gross human rights violations of the Sri Lankan government, be documented and exposed. He also urged the Tamil Canadians to persuade the Canadian government to initiate a demand that Sri Lanka must be expelled from the Commonwealth of Nations for the human rights violations, an act Canada initiated in the Commonwealth against South Africa for its racist policies, Jegan Mohan said.The meeting was organized by Soma Satchithananthan and Praba Ponnambalam and was attended by family members, relatives, friends and Tamil Canadian diaspora members of Kayts constituency in Jaffna attended the event.

Academic work at the Eastern University of Sri Lanka resumed last Monday (29) after a lapse of nearly 90 days.Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC), Prof. Gamini Samaranayake told The Morning Leader that Prof. N. Pathmanathan was appointed as the Acting Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university.Prof. Pathmanathan told The Morning Leader that 75% of the students had started to attend lectures at the university.He however said that the attendance of the students from outstation was low."The lecturers have also started their work and so far there have been no problems. The attendance of outstation students is however on the lower side. I believe that they would start to come as the days go by as all the issues such as security and transport have been sorted," he said.He said that the situation in the university had improved despite the non-release of the former VC, Prof. S. Ravindranath last month."We had some problems after the VC was abducted. That resulted in academic work being halted for one and a half months. However, the situation has improved and we are confident that we would continue our work without problems in the future," Prof. Pathmanathan added.

Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets pounded on LTTE training bases in Mullaithivu at 11:45 this morning, Tuesday the 30th of January. The Air Force sources confirmed that the targeted LTTE training camp was completely destroyed due to the air strike.This, however, cannot be independently verified.

Sri Lankan TELO MP Sivajilingam has urged the Indian Government to take steps to prevent starvation deaths in the island nation. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, he said the Indian Government must recognise the battle for freedom in the island nation. Pointing out that incidents of violence were on the rise in the country, he said the people were beginning to lose the hope of a peaceful solution to the decades-old ethnic strife. He said the ethnic Tamils, including children and women, were targeted during air-strikes and bomb blasts. Violence must end in the country, he said and added that peace talks would resume only if the Sri Lankan Government was willing to take part in it.The leader of the Tamil Nationalist Movement, Pazha Nedumaran, said more than five lakh Tamils in Eelam were facing starvation. He called upon the people to render support to the Tamils in Sri Lanka.The party workers raised Rs 1.09 lakh during a public meeting and handed over the money to Nedumaran.

Donors warn on Sri Lanka violence

International donors have urged Sri Lanka's government and Tamil Tiger rebels to halt worsening violence. At an aid meeting in the city of Galle, World Bank vice president Praful Patel said the bloodshed was "at the centre of any discussion" about the country. US ambassador Robert Blake told delegates there was no military solution to the conflict, which has claimed 65,000 lives since the 1970s. Most of about $4.5bn in foreign aid pledges is contingent on peace moves.

Mr Patel said there was no way "to politely skirt" the issue of renewed and deepening conflict in the island. "The past year has not been good at all for the families of the more than 3,500 Sri Lankans killed as a result of the increased hostilities," he said. "Nor has it been a good year for the additional over 200,000 persons displaced by the conflict. It has not been a good year for the whole population of the north and east. "We cannot spend two days discussing development plans if we do not place the conflict squarely in our sights as the largest obstacle." Mr Patel said the challenges in rebuilding Sri Lanka were "enormous". He said "some fairly good progress" had been made since 2001 but that had now been stopped in its tracks. "The government needs to enable us to do our job better by creating a more conducive environment," he said. Aid agencies have complained in recent months that the authorities have hindered them from reaching conflict areas. They have also criticised the rebels for using civilians as human shields. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse told delegates he believed that development of the north and east was important for sustainable peace. But he said it was "equally important to defeat futile terrorist attacks" mounted by the Tamil Tigers.

US Ambassador Robert Blake said the only way forward was through peace talks. "We remain unwavering in our conviction that there can be no military solution to this terrible conflict," he told the meeting. "We hope Sri Lanka will seize the opportunity to forge a power-sharing proposal that can form the basis for talks with the LTTE [Tamil Tigers] that could finally bring an end to conflict in Sri Lanka." The Tamil Tigers are listed by the US, the EU, India and others as a banned terrorist organisation. They have been fighting since the 1970s for a separate homeland in Sri Lanka's north and east for minority Tamils, who they say are discriminated against by majority Sinhalese. A 2002 cease-fire between the rebels and the government is still technically in place, although fighting has steadily worsened over the past year.

Former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations and Windsor lawyer Allan Rock says the Sri Lankan government is trying to undermine his credibility with an apparent smear campaign as he prepares to present a report to the UN on child soldiers in the war-torn country.Rock travelled to Sri Lanka in November on behalf of the UN's special representative on child soldiers to meet with militia leaders, government officials and families of children who were abducted and forced to fight on the front lines.The former federal cabinet minister said his finding that the Sri Lankan government plays a part in the abductions has prompted false allegations he is consorting with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Also known as the Tamil Tigers, the separatist group has been declared a terrorist organization by the Canadian government.

A Sri Lankan newspaper recently published a picture of Rock at the December Liberal convention in Montreal, posing with two alleged Tamil Tigers supporters, along with an article bearing the headline "Rock-LTTE connection bared."The picture has also appeared in several Canadian newspapers."This is the most blatant example of going after the messenger rather than focusing on the message," Rock, now a member of the Sutts, Strosberg law firm in Windsor, told The Star."Ever since November, when I made my conclusions public, there has been a very concerted effort in Sri Lanka by the media and the government spokesman to attack me and my integrity."

Rock said he has no idea who the men in the picture are.Their identities have not been confirmed, but Sri Lanka's Sunday Standard claimed they are members of a Tamil cultural society at the University of Waterloo."In the course of the four days that I was (at the Liberal convention), there must have been 100 people who pulled me aside and asked me to take a picture with them," he said."It's not my practice to do a security check on people I agree to have my picture taken with."Rock said the picture is now being used "for propaganda purposes" in an effort to divert attention from his findings, among them a discovery that government forces were helping a breakaway faction called Karuna -- which fights the Tamil Tigers -- abduct children and train them to fight.

Last week, Human Rights Watch released a 100-page report that backs Rock's conclusions and accuses the Sri Lankan government of hypocrisy."It's very disappointing because I would have thought (the government's) attention would be focused on efforts to get to the bottom of the matter," Rock said."This is definitely a side show but I'm not going to stand by and watch people say these things without responding."Rock said Sri Lanka's president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, promised he would investigate the government's links to the abductions.Rock said the government has "always pointed fingers" at the Tamil Tigers, who have been fighting for an independent homeland since 1972."The Tamil Tigers have also been abducting children; I'll make that clear in my report," Rock said."But our subjects are being victimized by the Tamil Tigers and this other militia. And when the government is involved ... who do the families turn to?"Rock said he's not worried the controversy will cast a shadow over his report, scheduled for presentation Feb. 9, adding that his UN colleagues recognize he's being unfairly targeted.

Govt. 'killing' Jaffna press freedom

A group of international media watchdogs have urged Sri Lanka's major donors to pressure the government to remove obstacles on freedom of expression.In an open letter addressed to the ambassadors of Sri Lanka's major donors, an umbrella group of international media watchdogs has expressed serious concern over the acute shortage of printing material and ink in Jaffna peninsular.The International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission to Sri Lanka is a groups of 12 organisations including UNESCO and IFJ.

"According to our reports, all three newspapers in the city now print only four pages and print runs have also been drastically reduced," the statement said.Paris based Reporters Without borders (RSF) said the shortage is a strong barrier to the freedom of information of the people in the North.Jaffna's most popular newspaper, Uthayan, was forced to drastically reduced the number of copies as a result, RSF added."If the security forces do not include printing paper and ink to the list of supplies that can be taken to Jaffna, they are effectively killing the Tamil media in the north," RSF spokesman Vincent Brossel told BBC Sandeshaya.

A Colombo based media watchdog has also expressed concern over the press freedom in the peninsular.In a media release issued last week, Free Media Movement (FMM) reminded that killers of the BBC journalist Mylvagaman Nimalarajan are still at large after six years.Jaffna based Namatha Ealanadu newspapaer was forced to close down after its managing director was gunned down last year, according to FMM.It said the journalists in the peninsular are prevented from carrying out normal duties and communication facilities with the peninsular have been cut off since violence escalated in August last year."The culture of impunity and the fear psychosis combine to create a deeply disturbing context on the ground for journalists," FMM statement said.The International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission to Sri Lanka have reminded the authorities that there are no radio or TV stations in Jaffna."We respectfully call on you to do everything possible to enable the delivery of newsprint to Jaffna so that the city's publications are able to carry out their vital activity of informing the public," the statement added.

The boycott organized by the Vadamaradchy Tamil Students union spread to schools across Jaffna peninsula beginning Monday as two students abducted in Vadamaradchy area earlier, remained captive. Most students in Jaffna district responded to the call by the Students Union to boycott school activities until the abducted students are released. The students union in their communiqué had called upon all school students in the peninsula to boycott classes, demanding the release of the abducted students as well as for the SLA troops to stop exerting military violence on the students.Most schools in the peninsula did not function Monday as there were no students present while classes were held in some schools with only a few students attending.The student leaders however vowed that in the next few a days, there will be a full scale boycott of classes in all schools in the peninsula.SLA soldiers and collaborating paramilitaries in the Peninsula have abducted a number of undergraduates and high school students in the last several months. The recent escalation in number of abductions of civilians in Jaffna has once again created fear among the residents.

India is to finalise a USD 100 million credit line to help Sri Lanka develop a southern railway link, an Indian official said here today. Colombo is in the process of negotiating the terms of the credit line, which forms part of India's development assistance to Sri Lanka, Additional Secretary, External Affairs Ministry, Dinesh Kumar Jain said."Over the past four years, we have given around USD281 million worth of credit which have been used to import wheat, petroleum products and buses," Jain told a meeting of Sri Lanka's international aid donors. "We are ready to help Sri Lanka develop ICT (Information Communication Technology), power and explore off-shore oil," he said. Sri Lanka recently gave India's state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) permission to explore for oil off Sri Lanka's north western Mannar basin. "Eight exploration blocks have been identified, of which one was given to the Indian government on nomination basis and the other to China," Lanka's Petroleum Minister A H M Fowzie said on the sidelines of the aid parleys.The block in the Gulf of Mannar lies between the southern tip of India and Sri Lanka's west coast. It is also the closest block to India. "The balance will be given through bidding process in three months time," Fowzie said. Bilateral trade picked up after both sides entered a free trade pact in 1998.

The United States says a military solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict is not possible and has called on the government and Tamil Tigers to hold talks. US ambassador to Sri Lanka, Robert Blake, told a meeting of international aid donors the US hopes Sri Lanka will seize the opportunity to forge a power-sharing proposal.President Mahinda Rajapakse also attended the opening of the two-day meeting to review foreign aid to the island.Last week he vowed to crush "terrorism" in the wake of military gains in the island's restive east. President Rajapakse had said the military has the strength to cope with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which has been leading a decades-old campaign for independence.Meanwhile, international donors have used the meeting to warn Sri Lanka against escalating its bitter ethnic conflict.World Bank's vice president for South Asia, Praful Patel, told the meeting Sri Lanka must commit to peace and restore investor confidence.

Sri Lanka's peace process, strained by unabated fighting, is understood to have come up for discussion when the island nation's Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday, NDTV reported.The two leaders are believed to have discussed the efforts being made by the Sri Lankan government to usher in peace in the troubled country, which has been witnessing renewed fighting between the military and LTTE rebels for the past several months.India's humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka and its implementation is also understood to have come up during the meeting where Foreign Secretary, Shivshankar Menon and National Security Adviser, M K Narayanan were also present.Over the past four years, India has given around $281 million worth of credit which has been used to import wheat, petroleum products and buses. A fresh $100 million credit line, to help Sri Lanka develop a southern railway link, is also being worked out.The Mahinda Rajapaksa government has started an exercise aimed at the devolution of power to address the grievances of ethnic minorities. India has offered its help in this process and has suggested a solution based on its own federal structure.An all-party Tamil delegation recently visited India to study the federal structure of this country. It even examined the functioning of the Panchayati Raj system in the country.Leader of the Opposition, Ranil Wickremesinghe, will meet Singh today.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	108.03		109.35
Sterling Pound	211.08		214.67
Euro	138.89		141.61
Swiss Franc	85.68		87.60
Canadian Dollar	91.02		93.09
Australian Dollar	82.98		85.04
Singapore Dollar	69.90		71.43
Japanese Yen	0.8826		0.9030
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	287.34
Kuwait	Dinar	374.61
Oman	Rial	281.40
Qatar	Riyal	29.76
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	28.88
UAE	Dirham	29.50

Sri Lanka is teeming with ministers. With 104 ministers, Sri Lanka today has the largest council of ministers in the South Asian region.It may be the only country where 92% of the MPs in the ruling coalition (104 out of 113) are ministers! Practically every government MP in Sri Lanka is a minister of one kind or another.46% of the total membership of the House (104 out of 225) are ministers.India, with a population of 1.1 billion, has only 73 ministers. Pakistan with a population of 168 million, has just 16. But Sri Lanka with a mere 20 million has 104 ministers.With the expansion of the Council of Ministers on Sunday, including the induction of 24 from the opposition United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), the number of ministers had jumped from 70 to 104.

There are now 52 cabinet ministers, 33 non-cabinet ministers and 19 deputy ministers.The president of Sri Lanka is not a member of parliament, but he can take ministerial portfolios. Mahinda Rajapaksa, for example, is minister of finance. If he is included, the number of cabinet ministers will be 53 and the total number of ministers will be 105.Previously, there were 26 cabinet ministers (excluding the president who was minister of finance), 26 non-cabinet ministers and 18 deputy ministers.

Election promise flouted

The quantum jump had taken place despite an electoral promise that the council of ministers would not exceed 35.The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Permuna (JVP) had extracted this promise. But the JVP has now fallen out with the government, and is in the political doghouse.

With the expansion of the council of ministers, including the creation of new ministries to accommodate new entrants, the burden on the exchequer will increase, as each ministry will have to have its own accommodation, staff, equipment and vehicles and a separate budget.As it is, Sri Lanka has one of the largest public services in the region. No pruning is possible even if the government wants it, because of heavy trade unionisation.

Typically, appointments to government jobs are made on political and personal considerations. Many ministers appoint their own wives, daughters or sons as their private or coordinating secretaries.All these posts are salaried and carry extra benefits including a pension, if the incumbent serves for five years.

Minister Anura Bandaranaike who was sworn in a "created ministry", called the National Heritage which was a part of the cultural ministry, is about to resign from his new post, sources say.A few ministers had visited the residence of Minister Mangala Samaraweera, after posing for the photograph of the cabinet with the president, and this group had included Anura Bandaranaike. Anura had wanted to tender his resignation today itself and the ministers who were gathered there had stopped him asking Anura to have patience.Anura had even refused to pose for the photograph and had been standing in the corridor of the presidential secretariat before Rajitha Senaratne and Mervyn Silva pleaded him to pose for it. The rest of the ministers and the president had been seated for the photograph for over 10 minutes due to Anura's delay and the president had walked off as he had not arrived. The president returned after Anura arrived at the scene.According to information available to 'LeN' the "Mini Cabinet" which gathered to Samaraweera’s house had consisted Ministers Athauda, Thondaman, Anura and Sripathy. Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga had also called Samaraweera during this meeting and asked about the situation.

The first Cabinet reshuffle of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government ran into various reactions from political parties, with the government’s former ally, the JVP terming it as a “laughing matter to the world and a burden to the country and its people”, while the JHU expressed a more neutral opinion towards the jumbo cabinet.The JHU, however, blamed the JVP for paving the way for the Government to move towards appointing a jumbo Cabinet, to achieve political stability.JVP politburo member Vijitha Herath told the Daily Mirror that yesterday’s Cabinet reshuffle was a serious violation of the ‘Mahinda Chinthanaya’ programme and against the people’s mandate.“This PA-UNP alliance is to re-launch their traditional selling and dividing business. Rajitha Senaratne, Milinda Moragoda and G.L. Peiris are well known for their attempts to divide this country and sell its properties. We will, however, observe what the Government is going to do in future, though it is very obvious to us,” he added.

While noting that the present Cabinet would only add more burdens on the ordinary man, Mr. Herath added that the JVP has automatically become the main Opposition of the country.“We are the ones who are actually performing the duties of a true and powerful Opposition, even at present with the UNP in tatters.”Meanwhile, JHU Media Secretary Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe said that if this jumbo Cabinet was to develop the country and work for the betterment of the public, their Party would not object to it.“But we do not count on it completely. We think this as a political decision taken to stabilise the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration. Yet, we hope these ministers would work to develop the country and not to increase their beneficiaries,” he said.

He, however, charged that if the JVP remained in the Government, according to the mandate they received in 2004, President Rajapaksa would not seek the support of the UNP to survive.“Even the countries which have the highest population in the world, do not have such big Cabinets. The JVP should take the lions share of the responsibility for what is happening at present, as this occurred due to their wrong political decisions.”While noting that the JVP could hold four ministerial portfolios even during Chandrika Kumaratunga’s government, which clearly stood for a Federal solution, Mr. Warnasighe said that they do not see a valid reason for the JVP not joining the Rajapaksa government, which still stands for a unitary State.“They withdrew from the then government because of the P-TOMS proposals. But President Rajpaksa still stands for a unitary State and acting against terrorism. Thus, we do not see why the JVP did not join the Government. Their ill timed and inaccurate political decision only led the defeated UNPers to join the Government,” he said.

The Wijesekera drama

Many people were surprised when Mahinda Wijesekera MP of the Matara District turned up at the swearing in yesterday. Until late Saturday night, it was not certain whther Mahinda Wijseekera would join the government because Mangala Samaraweera had brought pressure on the President not to accommodate Wijesekera. And it was widely speculated that in order to placate Mangala Samaraweera, that Mahinda Wijesekera would not be taken in. On Saturday evening at seven pm, Wijesekera was not among the UNP lawmakers who called on the President. That night Wijesekera had gone to sleep, having resolved that he would not be joining the Government just yet even though he had got a clear mandate from his constituency in Matara to cross sides. But around 12.45 in the night, Basil Rajapaksa phoned Wijesekera and told him that it would not look right for him to come at a later date and for him to come on the following morning and swear in as the Minister for Special Projects. At this point Wijesekera said that a ministry pertaining to ocean resources would be more to his liking. They had discussed this for a while, Basil Rajapaksa had said that he would call again in the morning. At 8.30 on Sunday morning, Basil Rajapaksa had phoned Wijesekera and told him that it was difficult to make changes at this stage and requested him to take oaths as the Special Projects Minister at 9.30 am. The reformist group expressed their joy at having Wijesekera amongst them as the outspoken minister was a popular figure within the group.

Buddhist monk as Environment Minister

The government has offered the Environment Ministery to the JHU. However, the JHU said it had not yet made a decision as ti whether to accept the offer or not."This is not the first time we have been offered a ministry. But, in the past we have turned down such offers. We will make a final decision in that regard on Tuesday when our central committee meets," JHU Spokesman Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe told The Island yesterday.However, political sources said the JHU was very likely to accept the government offer and Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera would be sworn in as the Minister of Environment shortly.

Following the attempt to attack the Colombo Harbour, by suspected LTTE cadres, the police arrested over 30 Tamil civilians on suspicion in a search operation carried out in several areas in Colombo, during the weekend.In Moratuwa police arrested 18 persons living in the Soyzapura apartment blocks, on Saturday night, 11 females and seven men were among those arrested. Pettah police raided a lodge in Wolfendhal and arrested 11 Tamil nationals, on suspicion, on Saturday. The suspects are being detained while further investigations are conducted.Meanwhile in Kotahena too several premises were raided and some suspects were taken into custody. The suspects had failed to prove their identity and had told the police that they were from the North East areas of the country.The suspects are to be produced in the respective Magistrate courts, where they were arrested.The security in Colombo City too has been intensified

Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka paid a special visit to the area yesterday as the LTTE violence gathered momentum in Vavuniya. Commander Security Forces Headquarters - Wanni (SFHQ-W) Major General W.U.B. Edirisinghe briefed the Army Commander about the security situation in the area at SFHQ - W. The Army Commander after reviewing the situation, gave instructions to ground Commanders on future security plans. General Officers Commanding of 21 and 56 Divisions, area Commanders of Manner and Welioya, Commander's of respective Brigades and Units were present at briefing. LTTE activities killed Security Forces and Police personnel and civilians during last few days in Vavuniya. Many others were injured in those incidents.

The demise of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader former Minister M. H. M. Ashraff was an irreparable loss to the nation and had he been alive would have played a major role in the resolution of the present conflict leading to sustainable and everlasting peace in the country, Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris said recently. Prof. G. L. Peiris made these observations delivering the commemorative lecture of late Minister M. H. M. Ashraff held under the patronage of the South Eastern University Vice Chancellor Jesima Ismail at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on the theme "The Challenges, Conflicts and Policies of the New Year" organised by the South Eastern University. Continuing Prof. Peiris said "Minister M. H. M. Ashraff was the only politician who worked for a sustainable solution for two decades old ethnic conflict within a united Sri Lanka.

He said they put forward several constitutional reformation to Parliament with late Minister M. H. M. Ashraff. He was a patriot, friend and a man of might. Until his demise he worked for the well-being of the poor people irrespective of their race, caste and ethnic differences and the unity of the country. The late Ashraff was the founder of the South Eastern University. No leader has yet emerged from the Muslim community equal to late M. H. M. Ashraff after his demise." Prof. G. L. Pieris pointed out that he saw late Ashraff not only as a politician but also a political friend. They have discussed about constitutional reforms participating in various events. His methods of approaching others was attractive. The country and the people in his area got utmost benefits from him.

"He was a kind hearted person and he lived with us only 52 years. He founded the SLMC in 1981. The SLMC contested in the North-East provincial council elections in 1984. Three members came to parliament from SLMC in the general election of 1989. He was also a former Ports, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Minister in the PA Government," he said. Housing and Common Amenities Minister Ferial Ashraff, SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem, South Eastern University Vice Chancellor Jesima Ismail and several others also spoke.

Sri Lanka's key international donors will meet in the southern city of Galle, amid rising concerns that the cash may not be well spent. Escalating violence, allegations of widespread corruption in the disbursement of international aid and its overall economic management could hurt the island's prospects of attracting more support, diplomats said."A bigger government (cabinet of ministers) and the military taking a hardline stand could overshadow the development agenda," said a western diplomat attending the two-day review by 50 donor nations and lenders.Sri Lanka plans to convert 1.5 billion dollars in aid pledges received for this year's development work into firm commitments during the talks in this southern coastal town that was hit by the December 2004 tsunami.

"It is not a pledging conference. We have already lined up donor commitments for a pipeline of infrastructure projects. We hope to convert some of these commitments into firm pledges," treasury chief Punchi Banda Jayasundera said.Despite an expected 7.0 percent growth in 2006, Sri Lanka's 25-billion-dollar economy has come under strain from high military expenditure and the state's lavish spending, which is fuelling inflation.The World Bank this week reminded Sri Lanka to get hold of its finances and control galloping inflation, which hit 19.3 percent in December."Sri Lanka is once again at a crossroads ... the macro-economic framework has deteriorated in the past year on account of continued fiscal pressures -- part of which are linked to the escalation of the conflict," the bank said.

Analysts noted an absence of political will and divergent views among political parties that form the coalition government were holding back vital reforms in the public sector, state utilities and pensions.President Mahinda Rajapakse is set to expand his cabinet with opposition defectors Sunday to strengthen his own hand in parliament without the aid of the Marxist JVP, which previously supported his party.The government is currently locked in armed combat with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE), who have been fighting for an independent state since 1972 for minority Tamils.Government troops recently captured the rebels' main stronghold of Vakari in the island's east, days after Sri Lanka's army chief Sarath Fonseka said he planned to clear the island's multi-ethnic eastern region of Tiger guerrillas.

Defence Secretary Gotabhya Rajapakse is due to address donors on the ongoing military operations, as the nation has set aside 1.29 billion dollars for defence expenses in 2007 -- equal to this year's education budget."The status of the conflict with the LTTE remains a key concern," said Agost Benard, credit analyst at the international rating agency Standard and Poor's.Sri Lanka carries a "junk bond" rating of B-plus from Standard and Poor's, with a negative outlook."The ratings on Sri Lanka reflect the high level of government indebtedness and weak revenue mobilisation, together with security concerns posed by the unresolved conflict with Tamil separatists," said Benard."Our assessment is that there have been no improvements in any of these factors," he added.Paul Rawkins, senior director with international ratings agency Fitch's sovereign team, said Sri Lanka was continuing to perform well despite the seemingly unending bloodshed in the island's northeast and bomb attacks in Colombo. His concerns are focused on the government's spending habits that encourage runaway inflation. "We'll be watching the outcome of the donor's meeting with interest," Rawkins said.

Cabinet reshuffle to 'consolidate power'

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's cabinet reshuffle was not aimed at solving the national question, says the TELO Muthalvar and Tamil National Alliance (TNA).TNA parliamentarian MK Sivajilingam told BBC Sandeshaya that the President has offered portfolios to UNP rebels to consolidate his power.The UNP dissidents were also not genuine in helping the government to resolve the national question, according to the parliamentarian.TNA says rebel MPs should have supported the opposition leader, Ranil Wickramasinghe, to implement the SLFP-UNP MoU "We believe they joined the government for their personal gain," TELO MP Sivajilingam told bbcsinhala.com.If the rebels genuinely wanted to strengthen the peace process, he said, they should have supported UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe to implement the MoU signed with the SLFP. Eighteen UNP rebels and six Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) parliamentarians joined the government on Sunday cementing President Rajapaksa's parliamentary majority.The rebel ministers however inisist that their aim is to strengthen Rajapaksa administration in order to find a lasting peace for the island nation.

Construction and Engineering Services Minister Rajitha Senarathne expressed hope that their support will help Rajapaksa administration stop relying upon on Sinhala nationalists.Peoples Liberation Front (JVP) and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) supported Rajapaksa presidency in November 2005 presidential elections.Speaking exclusively with BBC Sandeshaya after the swearing in, Senarathne said the government from now on "can indepedently take decisions"."The government has no other option other than the war before we joined. But now the peace loving forces have joined together," he said.

Sri Lanka is in the grip of an undeclared war. The 2002 Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) is on the verge of collapsing. Hundreds have died in intermittent fighting between the two sides since the beginning of this year. Both sides have accused each other of violating the CFA. If the LTTE was accused of carrying out an attempt on the life of Sri Lanka Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, the GoSL and pro-government paramilitary groups face charges of having had a hand in the killings of pro-LTTE parliamentarians Joseph Pararajasingam and Nadarajah Raviraj. In his recent heroes’ day address, LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran said there was “no other option but an independent state for the people of Tamil Eelam.” What is LTTE up to, Tehelka asked LTTE political head SP Thamilchelvan. Excerpts:.

Has the LTTE called off the ceasefire with the Sri Lanka government? In his heroes’ day address, Prabhakaran has said “the uncompromising stance of Sinhala chauvinism has left us with no other option but an independent state for the people of Tamil Eelam.” He had also spoken about “recommencing” the “journey on the path of freedom.” Our leader has explained our policy position lucidly. He did not mention anything about leaving the CFA. He had elaborated on how the government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has made the CFA defunct by blatantly breaking its clauses through the occupation of Sampur and Vaharai that were declared as our areas in the CFA. GoSL military also attempted to move into our area from Muhamalai. It has bombed and shelled our civilian settlements. Contravening CFA clauses, it has destroyed normalcy in civilian life. It closed main highways and enforced economic blockade on our people. ‘I believe the Sri Lankan President’s India visit was to obtain military assistance and it failed'

This has forced a war environment on our people, who are facing untold miseries as a result of these actions by the military. Our national leader has pointed out that it is indeed the GoSL that has made the CFA defunct by its ethnic genocide programme. GoSL, through the disruption of all opportunities that we provided over the last five years, has demonstrated that an independent state is the only option available to the Tamils. The inflexibility of the GoSL and its ethnic genocide is not going to accommodate a solution to the Tamils. I believe this is what has made the Tamils re-embark on their path towards their goal.

How would you assess President Rajapakse’s Indian visit?
It is the tradition of the GoSL to let loose an ethnic genocide on our people whenever our struggle gains strength politically or militarily. It is also its tradition to stage dramas to trap other countries in an illusion to hide its genocide programme and also to drive a wedge between us and countries like India. Rajapakse’s latest Indian visit is part of this drama staged by the GoSL to handle the pressures from international community, in particular from the Tamils of Tamil Nadu. Rajapakse is adopting the same racist approach of all other Sinhala leaders. Among the Sinhala leadership, he is in fact showing himself as one with extreme racial hatred against the Tamil community. He has embarked on a drive to intensify his ethnic genocide. The purpose of his Indian visit was to obtain military assistance. I believe his visit was a failure because of the opposition to his visit from Tamil Nadu leaders and the firm stand taken by the Indian Central government.

Articulate democratic leaders perceived to be voicing LTTE viewpoint like Joseph Pararajasingam and Nadarajah Raviraj have been murdered by unknown assailants. What information does the LTTE have on these killings?
Sri Lankan military has already killed more than 1,200 innocent civilians during the rule of President Rajapakse. Among those killed are our political representatives, community leaders and journalists. We have evidence to prove that Joseph Pararajasingam was killed by the Karuna paramilitary group. Raviraj, a young and energetic member of parliament, who voiced the rights of the Tamil people at many platforms, was shot within the high security area in Colombo. He was killed by the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) paramilitary group. We have evidence that this murder was carried out with the full cooperation of the military.

The Sri Lankan military appears to be showing scant respect to international opinion and has been continuing with its military offensives. The latest killings of about 50 civilians in Vakarai have evoked condemnations from Amnesty International, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Rajapakse government appears to be moving toward a military solution. Had the Sinhala leaders respected international opinion the ethnic conflict would not have worsened to this degree. Whenever international community raised its concerns, GoSL acted deceptively to misguide them. It did not try to address the basic causes of the Tamil struggle and make an attempt to find a solution for it. Rajapakse government is following the same path. It would rather wipe out the Tamil people from this island and convert it into a Sinhala Buddhist country according to the Buddhist ideology in this island. The international community must go beyond simply expressing its condemnation and take a strong stand against the GoSL. Only when it takes concrete actions such as declaring the GoSL a terrorist state, and halting all its assistance to it, the GoSL can be brought in line. Through past and present lessons we have learnt that mere condemnations and concerns from the international community are not going to be of any use.

There is a view that Sri Lanka enjoys the military advantage now and the LTTE has been put on the defensive – repeatedly issuing threats to back out of the CFA, but refusing to do so. Is it correct to say the LTTE has been weakened militarily and it is not the same force as it was, say in 2000?
As far as our movement is concerned we are very strong. As our national leader noted in the heroes’ day speech, when we came forward to undertake the peace efforts in 2001, we did so from a position of strength. We had recaptured the Vanni mainland; and captured the Elephant Pass military complex. It is from this position of strength we have undertaken the peace efforts for the last six years. During these six years we have defeated many plots against our struggle by the GoSL. They may think that their military is strong because it did not face any losses for five years. For us, our greatest strength is our people. Our struggle is a self-defence struggle. We are struggling to have a peaceful life devoid of military occupation. Our entire people are behind us; this is our moral strength. No other powerful force can defeat it. The environment has risen where the fake confidence of the GoSL will be shattered. We have the competence and the strength to defeat the military oppression. I firmly believe that we will achieve our goal very soon.

Sri Lanka’s defence expenditure continues to spiral and it is expected to cross one billion dollars this year. It has become one of the most militarised nations in the region with the highest army personnel: civilian ratio. (According to a report, it is 8:1,000, as against 1.3:1,000 in India and 4:1,000 in Pakistan.) Sri Lanka is also getting military assistance from Pakistan. How do you view the situation?
This is clearly pushing Sri Lanka into an economically weak situation. Blowing the size of the military establishment out of proportion to its capacity, hoping to destroy the Tamils, is in fact pushing Sri Lanka into abyss. Sri Lanka is buying large quantities of weapons from Pakistan. It is creating a situation that threatens the stability of this region. I do not believe that other countries in this region, including India, are going to allow this conduct of the GoSL.

How does LTTE view Pakistan? Jaffna district TELO MP MK Sivajilingam told Tehelka in a recent interview that the ISI had penetrated Amparai, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee districts in the Eastern Province. Reports even suggested that Pakistan might help Sri Lanka target Prabhakaran using bunker buster bombs.
We have recently confirmed that GoSL is receiving large quantities of military equipment and assistance from Pakistan. This is dangerous and must be stopped. However, I do not believe such efforts by the GoSL will provide victories to the GoSL. I believe there will be a backlash on countries like Pakistan that assist the GoSL knowing well that GoSL is involved in an ethnic genocide of the Tamils.

How would the LTTE deal with the Sri Lankan Air Force with its fleet of Kfir and MIG-23 fighter planes in the event of a full-scale war? Isn’t the air force a big threat to the LTTE?
These air force fighter planes are not something that came into being only yesterday. Throughout our struggle we have battled the GoSL air force, navy and the land-based forces. We have faced this air force during 2000 when we retook the Vanni mainland and the Elephant Pass military complex. In the end, we destroyed these fighter planes in their own airport. That is the history known to everyone. Our leadership has many strategies to defeat these mercenary forces. We will implement these strategies to defeat them in the future. We are confident that no force however powerful can defeat the moral strength of our people. We will win.

According to reports, people of Jaffna are facing shortage of food, medicine, fuel and other essentials due to the closure of A9 highway – the road that links Jaffna to the rest of the island. Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MPs and the LTTE have been demanding the reopening of the road, but to no avail. What will be the consequences of this stalemate?
GoSL violated some of the important clauses in the CFA in an attempt to make it invalid. They have closed main highways used by our people, particularly the A9 highway to Jaffna, and subjected 600,000 people (in Jaffna) to misery. It has made the position of the CFA very precarious. Neither the people nor the LTTE will continue to tolerate such actions against the people by the GoSL. The people and the LTTE will together defeat this action and set up our land route. This is the only option open to us.

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka recently ruled that the merger of the Northern and Eastern provinces was unconstitutional, illegal, and invalid. Is it an indication that any settlement to the ethnic conflict can only be within the framework of the Sri Lankan constitution? It also brings us to the basic question; does the LTTE respect the Sri Lankan constitution?
The Sri Lankan constitution was not drafted with the cooperation and consent of the Tamil people. On the contrary this constitution was drafted with the intention of marginalising and destroying the Tamil people. Therefore, this constitution will never give justice to the Tamil people. Tamil people have been struggling against these Sri Lankan constitutions for the last 50 years. It is exactly this constitution that has blocked even minor progresses made in the peace process. Even minor structures created for carrying out humanitarian work (post-tsunami) for our people were blocked by the Sri Lankan courts citing this constitution. There are no surprises here. Sri Lankan constitution is not going to accept any agreement or resolutions that will benefit the Tamil people. This justice department reflects the ethnically biased government and therefore it will always make decisions against the Tamils. We cannot see any possibility for us to live together with Sri Lanka. Our leader has lucidly expressed this by saying that this has urged us to walk on the path towards our goal.

How have the Co-chairs (Japan, Norway, US and the European Union) reacted to the recent Lankan military offensives?
They have expressed their concerns only through condemnations. This will never bring the ethnically-biased Sinhala Buddhist leaders in line. The GoSL has simply ignored these reports and is continuing with its war against the Tamil people. Therefore, as I mentioned earlier, the international community must take decisive concrete actions.

Who are your allies in the international arena today – countries that you think are sympathetic to your cause?
Presently the entire Tamil people on this globe are standing behind us in our struggle. It is their support, participation and co-operation that are our biggest strength. I do, therefore, believe that countries that respect justice will in the future stand with us. I believe that the possibilities for this eventuality have increased.

In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi made an appeal recently to the Central government to think of an appropriate solution to end the war. It marks a shift from his earlier stand. How do you view this development?
The entire Tamil population living in Tamil Nadu is opposed to the ethnic genocide currently let loose by the GoSL. They have risen up with demands, that the ethnic genocide must be stopped, that their brethren in Tamil Eelam must be protected, and that they must live with freedom in their homeland. Since the chief minister represents the Tamils from the Tamil Nadu, and his party is supporting the Central government, his view represents the view of the entire Tamil Nadu Tamils. I believe the Central government too, which by now would have understood the character of GoSL, will take a firm decision regarding the GoSL.

What is your appeal to India and the world at large?
India is the regional power. Specifically it is a country where millions of our brethren live. Indian government must therefore understand the just aspirations of the Tamil people and give us moral support. India must stop giving all financial assistance to the GoSL and act to bring the GoSL in line. In addition, it must urge the international community to do the same. I also appeal to the international community to act with an understanding of the just aspirations of the Tamil people.

The United National Party (UNP) informed President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday that the party’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with his government would end with his accommodation of dissident UNP MPs. The warning was conveyed by UNP Chairman Rukman Senanayake during a meeting with President Rajapaksa yesterday.“I told him the MoU is finished if the crossover happens,” Mr. Senanayake told The Sunday Times. The meeting came ahead of today’s cabinet reshuffle in which at least 17 UNP MPs are to be sworn in as cabinet ministers, deputy or project ministers. With this move UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayaka said those MPs joining the government would be sacked from the party after disciplinary inquiries were conducted.

The 17 UNP dissidents set to cross over are: M.H. Mohamed, G.L. Peiris, Milinda Moragoda, Gamini Lokuge and Bandula Gunawardena (Colombo); Karu Jayasuriya and Edward Gunasekera (Gampaha); Rajitha Senaratne (Kalutara); Hemakumara Nanayakkara (Galle); Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena (Matara); P. Dayaratne (Digamadulla); Mano Wijeratne (Kegalle); Dharmadasa Banda (Moneragala); Navin Dissanayake(Nuwara Eliya); Neomal Perera (Puttlam); C.A. Suriyaarchchi (Polonnaruwa) and M. M.M. Mustapha (National List).The dissident group met President Rajapaksa at Temple Trees last night and discussed the political situation over dinner. Meanwhile, the six Sri Lanka Muslim Congress MPs too reached agreement with the government to join it. They are to be given one Cabinet portfolio and a non-cabinet portfolio.

The UNP chairman’s message to the President was similar to the one Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe conveyed to the President when they met on January 17 but the warnings do not seem to have deterred the MPs from crossing over or the President from accepting them.Asked about reports that the UNP leadership had spoken to the President about the formation of a national government, Mr. Senanayake dismissed such reports, saying all talks with the President centred on the MoU and the committees to be appointed in terms of that agreement.The UNP chairman also denied reports that he had met the President on Friday in a bid to persuade him not to accept the crossovers.

Meanwhile UNP General Secretary Attanayaka said disciplinary action would be taken against the dissidents on the basis they violated the party constitution by accepting cabinet portfolios without the approval of the party’s working committee.He said the UNP would go ahead with proposed party reforms despite the crossover by the dissidents. Sources among the dissidents said they would function as a separate group in parliament. A letter regarding their position would be sent to Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara.Meanwhile as part of the UNP reforms S.B. Dissanayake is to be named as the National Organiser of the party on February 5, Mr. Attanayake said.He said this move was approved by the working committee before party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Nepal and India.

UNP wants to place constitutional proposals before LTTE

In an official document tabled before the All Party Representatives Committee last week, the UNP has suggested that no final constitution be drafted by the government until the proposals are placed before and discussed with the LTTE.The document, which contains the UNP proposals for a solution to the ethnic conflict, was tabled before the APRC on Monday by the party’s senior parliamentarian K N Choksy. Among other suggestions, the UNP has called for the commencement of bilateral talks between the UNP and the SLFP with a view to settling the ethnic conflict. The UNP wants these meetings to take place notwithstanding the party’s continued participation in APRC discussions.

The UNP has also proposed that the APRC, before drafting a constitution, must identify the main issues involved in the settlement of the ethnic conflict. The UNP is expected to submit at the next APRC meeting (on 12 February) what they feel are the main issues. The party has recommended, too, that peace talks be reopened and that a Muslim delegation be permitted to participate when discussions are being held on the north-east merger issue. According to their proposals, the UNP has supported an eight to ten year merger of the northern and eastern provinces. The merger will be subject to a referendum in those two provinces at the end of the eight to ten year period. The unit of devolution will continue to be the provincial council but there will be a substantial devolution of power. The UNP has also supported the establishment of a constitutional court to support steps to safeguard the interests of other communities remaining in the north and east, apart from Tamils.(NW)

The number of UNP parliamentarians to cross over to the Government earlier predicted to be 18 has now increased to 25 and they were joining the Government as a group, former UNP Deputy Minister Bandula Gunawardena told 'Sunday Island' yesterday (27).When asked whether the group accepts Mahinda Chintana policy he did not wish to make any comment but said the group leader Karu Jayasuriya would explain at a press conference after the group joins the government today. We are joining the government as a group and will shoulder part of the responsibility of the government but we will continue to be members of the UNP and are not resigning from the party, he said. When asked about his severe criticism of the fiscal policies and financial control of the Rajapakse Government in and out of parliament including his prediction during the budget debate that the government was heading towards financial disaster, he declined to comment, but said he would explain everything at a press conference to be held after joining the government."I cannot make a personal comment about it but we will tell the country why we decided to join the Government," he said.When a senior UNP parliamentarian and a former minister was asked whether the UNP leader could continue to be Opposition Leader once such large group of parliamentarians crossed over to the government, he said on the condition of anonymity that the question would not arise since the rebel group would continue to be members of the UNP.

The attack on the Colombo Port yesterday by the LTTE would have a direct impact on the economy, analysts feared. Economic analysts say the attack would affect transhipments’ if insurance premiums were increased due to the high war risk factor. Economist Dr. Harsha de Silva told The Sunday Leader the attack would result in an increase in transaction costs as insurance premiums would be increased and would directly have an impact on the transhipments’. According to de Silva, it would also have an impact on Sri Lanka’s target of being a hub port in the region. A marine insurance expert told The Sunday Leader that the country might not face any immediate impact in the aftermath of yesterday’s attack where there would be an increase in the insurance surcharge on ships and cargo.

However, he noted that a repetition of such an act would have an impact as the ship owners would have to pay a higher surcharge and the cargo importers too would be forced to pay a higher insurance surcharge. “When there is an increase in the surcharge, the burden will have to be passed on and it will finally go to the consumers,” he said. He explained that while the present insurance rate stands at .05% it could vary depending on the risk exposure. However, Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera who visited the site and commended the Sri Lanka Navy and Ports Authority for their action in dispelling any threat and resuming normal operations has said, “This proves again that the Port of Colombo is one of the safest ports in the world.”

Deputy Ports and Aviation Minister Duminda Dissanayake told The Sunday Leader that the government did not expect the attack to have any affect on transhipments’ as the confrontation took place outside the harbour. “Unlike the previous time when such an attack took place, this time it was out harbour and the vessels in the harbour were not affected,” he said. Dissanayake said the containers that were damaged during the confrontation were in a vessel, which was out harbour. The attack damaged three containers in a foreign merchant vessel. Dissanayake also said that there has still been no discussion whether the cargo owners would be paid any compensation for the damaged containers. “The attack proved the high level of security in the port and we are confident that it would not have any impact on the transhipments’ and the economy on the whole,” he said. Terminal operations in the harbour had resumed within an hour of the incident, and normal vessel movements commenced at 9:00 a.m. The Tigers earlier entered the Colombo Port in April 1996, when it damaged foreign ships with RPGs, but security men blew the LTTE craft before they could cause major damage. Since then, authorities have tightened security and banned fishing near ports.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has refused to part with any of his multiple cabinet portfolios to please UNP dissident group members, saying such a move was unwarranted.In a strongly-worded letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa earlier this week, Minister Samaraweera who also holds the Ports and Civil Aviation portfolios, pointed out that he sacrificed all his cabinet portfolios when the PA administration of President Chandrika Kumaratunga formed a probationary government with the JVP in 2001. However, he said he did not see the necessity for sacrificing his portfolios at a time when the government was in a position of strength.He also pointed out that some of the UNP members who were being taken to the government were responsible for making allegations against Mr. Rajapaksa in the run-up to the Presidential elections. “I am not willing to sacrifice portfolios for a group of persons who are politically stranded,” Mr. Samaraweera said in his letter, admitting, however, the President had the powers and right to make cabinet changes.Mr. Samaraweera also said the MoU signed with the UNP added strength to the government and the decision to accept some of the dissent UNP members was a serious threat to the MoU. He said that disregarding the MoU would benefit only opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Drama on the country’s political front heightened yesterday with the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress also opting to join the government. All six SLMC parliamentarians, including leader Rauff Hakeem, have decided to join President Mahinda Rajapakse’s administration but have significantly chosen not to request cabinet portfolios.These decisions have been taken at the SLMC central committee yesterday and were conveyed in writing to SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena. Although it is not immediately clear how many UNPers are expected to join the government today, the SLMC decision will be a significant boost to Rajapakse. "We are waiting for a reply," parliamentarian M T Hassan Ali told the Sunday Island yesterday. "We will meet again today as we are expecting an immediate reply from the SLFP."

The Sunday Island asked JVP parliamentary group leader, Wimal Weerawansa, for a comment on the UNP rebel group and the SLMC joining the government. He said President Mahinda Rajapakse had said after signing the UNP-JVP memorandum of understanding that he would not forget the JVP or other political parties that had helped him win the 2005 presidential election. "But actions speak louder than words," Weerawansa pointed out. He warned that the government and other supporting parties may now seek to implement a federal solution to the ethnic problem and adopt the devolution of power proposals made by Minister Tissa Vitarana to the All Party Conference."We will be watching what the government will do in future with the new allies and if the pledges given to the public in the 2005 election campaign are violated then we will decide about our future political stance," Weerawansa said.

Sri Lanka Anti Tamil monk party invites Opposition Leader to support its polices

Sri Lanka Anti Tamil monk party Jathika Hela Urumaya yesterday invited main opposition UNP to support its party policy to safeguard the country from foreign and local evils.“What is essential at the moment is peace in the country, so we are inviting UNP Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe to support our policies to liberate the country,” Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thero said addressing a meeting in Kandy. The meeting was held to commemorate the 9th year of the LTTE attack on the sacred Temple of Tooth, Sri Dalada Maligawa.“We should not allow foreign powers to make Sri Lanka’s leadership to dance according to their tune. It is important to build a strong force irrespective of political and other differences to prevent foreign powers attempting to influence the leadership of Sri Lanka to act according to their agenda,” the Ven. Thero added.

Eight Sri Lankan Special Task Force commandos were killed and 12 wounded at Thangavelauthapuram in Thirukkovil division of Amparai district where a STF vehicle was ambushed, Saturday around 9:30 a.m. with Claymore attack and gunfire. The attack, believed to be carried out by an elite guerilla unit of the Tigers, had targeted the STF logistics supply to STF personnel located in areas vacated by the Tigers, according to initial reports from Thirukkovil. STF personnel fired mortar shells and opened fire following the attack that has taken place 41 km south of Kalmunai town.

Sri Lanka's military repulsed a Tamil rebel suicide attack on the capital's port on Saturday when it destroyed three suspicious boats offshore, the Defense Ministry said. The boats did not stop when ordered to do so, forcing the navy to fire at them, said Lt. Col. Upali Rajapakse, a senior official at the ministry's media unit. ``The navy managed to destroy one of the boats and later the air force came in to help and completed the mission,'' Rajapakse said. The three suspected rebel boats had entered a ``high security zone'' near Colombo where unauthorized vessels are not allowed, Rajapakse said. They were noticed by a guard at a lighthouse who alerted a naval patrol. ``Navy troops fired at the first boat, suspected to be a suicide craft, with one of them experiencing a large explosion,'' said military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe, who blamed the rebels' sea wing for the incursion.

The shock wave of the explosion forced open the doors of three containers onboard a ship which was about to enter the port, said Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris, in charge of naval security in the area. There was no damage to the Peloponesian Pride, which was flying a Panama flag, or its crew, Peiris said. The first boat was destroyed about 10 kilometers (6 miles) off the coast, another 18 kilometers (11 miles) away, and the third 23 kilometers (14 miles) at sea, Rajapakse said, adding that no naval vessels suffered damage. Casualty figures for the sunken ships were not immediately known, he said. Colombo's port is an important lifeline for the island country and is heavily guarded by the navy.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have carried out previous suicide boat attacks against navy vessels and bases. In October last year, Tamil Tigers posing as fishermen blew up two boats in a suicide attack on a naval base in Galle, 110 kilometers (70 miles) from Colombo on the southern coast, killing at least one sailor and 15 rebels. The rebels have been fighting since 1983 to establish an independent homeland in the north and east for Sri Lanka's ethnic minority Tamils, following decades of discrimination by the Sinhalese-dominated government.

What started off as military push to clear Tamil Tiger artillery guns from a strategic harbour in northeast Sri Lanka has culminated in a mission to defeat the rebels completely -- with no clear winner in sight. Emboldened by the capture of a key Tamil Tiger stronghold, Sri Lanka has vowed to go on the offensive to seek to destroy the rebels' entire military machine in the apparent belief it can finally win a two-decade civil war. But observers say President Mahinda Rajapakse's government and military are understimating the Tigers, and could simply plunge themselves deeper into a war that has killed more than 67,000 people since 1983 -- and 4,000 in the past year alone. "They're on a roll. They think they can win," said one foreign diplomat on condition of anonymity. "I think they are going to try something ... I think the fighting's going to continue because neither side has a motivation to stop."

"On the side of the goverment, the hawks are in the driving seat and they're going to go forward because they think they're winning ... and they think they can go all the way," the diplomat added. "(The Tigers) need to do something to achieve parity." As troops hunt down routed Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka's eastern jungles and consolidate their grip on an eastern coastal swathe of what used to be rebel-held territory, the security forces have the upper hand for now. But the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) withrdrew from the area to fight another day, and analysts say their military appartus is still intact. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, the President's brother, says the military will seek and destroy all rebel military assets -- including in the northern de facto state they control under the terms of a tattered 2002 ceasefire. The Tigers, who resumed their fight for an independent state in the north and east after the majority-Sinhalese government ruled out their demands for a separate homeland for minority Tamils, warn they retain their military capability and can resort to guerrilla jungle warfare.

"This is a very clear enunciation that the government will wage all-out war against the Tamil Tiger rebels until they are defeated," said Iqbal Athas, an analyst with Jane's Defence Weekly in Colombo. "It will mean there is going to be bloody war in the weeks and months to come," he added. "This very clearly shows that there won't be a peace process until such time as the LTTE agrees (to talks) or the LTTE is militarily defeated." Athas said the fact the rebels' powerful naval arm was still intact, and their fighters still retained their capability because they withdrew rather than facing a full frontal assault, meant the Tigers are still a formidable opponent. "With the capture of Vakarai in the east, the government has certainly has got the upper hand, but that is not to say that the Tigers' military capability has in any way been dented," he said. "Completely eliminating the Tigers from the east is going to be a gigantic task for the army," he added. "We can't rule out the fact they (the Tigers) may try to open up new fronts."

The foes have turned a deaf ear to repeated calls from an increasingly worried international community to halt the fighting and stop mushrooming rights abuses like murders and abductions. And many observers and ordinary Sri Lankans are worried fighting will escalate at a time when hundreds of thousands of civilians remain displaced in camps and rudimentary shelters because of war past and present. "We are concerned that with the Tigers being driven out of the east, that this could lead to fighting spreading," said Thorfinnur Omarsson, spokesman for Nordic ceasefire monitors the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission. "Both sides are talking tough, and that is definitely not in the spirit of the ceasefire agreement."

An attempt by Minister Mangala Samaraweera last afternoon to checkmate President Rajapaksa, by briefing the media on the political developments on the pretext of a surprise inspection tour at the Galle Face Green, failed when orders came from Temple Trees for him to abandon it.On hearing that Minister Samaraweera’s team had sent messages to media personnel to gather at the Galle Face green at 4.30 pm yesterday to cover an ad hoc inspection tour by the Minister, President’s advisers had told Minister Samaraweera they would not be able to provide security to the event.This has been followed by several messages to Minister Samaraweera by Temple Trees to abandon the plan which finally saw him deciding against visiting the Galle Face Green while dozens of media people were anxiously waiting for him there.

Seismic surveys have strongly indicated the presence of around five billion barrels of black gold in the Mannar basin, Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Minister A. H. M. Fowzie said yesterday.He said the government was in the process of calling for international tenders to explore oil in the Mannar basin within the next few months. Speaking at a seminar on ‘Quest for Oil in Sri Lanka’, organised by the Master Mariners, Minister Fowzie said the Sri Lankan part of the Mannar basin had been divided into eight exploration blocks, each about 3,500 to 4,000 square kilometers, for exploration by successful bidders. "The government has decided to give a block each to India and China by nomination," the Minister said.Accordingly, tenders will be called for the remaining six blocks.

The Minister said that bidders will have to sign a US$ 10 million signature bond and place US$ 100 million deposit with the government. This would be deducted from the production, once oil is found."As oil is the only natural resource found in our country, we have to take very careful measures in order to get the best out of it," Fowzie said.He said that preliminary seismic data surveys have indicated the presence of oil, not only in the Mannar basin, but in other parts of the Sri Lankan waters as well."We are working with the Egyptian government to explore oil in the southern coast and there is enough oil in the eastern coast too," the Minister said.

Sri Lanka imports about US$ 2 billion worth crude oil annually for domestic consumption to meet the increasing demand for energy.The Minister said that 50,000 barrels per day production from the Mannar Basin would meet half the national demand.He said that many global as well as regional oil and gas firms are showing a high interest in the Mannar basin and six Indian firms were waiting to bid.Fowzie also confessed that the growing interest in oil has come under heavy political pressure as many interested parties are attempting to interfere with his work."Many people are trying to get involved in this — people with some knowledge of exploration as well as those who know absolutely nothing about oil," Fowzie said. "The people who don’t know oil, interfere with the subject matter because they are in the political limelight," he added.

After a series of political moves to checkmate each other, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera met at Temple Trees yesterday to iron out differences, highly placed government sources said.During the meeting, the President assured Minister Samaraweera he would make sure the Minister would not get a raw deal at the reshuffle while the Foreign Affairs Minister had requested the President to put an immediate end to the harassment meted out to his friends and business partners by President’s confidantes.President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga also attended this meeting which began at 10 am and went on till 1 pm.Meanwhile, as the Presidential advisors were making last minute attempts to rope in more UNP dissidents into the Government, President Rajapaksa decided to block UNP’s Mahinda Wijesekara from joining the Government, highly placed government sources said.

This was conveyed to Mr. Samaraweera by presidential advisors Basil Rajapaksa, Dallas Allahapperuma and Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga when they met Mr. Samaraweera at his Stanmore Crescent residence on Thursday night.This meeting took place hours after Mr. Wijesekara held a mini-poll at his Matara residence for some 500 party activists of whom 310 endorsed his decision to join the Government. The President had reportedly told his aides and advisors that accommodating Mr. Wijesekara would only spawn more bitterness from Mr. Samaraweera who was already disgruntled over the request to handover one of his ministries.Unaware of these developments at Temple Trees, Mr. Wijesekara had been desperately trying to seek an appointment with the President.

A delegation of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians met the Indian High Commissioner for Sri Lanka Alok Prasad and his deputy Manickam in Colombo at 10:00 am Thursday morning at the official residence of the envoy and appealed to him for help in resettling the recently displaced Tamil civilians in East, TNA sources in Colombo said,The delegation participating in the 45 minutes long meeting was headed by R.Sampanthan, leader of the parliamentary group of TNA and member of parliament for Trincomalle District. The other members of the delegation included Jaffna district MPs Mavai Senathirajah, Suresh Premachandran and Tricomalle district parliamentarian M.P.Thurairatnasingham.The TNA delegation told Mr Prasad that immediate action is necessary to resettle the more than 70,000 Tamils displaced in certain parts of the eastern province during the recent military activity and India’s assistance is required to get this implemented.

TNA delegation further told the Indian High Commissioner reliable sources indicate that the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) is taking steps to settle Sinhalese civilians in the areas such as Sampoor, Vaharai, Verugal, Kathiraveli and Mutur East deserted by Tamils. Hence, resettling the displaced civilians in their original areas of residence has become critical to the Tamil people in the East.TNA delegation added: "GOSL is taking steps to drastically reduce the percentage of Tamils in the Eastern province by colonizing these vacated areas with Sinhala civilians. Simultaneously plans are afoot to settle the Tamils displaced from these areas and certain other parts of East in some other areas of the province. This is a dangerous move .The Tamils should be resettled in the same areas where they lived previous to the displacement and in this context we seek India’s assistance. India should exert pressure upon the GOSL to prevent the displaced Tamils being settled in places other than their original areas of residence. More than 70,000 civilians were displaced during the recent hostilities and this number may increase in the near future and India should pay attention regarding this situation.

"The belongings including furniture from the houses vacated by the fleeing Tamil civilians have been stolen. The windows, doors and roofing tiles have been removed from the abandoned residences and transported in Lorries and trucks. Such activities by SLA troops clearly indicate that the government has an agenda for recolonizing the captured areas. The civilians of these areas have become very concerned by such activities."Moreover, a great humanitarian crisis has developed in the welfare centers where the displaced civilians are accommodated. There are inadequate sanitation facilities. The students are unable to continue their studies. Already more than twenty schools have been closed down in Sampoor and Mutur East. Many youths from these welfare centers are being arrested by SLA and some of these youths have eventually disappeared without any trace."The war must stop. These areas have been captured while the ceasefire agreement (CFA) is still in place. The recent developments have seriously hampered the efforts to restart the talks. As such the government of India should exert pressure to create a healthy situation. In order to facilitate this, an immediate solution must be found for the humanitarian problems faced by the Tamils in North and East," Mr Sampanthan said.The High Commissioner responding to the delegation said that India was closely watching the unfolding crisis and added that India has been exerting pressure on the GOSL and is also concerned about the resettlement of the civilians.

Sri Lanka Army will hold interviews from 29th January to 4th February country wide to recruit 2000 soldiers. These soldiers are to be deployed for the protection of the newly captured territories in the Eastern province after training. The youth who posses the necessary qualifications will be recruited for the training just after the interview.

With the imminent crossover of at least 14 of its MPs to Government ranks probably tomorrow, the UNP has decided to appoint new organisers for electorates represented by the dissident MPs, a party source said. This decision was taken by the party, prior to Opposition Leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to Nepal, he said. He said the party would take disciplinary action against those who join the government and accept ministerial portfolios. He said such moves were against the party Constitution.

The Ceasefire Monitors yesterday said it would soon release a ‘special report’ on the volatile situation in the eastern province which witnessed fierce fighting during the last few months.They also warned that a critical situation was in the making in Vavuniya as well.“Currently we are preparing a special report on the volatile situation in the east, where fighting between the army and the LTTE continued for several months,” SLMM spokesman Thorfinnur Omarsson said.He said thousands of people have been displaced due to the hostilities in the area during the last few months. “Our monitors are already in the area assessing the current situation,” he said.Meanwhile, the spokesman also warned that a critical situation is developing in the Vavuniya area since the last few weeks.Fighting broke out in the Vakarai region, a few months ago, as the government forces launched what it called a ‘Defensive operation’ to capture the region. Soon after resumption of the fighting, some thousands of people crossed into cleared areas in Batticaloa and Welikanda.Clashes are reported from Vavuniya between the government forces and Tiger terrorists almost daily. A large number of people including civilians were killed in these clashes.

The only Tamil member of the Urban Council of Kinniya, Thangarajah Ithayarajah, a Tamil National Alliance Ilankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) member, was shot and killed Friday around 10:30 a.m. while he was on his way to Kinniya from his village, Alankerni. A friend of Mr. Ithayarajah was wounded. The assassins who shot and fled the area, came in a motorbike. The assasination comes three months after the assassination of the only Tamil TNA member of the Sinhala dominated Seruvila Pradeshaia Saba in the district. Meanwhile, 10 Tamil members who had won the Trincomalee Urban Council have received death threats, Thurairatnasingham MP said. Mr. Ithayarajah, a father of two, was shot and killed by gunmen at Idiman, bordering the Tamil and Muslim area, when he parked his motorbike near a shop with his friend. The gunmen had followed the two to the shop located at Idiman.

Tricomalee District Tamil parliamentarian, K. Thurairatnasingham, charged that the assassinations and death threats were part of a planned terror-campaign with a political agenda by the forces that seek to suppress the democratic representation of Tamils in Trincomalee district. Kopalasundaram Pathmakalapan, 26, a pass out from the Eastern University, who was the only Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member of the nine member Seruvila Pradesiya Sabha was assassinated on October 30. In the elections held at the end of March 2006, The TNA alliance party ITAK had won one seat each in Kinniya UC, Seruvila PS, Morawewa PS, Kantalai PS, and two in Thamplakamam PS, three in Kuchchaveli PS and four in Muttur PS in addition to capturing power in the Trincomalee UC with 10 seats, Trincomalee Town and Gravets PS with 6 seasts and Verugal PS, uncontested, with 7 seats.

Five killed in North East

A police officer, soldier and a civilian were killed in the northern Sri Lankan town of Vavuniya on Friday.They were killed as Tamil Tigers attacked security forces at Kattaiadampan in Vavuniya-Mannar road, police said.A bus carrying passengers was also caught as LTTE launched an attack on the security forces using guns and heavy weapons, according to Murungan police.

Passenger Botunga Arachchilage Don Indika Ranasinghe was killed and three other passengers have sustained injuries.Sub Inspector Senarathne and Sri Lanka Army soldier DM Ajith Sepala were killed by the attack: three other policemen have sustained injuries.The security forces have retaliated but there were no reports of LTTE casualties.

Thangaraja Thevaraja is sitting in his east London home wondering when he will next hear from his wife and three children in Sri Lanka. A former policeman in Batticaloa district, he was forced to leave his job by the Tamil Tiger rebels, who ordered all Tamils, the country's ethnic minority, to quit the police and armed forces. The 44-year-old fled to the UK in 2001 after being arrested by police on suspicion of supporting the rebels. They are fighting for a separate homeland for the country's 3.1m-strong Tamil population following decades of alleged discrimination by the majority Sinhalese. But instead of things improving he had to watch from thousands of miles away as his home village Kallar, in Batticaloa, was wiped out by the tsunami in 2004, forcing his family to live in a temporary shelter ever since.

He has since learned that his nephew was abducted, and days later found dead, and that his 14-year-old son is now too scared to go to school. Human rights groups have frequently criticised both rebels and government troops of carrying out abductions. Mr Thevaraja cried as he recalled his infrequent, hurried conversations with his family. "My son was so shocked by my nephew's death that he refuses to step out of the house. My wife is also scared that he may be abducted," he said in Tamil, speaking through a translator. "I feel guilty and sad about leaving them there but I don't know what to do. I might be arrested if I go back." Six years on he is still waiting for asylum to be granted before he tries to get the rest of his family over.

His is one of about 100,000 Sri Lankan Tamils living in London alone - with 5,000 settled in Newham, east London. Many have similar stories to tell, but do not want to be named, fearing for their families' safety in Sri Lanka. An estimated 65,000 people have died in Sri Lanka's civil war and the 2002 ceasefire between the government and the Tigers now seems to exist only on paper. More than 3,600 were killed last year and tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced during the recent violence. Paul Sathianesan, a councillor in Newham since 1998, said he came to the UK as an asylum seeker in 1985 from the Jaffna peninsula to escape the violence. He visited Jaffna in 2003 planning to help the local community, but was shattered to see the devastation caused by the conflict. "My father's house was in ruins, the roof and windows were falling off and I couldn't find any of my friends. "There was an air of emptiness and people looked grey, thin and scared."

The expatriate community over the years has tried to invest in their former villages and cities but this has become very difficult. Mr Vellupillai Bose, who owns an estate agency in East Ham, said he and 10 friends purchased land in the capital Colombo to build residential buildings but they had to abandon the project after the violence worsened soon after presidential elections in November 2005. "All clauses were finalised but things got worse after the elections. Now we have decided to sell the land. We can't do business in this situation." He has taken his family to Colombo for vacations but he has not been able to visit Jaffna, his hometown, since 1998. He fears the younger generation who were born and bred here will not be as attached to their homeland. Arjuna Subramaniam, 21, acknowledges this. His parents follow news and politics closely as many of their relatives are still there, but he feels alienated. "I love the country and I loved the time I spent there on vacations. "I am aware of all the problems there but I can't relate to it. I have a different life here." The community, which has been dealing with the news of mounting violence in Sri Lanka, have been confronted with a new challenge closer home.

Since 2000 at least 10 people have been killed in gang-related incidents spurring the Metropolitan Police to set up a special task force, Enver, to tackle Tamil gangs and crime. Mr Sathianesan recently held a public consultation - where police, youth and other local agencies were invited - to talk about an issue which was "damaging race relations and the image of the community". He hopes they will overcome the hurdle. "The next generation shouldn't be given hatred as heritage, we want to see them enjoy love, peace and safety."

The much-anticipated cross over drama is expected to reach a climax on Sunday when a sizeable number of UNP MPs are to join the government despite a last ditch attempt by party seniors to work out a compromise with the dissidents.Informed sources said yesterday more than 15 UNP MPs including its former Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya are set to join the the Government.Mr. Jayasuriya is expected to get a specially created Cabinet portfolio related to economic development. The dissidents are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding which provides for the appointment of two committees on economic development and good governance. According to these sources, the committee on good governance will be a high-powered one including members from both parties and mandated to investigate cases of corruption and frauds at state institutions.

Meanwhile, senior MP Gamini Jayawickrama Perera yesterday contacted Mr. Jayasuriya, who discussed the possibility of a compromise involving the UNP as a whole cooperating with the government on national issues, instead of a UNP dissident group crossing over. Mr. Perera said he tried to convince Mr. Jayasuriya of the need for such a mechanism preventing a split in the party at this stage. Mr. Jayasuriya had replied that they stood for a national government in keeping with the MoU signed between the two parties in October, last year.“We have no objection to the party negotiating such a mechanism with the President now. That is what we advocated earlier,” he told Mr. Perera.Earlier, UNP Galle district MP Vajira Abeywardane had also approached certain members including Mahinda Wijesekara on Wednesday to discuss the crossover crisis.However, party stalwart S.B. Dissanayake insisted that he would not quit the party, but instead concentrate on strengthening it.

Meanwhile, other UNP sources said the Government had agreed to offer the UNPers crossing over, ten Cabinet portfolios similar in status to positions they held during the previous UNP regime.They said UNP Matara district Parliamentarian Mahinda Wijesekara who was the latest to join those MPs crossing over had asked for the fisheries ministry portfolio as a condition to join hands with the President. However, Minister Felix Perera who is now holding the portfolio had reportedly been reluctant to make any such sacrifice. Some members who did not hold ministerial portfolios previously, are also likely to be sworn in as Deputy Ministers, the sources said. MPs M.H. Mohamed, P. Dayaratne, Mano Wijeyaratne and G.L. Peiris will reportedly be offered powerful portfolios. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to meet Mr. Wijesekara before the crossovers take place, to take a final decision regarding the Cabinet slot to be allocated to him. Mr. Wijesekara told the UNP Matara district organization meeting ?????? yesterday to inform party activists about his decision to cross over.

Sri Lanka vowed on Thursday to attack and destroy Tamil Tiger military assets, including those in the northern stronghold they control under terms of a tattered 2002 truce, in what is seen as a recipe for years of more war.Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, President Mahinda Rajapakse's brother, told Reuters the only way the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) can defuse the military's plan is if shadowy rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran personally shows he is genuine about talking peace.The military and the Tigers are locked in a new chapter of a two-decade civil war that has killed more than 67,000 people since 1983. Troops are hunting down Tiger fighters in the island's restive east after forcing them to abandon a key coastal stronghold there."We definitely want to destroy their assets, wherever those are -- whether it is in the north, east, south. Military assets will be destroyed," Rajapakse, who is not a minister but is the island's top civil servant in charge of defence, said in a telephone interview.

"We want to destroy their assets everywhere, because as long as they have Sea Tiger bases, as long as they have artillery pieces ... terrorists are always thinking wherever possible they want to do damage."The Tigers, who resumed their fight for an independent state in Sri Lanka's north and east after the majority-Sinhalese government ruled out their demands for a separate homeland for minority Tamils they call Tamil Eelam, were not immediately available for comment."Prabhakaran has not come out saying I'm ready for peace. No, he always says we want a separate Eelam -- now that's a joke," Rajapakse said. "These people must be genuine."Asked what the Tigers could do to avoid a military drive to destroy all their assets, he said:"Prabhakaran can talk I suppose. The Norwegians (mediators) are there, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (truce monitors) is there. They can tell them: 'we are ready to genuinely discuss this problem'. He has to be genuine."

The Tigers say they do not trust the government, who they blame for the failure of successive rounds of talks, and warn that they still retain their military capability in the east -- and can operate using guerrilla jungle warfare tactics.Nordic truce monitors say both sides are repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement, which now holds only on paper, and both sides have ignored repeated calls from the international community to halt fighting estimated to have killed over 4,000 troops, civilians and rebels in the past year.However Rajapakse insists that despite aiming to wipe out all Tiger military assets, the government is committed to peace."The bottom line is the government is not going for a military solution. The government is genuinely committed for a political solution." he said. "But the problem is you can't have peace one-sided.""What we are doing actually started because the LTTE started going on the offensive," he said. "What we are doing now is putting the pressure on them. So if they come to talks, that's good."

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday morning paid a surprise visit to the Historic Sri Dalada Maligawa, worshiped the Sacred Tooth Relic and thereafter, held cordial discussions with the Maha Nayake Theras of Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters.No prior intimation was given to the Maha Sangha about the President’s visit to the Dalada Maligawa and his meeting with the two Maha Nayakes. A spokesman for the Malwatte Maha Viharaya said that the President’s meeting with the Malwatte Maha Nayake, the most Venerable Thibotuwawe Sri Sidhartha Sumangala Maha Nayake Thero lasted about half-an-hour.

Karuna Group,EPDP and PLOTE destabilizing factor, says Sri Lanka Bilateral Donor Group

The Sri Lanka Bilateral Donor Group (BDG) has criticized the actions of the paramilitary Karuna Group in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka as a major destabilizing factor in a report released on Wednesday. The report is a summary of the findings of missions undertaken by diplomatic heads of the BDG. It is prepared on the basis of monitoring missions to Amparai, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Mannar, Vavuniya and Jaffna districts by representatives of the British High Commission, the Canadian High Commission, the Australian High Commission, the Swedish Embassy, the Swiss Embassy, USAID and the European Commission during the last months of 2006. The report mentions, "The missions were informed of a steady increase this year of extra-judicial killings, abductions and disappearances. The abductions of mainly men and boys were attributed by local stakeholders to both the LTTE and the Karuna faction [and the PLOTE and EPDP factions in Jaffna]." The BDG said using civilians and civilian installations as shields, generally believed to be by the LTTE in Vakarai is a special security concern that is also hampering humanitarian efforts.Accessibility to the areas in conflict zones was another concern of the BDG. The report said that generally, the areas controlled by the government were accessible, but bureaucratic constraints, political pressures and ethnic tensions impede free movement while the areas controlled by the LTTE were accessible to the UN agencies and the ICRC, but is subject to lengthy government approval. The report said the situation in the Jaffna peninsula was of particular concern, where also the government-controlled areas had been cut off since the suspension of commercial flights and the closure of the A9 in mid-August.

To achieve at least the minimum political aspirations and infrastructure development, the Muslim MPs should join any ruling party. By sitting in the opposition they will not be able to develop their community but will earn the community’s hatred. For Sri Lankan Muslims this is the political lesson that stood the test of decades, observed Minister Ferial Ashraff speaking at tsunami reconstruction meeting held in Maruthamunai last Saturday.Minister Ashraff said, at the last cabinet meeting the President sought my opinion on SLMC joining the government. I warmly welcomed it and assured him that I was even ready to sacrifice my ministry for it.

"The major problem the Muslim community is facing was the non-cooperation of high ranking government officials in the development work aimed at the Muslim community. I encountered such a situation in the Ampara district recently and I had to bring it to the attention of the President and I was reluctantly compelled to transfer him. I did this in the interest of the people living there. If I was not a part of the government this could not have been possible", the minister observed.Ms Ashraff said when she served the people she never thought of the next election or the party they supported or the vote bank. "I equally serve both those who supported and those who did not support. I spoke to the President and got Rs.65million for the construction 500 houses here. This project will commence on 26th of this month" she said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa held a crucial round of talks with SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem last night to seek SLMC support for the Government, the Daily Mirror learns.The meeting which began at 9 p.m. centred on the proposed MoU between the SLMC and the Government and the ministerial offers to the SLMC.The discussion between the President and the leader of the country’s dominant Muslim party followed a series of meetings between Presidential advisor Basil Rajapaksa and Mr. Hakeem aimed at reaching a working arrangement between the Government and the SLMC.The SLMC has proposed an MoU covering key areas including electoral reforms, law and order, education and administration, as conditions for the party to join the Government and Minister Maithripala Sirisena is on record as saying that there were no major objections from the Government, to the contents of the MoU.Following the meeting with the President, Mr. Hakeem was to meet his party High Command today for a discussion on what was offered to the party by the Government.

Tamil group 'recruiting children'

A US-based rights group has called on a Tamil Tiger breakaway faction in Sri Lanka to stop using child soldiers. Human Rights Watch said the Karuna group was abducting children for combat with impunity in government-held areas and urged authorities to investigate. It also said the main Tamil Tiger group was recruiting children. Last month they admitted kidnapping 21 students. The government denies links with the faction led by Col Karuna, who rejects allegations he uses child soldiers.

Human Rights Watch urged the Sri Lankan authorities to investigate claims that elements in the security forces were complicit in the abductions of children. The BBC's Roland Buerk in Colombo says Human Rights Watch spoke to 20 families in the east of Sri Lanka and found what it said was evidence of widespread abductions of children to be used as combatants. "The Karuna group is abducting children in broad daylight in areas firmly under government control," said Brad Adams, the group's Asia director. "The government is fully aware of the abductions but allows them to happen because it's eager for an ally against the Tamil Tigers." The organisation says the Karuna faction could have taken hundreds of youngsters, as fighting intensified in the east. The group broke away from the Tigers in 2004. Its leader rejects suggestions there are any children within his ranks. "We totally deny this", Col Karuna told the BBC's Tamil service, "because, we have no necessity to abduct children or increase the strength of our forces by inducting them. "At the same time, we do not work with the government forces."

According to Human Rights Watch, families of missing children said they were taken in areas under government control and sometimes close to checkpoints. Sri Lanka's security forces have denied they have any links to the Karuna group and government defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said any cases brought to the attention of the authorities would be investigated. A statement on a government security website criticised UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Radhika Coomaraswamy, questioning whether she was suitable to oversee investigations into the issue of child soldiers in Sri Lanka. It suggested that the Karuna faction might in fact have been rescuing underage fighters who had been recruited by the Tamil Tigers.

The rebel Tamil Tigers were also sharply criticised by Human Rights Watch. They have been accused of recruiting children to use in combat for decades and of continuing the practice. Last month, 21 girls and boys were taken from a tuition centre in the eastern Sri Lanka by the rebels. They were later released amid an outcry and the Tigers said junior members of the organisation had made a mistake. Human Rights Watch has called on both the Karuna faction and the Tamil Tigers to co-operate with Unicef in returning any children in their organisations to their families. The past year has seen a sharp increase in violence in Sri Lanka, with at least 3,400 people dead, the authorities say.

Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who arrived in Katmandu yesterday said he would study the Nepalese peace process during his visit.Answering a question raised by Nepalese journalists whether he intends to fulfill any specific objective during his tour, he said he need not have come to fulfill any special objective to the land where the Buddha lived 2550 years ago. However he is expected to meet several Nepalese politicians, including Maoist leaders, during his visit.

Human Rights Commission (HRC) Vavuniya said that complaints related to disappearances of 41 civilians have been reported in the last three weeks at their office. 104 total complaints have been filed that include threats to life, intimidation, and arrests, officials further said. HRC officials said that they are investigating the disappearances but often face hurdles beyond their control. 54 complaints are related to threats to life and intimidation, and 9 are on arrests.15 of these complaints are against Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and the police, HRC officials said.There had been 39 complaints in the first week of January, 37 in the second and 28 in the third week, officials added.

The government’s efforts to ensure the safety of Air Force Chief Air Marshal Roshan Goonetileke by providing him with a house in a safe location hit a snag with former first lady Hema Premadasa not agreeing to swap houses.Mrs. Premadasa has indicated that she cannnot exchange her present Stanmore Crescent residence for the bungalow offered by the government as it did not meet her requirements. The Island learns that the government had offered the bungalow, currently occupied by DIG Nimal Lewke, Commandant of the elite Special Task Force. But Mrs. Premadasa had turned down the offer after she recently inspected the bungalow situated at the Gregory’s avenue.The government wants Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera to take over Mrs. Premadasa’s residence, thereby paving the way for Goonetileke to occupy the SLAF Commander’s official residence. Perera continues to occupy the Commander’s residence despite being elevated to the post of CDS.

Goonetileke is believed to be one of the officers high on the LTTE hit list because of the on-going successful air strikes. Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga has met Mrs. Premadasa to discuss the issue. Weeratunga has reportedly emphasised the urgent need to finalise the deal in view of the growing threats to Goonetileke’s life. The Cabinet has also offered her a duty free car permit which she requested in return for house swapping.Well informed sources said that the government had offered Lewke’s bungalow after he was given the Gregory’s avenue residence previously occupied by IGP Victor Perera. Mrs. Premadasa had indicated that she would like the bungalow previously occupied by Victor Perera. The sources said that the STF Commandant was offered it as he too was high on the LTTE hit list. Speculation is that the LTTE would step up operations in the city and its suburbs as part of their efforts to offset recent battle-field defeats.

Air Force Chief and STF Commandant could be among the prime targets due to their heavy involvement in current anti-terror operations. Under Goonetilake’s command, the Air Force has played a critical role in weakening the LTTE in the north and east, while the STF crushed the LTTE power in the Ampara District by driving them away from over a dozen bases in the dense jungles of Kanjikudichchiaru.Government sources expressed serious concern over the undue delay in shifting Air Force Chief’s to a safer location. But that should not be at the expense of another officer whose contribution to the fight against terrorism was impressive, the sources said.

116 Tamil civilians including eight women are being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in the Boosa Detention Camp located in Galle. The detainees were arrested in Colombo and other parts of the country during cordon and search operations. Majority of them are natives of North-East. Civil sources said more Tamil civilians arrested in such operations are also being detained in police stations located in Pettah, Fort, Mt.Lavinia, Mutuwal, Kotahena and Moratuwa in the Colombo city under the PTA and being interrogated by special police teams.Of the 116 held in Boosa camp, inquiry against 74 suspects have been completed and 33 of them are expected to be released soon as no evidence has been found against them involving in any illegal activity, sources said.

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A decisive meeting between President Mahinda Rajapakse and Mangala Samaraweera is scheduled to be held at the temple trees tomorrow.It is being reported that the president has informed Samaraweera to meet him regarding the secret letter which he sent to Rajapakse stating his protest to various political issues including granting Ministerial portfolios to UNP MP's. Samaraweera had sent the letter to president's secretary Lalith Weeratunga, SLFP general secretary Maithripala Sirisena, President's senior advisor Basil Rajapakse and Dalas Alahaperuma.Samaraweera had organized a meeting in protest of certain action of the government but had to cancel it in the eleventh hour. But yesterday he had gone to Galle and held a discussion with some of the party organizers. JVP parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake who was informed of Samaraweera's arrival to the area had gone to meet him where the both discussed for quite a long time. When the discussion was going on former President Chandrika Kumaratunga had called Samaraweera and inquired about the current political situation in the country. Chairman of the United National Party Malik Samarawickrema had also called him from Malaysia and inquired about the latest developments. Added to the list is Arumugam Thondaman.According to information available all those who had called Samaraweera had asked him to have patience and to take things slow. They had asked him to decide on his future steps after reviewing the cabinet reshuffle as it would be too early for him to decide now.Meanwhile, the President had requested the party organizers, provincial councilors and Pradeshiya Sabha members of the Matara district to come to Colombo for a meeting on the 27th of this month when Samaraweera had planned to hold a special conference on the same day in Matara. Samaraweera is scheduled to deliver speech at this gathering.

UNP reformists who are set to join the Government are currently working out the MoU to be signed with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, reformist sources said. A reformist UNP MP told the Daily Mirror yesterday they would be sworn in as Cabinet Ministers at an auspicious hour this week end, despite some party seniors mooting the idea of forming a common mechanism for both the parties to work together.The Government has appointed President ‘s Counsel D.S.Wijesinghe to draft the MoU with reformist leader G.L. Peiris who will be assisted by a team of lawyers. The reformist MP said strategies on good governance and national development would be the key components of their MoU with the President.That apart, those MPs crossing over would insist on a negotiated political settlement to the national question.“The crossover will take place this week end,” he said.Among those heading the crossover list are former Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and Hemakumara Nanayakkara.Meanwhile, senior MPs Gamini Jayawickrema Perera and Vajira Abeywardane who are said to be loyalists of leader Ranil Wickremesinghe are said to have approached certain reformist to impress upon them the need to work out a national programme without joining the Government as a separate team.Mr. Perera has reportedly contacted Mr. Jayasuriya in this regard. The latter had replied there is no objection to such a move either, as pointed out by the reformists earlier.

Karuna denies allegations

Leader of the Karuna faction, Vinayagamoorthi Muralidharan alias Karuna denies abducting children to recruit as child soldiers.In an interview with the BBC Tamil Section, Karuna was responding to the allegations levelled against his group by the Human Rights Watch."We totally deny this; because we have no necessity to abduct children or increase the strength of our forces by inducting them", he said.Karuna said they have an armed force of a limited number which is for self-protection. This force is to protect Karuna cadres and its political wing activists from the "murderous attacks by the LTTE", he said. "So there is no need for us to increase this strength", Karuna said. He said LTTE which is facing severe cadre shortage is indulging in child recruitment. Saying it is wrong to level such accusations against them, Karuna said his cadres are not colluding with the government forces in child conscription.There is no need for the army to get children conscripted in our ranks, as the army is also in a strong position at present, Karuna added.

Defence spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella reacting to the Human Rights Watch report said government has begun an investigation into the alleged accusations.Asked certain elements of the army had been involved and colluded with Karuna faction in child recruitment, Minister Rambukwella said he could not comment until investigations are over.When told that Human Rights Watch also asking the government to close down camps belonging to Karuna group which are operating in government controlled areas, he said action will be taken if investigation reveals if there are any.Referring to UN special representative, Allan Rock's report which is similar to the findings of the Human Rights Watch, Minister Rambukwella said government is still waiting for credible evidence as cited by Allan Rock to investigate.

The Ulamas Muslim Party (UMP) yesterday, welcomed the decision by a majority of elected members of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) in the Puttlam District, to join the Government unconditionally, UMP Leader Moulavi Mubarak Abdul Majeed, said yesterday.The UMP leader accused SLMC Leader Rauf Hakeem of having put forward demands to the Government not for the welfare of Muslims but for his own welfare, a statement by the UMP said yesterday."We as a political party of Muslim Clergy urge the SLMC to join the government unconditionally to help the country and the Muslim community through the Cabinet portfolios it receives in return for joining the Government.SLMC sources however said that the UMP leader was acting in his own interests. Many representations made to the leader had gone unheeded over the past several years, they said.

Sources also said that the plight of the Muslim community in the Puttlam District had been affected in the spheres of Education, Health, Housing, Employment and Infrastructure. The district had been deprived of electing its own MP due to the PR system since 1989 and the sufferings over the past 18 years had been aggravated.Those elected members of the SLMC who had decided to join the ranks of the Government are, MP, K. A. Baiz, North Western Provincial Councillors, S. A. Yehiya, S. H. M. Niyas and K. Radhakrishnan, Puttlam Urban Councillors, S. R. M. Muhrzi, T. M. Ismail, Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Member M. Dharik and Arachchikattuwa PS Member M. Nazar.All SLMC organizers from the Puttlam District, branches, Ulamas Congress, District Central Committees, supporters and sympathisers had also decided to join the ranks of the Government unconditionally.

Eight suspected Tamil Tiger rebels were arrested in southern India.More than two metric tons of ball bearings that can be used for making mines, were seized, a police official said yesterday. The eight had bought the bearings, manufactured in Mumbai, and told the police that they planned to take them to Sri Lanka, according to D. Mukherjee, director-general of Tamil Nadu state police."We are investigating the links," Mukherjee said.Five were arrested on Tuesday night in Chennai. The remaining three were arrested in Tuticorin, a port town 450 km south of Chennai.Mines are the preferred weapons of the rebel group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. They have been fighting since 1983 for a separate homeland for Sri Lanka's 3.1 million minority Tamils, citing decades of discrimination by the Sinhalese-dominated state. Tamil Nadu is home to nearly 56 million Tamils, many with close family ties to ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s 59th Independence Day celebrations will be held at Galle Face with the participation of the three Forces and the Police, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs, D. Dissanayake, said.He said that the "Dayata Kirula" Exhibition highlighting the first year’s progress of President Mahinda Rajapakse’s Government would be held at the BMICH, to coincide with the Independence celebrations from 4th to 7th of February.The exhibition would include a display of the Government’s ten year plan to develop the country, under the "Mahinda Chinthanaya" proposals.

Six Tamil youths who were in Chavakachcheri town Tuesday were reported missing after Sri Lanka Army troopers launched an extensive search and cordon operation in the town Tuesday, arresting and releasing more than one hundred youths, after a bomb attack that killed an SLA soldier and 2 civilians. The father of one of the missing youths has lodged a complaint at the Jaffna office of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (SLHRC).Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan troopers on Wednesday imposed a new rule, banning the entry of bicycles and motor cycles in the Central Business Area of the town, and instructed the public to park their two-wheelers at a spot 400 meters from the town, which remained mostly deserted Wednesday.

'Hundreds of' Indian Tamils detained

The President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has ordered the police to take immediate steps to release detained Tamil youths of Indian origin.In a meeting held with union leaders of plantation workers, Mr. Rajapaksa has ordered the police to produce those accused of any wrongdoings before the courts.Leaders of the Up Country Peoples Front (UPF), Minister P Chandrasekaran and Deputy Minister P Radhakrishnan met the Head of State to discuss the issue on Saturday.Nearly 400 Tamils of Indian origin were arrested by the security forces during the last few weeks, Deputy Minister for Vocational Training Radhakrishnan told BBC Sandeshaya.116 of those arrested - 108 boys and eight girls - have been sent to the "infamous" military detention camp in Boossa, the minister said.

The camp has been used in the late 80s to detain hundreds of Sinhala youths who took arms against the Sri Lanka government. Police authorities, meanwhile, accused the minister of "exaggerating" the figures. “We did not arrest hundreds of youths from Up Country,” Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of Western Province told the BBC.DIG NK Ilangakoon told bbcsinhala.com that Minister Radhakrishnan’s calculations were "false" but did not elaborate.

Over one million Tamils of Indian origin have made their home in picturesque plantations in the Up Country in Central Sri Lanka.The increasing cost of living, poverty and the desire to find a reasonable life has forced some of the younger generation into the capital and suburbs. Many have been working in the catering industry while many others are still employed as domestic workers. However, they have become a vulnerable groups under the new tough security measures as many do not posses National Identity cards.They have to pass many check points on the way to Colombo. “10-15 Tamils youths are daily arrested in one journey, for example, from Nuwara Eliya to Colombo,” says UPF vice president, A Lawrence. The UPF, a major union representing Tamils of Indian origin, last year joined President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government.

The UPF leaders accused the authorities of not living up to an earlier pledge to discuss the arrests with the UPF officials. The Defense Affairs spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who did not deny detaining Tamils of Indian origin in cordon operations, said it is the duty of the government to guide the “misguided” youth. The Boossa camp is used to “rehabilitate” the youths who have either voluntarily left or captured from the Tamil Tigers, Mr. Rambukwella said. Reacting to Minister Rambukwella, Mr. Radhakrishnan categorically denies those currently detained in the camp are members of the Tamil Tigers. “They have no connection whatsoever with the LTTE. These are poor young people looking for a better future in the capital,” he told BBC Sinhala. “We urge the authorities to charge those accused or release them otherwise”.

Sri Lanka’s National Human Rights Commission (SLHRC) has also accused the authorities of failing to comply with their legal obligations. SLHRC Additional Secretary, Nimal Punchihewa, said the authorities are obliged to inform the Commission of any such arrest within 48 hours.The Emergency Regualtions do not empower the security authorities to arrest anybody without a justifiable reason, according to the SLHRC.“In many occasions the Supreme Court has ruled that no arrest can be made under the Emergency Regulations without a proper reason” Mr. Punchihewa said. “it is the duty of the SLHRC to visit the camps and investigate provided we are duly informed," he added. The UPF have warned that the government might soon find these measures counter-productive. It is the opinion of the union leaders that the LTTE do not currently enjoy a strong support among the Up Country Tamils.There is strong possibility that Tamils youths of Indian origin soon turn to Tamil Tigers if the current trend continues, human rights activists warned.

Balasingham’s death will necessarily make talks with LTTE more difficult - Westborg

The death of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Chief Negotiator, Anton Balasingham, will further complicate communications between the rebel group and the Sri Lankan government, says H.E. Jon Westborg, Ambassador of Norway to India who was the former Norwegian envoy in Colombo.In an interview with The Daily Mirror,Ambassador Westborg said that Balasingham, who died in London last month, was “from the very beginning a very important player” in the peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the LTTE, both due to his long history of association with the dialogue and his good offices with V. Prabhakaran, the political chief of the rebel group.“It is a regrettable fact that Balasingham’s death necessarily makes communication more difficult, but that is just one more of those obstacles that one will have to work around”, said Mr. Westborg.

The proxy-war in Sri Lanka over the past year and the continuing violence in the north and east of the island have caused many to question the validity of the 2002 Norway-brokered Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA) on the ground. Asked for his views on the subject, Mr. Westborg said that it was up to the GOSL and the LTTE – the parties to the agreement - to analyse the existence and usefulness of the ceasefire.“Norway was requested to arrange the latest talks in Geneva to assist and facilitate communication. We will do what we are requested to, but the agenda and outcome of the negotiations rests with the parties”, he said, adding “We have emphasized that we do not carry a solution. As our Foreign Minister said on his recent visit to New Delhi , the only way forward is for the parties concerned to reach an agreement amongst themselves and the result can only be judged by them. The international community can have opinions but all are aware that it is ultimately up to the parties themselves”, he stressed.

Asked if Norway deemed the decision of the GOSL and the opposition parties to cooperate in order to advance the peace dialogue a significant development, the ambassador recalled that the conflict had been an element in Srilankan politics since Independence and that there are different opinions on what should be the solution to the ethnic conflict and what process this should entail.“Many Srilankans – politicians as well as analysts have been of the opinion that one of the difficulties in implementing necessary changes has been the tendency of the parties in opposition demonstrating against government initiatives. From an outsider’s view-point, the decision of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP) to cooperate is the result of an understanding that the hour has come for dialogue and building understanding. The actual historic situation leading up to signing of such MOUs must always be taken into account. As a consequence they will always be subject to interpretation and one must not expect their implementation to be “plain Sailing”. Nevertheless it must be regarded as one of the most significant developments we’ve seen in many years and we hope that dialogue, which is in its infancy, will be given the opportunity to mature and lead to a consensus in the official and political environment in Sri Lanka which can form a solid base for dialogue with the LTTE”, he said.

In response to a question on whether the warnings from the four Co-Chairs of the peace process against continued ceasefire violations could translate in to some sort of firmer action in the future, Mr. Westborg said that “The Co-Chair arrangement was established as a meeting place for the countries that in the mid of 2003 at the meeting in Tokyo pledged a substantial amount of funds for the rehabilitation in Sri Lanka”. The need for such a dialogue forum was to provide the GOSL with finances and was a necessary precursor for the continuation of dialogue, he explained, adding that it is, however, difficult to see how rehabilitation can take place unless the ceasefire functions. “Reality makes it difficult unless there is an amount of dialogue on how such rehabilitation can take place. How can rehabilitation be effectively carried out unless there is a functioning ceasefire and adherence to generally accepted human rights”, he asked rhetorically, while recalling that both parties had recognized this fact at the second meeting in Geneva.

Specifying the Norwegian governments’ stand, he said it’s role as facilitator stems from an explicit request from consecutive governments of Sri Lanka, since the time of Kumaratunga and that as long as its assistance was sought, Oslo would continue to try and facilitate dialogue between the parties.On whether the violence over the past year had impeded the functioning of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), he said that according to the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA), the role of the SLMM is to “assist parties and identify ways and means to ensure that tensions connected to, and breaches of the CFA can be handled, and that there is a structural approach to avoid such breaches”. Nevertheless, monitors in areas of contention need free access, he said, admitting that “When ground realities become such that they can’t carry out their activities without threat to their lives, it might be necessary once in a while to temporarily take a step back until arrangements can be made so they can function without risk”.

At the meeting in Washington, India’s role with regard to the Sri Lankan situation was lauded by the co-chairs as having been “responsible”. Asked if India had done enough, Ambassador Westborg said “We have, upon explicit requests from the Sri Lanka since the beginning, kept New Delhi informed of our work. In this connection, we have appreciated the openness in consultations with and support to Norway as facilitator. Consultations continue to be active and the way in which India approaches and handles these consultations have been of encouragement”.“We are of the opinion that a solution to the Sri Lankan conflict will need Indian support and understanding”, he said, adding however, that “We are not in a position to judge what other nations find necessary or useful”.As a man familiar with the ongoing situation in Sri Lanka, Mr. Westborg declined to speculate on how things might stand a few months down the line, expressing instead his country’s commitment to its role as facilitator in the peace-talks.“Optimism and pessimism with respect to our role are not useful sentiments. We need to work with realities, not a sentiment on how things could have been. Our interest is in providing assistance to Sri Lanka and its people”, he concluded.

The LTTE yesterday dismissed the government’s invitation to stop fighting and resume talks, claiming that there was no sincerity in the offer.LTTE Military Spokesperson I. Illanthirayan told The Morning Leader that the government was making senseless statements to misguide the international community."Their lips are talking about peace but their deeds are proving otherwise," Illanthirayan said.However the government yesterday accused the LTTE of duplicity.Government Defence Spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella stated that the LTTE had caused many obstructions while sending essential items to the people in the north.The Minister also said the recent attack on the cargo ship proved the LTTE’s duplicity."The LTTE wanted the A9 opened citing humanitarian issues. The Essential Services Commissioner was ordered by the President to send essential items and around 400 loads were sent. However, they were not allowed to go through by the LTTE.

The LTTE caused several problems when efforts were taken to transport goods through sea. The ship City of Liverpool, which took goods to the north, came under LTTE attack. This clearly proves the LTTE’s duplicity," the Minister said.The Minister said the ship was now harbored in Kankesanthurai for repairs. However, Rambukwella assured that the government would continue to send essential items to the north despite the obstacles posed by the LTTE."Five ships have already left to Jaffna from Colombo and Trincomalee. The government will continue to help the civilians in the north despite the obstacles created by the LTTE," he said.Speaking on these accusations made by the government, Illanthirayan said their patrol craft was fired upon from the City of Liverpool."We have got information that the government forces are smuggling weapons through LTTE waters. Our patrol craft was fired upon from the vessel, which was claimed to have carried essential items to Jaffna," Illanthirayan added.

Although the Armed Forces have liberated the Eastern Province from the LTTE, the Government did not intend to commence military operations in the Northern Province immediately, Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told ‘The Island’ on Monday (22).He said the Government was watching to see how LTTE leader Prabhakaran would react and whether he intended to enter the peace process to discuss a political solution. He said the immense difficulties, experienced by the Tamil civilians, over the past two decades, under the jackboot of the LTTE, was over and the people of the East were now free. Rambukwella said the Government wanted to free the Tamil people in the North from the clutches of the LTTE but was waiting for a reaction from the LTTE to offer peace talks.He said the civil administration of the areas in the East, freed from the LTTE, will be brought back to normal within the next few days.

Amidst escalating hostilities between government troops and the LTTE, the government is likely to come up with its final set of proposals within the next two weeks to resolve the national question.The ruling SLFP will make its observations within two weeks on the new constitutional proposals presented by All Party Representatives Committee Chairman Tissa Vitarana.The party has already appointed a committee headed by Minister Wiswa Warnapala to study these proposals.Prof. Warnapala sought a two-week period from the APRC to submit the observations. The UNP submitted its observations on Prof. Vitarana’s proposals to the committee on Monday. MP and senior lawyer K.N. Choksy presented these proposals on behalf of the party.

The UNP has proposed that the APRC should identify the main issues relevant to resolving the national question and endeavour to reach consensus on them, as a pre-requisite to work out the final solution .The party noted this consensus should be used as the basis to draft a new constitution.The UNP, in the meantime, said peace talks should re-commence taking up the committee decisions with the LTTE.According to UNP observations, the issues such as the re-merger of the northern and eastern provinces should be discussed at peace talks with the LTTE, and a separate Muslim delegation should be accommodated.The UNP has proposed that the APRC decisions should be taken up at future peace talks and that the final solution by way of a new constitution should be placed before the people at a referendum.

The UNP yesterday welcomed the proposal made by SLFP Vice President and Posts and Telecommunications Minister D. M. Jayaratne to appoint Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister to help resolve the country’s problems.Minister Jayaratne on Monday went on public record stating that the country’s problems could be solved if Wickremesinghe is appointed as Prime Minister and the UNP rebels join the government with the UNP Leader’s consent."Minister D.M. Jayaratne has actually stated something very important in saying Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should be made prime minister so the major issues facing the country could be solved together," UNP Secretary General Tissa Attanayake said.Jayaratne was on Monday quoted as saying "This is not a time to discuss party politics, but to join hands and strengthen the economy of the country."He said the government was willing to offer the prime ministerial post to Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe if he was willing to accept it, with the post of deputy president given to a ruling party member.

Minister Mangala Samaraweera will tomorrow decide whether he will stick to the ministerial portfolios of the government. Sources close to Samaraweera told 'LeN' that he has called for a sudden meeting of the Matara district organizers tonight. Reliable sources told 'LeN' that today Samaraweera had handed over a letter to the President stating that he would resign from his posts if the head of state doesn't take steps to uplift the MOU signed with the UNP and not to let the JVP fall apart from the government.It was Samaraweera who was the pioneer of the President's campaign before the election, as he was designated as the "Campaign Manager".Meanwhile, the President had requested the party organizers, provincial councilors and Pradeshiya Sabha members of the Matara district to come to Colombo for a meeting on the 27th of this month when Samaraweera had planned to hold a special conference on the same day in Matara. Therefore Samaraweera had cancelled his meeting.

Negotiations are underway to enlist a JVP rebel group into the government after the UNP breakaway group failed to deliver the numbers to provide President Mahinda Rajapakse a working majority in parliament.The decision to negotiate with a JVP rebel group led by Kalutara District MP Nandana Gunatilleke follows a communication to the President by the UNP rebel group that they can deliver only a maximum of 13 MPs and the JVP itself announcing the party will withdraw support if the government accommodates UNP federalists G.L. Peiris, Milinda Moragoda and Rajitha Senaratne in cabinet.The government has the support of 97 MPs with the JHU and offered the UNP rebels 10 cabinet portfolios and 10 deputy ministerships if 20 MPs were brought into government.

However, by yesterday only 13 MPs – namely Karu Jayasuriya, G.L. Peiris, Milinda Moragoda, Rajitha Senaratne, Hemakumara Nanayakkara, P. Dayaratne, Gamini Lokuge, Dharmadasa Banda, Mano Wijeratne, Navin Dissanayake, M.H Mohomed, Bandula Gunawardene and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene – had reportedly confirmed their willingness to cross-over.The Morning Leader learns, the government, which was looking for a minimum of 16 MPs to cross-over, has also run into difficulties with the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) with a majority of the party members opposed to joining the government.The SLMC members have said the party should not even consider the offer to join the government unless the President agrees to enter into a MoU.

Informed sources said the government is now negotiating with four JVP MPs to make up the numbers since the UNP rebels have indicated there was no turning back for them now.Meanwhile, a CWC MP is expected to make a statement this week announcing his intention of withdrawing support to the government if the induction of the UNP rebels result in the abrogation of the MoU between the two parties. The MP’s statement is to be followed by statements from two more CWC MPs.It is learnt the UNP rebel group is to join the government later this week.

A real life drama involving a politician’s wife who had allegedly collected money from people seeking jobs in Japan, by posing as the wife of a minister unfolded before the Colombo Magistrate yesterday.The suspect, was granted bail, along with another suspect who had helped her obtain a license to recruit people free of charge.The suspect Ms. Priyani Damayanthi de Silva, pretending to be the wife of Vocational Training and Industrial Development Minister of the present government, had allegedly charged Rs 100,000 from each applicant. Cinnamon Gardens police told court that the Ministry had got job opportunities for a company in Japan and several people in the Ministry were given license to recruit persons free of charge. The licenses were issued only for the year 2006, on the condition that nothing would be charged from the applicants.The case will be taken up on Friday.

A successful protest was held in front of the Fort railway station by the journalists who oppose certain action taken by the government against journalists and media institutions.A famous Deputy Minister of the Rajapakse regime Doctor Mervyn Silva and about 200 of his henchmen had arrived to the location to sabotage the protest, but unlike on the 9th of this month where he thrashed the organizers and destroyed material of a rally organized by the United Peoples’ Movement, he refrained from performing the same drama yesterday. Certain steps taken by the media organization might have been the cause to silence the Doctor Mervyn. Yesterday morning government defense spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was informed of a possible attack on the protest by the 'LeN' journalist during a media briefing, where he promised to inform the IGP about the warning. However the thugs and Doctor Mervyn had arrived to the location by about noon and the Deputy Minister told the gathering that he was someone who was born in the south to drink the blood of the LTTE, but in this instance would not go against the journalist.Doctor Mervyn then left the location along with his henchmen and the journalists carried out their protest successfully. Then another group of thugs who arrived to the location with national flags had run around with the flags thinking that his master was also on the location, but soon fled the scene after realizing the real situation.The protest received the support of UNP Parliamentarians Jayalath Jayawardena, Jonstan Fernando and Dayasiri Jayasekara while the politician who is present at all protests Doctor Wickremebahu Karunaratne was also present.

The Colombo-Jaffna postal service is at a standstill, with 5000 mail bags stuck in Trincomalee and over 3600 mail bags awaiting clearance at the Central Mail Exchange, Colombo.According to informed sources a bag weighs around 40 kgs. Sources said that mail was last received in Jaffna on January 14, when 1800 bags despatched from Colombo on January 6, took more than eight days to reach Jaffna. Food items in some parcels were spoilt. Mail bags which had come earlier are still awaiting clearance while those which came later are sent to Trincomalee to be shipped from there.“Mail sacks which come later are stacked on top of those which are already there in the stores, with the new arrivals being shipped first and the others remaining unnoticed,” he explained. However, a spokesman for the Postal Department said that mail had been sent to Jaffna in small consignments. He explained that they have had to handle an increasing workload, with a larger volume being received for Jaffna, in the past few weeks.

Five killed in Sri Lanka blasts

At least five people have been killed and twenty eight others injured in four attacks in northern Sri Lanka, military officials say. A soldier died in a blast in Jaffna, while three civilians were killed in an explosion in the nearby town of Chavakachcheri. Twenty two civilians were also injured in the blast,authorities said. The attacks come amid an escalation in fighting between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels since late 2005. Fighting has continued despite a Norwegian-brokered cease-fire in 2002. The Sri Lankan defence ministry said both blasts were caused by mines.

Meanwhile, authorities say rebels hijacked a truck carrying rural development authority workers in the town of Vavuniya, about 260km (160 miles) north of Colombo. One worker was shot dead and six others wounded in the ambush, the military said. The Tamilnet website said three civilians were killed in blasts in Chavakachcheri and Manipay. The military accused the rebels of carrying out the attacks. There has been no official comment from the rebels. The latest violence comes after thousands of Tamils fled intense fighting between government troops and rebels around Batticaloa in the east.

The government yesterday assured it would continue to send food to Jaffna despite threats by the LTTE to attack ships.Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said arrangements were being made to send five ship loads of food items to Jaffna as planned. Minister Rambukwella said the attacks only underscored the “duplicity of the LTTE” and were in contrast to the assurances it had given at the two previous rounds of peace talks with the government. “During the last round of talks the LTTE was adamant that the A9 route be opened so that humanitarian aid could reach the people, but when the government made arrangements to immediately send 40 lorry-loads of food items, the Tigers began to oppose the move. The group is also opposing us as we now take the sea route,” he said. However, he stressed government troops would retaliate any attempt by the LTTE to attack ships heading to Jaffna, while adding that the government would do its best to provide food and other essential items to the people of Jaffna.

Sri Lanka's Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Commanders, and the Inspector General of Police, yesterday evening visited the newly captured eastern town of Vakarai to asses the situation there. “The delegation reviewed the present situation in the Eastern Province and in particular the progress made with regard to de-mining and rebuilding work in the newly cleared Vakarai area, in order to resettle displaced civilians,” military spokesperson Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said. The Defence Secretary congratulated the security forces for their recent military success. Commander of the 23rd Division, Brigadier Daya Ratnayake, briefed the delegation on the progress of ongoing humanitarian operations.

Security forces, who are now consolidating the newly captured Vakarai region, yesterday recovered a large haul of arms and ammunition left behind by the LTTE, including two 152 mm artillery guns that caused heavy damage to the military, during the offensive.“Recovery of these two 152 mm heavy artillery guns, was a major success of the advancing troops in the Vakarai region in the recent past,” military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said. He also said that two guns were recovered from north of Vakarai yesterday morning. “Fleeing Tigers had damaged these guns,” he said.Among the other items that troops recovered were two pieces of damaged 122 mm artillery guns, one 120 mm mortar, two suicide jackets, 360 T 56 weapons, two T 81 rifles, two 12.7 mm anti aircraft weapons, two 30 mm weapons, two cannon weapons, two light machine guns, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG), seven Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers (RPG), one 9 mm pistol, eight hundred and sixty seven Anti Personnel Mines (APM), two hundred and ten T 56 magazines, thirty-seven T 56 ammunition boxes, twenty-five claymore mines, ninety three 60 mm mortar bombs, seventy four RPG bombs, thirty seven 120 mm mortar bombs, sixty-five hand grenades, three anti tank mines, three disposable RPG, one 40 mm grenade launcher, thirty four detonators, five 12.7 mm drums, fifty-seven 30 mm ammunitions, six 12.7 mm links, one oxygen tank, four communication sets, three sniper weapon parts, two Out Board Motor (OBM) machines (horse power - 200), one gun carrier, twenty one Light Machine Guns (LMG) links, one code sheet, eighteen LMG links, one telescopic sight, five remote controllers and two Bangalore Torpedoes .The spokesman also said that further search operations are being carried out by troops in the area.

'Abducted' Tamil youths escape

Five Tamil teenagers abducted by a Tamil militant group were handed over to the police in Sri Lanka by the ICRC.Polonnaruwa SSP, Jayantha Wickramasinghe, told BBC Sandeshaya that the five youths were kept in a training camp in an unidentified location by a "terrorist organisation".He did not name the Tamil Tigers.The children have escaped from the camp and then informed the ICRC through somebody else, he said.

"One of them is 19 years old and others are between 14-16 years," Wickramasinghe told journalist Raj Weerasinghe.Police said three children were from Trincomalee district, another from Dimbulagala and the other youth was from Valaichchenai, in Batticaloa. Parents gathered to Polonnaruwa police station appealed to the police to guarantee the safety of their children.One teenager has told the police that he was abducted in Gallella on 10 January while working in a rice mill by a group came in a three-wheeler taxi and taken to Welikanda.

He was then taken to Trincomalee in a van by the abductors.There were another 12 youths at the camp when he was taken, the teenager has told the police.International truce monitors have said they have reliable information that Karuna faction of the Tamil Tigers are camping in Polonnaruwa district.United Nations and human rights organisations have accused both the LTTE and the breakaway faction led by Karuna alias Vinayagamurthy Muralitharan of continuously recruiting child soldiers.Sections of the Sri Lanka security forces are accused by the UN of helping the Karuna faction to recruit children.

The Court of Appeal on Monday rejected a writ application filed by seven Tamil medium students who sat the entrance examination for the Sri Lanka Law College in 2006 for admission in 2007.The petitioners had requested a reduction of the cut off point to 60 per cent from the currently effective point of 71 per cent.The petitioners had said that there was an anomaly in the prescribed "course book" for Tamil medium students. When students were admitted for the year 2006, the cut off point for Tamil medium students was reduced to 60 per cent on the basis of the anomaly in the course book. The course book has not been amended. Hence the cut off point for the Tamil medium should be reduced for the current year as well.The respondents were the Principal, Law College and the Incorporated Council for Legal Education.R. R. S. Thangarajah appeared for the petitioners.The Bench comprised Justice K. Siripavan and Justice Sisira de Abrew.

Government : 'talks or attacks'

The Sri Lankan government is reported to have said they will continue their offensives against Tamil Tigers unless the rebels return to peace negotiations. The defence spokesman, Minister Kehelia Rambukwella told the Reuters news agency, that the army would stop fighting immediately, if the rebels said they would stop fighting and return to talks. But the LTTE has expressed its doubhts over the government's statement.The LTTE military spokesman, Rasiah Ilanthirayan, said the government had to prove its commitment to a settlement. Talks between the government and the Tamil Tigers broke down last year.The government forces have captured two strategically important Tiger-held areas in the east.Hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced due to the increased fighting in the north and east.In the latest fighting in the east of the island, two government soldiers have been killed in the Batticaloa district.

Deputy Minister of Skills Development and Public Enterprise Reforms P. Radakrishna has requested the President to conduct trials for those Tamil youth who are being detained, on suspicion of assisting various terrorist organizations, at the Boossa camp. He further asks the head of state to then release those who are found innocent. According to Radakrishna over 115 Estate and Northern Tamils are being held at the camp. He told LeN that the President had discussed the issue with IGP Victor Perera along with President's senior advisor Basil Rajapakse as a result of his request to the President.The Deputy Minister said the IGP had informed the parents of those relevant youth to produce the birth, education, Gramaseva and certificates and documents to prove their identity.

Court: 'resettle' in Jaffna HSZ

The Supreme Court in Sri Lanka has expressed its dissatisfaction over the failure of the authorities to take steps to resettle those displaced settle in the High Security Zones (HSZ) in Jaffna.The Supreme Court has ordered the authorities to conduct interviews to identify suitable candidates to resettle in the HSZs in May, last year.But the lawyers representing the plaintiffs informed the judiciary that no step has taken to identify those qualified to resettle.Nearly 7500 are displaced due to the establishment of the HSZs in Pallali, they said.The judiciary once again ordered to Jaffna District Secretary to take necessary steps after considering a petition by the residents.Expressing the dissatisfaction over the delay in implementing his the court order, Chief Justice Sarath silva said the government is expending Rs.36 million to maintain 7000 refugees.The petitioners, TNA parliamentarian Mavai Senadhirajah and a group of farmers from Jaffna, argued that eviction from their ancestral homes violated their Fundamental Rights (FR).The Attorney General was ordered to produce a report on 04 April on the progress of the resettlement procedure.

Parliament has drawn the attention of IGP Victor Perera, to a matter of privilege raised by UNP MP Dr.Jayalath Jayawardane, regarding alleged death threats received by him. During the last Parliamentary session, Dr. Jayawardane raised the matter saying that he had received death threats in an e-mail, by an unknown gang. Parliamentary General Secretary, Priyani Wijesekara, wrote to IGP Perera on January 12, requesting him to work regarding this matter, as per instructions given by Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara.Meanwhile, the TNA MPs also raised concern about the lack of security arrangements for them under the present circumstances. The party’s Jaffna district MP,TELO Muthalvar M.K. Shivajilingam, noted they asked for more security, but the authorities concerned were yet to look into the matter. “The prevailing situation is not conducive for us, especially after the assassination of our colleague N. Raviraj. So, we need an additional number of security personnel,” he said. The Tamil legislators representing the eastern province also made a special request to the Speaker, to ensure adequate security for them, citing death threats from an armed group operating in areas such as Batticaloa. The armed group threatened these members with death if they do not resign from their parliamentary seats. The party’s Batticaloa district MP, Thangeswari Kathiraman, said security had not yet been improved for them despite such an appeal. However, Mrs. Wijesekara said they had brought all these cases to the notice of the IGP because security was of prime concern. “Whatever request made by members should have been brought to the notice of the IGP. We will not neglect them,” she said. Asked to comment on the delay in providing security for these members, she said it was a matter beyond her control.

A protest has been organized to condemn the recent killings, assaults and threats faced by journalist under the Mahinda Rajapakse regime, at 12.30 tomorrow afternoon in front of the Fort railway station.Some of the harassments which journalists had to face during the past three months are harassing "Maubima", "The Sunday Standard", "The Sunday Leader" news papers, assaulting Derana journalist Asanga in Dehiwala, Political threats on Sandeshaya journalist Gnanasiri Konthigoda and 'LeN' journalist Ajith Seneviratne, detaining "Maubima" journalist Parameshwari for over 2 months without any charges, questioning Ranga Jayasuriya and Layanal Yodasinghe of Sunday Observer and Prasanna Fonseka under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, assaulting Sunday Leader cameraman Ashoka, Killing 5 journalists in Jaffna and imposing restrictions for certain newspapers on Jaffna and Batticaloa.But the "Mahinda Chinthanaya" promised that the right to be informed will be safe guarded and journalists will be assisted in all means.

Air Force Kfir fighter jets and MI-24 helicopters bombed an identified LTTE gathering point at Kumburupiddi in Trincomalee yesterday evening killing several LTTE cadres, military sources said.They said fresh attacks also killed at least five government troops who were engaged in consolidating areas in Vakarai and Verugal.Following the attack in Vavuniathivu on Sunday, the LTTE had directed a barrage of artillery and mortar fire around the Vavunathivu Army camp but the troops successfully repulsed the attacks.Two soldiers were killed in the attack while four were injured. The LTTE is to hand over the bodies of the two soldiers to the Army through the ICRC.Troops consolidating their positions in the Verugal area are now involved in mine-clearing. The territory along the coastal belt between Kadjuwatta and Verugal and areas west of Verugal such as Echchalampatthu up to Mahindapura had been heavily booby trapped and mined by the Tigers to block civilians escaping to cleared areas.Meanwhile, a top official of the Vavuniya CTB Depot was shot dead by suspected LTTE cadres yesterday evening. The victim identified as V Dharmakulasingham, was shot dead while returning home after work.The army also recovered the body of a man identified as the Panichchankerni LTTE area leader along with a micro pistol, hand grenade and a detonator at Panichchankerni.He is believed to have been killed during recent clashes in the area.

Minister Mangala Samaraweera has told senior President's advisor Basil Rajapakse yesterday that he is strongly against donating certain ministerial portfolios to UNP Parliamentarians who are now crossing over after condemning the president and the Government since the inception.Samaraweera had said that he is willing to give up all his ministries if the party is at a critical stage but questions as to why the president want to restrict the number of Parliamentarians in favour of the government to 118 when the current number stands at 135.Senior Ministers Fowzie, D.M. Jayaratne, Jeyaraj Fernandoopulle, Maithripala Sirisena and Nimal Siripala de Silva are said to be against chopping down their ministries in order to grant portfolios to the UNP MP’s. Siripala has been offered the Foreign Ministry by the President but he has refused. Therefore internal sources of the SLFP say there is a high tendency of the party splitting under the prevailing situation.Meanwhile sources from the Presidential Secretariat say the cabinet reshuffle and swearing in of the Ministers would take place on the 25th or the 28th of this month as they are said to be auspicious days.

If GL, Milinda, Rajitha join Govt. we quit: JVP - Central Committee to decide this week

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday said it would definitely withdraw its support to the Government, if federalists such as G.L. Peiris, Milinda Moragoda and Rajitha Senaratne joined the Government.JVP Politburo member Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, however, noted that besides this, there were other issues too for the Party to consider, before taking a final decision on its support to the Government. The decision could be taken at the Central Committee (CC) meeting this week. “The ideology of those who hope to cross over and their working arrangements with the Government, are key factors on which the CC will decide. We disapprove federalists such as Prof G.L. Peiris, Milinda Moragoda and Rajitha Senaratne joining the Government. They have acted against the interests of the country. However, this does not indicate that we welcome others who are expecting to crossover,” he said.

“The Government’s conduct too has not always been for the benefit of the people. There is a high degree of corruption and unwanted expenditure. These wastages add more burdens on the ordinary man.”When asked whether they would also withdraw from the All Party Conference (APC) as well, Mr. Dissanayaka said it would depend on the agenda the APC was going to adopt.“Now the topic of the APC seems to be buried, in the absence of a meeting for a long period. If it decides to meet again, the Government has to extend an invitation, citing what topics they would discuss. Our Party would then decide whether to participate or not,” he added.Mr. Dissanayaka added that the Party is confident enough to contest future polls alone.“Although, there is no talk about an impending election right now, we have been preparing our members for an election from grassroots level to national level.”

A UNP delegation led by its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe will meet Indian leaders including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh next week to discuss the current political situation and matters pertaining to the national question. The delegation will leave for India on January 28, to participate in the Congress Party summit. It will be held on January 28 and 29. The UNP delegation will also meet Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi and Opposition Leader Athal Bihari Vajpai. Mr. Wickremesinghe will be accompanied by MPs Lakshman Kiriella, Sajith Premadasa and Ravi Karunanayake.

The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday expressed its deep concern over the untold miseries of the Sri Lankan Tamils and urged the Centre to find a peaceful political solution to the vexed ethnic crisis. Delivering the customary address to Tamil Nadu's National Assembly, in the capital city of Chennai, Governor S.S. Barnala said that the "government is deeply concerned about the untold miseries suffered by the Sri Lankan Tamils in recent times, without any security for their lives and property," a UNI report said.He said that letters written by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi with regard to their sufferings, to UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, the guiding spirit of the Union Government and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and their replies were a source of solace and hope to the Sri Lankan Tamils. "This Government urges that a peaceful political solution, through dialogue, as desired by the Union Government, for this longstanding problem of Sri Lankan Tamils, should be found," he said.

Manager of the Vavuniya Peoplised Transport Board and former member of the People's Liberation Orginisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) , Tharmakulasingham (46), alias 'Thambi', was shot dead by unidentified armed person, around 5 p.m., Monday. Armed men riding in a motorbike shot at him while he was returing home from work. The incident occured at Pandarikkulam. His body was handed over to the Vavuniya hospital mortuary, Monday night, police sources said.

More than 1800 children were recruited by both the LTTE and the Karuna faction by the end of last year, the UN Child's rights group UNICEF told the Daily Mirror adding that the actual figure is estimated to be much higher but goes unreported. Despite commitments by both sides to release the child recruits little progress seems to have been made and the UN will take up the matter when a report on Sri Lanka is studied at a security council working group session early next month.UNICEF is however of the view the LTTE, which promised to release all under aged youth by the end of this month, is making progress on the issue, although according to the police the LTTE abducted at least 42 youth last week. They are being held in Kokadicholai, Batticaloa.

"The LTTE are making progress on the issue of releasing child recruits and importantly they continue to remain engaged on the issue", Gordon Weiss the communication Chief of UNICEF in Sri Lanka told the Daily Mirror. According to UNICEF data there were reports of at least 1685 cases of child recruitment by the LTTE till the end of December 31, 2006 out of which 683 are still under the age of 18 while the rest have passed that age although underage at the time of recruitment. The Karuna faction, UNICEF claims, has recruited more than 165 children by the end of last month but the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report the breakaway LTTE group had abducted and recruited well over 200 children in the east. "UNICEF is having discussions with the TMVP regarding child abduction" Weiss told the Daily Mirror. Most underage recruitments go unreported owing to threats to the families by the two rebel groups. There are fears the escalating three way conflict between the LTTE, Karuna and the Amy will result in many of the child soldiers being put on the front line to fight against their enemies and suffer the ultimate price

Sri Lanka Police arrested five Tamil civilians in a cordon and search operation conducted in Dehiwala and its coastal areas from Saturday night till dawn of Sunday. The Tamil youths who are natives of Jaffna district have been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and being interrogated. Police said they were taken in for questioning as they failed to produce their identity and the purpose of their in Dehiwala.But relatives of these youths said they were arrested even after they produced their national identity cards and other related documents to prove their identity and the purpose of their stay.

A prominent US Democratic Congressman has urged President George W Bush to step up the United States' involvement in finding a solution in conflict-marred Sri Lanka.Frank Pallone asked the administration to appoint a special envoy to the island nation with a view to making recommendations for steps leading to peace."The last round of talks in Geneva ended up in a failure and there are no signs of new negotiations. There is no peaceful solution in sight and it is the civilians who are desperately suffering," Pallone said in a statement in the House of Representatives."Since 1983, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been in a military confrontation with the government of Sri Lanka to win a separate ethnic minority Tamil state.

Since last April, more than 200,000 people have been displaced by an escalation in violence and insecurity. This is in addition to more than 310,000 people who were displaced previously due to the conflict," the founder and Co- Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Sri Lanka added."Thousands who have not fled are trapped in eastern Sri Lanka and caught between the intense crossfire. Everyday there are more news stories highlighting the increasing casualties among the civilian population, especially children and young adults." "Violence continues in other parts of the island nation as well. Many civilians have been killed in air raids and bus bombings in recent weeks. Families live in constant fear, anxiously hoping for their security," Pallone observed adding that accessing for humanitarian agencies has been a growing problem over the past year. "Both the government and the Tigers should commit to providing humanitarian agencies with unregulated access and full support," the Congressman from New Jersey said.

"I am deeply troubled by the worsening situation in Sri Lanka and it must be addressed by the United States. I commend the commitment by the administration to provide funding for refugees but I strongly urge the President to further US involvement to help secure a lasting peace," he said."Last week, I added my name to a letter urging President Bush to appoint a special envoy for Sri Lanka.... I urge my colleagues to also sign on.By naming a special envoy the US can create a personal monitoring presence in the country and make recommendations for steps to lead to peace. Sri Lanka more than ever before needs US engagement," Pallone said.

The former Commissioner General of the Department of Registration of Persons was yesterday ordered to be detained for further questioning after documents forwarded to obtain forged NICs for a suicide bomber were recovered from his residence.The CID told the Colombo Magistrate that the identity card issued to the suicide bomber who attempted to assassinate Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa had been issued by the unit handled by Commissioner General Vijaya Ranasinghe.The CID also told Additional Magistrate Manjula Thilakaratne that an application forwarded to obtain a forged identity card for another suicide killer was also found at the residence of Mr. Ranasinghe who is under detention order now. The forged documents forwarded to obtain an identity card for the female suicide killer who blasted herself at Kollupitiya police station was found among other documents at Mr. Ranasinghe’s house, the CID told Courts.The case will be taken up on February 12.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	108.00		109.22
Sterling Pound	212.83		216.25
Euro	139.60		142.20
Swiss Franc	86.13		87.97
Canadian Dollar	91.60		93.60
Australian Dollar	84.81		86.82
Singapore Dollar	69.96		71.41
Japanese Yen	0.8857		0.9054
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	288.53
Kuwait	Dinar	376.17
Oman	Rial	282.53
Qatar	Riyal	29.88
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	29.00
UAE	Dirham	29.60

'Sea Tigers' attack ship in KKS

Suspected Sea Tiger boats that attacked a ship off northern Sri Lankan waters were destroyed by retaliatory attacks, residents say.Clusters of boats have attacked a ship off Kankasanthurai (KKS) port, in Jaffna peninsular, on Sunday evening.In a statement, Sri Lanka Defence Ministry said the Sea Tiger boats attacked "City of Liverpool" commercial vessel which carried food supplies for civilians in Jaffna peninsular.

"Sri Lanka Navy destroyed two LTTE suicide boats completely when they were moving towards the vessel," the statement said.Gunfire was heard by many in the peninsular, resident said.Lorries and other vehicles were ordered to evacuate from Point Pedro.Sri Lanka Army launched artillery attack while Air Force fighter jets targeted Sea Tiger boats to assist the Navy, Defence Ministry said.

Three Navy personnel sustained injuries in the sea battle, military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told BBC Sandeshaya.The Tamil Tigers have admitted that fighting errupted between the Sea Tigers and Sri Lanka Navy.One Sea Tiger was killed in the clash that lasted for nearly three hours, a statement issued by the LTTE Peace Secretariat said.The LTTE accused Sri Lanka Navy of triggering the attack on Sea Tigers.

The dissident group of Sri Lanka's major opposition United National Party (UNP), which is planning to cross over to the government and accept Cabinet portfolios, has reportedly rented out a new office at Temple Road, Kirulapone, Colombo, to operate as a separate UNP group after joining the government. The UNP dissident group is to sign a separate Memorandum of Understanding with the government after crossing over. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has reportedly consented to a maximum of 21 MPs joining the government, although more than that are said to be ready to cross over. The President has decided to restrict the number as the leader of the UNP is likely to lose the post of Opposition Leader to the Marxist People's Liberation Front, which has 39 seats in Parliament. The UNP has only 62 seats including the Speaker.

The leader of the Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party, Ranil Wickremasinghe, is scheduled to visit India by the end of this week and to hold talks with Indian government leaders regarding the current political and security situation in Sri Lanka. Wickremasinghe is likely to meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Indian Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, leader of the main opposition Barathiya Janatha Party (BJP) during his stay in New Delhi, UNP sources said.UNP parliamentarians Mr.Ravi Karunanayake, Mr.Sajith Premadasa and Mr.Lakshman Kiriella are expected to accompany Wickremanayake in his New Delhi visit, the sources said.Wickremasinghe's sudden India visit comes as a group of dissident UNP parliamentarians led by its former deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya is to join the government led by Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse.Mr Rajapakse is likely to reshuffle cabinet on January 29 accommodating dissident opposition parliamentarians, sources said.Meanwhile, Wickremasinghe spent Friday and Saturday in Kandy capital of the central province seeking blessings of the Buddhist prelates of two Chapters Malwatte and Asgiriya. He met Asgiriya Mahanayake Thera on Friday and Malwatte on Saturday.

Body identified as abducted youth

Police in Sri Lanka say a letter found in a trouser pocket of a killed Tamil Tiger rebel has revealed his identity.Four bodies of Tamil Tigers were handed over to Valaichchenai hospital, in eastern Sri Lanka, by the security forces after the fighting in Miyankulam early Sunday morning.One of the bodies was identified as Chandrasekaran Vinokanthan, 22, by the relatives, Valaichenai police said.

Head of Valaichenai police, Priyanka Vijenayake, said they telephoned the relatives as Vinokanthan has noted two contact numbers of his relatives in the letter.The youth was reported abducted by the LTTE in November last year for military training.Relatives have confirmed he was earlier abducted and a complaint was registered at Kalavanchikudy police on the abduction, Vijenayake said.Vinokanthan has made a personal appeal in the letter to God as his life was in danger, according to the police.

Army Commander Sarath Fonseka said that after Vakarai, the troops would clear the Thoppigala and Kokkadicholai areas of the LTTE. He said that the LTTE cadres who retreated and escaped from Vakarai had sought refuge in the Thoppigala camp but would soon be chased out of the Eastern Province. He said that Thoppigala and Kokkadicholai were the last two strongholds of the LTTE in the East and of them Thoppigala is the base camp.Over 20 LTTE cadres were killed in a skirmish on Saturday night, he said adding that the advancing troops had seen LTTE cadres’ bodies along the road.He said that additional troops had been deployed in the areas recaptured from the LTTE, and within weeks an army base camp would be set up at Vakarai. Apart from the Army base camp, a police station and local government institutions too would be set up to resume civil administrative activities very soon.After checking for and clearing the area of land mines, the displaced persons could resettle in their native places, he said.He said that the army had recovered an artillery gun, 18 T 56 rifles, and an anti-aircraft gun among the armory left behind by the fleeing LTTE cadres after Saturday night’s attack.

The ceasefire declared in Sri Lanka between the government and the Tamil Tiger rebel movement has disappeared in all but name. International mediation has floundered and fighting has flared up again in the north and east of the island, where the Tigers want to carve out a separate Tamil state. I have always liked Bullers Road. I used to live on a lane about halfway down. It is one of the few places in Colombo where you can still walk under a thick canopy of old mara and mayflower trees. Tall, dense and dark green, they used to cover most of this part of the city, offering protection from the excessive heat of the midday sun. Only a few trees remain. And even they could not help protect Professor Sivasubramaniam Ravindranath. An agricultural scientist, he is the vice-chancellor of the Eastern University in Sri Lanka's troubled Batticaloa district. But last month he was abducted on Bullers Road in broad daylight. Despite international appeals for information, and for his release, he has not been seen since.

Who took him, and why? Well no-one knows for certain. But the talk around town is that it was members of a breakaway faction of the Tamil Tigers known as the Karuna group - now bitterly and bloodily estranged from their former allies. Instead, they co-operate with the Sri Lankan armed forces, and receive their protection. Professor Ravindranath is not the only victim. In what feels like a climate of increasing political impunity, Tamil businessmen are being kidnapped for ransom. Rogue elements of the security forces are probably involved.

In Colombo many people are gloomier - and in some cases more scared - than I have seen them for a long time. And who can blame them? In the north and east there has been shelling, bombing and civilian deaths. Just north of Batticaloa, tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee, caught in the fighting and ravaged by an epidemic of the Chikungunya virus. In the Sinhalese south in recent days, bombs on buses, more civilian deaths. When, they ask, will the next attack in Colombo come? What will be the response? And which way will the president turn?

Mahinda Rajapakse was only elected last year. I first came across him more than 15 years ago. I was a young BBC reporter on my first foreign posting - he a member of parliament standing up for the rights of southern civilians, caught between a brutal Maoist uprising and an equally brutal military response. Now he has risen to the top of the political tree backed by Sinhalese nationalists. He has packed the presidential mansion with family members and favourites. And he is trying to create a political dynasty. At De Zoysa Circus, a busy road junction next to Colombo's General Hospital, a large billboard of the moustachioed president stares down at passing motorists. It is not the image which attracts my attention though - it is the slogan which accompanies it: "He is our leader," it proclaims, "he is our president, he is next to King Dutugemenu."

Now every Sri Lankan child knows the legend of Dutugemenu, the mighty Sinhalese king who ruled more than 2,000 years ago - the warrior who went into battle on his elephant to conquer and defeat the usurping Tamil king Elara. The symbolism of the story is potent, and relevant. Where many Sinhalese see an old-fashioned hero who unified the island, many Tamils see the deification of Dutugemenu as proof that the majority community is determined to dominate the whole country. And politicians are playing to the gallery. "I've never known a government," muttered one Colombo old hand, "which has fallen into ethnic chauvinism so quickly." It does not have to be that way. There are different voices whispering in the presidential ear. Some of them, seduced by the trappings of power, are urging him on to all-out military victory over the Tamil Tigers - a solution often promised, never delivered. Others say no, it is time for a bold political offer to resolve the ethnic conflict once and for all. If the Tigers refuse to compromise on their objective of a separate state - and well they might - their intransigence will stand exposed.

So which path will Mr Rajapakse follow? Who will he listen to? Big questions, no obvious answers yet. But there has always been one place to which Sri Lanka's political leaders have turned for advice: astrology. One previous president - Premadasa - hardly got out of bed before hearing the astrologers' prognosis. And on the day he died, victim of a Tamil suicide bomber, the advice from the planets had been to stay indoors. Well, the astrologers are predicting another turbulent year. February and March, they say, are looking particularly unstable. Let us hope they are wrong. This beautiful island could and should have the world at its feet. If only it could stop the killing. I wish I could be more optimistic. I love this place. But whether you believe it is written in the stars or not, this is a nervous worrying time in Sri Lanka - not an especially Happy New Year. And as for the whereabouts of the vice-chancellor from Batticaloa... for the moment, not even the astrologers could shed any light on that.

TELO central committee member T.Srikantha, the recently appointed Jaffna district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian together with fellow Member of Parliament TELO Muthalvar M.K.Shivajilingam met with the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna. Prof.K.Kumaravadivel on Saturday in an attempt to find a solution for the delay in re-opening the University of Jaffna that remains closed for more than five months. Difficulties encountered in compiling information about the undergraduates from other districts, arranging accommodation in private residences, were the key reasons for the delay, the VC had told them, Mr.Srikantha said. The parliamentary duo later met Jaffna Government Agent (GA) K.Ganeshalingam and discussed in detail about the current situation in Jaffna including the recent increase in abductions , disappearances and killings of the civilians .The parliamentarians requested the GA to compile a report recording all such incidents and submit the report to Sri Lanka Government and to all members of parliament .The MPs also discussed about stocking adequate supplies in the peninsula and also smoothening regular transport to and from the peninsula. The two MPs later had public meetings in several locations and listened to the peoples grievances.

The JVP is to withdraw its support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Government if he accommodates a group of UNP parliamentarians who want to cross over.The UNP group, said to be around 15 and led by the deposed deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya, is due to join the Government in the coming week. Some of them are to be sworn in as cabinet ministers.The question of withdrawing support was discussed by the JVP's politburo during a meeting on Wednesday. JVP leader Somawansa Amerasinghe told the meeting that his party supported and helped President Rajapaksa win the presidential elections in November, 2005. He said the President won a mandate from the voters on the basis of policies and principles he enunciated in the Mahinda Chinthana. But the President was now joining hands with the UNP that opposed these policies and principles.

Mr. Amerasinghe charged that in joining hands with a section of the UNP, President Rajapaksa was now wanting to do what he liked.The JVP leader also referred to the military operations underway in Vakarai. He noted that it was good if these operations were part of the action to weaken and defeat the LTTE. It could then be termed a national effort. But he said it appeared that even such activity was being turned into a political effort to gain mileage. This, he said, was wrong and had to be condemned. The politburo decided to summon a meeting of the party’s central committee within the next two weeks to finally decide on the matter. Meanwhile the politburo has decided to educate party trade unions and other organisations on the current developments. During a discussion on this matter, party stalwart K.D. Lalkantha strongly criticised a recent Police assault on JVP trade unionists.

He asked whether bashing the heads of workers who helped vote President Rajapaksa to power was also part of Mahinda Chinthana.In an interview with The Sunday Times Mr. Amerasinghe also said the JVP had every right to topple the Government if it went back on its promises and led the country nowhere.Meanwhile, JVP frontliner Vijitha Herath in another interview with Shelani Perera said the party had pulled out of the All-Party Representative Committee because it totally disagreed with the latest report being discussed in the committee.He said most of the proposals in this report were not submitted by parties in the committee but by outsiders, including NGOs.APRC chairman Tissa Vitharana said the JVP did not attend the last two meetings of the committee. He said the latest report had not been submitted to the JVP but was given to other parties in the committee, because the JVP did not attend the meetings.Minister Vitharana said if the JVP disagreed with the latest report, it could attend the APRC meeting and discuss the differences of opinion.Prof. Vitharana said the committee was making progress and hoped to submit its final report in two months.He said at the last meeting of the committee, he had submitted a report including proposals made by all experts. The minister said amendments to this report were welcome and they would be considered before the final report was made.

A group of 20 UNP parliamentarians will formally extend their support to the ruling alliance by next week, UNP rebel Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said. He told The Sunday Leader that their decision should not be viewed as a defection but as a move to positively give expression to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the government and the main opposition UNP. The UNP rebels will shortly sign a MoU with the government declaring themselves as UNP members who are willing to work together with the government on several areas. The MoU will also include a governmental assurance that elections would not be held prior to the due date. The primary issue that is to be urgently addressed following the political union is to reduce political intimidation.

A special committee will be appointed to identify and compensate UNPers who have been politically victimised. The government representative in this committee, which will look into trade union affairs, will be Presidential Advisor Dulles Alahap-peruma. It is learned that the UNP representatives are to be Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and Gamini Lokuge. A high-powered committee will be also formed on good governance and related issues will be investigated by this joint committee, according to sources. The UNP rebels and the government will together form a national development council to coordinate development work at district level, which will be a large body with significant representation for both sides.

Meanwhile, SLFP General Secretary, Minister Maithripala Sirisena told The Sunday Leader that the party's Central Committee has taken a decision to welcome the UNP members with a view to working on a common agenda in selected areas. He added that the government did not make any overtures which would have violated the spirit of the MoU signed with the main opposition, but added that the government also did not see anything wrong in a group of parliamentarians who wished to volunteer their support. "A cabinet reshuffle will follow and some of them will be definitely accommodated in our cabinet," he added

A make or break meeting between UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and his former deputy Karu Jayasuriya is scheduled for tomorrow in Colombo,to sort out differences between the "reformist" group and the leadership. Senior UNP sources said Wickremesinghe was expected to make a final attempt at settling differences with the "reformist group.""Mr.Wickremesinghe would ask Mr.Jayasuriya whether his group wishes to join the government or stay and sort out their differences.The meeting is crucial, because this could be the last attempt by Mr.Wickremesinghe to heal the rift.Only definite answers one way or the other can settle the issue."The sources, said that the Special UNP Convention that Wickremesinghe promised to hold before the end of March will take place and it is upto the "reformists" to seek "practical changes" and not hold the leadership to ransom."The UNP is still the single largest political party in the country.Its principled and unwavering stand on matters of national interest is the main reason for being out of power.Members who were elected on the UNP ticket have no right to cross sides.This is tantamount to insulting the voter", the sources said.

Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress dismissed reports of a rift in the party as "mere speculation."Senior SLMC sources said the party was fully behind their leader Rauff Hakeem in working out an MoU with the SLFP."Our objective is to finalise an MoU with the SLFP that would address the grievances and aspirations of the Muslims.All other considerations are secondary."The SLMC, in its nine point proposal submitted to the government through Basil Rajapakse- advisor to the President, has sought many gurantees on behalf of the Muslim community.They have requested a separate Muslim delegation at future talks on the ethnic conflict, and acceptance of proposals on electoral reforms, rehabilitation, development, tsunami relief, security, law and order, local government administration, land and irrigation.The sources, said that the SLMC was in fact discussing an invitation by the SLFP to enter into an MoU and it would be unfair to impute improper motives.

With a UNP rebel group all set to join the government this week, a rebel group in the SLFP is also in the making under the leadership of former President Chandrika Bandar-anaike Kumaratunga and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, It is learned several SLFP MPs and ministers have already met with Samaraweera and expressed reservations over the UNP rebels joining the government and taking over their portfolios. Informed sources said Deputy Minister Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi has already informed Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse that if there were to be a decisive clash between the President and Samaraweera, he would support the Foreign Minister. According to former Dehiwela-Mt. Lavinia Mayor, Dhanasiri Amaratunga, Samurdhi Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi too had said she would back Samaraweera. Top SLFP sources said a group of at least 20 MPs have expressed solidarity with the Kumaratunga-Samaraweera combine and that if unfair treatment is meted out to the SLFP over the portfolio allocation, they will take a decisive step in government. Meanwhile, one of the six UNP members who crossed over to the government earlier said they were also watching the situation closely and if the newcomers from the UNP are given better portfolios than them, a decision would be taken on their future role in government.

The JHU is sharply divided over which member of the all monk party should accept the cabinet portfolio on offer by the government with both Ven Athuraliye Ratana Thero and Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thero making a claim.Four member delegation of the JHU comprising Ven. Sobitha Thero, Ven. Ratana Thero, Champika Ranawaka and Udaya Gammanpila have been negotiating with Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse on the portfolio on offer to the JHU for the party to formally join the government. Informed sources said the government had first offered the Cultural Affairs portfolio to the JHU, which Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thero was prepared to accept, but the other three members of the delegation had rejected it. It is learned Ven Sobitha Thero, Ranawaka and Gammanpila had proposed setting up a National Resources Ministry for the JHU, which the government had agreed to, subject to the exclusion of the oil exploration division. Informed sources said the Natural Resources Ministry was negotiated in the absence of Ven Ratana Thero with Ranawaka to be appointed to the portfolio. Ranawaka, sources said, were to enter parliament on the national list through the resignation of Ven Sobitha Thero. This move however it is learnt is being resisted by Ven. Ratana Thero. The sources said Ranawaka and Gammanpila are lobbying for the appointment of Sobitha Thero to the Cultural Affairs Ministry in the event the National Resources Ministry is not forthcoming and Ranawaka's entry to parliament is blocked by the JHU parliamentary group. This dispute, sources said had caused a split in the JHU with the party likely to not accept any portfolio unless a compromise is reached. Ven Ratana Thero as the parliamentary group leader of the JHU is reported to have told the party he should be the nominee for the ministry if it is to be accepted.

NEW YORK - The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the Sri Lanka government of violating international law by "facilitating child recruitment" and using the Karuna group as "a proxy force" in its battle against the LTTE.In a detailed 100-page report, scheduled to be released on Wednesday, HRW says the abduction of children by the Karuna Group is taking place in areas "firmly under government control, with myriad military and police checkpoints and security force camps.""No armed group could engage in such large-scale abductions, and then hold and train the abductees for combat in established camps, without government knowledge and at least tacit support," the HRW report said.Charging that the Sri Lankan government is aware of such abductions, the report says that throughout last year, the Karuna Group has abducted and forcibly recruited at least 200 Tamil children in Sri Lanka's eastern districts. But the real nunber is up to three times higher due to under-reporting.Titled "Complicit in Crime — State Collusion in Abductions and Child Recruitment by the Karuna Group," the report has detailed interviews with parents and children caught up in the crossfire in the eastern and northern provinces.

The report says that throughout the two-decade long civil war, the LTTE has consistently recruited and used children in armed combat. The LTTE has deployed children in mass attacks during major battles and used them as infantry soldiers, security and intelligence officers, medics and even suicide bombers."Now the Sri Lanka government through a proxy force is implicated in some of the same abuse," HRW says.The perpetrator is the so-called Karuna Group, and during the past year, "reports have increasingly linked Sri Lankan security forces with the Karuna Group in their common fight against the LTTE."The Karuna Group maintains four or five camps about 10 kilometres west of Welikanda where the Sri Lanka army's 23rd division, currently commanded by Brigadier Daya Ratnayake, has its base."Transporting several hundred abducted youth during the year to the Karuna camps would have been impossible without the complicity of government security forces: travel through the area necessitates passing through numerous checkpoints of the army and police." The report also says that both the government and the Karuna Group have repeatedly denied any coordination between them. "But for residents of Sri Lanka's eastern districts, government complicity in Karuna abductions is an obvious fact."

The report also points out that Tamil and Muslim civilians in Ampara, Batticoloa and Trincomalee districts say they see Karuna members working with the army and police at checkpoints to check IDs and that armed Karuna cadres walk freely through villages and towns in areas under government control. Although the government has promised to take some steps, HRW says it has not delivered on its promises.On November 21, HRW says it wrote to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to ask how the Sri Lanka government would conduct its investigations. As of January 15, the president's office had not replied. The report urges Sri Lanka’s main donors -- the US, India, the European Union, Norway and Japan -- to pressure both the Karuna Group and the LTTE to immediately end their recruitment and use of children, as well as "the Sri Lankan government to take feasible steps to stop child recruitment and abductions by the Karuna Group."

UNP rebel leader Karu Jayasuriya has invited former Minister S.B. Dissanayake to join the government on the assurance that President Mahinda Rajapakse will restore his civic rights. The Sunday Leader learns Jayasuriya had told Dissanayake 51 percent agreement has been reached and that the President would speak to Chief Justice Sarath Silva and obtain his blessings for the restoration of the civic rights if he agreed to a meeting with Rajapakse. Dissanayake had told Jayasuriya he has no intention of crossing over to the government. He has also told confidants of the offer made by Jayasuriya. "I told Karu that leave alone 51 percent, there was not even a two percent certainty of getting my civic rights restored. I told him I know Mahinda better than him and he would learn fast enough whom he was dealing with. I am also shocked that Karu who spearheaded the impeachment against the Chief Justice is now wanting to do a deal in the hope of saving his seat," Dissanayake told confidants in the UNP.

Scandinavian truce monitors said yesterday their request for a Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter to travel to the Wanni for a meeting with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been turned down.The monitors wanted a helicopter for SLMM chief Lars Johan Solvberg to visit Wanni for talks with the LTTE political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan on the resumption of monitoring operations suspended more than a month ago.SLMM spokesman T. Ommersson told The Sunday Times the request was made to the Government’s Peace Secretariat, but it was turned down with no reasons given.The request was made following a meeting between the SLMM head and Peace Secretariat Chief Palitha Kohona. The discussions were on the resumption of SLMM operations after the monitors re-grouped in Colombo suspending their operations in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.The SLMM has been allowed access to all areas in the north and east, except the Muhamalai forward defences in Jaffna and Vakarai in the Batticaloa district.Meanwhile two monitors yesterday went to the Batticaloa district where an estimated 7,000 displaced persons from Vakarai have arrived since the recapture of the area by the army on Friday.The SLMM is operating with 34 monitors and except for four all others are due to be in the field in the north and east.

The Scandinavian truce monitors will resume ceasefire monitoring activities next week, the SLMM spokesperson, Thorfenur Omarsson told the Sunday Observer. The latest developments came in the wake of the SLMM invitation to the Government and the LTTE to give their input to make ceasefire monitoring more effective. Peace Secretariat Chief Dr. Palitha Kohona said the Government would respond to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission with its recommendations. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Chief met Dr Kohona last week to discuss the future of the SLMM role. The SLMM spokesman said both parties responded to the SLMM request positively. "Two Monitors have already been sent to the Jaffna peninsula" he said. "At present there are two officials working in Kilinochchi. Offices in Vavuniya, Batticaloa and Trincomalee too will begin functioning by next week" he said. "We are fully aware of the importance of our presence in the North-East", he said. The SLMM is conducting a workshop to analyse the possible amendments to be made in the role of the SLMM. Members of the monitoring mission were summoned to Colombo to participate in the workshop. The regional offices remained closed during the duration of the workshop. On-site monitoring was carried out by the SLMM Rapid Response Team from Colombo instead. Asked about the outcome of the workshop the SLMM spokesperson said it was too early for him to give any information about the outcome.

Leader, Left Front and General Secretary, Nava Samasamaja Party, Wickramabahu Karunaratne who was to address a series of meetings in England on the human rights situation and the government's lack of will to resolve the ethnic issue has been refused a visa by the British High Commission in Colombo. Karunaratne was invited by the Socialist Resistance Movement in Britain to participate in a series of meetings, which were to be addressed by several British parliamentarians too. Karunaratne told The Sunday Leader he was informed that his visa was refused because his financial credentials were not in order and that he lacked property in Sri Lanka. An official at the British High Commission said strict regulations were in place and Karunaratne's paper work was not in order. The official said he was free to appeal against the refusal. However Karunaratne told The Sunday Leader he has no property to show but has strong political and social ties to Sri Lanka, which should have been a sufficient guarantee of him returning to the country.

Sri Lanka was the second most dangerous country for aid workers in 2006, ranking just below Afghanistan which was considered the worst, according to the death toll of aid workers, CARE International said. "Violence against aid workers reached its highest level in a decade in 2006. Over the year, 83 aid workers were killed, the highest number since 2003. At least 778 were wounded and 52 kidnapped. Afghanistan had the greatest number of aid-worker deaths at 26, followed by Sri Lanka, with 23, and Sudan with 15," CARE said last week. Seventeen out of the 23 attached to the French aid agency Action Against Hunger (AAH) were killed in Muttur in August in what has now become a controversial investigation. The inquiry into the murders was taken up at Kantale Magistrate's Court last week and the counsel appearing for the victims' families said that the CID appeared to be dragging its feet.

"The CID is trying to drag this case. The case will be taken up for hearing on March 7 at the Kantale Magistrate's Court. None of the witnesses are willing to come forward due to fear. It is high time a scheme is put in place in Sri Lanka to protect witnesses who come forward to give evidence or relocate them," Attorney S. Ratnavel said. AAH has repeatedly called for witness protection since the murder. It believes that protection would ensure that the investigation progressed. AAH repeated the call on the commemoration of five-months since the murders, earlier this month. "Five months after the murders of the 17 members, even though all details of the incident are yet to come out, AAH hopes that the humanitarian agencies can continue with their work," the agency said in a statement. Ratnavel meanwhile said that the absence of witness protection might hamper progress. "We will be losing the benefit of the witnesses if this situation continues. However, the court is willing to give maximum support for the safety of the witnesses. It is up to the witnesses to decide."

Police reject Tiger claims

Police headquarters yesterday dismissed an LTTE claim that an elite guerilla unit killed 11 police commandos and wounded 11 in an ambush carried out at Bakmitiyawa about 30 kms southwest of Ampara town Friday morning.Police said that an Inspector died in the blast while three others suffered injuries. The blast triggered by a powerful claymore had ripped through the jeep carrying four personnel.STF said that they were taking meals to commandos engaged in clearing operations in the area. TamilNet quoted LTTE Military Spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan as saying that they carried out a combined attack on the commandos, a claim dismissed by police. ‘They are on the run and they know it,’ a senior military officer said.

A three member Commission recently commenced Board of inquiry, Court-Martial, against a senior Naval Officer Commd: T. M. J. Mendis. The three member commission comprised Rear Admiral T.M.W.K.B. Tennakoon, Chairman. The other two members are Rear Admiral D.N. Dharmaweera and Commd: R. R. Wijesundera. Commd: Mendis is charged on two counts under the Naval Act section 104 (1) of the Naval Act as amended of Act No 11 of 1993. Commd: Mendis who was in charged of the Southern Naval Area failed to take precaution and or counter measures with due care for the protection of the Naval Base, Ships, Crafts and personnel at Galle Harbour from terrorist attack despite the availability of prior reliable information on October 18, 2006 and repeated instructions from Naval Headquarters, an offence punishable under Section 104 (1) Naval Act.

He is also charged during the cause of the same transaction, the Commd; Southern Naval Area did fail to obtain approval of Commander of the Navy prior to leaving -SLNS- despite specific instructions by the Navy Commander to proceed and stay at SLNS, due to a possible terrorists attack on Galle Harbour. Prosecution had listed 39 witnesses to give evidence on behalf of the Navy. Prosecution also had listed 19 documents to be produced before the inquiry. Commd: Shavindra Fernando with Commd: A.M.A.W. Weerasinghe appeared for the prosecution. President's Counsel Denzil Gunaratne with Upali Senaratne and Ms. Udayangani Senevirate appeared for the Commd. Mendis. Further proceeding's were put off for January 22, 2007.

Sri Lanka's army pursued fleeing Tamil Tiger fighters on Saturday after the rebels abandoned their eastern stronghold following weeks of fierce fighting and thousands of refugees arrived at crowded camps.Some refugees caught for weeks in the crossfire of deadly artillery battles told how the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had used them as cover and threatened to kill them unless they stayed put while the rebels made their retreat."The LTTE did not allow us to move. They threatened us," said 45-year-old paddy field labourer Thambdemuthu Kulasekaran, who with his seven children, wife and disabled mother were among more than 10,000 refugees who fled to government territory on Friday. "There was so much shelling, so we moved to the south to here," he said at an army checkpoint in the town of Mankerni, near what used to be the front line in the area between military and rebels. "I left all my belongings behind. The last meal I had was the day before yesterday."

Hundreds of refugees, many elderly or children, were packed into buses with the few belongings they had salvaged to be moved further south to camps near the town of Batticaloa as troops searched for landmines and booby-traps they say the Tigers left in their wake.Around 20,000-25,000 refugees had already fled the rebel enclave in recent weeks, and they are now housed in rudimentary tent cities much like the ones many of them lived in after the 2004 tsunami washed away their homes.

The military, who are checking refugees from head to toe in their search for suspected Tiger infiltrators, said 10 youths had surrendered and one other had been arrested on suspicion of being a rebel as their sobbing parents, themselves refugees, protested.

Troops were still searching for withdrawing rebel fighters now hemmed into a diminishing pocket of land by the coast in the eastern district of Trincomalee, where the army has driven the Tigers from terrain they controlled under the terms of a battered 2002 ceasefire which now holds only on paper."They are fighting in small groups, with mortars and small arms fire," said military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe. "We are in the process of capturing them. We are checking the refugees to find any Tigers hiding among them."Friday's capture of Vakarai -- a town around 240 km (150 miles) northeast of Colombo that belongs to the rebels under the terms of a tattered 2002 ceasefire -- followed weeks of fierce fighting between the Tigers and the military, who have vowed to evict them from the east altogether.

The area around Vakarai was one of several pockets of territory the Tigers control in the region, their last remaining direct access to the sea in the east, an important supply line.The Tigers' patches of mostly jungle terrain in the east are cut off from their main northern stronghold by army-held areas.The Tigers said overnight they had decided to readjust their positions in the east and pull back, accusing the military of preventing aid from reaching the trapped civilians and causing a humanitarian crisis.Tiger spokesmen were unavailable for comment on Saturday.The LTTE resumed its fight for an independent state for minority Tamils in the north and east after the majority Sinhalese government rejected demands for a separate homeland.With a rash of suicide bombings, air raids and land and sea battles in recent months, analysts fear an escalation of the war that has killed more than 67,000 people since 1983.

The state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) has been awarded an exploration block by Sri Lanka in the island's northwestern Mannar basin, a Sri Lankan minister said Wednesday."Out of eight identified exploration blocks, we have given one to the Indian government on nomination basis and another to the Chinese government," said minister of railways, transport and petroleum A.H.M. Fowzie."The balance will be given through bidding process in three months time," Fowzie told reporters at the Petrotech 2007 exposition on hydrocarbons sector here.The minister said the delay in awarding exploration blocks was due to changes in the country's exploration policy and the time taken in the appointment of new consultants.He said all the requisite seismic data had been collected, which were sold to the ONGC Videsh, the overseas arm of ONGC, and British Gas.ONGC Videsh had assured Colombo that it would share its experience in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas and it was on this basis that an oil block was awarded to the Indian company, officials said.The block in the Gulf of Mannar lies between the southern tip of India and Sri Lanka's west coast. It is also the closest block to India that has been offered without bidding, officials added.

It is foolhardiness to hope for a favourable mediation from India in the national question in Sri Lanka and India could never be relied upon to find a just solution said Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa, General Secretary of the Patriotic National Movement (PNM). He said this addressing the Polonnaruwa District Convention of the PNM.India, at present has merged with western powers. Hence, India acts according to their agenda. India would take any decision if it could reap economical harvest through oil resources in the seas around Northern Sri Lanka said Mr. Weerawansa. When Bangladesh broke away and formed a separate state first India didn’t approve it, but later accepted it as India had differences with Pakistan . With that other countries in the world too recognized Bangladesh a separate state. If India , as the power in the region, recognizes Tamil Ealam, other countries too would accept it. On the other hand, Taiwan has still not got a seat in the UNO as a result of China ; the power in the region has not accepted it as a separate state. Under these circumstances India ’s decision is crucial but India cannot be trusted said Mr. Weerawansa.

Speaking further Mr. Weerawansa said the Government’s programme is ambiguous. While tigers are attacked in the East Norway has been allowed to play ball with the peace process. CFA too has not been revoked. In the meantime federal proposals are put forward through Tissa Vitharana, a minister in the Government. Foreign representatives such as Allen Rock, who support separatism, are allowed to come and make various statements. This situation should be changed and Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse should act according to the mandate he received in year 2005 said Mr. Weerawansa adding that steps should be taken to defeat separatist terrorists. He said being dumb and blind to the present acts of the Government was absurd.

Security forces personnel yesterday captured the crucial Vakarai town and advanced further north while the government vowed to embark on a new scheme to develop the captured areas.Vakarai is considered the last-remaining LTTE bastion in the East.The Panichankerni Bridge was the first to be liberated followed by the Vakarai town including its hospital with little or no resistance from the rebels who had fled to the jungles where they continued to fire at the military occasionally, military officials said. However, casualty figures were not available at the time of going to press."Vakarai was a public sore. We were compelled to liberate Vakarai after the LTTE chased civilians from the hospital and moved in," Government defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwelle told the Daily Mirror. He said the victory was for the people.“After liberating the Vakarai area, the government is to launch a major development plan in the area,” Minister Rambukkwella said.

Following an hour-long effort the government troops finally liberated the Vakarai town and hospital which was used as an artillery launching pad by the terrorists,” the military said in a statement.The Minister also said government troops would continue with the military offensives, if the Tigers tried to terrorise the people in the eastern region. Meanwhile, air force Helicopter gunship also joined the ground troops to attack fleeing LTTE cadres.Thousands of civilians who were among those still stranded in Vakarai began to flee to government-controlled areas since early last morning as the military prepared to make the final push to capture the former LTTE stronghold.Thousands flee as Vakarai falls UN and other foreign and local aid staff were assisting the government and were posted at all entry and exit points to assist fleeing civilians making their way to safety on tractors and by foot while others used the sea, a UN spokesperson said.

"The civilians put pressure on the LTTE and fled the area and it had nothing to do with shelling of areas close to the Vakarai hospital as claimed by the LTTE. Most of the civilians are fleeing by sea," Military Spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe said. He said, those arriving by boats were carrying white flags.The Vakarai hospital remained closed last morning as the civilian exodus began. Those who had been stranded in the area were without food and other urgent supplies since the last time an aid convoy reached the area on November 29. "We are making all arrangements to help the people who fled the area," Minister Rambukwelle said. Spokesperson for the UN office in Colombo Orla Clinton told the Daily Mirror those making their way to government controlled areas included sick and weak people. At least 8 sites were identified in Batticaloa to relocate the civilians fleeing to safety.

Meanwhile, LTTE Media Spokesman Daya Master told the Daily Mirror the LTTE Trincomalee political head S. Elilan, who oversaw operations from Vakarai after fleeing Sampur, was now in the rebel town of Killinochchi. Military sources were of the opinion Mr. Elilan may have fled via the jungles or by sea several days ago without being detected.Earlier, a final warning was issued to the LTTE to immediately surrender to the military or face the consequences, a senior Defence Ministry official told the Daily Mirror.A statement on the Ministry's website said the security forces had liberated Vakarai town after an hour long battle. "The LTTE fled Vakarai town unable to withstand the intrusive thrust of the armed forces. Finally after an hour long effort, the SL troops finally managed to liberate Vakarai town and hospital which was used as an artillery launching pad by the terrorists ensuring civilians became human shields." the Defense Ministry said.According to military sources, ground troops are currently consolidating their defences in the area. Asked if this was the final push to liberate rebel areas in the East and the North, Minister Rambukwelle warned other areas will face the same fate if the LTTE continued with its terror tactics and the targeting of civilians.

JVP propaganda secretary Wimal Weerawansa's sister Chandrani Weerawansa was produced before the Matara magistrate today (19) on charges of inferring electricity.An officer of the Matara electricity maintenance office told 'LeN' that the electricity meter of the relevant house in the Ritrit mawatha in the Kakanadura area had been drilled and stopped it from operating. He added that officials of CEB along with the Kakanadura police had gone and uncovered the racket last night (18) and when questioned Chandrani Weerawansa had accepted the charges. The police produced her before the magistrate after noting down a statement. The relevant officer added that this had been going on for a long time and that according to CEB regulations she would have to pay a fine.Meanwhile the courts recently charged Rs.100 from the sister of JVP leader Somawanse Amarasinghe's sister when she was produced before the magistrate on charges of operating a brothel in the Battaramulla area.

Unidentified armed men shot dead a youth with pistols at Thekawatte area in Vavuniya around 1:30 p.m Friday, Vavuniya police said. The victim has not been identified yet, Officer-in-charge of Vavuniya police, Kumara Chanthanayake said. The police handed over the body to Vavuniya public hospital.Five dead bodies recovered in Vavuniya in three separate places Friday remain unidentified, the police added.

An elite guerilla unit of the Liberation Tigers in Amparai district carried out an ambush on Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) convoy Friday morning, killing at least 11 Sri Lankan commandos and wounding more than 11 at Bakmitiyawa, 30 km southwest of Amparai town, LTTE Military Spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan told TamilNet. Meanwhile STF sources in Amparai said Tigers had carried out the combined attack, triggering a Claymore mine and deploying gunners armed with Light Machine Guns into a booby trapped area at 10:45 a.m. in the predominant Sinhala area. Wounded STF personnel were rushed to Amparai hospital.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has accepted the resignation letter submitted by Eastern University Vice Chancellor Prof. S. Ravindranath who was abducted more than one month. UGC Chairman Prof. Gamini Samaranayake told the Daily Mirror yesterday the family members of the abducted Vice Chancellor requested them to accept the resignation, in the hope that it would induce the abductors to release him.A few months back, Prof. Ravindranath tendered his resignation to the UGC following threats by an alleged armed group operating in the east. However, the UGC did not accept the resignation citing it as a presidential appointment. Subsequently, the Vice Chancellor carried out his duties while being in Colombo with UGC approval. In the meantime he was abducted by an armed group on December 15, 2006. Police are yet to make any breakthrough in investigations even after the lapse of over one month.Asked as to why the UGC did not accept the resignation soon after it was tendered, Prof. Samaranayake said they did not consider it advisable at that time.“Now, we feel it is essential to accept the resignation as requested by the family members. We think the Vice Chancellor will now be released,” he said.

Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Mangala Pinsiri Samaraweera is no stranger to newspaper offices. A former media minister in President Chandrika Kumaratunga's government, Samaraweera has stakes in the Sinhalese Maubima (Motherland) newspaper.So he was completely at ease on Friday morning when he visited HT House, accompanied by officials from his ministry in Colombo and his High Commissioner to India, CR Jayasinghe.Samaraweera skillfully tackled questions over coffee during a freewheeling conversation with editors of the Hindustan Times.Relaxed while expounding on his pet theme — the need to forge what he calls a "radical centre" to tackle all forms of extremism — Samaraweera said there was a need for "moderates of the world to unite" to tackle the twin scourges of extremism and intolerance.

The resurgence of violence in Sri Lanka has sparked a debate on the return of capital punishment in that country, with the government mulling a law to restore the death penalty. Personally against the death penalty, because "only the poor will suffer and the sons of politicians and rich men will go scot free", Samaraweera said the debate was necessary.Samaraweera was scathing about the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), while conceding the need to "genuinely" address the concerns of the Tamil population. "The LTTE is a very peculiar kind of organisation. It is not a freedom movement. I have never heard of a freedom movement that kills off its own best people," he said."They are fighting for Prabhakaran's personal agenda," he said, referring to LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran. "The stark truth is that the LTTE is not interested in a negotiated settlement.""With all due respect," Samaraweera said, squarely tongue in cheek, "the LTTE is much more brutal than the Al-Qaeda. They (LTTE) perfected the art of suicide bombing," and "there has been a transfer of technologies between the groups."

Pulling no punches on European 'liberalism' that allows the LTTE to still raise funds across the continent despite a ban imposed on the organisation by the European Union last May, Samaraweera said, "They have a feeling that the underdog is always right."Though Sri Lanka is of "no strategic interest to the United States anymore", it has actively helped cut off sources of funding to the LTTE.According to Samaraweera, who has been foreign minister since November 2005 and is also ports and aviation minister, Sri Lankans consider Indians as friends and not foes. He would like to see "a little extra effort" from India to ensure that democracy, threatened by the prolonged ethnic violence, prevails in the island nation.Unfazed by questions about his background in design, 50-year-old Samaraweera, who graduated in Clothing Design and Technology from St Martin's School of Art in London, claimed he had no clothing labels to his name.He did, however, design the logo (a white lotus) for President Mahinda Rajapakse when he campaigned as the Sri Lanka Freedom Party's presidential candidate in 2005.After the session, where he deftly tackled questions, he said, "Compared to what I usually face, you all were angels."

Four more bodies found dumped in the suburbs of Vavuniya, were handed over to the hospital mortuary, Friday morning, police in the northern town said. The victims are yet to be identified, hospital sources said.The bodies of three young men were found near Gnanavairavar tempel along Mathakuvaithakulam road in Thavasikkulam, Friday.The police said the victims are belived to have been tortured and killed. All of them have been strangeled to death, and there are gun shot injuris on two of them, according to the police.Meanwhile, unknown armed men shot dead a youth at Maharambaikulam area in Vavuniya Thursday. The victim is yet to be identified, the police said.

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, an umbrella organization of fifty groups from all over the island is to meet leaders of the Government, Tamil National Alliance and the Karuna Group shortly to discuss the tensed situation in Batticaloa.The move follows the recent upsurge of tension between Tamils and Muslims in Kattankudi, and Arayampathi areas following the refugee flow from Vakarai where fighting between the security forces and the LTTE had raged for the past few weeks.There had also been reports that members of Tamil Makkal Vidudalai Puligal (TMVP) alias the Karuna group were moving around with arms in government-controlled areas in Batticaloa.Although the group had responded to these reports that "rotten eggs" were behind the violence, the MCSL has sought an opportunity to discuss the matter with the Karuna group as well.An emergency meeting of the MCSL was held last Saturday in Colombo with parliamentarians from the UNP, SLFP, SLMC and NUA attended. They decided to meet the President, the TNA and the Karuna group and request them to do their utmost to create a peaceful situation in and around Batticaloa.Possibilities of meeting the LTTE's area leaders too were considered, MCSL President N.M. Ameen said.

In a cordon and search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Police from Thursday night till early morning Friday in Wattala in Colombo city, forty civilians, majority of them Tamils, were taken in for questioning. Many of those detained have failed to prove their identity and the purpose of staying in Wattala.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera is in India where the ongoing peace process in Sri Lanka would be discussed with Indian leaders, Indian websites reported yesterday. Mr. Samaraweera is making the visit primarily to deliver the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Lecture. He is, however, expected to use the opportunity to meet Indian leaders and discuss the status of the peace process in Sri Lanka. He is expected to brief the Indian leadership about the steps being taken to strengthen the peace process.

Sri Lanka shuts down phones amid fighting

Sri Lanka stopped mobile phone services for nearly half a million users in the island`s embattled east as government troops were locked in combat with Tiger rebels, an official said on Thursday. Troops battling Tamil Tigers have asked telecom operators to switch off their networks to prevent guerrillas making use of mobile phone services for military operations. "It`s a routine request whenever a major operation takes place," Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Director General, Kanchana Ratwatte, told media persons today. Telecom operators said nearly 500,000 subscribers were switched off, with communication limited to a few fixed line telephones scattered over the region. Nearly six million Sri Lankans have access to some form of telecommunications, of which 4.5 million are mobile phone users, according to central bank of Sri Lanka figures.

The northern and eastern regions emerged as a hot spot for telephones when a truce pact was signed in February 2002. Residents in the northern town of Jaffna became the chattiest on the island. A study of telecommunications usage pattern of people earning less than 100 dollars a month showed that the residents in the Jaffna peninsula, the heartland of minority Tamils, used to talk more and also spent more on calls that others on the island. "The use of the phone is also more in Jaffna where more people share a single mobile phone," said Ayesha Zainudeen a researcher attached to Lirneasia, a private regional communications think-tank.

Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said the SLFP Central Committee too on Wednesday approved the UNP crossovers which was already endorsed by the Cabinet the previous week. Declining to divulge further details, Yapa told reporters at the weekly Cabinet briefing that the issue of UNP crossovers was taken up at the Central Committee meeting on Wednesday where they voted in favour of welcoming the opposition members. "We agreed to take in UNP members. This will not affect the MoU. This has also been confirmed by the recent statement of Lakshman Kiriella," the minister said. He said numbers and the details of the Opposition members crossing over to the Government or when the Cabinet reshuffle would be made cannot be revealed at the moment. "The President has talked of a Cabinet reshuffle but I don't know when," he said.

In a last minute bid to avert the crossovers, the UNP too held an emergency executive committee meeting on Wednesday at Sirikotha which the dissidents also attended. At this meeting, the Executive Committee unanimously decided to hold the UNP's Special Convention on March 18 fulfilling a main demand of the dissidents. Earlier the UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had informed the Executive Committee (EC) that party reforms will be made within 100 days by holding a special party convention. Former Prime Ministerial Secretary Bradman Weerakoon was appointed Coordinating Secretary on behalf of the UNP to expeditiously implement the MoU signed between the SLFP and the UNP.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has agreed to offer ten Cabinet portfolios for UNPers crossing over while designating a few others as ‘State ministers’, a UNP dissident said last night.The matter was discussed at a recent meeting the president had with a group of UNP MPs who are reportedly planning to cross over to the Government.One MP who attended the meeting told the Daily Mirror the subjects to be brought under the purview of these ministers were yet to be finalised.He said around 20 MPs were planning to join the Government next week, and a few others later.“We want to keep the UNP membership in Parliament at least at 40. Otherwise, it will be relegated to a minority political partywith the JVP emerging as the main Opposition. We are concerned about that fact as well,” he said.

He said there were concerns among some members regarding the portfolios offered to them.Meanwhile, sources close to the UNP hierarchy said there would be only 13 crossing over.The UNP has said the MoU signed by it with the ruling SLFP would be nullified automatically if the Government accepted crossovers. Mr. Wickremesinghe had also conveyed this concern to Mr. Rajapaksa when the duo met recently. UNP Chairman Rukman Senanayake said there could not be a MoU if the Government accepts those crossing over.

Sixth anniversary celebrations commemorating Pongu Tamil event was celebrated in a simple ceremony held on Wednesday in Jafna university premises near the University library, student union officials in Jaffna campus said..In the function attended by a large number of undergraduates, a number of academics including heads of departments and Deans of the various faculties lit the flame of sacrifice, and placed floral wreaths near the sign board containing Pongu Tamil declaration. Pongu Tamil movement was initiated by university of Jaffna youth and the first celebrations were first held in North and East on January 17, 2001 followed by well attended celebrations by Tamil Diaspora in various parts of the world .The Pongu Thamil movement laid the foundation for a new wave of political changes in Northeast.

Christian Evangelical Pastor Shot Dead in Sri Lanka

A Christian pastor has been shot dead by security forces in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, on 13 January, according to a report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL). Rev Nallathamby Gnanaseelan, aged 38, was the Pastor of the Tamil Mission Church in Jaffna. He was a member of the NCEASL, and according to their report, he was not engaged in any political activity.Rev Gnanaseelan was killed on Chapel Street after he had taken his wife and daughter to the hospital, Uk-based charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said to a correspondent.According to reports, he was shot in the stomach and then in the head. His Bible, bag, identity card and motorcycle were taken away and he was left on the road.

Sri Lankan security forces initially claimed he had been carrying explosives, and then said he was shot because he failed to stop when challenged.In recent months there has been a dramatic upsurge in violence in Sri Lanka, particularly in Jaffna, as the conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the government has escalated.According to the NCEASL, extrajudicial killings, abductions and disappearances have been widespread, and, “the civilian population has been facing a severe shortage of food and medicine, enduring immense hardship and suffering."In a statement, the NCEASL said: “Thousands of people are arbitrarily arrested, tortured or ill-treated … We call upon the international community to raise their voices and prevent the massacre of the innocents in this country.

“The establishing of a United Nations human rights monitoring mission in Sri Lanka is an urgent need. The world cannot stand by and watch as this situation deteriorates, while every day, people pay with their lives.”In addition to the deteriorating political situation in Sri Lanka, violence against Christians continues and the Sri Lankan parliament is considering a proposed anti-conversion law.Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said: “We offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to the pastor’s family as they mourn. While the Rev Gnanaseelan’s murder may not have been primarily motivated by religion, it will only increase the tension for Sri Lanka’s religious minorities.“We urge all sides to the conflict, including the Sri Lankan government, the LTTE and paramilitary forces, to cease the violations of human rights, and we urge the international community to take action to bring the escalating conflict in Sri Lanka to an end.”

The JVP led All Ceylon Estate Workers Union together with several other unions are once again planning to hold protests, starting next month, to agitate for the Rs 300 daily wage hike for the estate workers. All Ceylon Estate Workers Union General Secretary, J. M. Premaratne, told the Daily Mirror, that they will launch these protests from the first week of February. Premaratne complained that the government was yet to appoint the promised commission to look into the salary anomalies, although an appeal was made to President Mahinda Rajapaksa regarding the matter last year. He said the union is currently having discussions with other unions which supported the All Ceylon Estate Workers Union during the strikes last December. These include the Workers United Front and the National Union of Workers. The entire plantation sector came to a standstill last December, as all its workers launched a strike action calling for a Rs 300 daily wage hike. The Employers later agreed to raise the daily wage from Rs 190 to Rs 260, after which several organizations such as the Ceylon Workers Congress responded by calling off the strike action. However the All Ceylon Estate Union Workers United Front and National Union of Workers vowed to resume strike action if the government fails to increase wages up to Rs 300 immediately.

The final push for the LTTE stronghold of Vakarai in Batticaloa is expected to gather steam over the weekend with the security forces preparing to issue a final warning to rebel cadres in the area to surrender even as the military claimed it had urged the United Nations to assist trapped civilians out of the area.In the meantime the SLMM said it would be deploying at least half of its monitors to the strife-torn districts including Batticaloa to resume on-site monitoring which was carried out from Colombo during the last few days as a result of an ongoing SLMM workshop. SLMM spokesman Thorfinur Omarsson said two monitors had already returned to the Jaffna office while two each would return over the weekend to Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Vavuniya.

Fighting has been raging in the East during the period the ceasefire monitors were out of action.“This will be the final warning to those LTTE cadres, who have no alternative other than to immediately surrender to the military or face consequences,” a senior Defence Ministry official told the Daily Mirror.He said troops had already surrounded the entire Vakarai area and were in the process of capturing the Panichchankerni Bridge. Meanwhile the LTTE has forcibly taken control of the Vakarai hospital amidst heavy casualties following confrontations with the security forces.The military said the LTTE had damaged the bridge to block vehicular movement including food convoys scheduled to move into the area yesterday.“Tigers are now attacking civilians, who are trying to flee the area,” the official said quoting civilians who reportedly fled under LTTE fire. With some 35,000 civilians entering Government controlled areas it is estimated that more than 5000 civilians still remain in Vakarai.

Meanwhile, the ICRC called on both parties to respect the protection of the hospital and the civilians who sought shelter in the Vakarai area.“The ICRC is increasingly worried about the shelling and fighting in the Vakarai area where a hospital is located around which thousands of civilians have gathered,” it said in a statement. It also said that under international humanitarian law, a hospital and its personnel exclusively assigned for medical purposes must be respected and protected in all circumstances and may not be the subject of attack. “As long as the hospital is not used to commit hostile acts, such as launching military offensives or storing military equipment in its compound, the hospital must not be attacked. Civilians who have sought refuge in or near the hospital have to be respected at all times,” the ICRC said.

The Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) which is the only aid group presently operating in the area said in a statement the Government continues to deny humanitarian agencies, including the UN and ICRC, access to the IDPs in the Vakarai division. ”The situation is now critical as all food supplies have been exhausted and the Government has denied permission for any food convoys to proceed to the area. Starvation is imminent for the 15,000 IDPs. Most of these IDPs were displaced with only the clothes on their back in August and September 2006. The IDPs have subsisted on the bare minimum required to keep them alive and are now malnourished. Throughout the crisis the Government has restricted the transportation of food, medicine and all other humanitarian relief to the area and has allowed only token convoys of relief on an ad hoc basis restricting the amount allowed per convoy to only about 60% of the required amount,” the TRO said.The last convoy allowed into the Vakarai area was on November 29 and carried only two weeks supplies for the IDPs. With continued restricted access to the areas there is also a dearth of information available to humanitarian organizations, the media and the public.

Four injured in Vakarai hospital attack

Four civilians have been injured in mortor fire in Vakarai. They were injured when shells fell on to the compound of the Vakarai hospital, hospital Dr.T.Vardharajah said.Several shells fell onto the hospital ground since morning on Thursday,Dr.Vardharajah added.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it is increasingly worried about the shelling and fighting in the Vakarai area where a hospital is located around which thousands of civilians have gathered.

"Under international humanitarian law, a hospital and its personnel exclusively assigned to medical purposes must be respected and protected in all circumstances and may not be the subject of attack", a statement by the ICRC said.As long as the hospital is not used to commit hostile acts, such as launching military offensives or storing military equipment in its compound, the hospital must not be attacked, it said. Civilians who have sought refuge in or near the hospital have to be respected at all times, ICRC added. The ICRC calls on both parties to respect the protection of the hospital and the civilians who have sought shelter in the area.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is increasingly alarmed by the hostilities, including shelling, in the Vakarai area, where a hospital is located around which thousands of civilians have gathered. Under international humanitarian law, a hospital and its personnel exclusively assigned to medical purposes must be respected and protected in all circumstances and may not be the subject of attack. As long as the hospital is not used to commit hostile acts, such as launching military offensives or storing military equipment in its compound, the hospital must not be attacked. Civilians who have sought refuge in or near the hospital must – like any other civilians – be respected at all times, unless and for such time as they take a direct part in hostilities. The ICRC calls on both parties to respect the hospital's protected status and to spare both its personnel and civilians who have sought shelter in the area.

213,000 displaced during past 9 months

The United Nations says it needs 66 million dollars to fund humanitarian assistance to support priority activites of over half a million people displaced in Sri Lanka.The United Nations humanitarian agencies and their partners working in Sri Lanka on Thursday presented a Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) which sets forth priotity activities over the next six to twelve months.While presenting the CHAP, humanitarian agencies pointed out nearly 213,000 people have been displaced in the past nine months."The recurrence of violence and hostilities in the north and east of the country since April 2006 has impacted negatively upon the humanitarian situation of the civilian population -- a situation already strained by prior conflict and the widespread destruction wrought by the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami", UN agencies and their partners said. Of that total, they said some 315,000 remain displaced from earlier stages in the conflict, in addition to those who are still without permanent shelter due to the tsunami, they added.

Europe's top court ruled Thursday that the now defunct Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) can appeal against its inclusion on the European Union's terror blacklist in 2002.

The European Court of Justice said in a statement that it had rejected a lower court decision in 2005 that a representative of the PKK, Osman Ocalan, could not appeal on its behalf because the group no longer existed. "The Court of Justice observed that that organisation cannot, simultaneously, have an existence sufficient for it to be subject to restrictive measures laid down by the (EU) community legislature and not have an existence sufficient to contest those measures," it said. It said that the Court of First Instance, which first heard the case and is also based in Luxembourg, must now rule on the merits of the application made by Ocalan on the PKK's behalf.

The PKK, which is outlawed in Turkey and the United States as well as the EU, waged a 15-year war for Kurdish self-rule in southeast Turkey that claimed more than 36,000 lives. It announced in April 2002 that it would cease to exist, and its members reorganised under the name of Congress for Freedom and Democracy in Kurdistan (KADEK), in a new campaign for Kurdish freedoms through democratic means.The EU's terror register, of more than 50 organisations and individuals, includes the Palestinian governing party Hamas, the armed Basque separatist group ETA and Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers and is revised about every six months.The list, which allows for an asset freeze and greater EU police and security cooperation in combatting those who figure on it, was drawn up in the months after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.

But it has been increasingly criticised over the way it is compiled and revised, and the EU's top legal counsel acknowledged in early December that the bloc would need to re-examine it.On December 12, the Court of First Instance, Europe's second-highest tribunal, ruled the EU had not respected the right to a fair hearing of the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (OMPI), when it ordered an asset freeze in 2002. The PKK along with KADEK and another alleged alias Kongra-Gel figures on the most recent list published on the EU's official website.

German Ambassador Jurgen Weerth yesterday scotched speculation that his country was attempting to get the European Union ban on the LTTE lifted.Mr. Weerth who is also the European Union’s Resident Representative gave this assurance at a meeting with a JHU delegation led by its Parliamentary group leader Ven. Aturaliye Ratana Thera.Referring to the clauses of the EU Constitution, he said the LTTE ban in Europe was a unanimous decision of the Union, and therefore it could not be lifted at the insistence of one member country.He also reassured the delegation German aid to Sri Lanka was not frozen despite widespread media reports on it. The Ambassador said only the reconstruction work on 14 schools in the Northern and Eastern Provinces was held up due to inability to transport building material under the present circumstances. “Other than that, we have not blocked aid to Sri Lanka. We issued a media note as well but it did not reach the public properly,” he told the JHU.

Police probing the cloning of hundreds of credit and debit cards belonging to Norfolk motorists arrested a man yesterday.The 25-year-old, from Norwich, was arrested in a dawn raid at the BP garage on the city's Martineau Lane. No further details of the suspect have been released but it is thought he is a member of staff at the filling station. The arrest comes after the EDP reported that tens of thousands of pounds could have been taken from victims across the county. Dozens of cases have already been reported and a police spokeswoman said customers should check bank accounts to ensure they had not fallen victim to the scam. It is believed the total number of victims could run into hundreds. Victims have told how sums of up to £4,000 had been taken from accounts through transactions or withdrawals as far afield as Malaysia and Sri Lanka after their cards were copied. Anyone worried about card fraud should take steps including reporting suspicious devices attached to cash machines, shielding your hand when entering your PIN, storing private documents securely and shredding correspondence with personal details.

The Oslo-based Norwegians Against Terrorism (NAT) has accused Norways chief facilitator Erik Solheim of lying about Norwegian military assistance to the LTTE and has alleged that more than US$ 3 million has been granted to the LTTE and front organisations in 2005.In its January report, the group has said, “We have found Colonel Karuna’s allegations of the funding of the LTTE front organisations to be correct. They receive funds both from the Norwegian government and local municipality governments.”NAT claimed that Norway had funded the LTTE through payments made by Norad, an agency of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The group has enclosed records from the Norwegian Foreign Affairs Ministry in support of its allegations.

According to the report, in 2005 the LTTE front organisation TRO received US$ 2.2 million from Norad, while the LTTE peace secretariat received substantial funding as well. “It puzzles us why the payments made to Sri Lanka have been classified as a secret for the last two years. Is Norway hiding something?” NAT queried in its latest report. “Another eye-opener was the LTTE visit to the Special Forces training camp in Rena where a video film reveals LTTE receiving information about their weapons, tactics and military strategies. The LTTE was allowed to videotape this training. We do not believe these videotapes were only used for storing holiday memories, but we assume these tapes have been used for training purposes for LTTE cadres,” the NAT report stated.

The organisation also alleged that other evidence of training of the LTTE by Norwegians comes from the Canadian Intelligence Service that reported about the Norwegian Special Forces training the Sea Tigers in underwater demolition in the Trang province in Thailand.“NAT will continue to expose dubious dealings between the LTTE and Norway. We will go through several aid projects to find Norway’s links with the LTTE. We will request an inquiry into the allegations of Norway using “secret funds” to fund the LTTE. NAT will continue to collect evidence to file a class action lawsuit against Norway for Norway’s funding of the LTTE,” the report added.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	108.13		109.39
Sterling Pound	212.80		216.46
Euro	139.54		142.37
Swiss Franc	86.18		88.53
Canadian Dollar	91.48		94.06
Australian Dollar	84.61		86.89
Singapore Dollar	70.04		71.58
Japanese Yen	0.8920		0.9123
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	288.71
Kuwait	Dinar	376.51
Oman	Rial	282.74
Qatar	Riyal	29.90
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	29.02
UAE	Dirham	29.64

People in Jaffna have gone back to the barter business which was in vogue in the 15th century. After the A-9 land route was closed essentials including milk powder are distributed through the co-operative societies. Some people now tend to exchange some of the items they buy with other essential items they need.One person buys baby milk powder but he really needs full cream milk powder, while another person who has bought full cream milk powder needs milk powder for his baby. Both exchange their packets of milk powder. In another case one person gets malted, but he needs full cream milk so he barters his purchase with one who has bought full cream milk but does not need it because his doctor had advised him to drink malted milk as he is suffering from chikungunya.This kind of business is going on in Jaffna daily.Some advertisements published in Jaffna newspapers portray a reverse trend compared to that of those published few months ago. After the ceasefire agreement was signed, people advertised in Jaffna newspapers wanting houses within the municipal limits, whereas now most of the advertisements are for houses to be given on rent. Soon after the CFA was signed residents of Jaffna who had settled down in Colombo returned to their homes but now they are seen in queues registering to leave Jaffna.

SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem is fast losing his grip on the party as his colleagues pressure him to switch allegiance to President Mahinda Rajapakse’s ruling coalition. The group favouring an alliance with Rajapakse wants to join the government simultaneously with the UNP Reformist group. The Island learns that Hakeem is under heavy pressure to accept a deal, without further delay, to prevent another split. "Hakeem is caught in a major political move," a well informed source said. "He is being manoeuvred and forced to join a political alliance at the expense of the party. The coalition arraigned against him is extremely powerful and resourceful. The group would do whatever it takes to persuade Hakeem," the source said. "The SLMC leader won’t be able to side-step," the source added.

Some party men have urged the SLMC leader not to give in to the gang of political opportunists whose interests would not include the wellbeing of the party. "That would be the last thing in their mind," the source said. They are of the opinion that Hakeem should remain steadfast even if some of his MPs switch allegiance. The dissident MPs are believed to be pushing for the union even if a formal agreement could not be worked out.Speculation is rife in political circles that the move to shove the SLMC into government ranks is part of a strategy to prop up a UNP politician, who is considered the go-between the SLMC and the UNP. Another prime mover of the crossover move is a SLMC politician whose loyalty to a mega businessman is undisputed. If they succeeded the SLMC would end up as a key element in the ruling coalition.

Political sources said that the Eastern wing of the party too was critical of the crossover move. They are concerned about the party losing its clout if Hakeem succumbed to pressure. "They’ll drag Kumari’s affair and that is not the only issue they could use against Hakeem," the sources said. Hakeem, the sources said hasn’t a ghost of a chance in beating the brewing conspiracy unless he stood up to what the sources termed as political terror. "Hakeem is fully aware of the ground reality but he is reluctant to meet the challenge head on," the sources said.

Sri Lanka's air force bombed separatist Tamil Tiger targets in the country's volatile east for a second consecutive day Wednesday, destroying a rebel artillery position, the military said. "The air force took a target in Verugal and the mission was successful," said an air force spokesman, Group Capt. Ajantha Silva. Verugal is under rebel control, but the military has smaller camps south of the area, which is in the eastern Batticaloa district. Silva said that the target was a rebel artillery position, and that insurgents had been firing at government military posts from there. There was no immediate comment from the rebels. On Tuesday, air force planes bombed a rebel camp in Verugal village. The military has stepped up efforts to drive the Tamil Tigers from eastern Sri Lanka, where the insurgents are at their weakest since a top commander broke away in 2004 with an estimated 6,000 fighters. The Tamil Tigers have been fighting for more than 20 years for a separate homeland for the country's 3.1 million minority Tamils, who have suffered decades of discrimination by the majority Sinhalese. Although the government and rebels claim to be adhering to a Norwegian-brokered 2002 cease-fire, violence has escalated since late 2005, with over 3,600 people killed past year alone.

Sri Lanka Army officials handed over 7 dead bodies of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres, killed in Panichchankerni, south of Vaharai, to the ICRC in Valaichenai Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. The ICRC is making arrangements to transport the bodies to the LTTE controlled Kokkaddichcholai. SLA sources said 4 troopers including a captain were killed and 20 troopers wounded in the fighting Tuesday. Tigers said 12 of their cadres were killed in the defensive fight and 7 wounded. Both the parties, the SLA and the Tigers, claimed that they had inflicted heavy casualties on the opposite side.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recommends steps to prevent child soldiers in Sri Lanka

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has recommended to the Security Council to take "targeted measures" to prevent separatist Tamil Tigers rebels and a breakaway group Karuna faction from abducting children to fight as soldiers in the bloody conflict on the Island. The 20-page report covers the period from November one, 2005 to October 31, 2006, and notes that over these 12 months, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) received reports of hundreds of children being recruited by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and also Sri Lankan army involvement in recruitment of children by the Karuna faction. "Despite previous commitments by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, that group continues to use and recruit children. In addition, a particularly disconcerting development during the reporting period was the increase in abductions and recruitment of children in the east by the Karuna faction, a breakaway group of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam," it states. Outlining his recommendations, the Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate end to the conflict, which has already caused the deaths of more than 65,000 people in over 20 years, while stressing that any peace settlement must include provisions that tensure the protection of children.

UNP Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe will meet the Mahanayake Theras of the Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapters during his visit to the Dalada Maligawa on January 19, UNP sources said. According to these sources Mr. Wickremesinghe is expected to meet the Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter on January 19th. This would be followed by the meeting with the Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter on January 20. Mr. Wickremesinghe is expected to participate in religious ceremonies at the Dalada Maligawa on January 20 prior to his meeting with the Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter.

Unidentified armed persons shot dead the owner of a private tuition center in Chavakachcheri town in Jaffna district around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, sources in Jaffna said. Arumugam Markandu, 60, was at his home when two armed persons came in a motorbike, shot him dead and escaped.The autopsy was held at Chavakachcheri district hospital and Chavakachcheri magistrate gave orders to hand over the body to his relatives after the inquest.Meanwhile, a gunfight between the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers and unidentified gunmen took place in Manambi area in Thikkam in Vadamaradchi at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday. The exchange of gunfire lasted for more than 15 minutes. No casualties were reported.Several similar took place in the area last month, and residents of the area fled their homes fearing for their lives, and returned only after spending few nights with friends or relatives away from Thikkam area.

The SLFP Central Committee which met last evening deliberated on the present political situation in the country, SLFP sources said.The meeting was held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The members discussed the existing political climate at length. They also agreed to hold the all island meeting and the executive committee meeting of the SLFP on January 19, sources said. Several other matters were also raised and discussed.

Several Muslim leaders, including a number of MPs, have requested a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuss measures to be taken to contain the heightened tensions allegedly provoked by the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) in the Batticaloa district.Following a meeting organised by the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL), held over the weekend, a decision was taken to work out an urgent meeting with the Head of State, before the situation spins out of control. They are expected to urge the Government to restore the rule of law and prevent the ‘Karuna’ faction from attempting to rule the Muslims in Batticaloa, thereby, leading to a breakdown in relations between the Tamil and Muslim communities in the area.

MCSL President M.N. Ameen said that a number of Muslim MPs and civil society activists have decided to adopt a united stance, treating the issue as one concerning the entire community. “Muslims are highly concerned about the recent developments. We hope that the security forces will look after the interests of the Muslims, rather than turn a blind eye, as the Muslims have placed their trust in them,” Mr. Ameen said.A meeting with the TMVP is also being directly sought by the MCSL to discuss the matter. Earlier, the Federation of Kattankudy Mosques and Muslim Institutions (FKMMI) also wrote to President Rajapaksa, urging him to take all possible steps to rein in, without delay, the tense situation prevailing in Kattankudy and its suburbs. The ‘Karuna’ faction has been accused of several questionable activities, including encouraging land encroachment, as well as harassment of businessmen.

Six persons, including a woman and a driver attached to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) were shot and killed, and two young men riding in a three-wheeler were killed, in two separate incidents in Vavuniya, Tuesday night. Four of the victims were killed at a house in Kurumankadu, 2 km west of Vavuniya town, 200 meters from a Police post, and the other two victims, riding in a three-wheeler on Rice Mill Road were shot dead. One of the victims was burnt inside the three-wheeler, Police said. Anton Rupaseelan, 26, Clive Rohan Rajadurai, 44, a driver attached to MSF, Anthonypillai Ponmani, 57, a woman, and Yoganathan Jeyanthan, 28, were identified as the four victims who were shot and killed at Kurumankadu around 8:00 p.m.The killers had come to the house that has been rented out by one of the victims, Mr. Clive Rohan Rajadurai, when he was visiting the house, according to his family.

A 25-year-old woman, Jasmin Sivakumar, was wounded. She is the only witness to the killings at the house. Perumal Chandrasekaran, 25, and Tharatharan Ramesh, 30, were the victims who were killed around 9:00 p.m. while they were riding in a three-wheeler. One of the victims was the driver of the three-wheeler. Their bodies were handed over to the Vavuniya hospital by ICRC, the police said.Meanwhile, two young men, Markandu Jeyarajan, 30, Danushkodi Sivakanthan, 26, travelling in an autorikshaw have been abducted by armed men at Maraambaikkulam, according to a complaint made by their relatives. The abductors had come in two motorbikes and a three-wheeler.

Federal set-up only way out in Sri Lanka: Swamy

Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy on Tuesday said a federal type of constitution was the only way out of the present crisis in Sri Lanka. He asked the Indian Government to play an active role in resolving the problem, provided Colombo showed commitment about giving a federal character to its constitution. "The island nation's unitary constitution needs to be given a federal character. We need devolution of powers to end this long-standing crisis that has claimed several innocent lives," said Dr. Swamy at the launch of his new book, Sri Lanka in crisis: India's options. "The people of Sri Lanka — both Sinhalese and Tamils — as well as the international community were looking forward to India playing a crucial and constructive role in resolving the crisis," he said. The West misunderstood it as an ethnic problem, while the root cause of the issue lay in the reverse discrimination adopted by the Sinhalese against the Tamils.

Sri Lankan High Commissioner C.R. Jayasinghe said that "crisis" would not be an appropriate term to describe the situation in the island nation. "Despite more than two decades of separatist terrorism, my country has shown remarkable progress."Questioning the motives of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Mr. Jayasinghe said its uncertain and negative attitude was a major deterrent towards reaching a solution to the problem. Sincere efforts by the Sri Lankan Government alone were not sufficient; the LTTE also needed to respond positively.

Organisation of Eelam Refugees chairman S.C. Chandrahasan said the LTTE's role was a major stumbling block to resolving the crisis. Referring to the Indian Peace Keeping Force episode, where several Indian soldiers lost their lives, he said: "We let the Indian Government and its Army down, but still India showed tolerance despite losses." The former High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, N.N. Jha, said that though every Sri Lankan wanted India's involvement in the issue but by merely talking to the Sri Lankan Government would not help and the LTTE should also be a part of the peace process.

Amidst widespread speculation that the MoU between the ruling SLFP and the UNP is now in the balance, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was to write to President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday warning of the consequences of crossovers on the understanding between the two parties.Mr. Wickremesinghe met a group of MPs at his official residence in Cambridge Terrace yesterday to discuss the crossover issue and the proposed political reforms to the party. Certain reformists refrained from attending the meeting despite being invited.He told the meeting he was expecting to write to the President yesterday regarding the intended crossovers .The UNP leader also briefed the MPs about the meeting he had with Mr. Rajapaksa on Tuesday. Informed sources said the approach of the President to the issues at the talks appeared to lack seriousness.“He appeared to be talking with his tongue in cheek,” one source said. ‘They were merely tongue in the cheek,” sources said.

Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has assured UNP MPs who are slated to crossover to the Government that there would be no snap election.A dissident MP who attended the recent meeting with the President, told the Daily Mirror yesterday all matters regarding the imminent crossover had already been negotiated.He said the dissident members would push for the Government to work out a negotiated solution to the national question. “We have discussed policy matters. We will be in the Government as a UNP team,” he said. A UNP MP representing the Ampara district had told a party senior that he was looking forward to joining the Government because he was very old now, and did not want to while away his precious last years in the opposition.“I am too old now. I will not have time to do active politics in the future. So the best option for me is to serve people as a minister in the last few years of my political career,” he had told the party senior.

Unidentified armed men arriving in a white van abducted a disabled man in broad day light at Thettkiyalady in Chunnakam, Valigamam, Tuesday around 11:00 a.m, as he was riding his bicycle along Kankesanthurai road where Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers were present, the family members said. The abducted is identified as Daniel Shantharoopan, 30, a family man from Mylankadu in Elalai. His footwear and prosthetic leg were found lying at the place from where he was abducted, eyewitnesses said.Shantharoopan had been earlier summoned several times by SLA troopers at the Atchelu SLA camp where he was beaten and then released, his wife said.She also said that the Chunnakam police and SLA said they will conduct investigation when she complained about her husband's abduction.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	108.30		109.36
Sterling Pound	211.90		215.06
Euro	139.39		141.85
Swiss Franc	86.13		88.26
Canadian Dollar	91.40		93.74
Australian Dollar	84.18		86.23
Singapore Dollar	70.06		71.40
Japanese Yen	0.8917		0.9101
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	288.43
Kuwait	Dinar	376.15
Oman	Rial	282.47
Qatar	Riyal	29.87
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	28.99
UAE	Dirham	29.61

Heavy fighting erupted between security forces and the LTTE in the Panichchankerni area, north of Batticaloa with conflicting reports on the number of casualties from each side.Ground troops supported by air cover had started moving towards the line of control yesterday morning around 6 a.m.The military said that troops had advanced up to the line of control and were in control after the Tigers fired mortars at troops stationed in the Kajuwatta area yesterday morning."We are in control of the line, we have captured three mortar positions," Military Spokesperson Brig Prasad Samarasinghe said.He said that troops had reported at least 30 bodies of LTTE cadres had been seen near the area of the fighting, figures denied by the LTTE. The army officially said that one soldier was dead and 15 injured by noon yesterday. However, other sources said that at least 15 soldiers had died and four injured.

Director General, Media Centre for National Security, Laksham Hulugalle told The Morning Leader that according to reports the MCNS has received, only one soldier had died in the operation.The military said Tigers had launched an attack early yesterday from the Ichchilampaththu-Upparu area north of Panichchankerni before the mortar fire at Kajuwatta. That attack however had been repulsed."The LTTE terrorists again attacked the troops in Panichchankerni but were repulsed successfully by the army, which captured the LTTE FDL at Panichchankerni. Currently, the army troops are positioned one kilometre away from the Panichchankerni bridge. In this confrontation it has been confirmed that a large number of terrorists were dead and wounded.," the MCNS said.

The LTTE confirmed that heavy fighting took place in the area but could not give out details. "There was heavy fighting, there are K-firs and ground troops involved," LTTE Spokesperson Rasiah Illanthariyan said. The Tigers also said that they were still in control of the line of control. "They came up to the line of control, but we are still in control," Illantahriyan told The Morning Leader.Ilanthariyan said that the military had moved towards Vaharai in the morning without provocation and the Tigers were engaged in defensive operations. He also said that only seven Tigers had been injured in the confrontation. He added that the fighting lasted from 5:30 to 10:30.There is heavy concentration of civilians north of Panichchankerni, in the Vaharai area. Aid agencies say that at least 15,000 are still trapped in the area. Food supplies have been unable to get into the area since November 29, due on going fighting.

Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels rejected a claim by the island's defence ministry that commandos had found "torture chambers" used by the guerrillas to punish deserters. Police Special Task Force (STF) commandos found the chambers at a rebel camp in the eastern district of Ampara after a nine-day offensive, which ended at the weekend with the capture of 12 bases, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) swiftly denied the charge. It accused the military of "spin doctoring" and said the captured "bases" consisted of huts belonging to civilians fleeing recent fighting.The rebels invited international organisations to investigate the military's charges about the "torture chambers". They said the commandos had taken a rebel "prison" abandoned a year ago when the rebels returned to guerrilla warfare.

"They (the cells) are more than six feet tall and the size of a standard prison cell to be found around the world," the Tamil Tigers said in a statement."These were abandoned by the LTTE more than a year ago when LTTE moved further inland," the statement added.The defence ministry did not say what type of torture had been employed by the Tamil Tigers."At the Madurakavi camp, torture chambers and lockups were established to torture escapees and informants, including women cadres," the ministry said.A Human Rights Watch report released this month accused the rebels and the government of routine extra-judicial killings and abductions in the island's bitter ethnic war, which has claimed more than 60,000 lives since 1972.

The two sides have escalated the conflict in recent months, despite a ceasefire agreed in 2002 but now seen as moribund. More than 3,800 people have been killed in the fighting since December 2005.The defence ministry also charged that the rebels were running illegal logging operations, poaching and growing cannabis."The STF had come across a large plantation of cannabis grown by the LTTE deep inside the forest reserve," the ministry's statement said. "STF troops also detected carcasses of elephants dumped in swamps."The STF released pictures of the bases they captured together with a haul of arms, ammunition, bombs and motorcycles said to have been used by Tamil Tigers."The pictures in the Sri Lankan defense ministry website of cannabis cultivation is certainly from a (majority) Sinhala village," the LTTE said. "The LTTE would urge any international agency to go and check this for themselves."The rebels also denied logging. They said they were inviting observers to visit areas they held to observe their forestation program."The Sri Lankan Defense Ministry must be congratulated because the international media too has eagerly repeated their spin-doctoring," the rebels added.The STF said one trooper was wounded in its recent offensive and claimed that a large number of rebels were killed or wounded.

Sri Lanka's air force bombed a separatist Tamil rebel camp in eastern Sri Lanka on Tuesday, causing damage to the facility, the Defense Ministry said. "We had information that the (Tamil Tiger) cadres were making preparations to attack one of our camps in the area from there,'' military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe said of the raid in Verugal, Batticaloa district. The spokesman said he had no details of rebel casualties. The military has stepped up efforts to flush out the rebels from eastern Sri Lanka, where the insurgents are at their weakest since atop commander broke away in 2004 with an estimated 6,000 fighters.

While Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) is on the run in Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, the renegade Karuna Group that backs the government forces are attempting to consolidate power in Batticaloa and surrounding areas, independent reports from the Eastern Province say. The breakaway rebel group that functions in the guise of Tamil People's Liberation Tigers (TMVP), a registered political party is accused of recruiting children, abductions, obtaining ransom, intimidations and many other human rights violations. Karuna Group has come under severe scrutiny of Sri Lanka Police for its recent attempts to threaten the Tamil people to bypass the Police and lodge complains to them for investigations. Karuna Group has reportedly banned several Tamil dailies in Batticaloa for not conducting its propaganda. Karuna Group is also alleged of creating conflict among the Tamils and Muslims in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

A huge military build-up by the LTTE in Kilinochchi was reported in the last week of January, ready for deployment depending on the situation in the south, the SLMM said."Kilinochchi remained tense, also due to the larger incidents taking place in the south. There are indications of preparations for a larger battle taking place, possible in the next few weeks, depending on the developments in the rest of the country," the monitors said in their latest situation report.The SLMM in Colombo said that it did not have any further details on the build-up. "This is what our monitors have gathered from sources," Spokesperson Thorfinnur Omarsson told The Morning Leader.The build-up has been linked with the security situation in the south, and the monitors also said that abductions and other such incidents are likely to intensify if attacks on security forces continue."It is predicted that if the increased attacks on the security forces continue, so will the increase in abductions and assassinations," the report said of the situation in Jaffna.

The army said that intelligence reports had indicated a build-up but declined to divulge any further information. "There have been reports of a build-up," Military Spokesperson Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe said. He said that intelligence reports have indicated that the Tigers have called up additional cadres into the area.Meanwhile, the bulk of the monitors still remained in Colombo attending a workshop. The workshop commenced on January 1, but Ommrasson said that since the second week monitors had visited the district office in groups of two. "We have visited all the offices except Jaffna last week." He however said that no firm date could be set for the permanent return of the monitors to their district bases."We will hold discussions with the government and the LTTE in the coming days. We will brief them on the discussions and also seek their input," he said. SLMM Head Lars Solvberg is expected to travel to Kilinochchi later this week and the final decision is likely to be taken after all the discussions are concluded.

At least two policemen were killed when suspected Tamil rebels triggered a bomb in the government-held northern Sri Lanka town of Vavuniya on Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said. The policemen were on a routine patrol duty when the bomb, strapped to a bicycle, was triggered by remote control, military spokesman, Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe said. Samarasinghe said he suspected separatist Tamil rebels were behind the blast.

The Colombo High Court Tuesday fixed the inquiry into the murder of political analyst and a senior editor of TamilNet, Sivaram Dharmeratnam, before a Sinhalese speaking Jury. Judge W.A.D.Ratnayake allowed the application made by the sole suspect, an alleged member of an ex-militant turned paramilitary, that he should be tried before a Sinhala speaking jury, legal sources said.The Attorney General has indicted Armugam Sriskandarajah alias Peter for committing the murder of Mr. Sivaram on 28th April 2005 in Colombo.Armed persons in Colombo had abducted Mr.Sivaram and next day morning his body was found dumped along Sri Lanka-Japan Friendship Road close to Parliamentary Complex with gunshot injuries.The High Court Judge has fixed the inquiry for May 14.Thirty five witnesses are listed to give evidence in Sivaram murder trial.

President Mahinda Rajapakse has summoned the SLFP All-Island Executive Committee for Friday, January 19 to obtain formal approval to accommodate the UNP crossers-over in government.The decision to get Executive Committee approval was taken following reports that the UNP would withdraw from the MoU with the SLFP if crossers-over from the opposition are accommodated in the government ranks.The President is to inform the SLFP that the decision to accommodate the SLFP is with a view to avoiding a general election.The Morning Leader learns, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera who is scheduled to leave for India today will not be present at the exco. He is scheduled to return to Sri Lanka on January 20.Meanwhile Minister Samaraweera has organised a Matara District convention for January 27, which will also be attended by SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena.The Morning Leader learns, the keynote speaker at the convention will be COPE Chairman and President’s Counsel Wijedasa Rajapakse, who will speak on corruption in state institutions and the need to take action. Deputy Minister Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi will be the second guest speaker.

Japan gives Sri Lanka millions of rupees to link Mannar to the mainland

Japan on Tuesday gave Sri Lanka 30 million rupees to design a new bridge connecting Mannar to the mainland, the finance ministry said.The grant will be used to draw up a detailed design of a 157.1 metre, ten-metre wide bridge and to improve and expand the causeway between the points. About 3.14 kilometers of the causeway is to be improved and expanded to 11 meters in width on the Medawachchiya – Mannar- Thalaimannar (A 14) road in the northwestern coastal belt of Sri Lanka, the ministry said. The existing bridge and causeway, which is the only access road connecting Mannar Island and the mainland, was constructed in the 1930’s, with a narrow, single lane. The bridge was damaged in a bomb blast in 1990 and was replaced with a temporary, narrow bailey bridge and is restricted for heavy vehicles of over ten tones. The movements along the causeway are frequently interrupted during the monsoons due to high tidal waves affecting smooth transportation as well as traffic safety. Some 40,000 people living on Mannar Island are expected to directly benefit from the new bridge, the ministry said, improving market accessibility and transportation. Once the detailed designs are completed, Japan is also likely to fund construction of the 1.75 billion-rupee bridge and causeway, with work expected to begin in 2009. The Road Development Authority under the supervision of the Ministry of Highways will implement the Project.

The role of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) is to undergo some amendments at the end of the ongoing workshop of the ceasefire monitors, an SLMM spokesman said yesterday. He said the government has been briefed on the changes.SLMM spokesman Thorfinur Omarsson told the Daily Mirror the government was also invited to give its input on making the role of the monitors more effective while a similar invitation would be put forward to the LTTE as well later this week.“It is too early to predict what sort of changes will take place but some differences are likely,” Mr. Omarsson said following a meeting between the SLMM and Government Peace Secretariat Chief Palitha Kohona yesterday.

The SLMM spokesman described the meeting as being very productive and added that the government had appreciated the invitation to give inputs during the period of the ongoing workshop.“LTTE inputs will also be sought. We might liaise with our Kilinochchi office to get the LTTE suggestions on our monitoring,” Mr. Omarsson said.The SLMM is of the opinion changes are required to its present role with the monitors inquiring into claymore bombs and heavy fighting between government troops and the LTTE and not a ceasefire as was mandated during the signing of the peace agreement five years ago. The SLMM has also been reduced in size after the LTTE, last year, refused to accept EU monitors.During the workshop on-site monitoring was carried out by SLMM Rapid Response Teams operating from Colombo, a move the government was not agreeable to charging that the rebels had used the absence of the district monitors to recruit children.

Despite India's polite 'no', Sri Lanka is still for a defence agreement with India. But Colombo's envoy here points out: 'It takes two to tango.' High Commissioner C.R. Jayasinghe said that Sri Lanka was committed to achieving a political solution so as to end the country's bloody ethnic conflict. A proposed India-Sri Lanka defence agreement, which Colombo has repeatedly asked for, 'has not been able to make progress as one would have hoped for', Jayasinghe said in an interaction with senior editors of IANS at the IANS office here. But 'it takes two to tango', he pointed out. 'Obviously the agreement would become a reality only if authorities in India (agree). On our side there are no issues.' Asked how vital was the agreement for India, the envoy replied: 'It is not for me to speak.'

The Indian government is under intense pressure from many political parties in Tamil Nadu not to sign the pact. Tamil Nadu's leaders argued that such an accord would only encourage Colombo to get more aggressive vis-à-vis the Tamil minority community. But Jayasinghe denied that there was any 'friction' between New Delhi and Colombo. 'I don't think there is friction. Of course there is disappointment on both sides.' He did not elaborate. But many in Sri Lanka's political establishment want India to be more stridently opposed to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and be less critical of Colombo. In India, the government feels Sri Lanka does not appear to be serious enough in going for a political solution that would devolve greater powers to Tamil areas. New Delhi is also upset over civilian casualties, who account for most of the deaths and injuries in a war that has shown a dramatic upsurge since the end of 2005. 'The Sri Lankan government is clearly committed to a negotiated political solution,' Jayasinghe said. 'But one has to be pragmatic and patient.' At the same time, the military would keep pushing against the Tigers, he insisted, citing the example of Sampur in the island's east which troops seized from the Tigers last year.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera is to be stripped of the Ports and Aviation portfolios in the cabinet reshuffle scheduled for next week.The Morning Leader learns the Aviation portfolio is to be taken from Samaraweera following representations made by President’s Coordinating Secretary Sajin Vass Gunawardena that the Minister was not cooperating in fast forwarding the approvals to get the controversial Mihin Lanka off the ground before February 4. It is also reliably learned that the Ports Ministry is likely to go to President’s brother, Agriculture Minister Chamal Rajapakse.Informed sources said the new allocation of ministries was done in consultation with Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse.The Morning Leader further learns, Samaraweera is to be compensated for the loss of the Ports and Aviation portfolios with the Housing Ministry and the UDA, which are currently subjects under Ferial Ashraff and Dinesh Gunawardena.

In yet another blow to media freedom, Derana TV programme producer K.C. Saranaga has been allegedly assaulted by an unidentified gang on his way home after work on Monday.Mr.Saranga told the Daily Mirror yesterday three gangsters confronted him opposite the Church in Dehiwala at around 8.30 p.m. on Monday, grabbed his media identity card and said, “You were the person we were looking for.”He said he was later taken to Aponso Lane in the same area and was attacked. The attackers had allegedly taken some of his media equipment including a video tape containing material for ‘Derana Aruna’ programme.A complaint has been made to the Dehiwala police.Derana Aruna programme is based on daily newspaper reports. In addition, crucial issues such as crimes, political problems, trade union matters are also commented on and criticized in the programme.

TMVP alias Karuna Group opened their military office in a building at Sarada Lane of Trincomalee on last 13th January. Previously in this building TRO office was established and Karuna Group members forcefully occupied it after unknown gang destroyed the TRO office on last 07th of January. A senior member of Karuna Group, Vijidaran is appointed as the head of this newly opened military office and another senior member Piliyan as deputy.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress has asked the government to restore law and order in the Northern Province only by the government security forces for the SLMC to join the government. Deputy Secretary of the party Kariyappar told 'LeN' that this decision that was taken during an executive committee meeting Yesterday morning was conveyed to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. The SLMC yesterday morning has extensively discussed about the Karuna faction movements in the Northern Province which hampers the day to day activities of the Muslim community. The SLMC stance had been conveyed to the SLFP parliamentarians Vishwa Warnapala, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Janaka Bandara Tennakoon. The SLMC had stressed that a Muslim representation should be a must when solutions for the ethnic conflict is sought. After this discussion, the leader of the Muslim Congress Rauf Hakeem and the delegations had met with the general secretary of the SLFP Maithripala Sirisena and Basil Rajapakse. They have stated that the SLMC would not join the government under any circumstance if Karuna faction were not disarmed.

Eleven UNP dissidents who are reported to be ready to join the government, met President Mahinda Rajapaksa last evening to discuss crossover plans, members of the dissident group said.They said there were concerns among some of them over the portfolios being offered and one purpose of yesterday’s meeting was to clarify those matters.They claimed at least 16 UNP members including former Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya, would join the government within the next few days. They said the President had agreed to offer the dissidents a substantial number of portfolios in a Cabinet reshuffle expected next week.Before meeting the President, the UNP dissidents met at Mr. Jayasuriya’s residence to work out their course of action.

The dissidents said that among those planning to cross over were G.L. Peiris, M.H.Mohamed, P.Dayaratne, Milinda Moragoda, Rajitha Senaratne , Dharmadasa Banda, Hemakumara Nanayakkara, Naveen Disanayake, Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Mano Wijeratne. These dissidents sources claimed there were more UNPers willing to join government ranks, but the President would accommodate only a limited number required for a stable parliamentary majority.They said that another factor in limiting the number of UNP crossovers was to ensure that the UNP had enough seats to maintain the leadership of the opposition instead of conceding it to the JVP which in recent weeks has been distancing itself and strongly attacking the government.

Meanwhile, other UNP MPs are reported to have proposed to the President that Cabinet portfolios be offered to the party as a whole so that leader Ranil Wickremesinghe could decide on who should get the portfolios in a move intended at saving the MoU between the SLFP and the UNP.The UNP leader has warned that the MoU would be cancelled if the President inducted more UNP rebels into the government.Commenting on the crisis, former UNP National organizer S.B. Dissanayake said yesterday he had tried to prevent the crossovers.“But, I do not criticize them for leaving the UNP. The party is losing its cream as a result. We should get them back to the UNP one day. They are the giants of the party,” he said.However, Mr. Dissanayake said he himself would work to strengthen the UNP to win future elections without crossing over.Responding to the crisis, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said yesterday the party signed the MoU with the SLFP in the greater interest of the country.He said the party would be compelled to review the MoU if the government resorted to narrow political moves in violation of the MoU.

The Sri Lanka Navy has arrested ten Indian fishermen onboard a fiber glass dinghy who had strayed into Sri Lanka's territorial waters near Talaimannar. “The crew on board had stated that they were from South India. The boat, which had two outboard motors, was also detained by the Navy,” a Navy spokesperson said. The Navy has handed the ten fishermen over to the Talaimannar police for further investigations.

A Sri Lankan minister representing Tamils of Indian Origin has expressed concern over the arrest of a large number of them just because they had not registered themselves with the police as per the Defence Ministry's regulations. In the last few days, over 300 Tamils, including those of Indian Origin, had been arrested in and around Colombo and sent to the recently re-opened high security Boosa prison near Galle, said P Radhakrishnan, Deputy Minister for Vocational and Technical Training and a top leader of the Upcountry Peoples' Front, a party of Tamils of Indian Origin.Forty-eight Tamils living in the predominantly Tamil areas in and around Colombo, such as Wellawatte, Grandpass, Kotehena, Wattala, Mount Lavinia and Mirihana had been sent to Boosa camp as per complaints received by him from their families, Radhakrishnan told Hindustan Times here on Monday.

Indian Origin Tamils account for about a million of Sri Lanka's population of 20 million, and live mainly in the plantations in the Centre and the South of the island, and Colombo district.Arrests are taking place in the plantations in the interior of southern Sri Lanka also."A group of 18 young Tamils from the Ingiriya-Raigama plantations who were going from place to place singing Bhajans, and a lady from the Springvale plantation in Badulla were among those arrested and subsequently let off after investigations.""This was because they had not registered themselves with the police stations in their respective areas," Radhakrishnan said.Through the press, he has appealed to his people to register with the police immediately given the present tense situation in the country.

Tamils, whether they are of Sri Lankan or of Indian origin, have become suspect since the recent bus blasts in Nittambuwa and Seenigama near Colombo, in which 21 civilians, mostly belonging to the majority Sinhala community, were killed."It is unfortunate that Indian Origin Tamils, who are mainly plantation labourers with no history of links with the LTTE are being arrested just because they had not registered with the local police, while Sinhalas are not touched unless there is concrete information about their involvement with the LTTE," Radhakrishnan said.Sri Lanka enjoins all citizens, whether Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim, to register with the local police in a form prescribed by the Defence Ministry, though very few register because the National ID card is considered adequate at police check points."Getting the innocents released is not easy. In some cases, I had to go up to the President's Advisor," Radhakrishnan said.

The Federation of Kattankudy Mosques and Muslim Institutions (FKMMI), yesterday urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa to take steps to ease the prevailing tense situation in Kattankudy and its suburbs. In a letter the organisation’s President M.T.M. Khalid JP and Secretary As-Sheikh A.L.M. Sabeel, said, Muslims in the area felt “extremely insecure” due to recent activities of the Karuna faction. They alleged that the Karuna group stationed adjacent to the Special Task Force Camp (STF) in Arayampathy was creating problems by way of obstructing civil administration in Kattankudy and its suburbs. The letter drew the President’s attention to seven specific incidents which disturbed racial harmony between Muslims and Tamils in the Batticaloa district. They were:

1.The Tamil people settling on the land owned by the Muslims called “Karbala Village” which connects Kattankudy and Palamunai.

2.Dead bodies of Tamil people being forcibly taken from their relatives and buried in the Muslim settlement areas with the presence of Karuna cadres in uniforms and weapons.

3.Tamils displaced from Vakarai area being taken by the Karuna group and settled in lands owned by the Muslims.

4.The road connecting Palamunai and Kattankudy being purposely damaged by the Karuna group by digging holes.

5.Shopkeepers being asked to close businesses in the Arayampathy DS division forthwith.

6.The Karuna faction’s search for Muslim youths with a selective list with sinister motives.

7.The Karuna faction’s infiltration into Muslims areas and claiming motorcycles and mobile phones at gun point.

The FKMMI said the incidents not only strained relations between the Muslims and the Tamils, but also that the panic-stricken people were unable to attend to their normal work.“The horrible incidents which have taken place in Kattankudy have strained the relationship between the Muslims and Tamils considerably. As a result innocent people of both communities are panic-stricken that they can not attend to their normal work. We, as a responsible organisation in the Batticaloa district feel that if these incidents and harassments are not stopped at once the normalcy and peaceful relations of both communities will seriously be damaged and bring immense loss to the innocent people,” the organisation said.The organisation asserted that the incidents cited were but a few being committed by the so called Karuna faction “to instigate communal violence between Muslims and Tamil in the East and to disturb the civil situation in the area.”

Unidentified armed man shot dead a Tamil youth Monday evening around 6:00 p.m. in the heart of Trincomalee town, sources in the east port town said.The victim was identified as Thambipillai Ramanan, 30.According to preliminary investigations conducted by the Trincomalee Police, unidentified men waylaid the deceased when he was returning home from work. The armed men entered the house in Huskison Road where Ramanan ran into for safety, and shot him dead, sources said.

In a make or break move President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe will hold a crisis meeting today to decide on the fate of the MoU between the two parties.With reports indicating that about 16 UNP rebels are ready to crossover , Mr. Wickremesinghe will take up the issue with the President in addition to matters linked with the implementation of the MoU, party sources said.To prepare for today’s crucial meeting Mr. Wickremesinghe last night held talks with some party seniors and is expected to meet some of the dissidents today.

A senior LTTE member of the Batticoloa district Shankar has been killed in a clash between the security forces and the ltte in Vandaramulla yesterday.Security forces say that "Shankar" had been killed when army returned fire to an attack launched at a foot patrol at around 10 last night. The corpse of the LTTE leader was found in a subsequent search operation conducted in the morning. A t 56 firearm and book that includes valuable information has been found by the forces from the location.

When a final decision had been reached on setting up the much publicized ISGA (Interim Self Governing Authority) for the North-East, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was then the opposition leader, played possum, said JVP’s Propaganda Secretary, Wimal Weerawansa.“We, at that critical moment, rendered Ms. Kumarathunga’s Executive Powers ineffective, with our fight aimed at defeating Tiger terrorism, assisted by Anura Bandaranaike, whom we ‘carried around the country’. The result of our effort was the jettisoning of the ISGA proposal,” said Weerawansa.Delivering a special talk entitled ‘War and Peace’ at the Town Hall, Matale, Weerawansa also said: “The traitorous ceasefire agreement signed on February 22, 2002, will complete five years soon. We are asking this government not to allow this illegal document to mark its fifth year of existence.” Weerawansa also faulted the United Nations and the Co-chairs, for trying to place the Tigers on par with the Sri Lanka government. “The world powers internationalized the ceasefire agreement in East Timor. The result is that Timor is divided today, he said.

A Chief Inspector of police was arrested yesterday at Matara on charges of allegedly providing security information to the LTTE. He was arrested in the early hours from a famous hotel cum lodging in Matara along with another suspect, who was with him at the time of the arrest, police said. The police had recovered a sum of Rs. 45 lakhs and Rs.97, 850 (Rs.4,597,850) to be in the possession of the suspects on the spot. The police had taken into the custody the cash and a luxury pajero, which was with the suspect at the time of the arrest, said the police . Matara Police HQI Upali Chandrasiri said that their investigations so far had revealed that the police officer in their custody on suspicion had worked at the Uppuweli police station and Trincomalee harbour police. "The alleged officer is on leave.

He had taken leave from the Trincomalee harbour police about a year ago as a Chief Inspector stating he had to go abroad," said HQI Chandrasiri. The other suspect whom he was found with at the hotel room is 35 years old and his identity is yet to be established, he said. HQI Chandrasiri said they had launched investigations following the arrest to determine how the cash landed in the hands of the suspect and we have sent special teams to Trincomalee to investigate matters in this connection. Matara police is investigating under the instructions of Senior DIG of Southern Division II Jayantha Wickremeratna and DIG of Southern Range, Jayantha Gamage. Our attempts to contact the two DIGs were unsuccessful.

More than 72,000 Tamil civilians internally displaced due to the military confrontations in the East, residing in 50 temporary camps in Batticaloa district's LTTE and GoSL controlled areas, are facing serious shortage of food, accommodation, drinking water, sanitation and toilet facilities, according to Batticaloa District Secretariat. Muttur east clashes, followed by battle for Sampoor, and now Vaharai clashes intensifying, the increasing numbers of Internally Displaced (IDPs) in Batticaloa face a dismal future. Following the offensive of SLA and aerial bombings by Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) in July and August, more than 40,000 people from the LTTE controlled Muthur East area in Trincomalee district became displaced and fled to Vaharai in LTTE controlled Batticaloa district.

During the battle for Sampoor in November 2006, Batticaloa District Secretariat reported 41,463 people from Trincomalee district and 30,630 people from Batticaloa have fled to the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) controlled areas in the Batticaloa district from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held areas. The IDPs sheltered in 22 temporary locations in 14 Grama Seveka divisions in Batticaloa district.Now, with the battle for Vaharai intensifying, other than the nearly 15,000 residents and IDPs are trapped in Vaharai as the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) conducts its brutal campaign to evict Tamils from the region, the rest have fled the area swelling the IDP population in other areas of Batticaloa.

Torrential rains in the past few days have blown off the roofs of six of the toilets constructed at the Kurukkalmadam camp in Manmunai Theneruvil Pattu regional secretary division. Twenty five tents in the camp have collapsed and six civilians residing in the camp afflicted by rain-related disease have been admitted in Kaluvanchikudy hospital. 652 civilians belonging to 188 families are accommodated at this camp, include 68 expectant mothers, 61 nursing mothers and 25 infants.Acting on a complaint of worm-infested food being served to the residents of this camp, Mr.Gopalapillai, the regional secretary visited the camp, and after discussing with officer in charge, instructed that in future food should not served without the permission of public health officials.

Commenting on the situation prevailing at this camp, S.Krishnakumar, health officer of Kaluvanchikudy area said that construction of large number of tents is the root cause for the problems involving sanitation, drinking water supply and toilet facilities. He said that the problem can only be alleviated transferring some of the residents of the camp either to Mahiloor or to a new camp currently being constructed in Kaluvanchikudy, civil society sources said. Acting on the suggestion of Mr.Krishnakumar, Batticaloa district Government Agent (GA), Suntharam Arumainayagam, instructed the regional secretary to take immediate steps to transfer 50 families to Kaluvanchikudy. GA also announced that he will also take the necessary steps to transfer a Grama Sevaka (GS) from the area.According to statistics released by Mr.Arumainayagam, the number of displaced families living in refugee camps in other areas are:

Asked about the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Batticaloa district, GA said a total of 64673 civilians belonging to 18176 families are residing in both the Government controlled areas and in LTTE-controlled areas in the following camps at the various locations:

2 Kaluvanchikudy
4 Araiyampathy
4 Vaharai
3 Valaichenai
21 Manmunai North
3 Kiran
11 Chenkalady
The Government Agent assured that he has discussed with various non governmental Organizations (NGOs) regarding accommodation issues and matters related to providing adequate sanitation and toilet facilities for the displaced, sources said.

The ‘Karuna’ faction is disrupting civil administration in Batticaloa by moving around with arms in Government controlled areas and intimidating civilians, urging them to report their problems to their political offices, and not to the police, sources in Batticaloa told the Daily Mirror.Officials of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP), the political arm of the faction, were yesterday severely warned by the Batticaloa police to be mindful of their conduct, as any move seen as a threat to the security of the district, will be severely dealt with under the law, defence sources said.“These cadres are attempting to sideline the police, by telling people to seek TMVP assistance and not the police. They cannot be allowed to do that,” the source said.

According to unofficial complaints made to the Batticaloa police, armed TMVP cadres reportedly entered hospitals, over the last few weeks, demanding ransom and intimidating civilians, despite the presence of Government troops nearby, police sources revealed.Muslims in Kattankudy had lodged 18 complaints against the TMVP on Saturday alone. They included assault, mischief, attempted murder and threatening a police officer, Kattankudy police sources told the Daily Mirror.In what is seen as an attempt by Karuna Amman to establish his ‘rule’ in Batticaloa, those seen as obstacle to his attempts, including political parties and independent Tamil newspapers which fail to carry TMVP propaganda, are also under threat or constant ‘Karuna’ scrutiny.

The ‘Thinakural’ and ‘Sudar Oli’ Tamil publications have already been banned by the TMVP in Batticaloa and just last week, the two newspapers were also banned in Trincomalee, newspaper agents said, adding that the group was attempting to market its own newspaper ‘Tamil Alai.’ The Daily Mirror learns that immunity from Colombo is enabling the ‘Karuna’ faction to escape the law and instill fear in the district, despite the Government insisting that “no one is above the law” and anyone found guilty of violating the law, will be taken to task.“There is no special treatment for ‘Karuna’. No one is above the law. If they violate the law, they will be taken to task,” Government Defense spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwelle told the Daily Mirror, when asked to comment on the emerging concern over ‘Karuna’ activities.

However, according to one source, TMVP cadres taken into custody for violating the law, are seldom produced before courts, owing to pressure from top Defense officials in Colombo, who seek Karuna’s indirect assistance to fight the LTTE.The Daily Mirror also learnt that it was the ‘Karuna’ faction which triggered tensions between Tamils and Muslims in Kattankudy, Batticaloa, and was also targeting Tamil civilians crossing into Government territory from LTTE controlled Vakarai.“The situation is really getting out of hand. If the Government does not come down hard and control ‘Karuna’ and their activities in Batticaloa, civil administration will be in disarray,” a top defense source told the Daily Mirror on condition of anonymity.Some are of the view that Karuna Amman is attempting to follow the LTTE in Killinochchi, establish its own administration and law, thus ensure non interference in its propaganda activities.

At least five soldiers and six civilians have been killed in Sri Lanka as Tamil Tiger rebels and government troops traded long-range artillery fire in the island's restive east. The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fired artillery at army positions in Mankerni in the district of Batticaloa on Saturday killing five soldiers in two attacks, the defence ministry said in a statement."Four soldiers were reported killed and two injured soldiers were admitted to hospital," the ministry said, adding another soldier was killed and one more wounded in the second attack in the same area.The rebels said five civilians were injured on Sunday in the military artillery attacks.Police said six civilians were also found shot dead in five places in the island's northern and eastern regions as well as elsewhere Sunday.Investigations were underway to identify the victims and track down the killers, police said.

The killings came as Sri Lankan police commandos captured three more Tamil Tiger rebel bases in the island's east, raising to 11 the number seized from the guerrillas, an official said Sunday.The elite Special Task Force commandos took control of the three bases of the LTTE in the district of Ampara late Saturday following a weekend offensive, a local official said."One commando was wounded when he stepped on an anti-personnel mine (during the offensive in Ampara)," the police official told AFP.He said the separatist rebels withdrew in the face of the military advance. There was no immediate comment from the Tamil Tigers.Following a three-day offensive earlier in the week, police commandos captured eight rebel bases in the region.More than 60,000 people have been killed in Sri Lanka's Tamil separatist conflict during the past 35 years. International diplomacy has so far failed to put an end to the fighting.Government troops and guerrillas have been trading attacks throughout the island's embattled northern and eastern regions.More than 3,800 people have been killed in the past year, despite a now moribund truce agreed in February 2002.

Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Chief Lars Johan Sølvberg will meet both the government and the LTTE separately this week to discuss changes to the role of the monitors arising from the SLMM workshop held for over a week.SLMM spokesman Thorfinur Omarsson confirmed to the Daily Mirror that the SLMM head would meet Dr. Palitha Kohona, the Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process and now Foreign Secretary tomorrow while the date for the meeting with the LTTE was yet to be confirmed. “We are seeking inputs from both sides so that will be part of the topics to be discussed at the meeting,” Mr. Omarsson said adding that future operations of the monitors based on decisions taken at the workshop would also be discussed.The SLMM brought down its district monitors to Colombo for the workshop to assess the present situation, the state of the SLMM as a mission, and how the SLMM can fulfill its mandate and serve the parties in the best possible way in the future.

Mr. Omarson however said SLMM monitors were present in all its district offices last week except in Jaffna carrying out its monitoring activities while the Kilinochchi district officer remains in his office despite the workshop.During the workshop on-site monitoring was carried out by SLMM Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) operating from Colombo, a move the government was not agreeable to charging that the rebels had used the absence of the district monitors to recruit children. The SLMM is of the opinion that changes are required to its present role with the monitors inquiring into claymore bombs and heavy fighting between government troops and the LTTE and not a ceasefire as was mandated during the signing of the peace agreement five years ago.

Harbour police Saturday recovered parts of an airplane from a ship belonging to the UNP MP T. Maheshwaran, police sources said yesterday. The MP had purchased the ship from a Danish company for a sum of US $ 36 million to ship goods from Colombo to Jaffna, police said, quoting the MP’s statement. A group of workers on the ship had first noticed the suspicious looking metal parts and had informed the police. The subsequent search by the police had proven their suspicion that those parts were those of an airplane; police said, adding that there was an eight-foot long metal component. OIC of Harbour police A. Wanaraja said further investigations had been handed over to the CID. According to the preliminary investigations, the MP had brought the ship to the Colombo Harbour on January 7. It can hold a load of cargo weighing over 2,000 tonnes. When contacted for comment, Maheshwaran said that the metal components were in the ship when he had purchased it. He further said that the Danish captain of the ship had collected and stored them as a hobby. He said that he too joined the police team and boarded the ship to inspect the airplane parts.The CID is conducting further investigations.

Police yesterday arrested four Arabs for allegedly robbing a jewellery shop in the Puttalam town.Police say these four foreigners, who came in a vehicle, had entered the jewellery shop yesterday morning to purchase some items. Later, they had requested the shopkeeper to exchange over 2600 US dollars for them saying that they wanted Sri Lankan rupees to buy some items.The shopkeeper had gone to a nearby shop as he didn’t have sufficient Sri Lankan currency in his possession for this transaction. After that, police say, the shopkeeper had given Rs.277, 420 to them in exchange for the dollars. However, these four Arabs had given him a plastic bag without putting the dollars notes in it while pretending to do so. “Having taken the money from the shopkeeper fraudulently, they fled in the vehicle which they came in,” police say.The shopkeeper who realized that there was no dollars in the bag, made a compliant to the police. The latter deployed special teams and arrested the four persons at the Karuwalagaswewa Police checkpoint. Police say the foreigners have allegedly been involved in such financial rackets in other countries as well. They are expected to be produced before the magistrate tomorrow.

Colombo Municipal Council Opposition Leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that he had received prior information that a group was planning to sabotage last Tuesday’s(9) United People’s Movement’s maiden rally at Nugegoda."I had warned the organisers of this plan. Yet, they did not heed my warning," he told The Island yesterday.Asked why had not informed the people of that threat, the veteran leftist cum lawyer said: "It was not my meeting or rally. That’s up to them to inform the police. I informed the relevant government authorities and the UPM organisers of this plot to disrupt the rally."He condemned the sabotage of the rally and described it as a threat against democracy. Nanayakkara blamed Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva and "his thugs" for sabotaging the rally. "I gave information, about gangs and vehicles being prepared to attack, which I gathered from a reliable source around 12 noon. I tried to pass the information to President Mahinda Rajapakse but failed. Thereafter, about an hour before the incident I personally informed the authorities of this plan," he said.

Nanayakkara further said: "This is an attack on democracy. We demand that this should be investigated without giving in to the political pressure and the culprits must be brought to the book."Former Minister and chairman of the United People’s Movement S. B. Dissanayaka had organised the ill-fated rally at Nugegoda last Tuesday. Among the speakers scheduled to address the gathering were S. B. Dissanayake, Mano Ganeshan, Rauff Hakeem, Siritunga Jayasuriya, Suresh Premachandran, Wickremabahu Karunaratne, Dayasiri Jayasekera, Jayantha Seneviratne, S. Sathasivam, Nimalka Fernando, Shiral Lakthilake and Ranjan Ramanayake. It was to be the first meeting aimed at discussing the resolution of the ethnic conflict on the basis of devolution of power, and agitating against rising cost of living and the curtailment of civil liberties. According to Nanaykkara, Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva had suddenly stormed the stage and forcibly delivered a speech and chased the people away. He appeared with the intention of disrupting the meeting and he was not among the invitees.Deputy Minister Silva has already denied the charge and said that by the time he reached venue, an unidentified group had disrupted the rally.

Food supplies arrive in Jaffna

A shipload of essential food items have arrived in Kankasanthurai port, Jaffna, authorities said.Government officials said the second shipload to arrive to be distributed through Cooperative shops and other private trade outlets.350 private shops have been selected by the Divisional Secretaries, Journalist Ponniah Manikkawasagam said.The private outlets were instructed to match the prices of Cooperative shops in selling essential items.Jaffna residents agreed the view of the authorities that there is an improvement in the food distribution."This week we received essential food items from Cooperative shops. But in the open market bottle of coconut still costs Rs. 1000," a Jaffna resident told journalist Manikkawasagam.Women however complained of the quality of rice being distributed."Kerosene oil is now available in Cooperative shops but the quality of White rice and Kora rice is not very good," a woman said.Items like coriander, cumin seeds and soap are yet to be freely distributed, residents said.Religious leaders and Human Rights activists warned of a humanitarian crisis in Jaffna as a result of the increased violence.Tamil Tigers pulled out of talks as Sri Lanka government refused to re-open the supply route to Jaffna, A9 highroad.The Government insisted on sending supplies via sea but the LTTE refused to ensure the safety of the ships transporting essential items.

"The Sunday Leader" news paper yesterday reported that the president's second son Yoshitha Rajapakse has been sent to the UK last week on a full naval scholarship to "Dartmouth academy". According to this report, from his batch it is only Yoshitha who had the "luck" to be selected for the scholarship. According to web based naval sources, normally selections for limited berths in basic training abroad will be based on performance during training. However the basic training is usually three years. After the first year of training an officer would be given the rank of midshipman. After the second year the officer will be ranked as acting sub lieutenant. An officer is commissioned only after completing the entire degree course.Getting berth at "Dartmouth" is difficult and requires an officer to face a panel of interviewers. But the news paper quoting naval sources from the rank and file claims that usually such an opportunity is given to the best cadet on performance after a period of time.But the most stunning coincidence is that this year the entry requirements for the navy had been lowered to a minimum of two passes at the GCE advance level, from the previous which need the minimum university entrance "Z score". Incidentally, Yoshitha has obtained 2 passes at the GCE A/L examination.The picture shows a president's recent visit to Trincomalee where Yoshitha served as his escorting officer. A great controversy arose as Yoshitha who is a junior officer was wearing the traditional sword at the occasion.

It is a long standing tradition for Tamil people to remember the Sun God with gratitude, make Pongal and offer it to him on the Thai Pongal day. It is the belief that with the dawn of the month of Thai there will be a way for everything. However, this Thai Pongal day is not going to bring happiness to the Tamil people of our country and in particular to those who live in the north and east, as they have been suffering from untold hardships and difficulties. Some of them have lost family members and properties. Our people cannot celebrate this Thai Pongal day and we therefore appeal to all Hindus to observe this Thai Pongal with sacredness and devote the day for prayers.

The All Ceylon Hindu Congress requests all Hindus to engage in prayers this Thai Pongal Day for the salvation of our people.The Cease-fire Agreement must be fully implemented, peace talks must start immediately, and the military action and violence should cease forthwith. Abductions and killing of people in various parts of the country should be stopped. The Government should take timely action to ensure that the Tamils and the other communities are treated equally and that they can enjoy their rights and privileges as citizens of this country.This is the wish of all the Hindus living in this country. It is unfortunate that thousands of our people in the north and east have to live as internally displaced persons.

We emphasize that the problems of the Tamils should be approached in a humanitarian manner. The Government is duty bound to send all the required items of food, medicine and other essential items to the north and east and ensure that educational, health and other facilities are made available to the people of the north and east. We again wish to reiterate that the A9 and A15 routes should be opened for the benefit of the people living in the north and east as it has become a necessity. Therefore in the interest of the north-east people, appropriate steps should be taken in that direction.

JVP parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa yesterday vowed that his party would not hesitate to topple the government if it goes down the wrong path, even though they had contributed immensely in the formation of the present government.Weerawansa, who is also the General Secretary of Patriotic National Movement, said that they dedicated their time and labour while helping in the formation of this government, assuming it would work towards the betterment of the country and its people.Addressing a news conference held in Colombo, organised by the Federation of National Organisations, Weerawansa said separatist and federal elements in the UNP are also going to join the government in near future and that could not be considered as a good thing. “This group also includes some businessmen, who still beckon the anti- war banner. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government would go against the mandate given by people, once they take these separatist federal elements into his government,” he said while noting this quantitative change the government is attempting is contrary to the qualitative change expected by the public.

He also said though the majority of UNPers, who are planning to join the government, are separatist federalists, who were once responsible for breaching the peace process; there are innocent people like Dharmadasa Banda, in the midst of them. Weerawansa reiterated the need to abolish the ceasefire agreement and noted that the LTTE are not willing to withdraw from it even amidst severe military attacks as it is ‘extremely’ beneficial for them once it completes five years. While noting that there will be severe pressure on Sri Lanka in the forthcoming SAARC summit, chaired by India, to opt for a federal solution he said no country would dare to force Sri Lanka into accepting their modules, if the President himself is firm about it.“He is not of a single mind and thus the so called international community continue to poke their fingers into our internal affairs. Weerawansa also noted that the LTTE could not be brought into the peace path even if the government opted for a federal solution. “Most of the Tamil leaders killed by the LTTE were for a federal solution.” He said.

Some senior members of the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) are likely to defect the party shortly, highly placed sources revealed yesterday.The defection is likely to take place soon after the much anticipated cross over of the United National Party (UNP) members to the UPFA government.Sources said CWC members both in Parliament and at the provincial councils were not satisfied with the progress of the party under the leadership of Minister Arumugam Thondaman.They said even the settlement of the recent strikes in the estate sector was a decision taken arbitrarily by Minister Thondaman and his confidantes while the committee appointed to look into this matter decided otherwise.The Nation reliably learns some members are marking time to quit the party and join the main opposition UNP.

Exchange of heavy artillery and rocket fire in the Forward Defence Line (FDL) positions at Muhamalai and other areas in Thenmaradchi between the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued from Saturday evening until Sunday early morning, sources in Jaffna said. Small fire arms too were used in the clashes Sunday which lasted for more than an hour. No information on casualties is available. The SLA has not officially reported any injury or casualty on its side. Sporadic exchanges heavy artillery and mortar fire, has been going for the last two days in the Thenmaradchi FDL positions, and intensified Saturday evening, the sources added. No official reports about the clashes have been released yet by either side.

A leading Sri Lankan strategic analyst has urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa to clear the East of the LTTE militarily and finalise a blueprint for a political solution of the ethnic conflict before the SAARC summit in New Delhi on April 3.Writing in the Sri Lankan media on Saturday, analyst Dayan Jayatilleka has said that Sri Lanka should make use of the dilemmas, which India is facing as the summit's host, to secure its military and political objectives, untrammelled by fears of a pro-LTTE Indian intervention.Colombo should utilise the fact that in the run-up to and during the summit, New Delhi will not want to antagonise it by pushing a hard pro-LTTE line sought by Tamil Nadu, he says.

Sri Lanka should quickly acquire sophisticated military hardware to inflict an unacceptable degree of damage on the LTTE led by Prabhakaran, drive his men out of the East districts, and put the pro-government Karuna faction in power through a modified democratic process which he calls "low intensity democracy."Before the summit, the Rajapaksa government should also finalise a blueprint for a political solution of the Tamil problem based on devolution of power, Jayatilleka says.The government must work on the Majority Report of the Experts Committee on devolution, and modify it suitably to allay widespread fears about devolution leading to secession, he adds.

"While India's assumption of the SAARC chairmanship this April is by no means a positive factor for Sri Lanka, given the increasing raucousness of Tamil Nadu, India is on the other hand, unlikely to risk provoking a Sri Lankan riposte against it in Delhi itself, on the occasion of the summit.""It is in India's interest not to permit her old regional profile to damage the new one it is striving to project; a new one in keeping with her global prestige.""India will not wish Sri Lanka to form a countervailing bloc with the region's smaller nations, perhaps even spearheading a denunciation of Delhi's duplicity and destabilisation, hypocrisy and hegemony.""Furthermore, India cannot take a hard line on terrorism, as she will at the summit, and simultaneously take steps helpful to Tiger terrorism - steps which prevent eradicating suicide bombing separatists," Jayatilleka says.Other Sri Lankan commentators who question India's competence to lecture to Sri Lanka on peace, have pointed out that India cannot preach a soft line towards the LTTE and press for talks, while the Indian armed forces are on a no holds barred punitive action against the separatists in Assam.

Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between his party and the ruling SLFP is in danger of being annulled if President Mahinda Rajapaksa enrols a group of UNP cross-overs into his Government.This comes in the wake of the Cabinet decision for the Government to accept cross-overs from the UNP, and UNP MPs confirming that they were now on the verge of joining the Government. Speaking to party stalwarts this week after his return on Wednesday from a private trip to Southern Africa, Mr. Wickremesinghe pointed to Article 10 of the October, 2006 MoU that states that both parties agree to the establishment of a High-Level Committee headed by the President and himself to cooperate with each other in regard to the resolution of any disagreement which may arise in the course of implementing the MoU.

The MoU signed in October last year to replace "existing politics of confrontation with the politics of active cooperation on national issues" was to remain operative for two years, but is now in danger of abrogation in three months.Among the provisions of the MoU was a clause for the Opposition UNP to support the Government, especially in the Peace Process and in the pursuit of a negotiated settlement to the Northern conflict.Mr. Wickremesinghe had stated that the UNP had decided to sustain the Government in Parliament during the period it was grappling with the Peace Process, and had decided to support the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) headed by Minister Tissa Vitharana in working out a political solution to the crisis.In the meantime, a formal meeting between the Opposition Leader and President Rajapaksa requested by the former has yet to be confirmed by the President. The two political leaders met at a function in Colombo on Wednesday evening, the same day Mr. Wickremesinghe returned to the country.

The future of the MoU is to be decided at this meeting. President Rajapaksa has expressed the view the MoU would not be affected by any cross-overs. This is contradictory to the view of the Opposition Leader but it also indicates that the President has no immediate plans of dumping the MoU which assures UNP support for his Government.The cross-over of more than a dozen UNP MPs to the Government is now a virtual fait-accompli. But political analysts believe the Cabinet's pronouncement that cross-overs could be a two-way street has triggered speculation that a Government group still loyal to former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga might form a break-away group if not immediately, in some months time, and link up with the UNP.Meanwhile, the fate of the UNP-SLFP MoU has also caused concern in diplomatic circles. Sources close to the President refused to confirm or deny reports that US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice had written last month to the President urging him to find a negotiated political settlement to the Northern conflict with the support of the UNP-SLFP MoU.

The US embassy yesterday confirmed Ms. Rice had written to President Rajapaksa on December 18, but spokesman Evan Owen said the embassy itself had no information on the contents of the letter.Presidential sources told The Sunday Times that the President believed that the heightened criticism of his Government's recent human rights record was a direct result of briefings given by the Opposition. They also said that by enabling the cross-overs, the President was aiming at forming his own parliamentary majority and thereby lessening his reliance on the JVP.They denied the President had plans to call for a snap General Election to marginalise the JVP further, and remained non-committal to reports that the President wanted to clear the Eastern province militarily to hold elections there with the backing of Tamil groups non-supportive of the LTTE.

Senior Presidential advisor Basil Rajapakse has told the leader of the Muslim congress Rauf Hakeem to inform them within the next two days, whether the 6 MP’S of the SLMC would join the government or not. He had told Hakeem that thereafter not to grumble saying that the party was split.This had been told during a meeting with several SLMC parliamentarians at the temple trees last night. The meeting was called in reply to a request made by the SLMC, to the general secretary of the SLFP Maithripala Sirisena, asking for an exclusive meeting.It is being reported that except for the leader of the SLMC and Segudawood Isadeen all other SLMC parliamentarians have agreed to join the government. It is also reported that basil Rajapakse had promised the ministry of ports to Hakeem if he decides to join. But Hakeem has not stated any thing about the offer. Thus the discussion had ended without a result.

Three CWC MPs are considering withdrawing support to the government if the decision taken to induct UNP MPs result in the breakdown of the MoU between the UNP and SLFP. The Sunday Leader learns three MPs have discussed this issue and decided to come out openly this week. A member of this group told The Sunday Leader that they were placing all their hopes on the MoU between the SLFP and UNP to achieve a consensus on the ethnic issue and the estate workers rights and any move that jeopardises that objective will not receive their support. "We will watch the situation in the next few days and if the cross-over issue results in the abandonment of the MoU, we will not vote with the government. Then they will have to look for more crossovers or go for an election," the MP said.

As the Rajapaksa government gets ready to welcome more than a dozen UNP MPs into its fold, the JVP yesterday accused President Rajapaksa of violating the agreement signed with it before the elections.An angry JVP frontliner Anura Dissanayake said the party had worked hard to help Mr. Rajapaksa win the 2005 presidential election, but now he was blatantly violating many of the clauses in the 12 point pre-election agreement between the two parties.Hammering out at the decision by President Rajapaksa and the Cabinet to accommodate UNP crossovers, Mr. Dissanayake said this also was a violation of the agreement and some of the UNP MPs likely to cross over had openly advocated federalism. He said some of the other UNPs tipped to crossover had bitterly criticized Mr. Rajapaksa and the Mahinda Chinthanaya. Thus it was clear that their only aim was power. Mr. Dissanayake said other key clauses in the agreement – the abrogation of the ceasefire agreement and the removal of Norway as a faciloitator– had also not been honoured by the President.

Sri Lanka Air Force yesterday carried out air strikes on LTTE’s heavy gun positions in Verugal. Two heavy weapon armouries of the LTTE were completely destroyed in the aerial attack, military spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe said.He said that however, the LTTE fired artillery as a counter-attack to the air strikes at troops at Mankerni, Batticaloa. A soldier was killed and another injured. "The army retaliated", he said adding that the situation was neutralized. "Air strikes are continuing".

A long awaited cabinet reshuffle is likely to take place this week as over 20 UNP parliamentarians are expected to join the government -- and several of them are expected to take over Ministerial portfolios, the Sunday Observer learns. A prominent UNP member who plans to cross over, said they would not quit the UNP though they join the Government Meanwhile several senior Ministers have volunteered to sacrifice their portfolios to accommodate the new comers from the Opposition. Four SLMC MPs will also join the government along with the UNP MPs, sources added. Each cabinet minister would be entrusted with one portfolio and be paid the same salary drawn as a Member of Parliament. The salaries of Cabinet Ministers have been reduced to the level of MPs to avoid the additional cost of maintaining an expanded Cabinet.

Sri Lanka Security forces assisted by Police arrested 209 youths in Gampaha, 36 in Nittambuwa, 22 in Minuwangoda, and 7 in Borelesgamuwa Friday and Saturday during separate cordon and search operations, sources in Colombo said.Many were released after proving their identity, and others were detained for further questioning, sources said.Majority of the arrested youths are Tamils. Most of the youths are natives of Trincomalee, Killinochchi, Jaffna, Batticaloa, and Upcountry, and have been working in factories and other worksites in Sinhalese dominated areas, according to sources.

Controversial business tycoon Harry Jayawardene is alleged to have extorted US Dollars 2 million from a Sri Lankan born businessman involved in the international nuclear technology smuggling scandal. A letter written by “The father of the Pakistan nuclear bomb”, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan to the then President Chandrika Kumaratunge and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe reveals facts relating to this scandal. It has been reported that Jayawardene has taken US $ 2 million from a Sri Lankan born businessman, Buhary Syed Abu Tahir. Both Khan and Tahir are now under investigation for their involvement in selling nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

From a number of faxes exchanged between Jayawardene and Tahir subsequent to the letter written by Khan to President Kumaratunge in March 2003, suggests that Jayawardene had some knowledge of the illegal activities carried out by Khan and Tahir, well before western intelligence caught up with the network. “You state that Dr. Khan is a patron to Sri Lanka and all our political dignitaries know him well and some people you mentioned has been fully briefed by me, the nature of the operations carried out by him and by you in Dubai for a number of years” says Jayawardene in a letter going through a Stassen’s group fax line to Tahir on 3rd May 2003. Whether Jayawardene had informed President Kumaratunge or Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe about the activities of the international nuclear technology smugglers is speculative from that fax.

Khan who wrote in the capacity of the advisor to the Pakistan Prime Minister, which is equivalent to a post of federal minister in that country, has done so through the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Pakistan Lieutenant General Srilal Weerasooriya. Though the President and Prime Minister were appraised of the activities of Jayawardene, the government had not taken any action in that regard. Instead it is apparent that Jayawardene was informed of the allegations by those in government which prompted the tycoon to respond to Tahir. Khan confessed to his illegal nuclear activities in 2004 in a televised address. President Pervez Musharraf pardoned the scientist the very next day. Later Tahir was taken in to protective custody in Malaysia and was questioned by CIA officers

In Khan’s letter to President Kumaratunge he says that Jayawardene had wanted the US $ 2 million from Tahir so that a “local CID chief would find a way to make a deal with the Americans against some payment”. The letter alleges, Jayawardene had informed Tahir that the American domestic intelligence service, the Federal Beaureu of Investigation (FBI) was seeking the help of Sri Lankan police to investigate Tahir. Jayawardene in his letters to Tahir also reiterates that he will make sure that the authorities will inquire in to the latter’s activities unless Tahir agrees to his conditions. Subsequently Tahir has sent US $1.7 million in several instalments to the Stassens Group’s account at the Hatton National Bank. There seems to be an attempt to legitimise some of these transactions as a trade of tea. Stassens Group incidentally happens to be the main exporter of Sri Lankan tea to Libya. The whole nuclear scandal was revealed when Western intelligence officers boarded a ship carrying materials required for a nuclear material enrichment centrifuge, while on its way to Libya.

The Italian Government has defended the European Union ban on the LTTE, but has called the Government to re-open the negotiations as soon as possible.The visiting Italian State Minister for Foreign Affairs Gianni Vernetti told journalists before ending his visit on Friday that the ban was justified since the LTTE was continuing its terrorist activities.However Mr. Vernetti said the Italian government was expecting a quick resumption of peace talks and that the Italian Government would be monitoring the situation for further funding.He said that in addition to the EU ban, Italy was working together with other countries like Canada and the USA to track down the LTTE fund raising.

Mr. Vernetti also said though there was no serious problems of LTTE fund raising from Italy where over 100,000 Sri Lankan are working, the Italian Government would continue its efforts to track down on funding terrorist organization including the LTTE.He said his Government and the EU members would push for a dialogue and the revival of the peace process that would lead to stabilization.“We hope negotiations and a new peace process will start soon. The conflict has been on for too many years and there have been too many deaths”, he said.The minister met President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Human Rights and Natural Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and TNA leader R. Sampanthan. He also visited Italian government funded tsunami projects in the south.

Sri Lanka’s official candidate for the post of Secretary General of the UN Dr. Jayantha Dhanapala is to be reappointed as the chief of the Sri Lanka Peace Secretariat, government sources said.Sources said President Rajapakse is expected to appoint him to fill the void created by Dr. Palitha Kohona who was last week appointed as the Foreign Ministry secretary. He functioned as the Secretary General of the Government’s Peace Secretariat till the end of November 2005.

The Scotland Yard investigation team to assist the CID on the investigation into the assassination of MP Nadarajah Raviraj left the country yesterday and said they would be taking several exhibits to the UK for further analysis. The team had shared with the Sri Lankan authorities their experience and specialised expertise, including forensic and telephone analysis. While the British police team has no remit to carry out an investigation in Sri Lanka, at the Sri Lankan authorities’ request they will take a number of exhibits to the UK for further forensic tests, the results of which will be passed to the Sri Lankan investigating team, a statement of the British High Commision said. The British police team commented: “We are grateful for the close co-operation we enjoyed in working with the CID and other Sri Lankan authorities. We hope our assistance will help the Sri Lankan police to identify and bring to justice those responsible for this dreadful crime.”The British police team visited Sri Lanka in response to President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s request for British help to resolve this murder case.

More than half the members of the Government are allegedly linked to bribery and corruption but due to the lax attitude in taking action against them, the practice is continuing unabated and unrestrained, senior JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake charged.The JVP member who on Thursday revealed an attempt to lease the Government-owned business undertaking BCC in a fraudulent manner said appeals to President Manhinda Rajapaksa and senior ministers to act against those involved in these irregularities have been ignored. “There is large scale fraud and corruption allegedly involving many ministers but absolutely nothing has been done to stop them. They consider some of these politicians too valuable to get rid of because of the large number of preferential votes they get at elections,” Mr. Dissanayake told The Sunday Times.

He referred to the USA visa fraud case allegedly involving Sports Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga as well as a million rupee urea deal fraud case which were exposed in the media as well as in Parliament but said action against the alleged culprits have so far not been taken.“There is no political will to stop this kind of happening and it is the poor taxpayers’ money that is being cheated,” he lamented.He said the JVP was talking to its lawyers regarding taking legal action in the BCC case and would also request a Parliament debate on the issue. “The laws dealing with bribery and corruption are also inadequate and stronger laws are required,” he said.Mr.Dissanayake also referred to the latest plan to set up an airline named ‘Mihin Air’ and said how the funds are being acquired for this project is suspect and more public scrutiny is needed.“We need to make people aware that it is corruption that is the biggest hindrance to development in this country. It must be put on a people’s agenda and there must be more public discussion on the issue,” he added.

Parliament started its meetings for the year 2007 with the extension of the State of Emergency. In the background rumours of another exodus from the beleaguered UNP to support the Mahinda Rajapakse Government. Also on the cards was a Cabinet reshuffle and Government parliamentarians were heard having hush hush conversations about who could get axed in the reshuffle when the Cabinet shrinks to a smaller number.The political scenario was charged with tension while the main opposition party the UNP was more or less silent during the four days debate from Tuesday (9) to Friday.During the emergency debate on Tuesday, most of the Tamil National Alliance members including leader R. Sampanthan seemed to breathe fire accusing the President and Government of aerial bombing in the North and East targeting LTTE positions but killing civilians whom they said were living around the terrorist outfit’s military positions.

They were demanding the resumption of peace talks and TELO Muthalvar M. K. Sivajilingam of the TNA threatened the Government with dire consequences if military operations by the armed forces was not stopped and peace talks resumed. He climaxed the TNA’s assault saying that the Tamil people will hoist the Eelam flag even in the UN if the government did not behave.Two days were set apart for votes of condolence on the two TNA members killed, A. Chandranehru and Nadarajah Raviraj, but the TNA once again used the time for condolence on their political propaganda demanding a political settlement for the North and East, especially demanding the re-merger of the two provinces.

They pinned their hopes on the Indo-Lanka Agreement of 1987 and Sampanthan in a marathon speech of 90 minutes went on to say the Government should honour the agreement and according to international law, in his own interpretation, Sri Lanka had to merge the two provinces. He also said the temporary merger effected by President J. R. Jayawardene in effect was an amendment to the Constitution. More legal interpretations may come from this veteran parliamentarian and we may have to rethink the Roman Dutch Law that citizens of this country had never accepted as their law.

Since Sampanthan is a lawyer, he should try to go to the House of Common Archives in UK to see the parliamentary committee’s proceedings on Governor Brownrigg’s “mad dog hunt in Ceylon at the beginning of the 19th century. When he asked a witness before the committee, the Chief Justice whether the people of then Ceylon had accepted the Roman Dutch Law and when the reply was in the negative, Benjamin Disraeli who was later to become the Premier of England remarked “Then it is the Law of lawlessness.”

Apart from the historical significance of the law, we are saddled with the JHU parliamentary group leader, the Ven. Aturaliye Rathana Thera who pulled the bluff of the TNA when he pointed out that the Indo-Lanka Agreement of 1987 contained two clauses for the merger or de-merger of the two provinces. He said one condition was the LTTE should lay down arms and the President should be satisfied that the LTTE had in fact laid down their arms. The second condition was that there should be a referendum in the Eastern Province whether the people of the province want to remain merged. In the presence of an armed LTTE, he argued there could be no merger.

The SLMC leader in his own style of saying things while not saying anything pointed to the fact that the Muslims of the East were not agreeable to a merger with the North under the present conditions. But of course he said he had reached an agreement with the LTTE for the Muslims to be recognized as a separate entity in the East and for the Muslims to be represented at peace talks as a separate party. Wishful thinking and more wishful thinking, but the Muslims were better off before the LTTE took up arms against all others.

The debate also had other revelations when Irrigation Minister Anver Ismail spoke about a young Muslim politician of the East who supported the TULF Vaddukodai convention of 1976 and spoke on the TULF platform seeking to set up a separate state. But when the TULF had let down the young politician, M. H. M. Ashraff, he formed the SLMC to fight for the rights of the Muslims. Ismail said the Muslims of the East or North who were chased out by the LTTE will never agree to a merger with the North and it was the Wanni Tamils and not Eastern Tamils who want the merger. He said the Supreme Court decision to de-merge the provinces was an act of God.

The TNA informed parliament recently that Indian Prime Minister; Dr. ManMohan Singh, accepted the fact that the merger of the northern and eastern provinces was the corner stone of the peace process, at their meeting with him in New Delhi last month.The House debated the present situation in the two provinces as an adjournment motion, proposed by TNA leader R.Sampanthan.Starting the debate, Sampanthan said Dr. Singh had also admitted that the peace process would crumble, unless the merger was sustained. The TNA leader said the Indian Prime Minister had unambiguously reiterated India’s commitment, to restore the status-quo, as per the Indo-Lanka accord.Referring to the Supreme Court judgments, on the de-merger of the two provinces, he said there was no ruling that there could be no merger of these areas, as believed by some ‘un-informed’ people. He said the Supreme Court only ruled the procedure adapted to this effect, was defective.

Sampanthan said they respectfully disagree with the view taken by the Supreme Court, based upon a procedural flaw.However, he noted it is difficult to comprehend that this so called procedural flaw was discovered only after a period of 18 years and after several Presidents acted in pursuance of the proclamation made by the late President, J.R. Jayawardena. He pointed out the co-chairs had also realised the importance of sustaining the merger until a political settlement was found. He said they carried out a non-violent campaign for three decades, but gained nothing to solve their grievances.“The LTTE is a phenomenon created by you. We did not create it. Please do not forget that,” he said. Referring to an article appeared in the ‘Daily Mirror’ on Tuesday, he said the government was planning to re-settle so ex-servicemen of the army in Trincomalee.

He said that these ex-servicemen had been escorted to Trincomalee by the army on December 30.Sampanthan queried from the government whether such information revealed in the article was true or not.Commenting on the governments attempts to find a final solution, he said the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, had pledged to give President Mahinda Rajapaksa some more time to come up with a concrete solution, accommodating the legitimate aspirations of Tamil people. He said Prabhakaran referred to this matter in his Maveerar Day speech in 2005.“There is no solution yet. What has happened to the experts’ committee report? The JVP walked out of it. The JHU threatened to tear it up. The President and the Media Minister said they had nothing to do with it,” he said. He also queried as to what had happened to the ISGA proposals that were submitted during the time of the then Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremasinghe, in 2005.Sampanthan said former President Chandrika Kumaratunga took over three ministries, and later dissolved parliament. He said she was now crying over mistakes done at that time.

ZOA Refugee Care, a Dutch Christian aid group said that their office was stormed yesterday by hardliner Buddhist monks belonged to the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party. The NGO is under suspicion by Sri Lanka military for providing assistance to the Tamil rebels in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.They say that the monks reportedly threatened them to leave the island. Around 8-10 Buddhist monks from JHU with 70-80 supporters rushed into the premises, took the attendance registers and some keys and photographed everybody, said a ZOA official.Defence Ministry yesterday alleged that a fully equipped hospital has been built by ZOA in the recently captured Stanley Base. The same NGO has build around 500 houses under tsunami aid to LTTE Mahaveera families in the Kanchikudichchiaru forest area, it said.Sri Lanka Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday that the government was investigating a number of foreign and local aid groups it suspected of helping the Tigers, after some equipment provided by these NGOs were found in a recently captured Tamil Tiger camp in Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

A 'Grama Sevaka' (village level administration officer) was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at his office situated in front of the historic Sellasannithi Murugan Temple in Thonadamanaru, around 4:30 p.m., Friday, police said. Four village level officers have been shot dead in Jaffna during the past 6 months. The victim was identified as Vellaiyan Premachandran,46. His body was lying inside the office til Saturday.Villagers said the GS was killed by two men who had come to his office in a motorbike.His body was brougt to Thonadamanaru hospital, Saturday morning, medical sources said.Thonadamanaru is about 30 km. northeast of Jaffna town, in the Vadamaradchi sector of the Jaffna peninsula.

The Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal - the political arm of the Karuna faction has sought full government security for its political offices in the East in the face of frequent attacks by the LTTE.Meanwhile TMVP officials and representatives from Muslim federations in Batticaloa and Colombo met over the past three days to ease tensions that had arisen between the two sides over a land dispute in the Muslim dominated Kattankudy.At least five TMVP political offices operating in government controlled areas of Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara have been attacked by suspected LTTE cadres over the past two months killing six TMVP activists.Despite the Karuna faction operating a military wing in the jungles of Batticaloa and Trincomalee according to TMVP spokesman Azad Maulana the victims killed were unarmed, political activists.

“The government has a responsibility to provide security to our unarmed political offices just like it does to the TNA offices,” Mr. Maulana told the Daily Mirror. The Karuna faction, which also operates an office in Kollupitiya in Colombo, has been blamed for several abductions in the East and was also cited in SLMM reports, Human Rights Watch and UN envoy Allen Rock alleging links with the security forces.Karuna Amman, the former Eastern LTTE commander, has however denied such links and while preparing to enter mainstream politics, is also apparently involved in a campaign to eliminate the LTTE from the East.Meanwhile in Muslim dominated Kattankudy and Batticaloa tensions were high between the TMVP and Muslims following isolated clashes between the two sides. The issue was also taken up in parliament by the SLMC this week.Mr. Maulana said tensions triggered over the land dispute was later settled amicably following meetings between the two sides.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe will meet President Mahinda Rajapakse on Monday (15) to discuss the issue concerning the Government’s acceptance of UNP defectors. UNP sources said that the Opposition Leader will inform the President that if the Government accepts any more MPs from the main Opposition party, then the MoU, between the SLFP and the UNP, will be jeopardised. The UNP sources said that encouraging cross over from the Opposition ranks would certainly violate the provisions of the MoU, entered into by the two major parties, to pull the country out of the current crisis.A senior party spokesman said that if the Government had a genuine need to find a solution for the North East crisis it needs to protect the MoU between the two parties and not engage in a campaign to weaken the main Opposition party.

In a controversial move, Government Peace Secretariat Chief Palitha Kohona was yesterday appointed foreign secretary by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.Dr. Kohona is also the special advisor to the President on the peace process and he succeeds H.M.G.;S. Palihakkara.Geetha de Silva who was acting foreign secretary after Mr. Palihakkara’s retirement is to be appointed Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva soon. Reports in recent days indicated that Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera wanted the appointment of a career diplomat as Foreign Secretary and opposed a move by the President to appoint Dr. Kohona to the post.Other differences have also cropped up between the President and the Foreign Minister.

The Sri Lankan Government says around 60,000 people have been displaced by flooding caused by torrential monsoon rains.The death toll from last week's landslides has also risen to 13. Sri Lanka's central tea growing hills are prone to landslides during monsoons, particularly in the district of Nuwara Eliya renowned for its lush plantations."A total of 12,500 families have been affected due to the floods and landslides," Major General Gamini Hettiarrachchi, head of the National Disaster Management Centre, told Reuters."That is about 60,000 people." The south-eastern district of Hambantota, which was pounded by the 2004 tsunami, has also been badly affected.The Government says hundreds of houses have been damaged and thousands of people remain stranded in the central hills.The Government is temporarily housing the displaced in schools and welfare centres.

Controversy surrounds Minister Tissa Vitharana’s recommendations to facilitate a negotiated settlement to the ethnic crisis. Vitharana who heads the All Party Representative Committee recently forwarded a fresh set of proposals after President Mahinda Rajapakse rejected what is dubbed as the majority report prepared by an expert panel.It recommended ethnic enclaves, weakening the presidency, extraordinary powers to provincial councils and a Constitutional Court outside the ambit of Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. Of the 17 members of the expert panel, 11 had endorsed the report. The report also called for the merger of the Eastern Province with the Northern Province for a 10-year period.

A constitutional expert emphasized that Vitharana had gone beyond the majority report. "What the minister recommended is absurd," he said. According to him the minister had recommended that the de-merger of the Eastern Province from the North should be decided in consultation with the LTTE at the negotiating table. Another controversial proposal is the move to establish a powerful Constitutional Court with absolute power. If this materialised, it would have a catastrophic impact. He expressed the belief that this was part of the strategy to pressure President Rajapakse to give in to an arrangement acceptable to the international community.Vitharana handed over copies of his recommendations to political parties on January 8. He expects these parties to respond by January 22.

The sources pointed out that Vitharana came out with his set of proposals despite the government distancing itself from the majority report which triggered a storm of protests. The JVP and JHU dismissed the proposals. Claiming that some of the panellists responsible for the majority report had been involved in Vitharana’s effort, the JHU vowed to defeat the move. However the JHU acknowledged that Vitharana omitted two key proposals-the merger of the Eastern Province with the North for a 10-year period and setting up of ethnic enclaves. "It was the only positive thing about Vitharana’s report," a JHU spokesman said.Political sources said the President would not accept the minister’s proposals. The President was fully aware of the danger, the sources said, adding that the supporters of the majority report and Vitharana’s recommendations believed that the SLFP-led PA and the UNP could reach a consensus on an acceptable arrangement.

A retired Army Major, who had allegedly attempted to sexually harass a female security officer working in a private security firm, was granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate yesterday.Colombo Additional Magistrate, Ajith Anawaratne, granted bail to the suspect, Hapuhandige Terrance Prasanna Pujitha Wijeyratne of Papiliyana Boralesgamuwa, on Rs. 5000 cash bail and Rs. 50,000 personal bail. He had been produced on charges of attempted sexual assault on a woman. The arrest was made following a complaint by the woman last December 15. According to the complaint, the suspect had invited her out and when she refused had threatened to kidnap her. The complainant, who had been employed as a security officer at a tea firm in Thotalanga, had later joined the City Alert security firm, where the suspect was the Operations Manager. During this period the suspect had invited her to have an affair with him and had offered her any amount of money she wanted. She stated that because he was a retired army officer she had been frightened to make a complaint against him.

Later while the suspect had retired from the security firm the girl had joined another company. On December 15 evening, the suspect, who was under the influence of liquor, had come to her workplace and had invited to go out with him. When she has refused he had threatened to kidnap her.At this point she had informed her superiors and with the intervention of other employees he was sent away. She said this incident had instilled fear in her and had caused her much embarrassment. When produced before court, the suspect sought bail. Releasing him on cash bail the court ordered him to appear, between 9 am and 12 pm on the last Sunday of every month, before the Grandpass police. The suspect was also ordered not to leave the country and ordered to handover his passport to court.

Boat with around 166 suspected Asian and African migrants arrives at Spain's Canary Islands

Associated Press Writer - He said authorities believe the boat started its voyage in Sri Lanka - and said most of the those aboard, all men, were suspected to have come from Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka - . Fifteen were Sub-Saharan Africans. Under Spanish law, authorities have 40 days to identify and repatriate illegal migrants and must free them if the deadline is not met. About 31,000 mostly African migrants fleeing poverty reached Spain's Canary Islands by boat in 2006, almost as many arrivals as in the previous four years combined. Some 1,975 migrants have arrived in El Hierro, the smallest of the seven islands of the archipelago off west Africa with a population of 10,000. The increase has happened despite the presence of EU sea and air patrols set up off the West African coast in recent months to try to curtail the tide of illegal immigrants. The vast majority of immigrants sail from west Africa in crowded open boats, many perishing en route. Others attempt to reach mainland Spain's southern coast by crossing the Mediterranean from north Africa.

When the essential food items arrived from India entered the open Market Thursday, the prices of potatoes, Tomatoes, chilies and other itmes dropped dramatically, some reaching the normal prices that existed before the closure of A9 on 11 August, sources in Jaffna said. A Jaffna based businessperson who was earlier importing cement from India direct to Jaffna before the closure of A9 road, has organized the shipment, sources said. The ship named ‘Hund’ anchored Wednesday at Point Pedro harbor and unloading of food items is continuing.Jaffna residents said a kilo of potatoes has dropped to Rs.100 from Rs. 1000.

“Sri Lankan Army (SLA) soldiers Tuesday night entered three Jaffna based Tamil newspaper offices, threatened the staff, and took away at gun point the press communiqué from Jaffna University Students Union (JUSU) waiting to be published," said Kirushnan Sivanesan, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian for Jaffna district Wednesday. “A group of Army personnel in a number of vehicles intruded the ‘Yarl Thinakkural’, ‘Uthayan’ and ‘Valampuri’ newspaper offices, instructed the editorial staff not to publish the report of JUSU. Colombo, through the SLA has embarked on crippling the Jaffna media using the recently introduced Emergency regulations.“Intimidations and restrictions on media institutions are escalating. Uthayan office had come under attack in May and following the incident Police protection was given to the office. However, the SLA soldiers ignored the security, entered the office and have committed the crime. I condemn this act vehemently,” the MP said.The JUSU communique contained a call for a general shut down in the Peninsula and none of the newspapers published the report on Wednesday.

In a prelude to the expected crossover of Opposition members to the Government President Mahinda Rajapaksa met several key Cabinet ministers yesterday to discuss the possibility of them parting with some of their portfolios, sources told the Daily Mirror.Among those present at the meeting were Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Maithripala Sirisena and Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.Meanwhile contrary to speculation that President Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe wiould meet this week, it is reliably learnt that the latest dialogue would be early next week.The duo had met and chatted briefly during a reception on Tuesday when the question of the next meeting on national issues as well as the MoU came up but no firm commitment was regarding a specific date. Sources from both camps confirmed last night that the meeting of the two was likely early next week.However the delay prompted speculation that crossovers by UNP MPs may take place this week followed by swearing in of them as ministers.

The number of Tamil businessmen and youth being abducted from Colombo is seeing an increase since this week and four have gone missing in two days.One of them is a 36 year old resident of Kotahena. He is a trader at the st. john's fish market and while he was returning from a restaurant a group of armed men that had arrived in a van had abducted him at around 5.30 pm last Sunday (5). Since then there has not been any information regarding the relevant person and his relatives had lodged a complain in this regard with the Kotahena police.Meanwhile another youth who had gone to Wellawatte to meet his girl friend had gone missing. S. chandrakumara is a 26 year old resident of Grandpass. His parents had lodged a complain to the Kotahena police that he has not returned home since he left for Wellawatte last Sunday. He had been running his fathers business and was scheduled to get married on the 28th of this month.Minister Radhakrishna has also been informed of these abductions.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress has appointed a nine-member team in response to an SLFP request to negotiate matters relating to joining the Government.The SLFP offer comes amidst President Mahinda Rajapaksa's move to get a number of UNPers to join Government ranks and head for a Cabinet reshuffle soon.In response to a letter by SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena, SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem has appointed the committee including all its Parliamentarians and district leaders, officials said.The two parties are likely to meet this week to discuss the terms and conditions of joining the Government. The Government has also kept the doors open for UNP members to join its ranks.“If the UNP Parliamentarians are willing to join the Government, we are ready to take them in,” Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa told a news conference where he briefed journalists on Cabinet decisions. Responding to a question whether the crossovers would affect the SLFP-UNP MoU, Mr. Yapa said the agreement was only limited to certain specific issues where the two sides agreed to cooperate and work towards a consensus.But UNP leaders have indicated the MoU would be in danger if the Government encouraged or accepted any more crossovers, unless the MP concerned first resigned his or her seat.

Former Chief Justice S. Sharvananda passed away in Australia on Wednesday. He was 84. Sharvananda was also the first Governor of the Western Province at the inception of the Provincial Council system in 1988. An old boy of Hindu College, Jaffna, he obtained his BA while a student of Law College. He held the office of Chief Justice from 1984 to 1988. He was appointed Western Province Governor for a second time in 1993.

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) announced over its Palaly based radio Thursday that the 9:00 p.m to 4:00 am curfew in Jaffna peninsula was extended two hours from 7:00 p.m to 4:00 a.m with effect from Thursday night. Meanwhile, the SLA high command in Jaffna banned the use of all lightweight motor cycles in Jaffna peninsula from Wednesday, sources from Jaffna said. Hundreds of 50 cc motorcycles confiscated by the SLA are held in the various SLA camps in Jaffna peninsula.The owners of the motorcycles who wish to continue to use them, have to register their particulars at the nearest SLA camp, the SLA said.As a result, owners of the lightweight motorcycles in their thousands are seen waiting near the SLA camps in the peninsula to have their particulars registered.SLA fears that the light motorcycles, mostly used by women, can be used by armed persons to attack them.

The Special Task Force yesterday captured another LTTE camp in Kanchikudichchiaru in Ampara killing at least 4 rebel cadres and recovering several boats and tents donated by two world organisations, the military spokesman said. Two STF personnel were injured in the battle.“Elite forces personnel recovered boats and tents donated by Save the Children and UNHCR from the newly captured LTTE 'Janaka' base in Kanchikudichcharu,” spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe claimed.He said the two boats had ‘Save the Children’ marked on them and believed the LTTE had been forcibly taking over tsunami aid donated by NGOs to affected people.The troops also captured a large factory inside the ‘Janaka’ camp where uniforms were stitched for LTTE cadres, he said.

The military spokesman said several military items including weapons and ammunition, motor cycles and other vehicles had also been recovered from within the camp. Among the other items recovered were a generator (15 Kw), 10 sewing machines, one Global Positioning System (GPS), STF uniforms, one roll of STF camouflage material, a stock of Army Ranaviru apparel camouflage material, one night vision sniper rifle, one monocular night vision device and a light machine gun (LMG). The STF gained control of seven sub-camps of the Tigers in the vicinity of the newly overrun ‘Janaka’ camp and confirmed that one of the camps captured was meant for female cadres. LTTE cadres had launched mortar attacks from the ‘Janaka’ camp at STF personnel deployed around the ‘Stanley Base’ which fell to the forces on Monday. A fully equipped hospital known as ‘Thileepan’ situated inside the Stanley Base was discovered. The military claimed the ‘Thileepan’ hospital had been built by a Netherlands based NGO identified as ZOA. The NGO had also built some 500 houses utilising tsunami aid to LTTE mahaveera families in the Kanchikudichicharu forest area.

The FMM is concerned over reports it has received that Minister for Transport A.H.M. Fowzie threatened journalist M.A.M Nilam over coverage related to the minister and his son. This incident took place after a press conference on 9th January (Tuesday) at the minister's office, in front of other journalists.According to Mr. Nilam, the Minister told him that his limbs would be broken if he persists in writing on allegations of corruption related to his Hajji pilgrimage. There have been several newspaper reports on alleged corruption in organizing the pilgrimage involving the minister and his son. FMM decries the Minister's attitude towards the responsibility of the press to hold politicians accountable for their actions, and condemns the threat directed against Mr. Nilam. In a situation where journalists are already under immense pressure resulting from threats of violence directed against them, verbal threats of this nature may deter journalists from acting as watch-dogs of democracy. Mr. Nilam has 35 years of journalism behind him and is a Senior Reporter in the Daily Thinakkural and also serves as the Vice-President of Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF).FMM strongly urges the minister respect the role of the media and engage with criticism and allegations directed against him through the media in a manner more befitting his role as a public servant holding high political office and invite him to discuss this issue with journalist organizations in order to clarify matters.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has warned against the setting up of beef stalls in the TNA-controlled Local Government area of Trincomalee saying it would pass a resolution against the move at the World Hindu Conference in February.VHP Coordinator for Asia and Pacific Zones Swami Vijayananad has written to TNA leader R. Sampanthan that the sentiments of the vast majority of the Hindus were being trampled on to appease a few in the area.“With great sorrow we learn that new beef stall is being put up at Uppuveli junction in Trincomalee by the TNA-elected Pradeshiya Sabha ignoring all protests of the Hindus. We also learn the same type of beef stall is being set up on the main Trincomalee-Colombo road,” the Parishad stated in a letter.

It said setting up beef stalls in Trincomalee where the Sri Koneswaram Kovil is situated, would defile its sanctity while hurting the sentiments of the world Hindu community.He requested the TNA leader to stop setting up beef stalls in Trincomalee, warning a resolution would be passed at the forthcoming World Hindu Conference to be held in Triveni (Prayag) from February 11 to 13, to condemn such heinous acts.Mr. Sampanthan was not available for comment on the matter. However, party’s MP for Jaffna district M.K. Sivajilingam said the setting up of beef stalls could not be stopped completely, because the rights of all religions practiced in the town should be respected.“This is the TNA policy. If there are only Hindus living in Trincomalee, we can stop it. “But there are other communities who eat beef. So, we should look into their interests too,” he said

Nalini seeks entry permit for daughter

The Madras High Court yesterday permitted Nalini, convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, to file a petition to amend her earlier plea for a direction to authorities to issue a visa to her daughter in Sri Lanka.Allowing Nalini to amend her plea to ask authorities to issue a permit to her daughter instead of a visa, a division bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice K Chandru directed the Centre to file its counter-affidavit by February 2.The 14-year-old Megara, is the daughter of Nalini and Sriharan alias Murugan, among those sentenced to death in the assassination case.On December 20, the High Court had admitted Nalini's appeal for a direction to authorities to issue a visa for her daughter to come to India. The appeal was against Justice Prabha Sridevan's order of October 31 last year that turned down her plea to grant a visa to Megara to study in India.Megara was born in Vellore prison on January 21, 1992, and taken to Sri Lanka after her parents were convicted and sentenced to death in the assassination case in January 1998.Nalini's death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment on the intervention of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

While claiming responsibility for attacks on civilians in the South, the ‘Ellalan Force’ considered to be an offshoot of the LTTE, has warned of more attacks if the Government continues with its military action in the north and east.In a letter to the Daily Mirror the Ellalan Force said the attack was a serious warning to the Government and carried a strong message that the rebels would not remain silent. The letter was dated January 5 - the day the first bus bombing was carried out in Nittambuwa.The Ellalan Force also accused the international community of remaining silent despite persistent attacks by the Government forces on civilian locations in the North and East noting that the ‘passive approach’ would only help boost state terrorism.

The LTTE, as usual, denied responsibility over the twin bus bombings and blamed the Government of attempting to tarnish its image. The Ellalan Force claimed the LTTE’s silence was due to the ‘healthy name’ it had earned in the political arena.The LTTE has often said groups like the ‘Ellalan Force’ the ‘Makkal Padai’ and the ‘High Security Zones Peoples Army’, which often claim responsibility over attacks in the South and claymore attacks on the military, are made up of civilians but the Government charges the LTTE is attempting to mislead the international community by passing the ball.

Democratic Left Front Leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara yesterday charged that certain elements within the government were involved in the attack on a public rally in Nugegoda on Tuesday.Mr. Nanayakkara in a statement said the attack on the United People’s Movement rally was a blot the President and the government and therefore insisted an impartial probe be carried out to identify the culprits.“I also wish to place on record that I personally intimated to the authorities concerned about the information I had received about the impending attack about an hour prior to the attack,” he said.

A four-member Military Court appointed by the Navy is trying the officers responsible for the failure to abort the LTTE attack on the Galle Harbour on October 18, a Defence Ministry official said yesterday.The military court headed by Deputy Chief of Staff Wasantha Tennakoon will take punitive action against any officer or officers found guilty of dereliction of duty.The official said the Military Court was appointed by Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda following allegations that the Southern Naval Command had not taken adequate preventive measures despite receiving intelligence reports that the Tigers were to launch an attack on the Harbour.

He said the Military Court began the inquiry on January 4 and several Navy officers had been summoned to give evidence.On October 18 LTTE suicide boats launched an attack on the ‘Dakshina’ naval base in Galle killing at least one sailor and a civilian and injuring several others.Due to the attack a water jet type attacking boat of the Navy was completely destroyed and several other boats were also damaged. However, the Navy was able to minimize the damage to the harbour and its properties.The two-hour battle that followed left at least 15 LTTE cadres dead and in five boats destroyed.

Currency	Buying (Rs.)		Selling (Rs.)
US Dollar	107.81		109.07
Sterling Pound	208.00		211.35
Euro	139.25		141.76
Swiss Franc	86.03		88.24
Australian Dollar	83.83		85.82
Singapore Dollar	69.80		71.23
Japanese Yen	0.8967		0.9161
Country		Currency		Indicative Rate(RS.)

Bahrain	Dinar	287.50
Kuwait	Dinar	374.94
Oman	Rial	281.56
Qatar	Riyal	29.77
Saudi Arabian	Riyal	28.90
UAE	Dirham	29.51

The European Commission yesterday called for an end to conflict and greater access to civilians who are in need of aid especially in Vakarai where some 15,000 displaced are without food and urgent medical supplies.European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) has decided to direct funds to assist the displaced civilians in Vakarai through agencies operating on the ground.“But it is essential that greater access is provided and that the conflict ceases if these innocent civilians are to be helped effectively,” Sri Lanka European Commission Delegation Head Julian Wilson said in a statement.“The crisis in Vakarai continues to cause great suffering to innocent civilians. The European Commission’s Humanitarian Organisation has directed funds to provide supplies and other help to these civilians. This support is being directed through very experienced and professional agencies such as ICRC, NRC, ZOA, ACTED, DRC, IOM, UNHCR, and WFP which have long experience in the conflict affected areas of Sri Lanka. Their tireless efforts have ensured that some support has reached these most vulnerable groups, regardless of their race, ethnic group, religion, gender, age, nationality or political affiliation,” Mr. Wilson said.

Regular and ongoing distributions by ECHO’s partners over the last two months have provided several thousand kilograms of staple foods such as rice, dhal, bread, bananas and milk powder and a variety of non-food relief items such as mosquito repellent coils, mosquito nets, candles, matches, buckets, kitchen utensils, clothes and more, to help alleviate the suffering of these vulnerable populations from Vakarai. “As in previous disasters and emergencies in Sri Lanka, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), active in Sri Lanka since 1994, has supported affected communities through its professional, high quality and impartial partner organisations, consisting of NGOs, UN agencies and the Red Cross family. These capable organisations work in close coordination with the Government of Sri Lanka and the local authorities, as well as the other agencies active in the area,” said Colombo European Commission Humanitarian Office Head David Verboom.

A gruesome and dastardly act was committed on a ten-month-old baby boy and the domestic aide of an electronic media journalist yesterday afternoon by a gang of five masked men, while the journalist and his wife were out.The intruders had threatened the domestic aide and had injured the private parts of the baby before gang raping the aide. The suspects had then ransacked the place and had set fire to some of the important documents and office ware of the journalist before fleeing the house. Both the baby and the domestic aide had been later admitted to National hospital in a critical condition.Peliyagoda police are conducting the investigations.

Reporters Without Borders voiced deep concern today about the fact that journalists are being denied all access to war zones while a war of words and figures is being waged between the government and the Tamil armed separatists, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)."This week's Padahuthurai bombing tragically showed that the lack of independent information is detrimental to the public interest and allows the two sides to feed their propaganda," the press freedom organisation said."It is imperative that the president should order the army to allow journalists access to the theatre of military operations and to the zones controlled by the LTTE," Reporters Without Borders added. "It is important that the LTTE should also ensure that journalists are able to move about freely."

The organisation called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa to do everything possible to allow Jaffna-based newspapers to get supplies of newsprint and ink quickly in order to be able to continue publishing. The local press is in danger of disappearing because of serious problems of supplies and distribution.The Tamil dailies Uthayan, Valampuri and Yarl Thinakkural have been reduced to publishing four-page issues instead of ones containing nearly 20 pages, which they normally produce. They could be forced to stop publishing altogether after 15 January if the authorities, especially the army, do not let them have newsprint and ink delivered from Colombo.

Northern Sri Lanka is suffering serious shortages as a result of the closure of the A9 highway from Colombo to Jaffna, which goes through areas controlled by the LTTE. The price of newsprint has tripled in recent weeks. The Tamil population in the Jaffna region relies on these three dailies as its source of news and information.Uthayan was one of the nominees for the Reporters Without Borders press freedom prize in 2006. Four of its employees in Jaffna were killed last year and the newspaper's premises were attacked several times. Most of the journalists working for Vaalampuri and Yarl Thinakkural have been threatened because of their coverage of the situation in the Jaffna peninsula.

In recent weeks, the armed forces and the LTTE have been waging a war of words and figures about ongoing military operations. On 2 January, the Sri Lanka air force bombed what it described as an LTTE military base near the western village of Padahuthurai. The Tamil Tigers responded that the air strike killed 15 civilians without hitting any military objective. No independent journalist has been able to enter the area.As a result, some of the Sinhalese and English-language media in Colombo have relayed the information provided by the government, without verifying it, while Tamil-language media and websites have been using the information and pictures provided by the LTTE. In the case of Padahuthurai, the death of civilians was confirmed only because of the bishop of Mannar's presence in the area.

The press has not been allowed to cover the fighting taking place in the eastern Vaharai region. Thousands of civilians are trapped in an area surrounded by government troops, and are being prevented from fleeing by the LTTE.The army has been stopping the press from entering combat zones and regions controlled by the LTTE for the past several months. Reporters Without Borders already condemned this last August. The Sri Lankan army denied several journalists access to strategic towns such as Muttur where dozens of civilians had been killed in fighting.

The lack of independent reporting feeds rumors and propaganda. The governmental Daily News newspaper recently claimed, without any evidence, that Norwegian mediators had offered a TV set to the head of the LTTE.These press freedom violations are being compounded by the self-censorship that has become obligatory as a result of the restoration of anti-terrorism legislation in December. The government had been planning to arrest Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickremathunga under its provisions last week for revealing that a luxurious bunker was being built for the president.At the same time, three state media journalists were last month summoned for questioning by the police while a leading investigative journalist, Iqbal Attas, said he had been forced to censor himself on security issues because of the reactivation of the anti-terrorism legislation.

Statement made by Dr. Vickramabahu Karunarathne at the press conference 09th January 2007 held at ex-Minister S.B. Dissanayake's house.

In the past we have gone through the periods of President J.R. Jayawardana, Premadasa and Chandrika. But never in the political history of Sri Lanka had we witnessed political thugerry of this kind. So openly and nakedly a Minister of Mahinda regime, Mervin De Silva came with a group of thugs and attacked the supporters of the meeting including a leading member of my party, Gnanasiri Koththigada. Police stood there, unable to do anything to protect the stage of the meeting organized with due police permission. Police was unable to protect a legal meeting from the law breakers sent by the President. Mervin De Silva is only a shadow of Mahind Rajapakse, who really organized this attack from the Presidential house. For the first time in the history a President representing Sinhala chauvinism and the power of international capital brutally dispersed a meeting to be held to protect the right of autonomy and federalism to the Tamil speaking people and to oppose hunger and oppression. Mahinda regime, in the last few months used Sinhala chauvinism and the emergency powers to suppress workers struggles in oil, port, railway and estate sectors. Already government has declared that same type of attack against telecom workers. Mahinda's genocidal war against Tamil speaking people has killed hundreds of innocent people while displacing thousands. In retaliation Tamil militants have blasted bus loads of innocent people in the South. Mahinda is the creator of this barbaric bloody situation. His military policy backed by political and judicial decisions is to destroy Tamil nationality and the Muslim identity. He wants to destroy the Tamil nationality by separating the North and the East, dividing the Tamil homeland. He uses aerial and missile attacks disregarding innocent civilians hoping to wipe out Tamil Tigers. He attempts to terrorize Muslims in to submission. This attack shows that he dos not tolerate any criticism. But he is backed by Ranil the leader of the opposition and the UNP, Vasudeva, Thissa Witharana, Dew Gunasekara the leaders of the old left. Can these gentlemen tell us why they support, this chauvinist oppressive regime backed by the world reaction. Do they see any social reforms? Do they see an iota of concessions to the Tamil speaking people? Why do they support this reactionary chauvinist regime? They must get out immediately. They must withdraw support. We appeal to all those who stand for democracy to get together and fight back with us. We appeal to the international left democratic forces, to help us to get out of this bloody hell hall created by the chauvinist reactionary Mahinda regime.

The New York based rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) yesterday called on the international community to back its condemnation of attacks taking place in Sri Lanka by insisting on implementing mechanisms on the ground to address the deteriorating situation.In an e-mail interview with the Daily Mirror HRW Asian director reiterated the need for an international human rights monitoring group in the face of civilians either directly or indirectly being targeted by the LTTE and the security forces.His comments follow the Mannar aerial attack which resulted in at least 50 civilian casualties and what seemed to be retaliatory attacks on two civilian passenger buses in the south killing more than 20 and injuring close to 100 others.“Civilians are yet again the casualties of this war. Both the security forces and the LTTE continue to disregard the safety of civilians, evident in the twin bus bombings apparently by the LTTE in the south and the Air Force bombings of Mannar island,” Mr. Adams said.

The United Nations and the United States were among those who condemned the attacks but fell short of insisting on both the Government and the LTTE to either take immediate measures to combat the rise of civilian casualties or come under the hammer of the international community.The International Committee of the Red Cross also condemned the two deadly bus bomb attacks on January 5 and 6 and launched an urgent appeal to all parties involved in the conflict to respect international human rights and to ensure civilians and civilian infrastructure is protected at all times.“The international community needs to go beyond statements of condemnation and work towards creating mechanisms on the ground, such as international human rights monitoring to address the deteriorating situation,” the HRW director said.

Mr. Adams also said both the Government and the LTTE need to accept such a mechanism to show their seriousness about protecting civilians and added that merely issuing denials or blaming the other side was unacceptable.Meanwhile UNHCR says more than 20,000 people who have fled fighting and harsh conditions in Vakarai in the past three weeks still face many problems and an uncertain future despite reaching relative safety. Press reports have cited people crossing frontlines, fording swollen rivers and braving crossfire to escape the rebel-controlled area. “But there are still many struggles ahead,” Yoko Akasaka, head of the UNHCR field office in Batticaloa said in a statement. “Emergency sites are hosting people at twice their actual capacity, the district is facing a potential food shortage and many families have been separated in flight or during transport to emergency sites,” he said.UNHCR continues to receive reports of people escaping from the Vakarai region via jungle paths or along coastal routes. Most bring few belongings and nobody is carrying food – two months of heavy fighting has prevented vital supplies from entering Vakarai."The humanitarian community can give basic relief, can help people find their families again, but there are bigger questions that also need to be addressed - the trauma people have gone through, the livelihoods and property they have left behind, and their fears for the future,” Mr. Akasaka said.

Alleged Tamil tiger extradited to US

Officials in Indonesia say they have extradited an alleged Tamil Tiger rebel to the United States. A police spokesman in Jakarta said that Pratheepan Thavarajah has been sentenced by a court in the US, in absentia, to fifteen years in prison for trying to smuggle weapons to his home country. Mr Thavarajah was arrested in Indonesia earlier in January, as he tried to board a flight to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

Arunakirinathan Niruparaj, the third year science student at the Jaffna campus who was abducted from Kokuvil area on 3rd January, allegedly by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and collaborating paramilitaries, was released by his captors Wednesday early morning 2:00 a.m in front of his residence, sources in Jaffna said. Niruparaj has been subjected to severe torture, can hardly speak, and has been admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.Niruparaj did not reveal details of the abductors or information of his torture. Relatives said that severe wounds to his body and face bore hallmarks of extended periods of torture. Jaffna University Student Union (JUSU) in its statement to media Tuesday had urgently requested authorities concerned to ensure the safety of the students and to release all abducted students. The JUSU had also warned that it would agitate and boycott schools from Wednesday until its requests are fulfilled. Attendance in schools dropped sharply in response to the JUSU statement though some students did attend school as the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) command in Jaffna had warned students not to boycott schools. All school services of the Central Transport Board were suspended since the burning of one of their buses near Jaffna Hindu College on Monday.

Plans to introduce electoral reforms are gathering momentum with the Select Committee handling the matter having completed as much as 95% of its work, according to Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Minister D.E.W. Gunasekera.The minister told the Daily Mirror yesterday all the political parties represented in Parliament have agreed, in principle, that reforms should be based on the German model which is considered to be one of the most progressive systems in the world. The German electoral system, often referred to as a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system, has been adopted by many countries in recent years including New Zealand, Hungary, Italy, Venezuela and Bolivia.“The key objectives of the reforms will be to ensure political stability for the governing party – whichever party it may be – and give fair representation to all the ethnic and religious communities,” the minister said.

He said Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s return to the country this week was awaited to finalise a draft proposal to change the country’s electoral system which will feature a combination of the first past-the-post system and proportional representation.There has been a unanimous decision to retain the number of seats at the present 225 while three proposals have been put forward with regard to seat allocation: 125 (FPTP) and 100 (PR), or vice versa or 140 (FPTP) and 85 (PR).Other Government sources told the Daily Mirror that now only the UNP stamp of approval was required to obtain the required 2/3rds majority to forge ahead with the reforms. According to them, divergence of opinion among the UNP could prove to be the only remaining barrier and this may not have been the case if Ranil Wickremesinghe was a member of the Select Committee. The Government, however, is confident that any issues could be ironed out within the UNP itself and that an agreement in this regard, will be reached soon.

The ongoing investigation of the assassination of TNA MP Nadaraja Raviraj is reportedly in progress where the visiting English detectives probing the case had visited the crime scene and had collected fresh evidence. The Scotland Yard team of experts had on several occasions during the past couple of days visited and collected evidence at Martha Road, Elvitigala Flats the place where Mr. Raviraj was gunned down. According to CID sources the detectives had recorded statements from a number of persons who regularly visit and inhabit the area especially several eyewitnesses as well. In the meantime the investigators had visited the Attorney Genera’s Department and had examined the productions of the case, the gun used for the shooting, spent cartridges, a bag used to carry the weapon were some of the items.A Senior Superintendent of Police attached to the CID is reportedly taking care of the foreign team whilst necessary man power of sleuths had also been granted.

Karuna paramilitary group imposed a "ban" to sell Thinakural, Sudaroli and other newspapers in Trincomalee district, the proprietors of the news papers said. The News agents were summoned by the Karuna group in Trincomalee Tuesday and threatened they would be shot to death if they fail to comply, according to sources. Karuna group had banned the sale of Thinakural and Sudaroli in Batticaloa and Amparai districts six months ago.

UNP said yesterday it would submit its proposals on the demerger of the Northern and Eastern provinces at the next meeting of the All Party Conference. Replying to a query by SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem as to what the UNP stand was on the demerger, Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament yesterday that the party would come up with its proposals on the demerger at the next session of the APC. He said the UNP was ready to discuss these proposals with other parties as well. Meanwhile President Mahinda Rajapaksa is to meet Mr. Wickremesinghe this week. According to sources the two leaders will discuss on securing the MOU signed by the UNP and the SLFP and the North East issue.

An attack on the Karuna camp at Kallady is under attack at midnight. Attack started at 11.15pm., Wednesday. Casualties are not known yet. The camp is opposite Shanthi cinemas in the Kaaththaankudi Police jurisdiction area. The camp is situated between two Police Posts, KL 1 and KL2. The largest army training camp in the Eastern Province Vijebahu III is situated just 500 metres away from the Karuna Camp.This camp commenced functioning since December, 2006, under the guise of political office.Latest report says Army trucks transported 4 wounded Karuna cadres to the hospital at Batticaloa.

India yesterday informed President Mahinda Rajapakse of her concerns over the intensification of the military conflict in Sri Lanka and the slow progress in formulating a political package to resolve the ethnic conflict.The concerns of the Indian government were communicated to the President by India’s External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee at Temple Trees yesterday.Mukherjee arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday to hand over the invitation to President Rajapakse for the 14th Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) scheduled for April 3-4 in India but used the opportunity to convey his government’s views on the current developments in Sri Lanka.The Indian Minister, it is learnt, had told the President that there is no international support for a military solution and that the government must fast track proposals for a political solution. He had also expressed India’s serious concern over the humanitarian crisis in the north east and the importance of ensuring a steady flow of supplies to the people.

The Morning Leader learns, Mukherjee also expressed support for the MoU between the UNP and SLFP but showed India’s displeasure over the de-merger of the north east.The President, informed sources said, had accused the LTTE of targeting civilians and indicated his willingness to resume talks any time.Rajapakse had further denied human rights violations by the government and blamed the LTTE for using civilians as human shields.Rajapakse had further explained the steps taken through the All Party Conference (APC) to arrive at a consensus on the devolution of power and adverted to the APRC meeting on Monday.The Indian Minister also met with Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera.Minister Samaraweera last night hosted his Indian counterpart for a formal reception.

The Sri Lankan Parliament today passed the proposal to extend the Emergency Regulations for another month. The Emergency Regulations were extended with 88 MPs voting for the proposal and 8 MPs voting against it. The major opposition United National Party (UNP), People's Liberation Front (JVP),Anti Tamil Monks Party Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU),Government Proxy EPDP and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) voted for the proposal, while as usual, only the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) voted against.

Snap polls and the implementation of the death penalty have been put on hold, at least for the time being, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.Addressing the monthly meeting with Editors, President Rajapaksa said that although diverse views had been expressed on both subjects, he had no intention of going ahead with a snap general election or the implementation of the death penalty, at least for the time being.The President said the cost of an election and the confidence that he could command the majority in parliament at any given time were the factors that made him decide against an election.“Some of the Ministers and MPs tell me that we should go for an early election but when I ask them whether they are prepared for one, they have second thoughts” the President said in a lighter vein.

Commenting on the implementing of the death penalty, the President said “Ours is a country where there are protests even if we try to kill a dog. Implementing the death penalty, is therefore something that we have to do, after weighing the pros and cons, carefully”.However the President said he would go ahead with the much-spoken about Cabinet reshuffle to make sure that the right people got the subject ministries.“What we did immediately after I came into office, was a kind of a rushed job. As a result there were some issues including overlapping of subject areas. To address this I have decided to reshuffle the Cabinet” President Rajapaksa said adding that the move was also aimed at curtailing some unnecessary expenses incurred due to lack of streamlining of ministry functions.

Meanwhile he said a decision had also been taken to give statutory status to the recently set up Economic Advisory Council of the government by a parliamentary act.This is aimed at minimizing some ad hoc decisions taken with regard to the economy, the President said.Commenting on the peace process, the President said although the government was forced to take military action in the face of LTTE provocations, the government’s stand that a final solution should be a negotiated one remained unchanged.The President said the LTTE decision to target civilians, was indicative of the desperation of Tigers in the face of weakening military strength, since such attacks were mostly carried out during the early stages of the conflict.

Reports say that a decision whether Minister Mangala Samaraweera would remain as the foreign minister would be taken within the day (10).A crucial situation has arose as president Mahinda Rajapakse is considering to appoint the head of the government peace secretariat doctor Palitha Kohona For the post of secretary to the ministry of foreign affairs. Information from the president's house revealed that he might be appointed for the post today. The secretary post of the Foreign Ministry fell vacant as former secretary to the Ministry Palihakkara retired from his post on the 31st of last month."The Island" news paper had reported Yesterday that Kohona would be appointed for the post.

Earlier minister Mangala Samaraweera had proposed the president, the Sri Lankan high commissioner in India Romesh Jayasinghe for the post. The foreign minister had met the president on the 6th and "The Island" newspaper reports that Samaraweera had agreed with the president regarding president's proposal to appoint Kohona for the secretary post. But some officials close to the minister denied it adding that Samaraweera had not spoken regarding the issue with the president.Meanwhile during an interview with "Maubima" newspaper last Sunday the foreign minister had said "some wish that I would leave. I wont leave easily. But if it comes to a stage where I can't work according to my conscience with the government, then I will leave.

The Indian foreign minister Pranab Mukarjee arrived in the island yesterday to invite Sri Lanka for the SAARC leaders forum to be held in India. Many believe that this might be Samaraweera's last appearance as the foreign minister as he is being invited to deliver a key note address. The foreign minister is scheduled to leave the island on the 18th to India.Doctor Kohona who is to be appointed as the secretary to the ministry earlier held a high ranking designation in the Australian foreign affairs ministry.

The UNP rebels seeking ministerial office were on Monday informed by Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse to defect with a minimum of 16MPs if the President was to accommodate them in government.The Morning Leader learns UNP Gampaha District MP Karu Jayasuriya and National List MP GL. Peiris have had several rounds of discussions with Basil Rajapakse during the last few days on the possibility of joining the government and taking cabinet office.President Mahinda Rajapakse last week told UNP Chairman Rukman Senanayake the rebels have offered to join the government with 12 MPs and asked for Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s blessings to accommodate them without withdrawing from the MoU with the SLFP.

The President had further said there would be a general election this year and it was best for Wickremesinghe to release the members and appoint new organisers in preparation for the election.Senanayake however had said the UNP will be compelled to withdraw from the MoU if a single MP is taken without them having first resigned from the party. Senanayake was due to meet with the President and Basil Rajapakse for a further discussion last night.It is learnt, the rebel leaders were told on Monday that a minimum of 16 MPs would have to crossover in view of the position taken by the UNP.Informed sources said the call for the crossover by 16 MPs was made by Basil Rajapakse on the basis that in addition to the UNP withdrawing from the MoU, the JVP too withdrawing support for the government.

It was pointed out to the rebels that the government enjoys the support of 97 MPs without the 38 JVP MPs and therefore needs another 16 MPs to ensure a majority in parliament.The 97 MPs the government counts on are SLFP (58), JHU (9), CWC (8), UPF (2), NUA (2), MEP (2), LSSP (1), CPSL (2), EPDP (1), UNP defectors (6), SLMC defectors (4) and Athaullah group (2).The UNP rebels seeking to join the government, informed sources said, has given an assurance they will not seek to move for reforms in the SLFP constitution, which is similar in content to that of the UNP.

The United States yesterday urged a speedy political solution to Sri Lanka's separatist conflict as the country slipped into more violence and warned that a military solution was not possible.The US embassy in a statement said it wanted the country’s ruling party as well as the main opposition to come up with a power-sharing plan that could be the basis for resuming stalled peace talks with the LTTE.“The solution in our view lies in a negotiated settlement that meets the aspirations of all communities,” the statement said.“We reiterate that there can be no military solution to this conflict.”The US urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa's SLFP and the opposition UNP “to accelerate their consideration of the power-sharing proposal so that a ceasefire can take hold and talks can begin.””Twenty-five years of terrorism has not improved the lives of the Tamil people,” the statement said in a reference to the Tigers' militant campaign for independence.“Similarly, the ongoing violence in Vakarai has caused significant hardship for people living in that area,” the US statement said. The UN also this week demanded protection for civilians trapped by fierce exchanges in the rebel-held Vakarai area and said it would offer aid if allowed.

The CID is to go through a major shake-up shortly with top officials being replaced, CID sources told the Daily Mirror yesterday.It is learnt the posts of DIG-in charge of CID, Director – SSP, Deputy Director SSP are among the personnel to be replaced.A Western province DIG is tipped to be the next DIG-CID.The transfers of the present senior officers, CID sources said, were to be made on the basis that the officers in question had not been efficient in carrying out investigations in key cases. However inside sources alleged the reason behind the changes was the disobeying of orders to arrest a prominent media personality.The CID officials had sought the Attorney General’s advice and refrained from carrying out the arrest as there was no concrete reason or evidence to arrest the journalist. Meanwhile IGP Victor Perera had ordered a special police team to supervise and file a report on the work of the CID, especially in the cases where investigations had been suspended.

Investigations into the abduction of Vice Chancellor, Eastern University Prof. S. Ravindranath are still continuing, DIG Rohan Abeywardena said.He said the CID was carrying out the investigations and that no clues had been found so far as to his whereabouts."The investigations are now being carried out by the CID. We have not received any clues or leads as to his whereabouts," DIG Abeywardena told The Morning Leader.He said the Vice Chancellor was living in Colombo for two and a half months when he was abducted last month.Prof. Ravindranath was abducted by unidentified persons on December 15 after attending a function at the BMICH.Several intellectuals around the world have called for for the immediate release of the Vice Chancellor.In a statement issued by them last month, they said the Eastern University was affected by both the ethnic conflict and the tsunami and yet managed to produce world-class researchers.

The Civil Monitoring Committee (CMC), which looks into the abductions of civilians, expressed its dissatisfaction over the investigations conducted so far.Leader, Western People’s Front, Mano Ganesan said the committee was in touch with the Vice Chancellor’s family from the time he was abducted."The police have still not come out with anything on this case. It has been nearly one month since he was abducted. We are keeping in touch with the family members of the abducted Vice Chancellor," he said.The Dean, Arts Faculty of the Eastern University, Dr. Balasingham Sugumar was also abducted on September 30 last year by unidentified persons and was later released.The abductors demanded Prof. Ravindranath’s resignation.

The JVP yesterday charged in Parliament that it was the India which started the war in Sri Lanka after 1983. JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake who participated in the emergency debate in House yesterday said it was India which started the war in Sri Lanka by providing arms and military training to LTTE. Ratnayake explained that there were only clashes among the Sinhalese and the Tamils from time to time since 1956 but the fully fledged war started only after 1983. Referring to a statement made by TNA MP Suresh Premachandran, earlier during the debate, who said India had wanted the Sri Lankan government to merge the North and the East, he said the former has no such desire. He explained that there is no necessity for India to request the Sri Lankan government to merge the North and East, as it is the Indian government which had divided Southern India into four states, to stop extremism in that part of the country.

Ratnayake also criticised the US stating that it has vested interests in Sri Lanka. “This is why the US Ambassador in Sri Lanka is concerned about the prices of goods in the North,” he said. Hitting out at the US further, he said it was the same US which executed Saddam Hussain, after giving him arms to kill Kurds. He also hit out at the Sri Lankan government stating that it is not doing what it claims to be doing. In this context Mr. Ratnayake explained that the government had given an injection to revive the LTTE, by agreeing for talks in Geneva. He also said the advisory committee appointed by the government has also helped the LTTE through their proposals. He stressed the need to adopt the right approach, to defeat the LTTE. In this context he said government should fulfil the needs of innocent Tamils who are against the LTTE. He said government should play a more active role in providing humanitarian assistance to these

Two Karuna Group installations have been attacked in Valaichenai in Batticaloa district around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. At least 10 paramilitary members were killed and four wounded, according to initial reports. A house at Puthukudiyiruppu and another at Vinayagapuram, both located in distance of 400 meters, were ambushed by armed men who came in three wheelers, Police sources said. Three wounded paramilitary members were rushed to Valaichenai hospital and a wounded operative was taken to Polonnaruwa hospital. Sri Lanka Army transferred the three wounded paramilitary members from Valaichenai hospital to Polonnaruwa in military ambulance, medical sources said. More than 25 paramilitary members were stationed in both the installations, according to Valaichenai residents.

The UNP yesterday charged in Parliament that it was Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva who attacked the Eksath Janatha Rally in Nugegoda yesterday. UNP Kurunagala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekera who participated in the emergency debate in the House said it was Minister Silva and his men who disrupted the rally. “Should a Deputy Minister who had been granted a doctorate engage in such unlawful activities?” he asked. Mr. Jayasekera also charged that the Ministry of Defence has given orders to the Mirihana police to stop this rally. He said this was revealed by the OIC of the police station. While stating that the government had violated the rights of telecom workers by obtaining an order of injunction to stop the union action which was scheduled for yesterday, He pointed out that the government is using emergency regulations to fulfil its various ulterior motives.“Did the government sign the MOU with the UNP to do such things?” he further questioned. Mr. Jayasekera further charged that it is the JVP which is behind the transformer blasts in Wattala. He said JVP’s aim is to create a war mentality among the people. He further pointed out that certain war mongers have sent death threats to those who are against war including opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and journalists such as Bandula Padmakumara and Lasantha Wickramatunga. “Government is also trying to harass the press through the emergency,” he added.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauff Hakeem yesterday charged that the Karuna Group is disrupting the relationship the Muslims and the Tamils share in the East. Hakeem raised this issue during the emergency debate in parliament yesterday. Charging that the government has turned a blind eye to the actions of the Karuna Group, he stressed the need to look into complaints made against the group.Hakeem explained that several Muslim civilians, who have fled the Vakarai area, had been made to settle in the ‘Arambade area, which is close to security camps and Karuna camps causing tension. He said there have been attempts to grab land from the Muslims in the East.

He also charged that some Muslim traders in the East have been prevented from going to the market to carry out their business. Hakeem said nothing had been done about this although a complaint was made to the police.“Para military forces should not be allowed to work in this manner just because they are assisting the government to fight the LTTE” Hakeem pointed out. He explained that government machinery should take the responsibility of maintaining law and order. “There will be serious repercussions if this is not done” he said.The SLMC Leader also vehemently criticized the LTTE, stating that they had chased away the Muslims from the East, to take control of the area. Emphasizing more on the situation in the East he said Muslims have fled from 23 villages and 60,000 of them are currently living in a small area of 1 ½ km.

More than 40 Tamils were arrested Tuesday in a cordon and search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Sri Lanka Police from Monday night until morning Tuesday in areas of Minuwangoda, Negombo, Wattala and Gampaha in the western province following the explosion in Wattala Monday morning of a transformer supplying electricity to the area. The combined search operation was carried out in areas close to several transformers.Police sources said the transmitter explosion was an act of sabotage.

Sri Lanka Army officials in Vavuniya said their troopers had shot dead two Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam cadres in Karuvelapuliyankulam area in Vavuniya, in a gunfight Tuesday, when SLA troopers tried to surround six LTTE cadres who had entered into Karuvelapuliyankulam jungle hills, crossing Atamasgada road. One SLA trooper was injured in the fight. A male and a female LTTE cadres were shot dead while the other four had escaped, the SLA said.Many weapons including three T-56 rifles and ten claymore devices were recovered from the Tigers, the SLA officials have claimed.The two dead bodies were to be taken to the mortuary in Vavuniya hospital.

People of Batticaloa and Amparai district staged a general shut down Monday condemning the Sri Lankan Government's decision of dividing North and East and demanding the immediate stoppage of killing civilians and carrying out aerial bombing and other attacks on civilians by Sri Lankan Forces. Government departments, banks and schools in Batticaloa, Kattankudy, Kaluwanchikkudy, Chenkalady, and Valaichchenai and in Kokkaddichcholai and Karadiyanaru in LTTE controlled area remained closed. The public transports came to a standstill as the Batticaloa, Kattankudy, Kaluwanchikkudy, Eravur and Valaichchenai Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) depots were closed. Even though all the government departments and banks in Kalmunai, Karaithivu, Sainthamaruthu and Akkaraippattu in the Tamil and Muslim areas in Amparai district remained closed, the shops were kept open. However, the streets were seen deserted as many people kept indoor.

Students of Hindu College, Jaffna, angered by the abduction of a fellow school mate, allegedly set ablazed a passenger bus in the town yesterday.According to reports the student was allegedly abducted by armed men travelling in a white van last week and his whereabouts still remain a mystery.The agitated students were angered by the failure of the authorities to locate the missing student and showed their anger by allegedly burning the passenger bus.The Jaffna police were later called in to control the situation.The media centre for national security meanwhile in a statement said suspected LTTE cadres burnt down the school bus jeopardizing the fresh start of the new school term. None of the students were injured. “Tigers have carried out this ravage act fortunately after all the students got down from the bus. The burnt down bus is owned by the Sri Lanka Transport Board,” MCNS said.

In an apparent indication that the escalating defence budget is taking a heavy toll on the country’s economy, a senior Minister said yesterday the country was losing almost one hundred jobs with each Multi-barrel rocket fired on the LTTE.Senior Minister and SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena insisted that though the government was now focussing on military engagements, it was aware that the final solution should be a political one. “We may be thrilled to see the spectacle of multi-barrel attacks, but what we don’t realize is the price we all have to pay for such attacks,” Minister Sirisena said addressing an SLFP gathering in Polonnaruwa.The Minister stressed that the government embarked on the All Party Conference initiative with the sole intention of reaching a negotiated settlement and said the government’s commitment to a negotiated settlement remained unchanged.The government Defence estimates for this stand at Rs. 139.56 billion with fears that it might rise further given the frequency of air bombing and heavy weapon attacks on LTTE positions. Since August there has been a steady rise in the operations using heavy military hardware by both the government and the LTTE.This year’s defence budget is a 28% increase over last year’s and the projection for 2008 is around Rs. 143.46 billion.The government however maintains that such expenses are critical to protect the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the country.

The United Nations has called on Sri Lanka government and the Tamil Tigers to guarantee the safety of the civilians.Deploring the recent bomb blasts in passenger buses in the south, the UN has condemned the deliberate targeting of civilians.In a statement issued on Monday, the UN has reminded both the parties of their obligation under International Law to take measures to safeguard civilians caught in the conflict.

The government accused the Tamil Tigers of planting the bombs that killed at least 20 people. Over 100 people sustained injuries.There was no immediate response from the LTTE.The UN has called on the Government to allow humanitarian agencies to LTTE-held Vakarai, where the situation "is grave and demands an urgent response".United Nations acting Resident Coordinator, Amin Awad, said thousands of civilians are still trapped in Vakarai without access to most basic needs."We must always recall that it is the most weak who remain behind - the elderly, the sick and the disabled. They are still without access to food, emergency medical services, and shelter, and continue to be caught in the middle of relentless fighting," Awad was quoted in the statement.

Sri Lanka's military says its elite police force has seized a key Tamil Tiger rebel base in the country's east. Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe says the police commandos from the Special Task Force overran the base in Ampara district and seized a weapons cache. He said the rebels' 'Stanley Base' at Kanchikudichchaaru in eastern Ampara district fell to Special Task Force personnel.Special Task Force chief Nimal Lewke said four of his personnel were wounded in the fighting and a search was being conducted to flush out rebel fighters. Lewke said the vast base was used by the guerrillas to launch attacks on government forces in the region, as a training camp for new Tiger recruits and also included a hospital.The weapons left behind by the rebels included four mortar launchers, he said.

Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan confirmed a battle in the area but denied that their base had fallen."They (STF) have been trying to infiltrate our area and there was also a confrontation. But I deny that the camp has been captured," he said by telephone from the rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi.Eastern Sri Lanka has become a hotbed of violence between the military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).In a separate incident, the military says rebels blew up an electrical transformer on the outskirts of the capital, Colombo, disrupting power supplies in the area. Meanwhile, the military is on high alert following two separate deadly bomb attacks on buses last week. At least 21 people were killed in the attacks and dozens of others injured.Authorities blame Tamil Tiger rebels for both blasts, but rebel officials deny the charges. The military has stepped up its campaign against the rebels, conducting four days of consecutive air strikes against rebel targets last week. Despite a 2002 ceasefire deal, renewed violence has erupted between the government and Tamil rebels fighting for an independent homeland. Some 67,000 people have died during the conflict, including 3,000 last year.

Several areas in Wattala experienced a total black out for several hours early yesterday when two transformers supplying power to the area exploded. The police have not ruled out the possibility of an act of sabotage by the LTTE. Wattala Police Inspector Percy Michael said a special police team was conducting inquiries into the incident in addition to the on going cordon and search operation in the area. Two persons including a Tamil and a Sinhalese have been taken into custody by the police in connection with the incident. Reportedly the suspects had gained access to the transformer by cutting the barb wire of the enclosure.

With two bomb blasts killing 21 Sinhala civilians near Colombo last week, Sri Lankan leaders will not be in a mood to listen to any sermon from the visiting Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee about the need to end the war now and go for a negotiated settlement with the LTTE.Though Mukherjee's two-day visit beginning on Tuesday is primarily meant to invite President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the SAARC summit in New Delhi in April, he is expected to express India's concerns about the direction the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict is taking, especially the large-scale displacement of Tamil civilians and the de-merger of the Tamil-speaking Northern and Eastern Provinces.

These issues have begun to engage New Delhi's attention particularly because they are agitating the political parties in Tamil Nadu, some of which are members or allies of the United Peoples' Alliance government at the Centre.Coming to the island close on the heels of the blasts, Mukherjee is unlikely to press issues.Even if he does, the Sri Lankan side will either turn a deaf ear, or counter him firmly.Events in the last month or so have made the Sri Lankan government take a tougher stand against the LTTE than before.December 2006 began with an attempt on the life of the President's brother and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

The New Year began with a blast in Nittambuwa near Colombo killing six civilians. Within two days, a blast in Seenigama, also near Colombo, killed 15 civilians.The government and the media promptly blamed the LTTE for the blasts as bus bombs had been its stock-in-trade. The LTTE's denial was brushed aside.President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that by killing civilians, the LTTE was trying to provoke a communal backlash.What he was hinting at was that the LTTE was killing Sinhala civilians to provoke them to kill Tamils on the pattern of the infamous 1983 anti-Tamil riots. Rajapaksa asked Sinhalas not to fall into the LTTE's trap.

While painting the LTTE in black, the government has made South Sri Lankans believe that its armed forces have attacked only identified military targets in the Tamil-speaking North and East, and never Tamil civilians per se.Given the present mood in South Sri Lanka, any dilution of the tough stand against the LTTE will make the Rajapaksa government unpopular among the majority Sinhala community, its power base.In fact, last week's bombings have led to extraordinary security measures in and around Colombo to make the people feel that the government is alive to the dangers from terrorism.On Monday, the state-owned Daily News quoted Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as saying that citizens should report about suspicious houses and persons, and even "arrest suspected terrorists."Media reports said that there could be a ban on taking bulky packages into buses and trains.

Refugees killed in Vakarai

Four civilians were killed and at least another ten have sustained injuries as artillery shells fell in the Vakarai hospital compound on Monday.Two civilians were killed on the spot and the third person has succumbed to injuries after admitting to the hospital.Another woman has died while being transported in to Valaichchenai hospital.The civilians have taken refuge from the artillery fire in the compound when the shell attack happened.

All the victims are believed to be those fled fighting in other areas in the east.Dr. T Varatharajah of Vakarai hospital said children and women among the seriously injured.He said a request from ICRC to help transport victims was turned down as ICRC had no permission to travel to Vakarai.Many civilians are seeking refuge in the hospital but no one is aware of any further move to safeguard them, Dr. Varatharajan added.

The hospital is facing a huge shortage of medicine and fuel to supply electricity."There is no way to keep the remaining medicine as we have no fuel left even for tonight," Dr. Varatharajah said.Alagurasa Rajani, a refugee from Kattparichchan, Muttur, said she was preparing the lunch when the attack happened.Mortars have fallen to hospital compound as she ran for safety to the hospital.

"We don't know where to go, what to do," she said.A Hindu priest in the area told BBC that the attacks came from Karandikulam, north west of the hospital.Tamil Tigers accused Sri Lanka military of continued artillery fire on Vaharai since Monday noon.But the Sri Lanka military denied deliberately targetting civilians.Military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told BBC Sandeshaya that the military only retaliated to LTTE attcks and did not launch attacks on hospital compound.