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31 March 2007 Indo-Sri lankan crisis The crisis over the killings of 8 Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy seems to be getting deeper by the day. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi while expressing his strong displeasure even issued a veiled threat saying that they'd be forced to take action if the centre does not respond with adequate measures. No wonder then that the External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has stepped in to combat a diplomatic crisis that has subsequent developed between India and Sri Lanka. Pranab's counter-part from Sri Lanka is expected to arrive in India on Saturday and the External Affairs Minister has assured that the issue of Indian fishermen being murdered on international waters will be taken up. It is to be noted that the water stretch separating the Indian mainland from Sri Lanka has for long been a conflict zone and the state of Tamil Nadu has been asking the centre to take some measure for quite some time now. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has received an assurance from their Sri Lankan counterparts that they will not open fire at the Indian fishermen. The Naval chief's assurance is however, unlikely to calm tempers in Tamil Nadu. The centre now needs to take control and set things right. Sinhala, Tamil New Year: NPC calls for ceasefire The National Peace Council (NPC) yesterday called on the government and LTTE to declare a humanitarian ceasefire and to return to the obligations of the Ceasefire Agreement for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.Issuing a statement, following the air attack by the LTTE on the Katunayake Air Force base, the NPC said, “The attack adjoining the country’s sole international airport, and the government's response through air bombardment of LTTE held areas, are ominous indications of the path of military escalation that lies ahead.The military developments in the conflict and the response by the combatant parties also serve to divert public attention from the human tragedies in the war-affected parts of the country.The National Peace Council calls on the Government and the LTTE to respect International Humanitarian Law and the UN’s Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement with regard to the safety and wellbeing of civilians. It is important that any practice of forced resettlement of IDPs, where conditions of instability continue to prevail, should be discontinued.Our preparation to celebrate Easter and the Sinhala and Tamil New year would be more appropriate and meaningful only if steps are taken to enable those who are displaced to live in safety and dignity. JVP stormed by hidden leader fleeing the island; several leaders out of the party It is being reported that the JVP internal committee is disturbed about the article published by 'LeN' under the heading "JVP 'Kumar Mahaththaya' flees to Australia while CID launches investigations" on the 25th of March, since the same news article was published in the Irudina newspaper over the week end.This situation has occurred due to two reasons. One is that the low level members of the party have begun to question the party hierarchy, why the party had a Tamil in an extremely supreme position. The other is that that those senior members who knew about Kumar starting to question why he was sent off the country without informing any one of them.Speaking to 'LeN' a JVP central committee member said that 10 of the central committee members were demoted from their posts including him for questioning about Kumar. It is being said that the particular group had been questioning Kumars acts on various occasions. Correcting our report on the 25th the particular member of the JVP central committee said Kumar was one of those who were detained during 88-89. According to him Kumar had studied at the Peradeniya University and held the Trincomalee leadership under the fake name "Gamunu". Our source said that the party members are still clueless how only him was freed from the camp they were held in, while all his other comrades were killed.He also says that Kumar was a pet of Brigadier Udaya Nanayakka who was in charge of the Minneriya army camp and Cornel Dhammika Weerasinghe. The JVP central committee member said Kumar had often gone on trips and vacations with several security forces officials and therefore names Kumar as a traitor who betrayed his fellow party members. The JVP central committee member said his name was attached to several women as well adding that he married a girl friend of a fellow colleague named Costa while Costa was under an arrest. He charges that Kumar was totally out of politics due to an affiliation he had with then President Premadasa and was brought back to the party secretly by former JVP MP Nandana Gunathilake, and appointed as a leader.Our source said it was because of two tongued leaders, that the JVP from time to time come up with fake patriotism not allowing the governments to carry forward with their solutions to the ethnic conflict. He said now the other leaders of the party has begun to question whether Kumar was actually feeding the needs of LTTE using the JVP. Air-strike, a warning to SLAF- Thamilchelvan More than 150,000 civilians have been made IDPs by the agenda of war by the Sri Lankan state, he added. "Colombo, mindful that a military defeat of Tigers was not possible, is keen to drag other countries to fight the inhumane war against the Tamils," Thamilchelvan said. The Sri Lankan agenda of distancing the Tigers from the International Community by projecting the LTTE as a "threat to the regional or the International players," will not work, said Thamilchelvan responding to questions from media in Kilinochchi on the pre-dawn air strike by the Tigers Monday. "The Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) as a liberation movement is championing the cause of political liberation of the Tamil people, running a responsible governing apparatus with a clear democratic mandate of the Tamil people, and has progressed to a matured state formation process. "Our military infrastructure operates in the very same way as any other conventional military infrastructure of a state," he said. "Our forces are built and trained for the purpose of achieving freedom for our motherland and to consolidate it. "Our struggle is aimed at achieving our own freedom, and we are no threat to anyone other else than the oppressive Sri Lankan state we are fighting against," he concluded When LTTE Cessna dwarfed Supersonics…Air Force ignored STF warning but listened to that of BIA? It was around 11.30 pm on March 25, Special Task Force personnel were at their forward defense line at Ganeshapuram bordering the Vavuniya and Mannar districts. Suddenly they heard an unusual sound of a motor engine which appeared to come from two objects in the sky. They had heard the same sound a few times earlier but could not confirm what the objects were.However, suddenly they saw these two unidentified objects, which had no lights or any other signal moving over their lines towards the direction of Colombo. More suspicions arose in the minds of these soldiers as the objects flew at a low altitude of not more than 200 metres above the ground. Even though they could have gunned down these flying objects, they did not do so instead they informed their Colombo Headquarters of these suspicious movements. An Assistance Superintendent of Police, who was duty at the time, informed the Sri Lanka Air Force. The reply came that they were working on it. Then the STF HQ for the second time informed the SLAF of this development but it appeared that the matter was not too seriously considered by the SLAF. However it has now been revealed that the Radar systems both in Vavuniya and the country’s main air force base, adjoining the only international air port, were not operational at that time, which could have made possible any enemy air craft to enter the Sri Lankan skies without any trouble.Around 12.45 midnight, the two flying objects had reached their destination, and were ready to make their first ever air raid against the powerful and supersonic air craft fleet parked at the Air Force Base Katunayake.Not knowing this development, the radar system of the Bandaranaike International Air Port (BIA) picked up the signal about the unusual movement of the two flying objects over the air port skies.The BIA radar branch informed the nearby SLAF base of this information , which issued an alert warning and activated what they called an ‘air defence system’.It was now clear that the two Cessna type aircraft over the area were thosebelonging to the Tiger Air Force (TAF) and they were ready to strike at any time. At least one of the air craft had dropped four bombs, which fell on two buildingsof the engineering section. Three SLAF personnel were killed and about 20 injured it was reported. Some reports said that troops on the ground not knowing of the air attack, had started to fire in all directions injuring a few airmen. Two helicopters were slightly damaged, but the authorities denied it and claimed that damage was done only to buildings and not to the aircraft fleet. However these could be repaired soon as they were considered as ‘minor’ damages.After the successful air raids by the TAF, the two light aircraft left the sky without any disruption. Meanwhile, the radar system in the Ratmalana military air port also detected the movement and monitored the departure of the two aircraft.After the air mission, the LTTE has claimed that both its planes returned safely to base, but did not specify where it was and has released a photograph of Prabakaran with theTAF crew. However analysts claim that the photographs released could not have been of the actual aircraft and it was merely an attempt by the Tigers to boost the moral of the civilians and cadres in order to get more support and funds for their purpose.Given by Indian government, the radar system of the Air Force Base is now considered relatively outdated and had been going through several repairs. As a result most of the time SLAF had used the BIA’s radar system for their work.After this latest ‘humiliating ’incident, the government has already started discussing with its main arms suppliers - China, Pakistan and India about purchasing a new radar system to counter the new threat. Soon after the pre-dawn air raids by the TAF, the government while claiming that it had successfully averted Tiger efforts to attack the SLAF, and had been able to protect all their combat air craft including the supersonic Jets, which were the primary targets of the TAF made an urgent request to the international community including India to take this incident seriously.The government does not however consider the incident as a major security lapse on their part since it continuously insists that it was able to repulse the Tigers.The main reason that the Tigers had been able to infiltrate into Sri Lankan skies was that the Sri Lanka Air Force had underestimated the air capability of the Tigers.Reports claimed that the Tigers had started to buildup their air power some nine years ago. Exactly one year ago, military intelligence in a special report had stated that the Tigers Air Force had night flying facilities. But the air force had ruled this out by claiming that even the SLAF did not have such a facility. But, the Tigers now have proved that that they can do anything against the supersonic Kfir and Mig fleets using their one-engine light air craft. The Sri Lanka government is in a dilemma, as to what should be the next step to successfully counter the Tiger air power. There is scope for the government to take this issue with the United Nations as the Tigers have violated international law by using the Sri Lankan skies without permission.The LTTE have projected its air strike as a retaliation for the repeated bombing of civilian areas by the Sri Lankan Air Force, which had caused heavy damages to the Tamil Tigers. With this development, the Tigers appear to be preparing for a conventional war with the Sri Lankan armed forces. The authorities now claim that the Sri Lankan skies are safe. They maintained the same stand even prior to the Tiger air attack and preparedness for aerial attacks still remains a challenge. LTTE air capability concerns US greatly United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Robert Blake said that LTTE’s successful deployment of an offensive air capability is a matter of great concern. In an interview with a Sri Lankan daily ‘Daily News’, Ambassador Blake said that the United States have worked with the Government of Sri Lanka to stop the flow of arms and terrorist financing to the LTTE since US designated the LTTE as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 1997.The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested 15 suspects in August 2006 for conspiring to buy surface-to-air missiles in the U.S. and trying to bribe U.S. officials to get the Tamil Tigers removed from the U.S. list of terrorist organizations. When asked whether the US has changed its travel warning, the Ambassador said there was no substantive change as they see no specific threat to Americans who intend to travel to the tourist areas in the Cultural Triangle or those in further south. The latest travel warning on Sri Lanka by the US State Department was issued in October 2006. Blake stressed that there can be no military solution to the conflict between the government and the LTTE and urged both sides to cease hostilities so talks can take place on a negotiated settlement. “The United States believes Sri Lanka now has an important opportunity to achieve peace. We very much hope that the power-sharing proposal that emerges from the APRC process will be a credible one that meets the aspirations of the Tamil, Sinhalese and Muslim people of Sri Lanka. This could then form the basis for talks leading to a negotiated settlement,” he said. The Ambassador said that the US welcomed Foreign Minister Bogollagama’s remarks during his recent visit to Washington that the government’s peace initiative is on track to seek a broad-based political consensus in the south in favor of political proposals that would lead to a sustainable peace. PNM blast India’s radar system The Patriotic National Movement (PNM) yesterday charged that the negligence on the part of the government, sub standard radar system and anti aircraft weapons given by India had prevented the air force from hitting back when the LTTE attacked the Katunayake Air Force base. PNM President Gunadasa Amarasekera told a news conference that India had prevented Sri Lanka from getting a sophisticated radar system from China. “This air strike had greatly disappointed the people,” he said. Professor Amarasekera said the government should not listen to the international community any more but should fight the LTTE.He said the government should launch an all-out offensive shifting away from the retaliation mode whenever the LTTE launched an attack.“The offensives launched with the hope of bringing Prabhakaran to the negotiating table are of no use now,” he said.Prof. Amarasekera lashed out at the UNP saying the latter had called for the resignation of Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa. In this context he said the UNP did not have a right to make such statements as the Tigers were able to acquire aircraft because of the ceasefire agreement signed during the UNP regime. PNM ex co member Ven. Dambara Amila Thera said history appeared to be repeating itself as what took place in 2001 was happening once again. The monk stressed the need for crushing the LTTE without thinking of the consequences. “One cannot think of negative and positive aspects of war at this crucial moment,” he said. Jayalalithaa seeks emergency steps to protect TN fishermen Condemning the killing of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa today said it was high time that the Centre and Tamil Nadu Government took emergency measures to prevent such attacks. She accused the Centre and State Governments of lack of firm commitment to prevent the attacks, and urged the governments "to be alert and firm in the issue." In a statement here,Jayalalithaa said attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen and their arrest by the Sri Lankan Navy was continuing adding such incidents could be prevented only if the Centre had a clear approach. The AIADMK leader said nine fishermen belonging to Kanyakumari district went for fishing on March 23 and they were fired at by the Sri Lankan navy yesterday. Five fishermen Maria John, Leenise, Jeenus Das, Satish and Justin had died in the attack, she said. Another batch of 12 fishermen,who went for fishing on March six from Colachel, had also not returned, she said. Condoling the death of the fishermen, she announced Rs 25,000 solatium for each of their family members. The AIADMK would participate in the agitations called by the fishermen in Kanyakumari district on April 2, to protest the attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy, she added. MDMK supremo Vaiko, condemning the incident, said the Centre was a "mute spectator" to the killing of Tamil Nadu fishermen and described it as a betrayal of Tamil people. "Any other country will have snapped diplomatic ties with a country continuously killing its citizens," he said adding the Centre had not even issued a warning to Sri Lanka New domestic airline to be launched in Lanka The JS Group of Pakistan will be lunching a domestic airline service in Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Defence has cleared the venture.The Company has already entered into a commercial partnership with Deccan Aviation Lanka, which is already operating helicopter operations. JS Air and Deccan Aviation will initially operate flights to Palali, Trincomalee, Ampara, Weerawila, Koggala and other domestic destinations. The aircraft will also be offered to corporate clients for charter for their travel to India and regional destinations. The modern 17 seater US manufactured, fixed wing, twin engine Raytheon Beechcraft aircraft could be used for both cargo and passenger flights. It is capable of flying non-stop to Maldives or India for corporate clients, and has the unique capability of being able to use virtually all of Sri Lanka’s airfields an official of Deccan Aviation said. With the induction of the $ 3 million Beechcraft, Deccan becomes the only company to offer both helicopters and fixed wing options to customers. “It is envisaged that the new alliance will offer a ‘flying bus’ service to inbound tour operators at competitive rates from the international airport, and also for the first time offers local corporate flyers a concept that the west has long been accustomed to a deluxe private aircraft for corporate domestic or international charters.” The company announced that plans for the second quarter of the year also include the introduction of a ‘corporate jet card’ which have been very popular with corporate flyers in the US and Europe and now in India which are essentially loaded with ‘bulk flying hours’ and a choice of aircraft to choose from, depending on the application required. Deccan also announced plans to launch a service to co-ordinate ground handling arrangements for the increasing number of private aircraft visiting Sri Lanka, and whose owners tend to use Deccan services to travel internally. The induction of this aircraft will enhance our organizations presence in the growing domestic aviation market, with an expanded service and product range. The Government of Sri Lanka has always encouraged us, and the same is true in this case. We would not be here without the support of all the agencies we deal with. The $ 700 million JS Group is among the corporate heavyweights in Pakistan, with quoted and unquoted group companies playing a leading role in virtually every sector of the fast growing Pakistan economy. The agreement was signed by company officials in the presence of the Chairman of JS Air, Munawar Siddiqui and Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Shahzad Chaudhary. Papers close to Samaraweera close down Two papers, the Sinhala daily Maubima and the English weekly Sunday Standard, both identified with the sacked Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, have closed down on financial grounds triggering protests from the media watchdog Free Media Movement (FMM).Tiran Alles, a financier of Mangala Samaraweera, was the owner of the Standard Newspapers Group, which ran the two papers. Ruwan Ferdinands, the Private Secretary of the ex-Minister, was the CEO.Samaraweera, who fell out with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and was sacked from the cabinet and all party posts, had no formal connection with the group.But he was suspected to be the brain behind it and the unofficial author of the papers' editorial policy.Both papers had been highly critical of President Mahinda Rajapaksa's administration and taken a bourgeois liberal approach to the on going war, the worsening human rights situation and the larger Tamil question.An irate government's axe first fell on Munuswamy Parameshwari, a 22 year old Tamil journalist who wrote for Maubima highlighting the abduction of Tamils in Colombo. She was arrested for having close relations with a suspected LTTE suicide bomber and kept in jail for four months without being charged, until she was released on the orders of the Supreme Court recently.Tiran Alles was questioned by the CID, and his personal accounts and those of the Standard Newspapers were frozen subsequently.In a press release on the closing of the Standard Newspapers, the Free Media Movement (FMM) recalled that the Chief Editors of the two publications, TK Bandara and Hana Ibrahim, had written to the diplomatic missions in Colombo on March 14, saying that the "impartiality and professionalism" of their newspapers had "increasingly incurred the wrath of the incumbent government and even the President himself."The FMM said that the demise of the Standard Newspapers Group which had been raising its voice against corruption and bad governance without fear or favour "clearly marks out the serious threat to the development of free, impartial media in Sri Lanka."Recently, the police raided the offices of the Norway-funded, peace and development-oriented, Youth Asia Television (YATV) and went through all its computers.Norway and foreign funded organisations are suspect in Sri Lanka because of an alleged "pro-LTTE" thinking.In this connection, media observers were intrigued by the appearance of two extraordinary press releases in quick succession: one by the government's Information Department, justifying the raid and saying that the whole thing was very civilised and that YATV staff had fully cooperated; and the other by the US Embassy praising the work of YATV! 'LTTE' hot topic in Tamil movies Chennai: After the release of Hindi films on the World Cup, its now the turn of Tamil cinema to produce movies on a subject close to its heart. Two Tamil films on the conflict in Sri Lanka are now ready for release. They say movies reflect the society in which they are created. Perhaps this is why, the Tamil film industry is trying to get real on the reel with movies like Kuttrapathirikai and Kuppi – both inspired by the LTTE and Sri Lanka's conflict ridden history. After a fifteen-year-long tussle with the Censor Board, R K Selvamani's Kuttrapathirikai finally got released this Friday. The film traces the events that lead to Rajiv Gandhi's assassination in 1991. But the Director seems far from being happy."I didn't want to release the picture as they have released now. As a creator I have to justify, I've to tell the truth. I don't want to back only one guy," said Selvamani.Meanwhile, Kuppi, the dubbed Tamil version of the Kannada film Cyanide will also hit the theatres by early April. Kuppi chronicles the life of Rajiv Gandhi's assassins 21 days after they killed him. And the film's director A M R Ramesh insists that the film's April release is not a matter of coincidence."I feel it's the right time to release because the message itself is there in the film that let peace return to Sri Lanka and the let the gun culture not come to India," said Ramesh.A movie on LTTE is bound to have its share of drama associated with it.But after an overdose of violence, romance and family drama, movies based on real-life incidents might be a breather for the Tamil audience. 'shells fell on houses' civilians caught in crossfire Both parties accuse the other Military spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe accused the Tamil Tigers for indiscriminate shelling. He said the Taml Tigers were responsible for the killing of the civilians.Victims of the shelling were rushed to Batticaloa hospital. A twelve year old boy who was among the patients at the hospital said he was wounded while trying to escape the shelling. whole families fall victim "My aunt and the little sister who were running behind me were hit by the shells. They died immediately. The person called Usen who was there got injured in the back. My mother has a big wound in her leg. My toes are wounded".The shelling had happened unexpectedly in the evening of thursday. A woman who had come to hospital with her wounded child described how she lost some members of her family. "We were just sharing the food out, getting ready for dinner. A shell fell in to the house. My nephew was killed instantly. My daughter was hurt. We carried her to Murakkottanchenai. We stopped and ambulance on the road and took her to hospital". shells fell in the house Another woman told the BBC, how she tried to rescue her daughter from the attack. "it was about seven in the evening. The shells started falling in front of our house. It was very loud. The shrapnel began to hit us inside the house. I was looking for my child. Then I saw that she was bleeding. We took her to the army sentry point and asked for help. They asked us to go the camp. From the camp they took us in a vehicle to Eravur hospital".Many of the houses in the area were damaged by the shelling. The fighting continue in an attempt by the government to capture the Thoppigala camp, which is one of the main Tamil Tiger stronholds in the East. Sri Lanka air strikes target Tiger bases in the East Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets launched air strikes on identified LTTE bases in Mullaitivu and Batticaloa yesterday, defense officials said. Air Force jets raided an LTTE Sea Tiger base at Chalai in Mullaitivu area yesterday morning. According to the Air Force sources the LTTE base was completely destroyed. An LTTE mortar gun position located at Karadiyanaru in Batticaloa was also targeted by the Air Force fighters yesterday afternoon destroying the targeted location completely. Another LTTE base located in the Mullaitivu area was also raided by the Air Force Thursday afternoon, officials said. 5 SLA troopers killed in claymore attack in Vavuniya Unidentified persons triggered a claymore device Friday afternoon at Parayanalankulam in Vavuniya district killing five Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers travelling in a tractor, military sources in Colombo said. Parayanalankulam is located 33 km from Vavuniya on Vavuniya-Manar road. UK Sivayogam Trust accounts frozen The UK Charity Commission has restricted transactions including bank accounts of the London-based Sivayogam Trust. The Sivayogam Trust, which administers the Muthumariamman Hindu Temple, located at 180-186 Upper Tooting Road, Tooting, London, sources said.Sri Lankan authorities have been working with British authorities in investigations into the Trust. There have been reports that one of the trustees has strong links to terror elements in Sri Lanka. A news release issued by the Charity Commission said they have suspended one of the Charity’s trustees pending his removal. The Charity will not be able to send funds overseas or make payments without the Commission’s approval. The Commission investigated whether the charity’s funds are being applied properly and the conduct and suitability of its trustees. This action has been taken as a result of new information that has come to light as a result of the Commission’s investigation. 30 March 2007 Flying Tigers-source The Economist PIONEERS of one lethal form of warfare—suicide-bombing—the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have a new claim to fame: a rudimentary air force. On March 26th they used it to attack the main air-force base of the Sri Lankan government, with which they have been fighting for a quarter of a century to win an independent homeland for the Tamil minority. Tiger air power adds a dangerous new element to a war that is intensifying, despite a five-year old ceasefire that is still notionally in force.As the Tigers tell it, two of their aircraft bombed the base, which is next to Colombo's international airport. The crew, who were photographed beaming beside their reclusive, brutal leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, returned unscathed. Three people were killed in the raid. The two sides disputed how much damage was done to aircraft parked at the base. There was outrage in the south, dominated by the Sinhalese majority, that slow-moving light aircraft could fly 400km (250 miles) up and down over government-held territory without being detected or challenged. Stung by the attack, the Sri Lankan army unleashed air raids on the Tamil-majority north-east. And, in a serious setback for the Tigers, the army on March 28th captured Kokkadicholai, its main base in the eastern district of Batticaloa. Even before the raid, Tiger-controlled areas there had suffered incessant shelling.According to the United Nations, 155,000 civilians have been displaced in the past six weeks. The government hopes to free the entire east from the Tigers' clutches before Sri Lankan new year in April. It has also opened another front in the Tiger-controlled north. According to insiders, the main aim here is to capture the Catholic shrine at Madu, and win the support of the Christian minority. Even now, government spokesmen mouth platitudes about the importance of a negotiated settlement. But officials also speak of victory within the next three years in a war that has claimed some 70,000 lives, including 4,000 since the end of 2005. The Tigers have always been hard to defeat, and able to fight on several fronts: as a guerrilla force in the east (including a little navy, “the Sea Tigers”); as a conventional army in the north; and as terrorists disrupting the Sinhalese south.Their capacity to send aircraft undetected to the south on bombing sorties gives the Tigers another way of bringing the war home to the Sinhalese. This may undermine their support for the aggressive strategy adopted by Mahinda Rajapakse, the president, which so far seems popular among most of them.The air raid also dashes any prospect—already faint—that the Tigers might return to the negotiating table in a more pliable state of mind. Nor do the government's hopes of a definitive military “solution” seem good. Regardless of the Tigers' fighting capabilities, they ignore the genuine Tamil grievances over discrimination by the Sinhalese majority, which the Tigers are masters at exploiting. In the past, army campaigns have served to drive more civilians into the Tigers' embrace. 'LTTE trying to acquire submarine' The Indian navy also plans to set up a facility at Ramanathapuram on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border, a region where it currently has no major base.The LTTE's fledgling air force carried out a strike on a military airbase near the international airport in Colombo on Monday, killing three persons."There are very few countries in the world that can claim to have the capability to build and operate submarines," Chauhan said, adding that no non-state actors have made claims about such a capability. On operations in the Palk Bay area, Chauhan said India and Sri Lanka were conducting "coordinated patrols" to cope with emerging threats.Elaborating, he said it was not a joint or combined operation but a coordinated exercise. "The Sri Lankan navy patrols its own waters while the Coast Guard patrols Indian shores. The results have been pretty encouraging," he said.Chauhan said additional warships and patrol boats had been deployed in the waters off the southern coast and shore surveillance facilities in the zone were being manned round the clock. Mahinda 'gave money' to LTTE Government denies But the government categorically denied the allegation.Media minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa told BBC Elmo Fernando that the government had no intention of responding to "nonsense"."We shouldn't bother too much on UNP statements as the UNP is in real trouble now," he said. Minister Yapa added that the UNP has to prove their allegation as a responsible political party.Prime minister Rajapaksa won the presidential elections with a thin majority over main rival, UNP leader, Ranil Wickramasinghe. Former ministers The secret payment is yet another prove that the Rajapaksa camp had a secret deal with the LTTE, according to the UNP.Parliamentarian Karunathilake said it was Rajapaksa's own campaign manager who first raised the issue.Former Foreign Minister, Mangala Samaraweera, and Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi have called upon the speaker to appoint a parliamentary select committee to probe alleged secret deals between Rajapaksa administration and the LTTE."It is the government's responsibility to prove if the allegations are wrong," Karunathilake told bbcsinhala.com. Residents inform sighting of suspicious plane The residents of the LTTE controlled area in Mannar who observed a suspicious plane at about 11 pm on Wednesday immediately informed the Airforce emergency No.116. The security forces that inquired into the information found that it was a passenger plane enroute to Singapore. The Airforce commended the public for providing information to the security forces. Sri Lankans crack down on private planes after rebel airstrike Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan officials confiscated a privately owned light aircraft Thursday, days after the Tamil Tiger rebels' first airstrike in their two-decade conflict with the government, officials said.The air force took custody of the craft even though the owner had a license for it, said air force spokesman Group Capt. Ajantha Silva."This privately owned light aircraft was taken to the safe custody of the air force, considering the country's security situation," said Silva.Air force investigators had gone to the town of Wadduwa, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of the capital, Colombo after receiving a tip that an unlicensed plane was there. The aircraft, which turned out to have a proper licensed, had been disassembled but was in good condition, Silva said.While it did not immediately appear there was a link between that aircraft and the separatist Tamil rebels, who are mostly based in the country's north and east, it underscored officials' apprehension after the rebels bombed a main air force base near Colombo on Monday. At least one single-engine propeller aircraft flew up to the base next to Sri Lanka's international airport and dropped several bombs, killing three people and wounding 16 others, before escaping unchallenged.It was not immediately clear how the rebels got their plane into Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka's former air force chief, retired Air Marshall Harry Goonetilleke, said they might have taken it apart and then reassembled it.Other observers said it was more likely flown in under Sri Lanka's limited radar coverage.The rebels launched their fight in 1983 to create an independent homeland for the country's 3.1 million minority ethnic Tamils after decades of discrimination by the majority Sinhalese.The guerrillas have since pioneered the use of suicide bomb belts and built up a navy of small gunboats.Hopes for peace that followed a 2002 cease-fire have been dashed in the past 18 months as sporadic shootings and bombings have grown into all-out war in eastern and northern Sri Lanka, the Tamils' traditional homelands.An estimated 65,000 people were killed in fighting before the cease-fire, and about 4,000 fighters and civilians have died in the renewed violence. Four fishermen killed as Lankan Navy opens fire Four Indian fishermen were killed and two injured when Sri Lankan navy allegedly opened fire at them today. The six Indians were allegedly fishing in Sri Lankan waters when the naval personnel opened fire at them killing two of them on the spot, while two others drowned in the sea, officials said. The two injured were brought to Kanyakumari for treatment. The Lanka navy opened fire without giving any warning, officials claimed. The six had ventured into the sea from Chinnathurai coastal village in Kanyakumari district, officials said tonight. Another statue of the Virgin sheds tears of blood at Mannar, where civil war rages A statue of Our Lady in Sri Lanka’s war-torn Mannar district has reportedly shed tears of blood. This is the third such report to come from the north of the island since last month, following similar claims made about two statues in Jaffna District. All three statues are in places that are in the thick of Sri Lanka’s civil war. Church sources told AsiaNews that the statue, which was situated in a house of religious Sisters, has been moved to St Sebastian’s Cathedral on Mannar Island. People are flocking to see it. In Jaffna town, a statue said to have cried blood in early February was transferred to St John the Baptist Church, where it remains to this day. The other statue that reportedly shed tears of blood is an image of Our Lady of Vailankanni (a Marian shrine in southern India) in Chavakacheri, another town in Jaffna peninsula. The reports come as the war goes from bad to worse in Sri Lanka, inflicting untold suffering on civilians. Ongoing fighting between the Sri Lankan security forces and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is displacing hundreds of thousands of people. Meanwhile, civilians are being abducted and killed daily in the north and east and elsewhere. Others are arrested and detained for long periods without formal legal charges against them.One priest from Mannar Diocese told AsiaNews: “I think every mother in the north and east is crying blood in her heart because of the atrocities taking place here. Anyone who has a heart - and I think Blessed Mary has a big heart - will cry these days in Sri Lanka.” Anura warns of possible air attack on parliament National Heritage Minister Anura Bandaranaike yesterday warned of catastrophic consequences if the LTTE launched an air attack on Parliament during sittings or voting times and called on the Speaker to take immediate counter measures.In a letter to Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara, Mr. Bandaranaike said that instead of wasting time on mud-slinging emergency debates, the Speaker should consult the President and the security forces chiefs to work out an immediate security plan for parliament. Mr. Bandaranaike said: “I am writing to you regarding the horrendous and unexpected air attack on the Katunayake Air force base just 4 days ago. My comments are not meant to alarm anyone but to realistically assess the situation and take necessary precautions to prevent a calamity of this nature from happening again.The stark fact is that the LTTE is the only Terrorist Organization in the world that has air power that can be used at anytime of its choice. The Tigers will select special targets and obviously parliament will be one as they have already hinted. Therefore it is imperative that we anticipate the worse scenario and take corrective action.A mere security lapse can cause bloody mayhem. If on a sitting day at voting time when most MPs are present in the chamber or in the lobbies and a powerful bomb is dropped the consequences would be unthinkable. This thought has been worrying me for the last so many years, but now it has become a reality Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has suggested a Parliamentary debate which will be only a mud slinging campaign which is worthless with no results excepting abusing each other engaging in pointless frivolities.I suggest that you consult the President and the joint commanders and work out a security blanket on sitting days, where lives of MPs and staff are endangered. I suggest that you summon a meeting of party leaders immediately and brief us on what you intend to do.You are the Chief custodian of Parliament and responsible for the safety of all MPs, staff of parliament and even your own self. Without wasting time holding useless debates please set in motion what I have suggested, especially as a former Speaker. Please do not take it lightly.All this time we expected to be attacked by vehicular bombs and hence extensive searches of all cars entering Parliament and naval security on Diyawanna oya. This time the attacks may come from the air which has lent a deadly aspect to Terrorism. I trust you would take immediate action.” Unruly scenes in TN over Lanka issue The Tamil Nadu Assembly yesterday witnessed unruly scenes with MDMK and Congress members nearly coming to blows over the issue of Sri Lanka's Tamils.The trouble started when Congress members interrupted the speech of MDMK member Veera Ilavarasan who claimed that the Tamils were undergoing suffering at the hands of the Sri Lankan army. Surprisingly, DMK members remained mute spectators and the PMK, an ally of the state's ruling DMK and a constituent of the UPA at the Centre, strongly supported the MDMK.PMK whip Velmurugan objected to Congress member Rajasekaran's contention that the speech should not be allowed, saying Velmurugan was only explaining the sufferings of Lankan Tamils and not supporting violence.But Congress members Rajasekaran, Varadhan and C. Gnanasekaran continued their protest despite the Speaker's request that they should take their seats.When Congressmen pointed fingers at Ilavarasan and made some adverse personal remarks against MDMK supremo Vaiko, MDMK MLAs objected and members of two parties nearly came to blows. However, MDMK deputy leader Cumbum Ramakrishnan intervened and pacified his agitated party colleagues. Congress floor leader D. Sudarsanam said his party was not against the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils.MDMK's ally, the AIADMK, also came out in support of Ilavarasan and he was finally able to finish his speech. Sri Lanka Government fails to investigate or stop Karuna group's atrocities because they are doing the government's 'dirty work', Human Rights Watch Despite promises to investigate abductions of children by the 'pro-government' Karuna group, Sri Lankan authorities have taken no effective action and abductions by the group continue unabated, the New York based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said today. The armed opposition Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) also continue to recruit children in Sri Lanka and use them as soldiers. In Sri Lanka's eastern Batticaloa district, Human Rights Watch in February witnessed children clearly under the age of 17, some armed with assault rifles, performing guard duty at various offices of the Karuna group's political party, the Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP). Sri Lankan soldiers and police routinely walked and drove by the children without taking any visible action. Human Rights Watch saw a child with an assault rifle guarding the TMVP office in Kiran, home town of the group's leader, V. Muralitharan, also known as Colonel Karuna. Other children, some of them armed, were seen in and around TMVP offices in the district, including in Valaichchenai and Morakkottanchenai, where the office is across the road from a Sri Lankan army base. "When government troops at a military base look across the street at children standing guard at a Karuna office and do nothing, it's hard to believe the government is taking any meaningful steps to end this abuse," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The Karuna group's use of child soldiers with state complicity is more blatant today than ever before." President Mahinda Rajapakse and other Sri Lankan officials have repeatedly said that the government would investigate the allegations of state complicity in Karuna abductions and hold accountable any member of the security forces found to have violated the law. To date, however, the government has taken no effective steps. According to UNICEF, there were 45 reported cases of Karuna child abductions in three months 10 in December, 24 in January, and 11 in February. Among these were three children abducted by Karuna cadres from camps for internally displaced persons in Batticaloa district. The actual number is likely to be higher because many parents are afraid to report cases, and these numbers do not reflect the forced recruitment by the Karuna group of young men over 17. The Karuna group has released at least a dozen children since December. According to UNICEF, however, at least three of the released children were subsequently re-recruited. In February, parents of one abducted child and two abducted young men told Human Rights Watch how Karuna cadre had abducted their sons in recent weeks. In the first case, Karuna group members first abducted the child in July, allowed him home for a family visit, and about one week later came and took him back. In the second, Karuna cadre abducted two young men on the A11 road between Welikanda and Valaichchenai. When relatives of the two complained at the nearby Karuna camp in Karapola, Karuna cadre told them not to report the case =96 or to say the LTTE took their sons. At the same time, the LTTE has continued to abduct and forcibly recruit children and young adults, including women and girls, Human Rights Watch said. UNICEF documented 19 cases of LTTE child recruitment in January and nine in February. The LTTE has also abducted at least four people from camps for the internally displaced. Access to LTTE-controlled areas remains difficult, but credible reports indicate that the group is increasingly recruiting and deploying girls as frontline soldiers in the East. In the recent fighting in the Thoppigala region of Batticaloa district, at least three girls fighting with the LTTE were reportedly killed. Human Rights Watch has repeatedly documented and condemned the use of child soldiers by the LTTE, and it has called on the United Nations to impose targeted sanctions on the LTTE because of its long history of recruiting children in violation of international law. "The LTTE is a notorious repeat offender of child recruitment," Adams said. "It's a shame that government forces complicit with the Karuna group are now involved in the same ugly practice." There is strong evidence that government forces are now openly cooperating with the Karuna group despite its illegal activities, Human Rights Watch said. Armed Karuna members regularly walk or ride throughout Batticaloa district in plain view of government forces. In February, Human Rights Watch saw a Karuna commander named Jeyam riding atop a Sri Lankan armored personnel vehicle outside Valaichchenai. In Batticaloa town, residents have seen Karuna cadre patrolling jointly with the police. The Karuna group maintains at least five camps in the jungle about 10 kilometers northwest of Welikanda town in the Polonnaruwa district, about 50 kilometers northwest of Batticaloa town. Welikanda is where the Sri Lankan Army's 23rd division has its base. The area is firmly under government control, as is the main A11 road from the eastern districts to the Welikanda area. The Karuna camp at Mutugalla village is near a Sri Lankan army post. Independent sources have provided detailed information on abductions and recruitment of children by the Karuna group and the LTTE. In February the UN special advisor on children and armed conflict, Allan Rock, reported to the Security Council on Karuna abductions of children with state complicity and on child recruitment by the LTTE, based on his visit to Sri Lanka in November. Human Rights Watch has provided the government with its 100-page report on Karuna abductions, "Complicit in Crime: State Collusion in Abductions and Child Recruitment by the Karuna Group," published in January. With case studies, maps and photographs, the report shows how Karuna cadres operate with impunity in government-controlled areas, abducting boys and young men, training them in camps, and deploying them for combat. "The government says it needs evidence to start an investigation, but it already has ample information," Adams said. "In addition to UN documentation and testimonies in our report, many families have made formal complaints to the police." Last year President Rajapakse created a one-man commission to look at abductions and enforced disappearances across the country. The commissioner came to Batticaloa in January, two months after canceling his first scheduled visit without warning. Families with abducted children were informed in a haphazard manner and then could not find the meeting place, which was changed at the last minute. Some of them did meet the commissioner, but his staff prevented others from providing information. In December the military summoned the mothers of some children abducted by the Karuna group to an army base and asked them to provide information abo ut their cases. The military pressured the mothers to say that their children were taken by "an unidentified group." Karuna has denied allegations that his forces are abducting or recruiting children. He told Human Rights Watch in a telephone communication on February 9 that his forces had no members under age 18, and that they would discipline any commander who tried to recruit a person under that age. In January the TMVP released regulations for its military wing, stating that 18 was the minimum age for recruitment, and specifying penalties for members who conscript children. Karuna said he was willing to discuss ways that the regulations could be improved, but said that unscheduled visits to his camps were not possible due to security concerns. On March 19, Human Rights Watch wrote to the TMVP, requesting a response to the recent allegations of continued child abductions in Batticaloa district. As of March 28, the TMVP had not replied. "The Karuna group is doing the government's dirty work," Adams said. "It's time for authorities in Colombo to stop this group from using children in its forces." 29 March 2007 Conflict escalating, political solution in Lanka must: India In the wake of the Tamil Tigers using air power for the first time in Sri Lanka, India today voiced serious concern over the escalation of violence there and said it would encourage Sri Lankans to find a political solution to the “tragic” conflict themselves.Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said that New Delhi would be talking to all concerned in Sri Lanka over the next week or so in this regard. “We are very concerned at the escalation of violence recently and LTTE air strike is one example in this escalation of violence,” he said, referring to the Tigers using aircraft to bomb an airbase near Colombo on Monday. Menon said Indian government remained engaged with everyone in Sri Lanka, including the government, to see what it can do for resolution of the problem there. New Delhi also wants to see what it can do to ameliorate the condition of Sri Lankans caused by the conflict. “The main issue is to get a solution to the conflict. Picking an individual incident of violence does not help us to address the root cause of problem. The root cause of problem is the conflict, which is escalating,” Menon said. The escalation of violence has had humanitarian consequences, like internal displacement of over one lakh people, he said, adding, this was a worrying development. “We join our voice with all those in Sri Lanka and abroad who hope violence comes to an end soon,” he said, noting that Colombo would be raising the issue of escalation of violence at the SAARC Summit to be held here on April 3-4. Sri Lanka seizes major separatist Tamil rebel base COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan troops have driven separatist Tamil rebels from a key base in eastern Sri Lanka, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday, amid calls by the United Nations to end the bloodshed.No military casualties were sustained in the assault late Tuesday on the rebels' Kokkadicholai base in Batticaloa district, military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe said, adding the Tamil Tigers fled, leaving behind an arsenal of weapons.Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's largest neighbor India — home to 56 million ethnic Tamils — expressed concern Wednesday at the recent surge in fighting."We are very concerned at this escalation of violence over the past few weeks," Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon told reporters in New Delhi.India was worried about the humanitarian situation with tens of thousands of people, almost all Tamils, having fled their homes to avoid fighting in the volatile east, he said.The Sri Lankan military has stepped up operations in the east over the past few weeks, forcing rebels to withdraw from more than a dozen bases and killing more than 140 insurgents, Samarasinghe said.Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan said they had abandoned the Kokkadicholai base before the attack. "There were none of our fighters there as we left that place a week ago."He also said guerrillas thwarted an attempt by paramilitaries to infiltrate a rebel-held area in Batticaloa on Wednesday, and two attackers were killed in the gunbattle.The rebels blame government troops for supporting paramilitary groups, but the government denies the accusation.Sri Lanka's government, meanwhile, renewed an offer to hold peace talks with the rebels following two days of dramatic rebel assaults, including a suicide bombing and the insurgents' first air strike in their more than two-decade campaign for a separate Tamil homeland.The attacks Monday and Tuesday killed 11 people and wounded 36, prompting the government to issue the call for peace talks. The rebels have not responded to the government's suggestion.U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the two sides to "break this vicious cycle of attack and retaliation," and "return to the negotiating table as soon as possible, without preconditions."The rebels launched their fight for an independent homeland for the country's 3.1 million Tamils in 1983 after decades of discrimination by the majority Sinhalese. In the years since, they have pioneered the use of suicide bomb belts and slowly built up a navy of small gunboats.Hopes for peace that followed a 2002 cease-fire have been dashed in the past 18 months as sporadic shootings and bombings have grown into all-out war in eastern and northern Sri Lanka, where the Tigers want to establish their separate state.An estimated 65,000 people were killed in fighting before the cease-fire, and at least 4,000 fighters and civilians are estimated to have died in the last 18 months. SLA attempt to enter Batticaloa LTTE territory beaten-LTTE Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) forces thwartted a pre-dawn attempt by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers and paramilitary cadres of Karuna group from Chenkalady Black Bridge SLA camp in Batticaloa district Wednesday around 3:30 a.m, to advance into Koduvamadu area in LTTE held territory in Batticaloa, sources in Batticaloa said. LTTE recovered the bodies of two paramilitary members killed in the retaliation besides eight T-56 rifles, unconfirmed sources in Batticaloa said.The four injured paramilitary members were first rushed to Chenkalady hospital and later transferred to Batticaloa Teaching hospital.They were identified as Thutchan, Varman, Nesan and Thevikan, according to hospital sources.The SLA and the Karuna group paramilitary personnel withdrew to their camps following the failed attempt.Chenkalady is located 13 km north west from Batticaloa town. Sri Lanka says sinks 3 rebel boats Sri Lanka's navy said on Thursday it sank three Tamil Tiger boats off the island's northeast coast, killing between 15 and 18 rebel fighters.The attack late on Wednesday off the coast of the rebel-held northeastern district of Mullaithivu is the latest in a rash of land and sea battles after the resumption of a two-decade civil war that has killed around 68,000 people since 1983."A naval patrol has come across about 10 Tiger boats and our boats launched an attack, and we were able to destroy three rebel craft," said Commander Athula Senaratne, a navy spokesman. "During the attack we believe 15-18 rebel cadres were killed."The Tigers were not immediately available for comment. The attack came after the military said troops had driven the rebels from a stronghold in the island's restive east.The Tigers, who are seeking to carve out an independent state for minority Tamils in the island's northeast, have lost an estimated 600 square kilometres of terrain in the face of military offensives in the east in recent months.President Mahinda Rajapakse's ethnic Sinhalese-majority government is pushing on with a drive to destroy the Tigers militarily, despite international community calls to respect a tattered 2002 cease-fire.The Tigers have warned of a bloodbath and analysts expect a war that has killed around 4,000 people in the past 15 months alone to escalate.A Tiger suicide bomber tried to blow up an army camp in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, killing nine people. The day before, rebels carried out their first air strike in a daring attack on an air base near the capital's international airport.The government has yet to explain how the Tigers managed to fly a light aircraft over the area undetected, drop bombs and fly back to their northern stronghold without being shot down. Sri Lanka Navy Invasion off Mullaitivu Thwarted -LTTE The LTTE Sea Tigers fought a valiant battle off Mullaitivu and inflicted a heavy damage to Sri Lanka navy before the latter withdrew to Trincomalee after a three-hour battle, Thursday early morning.A bevy of 23 Dvora gun-ships belonging to Sri Lanka navy made a daring appearance on the sea off Mullaitivu around 10,00 pm Wednesday when a fleet of Seat Tiger gun-boats confronted them.The Navy move was preceded by an aerial attack on the Wanni area around 9.00pm Thursday.In the battle that ensued two Dvora boats were severely damaged and the Navy was driven back an hour past midnight, back to its Trincomalee base. Both damaged boats were towed back by the rest and the Sea Tigers gave a chase up to Trincomalee before returning to base. One Sea tiger lost his life in the three-hour battle.The coastal belt along the Alampil area in Mullaitivu is void of civilian habitation after Tsunami and for fear of occasional Navy shooting from the sea. The navy intruders had been using long-range guns during mid-night raids inflicting damage on civilian settlements. Government to send newsprint to Jaffna The Government has made arrangements to send a shipment of newsprint to Jaffna to meet the urgent shortfall faced by publishers in the peninsula, Essential Services Commissioner S. Divaratne said.He told the Daily Mirror some 50 MT of news print was being loaded onto a ship bound for Jaffna within the next few days.He said the current stock of newsprint was limited as the vessel was also carrying food supplies to Jaffna for the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year. However he added that a larger stock of newsprint would be sent in the next vessel bound for the peninsula.With the closure of the A9 route at Muhamalai last August newsprint had not reached Jaffna forcing leading Tamil publications, including the Uthayan newspaper, to cut down on the number of copies printed and to resort to putting up the publications on public viewing stands in the stores. At a meting with editors on Tuesday, President Mahinda Rajapaksa assured those present that adequate stocks of newsprint would be sent to Jaffna to ease the burden faced by the publishers. In a report to the UN Human Rights Council the Free Media Movement (FMM) said the non-availability of newsprint in Jaffna and the systematic silencing of the moderate voices in the Tamil media was a grave indicator of the deterioration of freedom of expression. Satyagraha against abductions The two tongued government A group of MPs of the government have begun to oppose the attempts made to find a solution to the conflict through discussions.Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake yesterday stressed that the government will not agree to start talks with the LTTE. Meanwhile speaking to a group of foreign journalists in Colombo yesterday Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has said that the government is ready hold talks with the LTTE even tomorrow.In his Mahinda Chinthana document the president had said that he would seek a solution to the conflict through a different approach. It said that the government would begin direct talks with the LTTE who has not entered the democratic mainstream. He also said that he was ready meet the LTTE leader for the purpose IAF sets up radars to monitor skies after LTTE air strike Indian Air Force has set up eight radars as a precautionary measure to monitor the skies in the aftermath of Tamil Tiger rebels launching their first aerial strike in Sri Lanka two days ago. The radars were fixed at Seeniappa Darga Casurina jungle near Sundaramudaiyan village in Ramanathapuram district and trials were being held, a senior IAF official told the agency.A team of 50 Air Force personnel, under a commander, would be posted there to monitor the skies, he said.There was also a plan to set up a permanent air-base near Seeniappa Dargah, the official, who wished not to be named, said.The decision to set up radars comes two days after LTTE carried out an aerial attack at a military airbase in Colombo, killing three persons and injuring 16.Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse on Tuesday warned that LTTE's airstrike capability was a threat to the entire South Asian region, particularly India and Indonesia.Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has begun round-the-clock patrolling of the seas from the Forward Observation Point (FOP) near Dhanushkodi since Tuesday.Twelve marine commandos have been posted at FOP, to which communication links have been established.The Coast Guard would also patrol the International Maritime Border in the Palk Straits, official sources said.Besides these measures, policemen manning the check-posts had been asked to inspect every vehicle passing through coastal roads, they said. Over 1400 detonators seized in TN RAMANATHAPURAM : Over 1400 detonators, meant for being smuggled to Sri Lanka, were seized during a raid at Alagathapuram near Uchipuli here on Wednesday and one person taken into custody in this connection, police said.The sources said 1425 detonators were recovered from a garden belonging to one Gopal and the raid followed a tip-off that arms and explosives were being smuggled from a point at Alagathapuram.Police were conducting raids in the coastal areas. Police said Gopal had denied that he was responsible for burying the detonators in the garden. Lankan refugees a threat to TN shores The LTTE's latest attacks, first an air strike followed by their trademark suicide mission, is likely to provoke a military response from the Sri Lankan Army which could escalate fighting in the island nation. However, a bigger threat to India are the Sri Lankan refugees who are landing in huge numbers on the barren beaches of Dhanushkodi, South Tamil Nadu. More than 75,000 have already arrived and if fighting becomes more intense in Lanka, their numbers could increase. “If there is an all out war, several thousands refugees can come in. The highest influx was in August last year (close to 6,000) and India managed it without any difficulty," S C Chandrahasan of Elam Refugee Rehab said.On one hand there is a humanitarian angle towards the treatment meted out to these refugees while on the other hand, there is fear that some of them could be LTTE cadres sent to garner LTTE's supply chain in India. Tamil Nadu police found evidence of the spreading LTTE supply-chain across south India’s shores. Explosives and detonators were found in the area last week. Police unearthed 1400 detonators on Wednesday morning buried in a village near Rameswaram, TN. Over the last few months, security agencies have seized several hazardous components used for making mines or Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Over 45 people including Sri Lankan Tamils have been arrested. Experts fear that increased fighting in Sri Lanka would mean only increased LTTE activity in India. "Logically India is their supply base and when there's more fighting they need more supplies. They would increasingly use Indian soil," said Former Intelligence head Col R Hariharan (Retd).The LTTE's aerial attack could have raised eye brows on their abilities but the repercussions that it could have on the conflict is something India would be keenly observing. 28 March 2007 On to Tamil Eelam: From bicycle to aircraft Way back in 1983, Velupillai Prabhakaran, on the alert, rode a bicycle through Jaffna to oversee a spot near the university his colleagues had picked to ambush Sri Lankan troops. Few people knew him then, and fewer had heard of the Tamil Tigers. A quarter century later, the same man, now a legend, has made history by using Tamil ingenuity to transform two light aircraft into stealthy bombers to target the air base of his enemy right in the heart of Sri Lanka.From the humble bicycle then to the breathless display of air power in 2007 - this is the extraordinary achievement of a man who has presided over a sharp and intelligent growth of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), taking it from a band of barely 40 men in 1983 to become the world's first insurgent group to carry out an aerial attack without any external state support. A simple device, the cycle proved an ideal transport for Tamil militants in the 1970s and 80s. Young men would come riding, looking like any other cyclist, fire at their targets and coolly pedal away! A frustrated administration decided to ban the use of cycles in Jaffna, forcing a local magazine to ask: 'What will the terrorists do next? Take to tricycles? Will tricycles be banned too eventually?'Using anything and everything that could advance the cause of Tamil Eelam was something Prabhakaran learnt and began implementing a long time ago. During the years he was underground but largely unknown, he opted to use chili powder to keep policemen at bay if nothing else was available. Weapons bought second hand and stolen or snatched from security forces followed. There was of course no stopping his dreams. In 1982, while residing in Madurai town, Prabhakaran confided to Tamil Nadu politician P. Nedumaran: 'How I wish I would be able to see at least 100 LTTE armed members walk in a marching column one day!' Just a decade later, he was presiding over Jaffna peninsula at the head of a huge LTTE army, having ousted Indian troops from Sri Lanka's northeast with a blend of guerrilla tactics and cunning diplomacy.In that tumultuous decade, Prabhakaran provided the Tigers an identity as a fighting force and presided over the slow, steady and secret build up of a group that grew and grew, whatever the consequences, whatever the price. He was not worried about the methods, and he certainly did not mind doing away with real or perceived foes.What came in the beginning were a secret code, a constitution, and simple rules of discipline (not always adhered to). Then came the bigger dreams - uniforms for his men, more weapons, more modern weapons, deadlier weapons, sanctuaries, training manuals, training grounds. These too turned into reality over time. By then, cycles were no more the mainstay of the guerrillas, whose leaders, Prabhakaran included, had long grown out of their teens. They were no more just another militant group. They were the first among equals, and path breakers in technology that could kill. Motorcycles, tractors and jeeps were added to the LTTE arsenal. Deep underground bunkers were dug.Boats, speedboats, larger vessels and even bigger ships joined the Tamil Tiger assets, making it the first insurgent group in this part of the world to have a naval wing. The Tigers also brought down fighter jets. And Prabhakaran had a huge crop of suicide bombers - which were the most dangerous of weapons of all in his inventory.The LTTE, however, lacked one thing: planes. But it did not lack innovative capacity. If the Tigers used huge, improvised catapults to overwhelm the Jaffna Fort, they never stopped trying to build something that could fly. Anyone who knew the Tiger mindset was sure the planes would make their appearance one day. That they did, initially to sprinkle flowers on cemeteries of LTTE fighters in 1998. Nine years later, as the country slept, they flew to Colombo to bomb Sri Lankan air force jets. March 26 may just be the beginning of a new war front in a country that battles men and women who adamantly refuse to give up. Suicide bomb attack on Batti army camp A suicide bomb attack on the main army camp at Chenkalady yesterday morning killed six persons and disrupted traffic on the main supply road to Batticaloa. The explosion had also injured 17 others including six children.An LTTE suicide cadre had tried to ram an explosives laden truck into the main army camp at Chenkalady which is located on the main A11 highway, the military said. An alert sentry had fired at the driver and another occupant of the tractor leading to an explosion around 6.45 a.m. yesterday.A camp maintained by the EPDP right next to the army camp too suffered major damage."The army camp is located on the main road, and civilian traffic from Batticaloa has to take a detour to the right, the tractor was trying to come straight in," Military Spokesperson Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said. More than a dozen houses near the explosion site too had been damaged.Soon after the explosion shellfire too had been directed at the camp from Mavadivembu, north of Chenkalady. "Military sources said that troops were engaging in retaliatory fire following an LTTE mortar shell attack towards the base from Mavadivembu in the uncleared area, eight kilometers north of Chenkalady," the Defence Ministry said.More violence appeared to be on the cards with civilians in the area reporting to the ceasefire monitors that the Tigers had issued leaflets warning them to move out of Chenkalady and Sittandi.Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry said that six Tigers were believed killed and 11 others injured during shell fire at Muhamalai, south of Jaffna.Six persons, including two soldiers, two EPDP members and two civilians were killed in the Chenkalady attack, eight others including two soldiers and two policemen were injured.The two dead soldiers had tried to prevent the tractor, fixed with 200kg of explosives from approaching the camp, and among the dead in the EPDP camp was a boy named Govida Raja aged 12, who had been at the camp visiting a relative.The army said that the tractor driver had triggered the explosion when he realised that his path was blocked."The attackers blew themselves up causing a huge explosion that covered a considerable extent of the area that housed a political office of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) nearby," it said.The main highway was closed at Chenkalady in the morning and remained closed in the afternoon as well. It is the only major access road available to Batticaloa where 150,000 IDPs, over 60,000 of them newcomers are scattered.Humanitarian agencies have raised concerns that a clear and effective supply route is a must for supplies to reach Batticaloa.Chenkalady has seen an increase in violence since last week. The Tigers twice launched attacks on camps in the town. On March 21 they fired shells at five army camps located just north of the town and attacked one. The army also said that around 300 cadres had tried to breach the forward defences at Black Bridge, the main crossover point to LTTE areas.The Tigers said that they had launched last week’s attacks to preempt any moves by the security forces to launch offensive forays into areas under their control.The security forces however said that they were able to gain control of the Unichchi area, that lies about 30 km southwest of Chenkalady, last week. Sri Lanka: Ban Ki-moon says parties must end escalating cycle of violence In a related development, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) launched a new media campaign yesterday to raise awareness about how to acquire Sri Lankan citizenship.Over the next five days, Tamil-language radio spots and newspaper advertisements will alert the public on the country’s citizenship laws. The campaign targets ethnic Tamils because most of Sri Lanka’s Stateless people are descendants of Indian Tamils brought to work in tea estates between 1820 and 1840 when the country was a British colony.The 1988 and 2003 Citizenship Acts were passed to resolve the problem of stateless people in the country, but some of the so-called “Hill Tamils” have not been able to the documents necessary to become Sri Lankan citizens.This latest campaign is UNHCR’s second large-scale effort, the first having occurred in 2003 and 2004, to reduce statelessness in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka briefs Donor Co-chairs over Tigers’ first ever air raid Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday evening briefed the Donor Co-chairs of the Sri Lanka peace process about the LTTE’s air raid on Monday early morning over the Katunayake Air Force Base.Minister Bogollagama also described the future action that would be taken against such attacks and claimed such type of attacks would undermine the government efforts for final settlement through a peaceful manner.Foreign Secretary, Dr. Palitha Kohona and other senior officials of the Ministry were also present at the meeting.US Ambassador Robert Blake, German Ambassador Jurgen Weerth representing the EU Presidency, EU Ambassador Julian Wilson, Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar, and the Japanese Charge d' Affairs N. Ito attended at the meeting at the Ministry in Colombo Indian Navy steps up vigil in Palk Strait NEW DELHI: "They are at the most capable of dumping some rudimentary bombs from the air," said a senior IAF officer. But what is of some concern here is that an aircraft in the hands of a terrorist group can be used as a missile against high-value targets as was shown by the 9/11 strikes in US in 2001. "An aircraft loaded with explosives and being flown by a kamikaze pilot can be very deadly," said the officer. This becomes all the more worrisome in the Indian context due to the fact that there are still "many holes" in the radar network in central and peninsular India to detect intrusions by hostile aircraft, as reported earlier by TOI. "The plan to have a chain of coastal radars is still some distance away but the overall radar coverage in south India has improved in recent months. Yet, it's very difficult to cover the entire air spectrum from the ground to about 60,000 feet," said another officer. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have already stepped up patrolling in Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar after the interception of an explosive-laden LTTE boat off Tamil Nadu's coast on February 13. Defence minister A K Antony had said the development could well be just "the tip of the iceberg" of the threats emerging from the sea. But now, with LTTE demonstrating its air capabilities, Indian forces will have to keep a more watchful eye on the airspace in the region, apart from the heightened vigil on the maritime boundaries. Interestingly, apart from supplying arms, offshore patrol vessels and some "non-lethal" military equipment, India gave Sri Lanka two transportable Indra radars for detection of low-level aircraft last year as part of the growing bilateral military ties. New Zealand issues travel warning on SL New Zealand became the second country in as many days to issue a travel warning on Sri Lanka after Monday’s attack on the Katunayake air base. The country was categorised as a ‘high risk’ destination."In Sri Lanka, there is high risk to your security as the situation is unpredictable. We advise against tourist and non-essential travel. In the capital, Colombo, bomb attacks caused deaths and injuries on 8 and 14 August 2006. In early January 2007, there were bombs on buses between Colombo and Kandy and Colombo and Galle. You should avoid areas where there are Sri Lankan military bases and where the military is operating, e.g. convoys, patrols."Be security conscious," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.The north east was classified as areas with ‘extreme risk.’ The New Zealand warning comes 24 hrs. after Australia issued a similar warning and Cathy Pacific airlines said that it was suspending flights till a proper assessment of the security situation was conducted."Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo was closed briefly on March 26 following an attack on the military base next to the airport," the advisory said. Sri Lanka's air force targets Tamil rebel positions in northeast: military Fighter planes bombed Tamil Tiger positions in Sri Lanka's volatile northeast Tuesday, the military said, a day after the insurgents launched their first-ever airstrike that killed three airmen. The air force targeted three Tamil Tiger guerrilla positions, but there was no information on damage or casualties, said air force spokesman Group Captain Ajantha Silva. A rebel intelligence base in Thoppigala, in war-torn eastern Batticaloa district, was a target, as was a naval base and artillery position in the north, Silva said. No immediate comment from the rebels was available East Ham boys 'terrorise' London East Ham, in London, is the home to a large Sri Lankan Tamil community.There are many Sri Lankan restaurants in East Ham and travel agents offering special deals to Colombo: even the graffiti here is in Tamil scrawl.It is also home to one of the most notorious Tamil gangs in the country: the east ham boys.Since 2000 ten people have been killed in the capital as a result of violent clashes between rival Tamil groups. Police say some members of the Tamil community are living in fear. They even set up a special task force to deal with them.Abhi has seen first hand what the gangs are capable of. Eyewitness account Four years ago a friend was shot dead at close range and in a separate incident he too was attacked. The killings have now stopped due to a series of crackdowns, police patrols and close circuit cameras on the high street. But the threats continue.They are now involved in a racket demanding cash from local businesses and residents. Those who refuse are threatened with violence. Officers believe the youngsters are working for the Tamil Tigers which is banned in Britain as a terrorist outfit. Working for LTTE Chief inspector Derek Griffiths of Newham police says the east ham boys are now running a protection racket. Despite many arrests, few gang members ever make it to court.Labour councillor Paul Sathianesan says in the past witnesses have been scared to give evidence.The police say they're clamping down on the gang by banning them from the area for five years.Community leaders however fear that other youngsters may be all too willing to take their place. LTTE'S AIR STRIKE---AN ASSESSMENT - By B.Raman The Sri Lankan Government has imposed a total black-out on the losses suffered by it from the conventional air strike launched by the Tamil Eelam Air Force (TAF) of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the air base of the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) at Katunayake outside Colombo on March 26,2007. The air base is located adjoining the international airport. The black-out is meant to hamper any damage assessment by the media and other analysts----from Sri Lanka as well as outside. One has to,therefore, depend on source reports. 2. The only information which the Government has given out is that two helicopters were damaged. It has tried to create an impression as if there was no damage to its fighter aircraft. Source reports, on the other hand, indicate that the TAF air strike has severely damaged, if not destroyed, at least a half of the aircraft holdings of the SLAF. The truth will be known only if and when the SLAF resumes its operations in the Tamil areas. If the Government's contention that there was no damage to its fighter aircraft is correct, then there would be no impact on its air operations in the Tamil areas. If the source reports' contention is correct, one would see a marked decrease in the SLAF's air operations in the days to come. 3. The TAF's air strike was well-planned and equally well-executed. It was a night operation taking advantage of the weak capability of the SLAF for night operations. It was a precision attack, which carefully avoided causing any casualty or damage in the international airport, which could have roused international ire. There were no civilian casualties----targeted or collateral. As a result, it would not be possible to characterise the attack as an act of terrorism. It was pure and simple a conventional air strike. The bombs targeted the hangar or hangars at the base inside which the aircraft of the SLAF are normally parked at night. Three SLAF personnel were killed and about 20 injured. It is not yet known whether they were the maintenance people or whether any of them were pilots. Maintenance casualties can be easily replaced, but not pilot casualties. 4.Some worrisome questions arise. Even professional pilots of a State Air Force need regular flying practice. You can't just assemble or take out an aircraft from a hide-out and fly out on a bombing mission. Where were the TAF pilots doing their flying practice? How come the Air Force intelligence set-ups of Sri Lanka as well as India missed detecting these training flights of the TAF? One needs fuel for the aircraft. From the way the LTTE has been warning of more air attacks, it seems to have an adequate reserve of fuel. Where from it got the fuel? Hopefully, not from India. Since April last year, when the Government of President Mahinda Rajapakse started using the SLAF, the latter has been claiming that it had repeatedly bombed the air strip of the TAF. When an air strip is bombed, it takes time to repair it. How did the LTTE manage to repair it without any problem? Or, does it have another air strip, which has not come to the notice of the Sri Lankan intelligence? 5. The air strike was a daring operation. The TAF aircraft were air-borne for a little over two hours.There was every danger of the aircraft being intercepted and destroyed by the SLAF. The fact that the LTTE leadership decided to face this risk speaks of a certain desperation behind the decision to launch the air strike. One could detect a similar desperation in its efforts to smuggle material required for improvised explosive devices (IEDS) from Tamil Nadu. Since November,2006, a number of consignments of ball bearings, aluminium and similar material intended for smuggling to the LTTE-controlled areas have been intercepted by the Tamil Nadu Police and the Coast Guard. "The Hindu" of March 24,2007, has reported that one of the arrested persons admitted during the interrogation that one consignment had managed to reach Sri Lanka. (see item titled " Two Held in Iron Balls Seizure Case" on Page 8). Two conclusions emerge: First, the LTTE is so desperate for replenishments from Tamil Nadu that it is prepared to face the risk of the arrest of some of its collaborators in Tamil Nadu. Second, if one consignment managed to avoid detection and interception and reach the LTTE, there is a strong possibility of more consignments having reached the LTTE. This reveals gaps in our counter-LTTE security measures. 6.This desperation has arisen from the LTTE's fears that the Sri Lankan Armed Forces were planning to launch an offensive in the Northern Province after having ejected the LTTE from nearly 85 per cent of the total territory in the Eastern Province. If the SL Armed Forces score similar successes in the Northern Province, that could deal a severe blow to the LTTE's political objectives. LTTE spokesmen have been repeatedly hinting that any offensive in the North would lead to a blood-bath in areas outside the Eastern and Northern Provinces.The Sri Lankan Armed Forces and their Foreign Office were treating these warnings casually as the dying gasp of the LTTE. Through its daring air strike, the LTTE has conveyed a credible message that it may be down, but not out. It still has a lot of daring, fight and innovative ability left in it. 7.The Sri Lankan Armed Forces would be stupid to over-estimate the significance of their successes in the Eastern Province and under-estimate the LTTE's capabilities in the Northern Province. The successes in the Eastern Province were largely due to the role played by Karuna and his men, and the ruthless use of the SLAF and the heavy artillery of Pakistani origin. Karuna is a former commander of the LTTE from the Batticaloa District of the Eastern Province, who deserted from the LTTE in March 2004 due to differences with Prabakaran. The LTTE did not consider it necessary to use the TAF to prevent the set-backs in the Eastern Province. It is facing a serious shortage of anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition, but still has some, which have been kept in the reserve for use in the North and to prevent a decapitation strike against Prabakaran. The Sri Lankan Army will have to operate in the North without the support of Karuna and his men, who are detested there as Sinhalese quislings. Moreover, the LTTE's soldiers will be fighting in their own area with which they are familiar. Any operations in the North will see the LTTE fighting ferociously----possibly making full use of its air and anti-aircraft capability. It will hit out against the Sinhalese in the rest of Sri Lanka. It is not doing so presently due to fears of a backlash against the Tamils living in the Sinhalese majority areas, but a desperate LTTE will not be inhibited by such considerations. 8. The demonstrated air attack capability of the LTTE poses immediate, short, medium and long-term threats to Sri Lanka and medium and long-term threats to India. The first immediate threat is to the security of President Rajapakse and other VIPs. The ability to use an aircraft---either conventionally or through a suicide mission--- will enable the LTTE to circumvent access control measures.Without effective access control, there is no effective VIP security. The second immediate threat is psychological---the negative impact on foreign tourists and investors. This impact will be enhanced if the TAF carries out attacks on economic targets. 9. The third immediate impact is also psychological on the minds of the Sri Lankan Tamils. Prabakaran is stated to be a voracious reader. He reads everything that is available on guerilla warfare, covert actions etc. A favourite quote of his from one of these books is:" Those, who dare, win". It is said that this quote is exhibited in all training centres of the LTTE. The TAF dared on the morning of March 26 against tremendous odds. It succeeded. There was elation among the Sri Lankan Tamils all over the world. Many champagne bottles were broken by members of the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora. An added reason for this elation is stated to be the fact that all the TAF pilots are from the diaspora. One could see a fresh flow of volunteers to join the LTTE from Sri Lanka itself as well as from the diaspora. And a fresh flow of funds. 10. To neutralise these psychological impacts, the the SLAF has to demonstrate quickly that its capability and morale have not been affected. Can it do so? It is very important. 11.The short, medium and long-term threats to Sri Lanka will arise if as a result of this demonstrated air capability of the TAF, the SLAF loses its present air superiority. If that happens, the SL Armed Forces and the LTTE will be more evenly matched on the ground than they are today. That means continuing bloodshed and the danger of Tamil Eelam becoming a reality one day.The statements of the close advisers of Rajapakse before the air raid including those of his Foreign Minister show considerable naivete. They seem to think the LTTE can be defeated militarily. The only instances in recent history where terrorist organisations have collapsed without achieving any of their stated objectives are those of the Khalistanis and of the Western ideological groups such as the German Red Army Faction. They collapsed or withered away because they had no support from the people for whose cause they claimed to be fighting. The LTTE has considerable support from the Sri Lankan Tamils---in Sri Lanka as well as abroad. Unless they are weaned away from the LTTE through appropriate political measures, a military victory is doubtful. Repeated bombing raids by the SLAF on Sri Lankan Tamils in order to intimidate them are not the way of winning over the Tamils. Barring the US, which has been heavily using air strikes against the Neo Taliban in Afghanistan and the terrorists and resistance-fighters in Iraq, without any significant success, and Israel, which did so in the Lebanon in July last year,no other country in the world uses air strikes for counter-insurgency operations in such a ruthless manner as the Rajapakse Government has been doing. At the least the US and Israel have been bombing foreign people in foreign territory, but the Rajapakse Government has been bombing from air its own people in its own territory. 12. There is no immediate security threat to India. The medium and long-term threats will arise from the likelihood of copy-cat terrorism and the LTTE one day using it against an Indian target. India has any number of terrorist and insurgent organisations active in different parts of the country. Some of them might be tempted to emulate the LTTE. Successful development and use of an independent air strike capability by a terrorist organisation is largely conditional on its having territorial control over the rural areas. Purely urban terrorist organisations would find it difficult to develop an independent air capability. In India, the Naxalites (Maoists) have effective control over large parts of rural areas. One has to be careful about them. 13. India is no stranger to air terrorism. The plane hijackings by the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and the Khalistanis, the blowing-up of the Kanishka aircraft of Air India by the Babbar Khalsa of Canada and the clandestine air drop of weapons by a plane manned by a mercenary crew in Purulia were instances of air terrorism. In the early 1990s, a member of the Babbar Khalsa trained by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence had stated during his interrogation that the ISI had asked him to join the Mumbai Flyting Club, take a trainer aircraft up and crash it on the Bombay High Oil platform. Such instances of air terrorism can be prevented by effective physical security on the ground. 14. But when an insurgent or a terrorist organisation acquires an independent air strike capability, the task of countering it becomes much more difficult. Preventive intelligence is an effective way, but it totally failed in the case of the LTTE. It was able to hoodwink the intelligence agencies of many countries---including those of India, Sri Lanka and the European countries--- get its pilots recruited from the diaspora and trained in foreign training institutions ---like Al Qaeda did-- and smuggle the aircraft in dismantled forms to the areas controlled by it. 15. The LTTE should not be allowed to retain its TAF. The matter should be taken up in the UN Security Council under Resolution 1373 and an ultimatum issued to the LTTE to surrender its planes to observers appointed by the UNSC. If it fails do so, the bank accounts of all members of the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora suspected or known to be funding the LTTE should be frozen as a first step to make it see reason. If it continues to be defiant, other measures have to be considered like knocking them out. These measures have to be combined with pressure on the Rajapakse Government to initiate a political process towards a federal solution. Unilateral action only against the LTTE without simultaneous action against the Rajapakse Government or vice versa will prove counter-productive. Sri Lanka blackout on Air Force losses Sri Lanka’s President held an emergency meeting of the country’s security leadership Monday as the government imposed a total blackout on the Liberation Tigers' bombing raid on Katunayake, the island’s main airbase in the early hours. Whilst the government says only two helicopter gunships were slightly damaged, airmen coming off duty told reporters in Colombo that several SLAF jet bombers were put out of action by fierce fires which broke out in the hangars struck by the LTTE aircraft. Up to 40% of the SLAF’s strike capability has been knocked out, they said.Residents near the airbase which shares a runway with the island’s sole international airport said security had been greatly increased in the area.During the day Monday journalists were kept away from the airbase by heavily armed air force troops who searched surrounding areas with dogs.Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) officials who attempted to visit the Air Force base Monday to initiate inquiries into the attack were refused access to the site by top Air Force officials, an SLMM spokesman told the Daily Mirror. SLMM spokesman Thorfinur Omarsson said the monitors however managed to visit the injured at the Negombo hospital and would make another attempt to visit the air base Tuesday stressing it was important that access is granted for the monitors to rule on the incident.Meanwhile, only two propeller-driven Pucara ground attack aircraft and a seaplane took off from Katunayake all day Monday.A significant section of the SLAF’s jet bomber fleet, including several Israeli-made Kfirs are based at Katunayake.At least six Kfirs were housed in the hangers bombed by two LTTE aircraft in the early hours Monday.The LTTE bombs had triggered fires and secondary explosions in the hangars, airmen who came off duty Monday told reporters. The Sri Lankan government has played down the attack saying only two bombs dropped by the LTTE aircraft exploded.But several press reports in the early hours quoted residents being woken by at least four loud blasts followed by gunfire.Tourists in the international terminal speaking to international agencies also reported a series of loud explosions amid gunfire. In an analysis comment for rediff.com, B. Raman, a former counter-terrorism chief of India’s intelligence service, RAW, said that the LTTE airstrike had damaged or destroyed several aircraft.“Two helicopters, reportedly given by Pakistan, were badly damaged. There was also some damage to the Israeli aircraft of the Sri Lankan Air Force,” he wrote.The bombing raid by two LTTE aircraft coincided with a Gala musical function being held by Sri Pagnananda Maha Vidyalaya school, located 2 km west of the airport. Students were lighting firecrackers at the event, which was being attended by several airmen, when the bombs had struck the airbase. Indiscriminate firing by panicked security personnel in the wake of the explosions had led to a number of friendly fire incidents, with casualties, airmen also said. Faulty radar helped Tigers? Although three of the four radars promised by India are in place, there are believed to be operational problems. The fourth is likely to be installed in the northern theatre. Sri Lanka wants India to fully activate the system on a priority basis.India stepped in with an offer to establish a radar network after President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s government initiated talks with China to acquire a 3D radar system. Former Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Rao, currently New Delhi’s top envoy is believed to have initiated the move on behalf of her government as India had national security concerns. The Island learns that President Mahinda Rajapakse is likely to seek a meeting with Rao’s successor Alok Prasad in this regard. The unprecedented attack has prompted the government to review the existing counter measures on a priority basis.President Rajapakse called an urgent meeting with political party leaders to brief them of the current situation.Although the LTTE scored a huge propaganda victory, LTTE aircraft failed to hit the intended targets-Israeli built Kfirs and Ukrainian MIG 27s. SLAF headquarters said that two of the three bombs dropped by the LTTE exploded causing damages to three buildings. Pro-LTTE TamilNet quoted unnamed airmen as saying that several SLAF jet bombers were put out of action by fierce fires which broke out in the hangars struck by the LTTE aircraft. Up to 40% of the SLAF’s strike capability has been knocked out, the website reported. SLAF headquarters yesterday emphasised that the LTTE attack did not dent its strike capability. "All Kfirs and the newly acquired MIG 27s are safe," an official said. "They missed their targets," he said, adding, "We would continue to take targets depending on the requirement."Kfirs and MIG 27s launched from Katunayake engaged five LTTE targets on Monday afternoon and yesterday.Aircraft targeted LTTE positions north of Mannar, Mullaitivu, Kanagarayankulam and South of Thoppigala. The SLAF said that an LTTE intelligence base and a Sea Tiger facility were among the targets taken.A senior government official yesterday contradicted B. Raman, former head of Research and Analysis Wing who claimed that the LTTE air wing had been in existence for nine years without the Sri Lankan intelligence having the least idea about its location and capability. Raman, a former Additional Secretary of the Cabinet of India made the declaration hours after the terrorist attack. Sri Lankan sources pointed out the absurdity in Raman’s assertion. He conveniently ignored that India installed radars after Sri Lanka sought to deploy an advanced Chinese early warning system. The sources emphasized that Sri Lanka sought the Chinese help after obtaining credible information about the existence of the LTTE air wing. The sources revealed that Sri Lanka also briefed permanent members of the UN Security Council plus India of the growing threat posed by the LTTE air wing in early 2005. In fact, a comprehensive dossier which included even a short footage obtained by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) of the ‘LTTE assets’ was made available to the big five-US, Russia, China, UK and France and India. The sources said that this was done at the highest level as Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar correctly assessed the threat. According to a senior official Sri Lanka’s action was in line with US Security Council Resolution 1373. In the wake of the 11 September 2001 Al Qaeda attack in the US, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1373, which, among its provisions, obliges all States to criminalize assistance for terrorist activities, deny financial support and safe haven to terrorists and share information about groups planning terrorist attacks.The 15-member Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was established at the same time to monitor implementation of the resolution. While the ultimate aim of the Committee is to increase the ability of States to fight terrorism, it is not a sanctions body nor does it maintain a list of terrorist organizations or individuals.Sri Lanka believes that LTTE is in pocession of a few aircraft possibly Pilatus PC-7, Pilatus PC-21 and Zlin Z 143. The sources said that India was the first to receive the dossier on the LTTE attempts to build an air wing. Group profile: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Janes Defence weekly The LTTE is a model for existing and emerging insurgent groups. The international security and intelligence community generally assesses the LTTE as one of the world's most effective terrorist organisations. It is the only organisation to have assassinated two heads of government and develop a sea arm capable of countering a conventional navy. It also possesses a dedicated suicide squad, the Black Tigers. The LTTE is likely to remain a formidable force until the government of Sri Lanka either develops force structures sufficient to destroy them militarily or a negotiated settlement is reached paving the way for the entry of the LTTE into the legitimate political arena. The group maintains a very high level of readiness through effective training, the acquisition of modern equipment and, for an insurgent group, considerable capabilities for conventional war, with static naval clusters and fortified artillery positions. It is likely the LTTE has the ability to concentrate a force of several thousand to strike anywhere in northeastern Sri Lanka and that it could mount suicide and other operations that would cause immense damage, especially in Colombo. The LTTE maintains a well-equipped navy, the Sea Tigers, and Hagrup Haukland, the chief of the Norwegian-led military mission monitoring the ceasefire, stated in May 2005 that the group had constructed airstrips in the jungles of Mullaitivu and near Trincomalee and had acquired two light aircraft. Targets, tactics and methodology Battle-hardened LTTE cadres are deployed to strike heavily fortified military targets. The LTTE has vast experience in limited action against Sri Lankan forces and is highly developed in the art of mobile warfare. In response to territorial reversals in the East, the group has displayed a capacity to diversify targets, including numerous suicide attacks against army personnel and high-profile military attacks such as the attack on 25 April 2006 targeting an army headquarters compound in the capital Colombo during which Sri Lankan General Sarath Fonseka was severely injured. The group has grown in terms of unconventional and semi-conventional capability, and has sought to develop its conventional force capability. Extensive use is made of landmines or improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in defending approaches to the areas it occupies. Attacks against persons and/or on economic targets other than those in the northeast are conducted largely by the so-called Black Tiger suicide squads. These cadres depend on helpers, mostly from the local minority Tamil community, to play a supportive role in the provision of basic intelligence, safe houses, transport or acting as couriers. Sources of weapons Explosives, weapons and other supplies have come from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, just 22 miles away and a 45-minute dash by speedboat; the Sri Lankan navy has intercepted only a fraction of this incoming arsenal. During the past decade, the LTTE has transported consignments of weapons from Bulgaria (SA 14, LAW), Ukraine (50 tonnes of TNT and 10 tonnes of RDX), Cyprus (RPGs), Cambodia (small arms), Thailand (small arms), Myanmar (small arms) and Croatia (32,400 mortars). The amount of explosives and mortars transported by the LTTE remains the largest quantity of armaments ever transported by a non-state armed group. Most armaments have been obtained by using forged or adapted end-user certificates. International efforts to curtail the supply of weaponry to terrorist groups have been at least partially successful in reducing the flow to the LTTE. The absence of a comprehensive defence pact with India has hampered naval co-operation against LTTE maritime procurement. In this context, the LTTE has been able to maintain significant procurement links and has considerably enhanced its heavy artillery supplies during the ceasefire. 27 March 2007 Air Force attack: Sri Lanka launches two inquiries Sri Lanka Yesterday launched two investigations into possible security lapses that have led Tigers to carry out its first air raid against the Sri Lanka Air Force Base, adjoining the Bandaranaike International Air Port, killing at least three airmen and injuring sixteen others.“Five member inquiry board of the Sri Lanka Air Force has been appointed to investigate into the incident, while Criminal Investigation Department also is tasked to inquiry into the incident,” government spokesman Minister Anura Priyadharsana Yapa told the media.However he declined to reveal further information until the ongoing investigation is over.Air Force Spokesman Group Captain Ajantha Silva said that when enemy air craft sighted over the Air Base sky, the Air Force personnel retaliated forcing the enemy craft to withdraw form the area. A news agency report quoting a top police source said that the police also has launched an investigation because they were the first to inform the Air Force about the sighting of two unidentified aircrafts an hour before the attack when the rebel crafts passed Ganeshapuram, in Vavuniya district.Sri Lanka government strongly condemning the attack said the unsuccessful mission is a cowardly act in response to LTTE’s major defeats in the East. Defense officials said that the Tigers miserably missed their target of parked Air Force fighter aircraft fleet and only caused minor damages to three Air Force buildings. LTTE Air Wing nine years old: Former RAW chief India’s former Research and Analyst Wing (RAW) Head B. Raman yesterday said the LTTE Air Wing had been in existence for nine years “without the Sri Lankan intelligence having the least idea about its location and capability”.Mr. Raman, who was also a former Additional Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat of India, made this comment in an article posted on the South Asia Analysis group website yesterday, hours after the LTTE air attack on the Katunayake air base..Mr. Raman said the LTTE had also stepped up its arms procurement efforts and managed to replenish its stocks of explosives. Sri Lanka War Planes Pound Tamil CivilianTargets The Sri Lankan Kfir war planes set out from one of their bases in Sri Lanka and have had a retaliatory attack on Vellankulam, Monday morning,in the Tamil district of Mannar according to confirmed sources in Vavuniya. Twelve retaliatory bombs were dropped on the Tamil civilian village, to match the number of bombs the Katunayake Air Force facilities received early Monday morning from the Tiger Air Force.Sources in Colombo confirm what were dropped on the Katunayake facilities were not mere explosives as the Govt claims but 12 bombs worthy of their mission.An Asian Diplomat in Colombo has ridiculed the efficacy of the sophisticated RADAR system Sri Lanka boasts of having obtained from its Super Power patron through Pakistan, not being able to detect the Flying Tiger which by normal standard should have taken an hour to reach Katunayake.Sri Lanka says the Katunayake International Airport is in business again. SLMM yet to finalise report on Katunayake Air Base attack The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission is yet to finalise its report on yesterday's LTTE air strike on the Air Force base in Katunayake which killed three airmen and injured 16. The SLMM monitors are making inquiries to gather details of the incident. "We are aware that there had been an incident at the air force base in Katunayake. Our monitors are making inquiries at the Katunayake air force base, the airport and at the hospital where casualties are being treated. As in the case with the military and police we too have to complete all the inquiries before coming to a conclusion", the SLMM spokesman Thorfinnur Ommarson told the Daily News. Ommarson said "our monitors are working hard and it is a case which is to be handled in depth". The SLMM will give its final report after the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE issue their statements. "The SLMM monitors will contact the Government and the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) directly. Our monitors from the Kilinochchi office will contact the LTTE directly. Then we can reach a conclusion", Ommarson said. Air attack by LTTE has brought endless joy and happiness to Tamils all over the world – P. Nedumaran The news that two flights belonging to Tamileelam Air Force for the very first time flew into Colombo bombing and heavily damaging the Sinhala Air Force base and returned back to base has brought boundless joy and happiness to the Tamils living all over the world. In a statement P. Nedumaran, leader of the Tamilar Desiya Iyakkam of Tamil Nadu, pointed out that for the last five years, Liberation Tigers very strictly adhered to the Ceasefire Agreement. However he alleged that the Sinhala Army often violated it, also it attacked indiscriminately the Tamil areas with aerial bombardments, mortar shells and was involved in the killing of the Tamils in large numbers.Nedumaran further said that though the Liberation Tigers, as well as the International Community repeatedly brought to the notice of the atrocities inflicted on the Tamils, there was no favorable response forthcoming. Justifying the air attack, Nedumaran said that no one is qualified to either condemn or rebuke the attack by the Tamil Tigers.Despite the provocations for the last several months, Liberation Tigers exercised patience he said. Because of this, Tigers experienced losses, he added. Subsequently assuming that Tigers were weakened, selected media organizations and a few leaders in India began their anti-tiger tirades vigorously. Now those involved in reproofing the Tamil Tigers are flabbergasted and remain spellbound after the air attack, Nedumaran said.India must remember that liberation Tigers at no given time was weakened, but they have grown strength to strength, Nedumaran emphasized.He urged the international community in general and India in particular to come forward to reprimand Sri Lanka government and insist it to take necessary steps to bring solution to the impending ethnic issues in the country. Travel warnings to Australians, Cathay suspends flights The Australian government yesterday warned Australians of the dangers in travelling to Sri Lanka after the attack on Sri Lanka Air Force base and the closure of the Colombo Airport, the Australian press reported.The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advisory said flights may be diverted to the Maldives and India."We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Sri Lanka at this time because of ongoing civil unrest, the volatile security situation and the very high risk of terrorist attacks," the advisory said."Attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Sri Lanka. Australians could inadvertently become victims of violence directed at others, in particular the Sri Lankan government and military targets."Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific Airways has taken the decision to suspend its flights to and from Colombo which is to be reviwed in a week, a message posted on the airline’s website said. Safety is a top priority at Cathay Pacific and a careful assessment of the situation will be made before services are resumed, the airline said.The airline confirms that the 119 passengers on last morning’s CX700 flight from Colombo to Bangkok and Hong Kong are safe and are currently being accommodated in downtown hotels. Cathay Pacific will operate its CX710 service early this morning (scheduled depart time 0040 local time, 0310 Hong Kong time, 27 March 2007) to get passengers to their destinations, it added. Sri Lanka stocks plunge on rebel air raid Sri Lanka stocks plunged yesterday at the Colombo Bourse as investors unnerved by the pre-dawn Tiger attack on the Air Force base in Katunayake, stayed away from trading. The first ever air attack by the Tigers killed three airmen and injured seventeen but failed to cause damages to the jet fighters. The main Colombo All Share Price Index lost 37.89 points or 1.32% to close at 2,824.85 while the highly capitalized Milanka Price Index fell 60.69 points or 1.54% to 3,874.27. The turnover was low today closing at 228.6 million rupees with the trading volume closing at 9.6 million shares. CF Venture Fund dominated the turnover today with 67 million rupees gaining 4.29 % to close at 18.75 rupees in a trade of 3.67 million shares. Fixed-line operator Sri Lanka Telecom fell 3.90% to close at 37.00 rupees trading 434,700 shares while the mobile operator Dialog Telekom remained flat at 25.75 rupees trading 177,300 shares. Conglomerate John Keells Holdings closed down by 2.97% at 155.25 rupees trading 80,400 shares. Other major contributors to the turnover included Nations Trust (672,800), Distilleries (172,800), Dockyard (167,500), Tokyo Cement - Non Voting (293,000), HNB Assurance (113,500), Nawaloka Hospitals (1,308,700) and Ceylon Glass (908,500). Most sectors posted losses above a percent today. Information Technology index fell 3.22% while Beverage, Food and Tobacco sector posted loss of 2.29%. Printing company Gestetner gained 8.00 rupees or 19.05% to top the gainer’s list. The other top gainers included Kshatriya Holdings (14.67%), Equity Two (10.20%), Blue Diamonds – non voting (10.00%) and Royal Palm Beach Hotel (7.89%). Commercial Leasing lost 16.75 rupees or 13.40% placing it at the top of the loser’s list. The other top losers included Associated Hotels Company (-11.58%), Mullers (-9.09%), Capital Development and Investment (-8.29%) and Sathosa Motors (-7.69%). Rupee eased up slightly against the dollar today according to the Central Bank figures buying at 108.99 rupees and selling at 110.25. Stop peace process, crush Tigers to pieces: JVP Charging that the ceasefire agreement paved the way for the LTTE to purchase aircraft to launch the recent attack on the Air Force base in Katunayake, JVP Parliamentry group leader Wimal Weerawansa said it was time for the government to give up the false notion of power devolution and crush the terrorists. He was addressing a ceremony in Borella to mark the donation of medical equipment to disabled soldiers by the Patriotic National Movement (PNM) yesterday.Mr. Weerawansa said the government was keeping one leg on peace proposals and the other on crushing the LTTE. He said the government should take a firm stand to crush terrorism. “Yesterday’s attack on the Katunayake air base is a signal by the LTTE to surrender or fight and the government should choose to fight and deliver the nation from its clutches,” he said. He also said the government should not heed the pressure of the international community at this moment when a fierce attack had taken place. “The international community including the NGOs will no doubt issue statements saying that war is not a solution, but the government should not give in to this pressure,” he warned. Mr. Weerawansa charged that the ceasefire helped the LTTE to purchase aircraft when the then government provided helicopters and other transport facilities to take the aircraft parts to the North. He said Karuna had confirmed this in one of his public statements recently. PNM President Prof. Gunadasa Amarasekera said the government should consider all anti-war organizations and NGOs as friends of the LTTE. He said every support should be given to the security forces to defeat the LTTE and added that the PNM would do its utmost in this respect. Founder Member of Manel Mal Viyaparaya, Ven. Omare Kassapa Thera said the movement had played a pivotal role in motivating the forces and looking into the needs of the injured soldiers. He said the movement had already started a welfare programme to help the families of fallen soldiers in four provinces namely North Central, Central, Western and Southern. He said Rs. 10,000 was given to each family. Over 100 families have benefited from this move according to him. He said his programme would be extended to other provinces as well. Sri Lanka tourist industry puts on brave face after airport attack Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has been dealt a further blow by the daring Tamil Tiger rebel air strike on the Katunayake air force base officials and market analysts said, though most are insisting that tourism, while down, is not out. "It’s been a good experience," Lee Carlton, a visitor from the UK told LBO at the airport just before leaving the county. "My flight was to leave at one o’clock, now it leaves at three thirty. It hasn’t really had a detrimental effect." Peter Umblair agreed : "I know very little about it apart from the fact we were told to stay in our hotel for two hours. It has been a great holiday so far." The international airport was closed for about 3 hours, disrupting several flights, but no tourist was injured or hurt. Brave Face Chandima Rasaputra, chairman of Airports and Aviation Services the state-firm that owns the country's only international airport, told reporters at the airport that the attack was a small incident, albeit being the newest type of terrorist attack. Malin Hapugoda of Aitken Spence Hotels and a former president of the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, said the rapid resumption of flights at the Bandaranaike International Airport should help negate the bad publicity. Definitely, it will have some effect," he said. "But the authorities have been very proactive, with the Tourist Board chairman issuing a statement within hours of the incident, and the airport itself reviving very fast. These should negate to a great extent the damage caused.Tea Trails, a top-end luxury bungalow property that sells a room for 320 dollars, has just been included in a coveted luxury hotels list. "Headlines will affect the industry in the short term," Dominique Nordmann, Chief Executive of Forbes and Walker Leisure, told reporters. "People will turn the page and in the long term we are positive." Hard Numbers Though the industry is putting on a brave face, it has already been hit by the down turn in tourist arrivals, and harsh travel advisories from top generating markets like Germany and France. In February arrivals fell 18.3 percent. In the stock market hotel stocks have been losing ground steadily since hostilities flared up last year. Nilma Ekanayake, an analyst at DFCC Stockbrokers, said investors would already have factored in the war and that while the market might fall initially, it would eventually recover as it has done after previous such incidents. Tourism had already suffered a downturn, so we expect it to continue.Sri Lanka's government has already condemned the attack. It said in a statement there was no damage to military aircraft in the hangars or the runaway at the base. The LTTE terrorists suffered major defeats in the east as the security forces succeeded in rescuing the civilian population from the clutches of the terrorists in recent weeks.Air Services deputy minister Sarath Gunaratne told reporters President Mahinda Rajapakse had held talks with Defence Ministry secretary Gothabhaya Rajapakse and senior defence officials on ways of preventing further rebel air attacks. De jvu Wasantha Leelananda, managing director of Walkers Tours and Travels, says the attack was similar to incidents had happened before and less damaging than earlier incidents. There was no threat to civilians or airport users, says Leelananda. The fact that airport operations were disrupted for a few hours is of concern but we don’t see this as a major cause for concern. These things have happened before.He points out that the rebels did not target the international airport. An attack in 2001 destroyed several aircraft on the ground, though they were empty at the time. That year the island registered negative economic growth for the first time since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. A jump in insurance payments forced many airlines to suspend flights. But the industry eventually recovered fast after a peace deal with the Tamil Tigers. Cathay Pacific announced they were suspending flights within hours of the attacks. But Indian budget carrier Air India Express which flew to the country for the first time Sunday said they would continue the run. The head of Sri Lanka's tourism promotion body Renton de Alwis is optimistic. "It is bad, (but) it could have been worse if the airport was attacked," Sri Lanka's top tourism official Renton de Alwis said. "We hope our partners (tour operators) will be with us." de Alwis only got the post last month. But he should know, because he has been in the same shoes before. By a strange quirk of fate, de Alwis was heading the Tourist Board in 2001 when he got the industry to rally around at a time when things looked even blacker than now. Having managed a similar situation in 2001, I can say there was greater preparedness this time, he told LBO. The evacuation of people was done quite professionally this time and the airport was closed for only two hours." He added: We’re aiming at staying positive. We have in the past experienced similar situations and were able to bounce back. We also expect the authorities to come up with plans to minimize the risks.De Alwis said the authorities had talked to Cathay Pacific and the airline was reviewing its decision to suspend flights. One veteran hotelier who declined to be identified but who was also battered by the tsunami and faced the horror of having a number of guests swept away in December 2004 told LBO: "Nobody wants to admit that the situation is very bad. It becomes a self perpetuating prophesy, because it adds to the headlines." Shift SLAF base, says Jeyaraj Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said the Air Force base in Katunayake should be shifted as it poses a threat to the main international airport and added that the move was mooted in 2001 but had failed to materialise.Addressing the media yesterday in the wake of an LTTE attack on the Air Force base Mr. Fernandopulle also called on India to take serious note of the latest attack saying it could pose a threat to the neighbouring countries as well.“I brought up the issue in 2001 through a Cabinet Paper to shift the Air Force base because it is against international regulations to have such a base adjoining an international airport. But there was a change of government and nothing happened thereafter,” the Minister said.He blamed the UNP for the LTTE gaining air capabilities and said there was an apparent conspiracy over the attack as it came in the wake of allegations by two former government Ministers over the deal to purchase MIG aircraft.“The government will not be shaken by this,” the Minister emphasized.Minister Fernandopulle was of the opinion that there was tight security at the Air Force base and it was because of this that the LTTE attempted to launch air raids on the facility instead of infiltrating the base through the fences like in the 2001 attack in which civilian aircraft were also damaged. Country's security at stake, gather the parliament Writing to Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake opposition leadr Ranil Wickremesinghe requests the parliament to the gathered immediately to discuss about the country's security situation as it has been severely affected due to this mornings attack.He points out that thought there were many rumors about the capabilities of Air borne attacks of the LTTE, now it has been proved posing a massive threat to the country's security.Meanwhile issuing a statement the UNP says the situation could have worsened if any passengers in the airport was hurt or air craft were damaged. India concerned over LTTE air attack in Sri Lanka India views with serious concern the air attack on Sri Lanka's only international airport by the Tamil Tigers, a giant leap for an insurgent group that has again proved its unlimited resilience even amid severe adversities. It is the first time a rebel outfit in the world has carried out an aerial attack without external support. Although it has been known for years that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) possessed a limited air wing, its successful ability to carry out a bombing mission using two small planes involving some 400 km of flying distance and that too at night has rung alarm bells in the Indian establishment.But officials here are quick to point out that they don't see the LTTE attacking Indian interests anywhere, including in Tamil Nadu, which is separated from Sri Lanka by a strip of sea. Nevertheless, the fact that the LTTE, after years of speculation, has finally carried out an attack from the air is cause enough for worry, they say.'It is a very, very serious development,' a security official told IANS on the condition of anonymity. He added that if a LTTE aircraft could take off from Tigers-controlled Mullaitivu district, fly all the way to Colombo, bomb and return to base, then Tamil Nadu too could be easily accessed. 'In fact the distance to Tamil Nadu would be shorter.'Said another official: 'It is a great demonstration of their tactical ability. They have shown what they are capable of.' Added a third official: 'It shows the LTTE can widen the conflict. We don't know what else is in the offing.' Just after midnight Sunday, two light aircraft of LTTE dropped explosives on that side of the Katunayake airport, near Colombo, where military planes were parked, killing at least three airmen and injuring several people. The airport was immediately shut and incoming flights were diverted to India and Thailand.The LTTE said the target of the attack was Kfir and MiG-27 jets which routinely bomb its areas in the island's northeast. An LTTE spokesman added that other military facilities in Sri Lanka would be targets of future attacks. Although Katunayake is a civilian airport, it has a military wing from where aircraft take off for bombing Tamil Tiger bases.The LTTE did not say what aircraft were used in the attack. But it has been reported for some time that the Tigers possess at least one Czech made ZLIN Z-143 light aircraft and possibly a Swiss trainer plane besides a couple of helicopters. An Indian journalist who visited LTTE territory in 2004 was shown photographs of a plane, with LTTE guerrillas taking salute.The planes, experts feel, were most probably dismantled before being brought into the island and put together. After initial failures, the LTTE built a runway 1,250 meters long in Mullaitivu district but refused international peace monitors access to it. Two years ago India public aired its concern about the existence of military aircraft with LTTE.In response, S.P. Thamilchelvan, the LTTE political wing, said: 'All our organisation's structures and efforts are aimed at protecting our people. This is not in any way a threat to any other country in general, particularly India... India or the Indian people need not fear this. The surprise and concern voiced by India surprises us.' It was the LTTE's 'Col Shankar' (real name V. Sornalingam), a qualified aeronautic engineer from Canada who formerly headed the group's internal security wing, who set up the air wing of the Tigers called 'Vaanpuligal', following the Indian military debacle in Sri Lanka. LTTE cadres apparently trained in flying schools in two Western countries. A Sri Lankan 'deep penetration unit' assassinated Shankar in September 2001.For years, Colombo refused to admit that the Tigers possessed an air wing, even if nascent, despite the sightings of mysterious dots on Sri Lankan radars off the northeastern coast. The LTTE maintained a silence too until November 1998 when two aircraft of the Air Tiger wing sprinkled flowers over the cemeteries of LTTE fighters at Mulliyawali in Mullaitivu district. India's concern became public years later and it also supplied radars to Sri Lanka.There are officials in India who feel the air attack could have been far worse had the LTTE chosen a more important target or gone for a suicide mission. And they all agree that the event will be a great morale booster to LTTE supporters, particularly the Tamil diaspora, as it came at a time when the Tigers have faced serious military reverses. 'Punish' 80s Rights perpetrators Torture in STF camp Deslin Rodrigo from Payagla recealled how her son and herself were captured by the security forces during the 'era of terror'."They handed over us to the STF. My son was killed the same day," she told journalist Gnanasiri Koththigoda."Six members of my son-in-law's family were butchered and burnt together".Chandrapala Jagoda, a father of four, is missing since he was arrested and taken to Baddegama police in late 80s. He was arrested in Katunayake airport while trying to leave the country.Jagoda's wife, HP Ariyawathie, says she was made homeless as security forces even destroyed their house."He was in Baddegama police station for 11 days. The 12 day, I was told I couldn't see him. He is missing ever since".HS Nalini, from Karandeniya, was working in Mid-East in 1989 when her husband and 17-year old son were taken away. 'Teacher' President Rajapaksa "I was threatened when I went to an army camp. I said don't kill me alone, kill me together with my three daughters".The relatives from Galle and Kalutara districts urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa to implement his pledges on disappearance in late 80s.Jayanthi Dandeniya, Secretary of Families of the Disappeared said : "it is President Mahinda Rajapaksa who taught us how to protest against disapperances"."And hopefully now he would take action to punish the perpetrators," Dandeniya told BBC Sandeshaya.Over 60000 were killed and thousands more missing during Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna's (JVP) upring in late 80s.JVP leader, Somawansa Amerasinghe, accepted that the party is responsible for at least 6000 deaths. Major victory for security forces: MCNS Security forces yesterday gained full control of the west of Vavunathivu towards Unichchi after a fierce battle in, an area extending more than 18 kilometres into LTTE controlled area, a government official said.“This achievement by the security forces is a major blow to the Tigers as the access routes to the Tiger-held Thoppigala area from the Eastern side are now completely cut off,” a spokesman for the Media Center for National Security said.With the linking up of Vavunathivu with Unnichchi, the areas of Eachchanathivu, Kannankudah, Ichcanathivu, Karaweddi, Mahilawaddawan, Pavakkodichchanai, Kannankudah and Palkadu, seven to eight kilometers apart from each other fell under security force control, marking a victorious step, he said.The civilians in these areas were subjected to extortions, abductions and forcible recruitment by the Tigers, the spokesman said. Previously Tigers were firing heavy mortars sporadically from Kannankudah towards the security force detachments in Batticaloa threatening civilians in the government controlled areas.“It was from the same Kannankudah area that terrorists fired mortars at the foreign delegation of diplomats visiting Batticaloa, recently,” he said.Meanwhile, the army handed over bodies of six LTTE cadres to the ICRC at Ampara hospital yesterday morning.The bodies were recovered last week by troops following confrontations in Unnichchi, south west of Valachchenai in Batticaloa. 26 March 2007 Air-Tigers attack Katunayake military airbase Two attack air-crafts belonging to Liberation Tigers carried out bombing raids at the Sri Lanka Air Force airbase at Katunayake at 12:45 a.m. midnight Sunday and returned safely to Vanni, military spokesperson of the LTTE, Rasaiah Ilanthiraiyan told TamilNet. The targets for the air attack were the hangers where SLAF's Kfir and MiG-27 fast-attack aircrafts were parked, Ilanthiraiyan said. Two SLAF personnel were killed and 17 wounded in the attacks according to SLAF spokesperson in Colombo. The injured have been rushed to Negombo hospital from the military airbase, medical sources said. Katunayake International Airport (KIA) did not suffer any damages, according to military sources.Sandana de Silva, Communication's Director for Sri Lankan, Sri Lanka's flagship passenger air-liner, said that all Sri Lankan flights have been diverted to India.Immediate areas surrounding the air-port and the adjoining SLAF airbase have been cordoned off, according to local residents.Ilanthiraiyan further said other Sri Lanka military installations will also be targets of future attacks. Unconfirmed reports from Colombo said Air-port taxi drivers have seen at least two men on parachutes above the airbase.The attack occurs amid speculations of an imminent offensive of Sri Lankan military into the northern theatre.Military offensives by Sri Lanka Security Forces in the NorthEast in Eelam War-IV have been dominated by air-attacks by SLAF. Attack air-crafts carrying unguided ammunition have been inflicting heavy civilian casualties and damages to civilian property. In a similar predawn attack on the Katunayake air base, about 35 km. north of Colombo on 24 July 2001, Tigers destroyed thirteen air crafts including two Kfir jet fighters, one MI-24 Helicopter gun ship and one MIG-27- jet fighter.No civilians were injured or killed in the 2001 attack. LTTE aircraft lobbed bombs at Katunayake air force base, but no major damage, two dead, 17 injured Two Air Force personnel and another 17 were injured early morning today when a light aircraft suspected to be belonging to the Tamil Tiger rebels lobbed two bombs on the Air Force Base in Katunayake, a spokesman for the Media Centre for National Security told the Lanka Academic. The incident occurred at around 12.45 a.m. today morning but according to the spokesman no major damages were reported from the air force base. "The fighter jets including the MIG air crafts and the Kfir jets have not sustained any damages," he claimed. The area to the airport and the air force base has been closed and security forces are currently conducting cordon searches in and around the area to apprehend any cadres who may still be in the area. The spokesman maintained that the Bandaranaike International Airport was not under attack as reported in some media, he however noted that the airport has been closed due to obvious security reasons. Meanwhile all outgoing and incoming flights have been cancelled, and also incoming flights to Colombo have been asked to land in Chennai and Male International Airports. No civilians or passengers have been injured due to the attack. Out of the 17 injured, four of them are reportedly in critical condition. Sri Lanka rebels warn of more attacks Govt. knows who is abducting- TNA Tamil National Alliance Jaffna district MP Suresh Premachandra says that the current government is not a democratic one as innocent Tamil civilians are being killed in the south while launching attacks to the civilian populated areas in the East.He says the government should put a stop to the killings and immediately launch talks on order to find a lasting solution to the conflict. Premachandra also complaints of resettling the displaced by force and says that they are not provided with any basic facilities or compensation. He says the displaced are having a terrible time in the east as they fear for their lives since clashes could erupt at any moment.He says the Tamils in the metropolitan areas are being abducted for a long time and questions the government what it has done regarding the abduction of the Vice Chancellor of the Eastern University. He also goes onto say that the government is aware about the abductors. Batticaloa SLFP organiser shot dead Two unidentified armed men on motorbikes shot dead Batticaloa district Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) organiser Sunday around 10:00 a.m at Erivil in Kalavanchikudy police division in Batticaloa district, sources in Batticaloa said. The victim, M. Sabaratnam, 65, a father of four children, was shot dead as he was having breakfast in a food stall near his house.Sabaratnam's body, after post mortem examination conducted at Kalavanchikudy hospital, was handed over to his relatives. Sri Lanka says airport under suspected rebel attack Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels attacked Sri Lanka's international aiport north of the capital Colombo before dawn on Monday, the military said, and witnesss who live nearby told Reuters they could hear gunfire."There is an attack going on , but we don't have any details," said Flight Lieutenant Kanista Rajapakse of the Media Centre for National Security. "There is fighting going on."The attack comes amid an escalating new chapter in the island's two-decade civil war, which has killed around 68,000 people since 1983. JHU meets Karuna faction to discuss east The Jathika Hela Urumaya met members of the Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) on issues related to the protection of the environment and archaeological sites in the eastern province, the Daily Mirror learnsThe JHU Representatives met the political delegates of TMVP at its Political Secretariat Head Office in Colombo last Thursday. The two parties had also discussed the political activities of the TMVP during the meeting that went on for more than two hours. Several issues relating to the eastern province were discussed, and among them were the culture and tradition of the people living in the province and the bad elements which systematically destroy the cultural values. Both parties proposed plans to reform this situation.N.Gunathilake and N.Warnasinghe of the JHU inquired about the future political activities of TMVP, development programmes to be carried out in the Eastern Province and the explanation on the political package of the party. The representatives of the JHU said that they would give their fullest cooperation in the preservation of the environment of the eastern province since their party policy maker, Champika Ranawaka was the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources. They said their Ministry would consider and take relevant measures if proposals were made towards protecting and developing the environment in the eastern province.The Secretary of TMVP Political Party Mrs. S.Padhmini said she would submit the said proposals after consulting the authorities concerned in the eastern province.The JHU representatives said the cultural values of the eastern province should be protected and some evil forces had penetrated to the eastern province to destroy its cultural values.The discussion was held under the chairmanship of Mrs.S.Padhmini, the Secretary to the TMVP Political Party. TMVP Peace Secretariat head .K.Makesh and the Tamil Diaspora coordinator.E.Chooty were among those present at the discussion. Two Airmen killed, four injured in jeep mishap Two Air Force personnel were killed and four others critically injured when their jeep overturned at a culvert near Weerawila town last morning, police said. The jeep belonged to the Weerawila Air Force camp. The four critically injured Airmen were removed to the Hambanthota Base Hospital. The Airmen were returning to the Weerawila Air Base when the mishap occurred. According to Sergeant W. Attanayake, the driver had lost control of the vehicle. Hambanthota Police Traffic Branch is investigating. Meanwhile an 80-year-old woman died when she was run over by a private bus at Hungama last morning. Hungama police arrested the driver. Canadian High Commission says no formal request made The Canadian High Commission in Colombo yesterday said that they had not yet received a formal request from Gajan Kanagarajah, a resident of Mississanga, Ontario to secure the release of his 27-year-old niece Pathmaseeli Kanagarajah who has been reportedly abducted by the LTTE in Kilinochchi in February. However, representations could be made if a formal request is made, a spokesperson for the High Commission told the Daily Mirror. "If the exact details of the alleged abduction are brought to our attention, it may be possible for us to intervene in some way. The fact that the niece is not a Canadian citizen makes it difficult for us to intervene specifically, but we can nevertheless request an investigation and appeal to the LTTE," the spokesperson stated. The spokesperson further explained that it was not customary for the High Commission to intervene in individual cases of abduction, the rare exception being the abduction of the Vice Chancellor of the Eastern University. "If there is an incident relating to a group, we may step in, but we don't usually get involved in individual cases. We cannot make demands if it does not involve a Canadian citizen but we may still be able to play a role and urge the LTTE to respect international law," the spokesperson elaborated, adding that such incidents should be brought to the notice of the North-East Secretariat on Human Rights as well as the ICRC. In February, Mr. Gajan Kanagarajah wrote an open letter seeking international assistance to get his niece released. "I state that my niece Pathmaseeli never intended to join the LTTE or any other militant movement. I state that she was taken against her will and she is being detained forcibly by the LTTE now." 25 March 2007 Civilians flee fresh fighting in Mannar Thousands of civilians fled fresh fighting between the troops and the LTTE in Mannar and took refuge in the Madhu Church premises as exchange of fire continued on a new front in Mannar. UNHCR spokesperson Orla Clinton said that close to 10,000 civilians had taken refuge around the Madhu Church and expressed concern regarding the plight of the internally displaced persons. She said that humanitarian agencies were moving into the area to provide food and shelter to the people.Reports from the area said that the LTTE was trying to get the civilians removed from the Madhu Church area to launch an offensive against the security forces but the church authorities and the civilians were resisting the LTTE tactics. Nine soldiers were killed and 46 others were injured in artillery and mortar attacks while retaliation took place in the forward defence lines north of Mannar. The Army Spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said that they are retaliating in order to neutralise the threat ahead. “We are not attacking the Madhu church area but areas in Mannar, Vavunathivu and Omanthai to lessen further threats,” he said. “Our aim is to neutralise the terrorists’ artillery and mortar positions in the area so that civilian settlements and our camps are safe,’’ Brigadier Samarasinghe said.He also said that security forces opened the Omanthai entry/exit point yesterday which had been closed since fresh violence erupted. The Defence Ministry stated that they have found 20 bodies of LTTE cadres who had come to attack the security forces FDL West of Omanthai. The bodies were seen scattered in the no man’s land in front of the FDL, the Defence Ministry said. Brigadier Samarasinghe also said that around 51 families have so far come to the government-controlled areas amidst heavy shelling. In a separate incident an LTTE suicide bomber exploded himself when confronted at an Army road block in Jaffna town yesterday morning. A soldier was killed and three others including a civilian were injured in the blast. The incident took place at 10:35 a.m. at a roadblock close to the Perumal Hindu Temple in Jaffna. Top JVP leader flees country The hidden JVP Leader K. Gunarathnam alias Kumar Aiyya, who played a decisive role in the party's politics behind the scenes left the island with his family six weeks ago. Kumar Aiyya, who has till now maintained a secret identity as a JVP leader, left the island with his family in a hurry as soon as the party found out that the CID and the intelligence units were after him. It is learnt that the JVP politburo had advised him to leave the island as a security measure. Reliable sources also revealed that informationabout Kumar Aiyya and his role in the JVP's decision making process was divulged to the police as well as the intelligence units by another JVP frontliner. Other JVP leaders believe that this particular JVP frontliner has close contacts with the police secret service and had played a key role in getting the intelligence units to follow Kumar Aiyya's tracks. It is learnt that several key decisions made by the JVP like withdrawing its support for the government and the non-acceptance of cabinet portfolios were done on Kumar Aiyya's instructions. However, when plans were made for Kumar Aiyya to leave the island due to security concerns, he took along with him his wife and only child, who was attending an international school in Wattala. Kumar Aiyya's brother, Ranjith M. Gunarathnam, was also a member of the JVP and held key posts in the party's politburo and the armed group during 1988 and 1989. Ranjith was killed during that period and Kumar Aiyya then left for Australia and returned to the island in 1994. APRC deliberations a futile exercise — JHU The All Party Representative Committee (APRC) deliberations would prove futile since it comprises parties adhering to contradictory political ideologies, Jathika Hela Urumaya representative to the APRC Udaya Gammanpila said recently.“It is difficult to reach consensus at the APRC. We represent different political ideologies. It is not possible to agree to something that contradicts with that. We don’t want to be traitors to our voter base,” he pointed out.Gammanpila was present at a symposium held to discuss the plus and minuses on the APRC reports with a group of senior politicians and civil society members. He also said that to call the purpose of the APRC as a means to reach a southern consensus would be to mislead the public. He questioned if the TNA was excluded from the committee due to this reason then, why the EPDP, SLMC and NUA were included. Jaffna city terrorized, armed men kill three businessmen A fruit seller, an ice cream bar owner and a worker at the bar in Jaffna city were shot and killed in open daylight by armed men who walked into their businesses Sunday noon. Armed men with hand guns chased the fruit seller who was selling grapes in the pavement of Hospital Road, opposite the bus stand, and shot him dead while he was running for his life. Later, an owner of an ice-cream bar and an employee at his bar, were shot and killed, 200 meters away, behind the bus stand on Jaffna Power House Road. Tension prevails in Jaffna city following the killings within the High Security Zone of the Sri Lanka Army. Bus services were cancelled, streets and the shops were vacated after the killings. Three days ago, a woman employee of a pharmacy located in front of Jaffna Teaching Hospital was shot and killed. 13 days ago, on 12 March, a textile vendor was slain, along Hospital road, Jaffna in front of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Sri Lankan and Indian professionals try to strike a working deal Sri Lanka and India are to sign 'Mutual Recognition Agreements', making it easier for professionals to cross borders when a new services trade agreement takes effect this year."Sri Lanka is now making arrangements for professional bodies to sign Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA's) with their counterparts," Saman Kelegama, Executive Director of think tank, the Institute of Policy Studies, said Thursday. "It has triggered a wave of re-awakening in professional bodies in regard to their regulatory framework." Kelegama is also part of Sri Lanka's negotiating team on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), to free up services between India and Sri Lanka. The Mutual Recognition Agreements are signed between the equivalent professional bodies in both countries, such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants, medical or legal associations. The agreements means that both sides recognize professional qualifications and therefore can verify the credentials of people interested in working in either country. They can then just register with the local qualifying body and practice without sitting for local exams. "From all our consultations we have found that except for a few professions like accountants the Institute of Chartered Accountants, doctors Sri Lanka Medical Association, engineers and lawyers, many others do not have a regulatory framework in place," Kelegama said. Some services like tourism that both sides' want opened up, now runs into trouble, as there is no qualifying body for travel agents for example, with most in the industry in that position through experience. Crossing Borders Sri Lanka's Position Sri Lanka's accountants however, are not interested in working in India, with its lower salaries compared to Canada or Australia. Neither is there a shortage of qualified accountants in Sri Lanka. "Liberalization can lead to a one way flow, just Indian traffic coming here. The industry's position is that Indian accountants working in joint ventures is acceptable and that is already allowed now," Kelegama said. In the health sector however, Sri Lanka has a shortage of specialists in neurology for example and local hospitals can only bring down specialists after a needs based assessment, but is not extended to general practitioners. The Sri Lanka Medical Council is to sign an MRA with the Indian Medical Council. India has asked Sri Lanka to free up hotel and lodging services, travel agents and tour operators, though Sri Lanka is not too keen on opening up fully. There is also no institution in Sri Lanka for recognizing qualifications in the tourism sector, making signing of a mutual recognition agreement difficult. Sri Lanka is also considering selective liberalization of maritime sector where manpower shortages exist, such as navigating officers, marine engineers, naval architects, skilled welders and fitters for shipbuilding and repair. Given tough local competition and adequate local supply, Kelegama says, there is no scope for opening up areas like freight forwarding, warehousing and depot services. The local Information Technology industry is considering freeing up movement of Indian IT trainers. Currently, movement of people is linked to investment in the sector. For business process outsourcing, being considered are no stipulations on minimum local employees at the start but specified afterwards to aid technology and knowledge transfer, Kelegama said. "In the construction sector, Indian consultants could be allowed to work in Sri Lankan firms through joint ventures, under regulations." Local architects are against liberalization until a regulatory framework is in place, while an MRA has to also be signed by the Institute of Engineers of both countries. Sri Lanka is against private universities being set up here, an issue that is still a political hot potato. Still Talking Both sides are due to meet in Colombo for talks on CEPA starting March 29, with both sides hopeful of firming up a deal by June this year. To date, liberalization of service sectors has been unilateral and restricted. "The services sector is the most regulated in the world and both India and Sri Lanka are entangled in a complex web of regulations in services, Kelegama said. The goal of CEPA is to relax regulations as far as possible. Sri Lanka has asked India to open up tourism, the retail trade, finance and insurance, maritime and aviation. India is the island's third largest export market, with just under two billion dollars in bilateral trade. India is also the island's fourth largest investor, with investments of over US$ 450 million in the island. President no-balls World Cup VIPs With Sri Lanka moving into the Super Eight of the Cricket World Cup, a large group, including ministers and top officials had planned to go to the Caribbean Islands at a cost of some Rs. 20 million in public funds – but President Mahinda Rajapaksa has intervened to stop it.The Sunday Times learns the plan was for Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge, non-cabinet sports minister Bandula Basnayake, several provincial sports ministers Sri Lanka Cricket chief Jayantha Dharmadasa and other officials of the Cricket Board and Sports Ministry to go to the Caribbean.Mr. Basnayake told The Sunday Times the President had given an order that only he and his ministry secretary could go at state expense. If Sri Lanka reached the semi final stage, Sports Minister Lokuge would be allowed to go. Mr. Basnayake said others would not be allowed to go because of heavy expenditure. Travel agents said the cost for each person would be at least one million rupees plus additional expenses for internal travel between nine countries in the Caribbean.Mr. Basnayake said the others had been told they could go at their own expense but after obtaining approval.The Sunday Times learns Sports Ministry Secretary S. Liyanagama was among those stopped from going but he claimed he was staying back because of the National New Year.The Sunday Times learns that North Western Province Sports Minister Neranjan Wickremesinghe and other provincial sports ministers had also sought permission to go to the Caribbean Islands, but they were not allowed.Four Sri Lanka Cricket officials including the Interim Committee Chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa have been officially invited for the World Cup matches. No UN pull out from Batti No UN agency will pull out of Batticaloa despite the prevalent volatile security situation and reports that said that UNHCR had moved out are incorrect, the UN said. "No UN agency, including UNHCR will pull out, we are fully committed to looking after the needs of the more than 150,000 civilians who have fled the fighting in the district," UN Spokesperson Orla Clinton said. Last week a press report said that the UNHCR was pulling out of Batticaloa. The report quoted a circular issued by the UNHCR that it said had informed other agencies of the pull out. However, the UN said that the circular that was reproduced in the newspaper was a set of internationally accepted guidelines on resettlement and was distributed among the IDPs. The leaflet was distributed to give the IDPs a proper understanding of their rights. Clinton said that the document was a public document and did not in anyway detail a pull out. The report did not quote any UNHCR official on or off the record. The UNHCR and other agencies have however raised concerns on the prevalent security situation in Batticaloa and on allegations of forced resettlement. The UNHCR has said that it was concerned at the movement of IDPs to their former places of residence and the lack of coordination between government agencies and non-governmental ones. It had also said that the IDPs lacked information to make a voluntary decision on whether to return or not. There were also accusations that government officials had threatened to hold back relief if the IDPs insisted on remaining in camps. Last week it said that the government had agreed to 'fully engage' the agency on the resettlement scheme after allegations of forced resettlement were brought to the former's notice. Soon after last week's report on the pull out appeared, the government had inquired from UNHCR whether there were any plans for a pull out. IDPs from Batti agree to return home The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the Batticaloa District would be resettled in their original homes in small batches with assurances for their safety by the military. Military Spokesperson, Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told The Sunday Leader that initially some IDPs who were temporarily given shelter at transit camps in Kilivedi in Trincomalee south didn't want to be settled again and go through more problems. "This was a problem that we encountered on the first day we wanted to resettle the displaced people," explained the Brigadier. However, after the military had taken a few IDPs and showed them the condition of their homes, roads and where they are to be resettled these people had agreed to return to their homes. "Currently about 2700 persons from Kilivedi have been resettled while another 3000 will be resettled in the next stage," Samarasinghe said. Thirty five buses were being used to assist these displaced persons to return to their homes. The military has currently recorded a total of 15,000 displaced persons from the Vaharai and Verugal areas. Soldier killed, three injured in LTTE suicide blast May Day may be celebrated on different days this year The Govt has decided to make arrangements to celebrate May Day on April 30, declaring it a public holiday. This decision had been taken due to Vesak poya day falling on May 1. No particular day has been named to celebrate May Day.“No particular day have been named as May Day this year, so trade unions are given the chance to celebrate on a day of their choice. It might be on April 29, 30 or May 1,” said Labour Commissioner General D. Somaweera Edirisinghe.Governor Western Province and senior SLFP member Alavi Moulana said the SLFP would be celebrating May Day on April 30 at the Colombo Town Hall grounds. JVP trade union wing leader K.D. Lal Kantha said the JVP rallies which are massive needs more roads for the parades, police security and a ground for the rally.“We haven’t decided a day yet, it might be either on April 29 or 30. Even though we haven’t yet decided on the day our parades and bands are getting ready for the celebrations” he said.UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said trade unions affiliated to the UNP have decided not to celebrate May Day or have rallies but perform religious observances as the May Day falls on a Poya day. He said the UNP Working Committee would meet on April 3 to ratify these decisions. Troops find claymore mine, ammunition TRO official and driver killed in blast A Tamil Rehabilitation official and a driver were killed and three other officials injured last afternoon when the vehicle they were travelling in was caught in a claymore mine explosion in an uncleared area at Periyamadu in Mannar district.A TRO official in Kilinochchi alleged that the claymore mine was activated by the deep penetration unit of the army. But an Army spokesman denied they were operating in the area and said he could not comment further on the incident.The injured are being treated at the Kilinochchi hospital. Unceasing waves As the fighting between government forces and the LTTE escalates in the East, so does the flow of refugees, fleeing the affected areas. As the displaced people seek refuge in temporary shelters aid organisations have warned against shortage of food and health problems.According to the latest government estimates, more than 160,000 displaced people have taken refuge in 93 centres in various parts of the Batticaloa district out of which 24 are schools.The World Food Programme Office in Colombo said the number of refugees that stood at 79,000 at the end of February has shot up to 160,000 now, demanding serious attention by the government and other aid organizations.Besides refugees from Vakarai and Trincomalee areas, civilians from Thoppigala and adjoining areas have been leaving their homes in large numbers and taking shelter in refugee camps too.According to aid agencies operating in refugee camps in Batticaloa, the refugees face two major problems-- shortage of food supplies and medicines. The World Food Programme Office here has warned that food supplies are only sufficient till April and the Government should act immediately to find a remedy. According to their statistics WFP was supplying food to 100,000 displaced people while the government and other NGOs were looking into the needs of 55,000.WFP also said they hadn’t received pledges for funds from donors for the provision of food for refugees after April although they had requested for more funds. The overcrowding of refugee camps is also posing the threat of contagious diseases like measles especially among children. A spokesman for the Batticaloa GA’s office told The Sunday Times that one of the main problems refugees face is the lack of drinking water.“The present dry season has further aggravated the situation,” he said. He also said lack of sanitation was a major hurdle and the number toilets in the camps was inadequate to cope with the increasing influx of refugees.“The government together with aid agencies have been providing people with their basic needs but providing other needs including clothes is a problem,” he said. He also said children in the area are being deprived of education as 24 schools are housing some of the displaced people. He said practical difficulties were hindering them from relocating the refugees in other places.Meanwhile highlighting another problem, Amnesty International has charged that some of the displaced people were being abducted by the Karuna group who have infiltrated the camps. The organisation has also voiced concern over reports that some of the displaced were being resettled against their will. The UNHCR also states that it has received reports that some of the refugees were being sent back to their villages in Vakarai and Trincomalee despite serious security concerns. The government says they have resettled 3,357 families who were displaced by earlier military attacks in Vakarai, to make more room for refugees who are fleeing their homes due to the ongoing attacks in the East.Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen said the government was taking steps to even relocate these displaced people but it is being hampered due to landmines buried in the vicinities.He said his ministry together with the Ministry of Nation Building and NGOs were providing relief measures to the displaced. He also denied that the government was resettling people against their will. Mr. Bathiyutheen said his ministry had allocated Rs. 7 million for relief measures for the refugees in Batticoloa district and Rs. Two million for refugees in Trincomalee district. Sethusamudram project to be ready by November 2008 CHENNAI: The Sethusamudram Corporation Limited is confident that the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project, which envisages dredging of a channel across the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka, will be commissioned by November 2008, its Chairman and Managing Director, N.K. Raghupathy, said here on Friday. Delivering a lecture on the project, organised by the Indian Coast Guard for its personnel on board its ship `Sarang', he explained that the two-way channel would be one-way during the experimental phase. As per the approved project plan, the work should be completed in 180 weeks, which came to three-and-a-half years. "We have kept for ourselves three years." As regards the Palk Strait, the Dredging Corporation of India was committed to completing the work on the stretch by June 30 next year. A depth of 8.5 metres had been created as against the 12 metres required. By the end of this month, 9.2 metre depth would be available. On Adam's Bridge side, a spud in a dredger broke down, but the Cochin Shipyard had supplied the repaired part within a short span of 70 days. The stabilising process was on. The chairman said that the navigational buoys would be installed in January next year. The authorities were finalising the vessel traffic system. "We foresee no problem even if the inter-arrival time of ships goes down." Mr.Raghupathy said that the project would absolutely have no impact on the environment. On its own accord, the corporation was regularly monitoring the environmental commitments it had given. Besides a major advantage of a reduction in sailing distance and time when the project comes through, fishermen would benefit directly as four fishing harbours at Muthupet, Thondi, Sethubhavachatram and Mookaiyur in Rameswaram are to be developed. Pistol found in foreign institute A pistol was found hidden in the ceiling of a building belonging to a foreign diplomatic mission. The Cinnamon Gardens police confirmed that a pistol was found hidden in the ceiling of the German Cultural Center situated down Gregory's Road. The police statement notes that this center was undergoing some renovation work and that it was at the time of this renovation work that the masons had found a small pistol hidden within the ceiling of the building. No other weapons were found at the center and no persons were arrested because the officials were unable to determine who hid the pistol within the ceiling. Cinnamon Gardens Police are investigating the matter. The German Cultural Center however when contacted by The Sunday Leader denied that a weapon was found in their premises. Wielding the big stick on rebels So far, President Rajapaksa has succeeded in his policy of ruling by dividing the UNP. But he tried to kill too many birds with the single stone of a cabinet reshuffle and ended up with a mega cabinet and a host of disgruntled MPs and the Samaraweera-Sooriyarachchi mess. For the record, JR hardly changed his first cabinet over his first six year term unless it was absolutely necessary: It is a lesson that his present day successor might still find useful.Last week, President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open a portrait of former President Junius Richard Jayewardene, in the Parliamentary Complex that was built during the Jayewardene presidency. Looking on was Jayewardene’s nephew and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. It was not ironical that Wickremesinghe was an onlooker while Rajapaksa unveiled the portrait; it was only appropriate.Mahinda Rajapaksa in his presidency appears to have taken a cue from the Jayewardene presidency: brook no nonsense and show your opponents both in word and deed that you are the boss. And, while maintaining that stranglehold on power, divide and rule.Unfortunately for the incumbent President though, rebellion has come not from without but from within and it has arrived quite early in his tenure. His erstwhile Foreign Minister and a junior ministers-two key players in his campaign when not many Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) wholeheartedly supported Rajapaksa- are hell bent on making life difficult for the President. Last week saw more events unfold in this particular political theatre. Sripathi Sooriyarachchi was arrested and remanded on charges of misappropriation of a vehicle. Judging from the pictorial record of events in the print and electronic media, Sooriyarachchi loved every minute of it. Then, as if to prove his point, the matter was raised in Parliament as a matter of privilege by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who alleged that if Sooriyarachchi were to be allowed to be treated in this manner, it would set a dangerous precedent to arrest and detain a Member of Parliament who invokes the wrath of the President.And almost on cue, Sooriyarachchi is allowed to be taken out of his remand cell and brought to attend sittings in Parliament as the cameras rolled and the flashes pop, recording the event for posterity. Sooriyarachchi of course readily obliged, smiling away from ear to ear and holding aloft his hand-cuffs, in a S.B. Dissanayake-like gesture.Who is fooling whom here? President Rajapaksa no doubt is wielding the big stick on politicians from his own party who dared to defy and dissent. He is keen to set a precedent that would silence any would be detractors. And before he takes on the relatively greater political clout of Mangala Samaraweera, he wants to makes sure that the smaller political fry, Sooriyarachchi, is well and truly roasted. Sooriyarachchi and Samaraweera no doubt see the issue differently, Sooriyarachchi especially. Just a couple of years ago, he was a small-time politician, a relative newcomer to Parliament and one among many aspirants who wished to reach greater heights. Today, thanks to Mahinda Rajapaksa, his is a household name that regularly hits the headlines. Jail or not, in many ways his political future is made. For instance, when the ‘manaapa’ battles hit the electoral districts at general election time, he can be sure of his preferences, provided he contests from one of the more acceptable parties. Whether Mahinda Rajapaksa likes it or not, a maverick has been made a martyr.That is perhaps where the analogy to the Jayewardene presidency would be useful. Jayewardene had his share of dissidents. The seasoned politician that he was, he kept them in check even when they desperately wanted to rebel. First, there was Dr. Neville Fernando, then MP for Panadura. Thereafter, Jayewardene’s Minister of Industries and Scientific Affairs Cyril Mathew also fell out of favour with the then President. Rebel they did, but they never went to the extent of fighting their own political war against JRJ, in the manner in which Samaraweera and Sooriyarachchi are now doing. And to Jayewardene’s credit, he too did not unleash the judicial process on his dissidents.And that last issue raises another pertinent question: is the misappropriation of a vehicle the greatest crime this country has seen in recent times? Of course, if Sooriyarachchi has committed an offence he should be dealt with according to the rule of the law. Being a Member of Parliament shouldn’t entitle him to any special leniency. Nevertheless, the question will be asked, as Ranil Wickremesinghe asked in Parliament last week, whether he is the only parliamentarian who has indulged in this luxury? If not, why aren’t others being dealt with in the same manner? Do the wheels of the police and the judiciary move with the speed of greased lightning at the behest of the powers that be? Already, there are other events that suggest that justice will only be meted out to the underprivileged who happen to be either out of power or out of favour. A case in point is the recent controversial report on the Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE) which makes many damning allegations. It is understandable that the incumbent Government wants to soft-peddle any hue and cry about the COPE report. It also understandable that the Opposition wishes to gain maximum political mileage out of it. But what was disgusting is the attempt by those of the United National Party (UNP) who crossed over to the Government trying to veto a UNP attempt to call for a Select Committee inquiry into the COPE report. Obviously, President Mahinda Rajapakse is cracking his whip and the UNP ‘reformists’ are being reformed-sadly into the mould that the President would want them to fit.So far, President Rajapaksa has succeeded in his policy of ruling by dividing the UNP. But he tried to kill too many birds with the single stone of a cabinet reshuffle and ended up with a mega cabinet and a host of disgruntled MPs and the Samaraweera-Sooriyarachchi mess. For the record, JR hardly changed his first cabinet over his first six year term unless it was absolutely necessary: It is a lesson that his present day successor might still find useful. 24 March 2007 Fighting continues in north-west Sri Lanka as death toll mounts Fighting continued between government troops and Tamil rebels in north-west Sri Lanka as the two-day death toll climbed to 33 with the deaths of nine more soldiers, a military spokesman said Saturday. Fighting was around the Madu area, 300 kilometres north of the capital where the two sides have been involved in a heavy exchange of artillery and mortars since Friday morning, a spokesman said. Government troops on Friday advanced into a rebel controlled area in the northern Wanni region in a fresh bid to push back the rebels in the area and take control of more territory. All previous offensives have been in the eastern part of the country. The military confirmed that nine more soldiers were killed, raising the death toll of army personnel killed in action to 14, while 46 more were injured. On Friday the military said that at least 20 rebels were killed and that the death toll was likely to rise. But a Tamil rebel spokesman said their cadres had prevented security forces from advancing into rebel controlled areas and they killed some 60 soldiers, a claim denied by the army. The fresh fighting has displaced more than 10,000 civilians, with some of them fleeing into government-controlled areas and others withdrawing further into rebel-controlled areas. Rebels claimed that the army was holding civilians as human shields as the army made a counter claim that rebels were forcing people to stay back in the areas controlled by them. Fighting has escalated during the past 15 months, claiming more than 4,000 lives in Sri Lanka. SLA Madu operation thwarted, civilians saved - LTTE Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers who had taken more than 120 civilians as "human shields" against Tiger artillery fire and advanced into Liberation Tigers territory in Vavuniya-Mannar border Friday morning were forced to pull back their soldiers from Thampanai and Sinna Pandivirichchan at around 10:30 p.m after 15 hours of heavy fighting Friday. Liberation Tigers officials said they had defeated the two pronged offensive, without harming the civilians who were in the hands of the SLA. Around 60 SLA soldiers were killed, according to the Tigers. The SLA soldiers were forced to flee the battlefield with tractor loads of dead bodies, the Tiger officials said. Tigers said they lost 6 fighters. Sri Lanka Army is yet to release casualty figures. Around 2000 families were displaced from the villages east of Madu towards Iluppaikkaikkadavai, Vellankulam, Jeyanthinagar and Kilinochchi, according to local NGO officials. LTTE asks civilians to flee Madu sanctuary The LTTE is asking civilians who had found refuge in the Madu church sanctuary in war-affected Mannar district, to flee immediately, on the plea that fighting is going to take place there also.But the people are resisting the pressure."There are 10,000 IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) in the church premises. They do not want to leave because they feel safe there," UN spokesperson Orla Clinton told Hindustan Times in Colombo on Friday."We are trying to get the church declared as a peace zone," Clinton said.The Church authorities were doing their best to help the civilians, she added.It is learnt that the Bishop of Mannar Dr Royappu Joseph and other Catholic clergymen had taken up the matter with the LTTE, but to no avail. Tyranny gave birth to Tigers: Sambanthan In what appeared to be a direct reference to the Sinhala community, TNA MP R. Sambanthan on Thursday said the LTTE was “your baby” but went on to add that they didn’t mind referring to the terrorist outfit as “our baby” for the purpose of resolving the conflict. Addressing a Symposium on the Experts’ Reports to the APRC, the veteran parliamentarian said rebellions were inevitable when there were consistent violations of Human Rights.He said in Sri Lanka, the continuous violation of rights has bordered on genocide and it has been such “oppression and tyranny” which had given birth to the LTTE. “It is your baby, but we don’t mind calling it our baby to solve the problem. We have to cooperate with one another and there is no question about that, but it has to be a process which gives all people their due place,” Mr. Sambanthan told the seminar which was organised by the South Asia Peace Institute.He further claimed that his party had no cause to believe that any Sinhala leader will ever offer a political solution aimed at meeting Tamil aspirations but if ever someone does forward with a concrete set of proposals, they would have to consider it very seriously. This political solution is still very elusive and it has not included everyone in such a way that they are equal, honourable partners in governance,” the veteran TNA MP stressed. SLA holds Tamil journalist, says RSF Reporters sans frontières (RSF) said in a press release issued Friday that Sri Lanka Army (SLA) was involved in the abduction and disappearance of Subramaniam Ramachandran, a journalist working for Tamil daily, Yarl Thinakural. Ramachandran disppeared on 15 February after being questioned at the Kalikai junction, Vadamaradchy SLA camp, and RSF said his collegeues believe that he is being held in an SLA camp. Full text of the press release follows: Army said to be holding tamil journalist who went missing five weeks agoFollowing the police chief’s recent admission that the security forces have been involved in abductions, Reporters Without Borders today said it was in a position to affirm that the military participated in the arrest of journalist Subramaniam Ramachandran on 15 February north of Jaffna. Colleagues think he is now being held secretly at a military camp."We appeal to the authorities to take action to locate and Ramachandran and have him released," the press freedom organisation said. "The fact that the government publicly acknowledges the participation of the security forces in kidnapping and forced disappearance is very worrying, but at the same time gives us hope that Ramachandran is still alive." Prior to his abduction in the Vadamaradchi area to the north of Jaffna, Ramachandran had written for the Tamil daily Yarl Thinakural about the involvement of a businessman and military officers in sand illegal trafficking. His stories gave such details as the licence numbers of the vehicles involved and the businessman’s connections with certain officers. Following their publication, a judge intervened and ordered the confiscation of a vehicle used in the trafficking. At the same time, Tamil Tigers torched another vehicle used by the traffickers. All this angered the businessman and the soldiers concerned. Ramachandran seems to have been threatened by the Tamil Tigers in the past for having good relations with members of the security forces. The LTTE intelligence services are said to have investigated him in November 2006 after he took photos of a meeting organised in honour of its top leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran. But colleagues said he was no longer under threat from the LTTE at the time of his kidnapping.The circumstances of his disappearance establish beyond any doubt that the army was involved. Accompanied by a friend, he left the school he runs in Karaveddy at around 6 p.m. on 15 February. When they arrived next to the Kalikai Junction military camp, soldiers ordered them to stop for questioning. Ramachandran was taken into the camp while his friend was asked to leave.According to witness, a vehicle containing a military intelligence officer, two members of the EPDP (a pro-government Tamil militia) and an army informer arrived one hour later, and then left a few minutes after that with Ramachandran. His family has had no word of him since then. Several Jaffna-based journalists say he is being held in a military camp in the north of the island. White van 'terrorises' Jaffna Missing journalist Meanwhile, media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) accused the security forces of secretly holding a Jaffna journalist.RSF in a tatement on Friday said it can "affirm that the military participated in the arrest of journalist Subramaniam Ramachandran on 15 February north of Jaffna".The journalist, who was earleir threatened by the LTTE for having contacts with the military, is thought be kept in a military camp, RSF said.The media watchdog appealed the authorities to take immediate action to release Ramchandran. Batticaloa abductions In Batticaloa, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians said at least 15 people were abducted in the district in recent weeks.TNA parliamentarian P Ariyanethran told BBC Sandeshaya that two bodies of civilians were handed over to the hopital by the police.The Special Task Force (STF) has handed over four bodies of alleged Tamil Tigers, the MP said.But the relatives have identified two bodies as a school boy and a civilian from Periya Porativu, according to Ariyanetran.The Batticaloa district co-ordinator of National Human Rights Commission (HRC) said the HRC has received 11 complaints on disapperances between 11-16 March. 'Arrested' by the forces E Manoharan told bbcsinhala.com that the relatives believe many of those were arrested by the security forces while fleeing LTTE-held areas.Arulalan Robert, who was reported to be missing was released by the police after producing before the courts, HRC official said.The HRC has received information that four others were send to Bogambara prison due to lack of space in a rehabilitation camp.Manoharan said the Commission is trying to find information on other missing persons. Karuna accuses Amnesty of hidden agenda The Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) or the Karuna faction has criticized Amnesty International of operating with a hidden agenda against them. The London based Amnesty International in its latest statement on Sri Lanka has castigated the TMVP of committing human rights violations in the East.Amnesty has accused that ‘armed groups identified as being of the Karuna faction are infiltrating camps for newly displaced people and abducting residents, according to sources known to Amnesty’.The TMVP accused Amnesty of making such statements without identifying the sources or making further inquiry over the alleged offences. AI quoted the Asia Pacific Director at Amnesty International Purna Sen as saying there were reports of armed men, wearing the uniform of the Karuna faction roaming IDP camps in complicity with the Sri Lankan authorities.A statement by TMVP stated ‘Amnesty appears to operate with a hidden agenda knowingly and publicising hearsay stories to discredit the organisation with a view to getting a damning statement against it at the UN Human Rights conference’. TMVP appealed to Amnesty International to concentrate more on the LTTE’s human rights violations by making statements about its child recruitment, detention of civilians, murders and kidnappings instead of going on hearsay statements about its organisation with the intention of discrediting the TVMP.TMVP said that AI had not made any efforts to get first hand knowledge of the LTTE’s human rights violations since its formation, but had instead embarked on a witch hunting exercise to discredit the Karuna group. Moderate Tamils' constitutional proposal LTTE suspects arrested in Colombo A special police team yesterday arrested three LTTE suspects alleged to be suicide cadres in Wellawatte and Kotahena areas and a mission was underway to recover several suicide bomb kits hidden somewhere in Colombo.The suspects of whom two are reportedly women had been taken into custody from Kotahena area, whilst the male suspect was arrested from Wellawatte.According to a senior police officer in Colombo, the suspects had been rounded up on intelligence reports and found that they are members of the LTTE Black Tiger wing engaged in suicide missions. Information sought from the suspects, the police launched a major operation yesterday afternoon to find several suicide bomb kits which were believed to have been hidden in the Colombo’s commercial hub of Pettah. However no suspicious items had been discovered by the investigators at the time this edition went to press. Police are continuing investigations. DMK government increases cash relief for Lankan refugees Tamil Nadu government today announced doubling of cash relief to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.Presenting the State budget, Finance Minister K Anbazhagan said the government would take necessary action to improve the facilities in the refugee camps.The number of eggs provided to children under the nutritious meal programme would be increased from two to three per week and the government would incur an additional expenditure of Rs 53 crore for this scheme.The government had doubled the quantum of monthly pension given to old aged persons, destitute widows and deserted wives from Rs 200 to 400.With a view to further improving the quality of technical education in southern districts, a new technical university by name Tirunelveli Anna University would be established, Anbazhagan said adding two new medical colleges would be established at Dharmapuri and Tiruvarur. Idea of joint patrolling is dangerous, says Jayalalithaa Navy should step up patrolling in India's territorial waters" "India should not get involved in Sri Lanka's internal affairs"All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa on Thursday cautioned the Centre against agreeing to joint patrolling by the Indian and Sri Lankan Navies in the wake of frequent attacks on fishermen belonging to Tamil Nadu. Speaking to newsmen after a meeting of the AIADMK legislature party here, she dubbed the proposal for joint patrolling "dangerous." "India should not get involved in Sri Lanka's internal affairs," she said. To a question, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the solution to the problems facing the Tamil Nadu fishermen did not lie in joint patrolling. On the other hand, the Indian Navy should step up patrolling in India's territorial waters, she said. 23 March 2007 IFJ hails release of Parameshawary as a “triumph for justice” in Sri Lanka The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has expressed its relief at the news that Sri Lankan journalist Munusamy Parameshawary has finally been released from custody. The IFJ has been campaigning for the 23-year-old Mawbima reporter’s release since she was arrested on November 21, 2006, by the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) of the Sri Lankan Police.Despite languishing in detention for four months, Parameshawary was released on March 22 without any charges laid against her.IFJ President Christopher Warren said Parameshawary’s release was a victory for human rights and freedom of the press.“We are very happy to hear that Parameshawary’s imprisonment is finally at an end,” Warren said.“This is a triumph for justice and freedom of expression in Sri Lanka,” he said.“But the fact remains that she should never have been held in the first place.” “Parameshawary’s detention was a frightening example of the threats to basic human freedoms in Sri Lanka – it is disgraceful that legislation supposedly introduced to protect Sri Lankans from terrorism is instead being used to silence and intimidate the media,” he said.“It is an important win for those who refuse to bow to government pressure, and gives hope that with solidarity, determination and vigilance, achieving a peaceful, open Sri Lanka is possible.” Parameshawary was held under Sri Lanka’s Terrorism Prevention laws, and for many weeks was not even allowed access to lawyers, her editor or family. Prior to her arrest she was reporting on Tamil issues and investigating disappearances in Colombo.On January 31, the IFJ and journalists’ organisations in more than 10 countries supported a Day of Action led by IFJ affiliate, the Free Media Movement (FMM), and wrote to the Sri Lankan government demanding Parameshawary’s release.Locally more than 500 postcards were sent protesting her detention.The IFJ acknowledged its gratitude to the many Sri Lankan and international groups and individuals, including the FMM, who campaigned tirelessly for Parameshawary’s release, and commended them for their solidarity.“The strength and determination of the campaign to free Parameshawary should send a strong message to the Sri Lankan government that violations of press freedom and journalist rights will not be tolerated,” Warren said.“We urge the Sri Lankan government to heed the voices of international criticism and act decisively to give Sri Lanka the free, safe and independent media it deserves.” Parameshwari thanks journalists On being released after being detained for one hundred and twenty nine days by the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID), for suspected ties with the LTTE, Mawbima journalist Munusamy Parameswari yesterday thanked the media personally for their effort to secure her freedom. “I am grateful to all who stood by me,” Parameshwari told the Daily Mirror, all smiles despite her long ordeal. “I don’t say anything against the police. They would have done their job but they could have released me sooner than this,” she said. “I learnt that even the police found out there was nothing against me within the first few days of my detention”, she said. Describing her bitter experience Parameshwari said, “As a journalist, I was following stories about a mysterious white van involved in kidnapping people in Colombo. When questioned everybody including former IGP Chandra Fernando told me they did not know anything about the culprits and could not give any clue as to who were behind these abductions.”“It was during this period I came to know Sushanthi. One day she informed me that her brother had been abducted by some people travelling in a white van. I helped her by bringing this to the attention of senior police officers, the Wellawatte police and some politicians,” she said.Parameshwari went on to recount the circumstances under which she was arrested. A past pupil of Radhakrishna Central College, Nawalapitiya, Parameshwari joined the Tamil newspaper ‘Seeharan’ and later the ‘Veerakesari’ as a crime reporter. It was in September last year that she joined the ‘Mawbima’ newspaper,” she said.The unjust arrest and prolonged detention had cost young Parameshwari a great deal. “My education was affected. I was to follow the Journalism Diploma at the Colombo University and a Sinhala-English diploma in Wellawatte. But I had to miss both courses which commenced last January,” Parameshwari lamented. When asked about the support she got from her employers, Parameshwari said, “I know they did their best despite the problems they have”. Queried about her future in journalism she vowed she would continue to be a reporter. “This is my country and I want to serve my people. If I have not done anything wrong why should I be afraid to be a journalist,”Paramesh-wari asked. Sri Lanka figures in minority communities under threat list Police raids "Ya television" It is being reported to 'LeN' that a group of police officers from the Mirihana police have entered the production company of "Young Asia Television" and looked into the computers and other documents.Young Asia Television is a BOI approved company that produces programmes in English, Sinhala and Tamil and has a work force representing all ethnicities.Three days ago a group of policemen had entered the premises and said that a complaint has been lodged in the police about some Tamil workers in the company and said that they are keeping a vigilant eye on them as there was a Army Camp close by.Later officers of the Inland revenue department had come along with the police and checked their finance documents.One of then that came along with the group that came today saying that they are from the Mirihana police, had been wearing uniform while another 7 had arrived in casual clothes.They had said that they had an order from higher authorities but they had produced any documents. They had said they were searching as they have received some complaints regarding some journalists who are supporting the LTTE.But it is being reported that they officers were acting in a very friendly manner. Ex- Minister charged with fraud "Safeguard our lives" - journalists No action by authorities Complaints to the police and other authorities have not proved fruitful,the chief editor V.Kanamailnthan says. "This letter is to urge you to kindly bring the traumatic conditions that we are hostages of , to the attention of all our colleagues of the Editors Guild of Sri Lanka", he said "We are being throttled and systematically targeted – we need your help, now more than ever, to secure our livelihoods, our profession and a shared commitment to the inviolable values of democracy and the freedom of the media", the letter furhter states. Editors Guild Upali Tennakoon, president of the Editors Guild told Sandesaya that the guild had discussed the issue and decided to to write to the President Mahinda Rajapakse about the plight of journalists in the north and specially of the journalists of the Udayan newspaper. Sri Lankan police reject Buddhist monk who wants to be a police officer A Buddhist monk who wanted to join Sri Lanka's police force had his application rejected and told he'd first have to give up his saffron robes and leave the monastery.The monk was among nearly 1,000 people who applied for a job on the force, said Neville Piyadigama, chairman of the National Police Commission, an independent body that handles recruitment."We rejected his application," Piyadigama told The Associated Press, asking how a Buddhist monk bound by nonviolence could "perform the duties of a police officer, as he has to wear a uniform and carry a gun."Piyadigama, however, said the monk could join if he resigned from the monkhood.The name of the monk was withheld by the commission.A vast majority of Sri Lanka's majority ethnic Sinhalese are Buddhists and monks consider themselves guardians of the nation.Sri Lanka's police play a crucial role against Tamil rebels who began fighting in 1983 for a separate homeland for Sri Lanka's 3.1 million minority ethnic Tamils. JVP opposes UN, US interference "As the third largest political party in Sri Lanka, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is against human rights violations wherever it occurs. Yet the JVP is also aware that in times of war anywhere in the world, human rights violations may and do occur. Even though some conventions on the rules of war exist, they had been always violated especially by the major powers. We painfully know of how gross violations were conducted by the United States sponsored regimes in Latin America resulting in the present backlash against the US through which a majority of Latin American governments have turned critical of the United States. We are also keenly aware of the nearly 700,000 people killed in Iraq by the United States often by direct violation of the rules of war. The US excuse was to free Iraq of a dictator. More than 2.5% of the population in Iraq were thus murdered to defend the human rights of Iraqi citizens! And Iraq has been in effect partitioned as Kurdi, Sunni and Shia enclaves to defend human rights of the people in that country! "We as a party are not blind supporters of the many dictatorships that exist in the Middle East, almost all supported by the United States. The reason for this US selectivity on Middle East dictatorships is oil. It is for Iraqi oil that the US overturned Saddam Hussein and it is for oil that it supports the other dictatorships in the region. In this selective drama, the UN has quite often acted as a supine observer and sometimes as a tool of the US and Western powers.The JVP says there was selectivity in support of Middle East dictatorships, there is also selectivity in human rights.The US and the organs it supported use human rights as a selective foreign policy instrument. They only highlighted worthy victims. A most unworthy set of victims were the 25% of Afro-American youth who at any given time were in jail. Unworthy victims were also the thousand killed by the LTTE. "We recently saw a spectacle of a man who has appeared on LTTE platforms in Canada, namely Allen Rock, coming to Sri Lanka to ‘observe’ human rights. He had been sent by the Sri Lankan UN official Radhika Cumaraswamy, of Sri Lankan origin who has described herself as a human rights activist. Cumaraswamy and her kind are more at home in Colombo diplomats’ cocktail parties than observing human rights violations among ordinary Sri Lankans. We do not think she has been to the Jaffna peninsula in the last few years. We definitely know that she was silent when reminiscent of happenings in a banana republic, nearly one hundred thousand people were killed by state aided death squads in the south during the late 1980s. She in fact came out in public in support of the then president of the time. These self-styled Sri Lankan human rights activists are a strong contrast to grass roots activists in other countries. Allen Rock in his visit here came out with several fabrications which indirectly supported the LTTE. "For 500 years, Sri Lanka has been treated as a football by the West. As a party, the JVP has been against all foreign interference in the country. The Indians had armed all separatist groups and then later forced an unequal self-styled Indian Accord on Sri Lanka which going against all historical facts amalgamated the North and East into one province. It was only recently, nearly 20 years after this Indian act of ‘neighbourliness,’ that though actions of the JVP the two provinces were once again separated. The LTTE has boasted that the so-called Ceasefire Agreement which ceded control of part of the country to the LTTE and which the UN supports was done against the Sri Lanka constitution. Increasingly in spite of gross violations by the LTTE, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission has failed to adequately highlight these and reminiscent of colonial whites, they lord over our land. "It is in this light that the JVP will resist any interference of the United Nations as well as any country in Sri Lanka including under the guise of bringing human rights observers or of international peacekeeping forces. We have a well-developed civil society in the form of trade unions, professional organizations and active political parties of all shades of opinion that can attend to these."Instead of coming all the way to Sri Lanka from New York, may we suggest that the UN delegation at a much lesser cost, observe the conditions of the 25% Afro-Americans in US custody." While they are at it, they could also go to Guantanamo Bay and other secret CIA locations where thousands are kept without the basic of rights." Medical shop assistant shot dead in Jaffna A woman employee of a pharmacy located in front of Jaffna Teaching Hospital along Hospital road within the High Security Zone (HSZ) demarcated by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) was shot dead at 9:45 a.m. Thursday by two unknown gunmen who arrived in a motor cycle and pretended to buy medicine, sources in Jaffna said.Uthayajothika Kapilan, 27, from Kaithady was working at the Westco pharmacy, when she was killed. She died on the spot.Local traders who witnessed the escaping gunmen said that the gunmen rode with ease towards Vembadi Junction where there is a heavy presence of SLA troopers, and blamed the Sri Lanka Intelligence operatives for the killing.Uthayajothika's killing is the second within the last 10 days. Earlier, a pavement trader was shot dead in similar fashion. Karuna carrying guns in Kirulapone, say residents Residents of Andarawatta in Polhengoda yesterday alleged that Karuna cadres were seen outside the organisation’s Colombo political office carrying weapons, but this claim was denied by the Karuna faction and the Kirullapone police.A resident who telephoned the Daily Mirror claimed that on some days during late evenings the Karuna cadres came out of their political office carrying weapons, to talk to people outside before getting back.The political section of the Karuna faction, known as the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP), recently shifted its office from Kollupitiya to Polhengoda much to the annoyance and the anger of the Andarawatta residents.After checking the authenticity of the caller, the Daily Mirror questioned the residents whether they had mistaken the armed soldiers providing security for the TMVP office premises as being Karuna cadres, but the residents insisted they were not mistaken.However when contacted the Kirillapone police scoffed at the allegations saying the Karuna cadres were not armed and were only involved in political activity. TMVP spokesman Azad Maulana also dismissed the allegations saying the only weapons to be seen around its Colombo office were those carried by soldiers providing security for registered political parties.“We are a political party facing the most serious threats so we need the most security and that is what the government is giving us. We don’t carry arms in our office or outside it. If we were allowed to carry our own arms then we will be able to protect ourselves,” Mr. Maulana said.Andarawatte residents said they were concerned about the presence of the TMVP political office in the area as they fear threats from the LTTE and the Karuna faction in internecine fighting.The government recently said it would probe the alleged illegal activities of the Karuna faction in the face of claims by traders in Pettah that the group was threatening to abduct businessman from the area if extortion money was not paid.“We are a political party facing the most serious threats so we need the most security and that is what the government is giving us. We don’t carry arms in our office or outside it. If we were allowed to carry our own arms then we will be able to protect ourselves,” Mr. Maulana said. Andarawatte residents said they were concerned about the presence of the TMVP political office in the area as they fear threats from the LTTE and the Karuna faction in internecine fighting.The government recently said it would probe the alleged illegal activities of the Karuna faction in the face of claims by traders in Pettah that the group was threatening to abduct businessman from the area if extortion money was not paid. LTTE blasts transformers in eastern Sri Lanka The LTTE blasted a high tension tower midnight yesterday in Redeethenna, in the Batticaloa district cutting electricity services to thousands of people in the Welikanda and Valachchenai areas.Another transformer in the Kaluwankerni area further north of Welikanda also came under LTTE small arms attack, the military said. The attack denied electricity to residents of Valachchenai and Kumbumulla areas.Officials from the Electricity Board are working hard to restore power as soon as possible, military added. SLA takes human shields in Vavuniya Mannar border - LTTE Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam officials in Kilinochchi Friday charged that more than 300 Sri Lankan Army (SLA) troopers had breached 2 km into LTTE territory and taken more than 120 villagers of Periyathampanai, 25 km east of Madu, in Vavuniya Mannar border as human shields Friday morning around 7:30 a.m. The SLA offensive follows heavy artillery shelling by the SLA and a Deep Penetration Unit Claymore attack wounding 2 civilians in Parappukkandanthan, 18 km northwest of Madu Thursday. Two civilians narrowly escape with injuries in a claymore attack by the SLA in Mannar Two civilians were injured in a claymore attack by the Sri Lankan military’s Deep Penetration Unit near Andankulam in Mannar at 12.30 pm today, 22 March 2007. Navarathinam Santhirakanthan aged 27, father of two children and Palichchami Jeyapalan aged 31 were injured. They were going to Andankulam from Thachchanamadu, Mannar. Injured Santhirakanthan and Jeyapalan were admitted in Pallamadu hospital in Mannar Batticaloa refugees: Norway ready to help As the refugee crisis in Batticaloa deepened, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said yesterday that if the Internally Displaced People should on their own decide to return to their homes then the NRC would continue to support the IDPs. More than 155,000 civilians are now estimated to be displaced in the district.The NRC said it had scaled up its relief operations in the Batticaloa district to assist tens of thousands of civilians who had been displaced over the past months by fighting between government forces and the LTTE.It said that since December, more than 35,000 IDPs in the Batticaloa district were assisted by the NRC in cooperation with local government authorities, through a wide range of humanitarian intervention such as emergency shelter, food, water/sanitation, basic non-food relief items, legal assistance and protection monitoring. The last few months saw staple food as well as a variety of non-food items, provided to more than 15,000 people who had arrived with only little more than the clothes on their backs. The NRC said in Batticaloa, it was delivering emergency shelters to around 4,500 families and was providing support to the local government officials in managing IDP sites through camp management training programmes. It said more than 2,000 emergency shelters were being erected in Savakudy, Kalavenkerny and Palameenmadu camps in Chenkalady DS division while 1,060 tents were set up in several camps located in the district. In addition, the NRC had provided or repaired water and sanitation systems in several camps. In the wake of a humanitarian crisis with the continuous movement of thousands of displaced people, the government and aid agencies are keen for the displaced to rely on local support webs. However, host families too are in need of support to cope with sudden additional burdens. The agency’s mobile monitoring teams gather and disseminate information on legal protection issues such as domestic violence, child rights, compensation and benefit entitlements, missing persons, lack of civil documentation etc. to relevant coordinating mechanisms. In such cases the NRC said it offered legal counselling, undertaking civil action through the Courts, or made a case referral to a relevant authority. 22 March 2007 LTTE attacks army camps At least 12 persons, four soldiers and eight Tamil Tiger cadres, were killed as the LTTE attacked four army camps and checkposts in the Batticaloa district on Wednesday. Military spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe said here the LTTE had fired 81 mm and 120 mm mortars at the army camps. There was no word from the Tigers on the fighting. This is the first such major strike by the Tigers since the military ousted them from Vaharai and the surrounding areas in the third week of January. Reports from the district suggest that panic gripped civilians as the forces and the LTTE fought pitched battles for nearly five hours. According to the military spokesman, eight bodies were recovered from the area. "LTTE communication intercepts stated over 20 were injured and more were reported dead." Defence spokesperson and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella complained that a section of the media had accused the Government of forcibly resettling the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the east against their wishes due to inadequate security. He said it would not be long when such elements begin charging the Government with sending "new settlers" there with a hint of "colonisation." He said the people who traditionally lived in these areas had a right to be resettled in the homes that they abandoned due to LTTE terrorism. Mr. Rambukwella said resettling nearly 1,50,000 IDPs after their infrastructure was destroyed by the LTTE was no easy task. However, a mechanism is in place and the security forces have been involved to provide the needs of the people. UNHCR pulls out of resettlement process in east With the government allegedly failing to adhere to an assurance given that it would not forcibly resettle civilians displaced by the recent hostilities in the east, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has pulled out from the resettlement process in Batticaloa and Trincomalee, the Daily Mirror learns.A circular issued by UNHCR to humanitarian agencies operating in the east earlier this week states the pullout is to ensure that legitimacy is not given to the government moves but that it stands prepared to assist the displaced if the need arises once they are resettled in former conflict ridden areas. “Any return to places of origin in accordance with the guiding principles of internal displacement should be voluntary, in safety and with dignity. UNHCR and other agencies have not yet done in-depth assessments in Vakarai. This is linked to sustainability and safety of return,” the UNHCR circular said. Humanitarian agencies operating on the ground in Batticaloa told the Daily Mirror on the condition of anonymity that even over the weekend and last few days several families were allegedly resettled in Vakarai and to a transit camp in Killivedi mostly against their will.This comes despite an assurance by the government on Friday that it would work with UNHCR in the resettlement process following a hue and cry last week both by UNHCR and Human Rights Watch in the face of reports that civilians were being forcefully boarded on buses and resettled in Mutur and Vakarai. Leaflets from the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC), a UN agency, written in all three languages has been distributed to IDPs in Batticaloa briefing them of their rights stating that the displaced have a right to refuse to return and such a move should be respected by all parties.However government defense spokesman Keheliya Rambukwelle insisted yesterday there was no forceful resettlement in the east but instead the government was ensuring that the right of the displaced people was met by resettling them in their original lands.“It is their right to be resettled in their original places. The government is fulfilling that right. If someone interprets it as forceful resettlement, well then that’s disappointing. This whole journey is not a bed of roses. It’s a tough journey to deal with 100 – 150,000 people.In the process you might have a few cases where some people don’t want to be resettled,” the Minister Rambukwelle said.Military spokesman Prasad Samarasingha said the allegations of forceful resettlement arose sometime last week when a group of people opposed to being transferred to a UNHCR transit camp in Killivedi. The UNHCR circular states only when forced returns stop and it is clear that returnees are allowed to leave their places of residence freely if they chose to do so and if the UN has security clearance to enter areas of return will UNHCR resume its humanitarian activities.It adds that once forced relocation and forcible movement stop UNHCR will provide humanitarian assistance to IDPs in the relocation sites and in the meantime will continue to advocate for IDP rights. The Daily Mirror learnt while most IDPs didn’t mind being resettled in Vakarai, the process was being questioned as they were not briefed on what to expect back home. The displaced from Vakarai were equally concerned over the reported strong presence of armed Karuna cadres in adjoining Kathiraveli. They feared once resettled Karuna cadres might infiltrate Vakarai and extort money or abduct youth for military purposes despite the army presence in newly liberated area.“The presence of TMVP armed cadres is reported in Vakarai and this may lead to security problems similar to those IDPs faced in the Batticaloa displacement sites,” the UNHCR circular said.UNHCR officials could not be contacted for a comment on the circular. Heavy fighting in Sri Lanka kills 19 by Amal Jayasinghe Tiger rebels fought pitched battles with troops in Sri Lanka while war planes bombed guerrilla positions, officials said, placing the death toll from both sides at 19. Troops and the Tamil Tigers were locked in fierce mortar and artillery duels Wednesday for five hours in the east of the island, where some 150,000 civilians have been displaced by recent fighting, the defence ministry said."The fighting went on for five hours and the air force was called in to bomb identified concentrations of the Tigers," ministry spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe said. "We were also firing rockets at fleeing Tigers."The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) launched a pre-dawn assault against four key military camps in the coastal Batticaloa district and several civilians were caught in the crossfire, local military officials said.They said about 40 civilians were wounded in rebel mortar bomb attacks that also hit a relief centre. The security forces recovered the bodies of 10 Tigers, including a woman rebel, killed in the pre-dawn battle, they said. The military said four soldiers were killed and 30 wounded. In another confrontation in the island's north, five Tigers were killed, the military said.In the east of the island, at least 300 Tiger combatants were involved in simultaneous attacks against the military camps, the defence ministry said.The air force deployed Israeli-built Kfir jets to bomb two positions in the Batticaloa district, air force spokesman Ajantha Silva said."We have bombed two identified targets where there were concentrations of Tigers who had been involved in the attacks against the army earlier in the day," Silva said.There was no immediate word from the Tigers about the latest fighting, but the LTTE said in a statement that eight civilians disappeared in the district of Batticaloa on Tuesday.Official figures show 148,419 people were listed as internally displaced in the Batticaloa district since the military captured a key base of the Tigers in January.Since then, the military has also stepped up attacks against Tamil Tiger boats and claimed sinking three large supply ships that were allegedly trying to smuggle weapons into the island. The UN food relief agency in a statement said some 95,000 people had fled fierce fighting in the Batticaloa district in the past week alone, adding to the problems of providing shelter to refugees.A consortium of charities, including UN agencies, last week appealed for more money to look after thousands of refugees displaced by fighting in the restive eastern province.Relief workers also raised concerns for the safety of civilians in Batticaloa, but the government Wednesday said it was trying to re-settle those who wished to go back to their homes.Sri Lanka, meanwhile, rejected any foreign scrutiny of its human rights record amid growing international charges of extra-judicial killings, abductions and the recruitment of child soldiers.Government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said Colombo would not allow any unsolicited monitoring of rights in the embattled island, but would invite "eminent persons from time to time" to assess the situation."Many eminent persons have visited Sri Lanka at the invitation of the government... that is because we have nothing to hide," Rambukwella told reporters here. "But that is by invitation." Rights groups have said violations increased as a result of the conflict. More than 4,000 people have been killed in a new wave of fighting since December 2005. The fighting comes despite a truce in place since February 2002. More than 60,000 people have been killed in Sri Lanka's Tamil separatist campaign since 1972 Govt. opposes Human Rights investigations without invitation Government defense spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said if an independent international organisation or group arrives in the country without government's invitation to look into the human rights issues, that would be a hindrance to the activities of a sovereign state.Addressing the media in Colombo this afternoon, he said that a delegation including Minister of Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe are participating at the human rights commission and added that the government has taken measures to look into all the complaints received by the police and that a special president's commission has been appointed to look into the matter.He said that a special unit has been deployed to ensure the safety of those who give witness before the commission and that it would function with total transparency. He said since Sri Lanka has ratified to the conventions of the United Nations it has an obligation to fulfill the human rights requirements in the country and will continue to do so. The international Human rights watchdog "Human Rights Watch" has already stated to the international human rights council to send an independent observation unit to Sri Lanka. Meanwhile the US congress and the opposition in a joint statement has requested President Bush to send a committee to Sri Lanka to look into the human rights violations. However the observation of the UN secretary General on Sri Lanka is yet to be presented to the Human Rights Commission and it is in this backdrop that the government defense spokesperson says that the government will not accept any delegation if they arrive without the invitation from the government. Batticaloa mobile communications cut off Mobile communications in the Batticaloa district have been cut off as part of routine security measures for the ongoing military operations in Thoppigala and adjoining areas. However aid groups operating in the district have raised concerns over the move as they believed it might hamper communications between their staff operating on the ground. Although most UN operation heads in the North and East are equipped with satellite phones for communication purposes, most of the foreign and local ground staff depend on ordinary mobile phones to communicate with each other.Aid groups and NGOs operating in Batticaloa said the timing of the breakdown in communication would severely hamper ongoing assistance programmes for thousands of displaced people who are facing a serious food crisis. “UN agencies including the World Food Programme are now assessing the food and shelter situation for the war displaced and the lack of mobile communications is hampering the activities,” a UN official said.However a military official siad the move to curtail mobile communications was a procedure followed recently even in Jaffna when operations were launched to resist an LTTE attempt to infiltrate the peninsula. SLA mini-camp set on fire in Jaffna Unknown persons set fire to the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) mini camp located at Chullipuram area in Valigamam Wednesday morning when the troopers were out on patrol, sources in Chullipuram said. Additional troops have been deployed at the site while the camp continues to burn, eyewitnesses who had fled from the site said. In an earlier incident, the same SLA mini camp was burnt by unidentified armed men and in the cordon off and search conducted by the SLA troopers following the burning many innocent civilians were beaten and subjected to harassment, the sources said. Local residents said the mini camp and the sentry posts were set on fire using petrol, kerosene and tyres. Allegations of Tender manipulations to afford Norway oil search contract rejected The Petroleum Ministry yesterday denied accusations that the government’s tender procedures are being manipulated to involve the Norwegians in the ambitious oil exploration project. "There is absolutely no truth in this," Secretary to the Ministry of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development A. P. A. Gunasekera said. As Secretary to the Ministry, he functions as Chairman of the ministerial procurement committee tasked to select consultancy services.Seismic data shows more than 1.0 billion barrels of oil lie under the sea off North West coast, in the Gulf of Mannar, near the Kavery Basin.He acknowledged that there was criticism of the ongoing process of selection of a consultant to finalize what the ministerial committee termed the model petroleum resources agreement and bid documents to develop a computer model for fiscal analysis and marketing of the upcoming Mannar basin licensing round. The closing date which was originally scheduled for March 15 was subsequently extended to March 23 (tomorrow).Critics have accused the Petroleum Ministry of conspiring to involve the Norwegians through the Maharaja Corporation. In a letter addressed to some MPs, they claimed that this deal would be detrimental to the national interest. They expressed the belief that the ultimate beneficiary would be the LTTE. Gunasekera dismissed the allegation. "If they are genuinely concerned, they should contact the relevant authorities," he said. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, the Criminal Investigation Department and the Special Presidential Investigation Unit would initiate investigations. He urged them to lodge complaints without further delay.Gunasekera said President Mahinda Rajapakse was aware of the status of the project, the Economic Council too was briefed of the progress on Tuesday (20) at Temple Trees.Petroleum Resources Development Minister A.H.M. Fowzie Tuesday said the government has called for worldwide tenders to evaluate and prepare profit sharing agreements. According to him several international oil companies that do business with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation had been notified of the developments.Fowzie said that the oil deposits in the Mannar Basin had been divided into eight lots with two granted to India and China without tenders taking friendly ties into consideration."And we have granted them both the best possible terms outside open Tenders and requested each to deposit US$ 100 Million as an advance and US$ 19 million as the Bonus (Bond)" East will be liberated before Sinhala-Hindu new year, assures President The eastern region of the country will be liberated before mid April, said President Mahinda Rajapakse speaking at a meeting organized to brief the members of Jathika Hela Urumaya(JHU), Monday on current security situation prevailing in the area. He further said that the east will be fully set free before the Sinhala-Hindu New Year which dawns in April.Speaking at this meeting JHU parliamentarian Ven. Athuruliye Rathana Thero insisted that the provincial council election should be held in east to establish democracy after liberating the eastern region. Meanwhile Omalpe Sobitha Thero requested the President that Sinhalese who were forced to leave from the east should be resettled and Buddhist temples destroyed by the LTTE must be reconstructed.The confidence people has kept on the 'Mahinda Chinthanaya' will not be allowed get destroyed by any force trying to triple the government, President Mahinda Rajapakse further added. SLA introduces pass system to travel out of Jaffna The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) high command in Jaffna said it requires all persons wishing to leave Jaffna district to provide a surety to stand guarantee for the return of the applicant as an additional requirement to obtain a pass to travel out of the distriict. The travellers are asked to submit applications to the area SLA official through the Village Officer and the Divisional Secretary. Civil society sources expressed concern over the new regulations restricting the freedom of movement, and urged Rights groups to bring pressure on Colombo to stop the deteriorating human rights situation in Northeast. This practice enforced in Thenmaradchy including Kodikamam and the islets of Jaffna, is being applied to other areas in Jaffna district. Since August 2006, nearly 40,000 residents of Jaffna district have travelled out of Jaffna in ships and planes, according to statistics of Jaffna Secretariat.Now, thousands of applicants wait for passes either to get a place in the ship or on the plane, as abductions, killings, sexual violations, forced disappearances, restrictions and harassment are increasing at an alarming rate in Jaffna district. The new pass regulation is intended to keep the people of Jaffna district from moving out, thereby exposing the military stations operating in the safety of civilian areas, vulnerable to attacks, civil society sources said. Communist Party May Day rally on April 30 Taking into consideration the fact that this year’s Vesak Day co-incides with the May Day, the Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Communist Party, has decided that the Party would commemorate May Day, on April, 30, Secretary of May Day Committee and Colombo Municipal Councillor L. R. Stephen said on Tuesday.He said the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Communist Party Minister Dew Gunasekera was in consultation with the Party rank and file to hold a procession and rally this year In this connection the party organizers at District level, constituency level, elected representatives attached to local bodies, provincial councils, affliated trade unions, youth committees,women’s committees, farmer committees and student committees have been notified to make preparations in time this year.Preparations had also been made to carry out an island wide propaganda programme to educate the masses by way of a poster and banner campaign The Party May Day procession will commence from opposite the Party Headquarters at, Dr. N .M. Perera Mawatha (Cotta Road) in Borella to join the Procession of Socialist Peoples Front at the Borella Junction. Parameswari to be released Steps were being taken to discharge the ‘Mawbima’ journalist Ms. Munusami Parameswari, State Counsel appearing for the Attorney General yesterday told the Supreme Court.State Counsel Ms. Harshika de Silva said discharge papers had been sent to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.J.C.Weliamuna instructed by Gowry Shangary Thavarasha, appearing for the journalist, said this case be called on another date when he would move to withdraw the fundamental rights violation petition.The Bench comprising Justices C.N.Jayasinghe, N.G.Amaratunga and Jagath Balapadabendi set the next hearing for March 30.When the fundamental rights violation petition was taken up on March 8 in the Supreme Court, State Counsel had informed court that the Attorney General would consider whether bail could be granted.She also told court that the Attorney General had now received the Information Book extract pertaining to this case from the Police and she was now in a position to decide whether charges, if any, could be preferred against the journalist. Contd on The Supreme Court has already granted leave to proceed with the application for alleged infringement of her fundamental rights to equality and equal protection of the law, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention and freedom from speech and occupation.The petitioner had cited the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) Director, STF SSP Ajith Wickremesekera, the IGP and the Attorney General as respondents.In her petition, inter alia, she had stated that she was staying at a boarding house at Wellawatta and that on November 23 last year, while she was at there, another boarder who was her friend received a phone call saying her brother had been abducted and was being held in a van parked near the Savoy Cinema.Then the petitioner too received a call on her mobile phone from an unidentified caller who said that her friend’s brother had been abducted and was being held in a van parked near the Savoy Cinema.She had stated that her friend Thambirajah Susanthi who was in a state of panic, set out to find the van and she too, motivated by a journalistic instinct, accompanied her friend.She said that as they neared the Savoy Cinema, several men who got off a van came up to them and pushed them into the van using force.She had further stated there was no licence (number) plate on the van and that she realised that she had been tricked into coming there, so she could be abducted.She was taken to the TID and detained. She denied any involvement with any unlawful act.Ms. Thambirajah Susanthi who is the friend of Ms. Parameswari is still in custody. Susanthi’s brother was released on December 18 last year. Parameswari not produced for release despite SC order Mawbima journalist Munusami Parameswari though discharged by the Supreme Court was not produced by theTerrorist Investigation Division (TID) before the Colombo Magistrate to be released yesterday. The counsel, representatives from the media rights group, journalists and officials of the Mawbima newspaper waited at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court from 12.30 pm to 4 pm only to learn she would not be produced before court. Around 4 pm Magistrate Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena got into her vehicle to leave the court but returned to her chambers following a message by the Mudliyar that Parameshwari would be produced in court within 10 minutes. But when she was not produced by the TID even after 15 minutes the Magistrate left the court. The detention order on the journalist ended yesterday. According to legal sources her further detention could be deemed illegal. Sri Lanka Bombs Tamil Tiger Positions in Country's Volatile East Air force fighter jets bombed separatist Tamil Tiger positions Wednesday in Sri Lanka's volatile east, where ground troops were engaged in a heavy battle with insurgents, the military said."The air force has taken two targets to help our ground forces," air force spokesman Group Capt. Ajantha Silva told reporters.Silva did not give details of damage and casualties, but said the targets were hit.At least eight rebels and four soldiers were killed in an overnight battle in the eastern Batticaloa district. 'Forced conscription' by LTTE Forced recruitment "We have strongly told the LTTE not to come and recruit people here because this is shrine this is only for religious activities," Rev. Emilius Pillai told bbcsinhala.com.Though there were no reports of child recruitment, the adults have been forced to join the LTTE."We have come across people who are in the age of 17 have been recruited".Madu church authorities say they have evidence that Tamil Tigers forced IDPs to join the organisation."They do not enter the church but come around and sometimes take people by force also," Rev. Emilius Pillai said. Protest to LTTE Church authorities say they totally oppose the forceful conscription by the LTTE.The matter has been taken up with the Tamil Tiger leadership and the international community."Madu shrine is a place of worship. Therefore I appeal to people in Sri lanka to help us so that we can maintain this as a peace zone," Fr. Pillai said.There was no response from the Tamil Tigers. Mangala also to be arrested on a complaint lodged by a foreigner It is being reported to 'LeN' that there are plans of arresting former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera as well.It is being reported to us that a complaint has been lodged to the CID by a foreigner, mentioning the name of Samaraweera, after a discussion which was held between a UNP Colombo district Muslim MP and a high ranking official of the government.'LeN' has also being informed that officials working in some of the institutions and ministries which come under the purview of the ministries which was held by Samaraweera earlier has been informed by a top government official to look into the past files to put up a charge sheet against Samaraweera.After being stripped off from his ministries Samaraweera has been called before a disciplinary committee and was also removed from the party district leadership and the organizer post. But he still serves the SLFP as the treasurer of the party. 21 March 2007 TNA questions govt. on its stance on the peace process The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday questioned the position of the peace process and urged the government to stop military activities immediately.TNA Parliamentarian, R. Sampanthan speaking on the adjournment debate on the present security situation in the country said certain forces were preventing the country from moving forward."Everyone knows the circumstances under which the agreements such as the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) and the P-TOMS were aborted. Certain forces in the country are preventing the country from moving forward by obstructing such measures," Sampanthan said.He also said that the government was responsible for the suffering of the Tamils especially in the east.Sampanthan in his speech accused the government for carrying out attacks on the guise of defeating terrorism with no regard to the rights of the Tamil civilians."The government is carrying out a military campaign with no regard to the rights of the Tamil people. They have lost their houses and their livelihoods. What is the government’s response?" he questioned. He also expressed his dissatisfaction over the issue that none of the TNA parliamentarians being invited to any of the meetings on the resettlement of the people displaced in the east."There are TNA parliamentarians representing the east. The government is holding several meetings on the plans to resettle the people. How come none of the TNA MPs are invited? We have no idea as to what is going on in these meetings," he said.Speaking further, Sampanthan said that the Tamils in the east were never separatists. And added that they were going through unwanted problems due to repeated shelling and artillery fire on their areas.He stated that the Tamils in Muttur elected a Muslim, defeating the candidate campaigning for a separate state."The people in Muttur never allowed Chelvanayagam to walk. They carried him on their shoulders. Later, M.E.H. Mohammed Ali representing the Federal party defeated Prof. Sundaralingam, who campaigned for Eelam. These people are not separatists, yet they are suffering. How can we live with people like you?" he queried. The Rajapakse Brothers Co-operation tarnished the goodwill of the country- UNP The United National Party says the goodwill of the country has been tarnished due to the regime of the Rajapakse Brothers Corporation.Issuing a statement the UNP spokesperson says that this has intensified as the power has been centralized and all powers including military and monetary being directly in the hands of the President.The statement says that the international community is paying great attention on the country's recent human rights violations record adding that the United States and Human Rights session in Geneva taking up the country's recent violations justifies the attention paid by the international community. He says that the charges made against the government regarding the recent spate of abductions and killings are very serious.The UNP spokesperson adds that the government has put several black marks on the country's records during the past year and that it is saddening to note that the attempt made by the minister in Geneva to neutralize the situation was foiled. Indian HC furious over minister’s ‘nattami’ comment The Indian High Commission has protested strongly at a charge made by Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena that the rising prices and shortage of essential food commodities in the market were due the actions of the ‘nattamis’ in Pettah.Minister Gunawardena had made his controversial remarks at a seminar organised by the Consumer Affairs Authority at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.He was quoted in the media on Monday as stating that though many people criticised the government in the recent past for the high prices and the short supply of essential food commodities saying the government was asleep, the real culprits were the ‘nattamis’ at the Pettah wholesale market.The Morning Leader learns the Indian High Commission had on Monday expressed its strong displeasure to the Minister at the comment made, terming it "highly derogatory."The Minister was told by the High Commission over the telephone that it believed he was a friend of India and was surprised at his remarks targeting the Indian business community. The Minister was also told that the remarks were particularly dangerous coming at a time the businessmen were under various pressures.The Morning Leader further learns the Minister was told it was unfair to blame the businessmen for the rising prices. The Minister, it is learned had said he was a friend of India and that the media had misquoted him and would have the report corrected. 4 Tamil Tiger boats destroyed by artillery fire: Sri Lankan military Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan army's artillery fire destroyed four Tamil rebel boats off the country's northern coast, a senior military official said Tuesday, as the World Food Program said it is running out of food intended to help feed tens of thousands of people displaced by fighting.Navy ships and troops manning artillery positions along Sri Lanka's coasts have been on the lookout for shipments of arms and ammunition intended for the separatist guerrillas, formally known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam."Four Tiger boats were sailing toward the coast when they were observed by our troops. These four LTTE boats were destroyed," Lt. Col. Upali Rajapakse said of the incident off the Jaffna peninsula late Monday.Rajapakse was unable to say how many casualties the rebels suffered.A person who answered the phone at the rebels' northern headquarters in Kilinochchi said no officials were available for comment.On Sunday the navy said it sank two ships believed to be ferrying arms and ammunition to the rebels. The rebels declined to either confirm or deny the account."We are extra alert to guard against any attempt by the terrorists to get supplies," navy spokesman Commander D.K.P. Dassanayake said Tuesday.Separately, troops guarding a checkpoint fatally shot a suspected rebel who tried to cross into government-held territory in Jaffna late Monday, Rajapakse said. "Mahinda put his finger into Ranil's mouth and said vomit"- Weerawanse Adderssing the Kurunegale District Conference Chief Secretary of the JVP Tilvyn Silva said "this government is attempting to do the same things which Ranil's government attempted to do. This government is actually worse that Ranil's government".He said "this is a movement when the President we appointed has kicked away the mandate the public gave him. This is a moment when the public is in the look out for a new leader to replace him. The problems we had back then, still exist. At least the government has not been able to uphold the basic rights of the people. The price of goods have rocketed to a level like never before. Instead if focusing on reducing the prices of these goods the government is spending money more unnecessarily"."A major publicity was given to the fact that President's son has been sent for war. Now where is he? He not here, he is studying in America. Why are the country's leaders lying so much. It is only the children of our poor people that fight to safeguard our country. The issue is that Mahinda Rajapakse has not read the Mahinda Chinthana. It is because of that he is talking of a devolution of power. Though the Chinthana is in the body it is not in the soul. The penalties given to Mangala and Sripathi should be given to all the others as well. Actually this government is doing the same things which the Ranil government attempted to do," Chief Secretary of the JVP said.Meanwhile addressing the Badulla District Conference Wimal Weerawanse said "when Ranil was suffering with the conspiracy inside his stomach the president poked his fingers into Ranil's mouth and made him vomit. When he was vomiting the president held his sarong and collected 18 people. After those 18 left Ranil is feeling much better. He doesn't go abroad often. Even though he can't takeover the government he is at least saying that he will. He gained a new strength after Rajapakse took over his worries. Though he took 18, he couldn't handle and digest all of them. Three fell out. One crept in, another has been arrested for misusing a vehicle"."It is true that misusing public property is a great offence, but if the law is being imposed fairly half of the ministers' should be in Welikada", Weerawanse said. WFP: Food supplies running out in eastern Sri Lanka The World Food Program will run out of food stocks by the end of next month to feed tens of thousands of people fleeing fighting in eastern Sri Lanka unless it receives more funding soon, the U.N. agency said on Tuesday. A surge in fighting between Government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels in recent weeks has triggered a sharp rise in the number of refugees seeking safety, especially in the eastern district of Batticaloa. The influx of newly displaced people is creating a major humanitarian challenge, WFP Regional Director for Asia Tony Banbury said. ``After all the suffering endured by the victims of the fighting in Sri Lanka, they should not be hurt further by a lack of international support and concern,'' Banbury said in a statement. ``Unless we receive new funding very soon, we will run out of food supplies by the end of April,'' he said. More than 1,55,000 displaced people are now estimated to need immediate food and relief assistance in the conflict-affected area, WFP said. Fighting has escalated as Government troops try to gain control over territory long used as a base by rebels in the volatile east. The area has been a major rebel training centre and is considered one of the rebels' last eastern strongholds after Government forces captured swaths of rebel territory in ground and air attacks over the past year. The rebels are fighting to create a separate homeland in Sri Lanka's north and northeast for ethnic minority Tamils. A Norwegian-brokered cease-fire in 2002 slowed two decades of violence, but fighting flared in 2005 after a new Government was elected on a platform of getting tough with the insurgents. At least 4,000 people have since been killed, although neither side has officially withdrawn from the truce. Wickramabahu calls on Gota to stop hate campaign Left Front Leader, Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne has called on Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse to stop his hate campaign and remove threats on his life.In a letter to Rajapakse, Karunaratne has charged that the Defence Ministry’s website has ‘shamelessly distorted’ his speeches made during his visit to Europe, depicting him as a paid agent of the LTTE.In the letter Karunaratne has also made several corrections to a news report carried in the Daily News of February 28 on his visit to Europe including the statement that he was paid by the LTTE."I am yet to receive any contribution from the LTTE. I have accepted all contributions and help from every body who was prepared to donate, including my friend Hon. Mahinda Rajapakse. But all these were used for my aims and perspectives," he has said. Karunaratne has further charged that the state owned Dinamina newspaper and the Defence Ministry website have published a photograph of Suresh Krishna, better known as London Baba, with himself and claimed that London Baba is a leading financier for the LTTE."Can you please explain how this big LTTE leader got special permission from President Mahinda to do filming in the high security zone, just opposite Temple Trees, a few months ago? How did he get permission from the Kandy district secretary to develop a village in that district and how does he regularly visit this village to inspect development?" he has questioned, adding, "Either London Baba is not a LTTE leader or else President Mahinda Rajapakse is guilty of treason, according to your own laws." Commenting on a statement made by Defence Spokesperson, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on Lakhanda radio, Karunaratne has claimed that Rambukwella was trying to instigate the people against him."Your Defence Spokesman Minister Rambukwella participated in a radio programme conducted by the state media Lakhanda, on March 2 where it was announced that ‘Wickramabahu should be stoned to death’ and ‘Wickramabahu must be beheaded.’ Minister Rambukwella appreciated these but he said the government, as a legal entity is unable to implement those suggested actions. As such he openly instigated people," the letter states."It is about time that we realise that neither lies, distortions nor military actions can solve the Tamil national problem. It can be solved only by democracy based on devolution. I said this since 1974 and now even the American Ambassador Blake appears to believe in that," Karunaratne has said in his letter. Lanka targets Tigers’ overseas arms procurement network In the backdrop of the SLN’s biggest ever success against the LTTE in the entire Eelam war, the government is trying to neutralise the enemy’s overseas arms procurement network. The SLN intercepted and destroyed the two ships in separate confrontations on the high seas last Sunday. The strike was hot on the heels of the February 28 destruction of another LTTE vessel. Sealing off the overseas launching pads would be crucial to our war effort, an authoritative military official said. "We want to establish their last port of call," the official said. The loss of three vessels along with arms, ammunition and equipment worth millions of US$ in less than a month has dealt a severe blow to their international network, he said. The loss of trained crew would compound their problems, he said. Two of the vessels are about 75 meters long and the third about 50. The official estimated that the destroyed vessels are worth about US$ 21 million. Their deadly cargo would have cost several million US$, he said. The overall loss of three large vessels and a dozen other craft since January last year had a devastating impact on the LTTE war machine. The EU, in its Resolution proscribing the LTTE drew attention to the LTTE’s fleet of merchant vessels.The Island learns that the SLN trapped the enemy vessels after almost a week-long pursuit. Military sources said that the success on the high seas could not have come at a better time as the LTTE struggles to meet the combined security forces’ challenge. As the LTTE’s latest bid to replenish its depleted arsenal went awry security forces stepped up pressure with aerial strikes on identified LTTE bases in the northern theatre. The military believes that the LTTE was not in a position to undertake a major ground offensive due to a growing shortage of ammunition.Speculation is that LTTE vessels carried aircraft spares, huge stocks of explosives, spares and artillery shells. The possibility of fixed wing aircraft being brought in in-knocked down condition could not be ruled out. A Fast Missile Vessel (FMV) acquired from Israel joined SLNS Samudura (Ex-US Coast Guard Cutter P 621), SLNS Sayura (formerly of the Indian Navy) and another Indian OPV now in service with the SLN to successfully hunt the vessels. Sunday’s action was the FMV’s first since the SLN restored it recently. The SLN is in the process of restoring the second FMV enhancing its offshore capability. SLNS Jayasagara, launched in May 1983 is the oldest OPV in service with the SLN. The SLN swung into action several days before the ill-fated vessels made contact with large fishing trawlers on the high seas. The SLN believes that armaments are transferred to fishing trawlers before they reached Sri Lanka via the Gulf of Mannar. Sri Lanka wants coordinated naval patrols with India to block trawlers bringing in armaments and other supplies originating from South India. Since the capture of an Indian Dhow carrying over 60,000 electrical detonators on January 26 last year, the SLN carried out several successful operations. Fast Attack Craft (FACs) intercepted trawlers northeast of Talaimannar (February 11 last year) east of Point Pedro (March 21 last year), west of Kudiramalai Point (March 25 last year), West of Arippu (October 15 last year), fifth Sand Bank (October 31 last year), west of Kuriramalai Point (November 14 last year), West of Udappuwa (November 27 last year, North West of Battalangunduwa (February 16 this year). The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea recently assured Sri Lanka that they would not help the LTTE to acquire armaments. Responding to our lead story headlined Tigers’ North Korean link bared on March 5 issue, DPRK embassy in New Delhi assured the Sri Lankan embassy in New Delhi that there was no connection with the LTTE. The embassy said that the attempt to link DPRK with the LTTE was a plot to derail what the embassy termed as smooth progress of six-party talks aimed at denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and to drive a wedge between DPRK and Sri Lanka. DPRK also said that there was an attempt to disgrace what it called the external image of their Republic. Sri Lankan sources said that they were glad to receive an assurance from DPRK. A possible LTTE-DPRK link came to light early this year after Sri Lanka moved swiftly to block an arms shipment from a major arms supplier through North Korean agents. Inquiries revealed the possibility of the LTTE receiving three consignments of armaments before Sri Lanka intervened. Sri Lankan officials said that the government was glad to secure a guarantee from DPRK.Last year’s arrest of a Retired Indonesian Marine General Erick Wotulo with five other operatives, including Singaporeans, by US agents for planning to ship arms to the LTTE bared an unfathomable link between the LTTE and top military man. If found guilty of conspiracy to export arms and ammunition and of providing material support to a foreign terrorist group, the defendants face various sentences of up to 20 years in prison and half million dollar fines.The Island learns that the recent seizure of a boat mounted with a 14.5mm single barrel anti-aircraft gun and a multi purpose machine gun had fuelled speculation that the LTTE had secured some armaments, believed to have been manufactured by the country which the North Koreans approached on behalf of the LTTE. The 14.5mm gun is the first such recovery by the navy following a confrontation off Battalangunduwa in the western theatre. The navy recovered the 22 feet long boat mounted with two weapons. Karuna group, abduct 5 IDPs Five persons, including a Hindu priest, two teen aged sisters, a 13 year old boy and a youth from the Internally Displaced People (IDP)s displaced from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held areas in Batticaloa district, have been taken away by Karuna group Intelligence wing within the last 10 days, according to complaints lodged with Batticaloa Human Rights commission by their relatives. Alaguthurai Yogarajah, 13, of Kardiyanaru, Raveenthiran Gopinath, 21, of Ampilanthurai, Mylapodi Mehanathan, 45, a Hindu priest, Navaratnam Anjaladevi, 18, and Navaratnam Jeyalalitha, 13, two sisters from Unnichchai, were taken away forcefully from the temporary camps, schools and other public buildings, relatives said.The relatives of the above have complained of the abductions at Eravur and Batticaloa police stations.Residents of the LTTE held areas had to flee from their residences due to the persistent artillery attacks by the SLA. Lotto win to reunite family Luckyrajah Paramanathan knows he's one lucky man. Paramanathan, a 43-year-old maintenance worker from Scarborough, had been working hard since 2001 to bring his wife and two sons to Canada from his native Sri Lanka. Winning the $18-million jackpot in Saturday's Lotto 6/49 draw will make that family reunion possible. “I’m so happy," Paramanathan said as he claimed his prize Tuesday. "I can’t stop smiling.” Paramanathan, whose native language is Tamil, plans to move out of his two-bedroom apartment and buy a house. But he's not planning to make huge changes to his life. He pulls in $48,000 a year working two maintenance jobs, but he's not sure whether he's going to walk away from them. Paramanathan also plans to remain a loyal transit rider. "I'm not driving, (I have no) license, so I'll still take the TTC," he said. Paramanathan bought the winning ticket at the Sunny Convenience Store on Eglinton Avenue East in Scarborough. Kulathunga takes over CID Newly appointed Director of the Criminal Investigation Department SSP Nimal Kulathunga assumed duties on Monday. He replaced SSP Sisira Mendis who had been transferred to Vavuniya. SSP Kulathunga had been assigned to Sri Lankan High Commission in Canada on special duties and has travelled to many countries for higher training and capacity building programmes. Assuming duties, SSP Kulathunga said that he would do his utmost to ensure that the CID would perform its service to the country and people. LTTE Threat Resurfaces The LTTE threat resurfaces yet again in Tamil Nadu putting Security forces on a high alert. In the past ten days there has been a substantial rise in the number of Sri Lankan refugees who are crossing over to India increasing the threat perception that the LTTE-Indian broker nexus is getting stronger in our country. A large number of refugees were found swimming across has left security agencies worried creating doubt on the combing operations which may not be foolproof. Despite the presence of a three tier security ring that includes the coastal security, state intelligence and central intelligence, intelligence agencies have been on an alert since November 2006 after a spurt of arrests in India. According to the information provided to TIMES NOW, security agencies were worried about the fact that the LTTE had revived its base in India, especially in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu police with the help of Central intelligence and NSA are conducting massive combing operations to arrest LTTE brokers - a name coined for Indian nationals who are aiding the LTTE to procure and transport arms. Sources also informed TIMES NOW that LTTE is sourcing explosives from Indian nationals. Combing operation has been launched in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu for Indian nationals. Sources also say that Indian brokers could be supplying to other terror groups and LTTE is shipping out huge quantities of explosives to Lanka. LTTE is most probably using bases to source explosives to wipe out Lankan targets. Major explosives hauls in recent times have confirmed the IB report on LTTE. Newspapers printed on tissues and brown paper Brown paper and tissue are being used to print newspapers in the Jaffna peninsula due to the severe shortage experienced in newsprint and ink.The Uthayan newspaper last Sunday was printed on brown paper.Editor, Uthayan and Sudar Oli newspapers, N. Vithyatharan told The Morning Leader that no newsprint had gone to the peninsula after August 11 last year.Managing Editor of both the newspapers, E. Saravanapavan earlier said that no response was received from the authorities despite several requests to send newsprint and other items to the peninsula."We have made requests to all the relevant authorities on several occasions. But there have been no measures taken by any of the parties to curb the situation in the north," he said.The number of pages was reduced periodically in order to sustain circulation. However, Vithyatharan said that only around 4,000 papers were being printed after the pages were reduced to four."Our circulation used to be around 24,000 or sometimes a little more in the peninsula. Now, we have reduced the number of papers printed to 4000 and the number of pages has also been reduced to four from 24. But, we will definitely continue to print the newspapers even if we are pushed to a situation where we can only print one page," he said.The Free Media Movement (FMM) said they were unaware of any steps taken by the government to resolve this issue."The media minister stated that he was unaware of the situation in Jaffna. Several international organisations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in the USA, have written to the minister to take immediate steps for the newsprint to be sent," a spokesman for the FMM said.He however said that it was unlikely that the government would allow the materials to be sent, as they believed the LTTE would influence the media institutions."That is the government thinking. The newsprint, which was loaded in Trincomalee was later unloaded without being sent," he said.The media minister could not be contacted for comment. Kattankudi Muslims help Tamil IDP’s in Aaraiyampathy-DBS Man’s inhumanity to man is transforming Mattakkalappu (Batticaloa) into a district of the displaced. People like Keheliya Rambukwella try to downplay the human suffering by downsizing the actual number of displaced persons. Despite these puerile yet callously insensitive efforts there is no denying that a terrible humanitarian tragedy is unfolding in the district. The latest figures indicate that 38% of the Tamil population in B’caloa are now displaced.The civil administration and Non - Governmental organizations active in the district are struggling to cope with this sudden and massive influx of Internally displaced persons (IDP’s). The rapid spurt in IDP numbers in March came at a time when the civil authorities and INGO”s were struggling to accommodate the people displaced in December 2006 and January 2007. Despite the best efforts of dedicated professionals and volunteers the challenge of catering to the needs of more than 150, 000 helpless people remains formidable and unfulfilled. A vast crisis like this brings out at times the best in human nature. One such silver lining in the dark cloud of despair is the commendable efforts of Muslim people in Kattankudi (pronounced Kaathaankudi) to provide limited succour to suffering Tamil refugees in neighbouring Manmunai Pattru or Aaraiyampathy AGA division. There have been communal clashes and resultant tensions between Muslims and Tamils in this region during the past. These have been mainly instigated by scheming politicians and armed militant groups. Yet, K’kudi Muslims have at this time of humanitarian deed engaged collectively in alleviating to some extent at least the suffering of their Tamil brethren.An overwhelming number of Tamil civilians have fled the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controlled areas into Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) areas in the past few weeks. Many of them have registered themselves as IDP”s at the Manmunai Pattru (Aaraiyampathy) AGA division. This is adjacent to the pre- dominantly Muslim Kattankudi AGA division. With the District administration and functioning NGO”s unable to look after the newly displaced in many respects several civilian organizations are struggling to fill the void. The significant aspect in this is that the K’kudi Muslims are not helping their co -religionists but Tamils who are either Hindu or Christian. An emergency relief program was initiated by K’kudi residents. The K’ kudi branch of the Federation of Mosques & Muslim Institutions along with the Kattankudy Urbam Council, Kattankudy Traders Association, Kattankudy Jammiyathul Ulama, Risala Media World etc play a crucial part in this effort. The local branches of national organizations like Sri Lanka Jamath-e-Islami, Caring Hands, Human Care Foundation and the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka are also assisting in this mission.Thousands of cooked meals and lunch packets have been provided to IDP”s in Manumanai North by K’ kudi residents. Plastic plates, mats, mosquito nets for infants, hygiene packs etc have been supplied. Mobile medical clinics have been held at IDP camps. Several urgent needs like mats, infant food, medicine etc have been identified and an appeal has been issued for donations. A donation campaign where every K’ kudi household is being solicited for a minimum donation of 100 rupees is going on. The people of K’ kudi seem determined to continue with a sustained help campaign. So inspiring has been the K’kudi example that SLM Haniffa who heads the Eastern province Federation of Mosques and Muslim institutions has issued a public appeal that Muslims in other Eastern areas too should emulate their K’kudi brothers and help out with Tamil IDP”s in their respective localities. Batticaloa district MP and cabinet minister Ameer Ali has also issued an appeal on similar lines. If more Eastern Muslims respond to these appeals it would be a great humanitarian initiative illustrating the noble concept of brotherhood in Islam. It will also be a tremendous fillip to civil society peace building given the fractured state of relations between Muslims and Tamils in the East.It was only some weeks ago that friction ensued between Tamils of Aaraiyampathy and Muslims of Kattankudi. The issue concerned settling displaced Tamils from Vaakarai in lands within Muslim areas. A matter that could have been settled amicably was exploited by cadres from the breakaway Karuna faction of the Tigers who now call themselves the Tamil Makkal Viduthalaip Puligal (TMVP). The TMVP engaged in several acts of provocative violence against innocent Muslim civilians. Muslims were barred from doing business in Aaraiyampathy. The TMVP is fomenting regionalism among Eastern Tamils to counter the northern hegemony of LTTE leadership. There is also an ingrained anti - Muslim chauvinism among many Tamil leaders of the TMVP. Whipping up anti-Jaffna and anti - Muslim hysteria is also a device to mobilise Eastern Tamils. The TMVP is unable to exploit the “traditional” anti - Sinhala cry as “Col” Karuna is now reduced to being - in the words of Chairman Mao - a running dog of “Sinhala” imperialism.Against this backdrop the humanitarian efforts of K’ kudi Muslims in helping Tamil IDP”s was not welcomed by the TMVP in Aaraiyampathy. In a shameful gesture, the TMVP tried to block K’ kudi Muslims, from helping Tamil IDP”s. They were prevented from giving meals to some camps. A senior TMVP leaders announced that “Tamils should not eat meals supplied by Muslims”. But the needy IDP”s paid little notice. The K’ kudi Muslims took the meals to some other IDP camps. Despite the despicable attempt by the TMVP to spoil things, the K’ kudi Muslims are continuing with their humanitarian efforts. The conduct of the TMVP that claims to free the Eastern Tamil from Northern oppression has been disgusting during this crisis. The Karuna faction has not rendered any worthwhile assistance through the manpower it possesses. It is a stumbling block to many NGO”s as the outfit demands financial allocations for itself in order to look after the refugees. In many instances the TMVP has placed obstacles to NGO efforts. Moreover the TMVP hovers like vultures to abduct IDP children as child soldiers. The Amnesty International recently drew attention to this in a statement.While the TMVP continues with its petty, racist politicking the Kattankudi Muslims continue with their good work. I sincerely hope that they and Muslims elsewhere in the East will not be deterred by the Karuna faction. Such demonstrations of inter - faith goodwill and inter - ethnic amity are sorely needed in the beleaguered East.Recently when Sufi Muslims fled Kattankudi to escape the wrath of Wahabis it was the Aaraiyampathy Tamils who gave them refuge. Earlier when the Tsunami struck people of different races and religions helped each other. Their common suffering forged a bond that was shred to pieces when the state and politicians got involved.Political leaders and self - styled liberators may say that the people of the Eastern province and in a larger sense the people of this Island cannot live together peacefully. That is not so. The ordinary people want to live together. They want to help each other. The shining example of Kattankudi Muslims is further testimony that our human bondage transcends other artificial barriers. 20 March 2007 Air Force says LTTE Naval base bombed Air Force fighter planes bombed a Tamil rebel naval base in the volatile north, yesterday, the military said.However, the rebels said the airstrike hit a school compound, wounding three students and a teacher.Air Force spokesman Group Capt. Ajantha Silva said a well-identified base was bombed that is operated by the naval wing of the Tamil rebels, in northern Kilinochchi. He said the target was hit but that he did not have details of any damage or casualties. ''Pilots have confirmed that they have successfully taken the target,'' he said.But rebel spokesman Daya Master said a temporary school in Kilinochchi was hit and that three students and a teacher were hurt. The Airforce spokesman denied the rebel claim. There was no way to independently verify the claims by either side.Meanwhile at least six LTTE cadres were killed and twelve soldiers injured in the latest violence in the north and east. Tigers blasted two high tension pylons in Valaichchenai, military official said. The first incident was reported from Vellaveli, Batticaloa, where Special Task Force troops engaged in clearing operations yesterday morning confronted a group of Tigers and killed four of them.Troops recovered one T-56 weapon, four claymore mines, one intercom set, four hand grenades and two electronic detonators along with the dead bodies. The bodies are to be handed over to the ICRC after Police investigations are over.The two high tension pylons blasted by the LTTE in Sandiweli, Batticaloa along the Valaichchenai main road resulted in an interruption of power supply to the area. Repairs are underway by the Valaichchenai Electricity Board depot to restore power. 175 schoolchildren, 9 staff narrowly escape air strike on school Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Kfir bombers Monday morning bombed a school in Chundikulam, wounding a female teacher and two schoolboys, attending 7th grade and 9th grade at the school, Chundikulam Vidyalayam, located 21 km northeast of Kilinochchi, in the southern part of Vadamaradchi East region in Jaffna district. Three bombs were dropped 25 meters from a class room. A bomb that hit a tree exploded in the air, wounding two children and a teacher. Around 175 schoolchildren, 8 teachers and the principal of the school narrowly escaped from the aerial attack. TamilNet correspondent who visited the site of the attack witnessed a second air strike at 11:45 a.m. Wounded victims admitted at Kilinochchi hospital were identified by medical sources as Kanapathipillai Nirojan, 11, attending 7th grade at Chundikulam Vidyalayam, Luxmikanthan Jegatheepan, 16, attending 9th grade. The teacher was identified as K. Sathiyavathy, 26.Two other schools, Aliyavalai Church Ceylon Tamil Mixed School and Uduthurai Mahavidyalayam, were functioning at Chundukuli Vidyalayam that was subjected to aerial attack.Kfir bombers dropped bombs on the school when the children were attending their classes Monday morning at 9:45 and later at 11:45 a.m.There are no military installations in the area populated by IDPs.Civilian IDPs and the villagers have fled towards shrub jungles following the attack. Defence Ministry to relax restrictions on motors The Defence Ministry has said that it is willing to help the thousands of fishermen and the Fishing Industry by relaxing the present restrictions on the use of Out-Board engines, between 10 and 25 Horsepower, in selected coastal areas, Secretary to the Ministry Of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, G. Piyasena said yesterday.He said this was subsequent to a special meeting that the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Felix Perera and the Deputy Minister Neomal Perera, had with Defence Secretary Col, Gotabhaya Rajapakse, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Vasantha Karanagoda and senior Defence officials, when the Minister met them last Thursday. During the meeting minister Felix Perera briefed those present on how the poor people, whose only livelihood for several generations had been fishing, were now having to face social and economic problems as a result of restrictions placed on the use of outboard engines of over 10 to 15 Horsepower and appealed that their case be considered on humanitarian grounds.The Minister said that with less powerful engines the fishermen could not venture out to deep sea to get a good catch within the times stipulated for fishing and as a result had to face severe difficulties.It was agreed that the fishermen in Districts outside the North, East and Kalpitiya would be allowed to use Outboard engines upto 25 Horse Power Capacity but the owners should take action to inform the nearest police station of their Engine capacity and other necessary details.The Minister agreed that he would get fisheries officials from his Ministry to collect such information which would be diverted to the respective police stations in the Galle, Matara, Hambantota,Kaluthara, Negombo, Puttlam Districts India arrests key suspect in weapons smuggling The `Q' branch police in India have arrested a key member of a gang that was involved in smuggling explosive materials to Sri Lanka. They also seized a boat used for the nefarious activities.Police sources told The Hindu that Muniandi (55), son of Chinnandi of Mandapam, a boat owner, was arrested based on a confession made by Kannan of Nagatchi in Ramanathapuram district. Kannan was arrested a few days ago. Muniandi had hired his boat on abnormal rent. Kannan had used the boat for transporting explosive materials to Sri Lanka after receiving them from his contacts in Tiruchi and Perambalur. He had direct links with Sri Lankan Tamils, Arulseelan and Rahulan, who had been arrested by `Q' branch sleuths earlier. The smugglers loaded iron balls, ingots and others materials onto boats from Naripaiyur, a remote seashore village in Ramanathapuram district, and some coastal villages in Tuticorin district. Besides using the boat owned by Muniandi, they engaged some country boats for transporting the explosive materials. Enquiries revealed that the smugglers had sent more than four lathe machines to Sri Lanka for making components for improvised explosive devices as per the needs of the `users'. The smugglers used boats that could bear four tonnes weight. Sources said three Sri Lankan Tamils, who were living in remote coastal villages without valid documents, were also involved in the operations. They reportedly escaped after the arrest of some of their accomplices. Police teams conducted checks in coastal hamlets to nab the remaining persons involved in the iron balls seizure case. Two partly burnt corpses found in Jaffna Villagers of Mulli at Varani discovered two corpses in partly burnt state dumped in a shrub land located along Kodikamam-Point Pedro road between Thenmaradchy and Vadamaradchi Monday, sources in Jaffna said. The victims appeared to have been killed elsewhere and then brought to Varani and burnt, the villagers said.The villagers fear that there may be other corpses near the area where the two bodies were found.Mulli located at the gate way to the main Sri Lanka Army territory at Vadamaradchy is close to Manthuvil where 8 youths went missing allegedly killed by the SLA soldiers, according to the villagers.The Manthuvil victims bodies were never found. Mervin cares not for opposition "I don’t care about anyone opposing my new appointment, but I will do my best, as the SLFP organizer of the Kelaniya Electorate," Minister of Labour Mervin Silva, told The Island yesterday.Silva replaced Sripathy Sooriayarachchi as the organizer. The Island also learns that a number of parties in the electorate, including the Chief Incumbents of some Buddhist temples, were going to protest to the SLFP about the appointment of Mervin Silva.When asked to comment on these moves, he said "I did not care whether I am appointed the SLFP organizer of Kilinochchi but I would do what was expected of me. There were always those who were for me and those against me, but I am asked to do a job and I have to do it," he said.President Mahinda Rajapakse has also appointed Rehenasiri Waragoda as SLFP Organizer, Gamapaha. Sri Lanka reopens troubled university in east A university in Sri Lanka's restive eastern town of Batticaloa reopened on Monday after a closure of about three months, officials said Monday. The Eastern University's reopening was marked by a low student turnout, M. Pathmanathan, the acting head of the university said. The university was closed when its Vice Chancellor Professor S. Ravindranath was abducted by an unknown group in the capital Colombo on Dec. 15 last year. His whereabouts are still not known. On Jan. 29, the university was reopened and two days later 11 people including civilians and government security personnel were killed in a claymore mine explosion right opposite the university premises. The military accused a group of students of triggering the roadside bomb. The appeals of the missing professor's family to the abductors to release him have been of no avail. The violence in Eastern Province where the university is located has figured high in the escalation of the armed conflict between government troops and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels. The military is now aiming at capturing Thoppigala which remains one of the major hideouts for the LTTE in the Batticaloa district. More than 4,000 people have been killed in the escalating violence in the island country since December 2005. Tigers’ international paw grabbed One of the main rebel leaders engaged in LTTE international propaganda activities was taken into custody by a special police team in Kaduwela on Sunday.The team from the Gampaha Police Division on a tip-off raided a house and arrested the suspect along with six laptop computers, eight digital cameras and a satellite telephone. Police also found pictures of Victoria and Randenigala reservoirs, the Bandaranaike International Airport and several other prominent places in Colombo.The investigators revealed that the suspect had had a special one year weaponry training in Iraq to handle snipers, RPG launchers and Anti Tank missiles. A special license to handle nine types of weapons issued by the US State Department of Defense had also been found at the suspect’s house. The suspect is reportedly a resident of Batticaloa and married to a Sinhalese, police have found out.He was to be handed over to the Terrorist Investigation Division yesterday. President of Auto drivers' union shot dead in Akkaripattu Unidentified gunmen shot dead the president of the Panankadu Auto Drivers' Union while driving his auto Monday around 2:15 p.m. in Akkaraipattu in Amparai district. The victim was identified as M. Ramesh, 26, a resident of Panankadu.Ramesh's body first kept at Akkaraipattu district hospital was later transferred to Akkariapattu Base hospital.Akkaraipattu police are conducting investigations into the killing.Akkaraipattu is located 21 km southeast of Ampari. I was wrong - again: Australian minister THE Australian Immigration Minister, Kevin Andrews, has acknowledged that he made misleading comments about the handling of asylum claims by 82 Sri Lankans who have been sent to Nauru.The Government of Nauru has insisted the Sri Lankans' claims be finalised within a year, or preferably six months. Previous asylum seekers remained there for up to five years.On Friday, Mr Andrews admitted that he had made a mistake by stating that a body paid to provide logistical services at the detention centre, the International Organisation for Migration, would be acting as an agency for the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.The office is on record as opposing the Government's offshore processing of asylum claims made by people trying to reach Australia by boat.John Gibson, the president of the Refugee Council of Australia, said yesterday that other comments by Mr Andrews were also wrong. Not only was the International Organisation for Migration not representing the office of the commissioner, but it was widely known that the intention, as in the past, was for Australian immigration officials to assess asylum claims on Nauru. Mr Gibson and other refugee advocates also challenged a statement by Mr Andrews that the Sri Lankans would have been able to seek UN refugee status in their homeland."Applying for asylum in the country which is persecuting you is a logical absurdity," the barrister Julian Burnside told ABC radio yesterday. "The fact is that the Refugee Convention is predicated on the assumption that people will be outside their country when they seek asylum."A spokeswoman for Mr Andrews said last night that the minister's "train of thought" when talking about the International Organisation for Migration processing asylum claims was that Australian immigration officials would be working with the IOM, which provided assistance such as interpreting.She said Mr Andrews accepted that he had made a mistake by suggesting that the Sri Lankans could have lodged asylum claims in their own country. 19 March 2007 After hard talk in US, Sri Lanka foreign minister visits India Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama begins Monday his second visit to India in two months, after making it clear in the US that the world must shed "semantics" while backing Colombo's bid to end the ethnic conflict.Bogollagama, who came to India Jan 31 on a brief trip immediately after taking charge of the ministry, will have two busy days here meeting government and opposition leaders to explain the situation in Sri Lanka besides taking up bilateral issues.Bogollagama will meet External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar. He shall also call on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his former deputy L.K. Advani, both of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).On Jan 31, when he halted briefly in New Delhi on his way to Germany, Bogollagama had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It is not clear if they will meet again. This time, diplomats told IANS, the subjects likely to be taken up for discussion would be regional cooperation, security issues particularly in the sea dividing the two countries, bilateral affairs and other larger aspects of the dragging ethnic conflict.Bogollagama comes at a time when Sri Lanka had made it abundantly clear that it is determined to defeat the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) come what may, with one military official in Colombo saying that the war against the Tigers cannot no more be dubbed "an un-winnable war".Ahead of his flight to New Delhi, Bogollagama exhibited some of Colombo's newly acquired confidence in New York and Washington, doing some plain speaking before US leaders and influential circles.Stating "a special responsibility" rested on countries overseeing Sri Lanka's derailed peace process, he told the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) that the international community needed to stop "debating semantics and ignoring the reality". Without naming any country, he added: "The mistake made by some members of the international community in taking too long to recognize that the Tigers were no 'freedom fighters' but a group of ruthless terrorists, must not be repeated."The minister said it was the duty of the international community to tell the LTTE to return to negotiations "in a time bound fashion with specific targets and not seek to use such an opportunity to merely buy time or to score tactical advantages. The international community must push the LTTE to make this choice, and make it now."Bogollogama went on: "It is unfortunate that up to now the misguided faith of both some Sri Lankan political leaders as well as sections of the international community (on) the transformational capacity of the LTTE has cost Sri Lanka dearly not only in loss of assets and lives but also at least two generations of Tamil politicians and academics." Among those Bogollogama met in the US were Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other officials of the State Department besides Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales and Stephen Hadley, the National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush.Sri Lankan officials say they would like more open expression of support from India in the campaign against LTTE and feel that the many challenges Colombo faces are perhaps not adequately appreciated in New Delhi.India has repeatedly stated that while it supports Sri Lanka's territorial integrity, it wants Colombo to come out with a just political settlement of the ethnic conflict and end human rights abuses in the island's northeast, the war theatre.Since January 2006, some 18,000 Sri Lankan Tamils have fled to India to escape violence in that country. Almost all of them arrived by boats in Tamil Nadu. Japan says peaceful resolution only way out Japanese special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi during a meeting with a Sri Lankan parliamentary delegation emphasized that a peaceful resolution of the national question was the only way out.Tamil National Alliance leader R. Sampanthan who held talks with Mr. Akashi during the visit told the Daily Mirror last night that Japan highlighted the need for a peaceful resolution of the problem in clear cut terms. Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara led the Sri Lankan delegation to Japan. Allaipiddy case stalls in Kayts Courts The progress in Allaipiddy murder case, where five members of the same family were allegedly massacred by soldiers of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), has stalled in Kayts District Courts due to lack of co-operation from the Attorney General's (AG's) Department, lawyers associated with the case said. Hearings that were to take place on the 30th of August 2006, were finally held on the 14th March Wednesday, after several postponements due to the break out of violence in August last year.The hearings were again postponed to latter part of May due to lack of instructions from the AG, legal sources said.Kayts District Court Judge, Jeyaraman Trotsky, during 19th July 2006 hearing warned the high ranking police officer Mahes Perera and his investigation team that charges of contempt to court may have to be brought against them for failing to appear before the Court. Mr Mahes Perera and his team were tasked to inquire into the Allaipiddy killings and to submit the inquiry report.Following the July hearing, Mr Trotsky requested the Attorney General department to advice him on the how to proceed with the case in the light of the non-cooperation of the Sri Lanka Police and legal need to have an identity parade SLN sailors for witnesses to identify the perpetrators of the crime, legal sources said.Legal sources said that the AG department has failed to provide any support or take actions to facilitate forward movement of the investigations. Informed sources said that the SLN officers have informed the AG's office that due to security reasons they will not be able to assemble 50 to 60 SLN soldiers in one place for the identity parade. Attorney General is considering holding the identity parade in Amparai or Trincomalee, sources said.Legal sources said that the attempt to move the identity parade to a Sinhala court is tantamount to derailing the case as witnesses from Jaffna are unlikely to be willing to travel. Sri Lanka has come under increasing criticism for the lack of transparency in the judicial process, and the reluctance at the high levels of the political leadership to prosecute members of the Security forces responsible for several massacres and extra-judicial killings. Two Tiger arms ships destroyed The Sri Lanka Navy yesterday said it destroyed two ships transporting military hardware and weapons to the LTTE in the seas off Arugam Bay.Navy Spokesman D.K.P. Dassanayake said Navy’s off-shore patrol vessels detected a suspicious ship approximately 70 meters in length and displaying no ensign some 195 nautical miles south east of Arugam bay, within the Sri Lankan waters around 2.30 am yesterday. According to Commander Dassanayake, the suspected ship gave false information and started to evade when the Navy contacted it over the international communication channel. “After a few minutes silence the captain of the suspected vessel responded and gave some details, which were later proven false,” the spokesman said.The Navy had to spend several hours to communicate with the suspected vessel, which was later ordered to be stopped for inspection. “Since the vessel did not comply with the order, the navy fired several warning shots over the ship,” Commander Dassanayake said. When the suspected vessel started to fire at the patrol craft the Navy retaliated destroying it around 7:30 a.m. “The vessel caught fire and with huge explosions sank around 9:30 a.m. A search operation was launched in the area,” the spokesman added. He said considering the large explosions it was clear that the ship was carrying arms. Minutes later the Navy detected another suspicious vessel, 55 meters long in the same area south east of Arugam Bay approximately 15 nautical miles away from where the first ship was. Adopting accepted international procedure, naval vessels fired warning shots over the bow of the second vessel too ordering it to stop. The suspected vessel retaliated with gunfire around 12.45 p.m. The retaliatory Naval gunfire resulted in massive explosions on board the suspect vessel setting it ablaze. Both vessels were believed to have originated from Indonesia.On February 28, Navy destroyed a similar vessel carrying military hardware consisting of artillery shells to the Tamil Tigers off southern high seas. 38 civilians arrested in Mt.Lavinia Thirty-eight civilians, including twenty women of all three communities, were arrested Sunday in a cordon and search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka government troops in Mt.Lavinia police division in Colombo city, police sources said. Police sources said they were taken into custody as some of them failed to prove their identity and some more could not justify their presence in their present location.They are being detained and being questioned, sources further said.Meanwhile, cordon and search operations were also conducted in Moratuwa, Soysapura area further south of Mt.Lavinia Saturday night to Sunday early morning, sources said. Mahinda - Ranil in "secret pact" Most corrupt government He described the Rajapaksa-led coalition as the "most corrupt government in post-independent Sri Lanka"."Now everybody is a minister. Together they all are involved in corruption: nobody is punished," Lal Kantha, MP, added.However, the JVP pledged their support to the government in its military strategy against Tamil Tigers.President Rajapaksa's younger brothers, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and his advisor, Basil Rajapaksa, are accused of corruption and secret deals with the LTTE by two former ministers. Support to war Rajapaksa's former Foreign Minister, Mangala Samaraweera, and Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi accused the government of entering into a secret electoral deal with the LTTE just before November 2005 presidential elections.In a letter to the President, Samaraweera alleged that every five hours a person disappeares in the island nation.The JVP, who oppose federal solution for the national question, strongly campaigned for Rajapaksa presidency against the leader of the United National Party (UNP), Ranil Wickramasinghe.The JVP Anuradhapura district legislator said the police, army, navy and air force leaders are carrying out a "correct" campaign against the LTTE hence deserve the support of the JVP.Sri Lanka currently needs a "patriotic" opposition to fight corruption and moves to bring in foreign forces, according to MP Lal Kantha."Instead of Ranil's unpatriotic opposition or Mahinda's treacherous government, the need of the moment is a patriotic opposition," Lal Kantha said. Rohitha Bogollagama Come out with the truth regarding LTTE pact, demands UNP He said the President did not know what he would do tomorrow and there was a lot of corruption in the government. "It is rather unfortunate that the UNP was defeated in the presidential election. There was peace in the country when Ranil Wickremasinghe signed the peace agreement. There were no killings in the north and the east. But the country was in a critical state now.He said in the near future a UNP Government would be set up and it would provide security to the people. "The trade unions will be reorganized. The UNP branches throughout the country too will be reorganised" he said.Galle District MP Vajira Abeygunawardhane said the UNP was a very powerful party and was ready to face elections without any fear. "The powers entrusted to the leader of the party will not be reduced and there will be discipline in the party to win the confidence of the people. It is the bounden duty of the President to come out with the truth in regard to the secret pact with the LTTE.Thalatha Atukorala, Ratnapura district MP, Sarath Ranawaka, Kalutara district MP, Laksman Wijemanne chief organiser for the Kalutara electorate and several others also spoke. British travel advisory paints gloomy picture of Sri Lanka The travel advisory on Sri Lanka posted on the British foreign office website and updated last week paints a gloomy picture of the country for potential tourists as it notes the heightened security even in the city and warns “there is a continuing risk of British nationals becoming indiscriminately caught up in attacks.”Ironically the travel advisory was updated the same week Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama undertook an official visit to the UK where he met, among others, Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett prior to departing to the US on a similar tour. “There is heightened security, particularly in Colombo and southern Sri Lanka. The security forces are a visible presence on the streets of Colombo. Road checkpoints are increasingly common. Sri Lanka government's security legislation provides wide-ranging discretionary powers, which have recently been strengthened. There have been detentions, particularly of people of Tamil ethnicity,” the updated travel advisory states. The advisory recalls the two January attack on two civilian buses near Kandy and Hikkaduwa and the failed assassination attempt on Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa last December in which two were killed and 15 others were injured.“In October 2006, attacks occurred on the Dambulla-Habarana highway about 10 km from the Habarana resorts and in the port of Galle,” the advisory added.With the escalation of hostilities the advisory warns against all travel to the north or east of Sri Lanka and urges mariners to take appropriate precautions noting that there had been attacks against ships in and around Sri Lankan waters.The travel advisory also notes that there was an increase in the number of reported thefts from hotels and guesthouses and reports of credit card fraud. As such it advises British visitors to take sensible precautions to safeguard valuables, especially passports and money. It also notes that local laws and customs should be respected adding that “same sex relations are illegal. Nude or topless sun-bathing is generally not allowed” while the latest regulation in the country is also mentioned, “you can be fined if you ignore instructions not to smoke or drink in public.” "The 'Sinhala terrorist' leader is a national treasure of the intelligence unit"- Kadawatha OIC It is being disclosed that "Shyamal" who is the main suspect of the "Sinhala Terrorist" group, which is said to have had connections with the LTTE, have undergone LTTE training and were involved in triggering bombs in the South, is said to be kept in a location which belongs to the Military with maximum security.It is being reported that 'Shyamal' is involved with the Military intelligence sources and that he visits his home in Kdawatha with full security once in every two or three weeks. This information is being disclosed when a close friend of Shyamal called Iroshan Withanarachchi who has lodged a complaint at the Kadawatha police based on a discussion he had with Shyamal via phone.On the 12th of this month Iroshan WIthanarachchi had lodged a complaint in the Kadawatha police saying that he has known Shyamal since 1996 and that he was an active member of the JVP but later worked for the victory of the SLFP together with him. Iroshan has further said that he organized the 'Jana Sahana' mobile service on the 19th of October 2006 on a request made by former Minister Sripathi Suriarachchi, with the support of area residents. He adds that Shyamal even prepared the milk rice for the function but the function could not proceed as a bomb was found from the area. On the statement made by Iroshan he says that he was the articles which papers carried lately that the bomb had been fixed to kill the former minister and that Shyamal told him during a telephone conversation that he was involved with the fixing of the bomb when Shyamal called on his mobile carrying the number 0785-330381. Shyamal had also said that high ranking officials of the government were aware of this.He has also stated that Shyamal spoke to him on several occasions and asked him about the details about the village and politics and that Shyamal called him on the 10th of March while he was at a rally which was held under the patronage of Sripathi Suriarachchi in Kiribathgoda, but he cut the line as he could not talk at that moment. The complaint also states that Shyamal questioned him what Sripathi and Mangala were planning to do in April to which he replied saying that he was unaware of the high ranking officers were up to. But Iroshan has said in his statement that he spoke to Sripathi Suriarachchi regarding the matter on the following day as he suspected of some thing.In his statement Iroshan has also said that he is doubtful whether Shyamal was in military custody or in the hands of the LTTE, as reports are being published in the papers constantly that he was yet to be arrested. LeN looked deeply into the matter to find out who was behind this and what they were up to. So we decided to unfold our findings.It was the officers of the 112th regiment of the Army that named a Sinhalese organisation called the Revolutionist Sinhala Organisation to be an anti LTTE movement. On a complaint lodged by the regiment the crimes investigation division of the police launched their investigations into it. The so called the leader of the organisation Mohammed Lalith Senevirathne, Suduwahewage Nihal Senasinghe, Sisira Priyankaar and Sunera Priyankara was arrested by the police accordingly. The investigators also identified a person called Shyamal to be one of the leaders of the grou who is a resident of Kadawatha.As Shyamal was labeled as a Sinhala terrorist villagers had attempted to create an unrest several times and had even pasted posters saying to chase him from the village. Since the OIC of the Kadawatha police A. Gunarathne was informed that some rioters were attempting to set the house in which Shyamal lived on fire they rushed to the location and later held a meeting at the village temple. Around 300 villagers had attended the meeting which was scheduled to begin at 6 but instead actually began at 7.00 in the evening. The reason behind this meeting being organized was actually to stop the riots which were rising against Shyamal's family and the Kadawatha OIC who spoke here had asked the villagers not to take the law into their hands since the country had very strong laws to punish terrorists despite their race. He had also made a special request not to label anyone as a Sinhala terrorist before he is being convicted at the court. The OIC had then left the gathering saying he had to take part in another religious gathering. These information was revealed by the Chief Incumbent of the Oushpara, which is the temple that the meeting was held, Venerable Halmillawe Dharmarathna thera.A businessman in the area D.S. Kalarachchi has also attended the meeting which was held at the temple. He says that while the OIC was at the meeting he had received a call from a captain in the Intelligence unit and that the OIC during his speech said that Shyamal was not a Sinhala terrorist but an officer of the Intelligence and therefore needs to be protected since he was valuable for the country. Kalarachchi had then risen and questioned during the meeting how Shyamal who was suspected to be a member of the JVP during 89/90 and was suspected for many crimes which took place in the village be an Officer of the Intelligence unit. At this moment the OIC had got another called and he had walked outside the hall to answer it and when he returned the OIC had said that Shyamal will arrive at the location with officers of the Intelligence Unit.Another person who said was from the Intelligence unit, wearing a red colour T-shirt had also spoken during the meeting and said that Shyamal needed to be protected as he was a national treasure.At the time when the meeting was ending Shyamal had arrived at the temple with officers of the Intelligence unit. Therefore the attempts made by the villagers to set Shyamal’s house on fire ended through the briefing of the OIC and the explanation of the Intelligence officers.Meanwhile several days after the meeting was held Shyamal who arrived in a motor cycle when Kaluarachchi was purchasing some fish from a stall in the 9th mile post had said "you are talking too big. Be careful I'm in the intelligence unit" to which Kaluarachchi replied saying "our forces should be mad to get people like you involved with such work." Soldier commits suicide A trainee soldier attached to Kudaoya Army camp shot one of his fellow men causing serious injuries, and committed suicide by shooting himself. The victim W.P.M.Dissanyake (26) died at the scene. The injured was admitted to Monaragala hospital.Wellawaya police, inquiring into the incident said the motive of the shooting is yet to be established and that the injured solider is not in a position to make a statement. SLFP Central Committee to decide on two dissidents tomorrow Former Ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Siripathy Sooriyaarchchi who have been removed as organizers of their respective electorates by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will be summoned to appear before the SLFP Central Committee tomorrow.Chairman SLFP Disciplinary Committee Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne told The Island that the SLFP Disciplinary Committee had all statements made by Mr. Samaraweera and Mr. Sooriyaarchchi against the government at various public meetings and media conferences. The SLFP Disciplinary Committee is headed by W. D. J. Seneviratne and comprises UPFP General Secretary Minister Susil Premajayantha, Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Chief Government Whip Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Minister Anura Priyadhrshana Yapa and Minister Prof.Wiswa Warnapala. US GETS ITS LONG SOUGHT FOOTHOLD IN SRI LANKA -By B. Raman In a message sent to US President George Bush after the 9/11 terrorist strikes in the US, the then Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga offered Washington "full access to the country’s port, airfields and other facilities" for use in its operations against Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. 2. In March,2002, a delegation of US officials, led by the then Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca and including US Brigadier General Timothy Ghormely, commander of the US Marine Expeditionary Brigade, visited Sri Lanka for secret talks with Ranil Wickremesinghe, the then Prime Minister, his Defence Minister Tilak Marapana and senior army officers at the Palaly army camp in the north. General Ghormely also visited Trincomalee. The next month, a four-member team of US military and legal experts secretly visited Colombo. 3. Following these visits, the "Sunday Times" of Sri Lanka reported that the Ranil Wickremasinghe Government was secretly negotiating with the US an agreement known as the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA). According to the "Sunday Times", under the proposed agreement, the US would provide military training as well as equipment and spare parts for the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. “The training, which will encompass joint exercises with United States Armed Forces, will focus on counter terrorism and related activity... Neither Colombo nor Washington is willing to confirm the release of two maritime surveillance aircraft and one patrol ship to intensify surveillance over the eastern seas of Sri Lanka,” it added. Even before the conclusion of the agreement, US warships began to dock in the Colombo harbour to refuel and to provide shore leave for sailors. The USS Hopper arrived in April, 2002, the first American navy vessel to dock in Colombo in eight years. 4. This gave rise to speculation in Colombo that the proposed ACSA agreement would allow the U.S. military to utilize Sri Lanka's ports, airports and air space while Sri Lanka would receive military assistance including increased training facilities and equipment in return. 5. The then US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ashley Wills, was quoted as having told a gathering of scholars, diplomats and journalists in Washington that “because of its location and the talent and ‘entrepreneurial outlook’ of its citizens, the 19-million-strong nation stands to evolve into the Singapore of South Asia and prosper”. 6. Following these reports, Joseph Pararajasingham, who was then a senior MP of the Tamil National Alliance, met Joseph Novak, the then Political Counsellor in the US Embassy in Colombo, and conveyed to him the concern of the Sri Lankan Tamils over these reports. He reportedly told the US diplomat that the proposed agreement could be used by the Sri Lankan Government “as a tool to support the Sri Lankan military’s war against the LTTE. Signing the agreement would mean that you support the majority community (Sinhalese) to continue the discrimination and subjugation of the Tamil people.” 7. On May 31, 2002, the US Embassy in Colombo issued the following statement: "The United States has no interest in acquiring military bases anywhere in Sri Lanka. The ACSA is, as its name implies, an agreement that allows the armed services of each party to the agreement to avail itself of servicing, repairs, spare parts and equipment of the other in exchange for payment or through the exchange of identical goods or goods of equivalent value. The United States has acquisition and service agreements with 56 countries, including a number of Asian countries. These are relatively low-level agreements designed to address modest needs in a manner convenient to both parties." 8. These reports caused considerable concern in New Delhi. In an attempt to allay Indian misgivings, Wickremasinghe assured the then Government headed by A.B.Vajpayee that his Government had no intention of giving any military bases to the US in Sri Lanka. As proof of Sri Lanka's goodwill for India and its attention to New Delhi's sensitivities on the future of Trincomallee, he pressed upon the Indian Government to have the oil storage tanks in Trincomallee taken over by the Indian Oil Corporation and to assist Sri Lanka in the economic development of the area. 9. In December 2002, the Government of India was reportedly taken by surprise by reliable reports, which indicated that even while ostensibly giving these assurances to Vajpayee, Wickremasinghe was holding secret talks with the US, without the knowledge of the Government of India, on an expressed US interest in the petrol storage tanks in Trincomallee. The Government of India reportedly looked upon this as double-dealing by Wickremasinghe---telling the US one thing and telling India something totally different. Following the receipt of these reports, Vajpayee reportedly sent one of his trusted emissaries on a secret visit to Colombo to convey to Wickremasinghe the Government of India's concern and unhappiness over these reports. It was reported that Wickremasinghe totally denied these reports and assured the Government of India once again that Sri Lanka had no intention of giving any base facilities to the US or allowing the US to use the petrol storage tanks. Thereafter, the Wickremasinghe Government suspended the negotiations with Washington DC on the proposed agreement. 10. On February 8,2004, Devinda Subasinghe, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US, addressed the Sri Lankan community in Washington DC on the occasion of Sri Lanka's Independence Day. He said, inter alia, in his address as follows: Quote I am happy to report to you that I think that we have made significant advances for a small country such as ours being able to access the highest levels of the US political leadership, both within the executive branch and the legislative branches of this country. I would add that we have been benefiting tremendously from President Bush's decision to designate the Deputy Secretary of State Mr. Richard Armitage to be responsible on a daily basis for issues of concern to Sri Lanka and to the United States. I think we have benefited tremendously from that level of commitment and understanding. The United States Government has dedicated significant political, financial and human resources that have been invested in our relationship and through some very difficult and challenging times globally, where Afghanistan, Iraq and other "hot spots" around the world do take the US attention away. But I must say that over the past years we have had a commitment and an implementation of their commitment to keeping Sri Lanka's interest in focus here in Washington. The key elements of this relationship, as I have observed over the past year, are the values that Sri Lanka and the United States share, both among the people and within the Governments. Shared values of democracy, free enterprise, our position on the global war on terrorism from which we ourselves have suffered for a 20-year period, and the continued global openness of the global trading and economic systems. I would refer you back to the policy statement that Deputy Secretary of State Mr. Armitage made at the Center of Strategic & International Studies last year in February, which articulated the US policy position with regard to Sri Lanka. With regard to the legislative branch as well, we have been successful in reactivating and restructuring the Sri Lanka Congressional Caucus of the 108th Congress. We have had one congressional delegation visit Sri Lanka, several staff delegations have visited. We have also had a group of Senators and Congressmen who have written to the President of United States in support of our economic agenda here in the US. Finally, I might also add that from within the executive branch the commitment that has been made, has been followed through as Deputy Secretary Armitage said to me, "I gave you my word, and I will keep my word that we will standby Sri Lanka as it goes forward facing the challenges that you face". I would also like to recognize a new dimension to the Sri Lanka - US relationship that is symbolized by the appointment of a Defense Attaché to the Embassy. That is the increasing defense and security relations between our two countries. We have been fortunate the Sri Lanka Navy has received a Cutter that will provide the offshore patrol capabilities in interdicting arms smuggling and other activities that are ongoing off our eastern shores. As well, the increase in the number of positions that the Sri Lanka military has received in terms of training and other defense related training courses. There are two officers present here with us today who are currently following a course at the National Defense University. There has been a significant increase in the number of slots that are being made available to Sri Lanka and its military services in terms of interaction at the US Pacific Command in Hawaii. I myself visited the US Pacific Command along with the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri last year to discuss military-to-military relationships as well as increased sourcing and transfer of equipment as we fight our global war against terrorism and maintain the military capabilities of all three armed forces in Sri Lanka. I am happy to report to you that the Commanders of all three services have had exchanges with their US counterparts in Hawaii as well in the case of the Sri Lanka Navy the counterparts in the US Coast Guard and the Chief of Naval Operations. This is a new dimension to our relationship, underscoring the need to maintain a balance as we go forward on the Peace Process with a very realistic view that we do need to maintain our military readiness and our defense capabilities at the same time as we try to resolve a conflict that has plagued us for 20 years. In this context, the United States last year re-designated the LTTE as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, which has its own legal and other implications globally. That re-designation occurred in October last year for a two-year period. The LTTE has been on the FTO list since 1997, when the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar actively lobbied for that eventuality which did occur during the Clinton Administration, and that consistency of policy is significant. I think in terms of the relationship and its attributes that I have discussed with you, we have benefited tremendously from the policy attention we have received, from the financial and other resources that the United States Government has placed at our disposal in terms of pursuing our dual strategies of regaining peace and economic prosperity. Unquote (End of citation from the Ambassador's address) 11. After his election as the President in November 2005, Mahinda Rajapakse resumed the negotiations with the US on the proposed ACSA. In an article titled "SRI LANKA: MARGINALISATION OF INDIA" written on November 25, 2006, which is available at http://www.saag.org/papers21/paper2036.html , I had stated as follows: Quote His (Rajapakse's) lack of concern for the humanitarian catastrophe and his indifference to India's anxieties in the matter became evident after the meeting of the representatives of the Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Donors' Conference of 2003 --- Japan, Norway, the European Union and the US---held in Washington on November 21, 2006.This meeting, while articulating proforma criticisms of the acts of violence and indiscriminate killing of civilians by the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE, came out strongly in support of the Sri Lankan Government and showed a calculated indifference to the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils. The US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Mr. R. Nicholas Burns, was particularly forthcoming in support of the Sri Lankan Government during the joint press briefing by the participants at the meeting. The remarks of Mr. Burns and others at the press briefing have been interpreted by the hard-liners in the Sri Lankan Government as amounting to an indirect endorsement of the methods followed by the security forces in their operations against the LTTE and as indicating that the Co-Chairs are decreasingly averse to the Sri Lankan Government's efforts to solve the problem of the Tamils militarily. The hardliners have come to believe that the Co-Chairs are increasingly inclined to close their eyes to the brutal suppression of the Tamils. There has been a revival of the pre-1983 interest of the US Navy in acquiring a presence in Trincomallee and hopes of achieving this with the support of the Government of Mr. Rajapakse should at least partly account for the growing open support of the US for Mr. Rajapakse and its disinclination to take a firm stand against the methods employed by the Sri Lankan security forces against the Tamil population. Trincomallee has acquired a new importance in the eyes of the US and the NATO forces presently fighting against the Taliban in Afghanistan as an alternative naval base for logistic support to the NATO operations in Afghanistan should instability in Pakistan after the next year's general elections there make the continued use of Karachi untenable. Mr. Burns has showered encomiums on what he described as India's responsible attitude on Sri Lanka---- which is nothing but an euphemism for its in-activism. Even while making from time to time proforma statements expressing themselves in favour of a more active role by India, the US and Sri Lanka seem happy with the present in-activism of New Delhi. UNQUOTE 12. On March 5, 2007, the US Embassy in Colombo issued a statement announcing that the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapakse and U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake signed the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) that day. Gothabaya Rajapakse, who is the brother of Mahinda Rajapakse, is presently co-ordinating the counter-LTTE operations. He is reportedly a US citizen. Thus, two US citizens have signed an agreement with serious implications for the future of Sri Lanka and this region. 13. A press release by the US Embassy said : “The agreement will increase interoperability between the two countries. This (the agreement) allows the United States and Sri Lanka to transfer and exchange logistics supplies, support, and re-fuelling services, either in kind or at cost, during peacekeeping missions, humanitarian operations and joint exercises.” It was clarified that the agreement would allow exchange of food supplies, petroleum, and transportation services, but expressly prohibits the provision of weapons systems or ammunition. "ACSA will facilitate the exchange of non-lethal equipment, increase cooperation in the field and reduce the paperwork involved," US Ambassador Blake was quoted as saying by the statement. The US Embassy said that the logistics support allowed under this agreement cannot be transferred beyond the forces of the receiving party without the consent of the providing party. The agreement is to be valid for ten years. 14. In a commentary the same day, the British Broadcasting Corporation quoted the Sri Lankan defence affairs spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella as stating that the details of the agreement would be revealed “in due course”. “We have informed India about this agreement and they are very supportive,” he added. 15. If the claim of the Sri Lankan spokesman that the Government of India supported the agreement with the US is correct, the present Government in New Delhi has allowed what the previous Governments of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, V.P.Singh, Chandrasekhar, P.V.Narasimha Rao, Deve Gowda, Inder Gujral and A.B.Vajpayee had strongly resisted. 16. There has been opposition from the Central Asian Republics to the continued presence of US bases in their territory. The US Government is worried that if President Pervez Musharraf falls, it may no longer be able to use the Pakistani territory as a logistics base for its operations in Afghanistan and as a covert action base for its destabilisation operations in Iran. The Gulf countries have no qualms about allowing the US to use their territory as a logistics base for its operations in Iraq, but hesitate to let it use it for its operations in Afghanistan. If it loses the use of Pakistan, the only base available for it will be Diego Garcia. It is keen to have a back-up logistics base in Sri Lanka for its future operations in Afghanistan and for a military strike against Iran, should that become necessary. It has now got it. Apparently with the blessings of the Government of India, if the Sri Lankan spokesman is to be believed. According to reliable sources, the US has agreed to encourage Israel to supply more military equipment to Sri Lanka. The US is likely to pay for it. 17. It is important for the Parliament to debate the wisdom of the Government of India's acquiescence in the US developing a foothold in Sri Lanka in order to make it a second Singapore to serve its strategic interests and a second Diego Garcia to serve the interests of its so-called war against terrorism and other military operations in this region. 18 March 2007 Navy destroys Tamil Tiger arms ship off Sri Lanka 's east coast, military says - Associated Press Sri Lanka's navy sank a ship believed to be ferrying arms and ammunition to separatist Tamil Tiger rebels off the island's east coast, the military said Sunday.Patrolling naval vessels spotted a ship off Arugam Bay, 322 kilometers (199 miles) east of the capital Colombo, early Sunday, an official at the Defense Ministry's media center said on condition of anonymity, citing policy. He said the ship was not flying a flag and when contacted by the navy gave false details about the ship and refused permission for a search.The navy destroyed the ship after it fired at the naval patrol, the official said, adding that subsequent explosions on the ship confirmed it was carrying explosives.The navy destroyed a similar suspicious ship on Feb. 28 off the country's southern coast, killing 12 crew members. The incident comes as government troops and Tamil Tiger guerrillas intensified clashes in Sri Lanka's north and east, where the insurgents want to carve out a separate state for the country's ethnic Tamil minority. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have fought the government since 1983, ostensibly on behalf of the Tamil community who suffered decades of discrimination by the majority Sinhalese.A Norway-brokered cease-fire signed in 2002 scaled down the violence but the conflict resumed in late 2005. At least 4,000 people have been killed in a resumption of violence, even though no side has officially withdrawn from the truce. More than 65,000 people were killed before the cease-fire. No decision yet on joint patrolling by Indian-Lankan Navies LTTE denies secret deal, but Mangala reveals more Was there a deal between Government leaders and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the run up to the Presidential election in November 2005?Two sacked Ministers, Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, say there was one and are asking for a Parliamentary Select Committee to probe the matter. “No one knows the whole story. Only part of the jig saw is known by a few,” Mr. Samaraweera told The Sunday Times. His remarks appear on Page 4 political commentary.There has been no formal response from the Government. Against this backdrop, the LTTE joined the controversy yesterday with a strong denial. Its Military Spokesman Rasiah Ilanthiriyan told The Sunday Times that they (the LTTE) had not made any deal with any party in the south other than the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement (CFA).“This is all false propaganda. This is how politicians in the south play political games. When they have differences among themselves they bring the LTTE into the picture,” he said.However, an aide to Mr. Samarweera said,“Ilanthiriyan’s response is clearly understandable. Even if there was a deal or understanding, he cannot go public with it. That would only earn the wrath of the Tamil community. Therefore they have to take up that official position.” Both the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) are of the view that the alleged post-election deal with the LTTE should be fully probed to ascertain the whole truth. JVP frontliner Vijitha Herath said the select committee would enable those making the charges and others to prove or disprove the allegations.He said the two former ministers who were in the frontlines of President Rajapaksa’s election campaign were making these charges while the government was denying them, but no one knew who was lying or telling the truth. JHU spokesman Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe said his party also would support the appointment of a select committee though it did not believe the allegations made by the former ministers.“We believe these allegations are being made to discredit the President and security forces which are having the LTTE on the run. We believe the charges are instigated by the UNP and other pro-LTTE forces.“If the former ministers cared about the country, they should have come out with the allegations prior to the election – and not after they were sacked,” the JHU spokesman said.The main opposition UNP and other parties are also supporting a probe by a select committee. Gamage’s wife reveals govt. links with Karuna The wife of arrested naval officer Lt. Commander Rohana Gamage yesterday revealed that he was sent by the government to meet with Karuna in Batticaloa in the east soon after the presidential election.Gamage, a naval intelligence officer who was arrested last Tuesday by the CID alleging links with the LTTE, according to wife Rasika Priyadarshani never had any such links, but was asked to help President Mahinda Rajapakse’s campaign during the presidential elections in 2005 by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse.Gamage was serving in Vavuniya when Gotabhaya had asked for his help to carry out campaign work in Vavuniya during the election, she claimed at a press conference yesterday."My husband never had any intention of entering politics, but it was Gotabhaya Rajapakse who asked him to join politics and work for Mahinda Rajapakse in Vavuniya."They wanted his help. Then Gotabhaya appointed him as the deputy director of the Yovun Senankaya in 2005," she said. Rasika added that according to her knowledge, her husband met Gotabhaya through Minister Champika Ranawaka. "He was close to Champika Ranawaka and I think he met Gotabhaya through him," she said.According to Rasika, Gamage carried out his work at the Yovun Senankaya and as a member of the navy intelligence unit with conviction."He was very duty conscious. He was honest and loyal. That was why he received the Ranashoora award from then Navy Commander Daya Sandagiri. If he was dishonest and was linked to the LTTE, would he have been given this award?" she questioned.Commenting on a photograph of her husband with Karuna, Rasika said that Gamage was sent to the east to meet Karuna by the government and that the navy was also aware of it.As for photographs with the LTTE, she said that anyone who looked at them would clearly understand that they were taken while engaged in his duties. "He is innocent and has always been loyal to the country. He has always worked against the LTTE and even written a book against the LTTE. Now the charges leveled against him of being an LTTE supporter is unfathomable," she said.According to Rasika, who hails from Vavuniya, her life as well as the lives of her two children – aged nine and three and a half – were under threat. Since Gamage’s arrest, the children have not been able to carry on with their lives and had even had to stay away from attending school."We are under threat. We cannot go to our house in Vavuniya or in Anuradhapura as everyone now knows he was an intelligence officer. Earlier it was only the LTTE who knew. He has also been labeled as a traitor and that too is a problem," she said.According to Rasika, Gamage’s life was under constant threat from the LTTE and the family was on the move constantly for some time, as they feared for his life."Although I was born in Vavuniya my parents and I are Sinhala and just because we associate Tamils, it does not mean we are LTTE. We have suffered because of the LTTE as my husband’s life was always under threat, but now he is being labeled an LTTEer," she said.Rasika called on the government to release her husband and stop harassing him, as he was innocent of the charges leveled against him and was honest and loyal to his country."The children are looking for their father, what am I to tell them?" she asked. Abducted TRO staffers final rites held The final rites for the seven TRO staffers abducted by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA)-backed Karuna paramilitary group in January 2006, and presumed murdered, were held on the Saturday, after three days of mourning, sources from Kilinochchi said. Framed memorials with photographs were taken to relatives home in Kilinochchi on Wednesday, 14 March, for people to pay respect. The pictures were taken in procession to the Kilinochchi Cultural Hall where the final ceremony was held.Following lighting of the Common flame, relatives garlanded the pictures of the seven staffers.Mr Sivanadiyar, President of the TRO, speaking at the event said: "Despite the committed efforts taken by the International Red Cross, Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, various Non-Governmental Orgnizations, UN Human Rights Groups, and the TRO, we were unable to save the lives of the seven dedicated workers."In the euogies, Sivanadiyar told the audience of the empathy the staffers had for the people who were suffering amidst violence and economic hardship, and the dedication with which the staffers served the people.Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians Pathmini Sithamparanathan, and K Gajendran, LTTE's senior member Balakumaran, Head of Northeast Secretariat on Human Rights (NESOHR) Rev.Fr. Kanagaratnam, and other officials of the TRO spoke at the event. CID kick-starts stalled high profile assassination cases The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has begun expediting three high profile cases which have been at a standstill for sometime, DIG for CID D.W. Prathapasinghe told The Sunday Times. The CID has set up three separate teams to speed up the investigations of the assassinations of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and TNA MP Nadaraja Raviraj and the attempt on Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s life. The move comes in the wake of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s meeting with senior Police officers at Temple Trees last Saturday in which he said that senior officers should get involved in combating crime and warned them not to pass on that responsibility to junior officers including constables.The President declared that 3,258 cases had piled up at the CID and they included high profile investigations like the assassination of Mr. Kadirgamar, attempts on the lives of Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the VAT scam. “Don’t pass on your responsibilities to the police constables, the Officer-in-charge (OIC) or the OIC Crimes and wash your hands of them. You have to intervene,” he Police officers. He told them that the police should carry out their duties within the premise that all suspects were innocent until proven guilty and the onus was on the Police to prove the cases against the suspects. DIG Prathapasinghe said the reason for so many cases to go missing is mainly due to the lack of evidence and the files going missing. “We need specialized equipment and better training. Despite the drawbacks we have managed to solve a large number of cases. Sometimes the case files go missing. They are sometimes destroyed by parties that have vested interests,” he said. Army Commander Reviews Jaffna Security Situation COMMANDER OF THE ARMY Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka flew to Jaffna Saturday (17) morning to review the security situation and progress of welfare work carried out by Security Forces for civilians in Jaffgna. On arrival at the Palaly airport, Commander Security Forces Jaffna (SF-J) Major General G.A. Chandrasiri received the Commander. Later SF-J Commander briefed Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka about the present security situation in Jaffna during a meeting held at SF-J Headquarters. Lt. Gen, Sarath Fonseka addressed Commanders of Divisions, Brigades and Units deployed in Jaffna and issued further instructions regarding security measures to be adopted to face Tiger activities in respective areas. Commander inspected the LTTE’s suicide and explosive devices recovered by troops in Jaffna.Several Senior Officers of the Army Headquarters joined the Commander in his tour. Dayan new Geneva Ambassador Well known political analyst Dayan Jayatilleka is tipped to be appointed as the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Geneva shortly, diplomatic sources said yesterday. Jayatilleka was a lecturer in political science at the Colombo University, a journalist and a maverick politician who was a member of the North-East Provincial Council. He was closely associated with the election campaign of President Mahinda Rajapksa during the last election. Also, Pradeep Gunawardena, the Consul in Los Angeles is nominated to be made the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Washington. Gunawardena was appointed the Consul in Los Angeles by former Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando.These nominations come in the wake of reports that Foreign Ministry Secretary Palitha Kohona had vetoed the appointment of former Acting Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Geetha de Silva nominated to Geneva and Clarence Chinniah an additional secretary (administration) at the Foreign Ministry to Rome. Their names had been approved by the high posts committee as well before Dr. Kohona had vetoed their names. Def. Sec. wants three years to destroy LTTE Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse has revealed that it will take at least two to three years to destroy the LTTE if the current military campaign against the Tigers is continued.Rajapakse made this revelation when he addressed the foreign correspondents on Wednesday, March 14. "Within the next two to three years we should be able to eliminate them (Tamil Tigers)," Rajapakse had said.He had also said the government would pursue a political solution alongside the military campaign as President Mahinda Rajapakse was keen to bring about an honourable peace.The Defence Secretary in response to questions on the impact the military campaign was having on the economy had said it was an issue for President Rajapakse to deal with.He has further said the cost of the military campaign was "unfortunate" but that the President, who is also the Finance Minister, would have to find the money.His comments came even as the inflation rate was knocking 20% and the international ratings agency, Fitch gave Sri Lanka a BB-minus rating, which was three levels below the investment grade. The Defence Secretary also told the foreign correspondents that there were no immediate plans to settle people in Sampur since there was a claim for ownership of land in the area by a police officer. MR’s days are numbered-Ranil Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that the country’s situation is worsening by the day in all aspects with the rising cost of living, high inflation, war and corruption and these doesn’t augur well for the President to continue for much long. He was speaking at the United National Party special convention at party headquarters Sirikotha where several reforms to the party constitution were adopted. Among them was the scrapping of the Deputy Leader and Assistant Leader posts. Apart from that the working committee membership was increased to 95 and the national executive committee membership was pruned while several changes have been made to the composition of the two committees. “The President who said that he will bring an honourable peace to the country has now brought a brutal war to the country. The war is not confined to the North but now killings take place in all parts of the country. This is while the administration is completely run by the President and his brothers,” the Opposition Leader said. Speaking further he said that the President had been successful in amassing wealth for himself and his family rather than working for the country during the last one year and four months. Delving into history he said, during the colonial period most of our resources in the country were used for the development of those colonial powers and that a similar situation is prevailing at the moment. “Some people who did not even have a bank account fifteen months ago are now the wealthiest people in the country. It is a fact and known secret that Rajapaksa and company have taken over the whole administrative powers into their hands. It has come to a stage where the war is being waged so that some people in the government can benefit monetarily from the war,” he said. UNP National Organiser, S.B Dissanayake said that even though it seems as if the war can be won through military offensive it would not last long. “Therefore a political solution is needed in order to achieve peace.”“There are many countries that have won wars, countries like Russia, Ireland, Indonesia but they were all not long lasting. Even in earlier instances when the Sri Lankan forces were able to take control of LTTE held areas it did not last long. But at instances where peace was sought through negotiations it was possible to weaken the terrorists,” Dissanayake said. Buying time in a time of crisis President Mahinda Rajapaksa in all his wisdom has entrusted the task of evolving a political solution to the North East issue to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC), chaired by the modest and unassuming Minister Tissa Vitarana who represents the Lanka Samasamaja Party (LSSP). It was J.R. Jayewardene who began what was to become a fashionable trend of all party conferences to find a solution to the vexed national question. That all party conference was a non-starter from day one because the major opposition party-peeved at the stripping of Sirima Bandaranaike’s civic rights- opted for a strategy of non-cooperation.Since then, despite their lack of success all party conferences have been tried as a panacea for all ills. True, they may not achieve their stated objective but they also serve a purpose: they buy time in times of crisis, they accord its sponsors an aura of respectability and most importantly, it gives the right to the government of the day to scream from rooftops that they are doing something!That may be a cynical assessment that Minister Tissa Vitarana will dispute, but public perception will most probably be in agreement. How many Sri Lankans, in the final analysis, expect the current APRC to usher in an era of peace and prosperity to the country, despite all the lofty pronouncements made to that effect? It is not that such sentiments were non-existent, at least at the outset of the current APRC. And, there was a reason for the optimism too: for whatever reasons, the opposition United National Party (UNP) had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to co-operate on the national issue. It was the first time in nearly sixty years of independence that such a consensus had been reached. Previously what the UNP proposed, the SLFP disposed of, and of course, vice-versa. The closest the two parties came to an accord previously was in the Liam Fox Agreement of April 1997 when President Chandrika Kumaratunge agreed to “brief and seek the opinion of the Leader of the United National Party on significant developments relating to the ethnic conflict” and the UNP agreed to reciprocate.That compromise was decimated in the fractious relationship between Ranil Wickremesinghe and Kumaratunge when the former ousted the Peoples’ Alliance and became Prime Minister of the United National Front (UNF) government, never to be resurrected again. But with the SLFP-UNP Memorandum of Understanding though, hopes were high again. Moreover, for the first time, both the government and the opposition were agreeing in principle to the concept of significant devolution of power to the minority communities as a means of resolving the ethnic issue.Why President Mahinda Rajapaksa chose to muddy those calm political waters by actively wooing and then roping in an influential faction of the UNP is a question that is best answered from a purely political rather than a national perspective: Rajapaksa obviously didn’t trust his Janatha Vimukthi Permauna allies and had learnt his lessons when the JVP pulled the plug on the Kumaratunge administration. He was not going to watch idly and see history repeat itself.If that act of political expediency won for him some degree of stability in government, President Rajapaka also effectively lost the support of the UNP at the APRC. Obviously, it was a price Rajapaksa was prepared to pay. The seasoned politician that he is, the President must be well aware that any ‘solution’ evolved at the APRC will not succeed in the face of opposition from the UNP which remains the single political party in the country, not to mention the already significant cries of protest from the JVP as well as the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU).Now, the matter has become even more convoluted with the Karu Jayasuriya led UNP breakaway faction-which includes the likes of G.L. Peiris and Milinda Moragoda who spearheaded negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-offering to submit its own proposals to the APRC.That has resulted in a curious conundrum. Minister Vitarana says that the proposals of Jayasuriya et al are welcome. But he also says Jayasuriya and his colleagues cannot attend the APRC as an entity separate from the UNP as only registered political parties are participating in the deliberations!This is similar to the situation in Parliament where the Parliamentary Select Committee on the 17th amendment to constitution-relating to the appointment of the Constitutional Council-is embroiled in a dilemma because the UNP’s erstwhile nominees to the committee were Karu Jayasuriya and G.L. Peiris. A ruling by Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara is awaited there. All is not well, therefore with the APRC. While the UNP has not officially announced its withdrawal of support for the concept of devolution of power to the minority communities, it is still smarting from what it sees as President Rajapaksa’s duplicity in seeking its support for the MOU. As retaliation, the party is considering a pullout from the APRC although Minister Vitarana, the eternal optimist that he is, says he expects the UNP to stay put. And, to cap it all, the SLFP too has yet to submit its own proposals to the APRC! This is not the first all party conference that has seen the light of day, trying to resolve the national issue. In all probability, it will not be the last. But whether it will see the light at the end of the tunnel is now doubtful, despite the best efforts of Tissa Vitarana. 17 March 2007 Former Sri Lankan Minister arrested as he exposed US Citizen Gothabaya Rajapakse's arms deal scandal Fighting continues in Lanka Sri Lanka seeks U.S. pressure on Tamil Tiger funds Sri Lanka said on Friday it has asked the United States to extend a crackdown on the Tamil Tigers to overseas groups that help raise funds for the separatist rebels.Washington has branded the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist group since 1997.Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said Sri Lanka had sought "greater vigilance and greater action by the United States law enforcement authorities in terms of the ones who are responsible for collection of funds for the LTTE."U.S. authorities in Boston and Baltimore had helped halt fund-raising by LTTE "front groups" who funneled cash to rebels fighting the government under guise of charities, he said at the end of a three-day U.S. visit.Bogollagama, who met Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley, as well as U.S. lawmakers, did not elaborate on the actions taken by the United States.But he said that Sri Lanka had frozen accounts of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization, which he described as the LTTE's primary fund-raising arm in the United States.State Department spokeswoman Nancy Beck said Rice and Bogollagama discussed human rights and humanitarian issues in the Indian Ocean island state, where dozens have died in the latest fighting in a civil war that has killed around 68,000 people since 1983."We support the Sri Lankan government's efforts to seek a political settlement to the conflict that will satisfy the aspirations of all Sri Lankans," Beck said in a statement. 19 SLA troopers injured in Jaffna At least 19 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were injured, 4 of them seriously, when SLA troopers and the Liberation Tigers exchanged heavy artillery and rocket fire along the forward defence lines of Thenmaradchi in the Jaffna peninsula from Friday evening. Heavy shelling continued till Saturday morning, sources in Jaffna said.SLA ambulances and helicopters were evacuating injured soldiers from Usan, Mirusuvil and Kodikamam sectors, accoring to the sources.It is not known if LTTE suffered any casualities. Gotabhaya 'accepted' abductions UNP silence "Gotabhaya asked whether any member of UNP, JVP or parties representing Up Country Tamils has been abducted," UNP parliamentarian Johnston Fernando told BBC Sandeshaya.By questioning that, Fernando said, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has voluntarily admitted that members of parties have been abducted.The MP however did not deny that the UNP has been mysteriously silence on abductions and disappearances over the past months.He said the party did not raise the issue as pro-government parties constantly accused UNP of being supportive of the separatist Tamil Tigers.Former ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi have publicly accused Rajapaksa administration of having secret deals with the LTTE.The UNP is currently in a position raise the voice as former ministers have already spoken out, Fernando told bbcsinhala.com. Sri Lanka official accuses US groups The foreign minister of Sri Lanka has accused several US-based charities, including a Boston-area cultural association, of raising money for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a militant separatist group in Sri Lanka that the State Department has classified as a terrorist organization.Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama met yesterday with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other US officials to ask for greater scrutiny of Tamil charities, including the Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America , which has a Boston-area affiliate.Bogollagama alleged in an interview that the federation, including the Boston Tamil Association of New England, raised money following the 2004 tsunami that was diverted to arms procurement for the Tamil Tigers. He did not provide specific evidence to buttress his claim.Two leaders of the Boston group denied the accusation, saying that the group has nothing to do with the Tigers and that all the money it raised went to tsunami victims. The Tigers have been fighting since 1983 for a separate state for the ethnic Tamil minority, who have been discriminated against under the Sinhalese-dominated Sri Lankan government. Both sides have been accused of atrocities in the war.The Tigers have been implicated in the recruitment of child soldiers and the use of suicide bombs, while the government has been accused of mass arrests, disappearances, and torture."We are seeking the support and cooperation to go into all these areas in which the US legal system and intelligence can reach," he said, adding that the Bush administration has been taking Sri Lanka's complaints more seriously since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.He said that cutting off funds to the Tigers would persuade the rebel group to take peace talks more seriously.Bogollagama also accused the Tamils Rehabilitation Organization , a Maryland-based aid group that works in Tamil areas, of serving as a front for terrorist fund-raising. In September, the Sri Lankan government froze the organization's asse ts inside the country.Now, Sri Lanka is seeking similar action in the United States, he said. In addition to meetings with Rice and lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Bogollagama was seeking to meet with Stuart Levy, a top Treasury Department official involved in the freezing of asse ts of the North Korean and Iranian regimes. Gowri Navanandan , chairwoman of the board of the Boston Tamil Association of New England, said the Sri Lankan government had no basis for its allegation against the group, except that it is a Tamil organization."When you say the word 'Tamil,' obviously they are going to think you have something to do with it," she said. "We don't have anything to do with politics."She said the organization, which has a Reading post office box, was formed to promote cultural awareness and festivals, especially for Tamil youth, and had no connection to the Tigers. She said no one from the US government ever questioned members of the group.Palani Nadarajah , vice president of the organization, dismissed the allegations as false propaganda from the government. Nadarajah, who has lived in the Boston area since 1970, said that the group holds annual cultural events, picnics, and Tamil language classes, and that all the money the group raised for tsunami aid went to victims living in Tiger-controlled areas, not the military effort."The money went to the right place," he said, adding that the group's finances were open to the public. "It didn't go to terrorists at all."In recent months, the Justice Department has launched its own investigation of Tiger activities inside the United States. In August, US agents confiscated the computers of a Maryland doctor who leads the Tamils Rehabilitation Organization.Justice Department complaints allege that suspects who said they represented the Tigers offered undercover agents millions of dollars to obtain classified intelligence, and tried to buy 18 surface-to-air missiles inside the United States.E-mails to the organization were not answered.Critics of the Sri Lankan government say these allegations are overblown.Sri Thillaiampalam , president of the Eelam Tamil Association , an unregistered Boston-based group he describes as a self-funded lobbying organization for human rights, said that he received a visit from FBI agents about two months ago, but that they quickly left him alone."They just wanted to ask if I am part of it," said Thillaiampalam, a retired manager of a cargo company."I said, 'I am not.' " It's a group of policemen who abduct innocent civilians & hand them over to Karuna LeN has been informed through a credible internal source that, the officers of the CID who are investigating the recent spate of abductions and murders, have got a hint about a group from the policemen, who are involved with the activities.It is also being reported that they abduct people, those who have no connections with the LTTE, on their private interest and them over to the Karuna faction. Sources say that rich Tamil businessmen are being abducted and handed over to Karuna who get ransom from them. It is also said that members of the Karuna group even disclose their private telephone numbers when collecting ransomed without any hesitation.The group has also abducted people on their personnel interest and the most recent example to this is the abduction of Tamil businessman Raja Pullendran who is the brother of SSP crimes of the Colombo division Sarath Lugoda. Sources say that the abduction was carried out to get the attention of the Hierarchies in the police department on the fact that Lugoda has Tamil relatives and thereby stop any possible promotions that he could receive.Brother in law of Lugoda is one of the very few to have been released when considered the spate of abductions after journalist Guruparan.Our source say that the recent statement made by the IGP addressing the media on the spate of abductions, that "some policemen are also behind this" hints that he too is aware of the development at least to a certain extend.Meanwhile the President has recently called a meeting of high ranking police officers and asked them to hand over the investigations of abductions and killings to the senior police officers. Thousands of traders in Colombo protest against the abduction of businessmen More than 600 traders in Pettah closed their shops yesterday following threats of extortion and abductions by unidentified groups. Hardware merchants and other businesses along Old Moor Street, Quarry Road and adjoining areas operated by traders including Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims staged the protest last morning.This came following an alleged attempt by an unknown group travelling in the now infamous ‘White van” to abduct a leading businessman of the area on Thursday, a trader participating in the protest told the Daily Mirror.He claimed more than 30 traders of the area had received threatening calls during the past week demanding huge sums as extortion and threatening of abduction if the demands were not met. “Some traders even gave the money out of fear,” the trader said without revealing how the transactions had taken place fearing revenge.A meeting was scheduled to take place between the police and the traders last afternoon to discuss the threats and safety measures to be implemented for the smooth functioning of the highly productive business activity in the area. The traders warned that they will continue the shutdown today if remedial and proper safety measures are not implemented while a total shutdown of the trading activity has also been proposed if the threats continue in future.Allegations have been levelled against the Karuna faction as being involved with most of the abductions and extortion and just earlier this week the government warned it will crack down on the “illegal activities” of Karuna cadres who operate political offices in the East as well as at Polhengoda in Colombo.The Karuna faction however denies the allegations and blames it either on their “rotten eggs” or the LTTE in an attempt to tarnish the image of the breakaway rebel group which is under close scrutiny by international rights organizations. When contacted DIG Colombo Range Rohan Abeywardene told the Daily Mirror shop owners staged a demonstration at Armour Street and Jampettah Street yesterday morning after closing their shops. However the protest was called off later in the day. The DIG said necessary instructions had been given to the police in taking prompt action in this regard and to bring such gangs or extortionist before law if any. He also said no complaint had been lodged in any of the police stations covering these areas regarding extortions or threatening and it is difficult to act on rumors. “Most traders fear that the LTTE, Karuna fraction or the army is carrying out these abductions; This is a wrong idea, we will soon find out the real culprits,” DIG Abeywardene said. SLFP for Senate, executive PM, PCs and Indian Model The government proposals, to be submitted to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) shortly, will contain a package designed on the lines of the Indian model, highly placed SLFP sources told The Island yesterday.This was revealed to SLFP stalwarts at a special meeting of the party’s Central Committee, chaired by President Mahinda Rajapakse, at the Temple Trees on Thursday night. Minister Prof. Wiswa Warnapala, who is the SLFP representative to the APRC, as well as the committee headed by Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremenayake to prepare the party’s devolution proposals, spelt out the government proposals in a question and answer session, which lasted nearly three hours from 7.00 pm. It was attended by a large number of Central Committee members including SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena. A notable absentee was the ousted Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who had been formally invited. President Rajapakse told the Central Committee that it was the first time the party had examined such a policy document at length in a democratic manner in keeping with the party founders’ vision of internal democracy. He said the SLFP might borrow from foreign models but the final product had to be truly home-grown.Prof. Warnapala said the SLFP was for a bi-cameral legislature with an Executive Prime Minister and the Senate should have one third of the number of the lower house members, including ten women. He said special provisions would be introduced to the Constitution to safeguard minority rights, as in the Soulbury Constitution and steps would be taken to prevent secession through the adoption of such measures as are spelt out in the Indian Constitution. Minister Warnapala, who has conducted extensive studies on the political systems of various countries, stressed that the SLFP was confident that the measures and the proposed safeguards were sufficient to defeat separatist tendencies. He said the founder of the SLFP, the late Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, had advocated devolution of power right throughout his illustrious political career and his vision had got into what he smiling referred to as ‘the genes of the party.’ Provincial Councils, he said, would be strengthened as regards land, judicial powers, education, language and other matters to be determined later.The Gramaraj and Panchayat Raj concepts were being given serious thought by way of empowering the masses at the grassroots level, he said, adding that special emphasis would be placed on the welfare and the rights of the section of the Sri Lankan community commonly known as the Tamils of Indian origin. Measures, he said, would be adopted to redress their grievances in areas such as health, education, land and employment. The institution of the Ombudsman would be strengthened and replicated in the provinces to make it readily accessible to the people, especially to the minorities so that they would be in a position to act promptly in case of grievances and discrimination.Prime Minister Wickremenayake was absent due to ill health. He was scheduled to chair a meeting of the Committee to draft the SLFP proposals last night. Prof. Warnapala said finishing touches would be given to the proposals by that committee before their presentation to the APRC chaired by Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana. As for the electoral system, it was decided to incorporate the recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Electoral Reforms headed by Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. The Central Committee did not discuss the question of the de-merger. However, sources speculated that the government would act in accordance with the Supreme Court order and hold elections to the two provincial councils separately. The Committee headed by the Prime Minister consists of UPFP General Secretary Minister Susil Premajayantha, Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Chief Government Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Minister Prof. Wiswa Warnapala.A few rounds of the meetings of the committee were expected to be held within the next few days, before the proposals are finalized, sources said. Nine-month jail sentence for JJ’s son The son of a frontline UNP parliamentarian was yesterday sentenced in absentia to nine months in jail for obstructing the performance of duties of a police constable by boxing him in the ear.Kavinda Gratian Jayawardena, son of Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena was found guilty of assaulting the police constable who was on duty near St. Bridget’s Convent in Colombo.Colombo Chief Magistrate Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena ordered that Kavinda Jayawardena who has been absconding, be arrested immediately and that the sentence be operative from the date he is apprehended.The Magistrate also directed the Controller of Immigration and Emigration and the Director of National Intelligence unit to arrest him when he arrives or leaves the country, as records indicate the suspect has gone abroad.Cinnamon Gardens police complained that on July 26, 2003 Mr. Jayawardena and a group of others had assaulted PC Bandara who was on duty close to St. Bridget’s Convent and injured his ear.PC Bandara had been posted on duty following a complaint by St. Bridget’s Convent Principal that obscene words were being written on the parapet wall surrounding the school. Mr. Jayawardena had then come in two vehicles and assaulted PC Bandara demanding to know as to who had erased the wordings on the walls.The Magistrate found Kavinda Jayawardena guilty of the charges after a long trial. 16 March 2007 TNA meets Indian High Commissioner and German Ambassador The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MPs representing the Batticaloa district briefed Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad and German Ambassador Jürgen Weerth of the present humanitarian crisis triggered by the ongoing hostilities in their area. The Tamil legislators impressed upon the two diplomats the need to urge the Sri Lankan government to address the humanitarian needs of the displaced in this context.Parliamentarian T. Kanakasabai said last night there were over 150,000 persons displaced in the violence-wracked district of Batticaloa. “We apprised the diplomats of the volatile situation prevailing in the area due to shelling and other forms of hostilities. They gave us a patient hearing and pledged to take up the matter with their respective governments,” said Mr. Kanakasabai.Yesterday’s talks were a part of their series of meetings this week with the heads of foreign missions based in Colombo. Earlier, they met the French Ambassador and the British High Commissioner. The MP said they were also planning to meet the US and Japanese ambassadors.Other members in the TNA delegation were MPs Thangeswari Kathiraman, S. Jeyanandamurthi and P. Ariyanethran. Sri Lanka ruling party devolution proposals at Central Committee The power devolution proposals of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to solve the ethnic problem of the country were submitted to the party Central Committee yesterday. After the President and several Central Committee members pointed out some inadequacies of the proposals, the party committee decided to meet today once again and correct them. The SLFP committee that compiled the proposals is comprised of Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka, Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Prof. Wishwa Warnapala, Jeyaraj Fernadopulle, Sarath Amunugama and Susil Premajayantha.Sources in SLFP say the party's top level committee is considering maximum devolution of power. However, sources from Marxist People's Liberation Front say they are considering severe action if the anticipated proposals from the ruling party to resolve the country's ethnic conflict exceed the Mahinda Chinthana manifesto and include maximum devolution of power. Tamil Tigers say they repulsed Sri Lankan troop offensive in northwest Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels said on Thursday they repulsed a government attempt to penetrate guerrilla-held territory in the country's northwest.Some 600 soldiers tried to enter rebel territory in Mullikulam village some 180 kilometers (111 miles) north of the capital, Colombo, rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan said by telephone from the guerrillas' headquarters in the northern town of Kilinochchi.Rebels fired back and the soldiers "retreated with the casualties," Ilanthirayan said without giving details.Military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe said that there was no such clash reported by troops from the region.Last week, eight people including four military men and four wildlife department employees were found killed inside a sanctuary south of Mullikulam. The military blamed the Tamil Tigers for the killings but the rebels refused to comment on the incident. Prisoner swap likely A prisoner exchange is in the offing between the Government and the LTTE, an official said yesterday The Government has sought SLMM support for the release of five security forces personnel in LTTE custody.The request was put forward to the LTTE yesterday during a routine meeting between SLMM head Lars Solvberg and the LTTE peace secretariat head S. Pulithevan, an SLMM spokesman said adding the LTTE was considering the request.However it is expected the LTTE would later seek the release of an equal number of rebel members in exchange.The SLMM Killinochchi liaison officer visits the security forces prisoners in rebel custody and most recently family members of the captives also got the opportunity to visit them in a meeting facilitated by the ICRC. Children at risk as Sri Lanka fighting worsens As fighting between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE intensifies, the lives of hundreds of school children in Batticaloa are being put at risk as heavy shelling sent from the main army camp in Batticaloa town is dangerously close to school buildings. Children exposed to this constant shelling are being traumatised and there are reports of school girls fainting after hearing the unbearable sounds of artillery fire. Any retaliation from the LTTE would place these schools in the direct firing line. Save the Children strongly believes that these schools must be closed temporarily and children sent to the relative safety of their homes, rather than be left in the middle of an extremely vulnerable, traumatic and insecure environment. Phil Esmonde, Save the Children's Advocacy Director, said: "Children are bearing the brunt of this conflict and are having to face the dangers of armed fighting on a daily basis. Many thousands of children have had their lives turned upside down and are living in fear, away from their homes and schools." Fighting has forced thousands of people to flee their homes to escape. It is estimated that the number of displaced people in Batticaloa District has risen from 88,000 to 125,000 in the last few days and it is predicted to rise further to around 214,000 within two weeks. Around 45,000 children are currently living in camps or centres for people displaced by the conflict. As people continue to evacuate the scene of the fighting to find refuge, people living in the camps who fled previous fighting in other areas are returning home before it is safe to do so. Save the Children is deeply concerned that, in order to relieve crowding in existing camps, families are being encouraged to return to their villages where there is no functioning schools or proper medical facilities and complete mine clearance has not taken place. Reports indicate a lack of food, infrastructure and housing in most of the areas where people are returning. "Families that have been forced to flee from fighting have the right to make a choice about when to return. Pressing people to leave the relative security of the camps and go home before it is safe puts them at high risk in a very vulnerable situation. Save the Children is calling for immediate measures to be put in place to ensure all returns are voluntary and based on clear accurate information," said Phil Esmonde. Save the Children has set up safe play areas, registered unaccompanied children and supported ongoing education, and will be providing relief items including baby kits, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, towels, clothes, sarongs, bed sheets, sleeping mats and kitchen utensils for 10,000 children. Save the Children will continue scaling up its emergency response in Sri Lanka. LTTE ordnance recovered from north and east In the ongoing military action around Thoppigala, troops recovered more batches of rebel ordnance from North and East yesterday.Troops in Vavuniya recovered nine hand grenades in the Periyathampani area and 172 anti- personnel mines from the Vannakulam area during a search operation. Steps had been taken to defuse the APMs, and troops are searching for more explosives.In Batticaloa the security forces found two 81mm mortar bombs and a rocket for the Multi Barrel Launcher left by the LTTE in the Kirimichchiya area.Meanwhile police in Vakarai had recovered some weapons on Wednesday on information received. A T-56 assault rifle, a T-81 assault rifle, 300 rounds of T-56 ammunition, a hand grenade and a cyanide capsule were among the items found. Meanwhile, in Muttur, the police found eight hand grenades hidden in the shrubs behind the Alachchena Muslim School on Wednesday. The explosives which were neatly packed in a bag were found following information received. They were later defused by the police. A Sinhalese arrested regarding Muthurajawela & Anuradhapura massacres A high ranking officer of the CID told LeN that they are probing the cases where five burnt bodies were found from Muthurajawela and Anuradhapura and added that they have arrested a suspect regarding one case.He said that the arrested is a Singhalese.When LeN questioned whether the special report on these 10 dead were presented to the President today, since the President requested for one during an emergency meeting on the 10th Saturday. But he said vaguely that they have sent some of the documents to the President.He said they are probing the case under strict confidentiality but said that preliminary investigations have revealed that two groups are involved with this killings.However Spokesperson of the Karuna Faction said the murders were carried out by the LTTE. Australian refugee groups condemn government treatment of Sri Lankan refugees Refugee groups in Australia have condemned the government’s decision to send a group of 82 Sri Lankan asylum seekers to Nauru.They’ve been detained on Christmas Island since they were intercepted by the Australian navy in international waters four weeks ago.Refugee advocates say the Sri Lankans face years in limbo while their claims are assessed, and warn Australia could be breaching its international obligations.But the Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews says sending the boat people to Nauru is a stronger deterrent to people smugglers than processing them on Christmas Island.The government decided to transfer the men after failing to convince Indonesia to accept them for processing by the United Nations. Asylum seeker claims torture by Sri Lankan Army One of the Sri Lankan asylum seekers being held on Christmas Island has told the ABC's PM program he was tortured while he was a prisoner of the Sri Lankan Army.Sanje Selvanainar, 19, is one of 82 asylum seekers who are soon to be transferred to Nauru for processing.He says he was arrested by the Sri Lankan Army in January last year."We [were] arrested by the Sri Lankan Army and detained and tortured," he said."We [were] in the army camp over the 45 days. "Our five friends [were] shot in front of me." Sri Lanka: Civilians Who Fled Fighting Are Forced to Return Sri Lankan authorities are using threats and intimidation to force civilians who fled recent fighting in Sri Lanka’s civil war to return home, Human Rights Watch said today. Government and military officials are threatening to cut aid and withdraw security for displaced persons who refuse to return. The Sri Lankan government says it will never force civilians to return home after they have been displaced by fighting. Since March 12, the government has been returning people from at least six internally displaced person sites in eastern Batticaloa district. At least 771 individuals have been sent to Trincomalee district farther north as part of a plan to return approximately 2,800 internally displaced persons. To pressure individuals to return home, government officials and military personnel have threatened to withdraw humanitarian aid, food and other essential supplies. Some officials have threatened families that they would revoke their family cards, which entitle them to food rations. In some cases, the security forces have said that they would no longer be responsible for the security of the displaced persons who stayed behind. 'No nudes, semis in ads’ The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has issued a warning to advertisers to refrain from using nude or semi nude pictures in advertisements. The warning was given in an advertisement published recently but only in one Sinhala news paper.When asked whether the government intended to bring in laws to curb such advertising Ministry Secretary G.L.M.Samarasinghe said it was "Only a small warning."When asked why the ministry published the advertisement only in one Sinhala newspaper he said "It is not necessary to publish the advertisement on the same day but we will publish it when we want." He also said Tamil translations will take two or three days and other language advertisements will be published in a few days time. 15 March 2007 Blair: Come back to 2002 Agreement Prime Minister's questions Keith Vaz raised a question in the parliament on Sri Lanka's situation at the Prime Minister's questions."Can the Prime Minister use his good offices to persuade all the parties and factions to recommit to the agreement made in 2002 so that the escalation in violence can be curtailed and peace and tranquillity can return to this beautiful island?" MP Vaz questioned.Tony Blair agreed that the issue in Sri Lanka, where over 4000 killed and hundreds of thousands displaced over a 15 month period, "is a very serious one".The British PM said he understands "the difficulties" faced by Sri Lanka government. Sri Lanka's difficulties "We have said to them (Sri Lanka) that we will do all we can to help but my right honourable friend is right to say that the only realistic way to get a solution is to come back to the 2002 agreement and make sure that it is implemented," he told Westminster parliament.In a surprise visit to Britain, President Mahinda Rajapaksa discussed Sri Lanka's situation with Tony Blair in September, last year.Several representatives from UK authorities visited Sri Lanka in fact finding mission thereafter."I know that he will also agree that terrorism and violence can never be the way to achieve a negotiated solution," Tony Blair added.The Norwegian brokered February 2002 CFA has internationally been hailed as a breakthrough after decades of bloodshed.But the Sinhala political leaders have criticised the deal as biased towards Tamil Tigers.In an interview with BBC's Roland Buerk, President Rajapaksa said the CFA was "a mistake". Gotabaya has played out 600 million when purchasing MIGs- A complaint to the BC Former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Former Ports Development Minister Sripathy Suriarachchi lodged a complaint to the Bribery commission this evening regarding a cash fraud which they say had taken place when purchasing 4 MIG 27 fighter jets which are said to be 27 years old.The complaint lodged to the commissioner Anwar Ismile states, the 4 fighter jets bought on or a day close to the 26th of July was purchased for 1.064 Billion rupees. It also says that according to the agreement the manufacturing period of the jets are between 1980 to 1983.The complaint also states that on the 25th of May 2000 4 MIG fighter jets manufactured between 1982 and 1985 were purchased for 172.8 million rupees and that in October 2000 2 MIG's which were manufactured in 1984 were purchased for 97.2 million rupees each. It adds that accordingly if the government spent such an amount in 2006 to purchase 4 MIGs, a sum between 77 to 94 million rupees have been played out from a jet, when compared to the previous purchases.According to information revealed a company called D.S. Alliance had agreed to supply 2 of the jets for 189 each. The company had agreed to provide the third for 172 million rupees in 2000. But the air force had then condemned it.Though the agreement says that deal is between two countries the payment has been made to a company in England. The complaint states that this raises several questions regarding the credibility of the deal. The complaint also points out that a massive fraud is taking place even when servicing them. Sri Lanka warplanes pound rebel targets Sri Lanka warplanes bombed suspected Tiger rebel camps, a day after top defence officials warned that the latest military campaign could last three years. The military said supersonic jets staged sorties for the third day against suspected rebel positions in Thoppigala Jungle in the island's east. "There are no immediate reports of casualties, but Tuesday's air strikes damaged Tiger vehicles and infrastructure," military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told reporters. He said the death toll in Monday's aerial attack had risen to ten, which included an eastern Tiger intelligence leader identified as Irakkian and a training instructor, adding that more than a dozen guerrillas were injured. Sri Lankan troops backed by supersonic aircraft have stepped up their offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels in the island's restive northeast since April and have vowed to flush them out. "Within the next two to three years we should be able to eliminate them (Tamil Tigers)," said a top defence source, who declined to be named. He said the government would pursue a political solution alongside its military offensive as Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse was keen to bring about an "honourable peace" to end decades of bloodshed. The source said the security forces were on a strong footing to win the military campaign, but that a political solution must be pursued in tandem. Security forces last week launched a fresh offensive to drive deeper into a Tiger stronghold known as the Thoppigala jungle, which stretches from Batticaloa district to neighbouring Ampara district in the island's northeast. Samarasinghe said eight police commandos and two soldiers have died in the latest military drive, which also injured 32 troops. He put the rebel toll at 40 killed.Charities operating in the region on Monday raised concerns for the safety of civilians in the troubled Batticaloa district where over 120,000 people have been displaced. However, Samarasinghe put the refugee toll at 87,711 since July 2006. There was no comment from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which has been fighting for an independent homeland for the minority Tamils in a 35-year conflict that has claimed over 60,000 lives. Babies cry! …Children faint! … 1000’s starve! Batticaloa refugees languish on streets and under trees! It is reported that 1000’s of displaced people in Batticaloa are without access to any relief even by non –governmental organizations. The reports indicate that while the displaced people are on the streets or under the shelter of trees, the babies cry and children faint due to starvation with no help from any quarters in their hour of distress. This has been confirmed to Thinakkural by the local social activists in Batticaloa. There is concern that even the NGO’s are indifferent to the plight of these unfortunate people. U.S. grants 51 million rupees to develop oil exploration in Sri Lanka United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) yesterday awarded a grant worth 51 million rupees to develop Sri Lanka’s oil and gas sector. Promoting the energy security in Sri Lanka the grant will fund technical assistance to the Ministry of Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development in support of its efforts to develop a comprehensive oil and gas regulatory system and establish an organizational structure for the regulatory authority, a U.S. Embassy release said.In a awarding ceremony at the Finance Ministry in Colombo U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake signed the grant on behalf of the U.S while Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary for the Ministry of Finance and Planning, represented the Sri Lankan government. The statement noted that Sri Lanka has no oil or gas production of its own and imports approximately 80,000 barrels per day and the establishment of a sound regulatory regime will contribute to Sri Lanka’s nascent petroleum industry and reduce the nation’s dependence on imports.U.S. Ambassador Blake expressed the necessity of a well-developed regulatory structure to attract and keep high-quality investors in the oil sector. “We hope our assistance will help Sri Lanka establish an open and transparent regulatory system that both protects Sri Lanka's interests and gives investors confidence that they can earn a worthwhile return on their investment.""Development of the offshore oil and gas sector could be an important opportunity for Sri Lanka to reduce energy imports, generate revenue and create jobs. The United States wants to help Sri Lanka maximize its potential gain from oil and gas exploration,” said Ambassador Blake. NY based committee takes up Jaffna newsprint shortage The New York based Committee to Protect Journalists, in a letter addressed to Minister of Media and Information, has highlighted the difficulties faced by newspaper publishers in Jaffna, especially the shortage of newsprint and urged him to take meaningful steps to end the shortage. The letter signed by Executive Director Joel Simon has been copied to various newspapers and journalist organizations around the world. President Mahinda Rajapakse, too, had been notified of this: Following are excerpts of the letter sent to the Minister:: "The Committee to Protect Journalists is distressed by the shortage of newsprint in the northern peninsula of Jaffna, which seriously threatens the ability of major Tamil-language newspapers to continue publishing. The Sri Lankan government has a duty to safeguard the right of Jaffna residents to receive and impart news and information, and should ensure that vital paper supplies are delivered without interference.:During a press conference on March 8, you told reporters that you were unaware of the newsprint shortage in Jaffna and would initiate a government investigation into the matter. But media advocates and editors of newspapers affected by the shortage have made repeated public and private pleas to authorities for help, including a registered letter sent by Uthayan Managing Director E. Saravanapavan on February 20 to your office, and another one hand-delivered to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on January 31. Newsprint has been in short supply since August 2006, when the government closed the main road leading to the peninsula amid fighting between security forces and the separatist rebel group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Major Tamil-language newspapers in the area, including Uthayan and Yarl Thinakkural, have been forced to slash their page counts, and have resorted to printing on colored paper, according to journalists and media advocates in Sri Lanka.: Earlier this year, port authorities unloaded a shipment of newsprint from a cargo ship in the eastern port city of Trincomalee before it departed for Jaffna, according to Sunanda Deshapriya, spokesman for the Colombo-based press advocacy group, Free Media Movement. Officials gave no explanation for their actions. The paper is still waiting to be shipped to Jaffna. It is vital during the escalating conflict and refugee crisis in Sri Lanka that Tamil speakers have full and free access to news and information. This right is guaranteed by the Constitution of Sri Lanka and by international law. As a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to defending press freedom around the world, we urge you to do everything in your power to ensure that supplies of newsprint can once again reach Jaffna. Aid group quizzes CID The French charity group Action Against Hunger (ACF) had expressed concern yesterday that the CID did not always follow the orders given by the judge inquiring into the murder of 17 aid workers in Mutur last year.“All evidence must be investigated and made available to the Court in a legal and secure manner in order to identify the culprits. ACF complies with the Sri Lankan law process and hopes the CID will also follow legal procedures or Court orders during its investigation. ACF is still strongly committed to discover the truth, seven months after the unprecedented massacre of the 17 ACF aid workers,” a statement from ACF said.The statement said the organization urged the Sri Lankan authorities, the CID and Australian observers to conduct a ballistic examination as rapidly as possible, as ordered by the Magistrate on December 6 last year.“This ballistic examination is crucial to find a credible lead to those responsible for the massacre of our 17 colleagues at Mutur. ACF salutes the work done by the magistrates Aid group...during the past months and welcomes the decision taken by the current magistrate to continue the hearings to follow the inquiry lead by the CID,” it said. ACF said no direct testimony was heard by the Court concerning the killings, because of the lack of any legal mechanism in Sri Lanka to protect witnesses and notes as the Presidential Commission of Inquiry is specifically studying the issue, concrete measures were needed to remedy the situation.An inquiry was launched following the massacre of the 17 ACF aid workers on August 4. During the investigation, 11 corpses of the ACF team were exhumed and a second post-mortem examination was conducted at the end of October by Sri Lankan experts in the presence of an Australian observer. According to an arrangement signed between the governments of Sri Lanka and Australia, Sri Lankan experts should have conducted a ballistics examination following this autopsy in the presence of Australian observers. However ACF said despite the order of the Kantale Magistrate and an ACF request regarding the presence of international observers, the ballistic examination was carried out without any Australian observers. Warning of attacks outside North- East Military Intelligence has warned of possible attacks by the LTTE outside the North and East, Military spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe said and urged the public to be vigilant of their surroundings at all times.The warning comes as the military recovered C-4 explosives from a train bound for Colombo and following the discovery of two suicide belts, the first of its kind. The rebels are usually known to use suicide jackets to assassinate VIPs. In the wake of LTTE defeats in the East, the rebels were attempting to divert attention by launching attacks elsewhere similar to the twin bus attacks in the South, Brigadier Samarasinghe said.Meanwhile the military said that it had also recovered a suicide jacket, 6 hand grenades, 2 T-56 weapons, 4 magazines, 70 T-56 bullets, 2 uniforms and a cyanide capsule from Kuppilan, Jaffna on Monday.The Media Centre for National Security said the recoveries were made following information from civilians and added that increasing instances of information by civilians was clear evidence of their intention of distancing themselves from the terrorists and lending cooperation to the security forces UNP, JVP, TNA, make joint representation on Electoral Reforms Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera said, in a press release yesterday, that joint Representation of the United National Party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and the Tamil National Alliance were made to the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms. The joint proposals were:- Any proposed Reforms should consider all levels of governance namely, Parliament, Provincial and Local and the system devised should be applicable to all these levels.An all Island Census should be done before any demarcation of electorates is undertaken.The ratio of seats elected on the PR system and on the EPP system (PR/EPP) should be arrived at upon consensus of all political parties.A decision should be made whether a Second Chamber should be introduced. If a Second Chamber is to be introduced the method of electing representatives to such Chamber should also be formulated at the same time.The present system of elections i.e. a directly elected President and Parliament elected on Proportional! Representation system was introduced in 1978 — the chief aim of which was to ensure stable governments in view of the PR system which was introduced for Parliamentary Elections.If however we are to revert to the EPP system for Parliamentary Elections — the question of stability will cease to be the guiding principle — and it will therefore be necessary to examine whether we need to continue with the Executive Presidency and the method of electing the President will also need review.This issue will also involve the question whether Executive power should be transferred from the President to Parliament as existed prior to the 1978 Constitution.In any event more time will be needed to discuss these matters and it will be ill advised to rush through these Reforms, the release said. Fighting closes Sri Lanka schools 'Terrified' "Multi-barrel rockets are fired from the grounds opposite the school. The deafening sound terrifies the pupils," the head teacher of Vincent Girls School, Subha Chakrawarthi, told the BBC from the eastern town of Batticaloa. "Teachers find it difficult to work," she said, "and when the first barrage of firing happened, two girls collapsed. They lost consciousness. We had to take them to hospital. "Many children have now stopped attending school. Some come and take their children home as soon as they hear the shelling." The director of Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, S Muruganantham, has a similar story. "Many patients are terrified of the noise," he said, "they complain that they are having chest pains due to the shelling. Sometimes the attacks happen during the night. "Even newborn children are terrified. They don't sleep at night. The tremors from the bombing has shattered the glass in the hospital. "Many staff are also afraid to come to work." Abductions Residents living near the army camp in Batticaloa say that in addition to the military's offensive, there is the threat of Tamil Tiger counter-attacks, with the possibility of mortar and artillery shells falling on their schools, hospitals or homes. Officials estimate that 73 schools have also closed down in areas controlled by the rebels, and that the education of 24,000 children has been affected throughout the east. Meanwhile a report by the human rights group, Amnesty International, says that armed groups are abducting displaced people from increasingly crowded camps in the east. Amnesty say that some of those carrying out the abductions are men under command of the renegade former Tamil Tiger commander, Col Karuna. "We are hearing reports of armed men, wearing the uniforms of the Karuna faction, roaming the camps and even distributing relief goods," Purna Sen, Amnesty's Asia Pacific director, said in a statement. Col Karuna split from the Tamil Tigers in 2004. Since then his forces have clashed regularly with the rebels, and there have been reports that the military is backing them. "The Karuna faction appears to operate throughout Batticaloa town with the complicity of the Sri Lankan authorities," Ms Sen said. But the military denies involvement with the breakaway group. A statement issued by the defence ministry said that no armed personnel other than government-commanded security forces are allowed in the camps. Plantation youth may take up arms if this situation continues - Yogarajan Q:So is it also a separate state that you are demanding with a separate regional council? A:No we are not demanding anything. We have merely made a proposal to the All Party Representative Council (APRC) which has requested all parties to submit their proposals. But to call these demands made by the CWC is a very negative approach to it. This is merely a suggestion to address the issues pertaining to the Indian origin Tamil community. Q:What exactly are you proposing? A:We are looking at a Regional Sub Committee that will look after the areas of education, culture and religious affairs for the Tamil people of Indian origin. We believe that this communities development needs cannot be met within the existing administrative system. In areas like schooling or Samurdhi distribution the minority groups, like those of Indian origin feel a sharp discrimination. We feel that personal development of this community cannot be met under this system. We strongly believe that the development needs of, particularly minority communities, must be met by development or administrative committees that have a larger portion of members from that community. There is a great need for these especially in areas like culture or religion. Our proposal is really similar to what has been proposed under the APRC. Q:So how will this council function? What will be its base? A:The Council will be based in Nuwara Eliya and will deal with all issues pertaining to peoples of Indian origin. In a sense it will be a structure similar to how the Ministry of Estate Infrastructure handles issues relating to development. Nuwara Eliya will cover three districts in the Central province. These are all plantation districts. What we are proposing is very similar to the regional structure proposed by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress for a regional base for the South East in Kalmunai. We are very willing to accept the proposal made in the Group A and B reports of the Experts Committee. These reports have really supported the creation of a structure that can deal directly with issues of the estate sector. That proposal is in fact almost an unanimous acceptance of our needs. Q:What is the land demarcation envisaged under the proposal? A:There will be five regional committees instead of the present provincial councils. This is really a proposal made by the late leader of the CWC Minister Saumyamurthi Thondaman in 1997 to the then Chandrika Kumaratunga government. That proposal looks at one regional council in the North East, one for the North West, one in the Central region consisting of districts that have similar geographical qualities like those of the plantation areas. The Southern region will also draw in Moneragala. And the Western province naturally will be a separate one because it’s the most developed and its needs are different to those of the others. The late Leader Thondaman had agreement with the late Leader of the SLMC A. H .M. Ashraff that both communities should have such sub regional committees. Q:You spoke of discrimination faced by the community in the distribution of Samurdhi funds. But isn’t this really a problem faced also by the Sinhala, Muslim and other Tamil communities where party politics plays a bigger role than ethnic discrimination? A:No it is not a political problem at all. It is a problem associated with a failed administrative mechanism. It is this failure to address issues with ethnic community needs that is affecting the system. What is the share of employment for people of Indian origin in the estate sector?The late President Premadasa tried to rectify this by creating an ethnic ratio for employment but it was abandoned by the People’s Alliance government on technical grounds. It is such administrative problems malfunctions that deny the minority communities with a fair share in development funds that has created this problem. This situation is seriously affecting the personal development of the Tamil people of Indian origin. Q:In areas like education, hasn’t there been an increase in funding for the schools in the estate sector over the last decade? A:Compared to the population how many students of Indian origin enter the universities? The schools are still very backward. We need some affirmative action to convert these institutions. When we have a regional body in place we are better able to do this. Q:What are the real differences between the councils you propose and the provincial councils in place today? What assurance do we have that these councils won’t also end up being the white elephants that the Provincial Councils have become? A:The difference is that the devolution of power to the provinces has not been realistic. The present councils have no authority to even appoint a teacher to a school. The situation has become so drastic that Chief Ministers are leaving their posts to become Members of Parliament. There have been three Chief Ministers who left their posts to go to Parliament. They would rather be MPs than be Chief Ministers, in sharp contrast to India where a Chief Minister wields much more power than a Minister in Parliament. That is the difference that has to be bridged by the kind of proposal we are making. There has to be real power and real devolution where all powers are granted to the regions so that the administrative wrongs can be rectified. Q:How do you think the proposal can help solve the national problem facing the country today? A:It can certainly solve the problem on the long term. In a sense it can basically help stop any conflict that may crop up in the future from the areas of the Tamils of Indian origin. Q:Are you saying that the estate youth today are so frustrated that they may also take up arms against the government? A:They are certainly very frustrated but they have not taken up arms because of the responsible leadership given to them by the CWC. They may take up arms in the future if this situation continues. But things can be made different by remedying the situation. Q:How serious really is the discrimination you speak of? A:The discrimination is first in administration as there is no fair share of power or decision making. Any Tamil person going to get anything done in a government department has to speak in an alien language. Why? We should be ale to carry out our dealing in our own language with our own government. We will only be true citizens of the country when we are able to feel we are equal to every other person in the country. Our self esteem must be respected. That is our cause. Q:What really is the difference between what you are asking for and the Eelam demanded by the LTTE in the North? A:What the LTTE wants is a separate state but they will still settle for democratic devolution. It is the way that their needs are projected that a problem starts. It is just projected as a separate state. We are asking for a fair share of power. Branding our proposals as demands is very unfair. I don’t think you should look at it as asking for a malayanadu. The sub- regional council is being proposed within the Constitution of Sri Lanka. Q:How confident are you that the APRC will be able to deliver upon the needs? A:There was a four year time period in making the Indian Constitution. That is why with so much diversity the different communities are so united. We must look at similar problem solving mechanisms to our needs. We are not entirely sure if the APRC has the capacity to solve the problem. But with the APRC we now have a forum for the different opinions. Why can’t we see if we can solve our problems through that forum? Whether we are able to solve our problems under the present President or not, there is a process we are participating in. And if everyone accepts it and the government dares to go ahead we will be very glad to help that process. We just want to use the opportunity that we have been granted. Q:But the very reports of the expert committee we received with much negative opinion. How do you see that opposition? A:These are all stands taken by individuals. But what we need now is to go beyond and through the process. After all the proposals have to finally go to the LTTE and being used as a starting point to a final solution. Q:There is a fear that the rights of the Sinhalese and the Muslim communities in the plantation areas may be threatened by the proposal made by you? A:There will be no problem to the rights of other communities. Today Tamils are living with Sinhaese and Muslims in their areas. Why should the Sinhalese be so scared to be without majority power? Is it because they have been exploiting this situation for so long? This is really the whole problem we face today. Why should the Sinhale people feel that they should always have power? This is merely a proposal to rectify administrative failures. Why should the people fear it so much? When the Muslims asked for an administrative committee in Kalmunai they alleged that they were demanding a separate state. All they wanted was an administrative issue to be met. This is merely a mechanism to understand the needs of the minority communities better. Unless the people change this attitude we will continue to face these problems. 14 March 2007 The most unreliable & worst country in the world is Sri Lanka- Kiriella UNP parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella says Sri Lanka has become the worst country to live and the most unreliable country in the world after one year's governance under the Mahinda Chinthana.Addressing a media briefing in Colombo this morning he said that even after a month has passed by since a minister of the government accused Presidential advisor Basil Rajapakse for having a secret pact with the LTTE, Basil or the President is yet to come out and declare its stand.He said at the end of Geneva talks last April the government and the LTTE issued a joint statement that they would adhere to the CFA but reminded that the head of the government delegation minister Nimal Siripala de Silva at the begging of the talks said that the CFA should be thrown and the LTTE should be disarmed. Kiriella said this was a clear sign of an agreement between the government and the LTTE.He said that it was clear that the government had promised to unarm the Karuna faction, not to invade LTTE territory and not to carry out air strikes to Kilinochchi. The UNP MP said that the government has failed in its attempts to reinstate the country's stance before the international community adding that not a single politician was murdered during Ranil Wickremesinghe's 2 years regime. He added that it was the LTTE that was in the seat of the suspect's seat on human rights violations then, but said it has all changed as a minister also has lodged a complaint to the human rights commission. Kiriella said if a government has fulfilled its obligations such things wouldn't have occurred.He said abducting Tamil businessmen for ransom by close allies of the government has become a public secret. He said that it has been more than 100 days since journalist Parameshwari was detained and warned that other journalists also could face the same situation.He said that when businessmen are abducted investors wouldn't dare come to the island adding that Sri Lanka has become a lawless state before the international community. Lanka won’t accept Indians on SLN vessels Sri Lanka will not consent to the deployment of Indian navy or Coast Guard personnel on board her vessels, hunting for LTTE craft in the Gulf of Mannar and the high seas, official sources said yesterday contradicting an Indian claim that Sri Lanka’s Chennai based Deputy High Commissioner Hamza had conveyed readiness to allow Indian personnel onboard SLN vessels at talks with a high level DMK delegation on alleged attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen. Subsequent to Monday’s meeting in Chennai, Indian news agencies quoted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi as saying that Sri Lanka agreed to let Indian naval personnel board their ships during patrolling in the Palk Straits to prevent possible recurrence of attacks on Indian fishermen.This was conveyed by the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner , Karunanidhi added. Authoritative officials dismissed the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s assertion. "There is absolutely no truth in this," a senior official said. Dismissing accusations that the SLN had recently attacked Tamil Nadu fishermen in Indian waters, the official pointed out that the Indian fishing fleet operates freely in Sri Lankan waters. "In fact, we are turning a blind eye to their growing presence in our waters," the official said. The DMK delegation to Monday’s talks was led by State Electricity Minister N. Veerasamy. The meeting took place in the backdrop of a protest rally, in Chennai, against attacks on fishermen. Karunanidhi’s son M. K. Stalin had been a key participant at the rally.Sri Lanka has reiterated her willingness to work out modalities for co-ordinated patrolling of the Palk Straits to prevent any untoward incidents. In the event of such an eventuality, Indian authorities would be forced to curb Indian trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters. Co-ordinated or joint patrolling did not mean Indian navy or Coast Guard personnel coming onboard SLN Offshore Patrol Craft (OPVs) and Fast Attack Craft (FACs), a senior official said. Referring to the attack on an Indian trawler south west of Kachchativu Island on March 10, he stressed that SLN units did not enter the Indian side of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). "There is absolutely no truth in claims that SLN units violated IMBL on three previous occasions recently," he said. The Sri Lankan military said that the LTTE was using the Indian fishing fleet, sometimes forcibly. A confrontation between SLN units and an Indian trawler commandeered by Sea Tigers in the Gulf of Mannar last November revealed this link.An Indian fisherman captured by the SLN after the destruction of the trawler carrying armaments believed to be mortars, claimed that Tamil Nadu fishermen were regularly forced by the LTTE to engage in arms smuggling. He said several of his colleagues had been seized along with their fishing craft by Sea Tigers operating in Indian waters. The seizure of an Indian Dhow carrying over 60,000 electrical detonators off Kachchativu on January 26 last year revealed the extent of the growing link between the LTTE and Tamil Nadu fishing community. Sri Lanka released the five-man Tamil Nadu crew along with their trawler, the military said adding that even the fisherman captured last November did not face charges. He too was released, the sources said.But nothing could be as incriminating as last month’s seizure of an LTTE craft off the South coast of India. The Indian Coast Guard arrested five persons-three Sri Lankan Tamils and two Indians. Although Coast Guard Regional Commander Rajendra Singh initially declared that the boat was heading towards the Tamil Nadu coast, India subsequently claimed that the explosives-laden craft was on its way to mount a suicide attack on Kankesanturai harbour. Claiming that it posed a security threat, India blasted the craft but is yet to respond positively to Sri Lanka’s request for access to the five suspects to facilitate the ongoing investigations into LTTE activity. The sources pointed out that the hotly disputed Indian claim of 15 explosives-laden LTTE craft waiting to attack Sri Lankan targets including the Colombo harbour was made in the backdrop of the unprecedented controlled destruction of a captured LTTE vessel. TNA delegations meet British, Japanese ambassadors Batticaloa district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians appealed to the British Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr. Dominic Silcott Monday, urging the International Community to pressure Sri Lanka government to stop artillery attacks into civilian populated areas in Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held areas and to provide the necessary facilities to the people displaced in the recent violence. The meeting lasted an hour starting at 2:30 p.m. Monday. S. Jeyanandamoorthy, P. Ariyanenthiran, T. Kanagasabai and Ms. K. Thangeswari comprised the group that met the British Ambassador.Meanwhile, twelve TNA parliamentarians met with the Japanese Ambassador Thursday and briefed him of the government shelling in the Eastern province, and the worsening humanitarian situation as increasing numbers are being displaced from areas of violence, Ariyanenthiran said. Minister complains of extortion racket by Karuna group Rs. 5 million each demanded from 30 businessmen in Colombo A massive extortion racket allegedly by the Karuna group has been reported to the Defence Ministry and the police by a government minister following complaints by a large number of Tamil businessmen.Several Tamil businessmen had complained to Deputy Vocational and Technical Training Minister, P. Radhakrishnan that persons claiming to be from the Karuna group had in the months of January, February and early March demanded a ransom of Rs. 5 million each in exchange for their security.The Morning Leader learns the ransom demand had been made of 20 businessmen from Old Moor Street, Colombo and 10 businessmen in Wellawatte. Ransom demands had been made by a person named Neelavan using mobile number 0723705608, a person named Seelan using mobile number 0779791317 and a person named Master using mobile number 0775947338. The Morning Leader learns that following the ransom demand and the complaints received by Deputy Minister Radhakrishnan, he had telephoned the alleged extortionists and warned them against such actions.It is learnt that Neelavan had told the Deputy Minister that they were from the Karuna group and needed money to carry out their operations and for the Deputy Minister not to interfere.Deputy Minister Radhakrishnan had also called the Karuna office in Batticaloa to complain over the ransom demands, but had been told the persons named were not from the Karuna group.It is also learnt that Deputy Minister Radhakrishnan had later informed Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse of the ransom demands and furnished the number of Neelavan for appropriate action.It is further learnt that Radhakrishnan had also informed IGP Victor Perera in writing together with the telephone numbers and the ransom demand made by Seelan and Master. Contacted by The Morning Leader, Deputy Minister Radhakrishnan confirmed that he had received complains by several businessmen on the ransom demand and that he had brought it to the notice of the Defence Ministry and the police.Radhakrishnan also said that he had spoken to the alleged extortionists and that they claimed to be from the Karuna group though the political office of Karuna had denied any knowledge.The Morning Leader learns that neither the Defence Ministry nor the police had informed Radhakrishnan of any steps taken with regard to an investigation.Meanwhile, Spokesperson for the Karuna group, Azath Moulana denied to The Morning Leader any involvement in the extortion racket and said it was done by parties to bring disrepute to TMVP (Karuna’s political party)."This cannot be so. Anyone demanding ransom money would not identify themselves," he said. 'Karuna's men in IDP camps' - Amnesty Armed grouos in IDP camps According to government officials and the relief organisations in the area,thousands of people have been fleeing their homes after intense fighting in the eastern regions of Trincomalee and Batticaloa over the weekend, pushing the number of displaced people to well over 120,000.Amnesty report draws concern on the activities of the Karuna group;"We are hearing reports of armed men, wearing the uniforms of the Karuna faction, roaming the camps and even distributing relief goods," said Purna Sen, Asia Pacific Direct at Amnesty International."The Karuna faction appears to operate throughout Batticaloa town with the complicity of the Sri Lankan authorities." 'Campagn against government' The government denies the allegations saying the current campaign by human rights organisations is timed for the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva. "This is the campaign promoted by LTTE sympathisers", say Minister Rambukwella.The accusations and concern of the Amnesty International echo an earlier complaint made by the leader of the Muslim Congress, Rauf Hakeem. The report say,"The military action of the Karuna faction in the east has increased violence and displacement. Analysts observe that the Sri Lankan Army tolerates its military camps as the Karuna faction has assisted in the Sri Lankan military campaign against the Tamil Tigers".According to Amnesty International, "The people who have been forced to flee the fighting are in an extremely vulnerable position: they have left behind their livelihoods and their homes, they may not know the area and they are likely to be very scared. The government has a responsibility to ensure that camps are safe and civilian in nature -- it is unacceptable for men with guns to be wandering around as if they're in control." Military standing by Focusing on a particular which occured recently in Batticaloa, "In one previously unreported incident on 9 March, a 15-year-old boy was approached by a white van as he waited for a bus at a temple near an IDP camp. Armed men tried to pull him into the van, but his struggling and screams attracted a crowd and the abductors fled. A witness said members of the Sri Lankan army watched the incident but did not step in to help the boy". "Incidents with white vans are more of psycological thing. It relates to the memories of a different era. Yet, if these incidents are reported to us, it is the resposibility of the police to investigate them." says minister Rambukwella."As the fighting continues, we fear even more people will be forced to seek protection in the camps -- and basic necessities like food and water will be stretched even further," said Purna Sen. "The government must act now to ensure supplies can meet the increasing demand."The reporters from the area, say the sanitary conditions of the refugees is a main concern as the numbers are increasing at a rate that is difficult to manage. Kfirs strike Thoppigala UN reports 137 disappearances in February One hundred and thirty seven disappearances were reported from the north and east last month, with Vavuniya having the largest victim rate of 47, the UN said."The number of disappearances reported to the Human Rights Commission continues to stay high with 137 reported disappearances including 47 for Vavuniya District alone," the Joint UN North East Situation Monitoring Report – February 2007 said.It said that the security situation still remained tense though some areas like Jaffna had shown a slight improvement."Attendance of children in schools has improved in Jaffna, Ampara and Batticaloa but the movements of people and the security situation continue to affect all concerned areas of the north and east.""Though still of high concern, a decrease of security incidents is reported with 138 victims (250 in January) with Trincomalee and Vavuniya being the worst affected," it said. The UN also said 75 projects continued to be disrupted due to the ongoing violence.The IDP count was 200,000 at the end of the month, but has been pushed up by at least 40,000 more with the recent exodus from Tiger held areas west of Batticaloa. Condition of fasting prisoners worsens The condition of 43 Tamil political prisoners on hunger strike for the third consecutive day in Welikada Prison is fast deteriorating, prison officials said. The prisoners have been held in Welikade for more than a year without charges. The prisoners are demanding immediate release or be provided bail, and their cases be transferred to courts in their own districts, relatives of the prisoners said. The political prisoners from the districts of Jaffna, Batticaloa, Mannar, Kilinochchi, Badulla and Hatton have been kept in the prison for more than one year, without any trial. The prisoners said they will giveup their fast only when the Minister of Justice, Dylan Perera, visits them and gives due assurances.Six Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarians, TELO Leader Selvam Adaikkalanathan, Vanni District, K. Sivanesan, Jaffna District, K. Pathmanathan, Amparai District, S. Jeyananthamoorthy, Batticaloa District, P. Ariyaneththiran, Batticaloa District, and M. K. Eelaventhan, visited the political prisoners on Sunday and requested them to give up their fasting until Mr. Dylan Perera, who is away from the country, returns home. The political prisoners refused to accede to the request.Earlier, 22 Tamil political prisoners from neighboring Magazine Prison gave up fasting campaign after the Minister of Justice gave assurances that he will expedite legal procedures of their cases. No general elections till 2010 – Rajitha There is a rumour that President Mahinda Rakapakse will dissolve parliament and hold a general election.There will be no general election until 2010, Construction and Engineering Minister Rajitha Senaratne told the media yesterday.Minister Senaratne said that President Mahinda Rajapakse had convened a SLFP central committee meeting and had asked the committee for its views on a dissolution of Parliament.The committee had agreed that dissolution was not necessary as the government had 123 seats and had asked the President to continue.President Rakapakse had subsequently called a meeting of the party for its opinion on dissolution.The members had also agreed to support the government and they had said that dissolution of Parliament was not necessary.Senaratne added that President Rajapakse had then convened another Cabinet meeting for its views and comments on dissolution ,but the Cabinet had unanimously agreed not to dissolve parliament and had recommended that the government canvasses the support of the UNPers to form a stronmg government.Stalwarts of the UNP had already joined the Government after President Rajapakse and the UNP leader had signed the MoU. Minister Senaratne said that the charge by Sooryarachchi that the government had signed a secret pact with the LTTE why should the government launch a mnassive counter offensive against the LTTE.The government was doing its best to defeat the enemy capturing LTTE strongholds in the East and had planned a massive scale military operation against the LTTE in the North.Referring to the UNP,Minister Senaratne said that UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe had been meting out dictatorial powers in the party and he was a law unto himself. Ranil Wickremasinghe had also violated the UNP party constitution as he had appointed 68 members to the working committee at his own discretion although the committee should comprise 50 members. Ranil Wickremasinghe was extremely happy with Mangala and Sooriyaarchchi whose rebellious attitudes had caused some problems.Minister Dharmadasa Banda said that conspiracies against the government were surfacing gradually and a non-cabinet minister Siripathy Sooriyaarchchi had openly said that he had talks with the LTTE and all these were downright lies.Eighteen members of the UNP joined the government to make use of the contents of MoU and they always denounce the lame duck leadership of the UNP’s Ranil Wickremasinghe. UNP to decide on APRC participation after March 15 The UNP will decide this week its future participation in the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) after the party’s deadline to the government to submit its proposals by March 15 lapses.The SLFP is expected to submit its proposals to the APRC tomorrow, but the UNP has called for the government to submit its proposals if the party is to participate in future deliberations.The Morning Leader learns the SLFP proposals are to be placed before the party’s central committee today for ratification by President Mahinda Rajapakse but sources said it falls short of the Union of Regions proposed by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga in the year 2000.Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told The Morning Leader the UNP will wait till March 15 to see if the government submits its proposals to resolve the ethnic conflict and then decide on its future participation in the APRC. The UNP has announced that it will not accept the SLFP’s proposals as those reflecting that of the government. Meanwhile, the CWC and the JHU too have finalised their proposals but have informed APRC chairman, Science and Technology Minister Tissa Vitharana that they would submit them after studying the SLFP proposals.Minister Vitharana told The Morning Leader he was hopeful the SLFP proposal would be submitted today following which he will forward them to the other parties represented in the APRC including the UNP and JVP.Vitharana also said he hopes to summon a meeting of the APRC next week to discuss all the amendments forwarded by the respective parties to his report and had urged the JVP too to submit its proposals and participate in the discussions. Bogollagama to brief UN Secy Gen. Hotel owner shot dead Two persons including the owner of a hotel at Wadduwa were shot dead Monday night (12) at the hotel. A third casualty in the shooting was admitted to the Panadura Hospital.The deceased were identified as Dhammika Hemachandra, the owner of the hotel and Parakrama Hemachandra. The injured person was identified as Thevasara Wadduwa police said.Police said the motive for the killing was a private dispute. Postman, civilian killed in DPU claymore attack A postman and another civilian were killed in a claymore mine attack carried out by the Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Monday morning at fourth mile post along Madhu-Parapukadanthan road in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held territory in Mannar district. The postman has been identified as Fernando Arulananthan Croos, 48, and the civilian has not been identified yet, sources said.The postman, earlier a resident of St.Mary's Street in Adamban had sought refuge in Madhu refugee camp with his family following heavy artillery fire by the government security forces towards his village. He was cycling towards Vattakandal Sub-Post Office at 10:00 a.m Monnday to report for work hit a claymore mine. Another Tamil civilian was also killed in the explosion. Both died on the spot, sources said.Body of the postman was handed over first to Vidathaltivu rural dispensary and later to his relatives, sources said.Two days before this incident Saturday LTTE killed a soldier of the SLA deep penetration unit at Periyathambanai area held by LTTE and he was identified as Corporal Senaratne of Kadugannawa in Kandy district in central province. Body of the soldier was handed over to army officers Monday afternoon at the Mannar general hospital, sources said. CMC briefs German Ambassador The Civil Monitoring Committee (CMC) met German Ambassador Juergen Weerth in Colombo yesterday and discussed the human rights situation in Colombo and the north east.Parliamentarians Mano Ganesan, Lakshman Kiriella, Suresh Premachandran and CMC Chairman Sirithunga Jayasuriya took part in the discussion with the Ambassador.The CMC in a statement said that the Ambassador was apprised on the details of the current wave of abductions, disappearances and also the internally displaced people in the east.Second Secretary, German Embassy, Cornelius Huppertz was also present at the discussion. 13 March 2007 Muslims also want separate region The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) in a bid to ensure Muslim representation when a final settlement comes through, put forward proposals to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC), asking for a separate South-East Region including the electorates of Kalmunai, Samanturai and Pothuvil. The proposed Muslim region is similar to the sub-region for Tamils of Indian origin, carved out of the Central, Sabaragamuwa provinces and the Badulla district called for earlier by the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC). SLMC General Secretary, MP Hassan Ali said yesterday the non-contiguous Muslim areas in the districts of Batticaloa, Mannar and Trincomalee should also be attached to this separate unit for administrative purposes.“This unit should be a fully-fledged administrative and political unit,” he said. Mr. Ali said a decision regarding the re-merger of the northern and eastern provinces should be taken only at the negotiation table.Asked to comment on Muslim dominated areas in other parts of the county, he said the ethnic conflict was found only in the northern and eastern provinces; hence devolution of power was applicable only to such areas. Meanwhile, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) is yet to submit their proposals to the committee with amendments to the initial report drafted by Prof. Vitarana who heads the APRC.JHU Policy Maker, Paatali Champika Ranawaka said they had assigned their legal committee to draft their proposals. Sri Lanka Marxists contemplate drastic action against power devolution Sources from Sri Lanka's Marxist People's Liberation Front (JVP) say the party is considering severe action if the anticipated proposals from the ruling party to resolve the country's ethnic conflict exceed the Mahinda Chinthana manifesto and include maximum devolution of power. The ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is to submit its proposals to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) this week. The proposals are reportedly bent towards maximum devolution while maintaining an undivided country. JVP sources said the SLFP proposals could be considered the government’s proposals and they should not exceed the mandate that has been given to the Mahinda Chinthana manifesto. JVP Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa said in Parliament last week that his party will resign from the Parliament if maximum devolution were proposed. Japanese envoy on special visit A top Japanese government official is in Sri Lanka on a special visit that was kept under wraps and is expected to discuss key issues, including human rights violations, a highly placed government official said yesterday.Japan’s Foreign Ministry, Director General, Chihiro Atsumi, who arrived on Sunday evening, will have a series of meeting with government ministers including Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama. It was not clear whether the visiting envoy would meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa.The visiting envoy, who will be here until tomorrow evening is expected to discuss economic issues with Sri Lankan leaders. The visit of the Foreign Ministry official to Colombo has been kept under wraps owing to the sensitivity of the visit, the official said. This latest visit of a Japanese diplomat has come days after the United States sent an envoy to Sri Lanka. Deputy State Secretary, Steven Mann was in Sri Lanka on March 8 and 9 and had talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and government officials about the human rights situation in the country.Early last week, the US came down hard on both the Government and the LTTE for large scale human rights abuses. A report on Human Rights Practices in Sri Lanka released by the US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour revealed human rights violations, including unlawful killings by Government agents, high profile killings by unknown perpetrators and politically motivated killings by paramilitary forces associated with the Government and the LTTE. Protest in TN against SL Navy Karunanidhi calls for joint patrolling Following increased firing incidents by the Sri Lankan navy on Indian fishermen, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today has called for joint patrolling with Sri Lanka on international waters. This statement comes on a day when a massive rally was organised by the DMK in Chennai to protest against the firing. Later, a Tamil Nadu govt delegation submitted a memorandum to the Sri Lankan High Commission in the city. Incidents of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy on Indian Tamil fishermen has become an issue of serious concern in Tamil Nadu after the deaths of three fishermen. Seven incidents of firing, targeting Tamil fishermen, have been reported so far. Now, Karunanidhi's statement on joint patrolling comes in direct contrast to India's long term stand that there will be no joint patrolling with the Sri Lankan navy as this would mean active participation in Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict.Following criticism over firing on Indian fishermen for allegedly crossing territorial waters, the Sri Lankan govt has issued a clarification saying its Navy did not enter Indian territory. "The Govt of Sri Lanka wishes to state categorically that the Sri Lankan navy has no involvement whatsoever with any of the reported incidents. The Sri Lanka Navy would not under any circumstances infringe into Indian territorial waters by crossing the IMBL. The Sri Lankan navy head quarters has also carried out an immediate and thorough inquiry concerning the reports," the clarification read. `Sri Lanka to let Indian naval personnel on board its naval ships` JJ in Tamil Nadu to inquire into refugees’ plight The UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, has sent a representative to look into the concerns of Sri Lankan refugees in South India. Accordingly, the UNP assistant secretary for human rights and relief, Dr Jayalath Jayawardena, left for South India yesterday, on a four day visit, to look into the well-being of Sri Lankan refugees in Tamilnadu, who fled from the country in 2005, 2006 and 2007.Dr. Jayawardena is expected to meet Tamil Nadu authorities as well as leaders of voluntary groups who handle the welfare of Sri Lankan refugees, during his visit. Heck of a Chinthana, Heck of a law & Heck of a Business The Defense Secretary who has ordered to cancel the sales agencies of Dialog GSM has taken over the agencies to "Lanka Logistic & Technologies" company in which Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse is a share holder.The other share holders of this company are Secretary of the Finance Ministry P.B. Jayasundara, Commanders of the Three armed forces, IGP, Sudharshan Senarathne and Mohan Peries.The main agents of the Dialog GSM was CBE. Tiran Allas and Dushyantha Basnayake who is also under detention are the directors of this company. The Defense Secretary has ordered that all the agents of the company be with held and all the new agents should go through the ministry. Which means even if the company wants to appoint new agents it could be done only if the Defense Ministry gives approve.These measures are being taken to hamper the activities of Tiran Allas who is the head of the Maubima Newspaper. The aim of suspending the agencies is to stop the CBE company gain revenue and thereby stop funds being transferred to the newspaper. Mangala hits out at Gotabhaya Former Ministers Mangala Samarawerera and Sripathi Sooriyarachchi earlier yesterday expressed dismay over Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s failure to show up for an inquiry held at the Human Rights Commission. “Mr. Rajapaksa has once again absconded from attending the Human Rights Commission and made a mockery of it,” Mr. Samaraweera told the media at a media briefing. Mr. Samaraweera said the decision to provide five handpicked security officers by the Defence Secretary for both of them was suspicious. “Both President Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Rajapaksa will have to be responsible if some thing untoward happens to us,” he said. Retired Judges I. M. Liyanage and Dudley Karunaratne who were present for the hearing decided to postpone the inquiry till March 18. Home guard injured in LTTE bomb blast at K’gollawa A home guard was seriously injured in an LTTE claymore mine attack on a group of soldiers and home guards on patrol duty in Kebethigollawa yesterday.The injured home guard was identified Vasantha Kumara (20).Kebithigollewa police said two claymore bombs were set off around 6.45 a.m. and a home guard was injured. He was rushed to the Kebithigollewa hospital and later transferred the Anuradhpura Hospital.Police said LTTE cadres had stolen into the FDLs at night and had set up the two claymore mines, which they set off as the army-home guard patrol had entered the area. Police also said that the home guards who were to report for night duty had not turned up on Sunday night giving the opportunity for the LTTE cadres to enter the area without a problem. New clashes in eastern Sri Lanka Sri Lanka's defence ministry says soldiers have recovered the bodies of 14 Tamil Tigers after a battle in the east of the country. There has been escalating fighting as government forces try to drive the rebels from pockets they still control. The confrontation took place after dark in Batticaloa district. Soldiers on patrol came across a group of Tamil Tigers and clashes broke out. One soldier was killed and 10 wounded. The Tigers have not commented. People in Batticaloa say there was heavy artillery and rocket fire throughout Sunday. More refugees have crossed from Tiger controlled areas in the district into government held territory, while more than 40,0000 people have fled their homes in recent days. Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapakse, has called on the police to be more responsible and intervene to prevent extortion and human rights violations. The bodies of 10 people, the victims of execution style killings, have been recovered in the last two weeks. The president said the murders were an attempt to discredit the government. International rights organisations say abuses have increased as Sri Lanka has slid back into civil war. The situation in the country is likely to be discussed when the United Nations Human Rights Council meets in Geneva this week. Body with gunshot wounds recovered in Vavuniya Vavuniya police recovered the body of a youth shot dead with hands bound behind at Anna Nagar area in Poonthodam, Vavuniya Monday morning. Unidentified armed men arriving in two cars shot dead the youth Sunday around 5:30 p.m, according to neighbours.The body of the youth, estimated to be about 30 years, is kept at Vavuniya Public hospital for identification.The youth was not a local resident and he may have been brought from elsewhere and shot dead near Muthmari Amman Temple at Anna Nagar in Vavuniya, the Village Officer said.Vavuniya District Magistrate conducted inquest into death and directed Vavuniya police to continue investigation. Cat out of the bag.. Do you know of anyone in your villages who is a UNP supporter that has been abducted? Or have they been harassed? Or have any of the JVP supporters been abducted? Have any of the Tamils in the upcountry been abducted? Have anyone who belong to a political party being abducted? But if you look at the papers our security forces personnel have abducted so many people. Those editors of the newspapers are moving about freely. Are they being abducted? No one has abducted them.The above statement was made by Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse during a discussion held at the presidential secretariat under the auspices of President Mahinda Rajapakse.The Defense Secretary appears to say that any one who belong to a democratic political party is not been abducted. Does it mean that those who don't belong to a political party are being abducted? Sri Lankan Pastor, Sons Missing Amid 'Shocking' Abduction Trend Pastor Victor E.M.S. Yogarajan, 51, of the Gospel Missionary Church in the northern city of Vavuniya, his two sons – Daniel, 22, and David, 22 - and Joseph Suganthakumar, 20, have been missing since Mar. 2, reported the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka on Friday.The missing individuals were last known to be in the central-west city of Negombo, where Yogarajan called his wife on the night of Mar. 1. Their disappearance has been reported to the local police but no information has been reported about their whereabouts. The local police in Negombo, Sri Lanka, also said they have no knowledge about the location of the missing pastors and the young men.According to NCEASL, there has been a growing number of disappearances and abductions of civilians recently.The Asian Human Rights Commission reports that disappearances in Sri Lanka occur at the rate of one for every five hours.“This is indeed a shocking trend for any nation, particularly for a Democratic nation such as Sri Lanka with an elected government,” commented NCEASL in an appeal letter. Sri Lanka officially ended a two-decade civil war in 2002, but violence has persisted between the rebels from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the elected government. LTTE says it is fighting to create a separate state for the country’s 3.1 million ethic minority Tamils, which it says is being discriminated against in Sri Lanka.In January, an NCEASL pastor, the Rev. Nallathamby Gnanaseelan, was shot dead by security forces on the streets. The 38-year-old Sri Lankan pastor was not involved in any political activity but the police initially accused him of carrying explosives and said they shot him after he refused to halt when they ordered him to stop.In addition to abductions and killings of innocent civilians, reports also indicate that the fighting has resulted in church bombings.Last December, a grenade was thrown at police guarding a church conducting Christmas service with some 500 people inside. The Tamil Tigers were accused of throwing the grenade that killed a policeman and wounded three others. Similarly, in June the navy fired and threw grenade at a church building housing 3,000 people taking refuge from a battle between the LTTE and the navy the previous day. The navy was said to have unreasonable expectation that the civilians provide them with information about the LTTE in the area. Among those that died was a 75-year-old woman when a grenade fell on her head; forty-seven more were wounded in the event.The United Nations estimates that some 70,000 people have been killed and 465,000 displaced by Sri Lanka’s ongoing conflict, including 205,000 uprooted since fighting intensified in April 2006 despite the ceasefire signed in 2002. Secret deal: Ranil demands response from President Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe challenged President Mahinda Rajapaksa to disprove allegations made by former Minister Sripathi Sooriyarachchi that the UPFA signed a secret deal with the LTTE in the run up to the Presidential Elections in 2005. Addressing a public rally in Gampaha Mr. Wickremesinghe asked why Mr. Rajapaksa was remaining silent regarding the allegation.He said the President could not remain silent about the allegation nor about Mr. Sooriyarachchi’s statement that he participated in discussions with the LTTE together with Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa and Civil Aviation Authority Chairman, Tiran Alles. While stating that he forbade his party members to visit Kilinochchi during the election, Mr. Wickremesinghe said it was Basil Rajapaksa who had allegedly met the LTTE both in Colombo and Kilinochchi and paid them a large sum in US dollars.Mr. Wickremesinghe said both Mr. Sooriarachchi and Tiran Alles should be taken in for questioning if the allegations they made were false. “Why has the President invited Mr. Sooriyarachchi to be back in his fold instead of holding an inquiry?” he asked. Hitting out at the Rajapaksa administration he said journalists and media organizations were being harassed by the government. Citing examples saying all the bank accounts of the Mowbima Newspaper group have been frozen. “While the private media are silenced the state media is branding Mr. Rajapaksa as the second Premadasa,” he said.In this context he pointed out that it was Mr. Rajapaksa who attacked President Premadasa most. “It was the Medamulana Walauwa which gave leadership to the campaign against Premadasa,” he added. He said it was Mr. Rajapaksa who brought the impeachment motion against President Premadasa together with some UNP ministers and MPs. He questioned if Mr. Rajapaksa was not ashamed of calling himself the second Premadasa after assassinating the late President’s character, while vowing to defeat the Medamulana Walauwa clique to bring victory to the people. 12 March 2007 CWC demands sub region for Indian Tamils The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) will propose the establishment of five regional councils, including a sub region for upcountry Tamils, with adequate powers to resolve the national conflict. The sub region will be a part of the unit comprising the present Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces.The CWC will submit their proposals to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) assigned with the task of formulating a power sharing package for the resolution of the national problem by incorporating viewpoints of all the political parties.Party spokesman R. Yogarajan told the Daily Mirror yesterday that they had already finalized their proposals to be submitted to the APRC, but would wait till the ruling SLFP announces its stand.Mr. Yogarajan said they wanted powers to determine education, cultural and economic matters pertaining to the Tamils of Indian origin, occupying the central part of the country. “As for the Samurdhi scheme, our people feel that they are being discriminated. Hence, we want powers to select eligible persons within our community, to receive such economic subsidies,” he said.The CWC proposes to amalgamate the North-Central and North-Western provinces as one region, given the geographical and economic similarities in these areas. In addition, the Moneragala district will be attached to the proposed Southern Region. The Western Province will remain as one region, considering the relatively large population and the high development in the area.The spokesman said that they propose to re-merge the Northern and Eastern provinces, along with a sub region for Eastern Muslims, as demanded by the SLMC.Meanwhile, APRC Chairman, Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana said they would summon a meeting after the SLFP submits its proposals this week.Prof. Vitarana said they would take the proposals of each party, step by step, to draft the final report to be sent to the All Party Conference (APC).Asked to comment on the decision by the UNP-New Democratic Party to submit its own proposals to the APRC, the Minister said that he could not take a decision to accommodate them as a separate political party within the Committee.“In the APRC, only the registered political parties are included. The Committee was appointed by the APC. Therefore, President Mahinda Rajapaksa should decide whether to make them a part of the APRC or not. I, alone, cannot decide it,” he said Battle at FM; Bogollagama, Kohona in clash over recruitment Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona are embroiled in a battle of circulars over the recruitment of staff for Sri Lankan missions abroad.On February 22, Mr. Kohona laid down the procedure in a circular to heads of Sri Lanka missions overseas. The circular said the ministry had decided that all recruits in the respective countries would be taken in by the relevant heads of missions and that no persons would be sent to missions on Home Recruited Contractual (HRC) basis in the future.However, just nine days later, Minister Bogollagama cancelled the circular. Acting Foreign Secrtary T.B. Maduwegedera sent out a new circular on March 2 to heads of mission stating that the minister had given orders that the earlier circular be cancelled.The minister's circular also overturned the previous instructions of the secretary which empowered the heads of missions with the selection of suitable local recruits for the approved cadre vacancies and granting extension of services to the existing locally recruited staff.The minister instructed heads of missions not to extend the contract period of locally-recruited staff and to ensure that the staff from Sri Lanka should return on completion of their term.The minister also asked the missions to provide details to the ministry of the locally recruited staff who would be completing their term this year and next.The employment of locally-recruited staff from the host country saves on the expenditure that government has to bear on airfares, accommodation and other overheads for those sent from Colombo. UNHRC 4th session begins today The fourth session of the UN Human Rights Council begins in Geneva today, with member states and Rights groups coming together to address Human Rights (HR) concerns in several countries, including in Sri Lanka.Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasingha is scheduled to address the Council today, where he will brief delegates on the Government’s efforts to address HR concerns in the country. During the fourth session, which goes on till the end of this month, leading Rights groups, including the New York based Human Rights Watch (HRW) are scheduled to discuss the formation of an International Monitoring Mission (IMM) for HR in Sri Lanka. Reports by the special rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, Philip Alston, the UN representative for Children in Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, all three of which cover issues in Sri Lanka, will also be presented at the latest UNHRC session. Speaking to the Daily Mirror last week, the Legal Advisor, HRW, James Ross said that there was a need to create an IMM on HR in Sri Lanka, to supplement the existing presidential commission of inquiry and hopes for Government backing for the proposal. During this session, government reports will also be presented on minority issues, effects of economic reform policies and foreign debt on human rights, racism and racial discrimination, extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, freedom of religion or belief, human rights of migrants, protection of human rights while countering terrorism, freedom of opinion and expression, physical and mental health, education, sale of children and child prostitution, indigenous people, torture, violence against women, human rights and transnational corporations, human rights defenders, internally displaced persons, people of African descent, arbitrary detention, and enforced or involuntary disappearances. 4 disappearances, 4 abductions in 48 hours in Jaffna Human Rights Commission (HRC) offices in Jaffna reported Sunday that four youths have disappeared and four others have been abducted from their houses by armed men wearing black uniforms in the last 48 hours, sources in Jaffna said. Jaffna residents are gripped with fear as abductions by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and SLA-backed paramilitaries under Mahinda Rajapakse Government have exceeded the dangerous levels witnessed during Colombo's 1997 counter-insurgency campaign, civil society sources said.Four youths who had set out from their homes to Jaffna town from different suburbs on different errands disappeared Saturday, according to HRC complaints filed by the relatives. Details of the youths are: 1.Jeyachandran Prathap, 29, from Rasa Veethy (road) in Atchuvely, 1.Jesuthasan Jeyasuthan, 25, from Nethar Lane in Manipay was abducted at 4:30 a.m. Sunday by armed men who entered his house in Manipay, according to relatives, Lankan 'firing' can't be tolerated any more: Karunanidhi Taking strong exception to the "firing" by Sri Lankan Navy on Indian fishermen, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said such acts could not be tolerated any more | ||
