30 March 2008

TELO Leader’s meet Tamil Nadu politicians to halt Eastern polls

Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) has urged Tamil Nadu politicians to intervene on its behalf to stop the impending Eastern Province Provincial Council elections scheduled for May 10.According to TELO sources, the TNA is boycotting the election and is opposing any form of elections in the de-merged east. The Sri Lankan government is disregarding the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord by holding elections to a separate Eastern Provincial Council, thereby effectively preventing its re-merger with the Northern Province, TELO Leaders have said.TELO called for the immediate passage of a bill in the Sri Lankan parliament to effect the remerge of the two provinces. Tracing the genesis of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord signed by the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former Sri Lankan President J. R. Jayewardene on July 29, 1987 which recognised the Northern and Eastern Provinces as the ‘historical habitation’ of the Tamils, TELO Leader’s have said, "The accord made provision for the establishment of a single and elected provincial council for a merged North-East Province for Tamils subject to a referendum in the eastern half to decide on the continuance of its merger with the other half. "With the dissolution of the North-East Provincial Council in July 1990 following the withdrawal of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) from Sri Lanka, the council came under the governor’s rule until October 2006 when the Supreme Court declared the merger as null and void," following an application initiated by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which sought the de-merger of both provinces. TELO Leader’s Selvam Adaikalanathan, N. Srikantha and M.K. Sivajilingam are currently in India. The team of TELO MPs which is in Tamil Nadu is lobbying political support to push a resolution through the National State Assembly to persuade the Central Government to stop the Provincial Council elections in the east.TELO called upon the Government of India to intervene in the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord. "India is duty-bound to act as soon as possible as its political dignity and the fate of Tamils living in the region is at stake," TELO Leader’s have said.

TMVP to contest east polls under UPFA’s ‘betel’ symbol  
       
The Thamil Makkal Vidutalai Puligal (TMVP) has decided to contest the May 10th elections for the Eastern Provincial Council under the ‘betel’ symbol of the United People’s Freedom Alliance, its Secretary E.S. Kaileswararaja has told the media.The party has agreed to field its candidates on a common list with the UPFA after agreement that the post of chief minister should go to a Tamil national,  Kaileswararaja said.The TMVP Secretary says that their candidate for the position is Sivanesaturai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan who will contest from Batticaloa.UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha had previously told the media that the party would not field Pillayan as the chief ministerial contender, as it contests the polls on the theme national unity and east development. Furthermore, JHU’s Patali Champika Ranawaka has said the position should go to the candidate who polls the highest number of preferential votes from the party that gets a majority of seats.He said that there would be no agreement beforehand to offer the position to Pillayan, Athaulla or any other person. Ranawaka said that they would nominate only district level leaders, as it is a requirement necessitated by the election law.The candidate who polls the highest number of preferential votes will automatically get the position of chief minister, the JHU MP said.

Pillayan demands CM post – LSSP and CP break away for polls

The TMVP is demanding a guarantee it will be offered the post of chief minister of the Eastern Province if it is to contest in alliance with the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) -- but the ruling party is not saying yes or no to the demand while longstanding government allies LSSP and the CP have decided to break away for the polls.A senior minister said a deal had been struck with the TMVP but refused to divulge if there had been an agreement to give the Chief Minister’s post to a member of the armed group. TMVP spokesman Azad Moulana said yesterday they were awaiting a response from the UPFA to the party’s three demands. He said that along with the demand for the chief minister’s post, the TMVP or Pillayan Group, was also seeking a specific number of seats for its candidates and sufficient funds to develop the province.He said they were hoping for a response from the government today. Senior Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva who heads the SLFP’s nomination board for the Eastern Province said a meeting would be held at Temple Trees tomorrow to take decisions on various issues, including electoral deals.He confirmed that the SLFP had decided to contest the elections in alliance with the TMVP but declined to give further details. “We are coming as a coalition with the TMVP. That is confirmed.” The minister said the decision on who would be the chief minister would be taken after the elections and not now. The SLFP is reported to have approached the main Muslim party, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) also to join the alliance but the SLMC sources said the party would contest on its own.While the UPFA moved to forge new alliance for the Eastern Province elections, some of its longstanding allies reported that they were breaking away for the eastern polls. A spokesman said five political parties, including the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and the Communist Party (CP) which backed the UPFA during the last Parliamentary and Presidential polls had decided to contest the eastern elections in a new alliance with Tamil parties.The LSSP, the CP, the Sri Lanka Mahajana Party, the Democratic Left Front and the Desha Vimukthi Janatha Pakshaya would field candidates under the banner of the Tamil National Democratic Alliance which consists of the TULF, the PLOTE and the EPRLF (Pathmanabha Wing).A spokesman for the LSSP said the move was aimed at building confidence between left political parties in the south and parties which had similar ideas in the north and east.“We believe that going into an alliance with these Tamil parties will help find the solution to the ethnic issue,” he said.PLOTE leader Dharmalingam Siddarthan confirmed they had reached an agreement with the five southern parties because an earlier attempt to forge an alliance with the EPDP had failed. Nominations for the Eastern Provincial Council elections have already begun and will end on Thursday.In a separate development, the main Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which has decided not to contest the provincial elections, has urged UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to campaign for a merged north and eastern province. The TNA delegation led by party leader R. Sampanthan made the request at a meeting held with the UNP leader.“We will allow the people to decide for whom to vote. We will not be involved in the campaign telling voters to select a particular party,” TNA parliamentarian K. Pathmanadan who took part in the discussions said.

Dr. J.J. meets Batticaloa Deputy Mayor in a templeUNP asks Karuna faction to play fair at Eastern PC election

Amidst a simmering controversy over the Rajapaksa administration’s willingness for its own political gain to play ball with the TMVP which broke from the LTTE, the main Opposition UNP has urged the group to allow a free and fair election to the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC). The first ever election to the EPC is scheduled for May 10th. Asserting the March 10 elections to eight Pradeshiya Sabhas and Batticaloa Municipal Council swept by the armed TMVP hadn’t been free and fair, the UNP has emphasized the importance of giving the Easterners a free hand at the forthcoming election. This transpired at a hastily arranged meeting at Mangalaramaya, Batticaloa between Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena, MP, and Pradeep Master, Deputy Mayor of the Batticaloa Municipal Council last Tuesday. The meeting took place against the backdrop of an insistent demand peddled by the UNP to pressure the government to disarm the group. The UNP’s call has received the backing of all opposition political parties including a section of the JVP which is sharply divided over the issue. Although the JVP has rejected the allegation that its parliamentary group leader, Wimal Weerawansa, has had taken a contradictory position to that of JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe over the question of disarming the TMVP, well informed sources said the JVP had been placed in a difficult position. Weerawansa addressing a press conference called by Patriotic National Front asserted the disarming of the group shouldn’t jeopardize the security of TMVP cadres who played a significant role in the war against the LTTE in the East. Dr. Jayawardena had been on a two-day visit to the Batticaloa District on UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s directive to assess the ground situation ahead of nominations which close on April 3. Wickremesinghe has also directed Vajira Abeywardena and Daya Gamage to carry out similar surveys in the Trincomalee and Ampara districts respectively.Confirming his meeting with Pradeep Master, Jayawardena emphasized it wasn’t a clandestine meeting. "Having heard of my visit, the TMVP wanted to meet me. The Deputy Mayor accompanied by a uniformed policeman and two other youth visited me at Mangalaramaya," he said. The outspoken MP once accused by President Kumaratunga of being an agent of the LTTE said he wouldn’t mind meeting anyone on behalf of the party. He reiterated their concerns the forthcoming election wouldn’t be free and fair due to the TMVP being allowed to retain arms.The TMVP’s second-in-command has told Dr. Jayawardena that they would most probably contest the EPC jointly with the government. Jayawardena said this was a forgone conclusion after the TMVP contested the Batticaloa Municipal Council on the UPFA ticket. He asserted this would give an undue advantage to the government at the forthcoming election.The MP has also visited Vakarai and Chenkaladi during his Batticaloa tour. He expressed satisfaction that he was able to short list several Tamil speaking candidates to contest the Batticaloa district. The final decision would be taken by party Nomination Board, he said.Meanwhile Chief Government Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told a recent meeting of SLFP Galigamuwa organization that the entry of the TMVP into the mainstream would pose a serious threat to the LTTE. Accusing the UNP leader of demanding de-commissioning of weapons with the TMVP while being silent on the LTTE, Fernandopulle emphasized the need to disarm both parties.He expressed the belief that any attempt to disarm the TMVP would be counter productive and would in fact facilitate LTTE operations against their former colleagues.Minister Rajitha Senaratne said the UNP had conveniently forgotten the EPRLF, PLOTE and EROS contested elections to the North East Provincial Council conducted under the auspices of the IPKF in 1988. He criticized the SLFP’s decision to boycott 1988 elections. He ridiculed the UNP leadership for adopting an approach similar to that of the SLFP and strongly backed the TMVP’s right to retain arms as long as an LTTE remained a threat to the breakaway group.

TMVP opposes Muslim unit in east

The Pillayan led TMVP will oppose any move to carve out a separate Muslim unit in the east.TMVP media spokesperson Azath Moulana told The Sunday Leader that the east belonged to all three communities and a separate unit for the Muslims would result in conflict between the communities.He stated that the unity of the Sinhalese, Tamils and the Muslims, who have been living in the east together, would be harmed if measures were taken to carve a separate unit for the Muslims."All three communities have been living in the east for a long time. The east belongs to the people of all communities. We are against measures taken to give a separate unit for the Muslims. We will not endorse that," Moulana said. The APRC last week came out with a proposal for a north-east merger subject to a separate Muslim unit.

Wellawatte posters offering cash to would-be suicide bombers a hoax

Police are investigating a rash of posters put up at Wellwatte persuading would-be suicide bombers to change their minds in return for cash.The posters, worded in Tamil, lists a purported government telephone number, but a top military official yesterday describe the campaign as the "work of mischief-makers"."Neither the government nor the security forces are aware of any such drive to offer money to would-be suicide bombers", Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said."We know nothing about the posters because we have not launched any such campaign", he stressed. "It is a hoax".The posters, which offer Rs. 10 million "to build a new life here or abroad" had been put up only at Wellawatte, a key Colombo south town, with a sizeable Tamil population.Featuring a photograph of a suicide bomber’s severed head, the text on the posters read: "You were also born to live... Why should you carry bombs?" Would-be suicide bombers, known as Black Tigers in the LTTE’ have been urged to call a ‘government telephone number 118’ to turn themselves in. The telephone number, when dialed, was found to be a Defense Ministry hotline, but the officer who answered said he know nothing about an opportunity for would-be suicide bombers to surrender."That’s news to me", he said.It was not immediately clear how ‘mischief makers’ had been able to plaster walls with these posters amidst tight police and army patrols."The police are investigating", Brig. Nanayakkara said. "They are trying to get to the bottom of it".The posters have emerged in the wake of a string of suicide bombings in Colombo over the past few months.

Food shortage in Jaffna

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday claimed that thousands of civilians in the Jaffna District were facing a severe food shortage.According to TNA Parliamentarian Mavai Senathirajah, there is a severe food shortage within the peninsula, due to the ongoing hostilities between government forces and the LTTE.“The prices of goods, including essential items, are skyrocketing, and the people cannot afford them. It is with great difficulties that they purchase their daily needs,” he said.He further said that there weren’t any economic activities in the peninsula, adding that instead, only killings and abductions were on the increase.In the past, the people of Jaffna sent their harvest to Colombo, but with the closure of the A9 Highway, all economic activities had come to an abrupt halt.

Pre-dawn success for military

The security forces have advanced about 700 metres in the north of Illanthivan area, closer to Adampan in Mannar, while killing 10 LTTE cadres and capturing two LTTE bunkers, around 4 a.m. yesterday.Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that the soldiers confirmed having pushed forward and attacked the LTTE bunkers.“Troops are consolidating their positions. So far, no LTTE bodies have been recovered. Security forces have not sustained any injuries during the predawn attack,” Brig. Nanayakkara added.

Military fighting in north without any goals charges LTTE

The military lacks operational goals on the northern battlefronts, LTTE military spokesperson Rasiah Ilanthirayan was quoted as saying in an interview to the Australian Tamil Broadcasting Corporation last week.He had said the military had been fighting in the northern battle front with no specific goals or strategies and added that such operations for a long time with no successes, would result in personnel being de-motivated."They have no goals. They don’t know what their goal is. They don’t know when or where it would end," he had said."This was evident when a soldier had shot his superior when he was not granted leave," he had also said.Ilanthirayan in his interview had further said that the Mahinda Rajapakse government was in a state where it could not end the war it had started.He added that the government had miscalculated that defeating the LTTE was easy."Mahinda had the war as an option when he took over the country. But, it has become his full-time job now. He has made the same mistake made by earlier Presidents and commanders."Ilanthirayan also stated that the military had not achieved successes in the northern front despite using its maximum ability.He had stated that the military was facing heavy resistance by the LTTE in Weli Oya as well. He also added the recent attack on the Navy in Mullaithivu would affect the transportation of goods to the military in the peninsula."Even a sack of rice goes through the area. This path is used for 80% of the goods transportation to the military in the peninsula," Ilanthirayan had also said.Ilanthirayan further stated that the observers were aware that the LTTE had not been weakened considering the attacks on Anuradhapura air base and Katunayake air port."On the other hand our operations such as Unceasing Waves 1, 2 and 3 are still in the minds of everyone. The observers have now started warning the government that the LTTE has not lost its abilities to carry out such operations," he had said.

Sri Lankan police vow to nab politician's killers
 
The Sri Lankan police said here Sunday that an investigation has been launched to nab the killers of a politician from the ruling party. Annamalai Narayanan Muttulingam, 60, was killed by an unknown assassin Saturday evening at Moneragala, about 255 km southeast of the capital of Colombo. The politician from the Tamil minority was the vice chairman of the Moneragala local council and a member of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA). Muttulingam, a medical practitioner by profession, had been shot in the head by the gunman when he was busy in his private dispensary. The police spokesman and deputy inspector general of police, N.K. Ilangakaoon, said the only information they have at the moment was that the killers had arrived in a white van to carry out the murder. Moneragala has been noted for suspected presence of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels since October last year. The government said the rebels feeling the heat of military operations in the Northern Province were trying to disrupt the peace in other areas in order to distract the security forces. Several mine explosions and killings blamed on the Tigers have accounted for the deaths of several military men and scores of civilians in the district.

Viral flu hits Sri Lankan troops in northern war zone

A new crisis has erupted in Sri Lanka's northern war zone with a virtual epidemic of dengue and chikungunya viral fever among troops due to the heavy rains and resultant floods, said a leading local newspaper on Sunday. The Sunday Times disclosed that about 500 troops affected by the viral flu were being treated at hospitals in the Anuradhapura district. Health officials said the crisis had arisen one month ago and health education and viral flu prevention activities were conducted in the affected areas and mosquito nets being widely distributed. Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital Director Sarath Weerabandara said the outbreak began when unexpected heavy rains hit the area including the war zones. He said blood samples had confirmed that the virus was largely chikungunya. Government troops are currently engaged in three different fronts against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels in the north. The fighting has intensified in the northern battle theater after the government's announcement in mid-January to withdraw from the 2002 Norwegian-backed ceasefire with the LTTE. The LTTE has been fighting the troops since the mid-1980s to carve out a separate homeland for the Tamil minority in the north and east, resulting in the death of more than 70,000 people.

Forces chiefs tell President war will continue till end 2009

The President was informed on Friday by the security forces top brass that the security forces would take at least till end 2009 to defeat the LTTE.This message was given to the President by the security forces top brass when the ground commanders in the north were summoned for a meeting with the President on Friday to review the progress made by the security forces in the north.The Sunday Leader learns that the President had inquired from the security forces top brass why the earlier deadlines set by the security forces could not be met.It is learnt that Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka has said that 1,500 elite troops were now being trained and it would take time to deploy them and added that there was also fierce resistance by the LTTE.The army commander had earlier gone on public record stating that 3,000 Tigers would be killed before August and the LTTE eliminated before his term ended.Since that announcement, security forces according to Defence Ministry statistics have killed over 2,500 Tigers and is expected to achieve their targets by mid April.Meanwhile, defence analysts queried why it would take another one and a half years to eliminate the LTTE if only 500 more Tiger cadres are left to be eliminated.Head of the Media Centre for National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle told The Sunday Leader that he could not make any comments on the meeting between the President and the forces chiefs as notes were not taken of such security council meetings.

Liam Fox sees new window of opportunity in Lanka

Liam Fox, a rising star in the Conservative Party in the UK who 11 years ago played a major role in an agreement between the Kumaratunga Government and the UNP to cooperate with each other in resolving the National Question, believes that there is a ``window of opportunity’’ right now to move towards peace in Sri Lanka.Fox, then Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London,and Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar was foreign minister here, mediated an agreement between the government and the UNP that was commonly referred to as the Liam Fox Agreement.That agreement, however, lasted only for a few months did not eventually achieve the desired objective. It committed the governing and main opposition parties not to jeopardize any peace initiative provided they were kept informed in advance of such initiatives with the commitment to stand even if the government changed.Fox, now the shadow defence secretary in the Conservative shadow cabinet last week ended a two day visit here at the invitation of Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama when he met key players in the government (including Bogollagama, Prof. G.L. Pieris, and Mr. Milinda Moragoda) and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe among others.He also met with the breakaway group of the UNP attending a dinner at the home of Mr. Karu Jayasuriya.In an interview with the Sunday Island at the conclusion of the visit, Fox said that he didn’t want to create the impression that ``there’s a great initiative going on,’’ but there was a window of opportunity which will not be open for ever that must not be undermined by party politics.His assessment was that ``there was a genuine window of opportunity’’ that must be seized. This included the chance the government had about demonstrating its concern about reconstructing the East in a way that would give economic opportunities to all the people of that province.``There appears to be a fracture in the LTTE….These are windows that will be open for ever,’’ he said.Fox stressed that party interests must be subordinate to the national interest and the pursuit of such an approach had the potential to achieve a great prize.Following the failure of the previous attempt to achieve a bipartisan agreement, the British politician who is tipped for senior government office in the event of a Conservative victory, has clearly taken a sympathetic view of the situation here and the need for continuing foreign assistance.Asked whether his assessment will be passed on to the British government, Fox who also thoroughly briefed the British High Commissioner here on his visit and what he had discerned, said ``my first stop on my return home will be the foreign office.’’Diplomats noted, and Fox confirmed, that in the UK there is a strong overlap between the government and the opposition particularly on defence and foreign relations with the national interest being paramount.Analysts believe that his assessment of the situation here, particularly in the context of perceived European ``hostility,’’ would be significant. Fox said that the government accepted that there had been shortcomings in the human rights picture but an attempt was being made to put this right.He said in the interview that diplomacy is ``best kept away from the megaphone and held as quietly as possible.’’``Everybody must understand that they are not going to get all they want,’’ he stressed.

29 March 2008

Mahinda Rajapaksa, my role model for taking issues to world – Mano Ganeshan       
  
Leader of the Western People’s Front Mano Ganeshan says it is none other than incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is his role model for getting the international community to exert pressure on the government whenever human rights are violated in Sri Lanka.MP Ganeshan, who is also Convener of the Civil Monitoring Committee, made this comment while participating in the ‘4th Floor’ talk show of Max Television last night (Mar. 28th). He noted that when thousands of Sinhala youths were murdered during the 1988-90 period, it was the then opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa who went to Geneva and took it up with the UN Human Rights Commission. It was also Mahinda Rajapaksa who had invited Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other rights organizations to the country.Similarly, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna made complaints to these organizations, who are now facing the wrath of the government, the JVP and several other groups, Ganeshan noted.The WPF leader said he highly appreciated the present president for these actions, and that he was the role model to him for taking the cause of the Tamil community to the world. Responding to a query from the host of the programme, Ganeshan said that Sri Lanka’s image gets tarnished not because the world is told about its human rights violations, but because of the violations themselves. Mahinda Rajapaksa faced the same accusation I face now, from the then government when he raised a voice against the killing of Sinhala youths, the MP said. However, when he spoke about the rights of the JVP members, he was not branded a JVP supporter. Now, I am branded a Tiger for speaking about the rights of the Tamil people, Ganeshan said, and questioned as to whether it was because he is a Tamil that he is treated differently.Speaking further he said that the 13th Amendment that had been rejected by the Tamil people, was not the solution for their problems.It is part of the law of the country, and the government has a responsibility to ensure its application, the WPF leader said.A federal model, at least similar to the one in India, is the solution to the national issue, he proposed. A separate administrative unit based on language should be allowed, but that does not mean that those who do not speak the Tamil language are not allowed to live there, he added.

UNICEF sacks drug addicted Staff officer

Govt. asks Intl. orgs. to be careful in making appointmentsThe UNICEF has terminated the services of Ms Lisa Woods fined by courts for being in possession of heroin.The Country office of UNICEF in Sri Lanka has informed the Foreign Ministry of its decision. Ms Woods left the country yesterday (28).The Government has stressed the need for international agencies to exercise due diligence when appointments are made with a view to ensuring the high standards of integrity of their staff. A Foreign Ministry communiqué issued yesterday said: "The Country Office of UNICEF in Sri Lanka has informed the Ministry that the services of Ms Lisa Woods, a Communication Consultant who was fined by the Courts for being in possession of 80 mg of heroin was terminated. Consequently she left the country on 28th March 2008. Ms Wood, a US national, had arrived in Sri Lanka on 5th March this year to work with the UNICEF on a 4-month assignment to assist the updating of the UNICEF website and to write donor reports. Ms. Wood has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, of a private hospital in Colombo on 12th March as she was found unconscious in her Hotel.  She was placed under arrest by the Police for the possession of heroin and produced before the Colombo Magistrate on 25th March. The Government appreciates the co-operation extended by UNICEF to the law enforcement authorities and for the immediate administrative measures taken against the officer. The Government reiterates the need for international organizations to exercise due diligence when appointments are made with a view to ensuring the high standard of integrity and conduct of their staff. This will require a thorough assessment of the individual staff members including previous records, in order to satisfy that the staff member concerned possesses an unblemished record. Such measures would avoid any negative consequences on the concerned agencies by the personal conduct of its officials." 

Betel-boat with Pillayan as captain?
   
The Pillayan-led TMVP will decide tomorrow whether to contest the upcoming Eastern Provincial Council elections in alliance with the UPFA and whether to nominate Pillayan as the Chief Minister candidate. TMVP spokesman Azad Maulana said his party and the UPFA were scheduled to meet tomorrow to finalize the list of candidates and other election-related issues. “Our position will be made public after the relevant issues are discussed,” the TMVP  spokesman said. The TMVP had earlier appointed a five-member committee headed by Pillayan to discuss  its list of candidates in case of an alliance between the two parties. The TMVP politburo met last week to discus matters pertaining to the elections, and  appointed the committee to hold talks with the government to sort out existing issues. The party had earlier reach an understanding with the government regarding the number  of slots allotted to the TMVP, when tendering nominations for the poll.

PLOTE, EPRLF, TULF to contest under one wing

People Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) led by D.Siththarathan, Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) led by V.Anandasangaree, and Eelam Peoples Revolutionary Liberation Front (Padmanaba wing) are to contest the Eastern Provincial Council election under the banner Tamil Democratic National Front (TDNF), media reported quoting PLOTE leader Siththarthan. Meanwhile, the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP), an ally of the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Saturday said it would decide on Sunday whether to contest the forthcoming Eastern provincial council election alone or with alliance with the ruling party, according to a news report carried Saturday by the State controlled Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).The news report added that the EPDP party leaders are consulting with the leaders of the UPFA before announcing the decision.

LTTE women cadres cut music disc depicting conflict

An LTTE women music group has cut a disc titled 'Sparks of earthquake' that highlights through a song the protracted conflict in Sri Lanka. The cassette was released recently at rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi in Northern Sri Lanka. The cassette relating to the LTTE war was unveiled at a function at the Kilinochchi Vatakatchi Ramanathapuram west government tamil school, a media report said. While the meeting was chaired by the head of the LTTE cultural affairs, the traditional lighting of lamp ceremony was performed by in-charge of the outfit's Dillipan services, Elumadhi Karikalan. The CD was released in the institute, named after Sencholai, one of the earliest female LTTE cadre to die in the battle field. The first cassette was presented to Shankar, whose two brothers were killed while fighting with the Sri Lankan army, the report said.

Only STF, troops allowed to carry arms – STF chief

The Special Task Force will provide optimum security during the run-up and conduct of the forthcoming Eastern Provincial Council elections, the newly appointed STF Commandant, DIG, K. M. L. S. Sarathchandra said.He said he visited the Eastern Province recently and instructed the STF personnel in the province to do everything possible to ensure that the election campaign and the elections are conducted fairly and freely according to the election laws.He also said no one will be allowed to use arms except the Police and security forces, intimidate or interfere with the democratic political activities or to interfere in the voting or engage in any other illegal activities. "This applies from now onwards," the DIG said. All candidates contesting the elections and the public will be provided with security, he said.All grievances and problems of the STF personnel were looked into and he was personally taking steps to see that personnel who had performed competently were given promotions and increments, he said.

SLFP convention tomorrow to agree on 13th Amendment    
       
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party holds its 18th National Convention at Temple Trees tomorrow (March 30th) under the chairmanship of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. One of the main items on the agenda will be to seek the party’s approval for the All Party Representative Committee’s proposal to implement the 13th Constitutional Amendment as a solution to the national conflict, its General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena has told the media. In addition, the SLFP expects to adopt several other resolutions for bringing down the cost of living and establishing democracy in the north and the east among others.

Top commanders brief President on current security situation

Top commanders of the three forces both in the Wanni and Jaffna battlefields yesterday briefed President Mahinda Rajapakasa on the current ground situation in the operational areas, after  they were summoned for a special Security Council meeting at President’s House in Colombo.“The President was briefed with first hand information about the ongoing security situation in the Vavuniya, Mannar, Welioya and Muhamalai in Jaffna,” a top defence official told the Daily Mirror last night. The meeting which lasted for about five hours was attended by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the three armed forces Chiefs, Jaffna Security Forces Commander  Major General Chandrasiri, General Officer Command (GOC) 57 Division - Vavuniya Major  General Jagath Dias, Brigadier Shavindra Silva (GOC 58 Division - Mannar), Brigadier  Nandana Udawatta (GOC 59 Div Welioya) and Area Commanders of the Navy. The President had reportedly expressed his satisfaction over the progress made in the  ongoing operations despite heavy rains in the battlefield.

9 SSPs transferred       
  
Nine Senior Superintendents of Police have been transferred with immediate effect.They are Nihal Samarakoon (Director at Police Headquarters), Ranjith Weerasuriya (Commandant of Field Headquarters), D.J. Gammanpila (Kandy Division), H.A. Illangasiri (Anuradhapura Division), Willie Abenayake (Kankesanthurai), K.D. Somapala (Kelaniya Division), A.K. Senaratne (Moneragala Division), H.D. Daluwatte (Tangalle Division) and M.G.W.M. Muthubanda (Director at Colombo Crime Division).

Sri Lanka inflation not oil related or imports: IMF study
 
Most of Sri Lanka's inflation is not 'imported' or caused by oil, a major new International Monetary Fund research study has found, indicating that the mainly home grown price rises and could be slashed with better economic policies.A new IMF study released Saturday that covers a steep rise in Sri Lanka's inflation in 2006 and 2007 found that external 'shocks' such as oil prices - which are often touted as the reason for inflation by politicians - are not significant in explaining inflation. "Since late 2006, Sri Lanka’s inflation has increased sharply relative to other economies in the region," the study noted. "The sharp increase in inflation compared to other countries in Asia points out that increases in oil prices in the recent past (a common shock to most economies in the region) cannot explain most of the increase in inflation in Sri Lanka." Oil prices explained only 6 percent of the inflation in 2006 and 2007 measured by the New Colombo Consumer Price Index, a statistical analysis by IMF researchers covering oil prices, exchange rate and imports, has showed.

Home Grown Shock

The study found that most of the inflation in Sri Lanka is home grown. It said that external shocks explained "a small percentage" of price increases and concluded that "domestic shocks likely play a more significant role on inflation in Sri Lanka," indicating that better economic policies were needed to lower inflation. "With external shock not playing a major role in influencing domestic inflation, domestic policies can be very important in containing inflation," the study, Pass-Through of External Shocks to Inflation in Sri Lanka said. "External shocks appear to explain about 25 percent of the variation in consumer prices and about 32 percent of the variation in core inflation, suggesting that other shocks that are likely more domestic in nature explain most of the variation in inflation in Sri Lanka." Sri Lanka's fiscal policy reversed radically in 2004 as the government returned to heavy budget deficits and massive expansion of the public sector with tax-free state jobs, state enterprises running losses leading to higher budget deficits. In 2004, inflation which was close to zero in the first quarter was driven towards 20 percent by the end of the year with oil subsidies themselves being financed with printed money or central bank credit. The central bank had come under fire for printing money and financing part of the deficit and causing high inflation, though policy has lately been tightened.

Loose Policy

But authorities have tried to put the blame on 'imported' inflation and 'external shocks' with oil prices taking centre stage, despite other countries reporting much lower inflation. "The oil price impact was, however, amongst a number of other factors that resulted in an increase in inflation including expansionary fiscal policy and monetary policy that is not tight enough," the IMF study said. The study found that only 25 percent of recent consumer inflation could be explained by 'external shocks with oil (which was subsidized most of the time) explaining about 6 percent, import prices 11 percent and the exchange rate about 10 percent. Exchange rate depreciation is also a result of money printing. Sri Lanka is now running a quantity targeting framework which has brought mixed results with government financing needs undermining monetary policy partway through the year. "Though monetary policy tightened somewhat between 2006 and 2007, it has been largely insufficient to contain inflation as the fiscal policy stance has also been rather loose with fiscal deficits at 7 percent and above in the recent past. Meanwhile and calls have been rising for fundamental monetary reform with legislated inflation targeting or the abolition of the central bank and a return to a currency board regime that kept the country stable until 1950.

LTTE suspect arrested for importing ‘heat seekers’ from US to take north
 
An LTTE cadre who is said to be importing heat seekers to be fixed in the houses of high level leaders of the LTTE was arrested by police at Kirulapona yesterday (28).A spokesman for the police said a heat seeker imported from the USA was found in an institution in Colombo, being readied for transport to Kilinochchi. The “heat seeker” releases signals when an unauthorized or unidentified person approaches a hiding place” the spokesman said. The suspect is a resident of Kilinochchi and was working as a mechanic and has imported such machines before he said.More suspects will be arrested soon on the information provided by the suspect the police said.

Take up Sri Lankan Tamils issue with Centre, Ramadoss urges DMK

CHENNAI: The DMK government should take up the Sri Lankan Tamils issue with the Centre, Pattali Makkal Katchi founder-leader S. Ramadoss said here on Thursday. Addressing PMK and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) volunteers, Dr. Ramadoss said the DMK should take a cue from the Communist Party of India, which had passed a resolution at its national conference in Hyderabad, demanding immediate intervention by the Centre on the issue. The Tamil Nadu Assembly should adopt a similar resolution. “Let the State government wake up from its slumber and remind the Centre that 40 MPs are from Tamil Nadu.” Tamils in the State were ready to give any price for finding a solution to the Sri Lankan Tamils’ issue, he said. Regretting there was no change in the country’s policy favouring Sri Lanka, Dr. Ramadoss said a favourable climate prevailed now and the State should not allow the opportunity to slip away. VCK president Thol.Tirumavalavan urged the Centre to close the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner office in Chennai to protest against Sri Lanka’s anti-Tamil policy. The Tamil Protection Movement led by him would not remain a silent spectator to the “atrocities of island government” on Tamils.

“Retrieve Katchathivu”

Urging the Centre to take steps to retrieve Katchathivu, he said it was the only solution to protect Tamil Nadu fishermen.The State should urge the Centre to impress upon the Sri Lankan government to stop military action against Tamils.

Moonrampiddi - story of a coastal village in Vanni

Moonrampiddi coastal village in the Mannar district was created by the displaced people from Jaffna during Sri Lanka military offensives on Jaffna in the 1990’s. About 200 families have made this their home finding security here away from the Sri Lanka military. Another 150 families are presently living here as recently displaced due to the current Sri Lanka military offensives in Mannar. All of the people of this village are therefore displaced over the last two decades due to the Sri Lanka military offensives which as a rule do not spare the civilians. Prior to their displacement the people of this village lived in their own ancestral villages enjoying its natural resources as well as the village facilities that they and their ancestors have built over centuries. The contrast between their ancestral villages and their new village cannot be any bleaker. The villagers suffer lack of clean water, housing, medical facilities, and school facilities. Water is distributed to them in bowsers but it is not enough. School buildings are inadequate and are dirtied daily at night by stray animals. Many international agencies who undertook to improve the conditions in the village have abandoned the projects due to Sri Lanka military attacks.The entire village population does not have a single permanent material home. A project to build 50 homes was abandoned without completing a single home. A project for drinking water supply started by an international agency was also abandoned. The village school teaching Year-1 to Year-11 has an enrollment of 495 students. It suffers from many problems typical to many schools in Vanni. As if these bleak conditions in their village are not enough, the livelihood of these villagers are also denied to them. Most of the people of this village depend on fishing; that is why they have chosen to live in this coastal village. The fishermen are unable to go to sea regularly due to fear of attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy. They suffer the very high price of fuel to operate their boats due to blockade of essential items by the Sri Lanka military. They are also unable to sell their catch as much as they could again due to the blockade.

Plot to kill Gota hatched in Mutwal

Police investigating an attempt on Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s life at Colpetty in December 2006 have established that terror strike had been planned by a group of senior LTTE members led by a priest at Mutwal.It has also been found that the trishaw used in the attack had been fitted with a bomb at a religious place in Mutwal.The police have ascertained details of the abortive assassination bid from a group of LTTE cadres including two women arrested in the Pettah recently while they were planning to launch an attack in Colombo. The police have traced a trishaw the LTTE had used to transport explosives for the December 2006 attack. The police have detected C-4 explosives, detonators and arms concealed in a washing machine at the priest’s residence. A resident of Kilinochchi, he has been living in Mutwal with his wife for ten years. The attack on the Defence Secretary, who was on his way to attend a National Security Council meeting at Temple Trees, was carried out by a male suicide bomber driving a red three wheeler. Two soldiers were killed in the blast and 18, including security forces personnel and civilians injured.

Lalkantha hints of crisis within JVP

JVP firebrand and trade union leader K.D. Lalkantha dropped a bombshell yesterday saying a conspiracy was underway to divide the party and vowed to name the persons concerned soon. “There is no use of having those who do not agree with the majority view in our politburo,” he said. Addressing a gathering of party members at Rattota in Matale, MP Lalkantha said the party should not take political decisions on the personal opinions of individuals and such decisions should be taken on majority opinion. “President Mahinda Rajapaksa has employed a political tactic of snatching weak politicians by using ‘glue babies’ (Kohollaa Babala). There are those who get caught to these tactics in our party as well. Such people express various views and opinions,” he said. “Enemies against the JVP have increased. Western forces, India, the government and other local forces are teaming up against the JVP. At a dangerous time like this some of our people express various views saying they are speaking according to their conscience. A person attached to a political party does not have the possibility of expressing views according to their conscience other than the views of the political party. The JVP does not have any need to sit in Mahinda Rajapaksa’s hovel (Kuppayama) by expressing various people’s views of conscience,” he charged. “Various people are questioning today as to why the JVP is contesting the Eastern provincial council election when we are against Provincial councils. The JVP is entering the fray to defeat separatists. Our sole objective is to defeat the Provincial Council system,” he said.

SLA moves weapons, explosives to Northern FDLs

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) transported heavy weapons and explosives in large quantities from Kaangkeasanththu’rai (KKS) harbour to its Northern Front Defence Line (FDL) areas in Ki’laali, Mukamaalai, Nakarkoayil and the islets of Jaffna, Thursday and Friday, sources from Jaffna said. All vehicular traffic and public were kept waiting for many hours in empty areas 500 m from Jaffna-Palaali road and Jaffna-Point Pedro road as vehicles carrying the consignment of arms and ammunitions passed by.The consignment of weapons and explosives were shipped to KKS harbour where it was unloaded Thursday and Friday.People in Valvai area in Vadmaraadchi had to wait for more than four hours until night, ordered by SLA troops to keep away from the convoys carrying arms, sources in Vadamaraadchi said.SLA avoids storing the weapons near Palaali SLA Military base and closeby areas for fear of aerial attacks by Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the sources said.SLA is also fortifying the Northern FDL positions with the aim of launching a large scale offensive on the LTTE held areas, they added.

President 'not above the law'   
 
The Organisation of Professional Associations (OPA) of Sri Lanka has appealed President Mahinda Rajapaksa to refrain from appointing senior public officials before appointing the Constitutional Council (CC).In a letter to the president, OPA President Elmore Perera says his organisation was 'heartened' of Mr. Rajapaksa's move to resolve the disputes in appointing senior judges in a legal way. The letter reminds that the president should not make any appointments to the judiciary or to many other public services without the approval of the CC, according to the 17 amendments to the constitution. The CC is currently inactive as minor political parties in the parliament for months failed to appoint their nominee.However, the parties recently recommended CS Mayadunne, the former Auditor-General as their nominee.President Mahinda Rajapaksa is however yet to approve the nomination which would lead to the re-activation of the powerful CC. "It is abundantly clear, therefore, that no lay person, no lawyer and not even the Attorney General, can truthfully and lawfully advise Your Excellency that making any appointment to the above-mentioned posts, without first getting the approval of the Constitutional Council, is legally valid," the OPA letter said. Copies of the letters are also sent the leaders of all political parties represented in the parliament.The OPA has urged President Rajapaksa to take immediate steps to appoint the CC and refrain from making any 'unlawful appointments'. Mr. Perera's letter has also recalls a ruling by a nine-member headed by former Chief Justice Neville Samarakoon."Actions of the executive are not above the law and certainly can be questioned in a Court of Law. The President cannot be summoned to Court to justify his actions. But that is a far cry from saying that the President's acts cannot be examined by a Court of Law. Though the President is immune from proceedings in Court, a party who invokes the acts of the President in his support will have to bear the burden of demonstrating that such acts of the President are warranted by law. The seal of the President by itself will not be sufficient to discharge that burden". The position maintained by that panel, the OPS says, is still the legal position over activities of the executive president.

28 March 2008

TNA Parliamentarians meet Ranil

Parliamentarians of TNA had a long discussion with UNP Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe on Provincial Council election to be held for the Eastern Province. TNA Parliamentarians have enlightened the UNP Leader regarding their party’s decision not to contest at Eastern PC election. The UNP leader has told the TNA Parliamentarians that his party had requested the Commissioner of Elections to get foreign observers to monitor the election. Both parties also have discussed obstructions that exist to hold a fair and peaceful election in the East. Only UNP Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe had participated from the UNP at the discussion held at the office of the Leader of the Opposition yesterday while Parliamentarians R.Sambanthan, Mawei Senathiraja, Thurai Rathnasingham, Kanakasabe and K. Padmanathan have participated from TNA.

Independent groups pay deposits for East polls       
  
Reports from the Eastern Province election authorities say 09 independent groups have by now paid their deposits for the Eastern Provincial Council elections, although no recognized political party or independent group has yet handed in nominations for the 10th May polls. Nominations will close at 12.00 noon on 03rd April, which is also the closing date for applications for postal voting. While the internally displaced persons can request for a polling booth of their choice, requests for such alternative polling booths by displaced persons will also close on 03rd April. A total of 982,721 voters in the 2006 electoral register in the districts of Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee will elect 35 Provincial Councilors for the Eastern PC. There are 409,308 voters in Ampara, 330,950 in Batticaloa and 242,463 in Trincomalee. Recognized political parties and independent groups would field a total of 44 candidates from the three districts, 17 for Ampara, 14 for Batticaloa and 13 for Trincomalee. Five independent groups for Ampara, one for Batticaloa and three for Trincomalee had paid their deposits, Assistant Election Commissioners for the three districts told ‘Lanka Dissent’.The electoral registers of the three districts are now on display at the Elections Commissioner’s Secretariat in Rajagiriya. They will also be displayed at the offices of the Assistant Elections Commissioners in the East, as well as in public places as decided by the Commanders of the armed forces and the IGP.Meanwhile, the United People’s Freedom Alliance and the TMVP have decided to contest the elections on a common list.The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna has decided to contest independently. The United National Party has declared it would contest but would decide whether it would join any other party by Sunday (30th March).The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) says it will decide its position on 30th March and is yet decide whether it would align with the UNP. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) that previously said it would not contest, now says it will reconsider the previous decision. The TNA met UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday to discuss the prevailing security situation and the possibility of deploying international observers.

Violence increased with the Eastern Provincial Council election warmth; three sand miners killed in Ampara

Three civilians who were mining sand in 18th Colony of Ampara were killed by unknown gunmen yesterday. The rescued individuals who are now being treated for injuries in hospital said that four gunmen came from the jungle shot at them. The incident took place around 4.30 PM yesterday (27). Army Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that the LTTE conducted the killing. Meanwhile a hand grenade was hurled into a house of a Sri Lanka Muslim Congress supporter on Wednesday. Nobody was in the house by the time the time of the attack. With the warmth of the Provincial Council election, the killings and intimidation in the Eastern Province is on the rise again. Three police officials were killed in Baticaloa on Wednesday by a claymore attack. It is reported that the ill-fated vehicle the police officials were traveling was a security back up for Japanese delegation that was travelling to Batticaloa.

Eastern nominations process begins

The handing in of nominations for the upcoming Eastern Provincial Council Election began yesterday. Returning Officers of each district in the Eastern Province will accept nominations from political parties and Independent Groups until noon on April 3, the closing date for nominations. According to the Elections Department 982,721 voters are eligible to cast their ballot in the three districts namely Batticaloa (330,950), Ampara (490,308) and Trincomalee (242,463) in the elections scheduled for May 10. Five independent groups handed in nominations for Ampara yesterday. No nominations had been handed over in other districts. Altogether a total number of 44 seats will be on offer at the new Eastern Provincial Council. Thirty five members would be chosen from the three districts, Batticaloa (11), Trincomalee (10) and Ampara (14). In addition two bonus seats too are on offer. All major political parties are expected to join the fray in the polls which comes close on the heels of the successfully concluded Local Government Election for Batticaloa.

Sri Lanka bombs LTTE bases
 
Sri Lankan war planes carried out sorties against two rebel targets in the north on Thursday, as ground clashes left eight guerrillas and six soldiers dead, the government said on Thursday. Air Force jets bombed a suspected rebel training centre and then pounded a Tamil Tiger radar system and command base in the guerrilla-controlled north early on Thursday, the defence ministry said.“The Kfir and F-7 fighter jets carried out the missions jointly and the targets were accurately hit,” the statement said. Security forces said they killed eight rebels in Wednesday’s fighting centred around Mannar and Weli Oya, in the island’s restive north. Four soldiers died in clashes in Mannar, while two soldiers were killed when they stepped on a landmine on Wednesday, the ministry said. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), meanwhile, said they beat back a military push in Mannar and killed 15 government soldiers during two days of fighting that ended on Wednesday.

LTTE wants exchange to release sales rep.
 
An LTTE pistol gang abducted a sales representative attached to the Ceylinco Insurance Company at Pandarikulam area in Vavuniya, days after Police rescued an area manager of the company from the LTTE.Sources said the pistol gang had promised the relatives of the abducted person, the victim would be released if the area manager handed himself over to them.The area manager was rescued by the Police after arresting four of LTTE members into custody with arms and ammunition. Police said the reason for the LTTE to act against this particular company is a quandary. Security forces and the police have launched a joint search operation in the area.However, the Vavuniya Police denied such an abduction had taken place.

Sampur power plant constructions to commence in June  
     
Construction of a coal power plant at Sampur in Trincomalee will begin in three months time, the Ministry of Power and Energy says. In a media release, the Ministry said that this coal power plant is initially expected to add 500 Megawatts to the National Grid b6 2012 and double the generation capacity later.A total of 700 acres of land has been reserved for the project and the construction will begin after surveying is completed by April, the Ministry said.The project will be carried out by the Indian Company NPTC under the supervision of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).The first phase of the construction is estimated to cost US $500 million and 70% of the cost is expected to be covered by foreign aid while the rest is to be provided by the CEB and the Indian Company."About one million tons of coal per year is to be imported and this coal is regarded 99.2% eco-friendly. A jetty is to be built at Sampur to unload the coal from the ships. The government believes that the project would contribute to economic development in the district and it would provide 4,000 job opportunities," the release stated.

Help liberate Tamils from LTTE, Sangaree urges TN

TULF leader V. Anandasangaree, in a message to the Tamil Nadu stated that the LTTE had lost their credibility to speak for the Tamils of Sri Lanka by their atrocious activities perpetrated on the innocent Tamil Civilians who are living like slaves for several years surrounded by constant fear and tension.The recklessness with which the LTTE cadres act is the main cause for the large scale displacements of the people from their homes. He added: "The concerns of the 60 Million people of Tamil Nadu in India, for the people of the same ethnic group, just 20 miles across the sea in Sri Lanka's North and East, dominated by the Tamils and Muslims, is understandable.This appeal comes from a Senior Tamil Citizen of Sri Lanka who had been in Politics for over fifty years and in Parliament for over 17 years, having won four Parliamentary elections and also represented the Kilinochchi electorate where the LTTE have their Headquarters now. This plea is to the Leaders of Tamil Nadu and its people to solicit their sincere co-operation, irrespective of their political affiliations to help to liberate the Tamil people of the North and East of Sri Lanka from the subjugation of the LTTE and to find a reasonable solution to the ethnic problem." Excerpts from his message to Tamil Nadu: "The demand for a separate state of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka cannot and should not come from Tamil Naad for the simple reason that India, whichever party comes to power and whoever becomes the Prime Minister, had not failed to rule out a separate state of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka. India does not want revival of the demand for separation of Tamil Naad which is now almost forgotten there. Hence Tamil Naad has no moral right to demand a separate state of Tamil Eelam for the Tamils of Sri Lanka. The LTTE had lost their credibility to speak for the Tamils of Sri Lanka by their atrocious activities perpetrated on the innocent Tamil Civilians who are living like slaves for several years surrounded by constant fear and tension. The recklessness with which the LTTE cadre act is the main cause for the large scale displacements of the people from their homes. Those who could afford, fled to Foreign countries and some others moved to India, although getting into LTTE territory is much easier then taking a risk and leaving by boat to India.

27 March 2008

Fox briefed on APRC efforts

Visiting British Parliamentarian Liam Fox yesterday met Science and Technology Minister Tissa Vitharana and held extensive talks on the current situation in Sri Lanka and the Government's endeavour to solve the ethnic issue through the APRC process. The Minister briefed Fox on how the APRC is striving to workout a final settlement to the issue through consensus of various political idealogies and dogmas. "He was also informed on how the APRC was preparing a foundation for a new Constitution paving the way for a lasting solution to the ethnic issue. "Fox was impressed on the Government's decision to fully implement the 13th Amendement to the Constitution which according to him would bring relief to the conflict stricken people in some way," the Minister said. The Minister said the British Parliamentarian was of the view that the Tamil speaking people could be won and removed from the clutches of terrorists through new provisions being brought to the Constitution and by economically strengthening the people in the North and East. Fox met Foreign Minster Rohitha Bogollagama at the Foreign Ministry yesterday. The Foreign Minister explained the Government's relentless effort to establish democracy in the East and make the ordinary people stakeholders of the participatory democracy, a Ministry spokesman said yesterday. He said the Government has launched massive reconstruction programmes in the East and sought more foreign assistance. Armed groups that operated in the East have been encouraged to enter to the democractic process," Minister Bogollagama said. He was also briefed on the forthcoming Provincial Election and the implementation of the 13th Amendment. Fox arrived here on an invitation by Foreign Minister Bogollagama. He was scheduled to meet Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday.

Ranil - Hakeem talks on alliance

The UNP and SLMC held talks yesterday about the possibility of forging an alliance for the Eastern Provincial Council elections and the issues concerning the two parties when campaigning.UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told the Daily Mirror that the parties exchanged ideas about the issues such as the disarmament of certain armed groups, withdrawal of the Special Task Force (STF) from the East and the arbitrary transfer of police officials.Mr. Attanayake said the leaders of the two parties would meet again next week to take a final decision regarding the forging of an alliance for the election. He said that they also discussed the need to deploy foreign election observers to the East on the day of polling.

India worried by Sri Lanka arms buying

India said Wednesday that it wanted Sri Lanka to treat Tamils with dignity and also voiced concern that Colombo's arms purchases may upset New Delhi's 'pre-eminent position' in South Asia.'We are facing a situation where the ceasefire (in Sri Lanka) could collapse. This could lead to a flashpoint,' National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan said while delivering the 25th Air Chief Marshal P.C. Lal memorial lecture here.'We want the Sri Lankan government to treat its large Tamil minority with dignity,' he said.'(But) the (Sri Lankan) government would seem to have the single objective of a military victory (against the Tamil Tigers) without any devolution of power.'Narayanan also added: 'We have to ensure that India's pre-eminent position in the region is not compromised by Sri Lanka seeking arms from elsewhere.'We need a national consensus on how much (military) assistance we should provide and how much pressure we should put on the (Sri Lankan) government.'Thousands of people have died in Sri Lanka in the past two years in escalating fighting between the military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).India opposes any military solution of the ethnic conflict and wants Colombo to devolve autonomy to the minorities.And while India continues to train Sri Lankan military personnel, it has refused to provide what it dubs are offensive military hardware.

BJP opposes military aid to Sri Lanka
   
The BJP has opposed providing military equipment and training to the Sri Lankan military saying that such a move will affect the island Tamils.State president Mr L Ganesan, told reporters in Chennai that the Katchatheevu, an island near Tamil Nadu, given to Sri Lanka as per an agreement in 1974, should be retrieved. He said the Sri Lankan government had violated the Katchatheevu agreement, which provided rights to Tamil Nadu fishermen to dry their nets in the island. Now, the Sri Lankan navy had set up sea mines near the island, denying even the fishing rights for Tamil Nadu fishermen, he said.Meanwhile, Tamil film director Mr Vijaya T Rajendar, today announced that he was resigning from the post of deputy chairman to the State Small Savings Commission, since he would lead a protest against Centre's assistance to Sri Lanka in what he termed was a genocidal war against Tamils. Mr Rajendar said that he was resigning since holding a government post while leaading a protest against the Centre would create an embarrassing situation for chief minister Mr M Karunanidhi, who had appointed him.Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, which split from the Dravidar Kazhagam, has announced public meetings throughout the state, condemning Centre's help to Sri Lanka government.

Pillaiyan clashes with the government even before the nominations

A conflict between the government and the Pillaiyan Group is developing due to the Chief Minister nomination of the Eastern Provincial Council.Lanka-e-News learns that the beginning of the clash draws back to the ceremonious swearing in of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulihal (TMVP) and United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) local government representatives before the President Mahinda Rajapakse on March 18 at the Temple Trees. Reportedly, Pillaiyan also arrived in Colombo and stayed in Hotel Taj with the hope of participating in the swearing in ceremony. But he was not sent a separate car with security to arrive in the Temple Trees and refusing to travel in the same bus with the other local government representatives, he boycotted to take part in the function. However, it is reported that Pillaiyan personally met the President and had talks with him after the swearing in function. It is further reported that Pillaiyan has asked for the post of Chief Minister of the Eastern Province if the alliance would win the election there. Instead of responding to Pillaiyan’s request, the President has reportedly called for a report on the popularity of the TMVP leader among the Tamils of the Eastern Province, which was not in favor of Pillaiyan. TMVP politburo that met on March 22 decided to tender Pillaiyan as the Chief Minister candidate for the Eastern Provincial Council. TMVP also decided to contest in a coalition with the United People�s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) with a demand from the government that a Pillaiyan Group member would be the Chief Minister candidate of UPFA as well. Meanwhile, the SLFP nomination board had decided to keep the post of Chief Minister open for the candidate who would achieve the highest count of preferential votes, as the nomination board Chairman Nimal Siripala de Silva announced to the UPFA party leaders who met in the parliament yesterday. When Lanka-e-News asked from the TMVP spokesman Asath Mawlana about their stand on the latest developments, he said that the TMVP politburo had informed their decision to a highest authority of the government. However, he did not say if it was the President. Mawlana did not respond when asked what would TMVP do as the SLFP nomination board chairman had made a statement that was not in accordance with the TMVP's appeal.

TMVP to come clean on child soldier issue?

The Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) after entering the democratic mainstream following a landslide victory in the first local government elections to be held after 20 years are now planning to ‘cleanse’ itself of the child soldier issue that had tainted its image so far. “We have only 20 children enlisted in our ranks at the moment. A high-level government delegation from will be meeting with them in Batticoloa on March 30 to assess their needs. Then we plan to establish a rehabilitation program for them jointly with the government. The children will be released after this,” TMVP spokesperson Azad Maulana said. “These children are not engaged in any political or military activities. We respect their rights and we have provided for their basic needs including food and security,” he added.He said that it was important to establish a government authority to look into the long-term well being of the children, especially in the case of orphans who do not have a family to return to. This will include collaborating with vocational training institutions and other organizations that would provide the children with life skills necessary to reintegrate successfully Mr. Maulana said the TMVP was reluctant to hand over the children to international organizations claiming that these organizations do not take the responsibility to ensure the long-term well being of children handed over to them. “We have handed over children to certain international organizations including the UNICEF in the past and after we have found that there is no one to take responsibility to ensure the long-term well being of these children. We have found that after being handed over to their families some children do not have schooling facilities, adequate security or proper food as these families are affected by poverty,” he said.“We cannot release these children unless we can come to a clear agreement with these organizations pledging that they will take the responsibility for their long-term well being,” he said. “Ten children who were previously released have decided to come back and sat at the TMVP camp. They go to school and come back to the TMVP camp in the afternoon because they feel that they are more secure with us,” he added.The TMVP Spokesperson also said their political faction is willing to disarm as soon as they are given a guarantee on their security.

Air Force hits two targets
   
Air Force war planes - Mi-24 helicopter gunships and MiG-27 jets - carried out twin air strikes with the support of ground troops on LTTE targets east of Mannar and Mullaitivu yesterday, an official said.Mi-24 helicopter gunships carried out the first air raid on two identified forward operating bases of the LTTE at Alankulama and Kaliadanchan, on the Mannar battlefront.“The attack was carried in support of the ground troops in the area,” an Air Force spokesman said.He also said that MiG-27 jets raided a Sea Tiger boat manufacturing facility in the Vishwamadhukulama area in Kilinochchi following the first attack.Both attacks were carried out following air surveillance and ground information, the spokesman said. He also said the pilots had confirmed the targets were accurately hit causing heavy damage to the LTTE and its property. There was no immediate reaction from the LTTE over the incident.

TN politician resigns over Lanka
 
A cabinet minister rank official in the State Government of Tamil Nadu has resigned his post in protest against the Indian Government Military support to the government of Sri Lanka. Vijaya T. Rajendar a film personality and leader of the Lakshiya Dravida munnetra Kazaham (LDMK) , a political ally of the ruling DMK in Tamilnadu has resigned his post of Vice chairman of the State Small Savings Organisation. He alleged that training Sri Lankan military personnel and providing military assistance by Indian government is indirectly helping Sri Lankan authorities to kill innocent Tamils. Speaking to the BBC Tamil Service. Rajendar said that he resigned his post to avoid embarassment to the Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi, when he conducts meetings in various parts of Tamilnadu supporting the Sri Lankan Tamils and explaining their plight. The first meeting will be held at Madurai on the 29th March, he said.He said he is resigning against the Indian government stand of supporting the Sri Lankan Army which is acting against the interest of the Sri Lankan Tamils. Hence any protest by him would cause deep embarassment to the ruling parties in the state and the centre. The DMK and Congress parties support each other in the state and the Federal government. Even humanitarian assitance by the people in Tamilnadu through the Red Cross has been denied by the Indian Federal Government, he alleged. Pointing out that the Indian government is supplying military equipment including radars to the Government of Sr Lanka he has called for such activity to be stopped immediately.

Alleged EPDP member attempts extortion
   
A member of the EPDP who attempted to extort Rs.100,000 from a leading businessman in Mannar town yesterday morning was taken into custody by Mannar police. The suspect was detained for further questioning.

'Prabakaran' director assaulted
 
Tamil Tiger sympathisers in Tamil Nadu have seized the print of a Sinhala film titled Prabakaran which was being translated at a film studio in Chennai.The film was in the final stages of the production when the Tamil activists led by Dravidian Tamil Movement (DTM) leader Suba Veerapandian stromed into the Gemini Film Labs on Wednesday. The group have assaulted the director Tushara Peiris and seized the print saying that the film insulted the feelings of the Tamil speaking people in India and Srilanka. Suba Veerapandian told BBC Tamil Service that they could not be silent spectators when the work of a film which belittles the Tamil national feeling was being produced in Chennai. He also expressed regret at the director being manhandled by DTM youth cadres. An agreement was reached with the police officials and the director, he said, to hold the film print in the Gemini studios and that they will express their final say after viewing the film. Suba Veerapandian denied allegations that it was an act of interfering in a commercial venture between India and Sri Lanka.While agreeing that DTM members are prepared to face any legal action in this regard, he disagreed that people in TamilNadu do not have a right to intervene in such affairs when there is a certifying body in Sri Lanka. BBC Sandeshaya could not contact director Thushara Peiris despite repeated attempts.

Heathrow runway 'invader' appears in court

A MAN accused of sparking a massive security alert by running under a moving jet on a Heathrow runway appeared in court yesterday.Sri Lankan Ketheeswaran Uthayakumar is said to have climbed the perimeter fence the day before the Queen was due to open Terminal Five.He was confronted by armed police who feared he had a bomb in his rucksack, Uxbridge Magistrates Court heard.Uthayakumar, 27, of no fixed abode, appeared from custody charged with endangering aircraft.Magistrate Jeremy Lister remanded Uthayakumar and sent him for trial next month.

26 March 2008

Govt. disregarding Indo Lanka Accord — TELO MP

The Sri Lankan government is disregarding the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord by holding elections to a separate Eastern Provincial Council, thereby effectively preventing its re-merger with the Northern Province, TELO Parliamentarian N. Srikantha has said.The Indian press reported that Srikantha, speaking at a press conference organised by World Tamils’ Federation, had called for the immediate passage of a bill in the Sri Lankan parliament to effect the remerger of the two provinces.Tracing the genesis of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord signed by the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former Sri Lankan President J. R. Jayewardene on July 29, 1987 which recognised the Northern and Eastern Provinces as the ‘historical habitation’ of the Tamils, Srikantha has said, "The accord made provision for the establishment of a single and elected provincial council for a merged North-East Province for Tamils subject to a referendum in the eastern half to decide on the continuance of its merger with the other half.""With the dissolution of the North-East Provincial Council in July 1990 following the withdrawal of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) from Sri Lanka, the council came under the governor’s rule until October 2006 when the Supreme Court declared the merger as null and void," he had noted.Pointing out that holding fresh elections in the eastern region scheduled for May 2008 was a political design by the government to deny the Tamils the right to live in a united ‘homeland,’ Srikantha called upon the Government of India to intervene in the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord. "India is duty-bound to act as soon as possible as its political dignity and the fate of Tamils living in the region is at stake," he had said.

Consensus at APRC for N-E merger with Muslim unit

A consensus emerged at the All Party Representative Committee on Monday for a merged North-East province with a separate Muslim majority unit.The Morning Leader learns all parties present at the APRC presided by Science and Technology Minister Tissa Vitharana agreed to the proposal forwarded by Sri Lanka Muslim Congress representative, Attorney Nizam Kariappar.It is learned the four Muslim parties supporting the Government headed by Ministers Ferial Ashraff, Segu Izadeen, Ameer Ali and A.L.M. Athaullah had agreed to the merger subject to a Muslim majority unit in the East. The Muslim Congress had said while they opposed the merger of the north and east without consulting the Muslim community they were more opposed to the demerger of the north and east.Kariappar had said the SLMC was supportive of a north-east merger with a special Muslim majority unit in the east.Informed sources said all parties present including the UNP defectors’ representative, Minister P. Dayaratne had not opposed the proposal.The MEP and the JHU however were not present at the meeting.It is learned the consensus reached for a merger with a special unit for the Muslims will be reflected in the final report of the APRC.President Mahinda Rajapakse has already announced that the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was only a first step and that he would implement the final APRC report when presented.

EPDP office escapes eviction ordered by court

Colombo fiscal officials with police and the Bomb Disposal Unit went to the EPDP office at Park Road, Colombo-05 yesterday to execute a court order to evict the present tenants, the EPDP, as they had violated the agreement with a private bank which owns the property presently.However several hours later the court officials withdrew as the Sampath Bank had reached a settlement to postpone the execution of the writ order. The court official including Deputy Fiscal Officer and Additional Registrar, R. M. G. B. Rajanayake and Deputy Fiscal and the Registrar of Welikada High Court, Piyaratne Muthukumarana had gone with police officers from the Narahenpita police to the EPDP head office.The property had been taken over by the bank when two persons who owned it originally had failed to settle a mortgage. Following this the property had been rented out to be used as the EPDP head office. The EPDP had entered into an agreement with the bank and had been paying Rs. 75,000 as rent and also had agreed to buy it. Later in 2003 the bank had filed an action in the Colombo District Court claiming that the EPDP had violated the agreement. Subsequently, the court had issued an order on the EPDP to vacate the property and hand over the ownership to the bank before 1 p.m. on March 25 (yesterday). Around 2 p.m. the court officials had gone to the EPDP office to execute the court order but the occupants, the members and the staff of the EPDP had objected. Later the court officials had summoned the Bomb Disposal Unit to prevent any dangerous outcome. In the meantime, the EPDP leader and Minister Douglas Devananda who was also a defendant in the case had reached a settlement with the bank and the Legal officer of the bank had informed the fiscal officer about the settlement. Accordingly the bank had agreed to temporarily postpone the eviction of the present occupant and take possession of the property. It was learnt that the bank official had informed the Bomb Disposal Unit that there could be dangerous weapon within the premises and their temporary postponement of the eviction was feasible.

Claymore attack in Batticaloa kills 2 policemen

Two Sri Lanka Police officials, providing escort to Japanese funded ProPoor project, were caught in a roadside Claymore blast that targeted a road patrol of elite Special Task Force (STF) foot patrol at Vaazhakkaaddu (Ma'nalpiddi) junction on Kokkaddichchoalai - Vavu'natheevu Road, 7 km west of Batticaloa city, around 9:00 a.m., Wednesday. 2 STF personnel and 3 civilian cyclists were wounded, Police said. The ProPoor officials were on their way to Ma'nmunai South-West (Paddippazhai) Piratheasa Chapai (Pradeshiya Sabah) to attend a meeting on the reconstruction of Pulukku'naavi tank. The Japaneas Embassy officials in Colombo said none of their nationals were hurt. ProPoor project staff were visiting Batticaloa to inspect Unnichchai tank, which was under repair by ProPoor project, they said.

TMVP sticks to its guns on CM post

The Tamil Makkal Vidudalai Puligal (TMVP) that swept through eight of the nine local bodies in the March 10, local polls in Batticaloa, will not enter into any pact with the government to contest the forthcoming provincial polls, unless the government nominated a TMVP candidate, for the post of Chief Minister.This decision was taken by the party’s politburo last week, in Batticaloa, and the decision is to be conveyed to the government shortly. Thus, the TMVP is awaiting a quick response, from the government. A decision was also made to withdraw support to the government, if the government failed to recognise this demand.The party’s contention is that, the party has now mustered the support of the majority in the East, and thus they should be recognised as a separate entity.Party spokesman Azad Mowlana told The Bottom Line that having secured so many number of local bodies in Batticaloa, and subsequently, becoming another major force, throwing a challenge to even some of the long standing political parties, it was too difficult to contest the election under another party, and also not being recognised to hold the office of the Chief Minister.According to Mowlana the party politburo is working hard, to find out,what is best for the party, given the present ground situation.Mowlana said, if the government failed to give the party, to run for the Chief Minister’s post, then the party would contest the election independently, under its own symbol.“These are the decisions that are being taken by our politburo. We are trying to give due recognition to our own party, and at the same time, through this exercise, give the people, who are with us, a better deal,” he said.The Bottom Line, is of the view that, the government, has failed to woo the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), after the Congress in no uncertain terms informed the government, that it would not join hands with the ruling party, to contest the election.The government thereafter informed, the minority parties contesting the elections in the East, that the party candidate, who gets the highest number of votes would be appointed, as the Chief Minister, if there was a pact with the government.The Bottom Line understands that, to date, no independent party has so far indicated to the government, of its desire for any possible marriage, to contest the election.Meanwhile Mowlana also said that, the party decision will not be changed, unless there was a change of heart, on the part of the government, led by President Mahinda Rajapakse.

JVP wants to switch off Indian power deal

The Patriotic National Movement (PNM) yesterday declared that they are against the decision taken by the government to purchase electricity from India. PNM General Secretary and JVP MP Wimal Weerawansa told The Bottom Line yesterday, “The power and energy field in Sri Lanka should not be under the control of India.” “It is a very dangerous thing to hand over the control of a country’s power and energy field to another country. We definitely oppose this arrangement and would put pressure on the government to stop this action.” Meanwhile, Weerawansa also said that the PNM is planning on voicing its opposition to the US State Department report on the human rights condition in Sri Lanka, which has misrepresented the current situation in the country. “America has no right to interfere or intervene in matters regarding Sri Lanka. We completely condemn their action and reject the human rights report issued by the American State Department,” he stated.

Sri Lanka Military: Fighter jets bomb rebel camp as infantry clashes kills 3 rebels, 1 soldier

Sri Lanka war planes bombed a Tamil rebel camp while scattered infantry battles in the embattled north killed three rebels and one government soldier, the military said Tuesday. Fighter jets pounded a rebel camp believed to be used to store military equipment in the rebel-held Mullaitivu district Tuesday morning, said air force spokesman Wing Commander Andy Wijesuriya.He did not give details of damage and casualties, but said pilots have confirmed that they hit the target.Meanwhile, ground fighting along the front lines of the civil war in the north has slowed in recent days because of heavy rains, officials said.Battles in the Mannar district on the border of the Tamil Tigers' de facto state killed two rebels and one soldier Monday, military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said. Fighting in the Jaffna peninsula killed one rebel, he said.It was not possible to get independent accounts of the clashes because the war zone is restricted to journalists. Both the government and the rebels often exaggerate their enemy's casualties and underreport their own.Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan could not be reached for comment.The Tamil Tigers have fought since 1983 to create an independent homeland for ethnic minority Tamils who have been marginalized for decades by successive governments run by majority ethnic Sinhalese. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the violence.

Sea Tiger boat damaged in clash with Navy

At least one Sea Tiger boat was damaged following a brief sea confrontation with the Navy off the Nayaru seas in Pulmudai early yesterday, the Navy said. It said the clash took place in the same area where a navy fast attack craft was destroyed a few days ago. “We were able to prevent the movement of a cluster of Sea Tiger boats from Nayaru to the Pulmudai area by firing on them using the Navy’s fast attack craft (FACs),” Navy Spokesman D.K.P. Dassanayake said.He said Navy’s FACs had detected a flotilla of Sea Tiger boats moving in the area and launched the attack.“According to LTTE communication monitored afterwards one Sea Tiger boat was badly damaged due to naval fire,” the spokesman claimed.Meanwhile, the spokesman said they were yet to identify the exact cause of the explosion which sunk a Navy FAC last Saturday.“The explosion was caused due to a floating object, but investigators were inquiring how it happened and details about the explosives device,” Commander Dassanayake said.Ten sailors were reported missing while six others were rescued after the incident. The Navy spokesman said sea patrolling in the area was still continuing.Nayaru, an active LTTE hideout for Sea Tiger movements has been used for the last several years to direct Sea Tiger attacks against the Security Forces.

The way forward-Statement by Paul Willms Ex- MP Third Chamber of The Netherlands at the International Seminar regarding the situation in Sri Lanka (London)
 
The historic conflict between the Singhalese and Tamil nation has recently deteriorated after the cease fire agreement between the Sri Lankan government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam came to a formal end on 16 of January 2008.Unilaterally ending a cease fire agreement by a democratic elected government is considered as an irresponsible policy that will have serious consequences. This will lay the foundation for a resumption of civil war with immense destruction and human suffering for all ethnic communities on the island.The once optimistic peace talks had been unsuccessful due to the incapability of the international community to create the right environment to proceed in the peace process. Most regrettable is the unconstructive role by them in not implementing an even-handed approach and policy to the parties involved, as some members of the self-appointed Sri Lanka’s Co-Chair Donor Group have proscribed one of the parties as a terrorist organization.This unbalanced approach by the international community affected the military balance between the warring parties and resulted in a sharp increase of hostilities. The foremost reason why the parties agreed for international mediation and the establishment of an international recognized cease fire agreement, brokered by the Norwegian peace facilitator in 2002, was all connected to the military balance between the two foes.It must be noted that severe discriminating policies against the Tamil minority have resulted in an armed resistance against the Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka; this founded the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam at the first place. The banning of one of the involved parties will exclude the particular country from effectively interacting and mediation to put a halt to the ongoing civil war and to implement policies which reflect with the ground situation. Unsuccessful dialogue between the Singhalese majority and Tamil minority and the vicious cycle of war, since the island realised independence in 1948, continues to persist without any hope for reconciliation any time soon. In this context international mediation is needed to break this cycle of war and unacceptable tactics of terrorism, which are executed by all parties involved in the conflict, as civilians are too often deliberately targeted by the parties in their military campaign.  This inexcusable behaviour must be condemned and need to be addressed by the United Nations in order to stop the ongoing abductions, disappearances, extra-juridical killings, aerial bombardments, including the continues violations of child rights in which all warring parties are involved. These unacceptable violations of human rights justify the establishment for a UN human rights monitoring mission on the island in order to stop the culture of impunity.  Though the Tamils have legitimate grievances which must be addressed, as this particular community is a sovereign population with a historic homeland that legitimates their right to self-determination, it must find democratic ways to express their political desires. Many international entities are not against the Tamil population in Sri Lanka or against their political desires however most of them are only against the current way in how the Tamil leadership are trying to realise their political desires.  The current military leadership of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam should understand that, if they want to participate in the international arena, they have to start the process of changing their structures. This includes distinguishing its military component from the political one, which will allow the process to facilitate a democratic structure in the Tamil homeland. That only will provide an opportunity for the international community to recognise a democratic elected government to enable self-governance in the North and East, as a military regime is unlikely to be officially recognized by the international community. The Tamil Diaspora is obligated to play a more constructive role in realising a democratic change in this military organization as they are part of the international community.The political leadership in Colombo should not exclude itself from reaching a peaceful co-existence with the Tamils by unilaterally abrogating the truce. This is a very unfortunate event and I do hope the moderate Singhalese political parties are able to convince the Singhalese masses to challenge extremism and overcome the differences in order to recommit themselves towards a peaceful solution to this historical conflict instead of walking away from it by morally approving the resumption of a military engagement that can not be won. I appreciate the sincere initiative by the United Kingdom to assist the parties to reach a peaceful settlement however it must first carefully analyse and understand the root causes which led to this historic dispute prior to be able to design and implement innovative policies that will be appreciated by the parties involved, in order to break the current deadlock. Though the United Kingdom shares a great responsibility in achieving a peaceful co-existence between the Tamils and Singhalese, as it is foremost responsible for the current friction in the Sri Lankan society, it must be said that the international community in general must create the right circumstances to achieve a constructive dialogue between the warring parties and to enable them both to interact with the same international community on the basis of equality. Equality, commitment and wisdom are the required ingredients that should be adopted by the parties and the International community’s participation in the peace process. This only can bring this decades old conflict to a peaceful end. I do not assume this longstanding conflict to be resolved in a short period however I maintain to have sincere hope that the parties, with international assistance, are willing to resume the process of diplomacy that will provide the stage for a constructive dialogue that can eventually bring peace and prosperity to all communities on the island. Singhalese politicians should take clear note of the developments with Kosovo and must understand that by oppressing a minority, division is likely to occur instead of the process to find common grounds for a peaceful co-existence and power-sharing agreement between the different ethnic communities, whom all share a unique part in the history of the island.

25 March 2008

South Africa calls for talks
 
The South African Government says it is encouraging warring parties in Sri Lanka to get back to negotiation table.Deputy Minister of Communications Radakrishna (Roy) Padayachie told BBC Sandeshaya that the South African government has consistently sought to encourage and lend support to the creation of a climate conducive to a finding a lasting solution to the Sri Lankan conflict. Deputy Minister of Communications Radakirshna (Roy) Padayachie has represented the South African government at the two-day International Seminar on Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict at East London University. Speaking to BBC Sandeshaya Deputy Minister said “I will report the feeling and conclusions of the conference to the South African Government”. The seminar contributed to the growing world opinion urging Sri Lanka to return to the negotiating table to seek a lasting solution to the conflict.

Focus on negotiation

“The focus of the conference was to urge the Sri Lankan government and LTTE to return to the negotiation table”, the minister said. Commenting on the South African experience, deputy minister pointed out that it is imperative to talk about the obstacles that emerged in the process of talks and the way forward in negotiation is to understand the way around these issues to have a successful discussion between the parties. The conference also appeals to the international community, international organisations and aid agencies to increase pressure on Sri Lanka and LTTE to resume the negotiations. The two day conference was organised by the Global Peace Support Group, a charity organisation based in the United Kingdom. 

Sri Lanka stocks slump; money rates spike despite cash injections

Sri Lankan stocks slumped on Monday with trades in index heavy Sri Lanka Telecom dominating turnover as speculation swirled about an imminent sale by major shareholder NTT Communications of Japan.Brokers said speculators were yet to get back in full swing following a weekend extended by two religious holidays.The All Share Price Index closed down 13.11 points or 0.52 percent at 2,523.07 while the Milanka, which tracks the more liquid stocks, was down 6.78 points or 0.21 percent at 3,189.06Turnover was boosted to 399.8 million rupees with large quantities of SLT, The Good Hope Company, and Lanka Cement changing hands.In the interbank markets overnight money spiked from 14.00/15.00 levels early Monday to 16.00/17.00 levels despite a 3 billion injection by the Central Bank. from its 12.00 percent discount window.The spot dollar was around 107.80 levels.

SLMC to forge alliance with breakaway groups

The SLMC yesterday agreed to forge an alliance with its breakaway parties which are now with the government, for the upcoming Provincial Council Elections in the East. But according to reports they were unable to reach an understanding on a common symbol to field candidates.SLMC General Secretary Hasan Ali told the Daily Mirror that his party held talks with Muslim Ministers Ferial Ashraff, A.L.M.Athaullah, Rizarth Bathyudeen, Abdul Majeed and Amir Ali, after mediation by the Mosque Federation and UMMA, a civil society organization. Mr. Ali said the government Muslim parties insisted them to contest on the symbol of the National Unity Alliance (NUA) headed by Mrs. Ashraff, but the SLMC did not agree to it.“We were unable to reach any understanding on this matter. So, we have decided to meet again,” he said.He said UMMA, an independent social organization, tried to work out an understanding among   Muslim parties for the election.“It does not support any party.  It only wants to create a unity among Muslim parties in the run up to the election,” he said.  He said the SLMC would meet the UNP today to discuss election related matters.Meanwhile, the government has decided to offer the chief ministerial post to the party in the ruling alliance which secures the highest number of candidates at the forthcoming Provincial Council Election in the East. In case the TMVP wins the highest number of candidates on the UPFA ticket, they will get the chief ministerial post while two ministries each will be allotted to the alliance parties representing the Sinhala and Muslim communities.According to informed political sources the same theory would be applied if a party representing Sinhala or Muslim people clinched the most number of candidates at the council.The parties in the ruling coalition including the UNP Democratic group met last evening, and decided to meet again soon to finalize matters. 

ICRC country head meets Sri Lanka Army Chief

Head of the ICRC delegation in Colombo Toon Vandenhove called on Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka Monday morning at the Army Headquarters.During the meeting with the Army Chief, Vandenhove focused on several issues that are related to the ICRC operations in un-cleared areas in Wanni. The ICRC official requested the Commander to appoint a specific Army officer in Wanni to directly liaise with the ICRC whenever the need arises.Fonseka in response to the ICRC request reiterated the continued assistance given to the ICRC at all times without denying access to anywhere in the Wanni whenever the ICRC wanted. Commander elaborating on the general security situation and ongoing military operations for liberation of civilians in Wanni advised the ICRC offcial to directly get in touch with Major General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander at the Security Forces Headquarters, in Wanni in case any assistance is needed.

Sri Lankan PM arrives for historic visit

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake arrived in Israel on Sunday, in the first visit by a Sri Lankan premier to the country. Sri Lanka restored diplomatic ties with Israel in 2000, despite objections from the island's Muslim minority. During his four-day working visit, Wickremanayake is to meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and President Shimon Peres, and travel to the West Bank for talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. On Monday he will first visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, and then Sderot. Last year, Israel exported about $60 million in goods to the South Asian nation, while imports were around $40m., according to the Foreign Ministry. Cooperation between the two countries is strongest in agriculture and medicine, and Israel sent a rescue team to Sri Lanka following 2004's Asian Tsunami that killed more than 225,000 people in 11 countries.

Pillayan TMVP’s Chief Minister candidate         
  
The TMVP has nominated its leader Sivaneshathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan as candidate for chief minister at the forthcoming eastern provincial council polls.As in the recent local government polls for the Batticaloa district, the TMVP will contest in alliance with the UPFA.Therefore, there is a possibility, that the UPFA too, will endorse Pillayan as the common choice for chief ministerial candidate.However, both parties say that a final decision regarding the alliance is yet to be taken.The TMVP has appointed a five-member committee, headed by Pillayan, to discuss the accommodation of its members for the election, in alliance with the UPFA, internal sources of the TMVP say. The committee also include Azath Moulana, Krishna Nandaraja alias Pradeep Master, Jeyan and Bharathi.The JVP has officially declared that they will contest the eastern polls.Both the UNP and the SLMC are yet to announce a final decision, although the latter is likely to go it solo at the polls. Reports say attempts by Presidential Adivisor Basil Rajapaksa get the SLMC to join the UPFA at the elections have been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the TNA is likely to boycott the eastern polls as well, with party MP M.K. Sivajilingam telling BBC Sandeshaya that the party will officially announce the decision within the next few days. The Elections Department announced that the elections for the Eastern Provincial Council are scheduled for May 10th and the nominations will be called from March 27th to April 03rd.After the northern and eastern provinces were merged under the Provincial Councils Act following the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord in 1987, they were de-merged following a Supreme Court order in October 2006. People in the eastern province voted for the first time at a provincial council election in 1988 when the elections for the merged North Eastern Provincial Council was held. That council was dissolved in 1990 and no elections have been held in the two provinces since.

SB walks out of UNP meeting
 
The UNP National Organiser S. B. Dissanayake walked out of a meeting held at UNP Headquarters Saturday evening.It was a meeting of all UNP Local Government representatives.The speakers at the meeting were Tissa Attanayake, Vajira Abeywardene, Rukman Senanayake and Major Jayavi Fernando, who spoke on the war. The crowd became restless during Rukman's speech and the speech made by Major Jayavi Fernando. S. B. Dissanayake walked out as he was not allowed to address the meeting. While the Leader, Chairman and Gen. Secy. spoke, the National Organiser was not scheduled to speak.

Youth disappears in Wellawatte         
  
A 22-year-old trishaw driver residing in Dehiwala has gone missing on March 22nd in the Wellawatte area, reports say.The missing youth, identified as Edward Padmanadan, had visited his mother’s house in Wellawatte on the day of his disappearance.His mother says that Padmanadan left the house after receiving a telephone call and hasn’t been heard of since.His relatives have lodged a complaint with the police.Padmanadan’s trishaw has been found abandoned at Beach Road in Wellawatte, half a kilometre away from a police barrier.Police Media Spokesman Senior DIG N.K. Illangakoon said that investigations are underway into the complaint.

TULF: no arms were used to influence B’caloa polls
 
TULF leader V. Anandasangaree is critical of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s decision to go ahead with elections to the Eastern Provincial Council.However should the President wish to conduct the election hot on the heels of March 10 local government polls in the Batticaloa District, he should at least delay the withdrawal of the elite Special Task Force (STF) from parts of the Ampara District in the Eastern Province until the polls were over, he said.The Defence Ministry last week said the STF had to be deployed in the North Central Province in support of ongoing military action on the Vanni, Mannar and Weli Oya fronts.The veteran politician said the President should have delayed elections until the full restoration of civilian administration in the East. It would have been better had the government put off elections until security forces and police concluded ongoing mopping up operations to finish off isolated pockets of LTTE resistance in the region, he said.He said although there was no doubt that the East had been liberated it hadn’t been fully cleared of the LTTE menace.Referring to the March 10 elections, he said he had consulted a number of local people of standing in the Batticaloa district. "What they say is although arms weren’t used by anybody to threaten voters the knowledge of possession of weapons was enough to serve as a deterrent to free thinking. No one can deny that. Helping to put one group in power is not my problem but, that party should have been encouraged to gain credibility among the people as a first step," he said.He launched a scathing attack on the TNA. The Parliament itself wasn’t properly constituted, he said, asserting the Election Monitors of the EU, the Commonwealth, the PAFFREL and the CMEV would bear testimony to the fraudulent election of the 22 member TNA parliamentary group at the last general elections.He urged the government not to create a similar situation in the East.Pointing out the people had found fault with the government for going ahead with elections, the former MP urged the President to encourage all political parties to contest the forthcoming elections and also to ensure the disarming of all Para-military groups.That would be appreciated by all including the international community, he said, any group which needed security should have been given government protection, he said.

23 March 2008

TNA holds discussions on eastern polls

Crucial talks to determine whether the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) would contest in the Eastern Provincial Council elections will be held today. TNA MP Mavai Senadhiraja told The Nation that the TNA Parliamentary group will meet today to take a final decision.“Our Parliamentary group will hold a series of discussions to determine whether we should take part in the elections and we will come to a final decision before the end of next week,” he said. Meanwhile, he added that the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) have repeatedly asked the TNA to contest the election. He added that both parties have asked the TNA to form an alliance to counter the TMVP and the government coalition.“The UNP and the SLMC have asked us to form an alliance with them. We will discuss this in the Parliamentary group meeting and decide,” he said.

WHY WAS STF MOVED OUT OF EAST?

Many theories have spawned over the controversial re-deployment of the Special Task Force from the East to Weli Oya. One such theory attributes the move to the failure of the elite police commandos to combat Tiger activities in the jungles of Kanchikudichchiaru, from where an estimated 100 Tiger cadres are operating under the leadership of former intelligence leader of Batticaloa, Ram.The Tiger cadres who infiltrated the Yala sanctuary are reported to have been sent from Kanchikudichchiaru jungles.The much touted military operation of the LTTE, “Niyath Jaya” could not achieve its objective and repeated efforts by the STF to flush the Tiger cadres out of the jungles of Kanchikudichchiaru didn’t deliver results.Supplies and reinforcement for the Tigers operating in Yala are sent from Kanchikudichchiaru jungles, according to a confession made by a Tiger cadre who was arrested by the troops in Yala.

Power deal with India on fast track

Amidst soaring electricity rates, the Government is giving priority to the proposed multi-million dollar mega undersea power transmission line with India. Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne said yesterday he or a senior official from his ministry would lead a delegation to India for this purpose. A preliminary feasibility report has already been completed.The $450-million project involved the laying of a 200-km long submarine cable to enable India to export electricity to Sri Lanka and would connect Madurai in Tamil Nadu with Thalaimannar, Mannar and Anuradhapuara, The Sunday Times learns.The plans to expedite the export of electricity from India comes as millions of people struggle to meet electricity rates which went up by 30 per cent from March 15 coupled with a 30 per cent surcharge for those using more than 90 units a month.Mr. Seneviratne said successive governments had tried to export electricity from India but had not succeeded and he was determined to make the latest effort a success. “A substantial part of Sri Lanka’s demand for electricity will be met by this project and the cost of electricity will come down once this and the two coal power projects in the pipeline are completed,” the Minister said. The two pending coal power projects are in Norachcholai and Trincomalee. Those involved in the preliminary work of the undersea project have estimated that the link could be set up in 40 months after the deal is signed, Power and Energy ministry officials said.According to the minister, the cabinet approved this project last year and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide funds for it. A joint committee comprising top officials of the two countries has been set up to study the feasibility report and make recommendations on how to proceed with the project.Meanwhile the minister said the demarcation of land for the proposed Trincomalee coal power project – another joint venture with India – would be completed by next month and the agreement would be signed so that work on it could begin by the middle of this year. The proposed Trincomalee project is a 500-MW coal-fired plant. The work of the coal power projects is expected to be completed by 2011.