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31 March 2009 Sri Lanka 'could halt fighting' Fierce clashes Earlier, the military said two separate clashes in the north-eastern region had left more than 50 rebels dead. There has been no reaction from the Tamil Tigers to the claims but pro-rebel websites said the rebels were offering stiff resistance in the area. Neither version of events could be independently confirmed, as journalists are not allowed to report from inside the conflict zone. Meanwhile, officials say more than 1,600 civilians fled the war zone and reached government-controlled areas on Monday. The government says more than 61,000 people have already fled from rebel-held areas and have been housed in special camps in the northern region. Battle enters decisive phase The Security Forces are poised to push the LTTE totally into the No Fire Zone within the next few hours completely flushing them out from the build up areas in Iranapalai East, Puthukudiyiruppu East as three offensive Divisions further crushed LTTE fighting capabilities on the last leg of the final battle outside the No Fire Zone yesterday. Battleground sources told the Daily News yesterday that the 58 Division commanded by Brigadier Shavendra Silva and 53 Division commanded by Major General Kamal Gunaratne are poised to take control of the last supply route linked to the No Fire Zone today to completely deny LTTE access to Iranapalai East from the No Fire Zone. ”Once this route is captured by the Security Forces the LTTE will be denied access to the mainland from the No Fire Zone”, a senior military official told the Daily News. ”Therefore, the coming few hours will be very decisive for the Security Forces”, the official added. According to military officials, 1,648 civilians arrived in Security Forces controlled areas under the 58 Division yesterday. That was a considerable increase in the flow of civilians into Security Forces controlled areas compared to past few days and there were strong indications from the fleeing civilians that the number would further increase within the next few days. Intense fighting raged in Iranapalai East yesterday as 58 Division troops confronted by scores of Tiger cadres engaged in defending the last terrain from the advancing troops. “The 58 Division troops captured two cabs and a truck mounted with anti aircraft guns during the fierce battle that raged yesterday in Iranapalai East”, the official added. Meanwhile, troops attached to the Task Force VIII under the supervision of Colonel G. V. Ravipriya and the command of 53 Division advanced further Northward from the A-35 road further shrinking the areas under LTTE control. The 53 Division troops also attacked a number of vehicles including motorbikes which were plying on the only route linking the No Fire Zone and the Tiger defences killing a number of Tiger cadres. The 55 Division under the command of Brigadier Prasanna Silva also engaged in a fierce battle with the LTTE in the North of Puthumattalan and expanded their defences towards the Northern edge of the No Fire Zone yesterday too, sources added. “Tiger cadres made desperate attempts to stop the troops advance into the No Fire Zone”, sources added. Scores of Tiger cadres including Sea Tiger leaders were killed during the fierce battles as ground troops also foiled major attempts by the LTTE Sea Tiger cadres to launch an assault on the 55 Division troops who are operating in a narrow stretch of land in the North of Puthumattalan, sources added. Apply adequate pressure on Colombo for ceasefire and negotiations: LTTE The LTTE is not a movement believing that war is the only means to achieve the aspirations of the people it represents. But, political solution needs an environment conducive to it. The IC can play a positive role by adequately pressurizing Colombo for ceasefire and by promoting negotiations between GoSL and the LTTE as equal partners with due recognition, said Selvaraja Pathmanathan, the LTTE plenipotentiary for international relations, in an interview to TamilNet on Monday. On the issue of civilians, Mr. Pathmanathan said they have already asked the IC, what international instruments now hold GoSL accountable for the denial of basic rights of the people already moved and presently living in the internment camps. Pathmanathan’s interview was a summary of the LTTE’s endorsed position on the current situation. “No amount of international concerns or guarantees had enabled the Sri Lanka government to provide a swift and just solution for the displaced in the past”, Pathmanathan said, citing the examples of the people of Valikaamam, Jaffna, in camps for 19 years and the people of Ma’nalaaru and Thiriyaay in the East for 14 years.“It is unrealistic to expect that the people of Vanni who have shown allegiance to the LTTE will be treated any differently or with justice”, he said. While insisting that the IC should ensure adequate food and medicine to the civilians of Vanni in the safe zone as a priority, Pathmanathan said that such a humanitarian response is an important step, but band-aid solution will not deal with actual grievances of the people.Responding to the human-shield accusation, he said that they were people living with the LTTE, sought protection from the LTTE and always chose to move towards LTTE, even when they were displaced and had chances to go to Colombo’s side. “ LTTE has a moral responsibility to protect them”, he said adding that people should not be coerced to leave their place of choice by denial of food and medicine and by continuously placing them under shelling.Laying down arms before any political solution is unrealistic, he told TamilNet, pointing to the Sri Lankan context where the government has built up a brutal force and the peaceful demands of the Tamils in the past have always been met with violence of the Sri Lankan forces.“It is wrong to assume that the versatile and resilient LTTE is in a weakened position”, he said.Looking upon Tamil Nadu as an emotional and geographical base for Eezham Tamils in any fall back and appreciating the support of the people of Tamil Nadu, Pathmanathan said that the Tamils who have genuine sympathy for India have never been opposed to its strategic interests.On the uprisings of the diaspora, Pathmanathan foresees further strengthening and resoluteness, if there is escalation in the aggression of Colombo. The right to self-determination is of paramount importance to the diaspora and it has clearly recognized the role of LTTE in any solution to the conflict, he said adding that diaspora should be given with a chance of being heard by the IC. Full text of the interview with the head of LTTE's International Diplomatic Relations follows: TamilNet: How do you view the response of the International Community to the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the intense war in Vanni? Mr. Pathmanathan: It is apparent that the international community has been observing the developing situation in Sri Lanka with greater interest. However the responses from them to address the situation to find tangible solutions need to be more persuasive. Today, thousands of Tamils are under siege by the Sri Lankan armed forces in Vanni. Their circumstances are dire. Having been subjected to an intense war during the recent months their day-to-day existential situation has become acute with shortage for potable water, food and medicine and extremely inadequate sanitation. Medical facilities and health services have become over stretched with the needs of the large population and the multitude of war related injuries. The number of people affected by psychological disorders and trauma has multiplied several folds due to the constant fear of shelling and bombing, particularly the children and women. Severe malnutrition is taking a toll on children, pregnant and lactating mothers, elders and sick. The people are becoming increasingly vulnerable to even simple and treatable ailments such as diarrhea, high fever, malaria and diabetes.The International Community can do two things at this juncture. The first is to apply adequate pressure on the Government to enter into a ceasefire with the Tigers. The second is to ensure that adequate food and medicines are sent into the conflict areas. While humanitarian response is an important step in the current climate, addressing that alone without addressing the long term and fundamental issues will only provide a band aid solution and not deal with the actual grievances of the people. TamilNet: How do you view the role of the IC in finding a negotiated settlement? Pathmanathan: LTTE clearly identifies the importance of the International Community and is open to wider engagements.LTTE is representing the rightful aspirations of the people, as mandated by them, and as a freedom movement spearheading the Tamil struggle for decades. It is important that the international community recognizes this.It is only when the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE are engaged in a constructive manner, a lasting solution could be found to the conflict, satisfying the needs and aspirations of our people.The International Community should play a positive role promoting a conducive environment for negotiations to take place between the GoSL and the LTTE, as equal partners with due recognition. TamilNet: Despite the upsurge of sentiments against Colombo's war, the Indian government has been continuing its support, including military assistance, to the Sri Lankan government. How do you read the current developments in India? Pathmanathan: We are grateful that the people of Tamil Nadu have expressed so much solidarity with Eelam Tamils. These are true feelings of the people without any political or vested interests. It gives us solace to know that our brethren across the sea are one with us in our time of grief and sorrow. The sentiments and emotions poured out by the people of Tamil Nadu, and the cries of the Tamils in the island, are bound to reach the hearts of the Government of India. The cultural affinity of the people across the Palk Strait has historically been strong. Whenever our people were attacked and killed their first choice of refuge has been India. Eezham Tamils have always looked to the people of India and the Government of India with genuine sympathy. The Tamil people have never been opposed to the strategic concerns of India. Furthermore, it has been their expectation that the Indian government would extend its support to their national aspirations. TamilNet: Some members of the IC have urged the LTTE to consider negotiations to lay down its weapons, which is practically interpreted as nothing else than calling for a surrender. What is your opinion on this? Pathmanathan: Historically, there has never been a precedence of asking a freedom movement to lay down its arms before a political resolution has been reached. This is particularly pertinent to Sri Lanka where all peaceful demands for the rights of the Tamil people have historically been met with violence, intimidation and brutality by the Sri Lankan forces. The Tamil youth were compelled to wage an armed struggle only when all political and democratic processes to redress the injustices against Tamils had failed. The LTTE plays a paramount role leading the struggle against the oppressor, the Sri Lankan Sinhala rulers, to defend the rights of the Tamil people.The war machinery built up by the government of Sri Lanka is a brutal and indiscriminatory force. To expect the LTTE to lay down the arms before any political solution has been reached is not realistic. TamilNet: Colombo, and its military negate the call for ceasefire by arguing that it would provide an opportunity for the LTTE to re-group, strengthen and come out of its 'weakened position'. What is your response? Pathmanathan: The LTTE’s insistence of a ceasefire is purely from a humanitarian perspective, to give relief and respite for the people caught in the conflict.It is a myth that LTTE had built up its military capacity during the ceasefire. Looking at it carefully it will become evident that the Sri Lankan government was the one that militarily strengthened itself during the 6 year ceasefire between 2002 and 2008 and not the LTTE.If you observe the history of the conflict, the LTTE was strong during periods of conflict. The battles for Mullaiththeevu, Ki'linochchi, Elephant pass and the Sri Lankan Operation Jayasikuru were all fought and reversed when the Sri Lankan Government had an upper hand.It is wrong to assume that the LTTE is in a weakened position. LTTE is a versatile and resilient movement. Control of territory has constantly changed hands during the past thirty years of war. Several examples of reversals have been witnessed in the past. To believe that the LTTE is a spent force is not correct.LTTE is not a movement that believes that war is the only means by which the aspirations of our people should be met. We strongly believe in a political solution. However, to reach a political solution, there needs be a conducive environment. It is only in this background can a meaningful dialogue be held. However, if the Government of Sri Lanka insists on war, the LTTE will be forced to the inevitability of defending its people. It is in the interest of the Sri Lanka government to engage politically with the LTTE to bring a lasting solution to the conflict so that both the Tamil and Sinhala communities can live in peace in the island. A prolonged war is not only against the interest of the people’s welfare but is also economically un-sustainable for the Sri Lankan state. TamilNet: What do you have to say to those who argue that the Tigers are holding civilians as human shield? Pathmanathan: The LTTE is not holding the people against their will. The Tamil people have lived with us in the areas that were under our governance and have moved with us in the recent displacements seeking our protection. LTTE has the moral responsibility to protect the people. The people of Vanni are fully aware of the mistreatment that has been meted out to them historically by the Sri Lankan military and other Sri Lankan instruments whenever Tamils were displaced. They still have painful memories of the Kokkaddichchoalai massacre, Batticaloa Oo'ra'ni massacre, Polonnaruwa Mayilanthanai massacre, homicides in Allaippiddi and Vangkaalai and of Chemma'ni mass graves. No amount of international concerns or guarantees had enabled the Sri Lankan government to provide a swift and just solution for the displaced in the past.The people of Valikaamam in the Jaffna peninsula continue to lament in transit camps some 19 years after their homes were occupied by the military. The people of Ma'nalaa'ru and Thiriyaay continue to suffer in makeshift camps in the East after 14 years of displacement. The situation is similar for the people displaced from Vaakarai and Moothoor after Colombo's offensive in the East. In this context, it is unrealistic to expect that the people of Vanni who have shown their allegiance to the LTTE will be treated any differently or with justice.In our discussions with the international community we had queried the international instruments that can be used to hold the Government of Sri Lanka accountable for the people who moved from Vanni and are now living in camps in Vavuniyaa. Even the sick and injured have been denied their basic human rights. It has been the choice of the people to remain where they are. It is the intimidatory tactics and the constant shelling of the people living in the “safety zones” that could compell the people consider leaving the area under pressure of survival, against their will. These people should not be coerced into leaving their place of shelter by denying them the necessary food and medical assistance and by continuously placing them in imminent danger. TamilNet: World over the Tamil Diaspora in very large numbers has exhibited their solidarity with the people caught in the conflict. Do you see an increased role for the Diaspora in years to come in determining the political future of Tamils in Sri Lanka? Pathmanathan: In recent events, the Tamil Diaspora unlike at any other time has expressed their solidarity with their brethren in their homeland in huge numbers. This is a reflection of the increased violence perpetrated by the Sri Lankan military machinery and the denial of rights by the GoSL. It is increasingly apparent that any increase in aggression by Sri Lanka against the Tamils will only further strengthen the resoluteness of the Diaspora to stand against the dehumanizing treatment.The Diaspora has always played an important role in the history of our struggle and has been an important instrument in highlighting the existential ground reality in an otherwise blacked out war that has no witnesses.The Diaspora’s role in engaging the international community to creatively and positively contribute to the solution of the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka is clear. This will only increase in the future. The Diaspora after thirty plus years is also becoming more integrated in their countries of residence and getting more involved with taking part in mainstream activities. This too has implications for the way in which they relate to the conflict in Sri Lanka.The Diaspora feels strongly that the international community has to give them a chance and hear their opinion for the solution of the conflict in Sri Lanka. The international community needs to assure the Diaspora that their opinion is being taken into account. Recent resolutions passed in Diaspora gatherings have clearly recognized the role of LTTE in any solution to the conflict and that the right to self determination of the Tamils is paramount. South India hunt for fleeing Tamil Tiger rebels THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Heavily armed commandos locked down a stretch of the southern Indian coast on Monday and began a house-to-house search for a group of suspected Tamil Tiger rebels from Sri Lanka, police said.Jacob Punnoose, police chief of Kerala state, told Reuters the police had information that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels were trying to flee impending defeat at the hands of Sri Lankan troops in their bloody 25-year civil war.Indian police and special commandos surrounded Thykkal village, close to the teeming coastal city of Kochi, suspecting that the rebels had landed there in a small boat, he said."The area is thickly populated. We are not allowing any person or vehicle from the village to move out," Punnoose said by phone from Thykkal, where he was monitoring the operation."All houses in the area are being searched. So far we have not got any trace of the fishing boat or the men."Sri Lanka's military is close to victory over the LTTE, having cornered the rebels in a small area in the north of the island -- the remants of territory they have fought since 1983 to turn into a separate state for the Tamil minority.Sri Lanka's navy killed 26 Tamil Tigers and destroyed four boats during a six-hour sea battle on Monday, the navy said, amid naval concern that LTTE fighters and leaders could try to escape to India by sea.Indian police blocked roads leading to Kochi and checked all incoming vehicles. Other cities in Kerala were on alert. Security was tightened at vital installations.Naval helicopters and coast guard ships were also looking for the LTTE boat, Punnoose said.India says the LTTE is a terrorist group and wants its founder, Vellupillai Prabhakaran, extradited, alleging he ordered the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 to avenge an Indian military campaign against the Tamil Tigers in the 1980s. India offers more help for IDPs Major issues Mr. Menon was commenting on the official visit of Prime Minister's Principal Secretary, TKA Nair, to Sri Lanka, last week.Mr. Nair who held talks with Sri Lankan President's Secretary, Lalith Weerathunga, has also called upon President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Indian Foreign Secretary said Mr. Nair's visit was focused on three major issues.To urge the Sri Lankan government to take step towards "a credible devolution and political package", to explore "how India could help reconstruction in the north" and India's role in humanitarian assistance for the IDPs were the three main topics, he said. "We are very heartened by the results of Principal Secretary's visit to Sri Lanka," he said.Mr. Menon said that India welcome Sri Lankan government's recent statements that it is ready for a pause in fighting to allow civilians to leave the conflict zone. "We would hope that it progress towards bringing remaining civilians out of the harms way as this kind of situation where each side is blaming the other but civilian casualties continue. We then have to deal with the consequences". The senior Indian official said India would also explore the possibility of helping Sri Lanka to get people back into "normal economic activity and the normal political life" in the north. Sri Lanka urged to end military operations CHENNAI: The Sri Lankan government was on Monday urged by a body, ‘Campaign to stop the war and restore democracy in Sri Lanka,’ to put an immediate end to military operations.A resolution was adopted at a meeting held on the Loyola College grounds here. The Sri Lankan government was also called upon to immediately provide all the basic needs to Tamils under the control of the people’s elected representatives. The meeting also urged other countries not to give any assistance, financial or military, to Sri Lanka. It also expressed support to launch a movement of workers and the poor in the north for establishing their right to determine their future. Siritunga Jayasuriya, general secretary of the United Socialist Party, Sri Lanka, noted that the war had not yet come to an end despite the demand from several organisations. Satya Sivaraman, journalist, criticised the Union government for seeking to shield Sri Lankan government from international criticism. U.S. Government donates medical supplies for hospitals in Sri Lanka’s North The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today donated equipment and basic medical supplies to the Ministry of Health to treat 50,000 civilians at hospitals in the North. James R. Moore, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, made the symbolic presentation to Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Health Care and Nutrition.The U.S. donation, valued at $77,000 (Rs 8.77 million), includes five kits with basic medical care items such as bandages, medicines, supplies and equipment. The kits are approved by the World Health Organization and each contains enough supplies to provide primary care to 10,000 patients. The Ministry of Health will distribute these supplies to hospitals in Vavuniya, Mannar, Trincomalee, and Anuradhapura, where the recent influx of IDPs has strained hospital resources. USAID, the development agency of the U.S. Government, made the donation through its Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided development and humanitarian assistance in developing countries worldwide for nearly 50 years. Since 1956, USAID/Sri Lanka has invested nearly $2 billion to benefit all the people of Sri Lanka. War reporter of ‘Rupavahini’ Saman Kumara Ramawickrema apprehended with goods stolen from LTTE The reporter of war news in the programme ’Wanni Meheyuma’ in SLRC ‘Rupavahini channel Saman Kumara Ramawickrema has been apprehended with stolen laptops, digital cameras and archeological artifacts.Mr. Ramawickrema was apprehended at Medawatchchiya Police check point when he was travelling to Colombo from Puthukudyirippu on the 26th afternoon. 5 laptop computers, 10 digital cameras and small figurines of deities have been found when the vehicle he was travelling was checked by police officer manning the check point. The attempts by Mr. Ramawickrema to claim the goods were not his was not successful as when the laptops were checked they were found to be part of equipment troops had captured from tiger information centers. The senior police officers had immediately informed the incident to heads of defence sections in Colombo and the IGP has informed the Director General of Media Centre for National Security Luxman Hulugalle. Mr. Hulugalle had immediately instructed the IGP not to allow any media to get the information regarding the incident, to release Mr. Ramawickrema and not to have any entry in police books regarding the incident. On a directive from the IGP Mr. Ramawickrema has been released but the stolen goods had been retained by the police. The investigations carried out have shown that Mr. Ramawickrema of ‘Rupavahini’ had been taking valuable items from the North to Colombo during the past. He has been in the North for a considerable time as a reporter for ‘Rupawahini.’
Mr. Luxdman Hulugalle. Director General of Media Centre for National Security has taken the trouble to get Mr. Ramawickrema released as he had been presented with a 10” brass statuette of ‘Saraswathie’ stolen from a temple in the North by Mr. Ramawickrema two months ago say reports. Mr. Hulugalle has presented this statuette to a lady called ‘Pavithra’ say these reports. A person called Captain Jayaweera, who had travelled in Mr. Ramawickrema’s vehicle with the stolen goods, too has been apprehended by Army Police. This ‘Captain Jayaweera’ has been taken into custody as Mr. Ramawickrema had said the stolen goods belonged to Jayaweera. Brig. Nanayakkara: Several web sites had stated regarding such an incident. However, we have not received any information. Lankatruth: Does it mean that this news is false? Brig. Nanayakkara: No, We still have not received any reports regarding such an incident. When ‘Lankatruth’ tried to speak to Director General of MCNS Mr. Luxman Hulugalle his secretary said Mr. Hulugalle comes to the office at 12.00 noon everyday and we could contact him then. Karunanidhi: DMK will welcome ‘Eelam’ if achieved through democratic process Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi said today that his party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) will welcome the creation of a separate ‘Eelam’, a homeland for Sri lankan Tamils, but only if it is achieved through the democratic process. "We will be glad if a separate Eelam (state) is created (in the Island nation) by people voting for it," he told reporters in state capital Chennai.He said that attempts of some opposition parties in Tamil Nadu to paint the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at the Centre and his own DMK government in the southern Indian state as being "anti Sri Lankan Tamils" will not succeed in the April-May general election. "The opposition parties are trying to create an illusion among the public that my party is against Sri Lankan Tamils," he complained. Jaffna businessmen want goods convoys increased The Jaffna Chamber of Commerce, while welcoming the Government’s decision to allow the transport of consumer goods along the A-9 Kandy–Jaffna highway under the ‘Uthuru Vasanthaya’ programme, asked for more for Jaffna consumers to reap the maximum benefit of the programme. "That will have a meaningful impact on the lives of the Jaffna consumers during the forthcoming New Year," Chamber sources said yesterday.This open appeal was made by the Jaffna Chamber of Commerce to Senior Presidential Advisor, Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa. The second convoy that left last week had 20 container lorries, including two freezer container vehicles with a consignment of 420 metric tons.Chairman of Sathosa Ltd. Nalin Fernando said that the second convoy of 20 container lorries had left for Jaffna last Wednesday March(25) with a consignment of groceries, textiles, asbestos sheets, fruits and milk powder and was expected to return with produce from the North.A convoy of 22 container lorries took goods in the inaugural run in early March consigned to the Government Agent K. Ganesh. That inaugural convoy returned to Colombo with fish, small onions and vegetables.Similarly, the second convoy returned with 160 metric tons of fresh fish, crabs, prawns, squids, onions and vegetables totalling to 420 tonnes. Major sea battles off chalai: Heavy casualties Trains to Thandikulam by April 23 In a bid to forge communal amity between North and the South, the Government will extend the Northern railway line devastated by the terrorists from Vavuniya to Thandikulam by April 23 which marks the completion of 53 years since the inception of the Yaldevi train service to Jaffna, said Transport Minister Dullas Allahapperuma. The Minister said President Mahinda Rajapaksa has entrusted the Transport Ministry and the Railways Department with the task of rebuilding the Northern railway line from Vavuniya to Jaffna with the support of public and private sector employees and the ordinary masses. The Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the second driving and road safety instructor training program conducted by the Institute of Human Resources Advancement, Colombo University yesterday. The institute yesterday extended financial assistance for the reconstruction of the Northern railway line initiated by the Ministry. The cheque in this respect was handed over to the Minister by Institute Director Prof Hiriburegama. Minister Alahapperuma said road accidents are causing more deaths than acts of terrorism as one person dies every four hours in Sri Lanka due to accidents. "The impact of the alarming increase in the numbers of accidents was such that Rs. 14.7 billion out of the Gross National Production is spent for road accident victims a year. More than 500,000 people were admitted to hospitals in 2006. Over 2,220 people were killed and 18,000 permanently disabled due to accidents last year, the Minister said. The Minister said that 21 per cent of drivers who met with accidents last year did not have driving licences while 35 per cent forwarded forged medical certificates to obtain driving licences. Only 10.1 per cent of the total humber of accidents are reported to the authorities. Many accidents are not reported to the authorities as the victims do not like to get caught in the cumbersome legal process. "This situation can be averted if proper guidance is given to the drivers and driving instructors. Road accidents can be minimised if all stakeholders in the transport sector and the general public discharge their responsibility to society, the Minister added. The Minister commended the services of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Colombo University in particular for the introduction of this study course to upgrade the standard of driving and road safety practices in Sri Lanka. UGC Chairman Prof. Gamini Samaranayake also spoke. 30 March 2009 5000 killed and 15,000 injured in Vanni; 500 died due to lack of medicine says TELO MP Sri Kantha Troops close in on Safe Zone from three directions Heavy fighting raged in the Puthukudiyiruppu East, Iranapalai East and Palamattalan as troops attached to the 53, 58 and 55 Divisions further close in on the Safe Zone from three directions surrounding the Safe Zone amidst thousands of civilians fleeing the Tiger held area seeking refuge in Security Forces controlled areas, military officials told the Daily News yesterday. “The Safe Zone has now been surrounded from all three directions and troops are poised to liberate the civilians trapped inside the Safe Zone clearing paths for them to reach Security Forces controlled areas,” a senior military official told the Daily News. Tiger cadres are now fighting within a one square kilometre stretch in the Iranapalai East, the last build up area under LTTE control at present. “Heavy fighting erupted in this terrain as 58 Division and 53 Division troops launched simultaneous attacks on Tiger controlled areas cutting off their last available Supply Routes East of Iranapalai from the A-35 road,” a senior military official said. The official said that the LTTE is continuing their battle in this narrow stretch constructing earth bunds on a daily basis and troops have to overrun each earth bund to capture the area. ”With the capture of this last build up area the troops have to cross water filled paddy lands and the lagoon to reach the Safe Zone which is now within sight from all battlefronts,” the official added. Military officials were optimistic that civilians would reach the Security Forces controlled areas once troops fully secure the access routes to the Safe Zone from all directions. According to battleground sources troops of the 53 Division under the command of Major General Kamal Gunaratne and 55 Division under the command of Brigadier Prasanna Silva have reached one and half kilometres closer to the Safe Zone along the Paranthan Mullaitivu A-35 road from the Western direction and Palamattalan from the Northern direction. The 58 Division under the command of Brigadier Shavendra Silva is operating at a 400 metre stretch across the lagoon in four parallel to the Safe Zone, sources said. The 55 Division on Saturday advanced 400 metres from the Northern direction towards the Safe Zone amidst heavy resistance from the LTTE from both ground and sea. Troops attached to the 7 and 6 Vijayaba Infantry Regiment attached to the 553 Brigade under the command of Lt. Colonel Mahinda Weerasuriya captured the LTTE held earth bund in their advance towards Safe Zone. Intercepted radio transmissions of the LTTE had confirmed that eight terrorists were killed and more than 30 injured d uring the battle on Saturday. Bullet hits ICRC ferry in Sri Lanka The silent horror of the war in Sri Lanka The horror that is unfolding in Sri Lanka becomes possible because of the silence that surrounds it. There is almost no reporting in the mainstream Indian media — or indeed in the international press — about what is happening there. Why this should be so is a matter of serious concern. From the little information that is filtering through it looks as though the Sri Lankan government is using the propaganda of the ‘war on terror’ as a fig leaf to dismantle any semblance of democracy in the country, and commit unspeakable crimes against the Tamil people. Working on the principle that every Tamil is a terrorist unless he or she can prove otherwise, civilian areas, hospitals and shelters are being bombed and turned into a war zone. Reliable estimates put the number of civilians trapped at over 200,000. The Sri Lankan Army is advancing, armed with tanks and aircraft. Meanwhile, there are official reports that several ‘‘welfare villages’’ have been established to house displaced Tamils in Vavuniya and Mannar districts. According to a report in The Daily Telegraph (Feb 14, 2009), these villages ‘‘will be compulsory holding centres for all civilians fleeing the fighting’’. Is this a euphemism for concentration camps? The former foreign minister of Sri Lanka, Mangala Samaraveera, told The Daily Telegraph: ‘‘A few months ago the government started registering all Tamils in Colombo on the grounds that they could be a security threat, but this could be exploited for other purposes like the Nazis in the 1930s. They’re basically going to label the whole civilian Tamil population as potential terrorists.’’ Given its stated objective of ‘‘wiping out’’ the LTTE, this malevolent collapse of civilians and ‘‘terrorists’’ does seem to signal that the government of Sri Lanka is on the verge of committing what could end up being genocide. According to a UN estimate several thousand people have already been killed. Thousands more are critically wounded. The few eyewitness reports that have come out are descriptions of a nightmare from hell. What we are witnessing, or should we say, what is happening in Sri Lanka and is being so effectively hidden from public scrutiny, is a brazen, openly racist war. The impunity with which the Sri Lankan government is being able to commit these crimes actually unveils the deeply ingrained racist prejudice, which is precisely what led to the marginalization and alienation of the Tamils of Sri Lanka in the first place. That racism has a long history, of social ostracisation, economic blockades, pogroms and torture. The brutal nature of the decades-long civil war, which started as a peaceful, non-violent protest, has its roots in this. Why the silence? In another interview Mangala Samaraveera says, ‘‘A free media is virtually non-existent in Sri Lanka today.’’ Samaraveera goes on to talk about death squads and ‘white van abductions’, which have made society ‘‘freeze with fear’’. Voices of dissent, including those of several journalists, have been abducted and assassinated. The International Federation of Journalists accuses the government of Sri Lanka of using a combination of anti-terrorism laws, disappearances and assassinations to silence journalists. There are disturbing but unconfirmed reports that the Indian government is lending material and logistical support to the Sri Lankan government in these crimes against humanity. If this is true, it is outrageous. What of the governments of other countries? Pakistan? China? What are they doing to help, or harm the situation? In Tamil Nadu the war in Sri Lanka has fuelled passions that have led to more than 10 people immolating themselves. The public anger and anguish, much of it genuine, some of it obviously cynical political manipulation, has become an election issue. It is extraordinary that this concern has not travelled to the rest of India. Why is there silence here? There are no ‘white van abductions’ — at least not on this issue. Given the scale of what is happening in Sri Lanka, the silence is inexcusable. More so because of the Indian government’s long history of irresponsible dabbling in the conflict, first taking one side and then the other. Several of us including myself, who should have spoken out much earlier, have not done so, simply because of a lack of information about the war. So while the killing continues, while tens of thousands of people are being barricaded into concentration camps, while more than 200,000 face starvation, and a genocide waits to happen, there is dead silence from this great country. It’s a colossal humanitarian tragedy. The world must step in. Now. Before it’s too late. LTTE battle tank destroyed for the first time in the fourth Ealam war Sri Lanka government invites Colombo-based businesses to operate in North Sri Lankan government has decided to allow Colombo-based businesses to carry out their business operations in the North to ensure the people have adequate supplies at reasonable prices for the upcoming Sinhala and Hindu New Year festive season.Government sources said the Essential Services Commissioner General S. B. Divaratne has invited many well-known business owners for a discussion at the World Trade Centre tomorrow. The Commissioner hopes to persuade the business owners to expand their trades to the North during the festive season.Among the companies invited are Maliban Biscuits, Elephant House, Lion Brewery, Abans, Unilevers, Pure Beverages, Arpico and wholesale dealers of food and textiles. Government urges LTTE to free all civilians 29 March 2009 Sri Lanka: New report documents civilian massacres The article below is an abridged statement released by War Without Witness on a new report prepared by WWW on innocent Tamil civilians killed by the Sri Lankan Army’s military offensive between January 1 and March 23. To read the report, visit http://www.warwithoutwitness.com. The objective of this report is to document the perilous situation of civilians due to the Sri Lankan government’s indiscriminate bombardment on the civilian settlements and so-called safety zones in the northern part of Sri Lanka. War Without Witness tried to gather as much as first hand verified information in this report and it fears that the situation may be far worse than what we realise, due to lack of communication, the threat posed to journalists and human rights activists and the facilities that exist on the ground. Since the Sri Lankan government has banned access for all the independent monitors and humanitarian workers, the combat zone is being isolated from the outside world and a war is waged by the Sri Lankan government without witness. The Sri Lankan government established so-called safe zones in Vanni for the civilians to move in for their security. The so-called safe zone has subsequently been subjected to a military bombardment leading to civilian casualties. Photographic and video evidences of the indiscriminate bombardment on the safe zone by the Sri Lankan Army are documented by WWW (see the website). The WWW estimate based on first-hand information obtained from government-run hospital authorities, police and judiciary sources in Vanni, the North East Secretariat of Human Rights, aid workers and credible media outlets confirms more than 3546 innocent Tamils have been killed and more than 8370 injured by SLA since January 1. WWW will continue to update this report with fresh evidence. Sri Lankan troops gain control of LTTE supply route, 17 Tigers killed Sri Lankan troops advancing east have captured the last supply route and gained control of an LTTE built earth bund on Saturday (28) following hours of intense fighting that killed 9 Tigers and wounded another 11, the military said today.Troops of Army's 53 Division and Task Force - 8 advancing further East from Puthukkudyiruppu have captured the LTTE supply line stretching towards Iranapalai, the Defence Ministry said.The capture of the last LTTE supply route will further thwart the Tigers' movement and logistic supply, according to the defence officials. Meanwhile troops of 55 Division have gained control of an LTTE built earth bund constructed north of Palamattalam yesterday killing at least 8 Tigers and injuring another 17 in a fierce battle, the military reported.The military says the LTTE Tigers now cornered in an area of just 21 sq km that includes the government declared 20 sq km no-fire zone (NFZ) are continuously mounting heavy artillery and mortar attacks from the NFZ. 179 civilians including 76 children killed within 3 days inside 'safety zone' Sri Lanka Army (SLA) attacks have claimed the lives of 179 civilians within the three days of Thursday, Friday and Saturday, according to the casualty figures collected by TamilNet correspondent in Vanni. At least 76 of the slain victims were children below the age of 15. At least 16 pregnant mothers were among the slain. More than 109 children below the age of 15 have sustained injuries. Around 45% of the thousands of shells fired by the SLA have hit the safety zone. Meanwhile, a foreign staff of the ICRC, who came in the ship on Saturday to transport the wounded civilian had a narrow escape when the ship was hit by long distance gunfire by the SLA damaging a window of the ship. On Friday, a local ICRC worker, P. Satheeskumar, was reportedly injured in SLA shelling. The wife of another Red Cross (ICRC or SLRC) worker was reportedly killed on Friday. The ICRC ship that arrived on Thursday and on Saturday to transfer the wounded patients from Maaththa'lan hospital managed to transport around 950 persons.Five wounded patients being treated at the Intensive Care Unit of the makeshift hospital were killed Thursday morning when Rocket Propelled Grenades fired by the SLA hit the hospital. A 7-month-old foetus was slain Friday when a 25-year-old pregnant mother, Paasamalr, sustained injuries in her lower abdomen.Civilians in Maaththa'lan and Pokka'nai had to stay inside the bunkers continuously for 13 hours from 10:00 p.m. Thursday till 11:00 a.m. Friday as SLA stepped up artillery, mortar and gunfire. Bullets were whizzing over the main road which links the various villages of the safety zone. 59 civilians were killed on Thursday, 63 including 21 children on Friday and 57 on Saturday. At least 109 children below age 15 have sustained injuries. 31 of them were below 10 years of age. 9 of 16 slain pregnant mothers were in their final stage of pregnancy, according to medical sources. Most of the deaths of pregnant mothers have been reported in Pokka'nai and Maaththa'lan areas. The SLA deployed cluster-fitted shells Thursday night to target IDP shelters between Valaignarmadam and Pokka'nai, and between Maaththa'lan and Pokka'nai during the day time of Friday.498 persons were transferred from the hospital by the ICRC ship on Saturday and 443 on Thursday. Two shells that hit a well between Pokka'nai and Maaththa'lan have claimed the lives of 10 IDPs who were washing their bodies.An entire family of four members was wiped out Thursday in rocket fire that came from SLA positions across the lagoon. RPG fire targeted Pokka'nai - Maaththa'lan border. A female village (GS) officer, Ajantha Abarajithan, was killed in Valaignarmadam Thursday. There have also been air strikes carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) inside the safety zone. State TV reporter found carrying LTTE laptops and cameras China, US blocking India’s way to Security Council The display of naval prowess off the Somali coast by Beijing, a full throttle attempt at the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to stop India in acquiring nuclear status or dangerously increasing its presence in the neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan. China is consistently giving a tough chase to policymakers in New Delhi and is trying to out shadow India on every front and every sphere at the regional and global stage.Although the world perceives this tug of war as a race between two emerging Asian giants to acquire domination, an insight into this rat race clearly reflects asymmetry. According to highly placed sources in the Ministry of External Affairs, Beijing has upped its efforts and is employing backdoor diplomacy to stop the expansion of the United Security Council to remain the sole Asian representative in this all powerful club.China is skeptical of India’s entry into the Security Council because of myriad reasons. Mandarins in Beijing strongly believe Japan is on a better wicket and has more chances of getting into the club in comparison to India due to its economic clout and widespread support from international community including of the United States. Interestingly shapers of Indian diplomacy are leaving no chance to gloat about the advancing relationship between India and United States vis–vis the Indo-US nuclear deal. In practice, and on the face, US ambiguity in supporting India’s bid, Beijing has overtly supported India’s aspiration for a seat at the SecurityCouncil. However there is big difference in Beijng stand and practice, while it make no qualms in backing India’s claim for a permanent seat in the Security Council on the diplomatic face. At the same time behind the scenes Beijing has developed a coffee club which includes nations like Pakistan, S. Korea, Malaysia and African countries which are trying to obstruct the expansion of the Security Council and creating hurdles in the inclusion of G4 (Germany, India, Japan, Brazil) into the grouping.China watchers both inside and outside the government believes that Beijing is supporting democratization of the Security Council, but is ostensibly stalling the agenda of expanding the Security Council by asking UN to include the countries of African origin.However, Beijing realizes and recognizes India’s rising stature both in terms of economy and also defense and it firmly believes that it cannot stop India from becoming a member of the Security Council.Indian policymakers believes that China is reconciling with the facts and there is a marked change in its stand which is reflected on the statements made by Beijing from 2005 to 2008 vis–vis India’s claim of achieving the status of permanent membership.The way India has displayed raft and imaginative diplomacy in making theIndo-US nuclear deal possible; the same kind of smart diplomacy and deftness is required to enter the Security Council club. The dynamics are changing in the wake of global recession, the power is certainly shifting from west to east, and the economic issues are subsiding emotional and ideological ones. US, which has found new convergence in its relations with his not so old adversary China especially after the change of guard in Washington needs Beijing’s support to end the economic morass, in the long term US also needs New Delhi for hedging Beijing strategically.The challenge of economic crisis is providing opportunity for New Delhi to change equations with its East Asian Giant, which is facing its biggest challenge after Tinamen in the face of economic meltdown.India should take advantage of its huge markets, which has, potential of reviving great economies and this message should be conveyed to Hu Jintao by Prime Minister on the sidelines of G 20.After all India should take courage from the fact that it is under Beijing ’s pressure that Islamabad has accepted that Mumbai Attacks are planned out from its soil. Indo-Lanka undersea cable, Sampur power plant put on hold Construction of the Sampur Coal Power Plant and the Anuradhapura High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cable link is severely delayed as India is yet to give its green light, due to coming months’ General Elections in India. “With regards to the second coal power plant at Sampur, both the Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) and the Joint Venture Agreements are almost finalised with the National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC), the Indian company, yet to be reverted. Furthermore, the agreement on having the HVDC transmission cable link across the Indian Ocean too is almost complete but is awaiting green light from India,” a Power and Energy Ministry official told The Nation. This was likely due to severe opposition from both Indian and Sri Lankan Tamil communities against the said plant with the Tamil Nadu factor weighing heavily in the General Elections, scheduled to commence in April, The Nation learns. Recently, the Cabinet of Ministers put on hold a Cabinet Paper on a second coal power plant in Trincomalee until the full impact of the Norochcholai or Sampur power plants can be determined. The Cabinet Paper was based on a proposal submitted by the Malaysian Government to construct a coal power plant on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Basis under the Nagenahira Navodaya programme, The Nation learns. The 1GW Sampur Power Plant, earlier expected to commence in 2008 June, will provide 500MW to the national grid by 2012 under its first stage. A total of 700 acres of land were earmarked for the project and the construction is to be carried out by the Indian Company NPTC under the supervision of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). The first stage is budgeted at nearly Rs.50 billion, out of which 70% is covered by foreign aid while the rest is jointly funded by NTPC and the CEB.Meanwhile, the proposed 400 KV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line is likely to connect Madurai in Tamil Nadu and Anuradhapura via Talaimannar and will be built by India’s central transmission utility- PowerGrid Corporation. This will include HVDC overhead lines from Madurai to the Indian coast (near Rameshwaram) (139 km), a 400 KV HVDC cable from the Indian sea coast to the Sri Lankan sea coast (39 km), a 400 KV HVDC overhead line from the Sri Lankan coast to Anuradhapura/Puttalam (125km). Despite India having an overall power shortage, Tamil Nadu which had excess power was in favour of the deal, and although both governments attached top priority to this project, which was mulled back in April 2008, has been delayed due to the next months’ decisive elections. LTTE concentrated fire on the 1 kilometer its left with 6 STF commandos killed, 8 injured in 3 separate LTTE attacks in Batticaloa Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) launched attacks on Special Task Force (STF) commandos at three separate locations Friday and Saturday in Batticaloa district killing a commando and seriously injuring three in the first attack while killing two commandos and seriously injuring one in the second attack. The third attack was on the STF sentry post in Karadiyanaa’ru police division in which three STF commandos were killed and four seriously wounded, Batticaloa district LTTE said. Meanwhile, two Sri Lanka Army (SLA) home guards lost their legs caught in a booby trap set by the Tigers Saturday around 6:30 a.m in the 16th village in Ampaa’rai district, LTTE in Ampaa’rai said. Liberation Tigers launched the Friday attack around 10:45 p.m on the STF commandos posted at the road check point located between U’rukaamam and Kiththu’l on Batticaloa-Badulla road in which an STF commando was killed and three seriously injured.The second attack took place Saturday around 12:30 p.m on the STF mini camp at 78th mile post on Chengkaladi-Badulla road where a time bomb planted by the Tigers exploded killing two STF commandos and seriously wounding one. No Tamil party asked the President to stop war -PLOTE leader Siddharthan Peolple's Liberation Organization of Tami Ealam (PLOTE) leader D. Siddharthan says that certain European countries and political parties of Tamil Nadu influence Sri Lanka government to stop war aiming to re-strengthen LTTE. Therefore, it should not be allowed, he says.Participating in an interview with Lanka-e-News, Siddharthan said that PLOTE was against stopping war. He also said that no party asked the President to stop war at the meeting the President had with the representatives of the LTTE.Following are the questions asked by the Lanka-e-News and Siddharthan's answers. Question: Don't Tamil political parties like to stop war temporarily and to solve the people's problems. Answer: History has proved that the LTTE takes advantages of ceasefires. The situation worsened after the ceasefire. It is wrong thinking that Tamil people can be rendered service following stopping war. Question: Do you mean not to stop war? Answer: Definitely the war must be stopped if only the LTTE asks to allow the civilians to cross into the state controlled areas. But the suspension of war should be temporary until civilians are coming. Question: Do you like war? Answer: We do not oppose war between government and the LTTE. We oppose only the damages to the civilians. Question: What are your comments about the allegation that the food stocks provided by the government to Vanni are not sufficient? Answer: It is not true. The state delivers sufficient supplies. Much of them are stolen by LTTE. I admit that both in the areas the Tamils are stranded and settled there are shortages of basic facilities such as toilets and clean water. Sometimes they have no cooking utensils. But the government cannot be blamed for it. Question: If so, who is complaining? LTTE? Answer: No, there are problems in both sides. Question: Then who is complaining? LTTE? Answer: No, NO. There are problems in both sides. Question: The District Secretaries of Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu have reported that there are around 300,000 Tamils in Mullaithivu and Kilinochchi districts. Answer: That estimate is unacceptable. They have been prepared under the influence of LTTE. Answer: The government sends food supplies to this area. LTTE prepares false statistics to obtain the excess. There can be around 200,000 people in this area. Question: Can the problems of the Tamils be answered permanently if the war is dragged like this? Answer: We have to end war and discuss a solution later. 28 March 2009 UN in call for Sri Lanka 'pause' The UN, backed by the US and Britain, has urged the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels to back a "humanitarian pause" in fighting. A senior UN official said the civilian population trapped in the conflict zone in the north was not being allowed out. Amnesty International said on Friday that thousands of civilians were increasingly at risk in the conflict. Troops have pushed the rebels from most of the territory they held during heavy fighting in the past few weeks. The rebels are now restricted to a small area of jungle and coast in Mullaitivu district. Rights and aid groups have continued to criticise both the government and Tamil Tiger rebels over civilian casualties. 'Extremely worrying' United Nations humanitarian chief John Holmes told reporters that the main concern was that the Tigers were not allowing trapped civilians to leave the area. The UN was pressing the authorities for access to the combat area, he said. "We suggested the idea of some kind of humanitarian pause to allow that to happen and to allow the civilian population to leave," news agency AFP quoted Mr Holmes as saying. "This is an extremely worrying situation and therefore, our first appeal is to the Tamil Tigers to let the civilians out in a safe and orderly fashion." Senior US official Rosemary DiCarlo also voiced her government's "concern at the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka". "We certainly condemn the fact that the [Tamil Tigers] use civilians as human shields... We call on them to lay down their arms, renounce violence and negotiate with the government," Associated Press quoted Ms DiCarlo as saying. She also criticised government troops for continuing to shell areas heavily populated by civilians. "We are very concerned that the government of Sri Lanka continues its shelling of areas where there are large numbers of civilians, very close to hospitals, very close to civilian facilities," she said. "The death toll of the civilians continues to rise, and that's a real concern. "We've had promises, but we need to see results. The government of Sri Lanka must pay more attention to protecting the civilians in this conflict," she said. 'War crime' Amnesty International said that tens of thousands of people trapped in government-designated "safe zones" in the north-east were becoming more exposed because of the escalation in fighting. Amnesty also called for an immediate truce to allow aid to reach trapped civilians and ensure safe passage for all those who wished to leave. It called on the UN and international donors to put pressure on Sri Lanka to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to camps for displaced people. "The deliberate firing on civilians by either side constitutes a war crime," said Sam Zarifi, director of the Asia Pacific region at Amnesty International. "We cannot stress enough the importance of an immediate pause to allow the displaced to leave before thousands more are killed." The Tigers have been fighting for a separate homeland for the minority Tamil community for more than 25 years now. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the civil war. Tamils join the love ship to aid victims of war Members of the city's Tamil community – more than 700 families – joined forces to collect 12 large vanloads of humanitarian supplies to help men, women and children trapped in the civil war zone."It was a fantastic response. Everybody helped and we had a huge amount of items donated," said Suresh Nesaratnam from the Milton Keynes Tamil Welfare Association.These items included urgent medical supplies as well as baby food, powdered milk, rice, lentils and tinned food.Together with other collections from Tamil people all over the UK, the goods will be shipped to Sri Lanka on the liner Vananga Man leaving Southampton today, Thursday.The relief cargo will go to help the 200,000 civilians currently trapped in the north of Sri Lanka with no shelter, food or medicine. Already 3,000 people have been killed and 7,000 seriously wounded by bomb attacks.Caught up in the carnage were 80 orphaned children who are sponsored by the people of Milton Keynes. This month all the orphans managed to miraculously escape and are currently recovering in rehabilitation centres.Meanwhile the Milton Keynes Tamils, many of whom are desperately worried about friends and family left in Sri Lanka, are hoping the bombing will soon end.This week the British government was asked to consider striking Sri Lanka out of the Commonwealth unless a ceasefire was agreed.MP for Milton Keynes South West Phyllis Starkey has already called for a halt to the war and urgent negotiations for a political solution 'Both sides attack civilians' - Amnesty escalating attacks Meanwhile, Amnesty International said tens of thousands of people trapped in what are officially regarded as 'safe zones' in the Wanni region were at increased risk from escalating attacks by the Tigers and the Sri Lankan armed forces. Amnesty International is calling for an "immediate humanitarian truce", to allow aid to reach trapped civilians and ensure the safe passage for all those that wish to leave. In a statement released in London, The organization say that they also called on the "United Nations and international donors to put pressure on Sri Lanka to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to camps for the displaced people in the region". deliberate firing on civilians “The deliberate firing on civilians by either side constitutes a war crime,” said Sam Zarifi, Director of the Asia Pacific region at Amnesty International. In their statement the organisation blame the Tamil Tigers for keeping the people by force."Amensty International has received credible and consistent reports that the LTTE has forcibly displaced civilians and pushed them into areas under their control in the Wanni, where they are effectively held hostage and used as a buffer against the Sri Lankan armed forces – a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law". Firing on escaping civilians The LTTE is also reported to have deliberately attacked civilians that have tried to escape from areas under their control.In their report Amnesty claims, "The Sri Lankan government has intensified the suffering of the displaced people by cutting off international humanitarian assistance to a region where there are no longer any functioning hospitals." excuse to discriminate Amnesty International says that the government is using the screening process at checkpoints and in transitional “welfare villages” as an excuse to discriminate against large groups of ethnic Tamils and to detain families for indefinite periods of time.“The Sri Lankan government’s attitude so far has been to seek international assistance while rejecting international standards or scrutiny” said Sam Zarifi. “The United Nations and donor government must ensure Sri Lanka acts on its obligations and ends the discrimination and suffering of the displaced people.” he added. IMF Loan to Sri Lanka Should Not Serve "Quasi Military" Purpose, UN Official Says A day after the Sri Lankan government's as well as the Tamil Tigers' killing of civilians was criticized in a session of the Security Council, the purpose of its $1.9 billion loan request to the UN-affiliated International Monetary Fund was questioned at the UN. Two weeks ago in Washington, Inner City Press asked IMF spokesman David Hawley to describe any safeguards that the loan proceeds wouldn't be used in connection with the government's military actions in north Sri Lanka or its detention camps for internally displaced people. Mr. Hawley said that negotiations were continuing. Since then, the IMF has received extensive written opposition to the loan request as made, most of it quoting the Sri Lankan Central Bank's statement that the aim of the IMF loan is to "continue with the resettlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction work in the Northern Province, and the continued rapid development of the Eastern Province," which it deems key "not only to uplift the living standards of the people in the areas affected by the decades long conflict, but also to successfully implement the government's efforts to bring a sustainable solution to the conflict." On March 27, Inner City Press asked the UN's Jomo Kwame Sundaram, Assistant Secretary-General on Economic Development at the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, about Sri Lanka's application for an emergency loan from the IMF and the resulting controversy. He replied that IMF loans generally shouldn't be used for "military or quasi-military purposes." It seems clear that the government's "resettlement" camps serve a quasi military purpose. What then will happen on the loan request? Watch this site.Footnotes: Inner City Press asked asked Jomo K.S., in the run-up to the G20 meeting in London, for his views on the different proposals of the Stiglitz Panel on which he serves and of Ban Ki-moon, whom as an ASG he also serves. His answer was a model of diplomacy, that the reason Ban would not repeat his $1 trillion call while at Wednesday's stakeout interview with Gordon Brown was that Ban was being "a gracious host." Some opine that it's Gordon Brown that wants to be seen as saving the world. At Friday's noon briefing, Inner City Press asked Ban's spokesperson if it is true that the World Bank's Bob Zoellick, who for more than a month has been promoting his own proposal that 0.7% of rich countries' stimulus packages be devoted to poor countries, called Ban to ask him to not come out with the trillion-dollar request. Ban's spokesperson said they had spoken, and that she would try to get a read-out. For now, an Inner City Press debate on these topic will appear over the weekend here. Jesse Jackson calls for ceasefire Veteran American civil rights campaigner Reverend Jesse Jackson, who addressed the diaspora Tamil conference in London on Thursday said that "we [the global community] have a moral obligation to stop the killings" in Sri Lanka. The American civil rights activist also raised the need to increase the international awareness of the crisis and asked what his organisation, the Rainbow Push Coalition could do to help. Rev. Jackson stated that the crisis can only be resolved by "thinking it out, and not by shooting it out." He called for a commitment to a ceasefire because “we cannot negotiate to the sound of bullets whizzing over our heads.” “We know that there has to be a cessation of violence to get back to the table to resolve the conflict,” Rev Jackson said. “Whenever there is human misery, whenever there is fear, we have a moral obligation,” he said. Saying that he was aware of the crisis in Sri Lanka, Rev Jackson asked “what can we do to help”. Referring to the political accommodation that has been achieved in Northern Ireland, Rev. Jackson spoke about the achievements of the civil rights movement, including marches calling for an end to segregation and to free (Nelson) Mandela."I am convinced we have never lost a battle we fought, and never won a battle unless we fought," Rev Jackson said.“There are those who still think that violence is a solution,” he said. “I believe it is not.” Rev. Jackson said he was convinced that non-violence was strength, not weakness, because it required the use of the mind, not just missiles. “I think our choices remain non-violence and co-existence,” he said. Referring to the increasingly connected world, Rev. Jackson said “if people know our story they will gravitate to the rightness of our cause.”The Tamil family must seek some way of reconciliation over elimination, he said, “some plan to co-exist and not co-annihilate.”Asking what his organisation can do to help, Rev Jackson said one reason for being at the conference was to get the Tamil story told. “Your witnesses must be able to testify,” he said, “and not be drowned out by the sound of bullets and the quiver of fear.”He called on Tamils to define the help that they seek, saying that US Secretary of State Clinton had spoken and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown had called for a ceasefire. “What can the world do to get you back to the table and away from the battle field?” he asked, stressing the urgency about the matter. When we fight these battles, there are some rules of the game, he said. “We must affirm international law, human rights, self-determination and economic justice.” With that fight comes the faith to fight on until the morning cometh, he said. “We must not give up.” In our own country, not long ago, it was almost state-sanctioned terrorism, Rev Jackson said. It is not long ago that we made apartheid in our own country illegal. “We walked behind the caskets of the martyrs, the murdered and the marginalised.”The reason America is where it is today is “because we didn’t give up; because we turned to each other, not on each other; because we kept reaching out; because we kept building coalitions; because we kept the faith; because we kept out hope alive.” This long process, of each victory leading to another victory and each struggle leading to another struggle, led to Barak Obama becoming the 44th President. In Sri Lanka also, we need affirmation of respect for international law, human rights, self-determination and economic justice, he said. “Let us choose negotiation. Let us work it out and not fight it out,” he said. “If the cause is right, you will prevail.”“It means co-existence not co-annihilation. It means talking with both the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil people. It means convincing all involved that beyond the pain on war is a peace that’s possible.”“We must believe that peace with justice is possible,” Rev. Jackson said.“We are interested in trying to bring visibility and resolution to this crisis,” Rev Jackson said, and volunteered that his organisation, Rainbow Coalition, would help in any way to achieve this. “Hope matters, because if you can see beyond the situation, you can get where you see,” Rev Jackson said. “You must conceive it, believe it, achieve it.”“We have a moral obligation to work together to stop the killing, to end the fear, to provide the hope,” he said. Rev. Jesse Jackson concluded his speech by stating that “We must live to see the end of the crisis in Sri Lanka as another victory in our quest to make the world a better place in which to live.” 257 Tamils arrested in outskirts of Colombo Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police took into custody 301 persons including 257 Tamils in a joint search conducted in Gampaha, in the outskirts of Colombo city, from Thursday 6:00 p.m till Friday 6:00 a.m, according to police spokesman, Ranjith Gunasekara. 8,830 persons were interrogated in the search, he said. The relatives of the arrested Tamils have lodged complaints with Deputy Minister, P. Rathakrishnan and Mano Ganeshan, leader of Western Peoples’ Front (WPF) and Colombo district parliamentarian. Among the arrestees except the Tamils others belonging to other ethnic communities have been taken in for involvement in criminal activities, Ranjith Gunesekara told the media.The relatives of the Tamil arrestees complained to the Deputy Minister that many Tamil youths are being held in the same cells where Sinhalese criminals are detained.The arrested Tamil youths are being detained in Gampaha police station and other police stations in the district. Co-operate with Govt to solve problems of Tamils President Mahinda Rajapaksa called upon all political parties representing the Tamil people to unite with him to grant the democratic rights to the people of Jaffna. He said so when representatives of Tamil political parties met him at Temple Trees on March 26 to discuss the present situation in the North. It was revealed at the meeting that the TNA refrained from participating in it due to pressure from the terrorists. If there is a genuine love for the Tamil people all political parties representing them should attend this meeting which had been convened to discuss about their welfare, said the President. Speaking further, the President called upon the LTTE to release the innocent Tamil civilians held hostage by them. Though they claim to be liberators of the Tamil people they never defended them, the President added. He also said that his objective is to grant all rights to the Tamil people in the North and establish democracy there in the not too distant future. The meeting also discussed the facilities provided to the civilians arriving from LTTE controlled areas. PLOTE representatives pointed out that there are provisions sufficient for three months in the area and that the people are commending the services rendered by the Security Forces.TULF Leader V. Anandasangaree said a large number of civilians are still in the area dominated by the LTTE. Minister Douglas Devananda also confirmed that there are provisions sufficient for about three months in the area. The following parties All Ceylon Muslim Congress, Ceylon Democratic Unity Alliance, Eelam People’s Democratic Party, National Congress, National Unity Alliance, Pathmanabha Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal, Upcountry People’s Front, Democratic People’s Front, Tamil United Liberation Front and People’s Liberation Organisation Tamil Eelam were present at the discussion. Tamil Tiger supporters protest in Sydney Thousands of Tamil Tiger supporters marched down Sydney streets to protest the civil war that has ravaged Sri Lanka for decades.Sydney's CBD suffered traffic congestion and delays as approximately 2,000 men, women and children gathered at Martin Place on Saturday and marched to Town Hall, where a rally was held.Coffins, children stained with fake blood and a man dressed as a tiger and armed with a sword were just some of the portrayals represented in the march.They carried signs displaying the slogans: "Free Tamil", "Tamils are not Sri Lankans" and "The charge is genocide, the struggle is for freedom".The Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO) of Australia organised the march and the rally, which gathered in the forecourt between Town Hall and St Andrew's Anglican Cathedral.TYO representative Jay Nathan spoke to the crowd, describing the difference between life in Australia and life in the island nation of Sri Lanka."I see my fellow Tamils living in Sri Lanka and I am overcome with sorrow to see that they are denied the luxuries that I enjoy here in Australia," Ms Nathan said. "They live their lives in fear of persecution, abduction and death because of who they are."She said oppression against Tamil civilians had lasted more than 60 years with the government controlling the media and prohibiting access by overseas aid organisations to the conflict zones.She repeated the call for the Tamil-controlled provinces to be allowed to secede from Sri Lanka and become an independent state. Adrian Francis, also a TYO representative, said the United Nations estimated that nearly 2,700 Tamil civilians had been killed and more than 7,200 injured from late-January to early-March in 2009."To me it is beyond evidence that the sole agenda of the government of Sri Lanka is to wipe out the Tamil population," Mr Francis told the crowd."These are our brothers, these are our sisters, mothers, fathers, everything - all lost, lost lives, lost dreams."We ask the Australian government to listen to our plea, to understand that these our brothers and sisters we are losing in this conflict."The Tamil Tigers, known officially as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), are listed as a terrorist organisation by more than 30 countries.Police said no arrests were made during the protest. Ambassador Blake rejects Weerawansa’s criticism Two TMVP cadres gunned downby Norman Palihawadena Two TMVP cadres, K. Ashok and T. Mohandas, both in their twenties, were shot dead on Thursday night at their office in Annamalai in the Chavalakadai Police area in Ampara.TMVP sources attributed the killing to the LTTE. Sources also said the party is now contemplating Police protection for their offices since several similar incidents had occurred in the recent past. In many such past incidents LTTE cadres who infiltrated the TMVP offered to guard their offices and had later killed the TMVP members and taken away their weapons.Chavalakadai Police are conducting investigations. Karuna trying to create a rift between me and Govt. - Pillayan Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan yesterday slammed non cabinet Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman for his “interference” in matters relating to the eastern province.Mr. Chandrakanthan told Daily Mirror that Minister Muralitharan had “no right” to talk about the east as he was not selected as a leader by the people in the area.Minister Chandrakanthan further said that Minister Muralitharan was trying to create a rift between him and the government and had spread blatant lies about the death threats and resignation of the Kalawanchikudy Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman.According to police reports, a senior TMVP leader and a Pillayan faction supporter had allegedly issued death threats to the Kalawanchikudy Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman demanding he resign from his post immediately and the suspect was now evading arrest.Kalawanchikudy PS Chairman Kannan lodged a complaint with the Kalawanchikudy police on March 20 against a senior TMVP leader named Seelan for threatening him with death demanding he resigns from the PS Chairman post immediately. Kalawanchikudy PS was under the control of the Karuna faction earlier with its chairman being a supporter of Minister Muralitharan who recently joined the SLFP. Mr. Chandrakanthan however said that the issue was blown out of proportion by Minister Muralitharan and denied allegations that one of his cadres had issued death threats to Kannan. He said that an explanation was sought from Kannan as to whether he had joined another political party and left the TMVP. “If Kannan has joined another political party then he can no longer occupy the Chairman’s post. As any political party would do, a team of TMVP members went to Kannan’s house to seek for an explanation. We told him if he has joined another party then we will take disciplinary action against him as to why he is still holding the Chairman post which belongs to a TMVP member,” Mr. Chandrakanthan said.He added that the TMVP and the government maintained a ‘firm’ relationship with each other and he would not allow Minister Muralitharan to create a rift with between himself and the President. “We will support the President in everyway,” he said. 27 March 2009 TNA boycott meeting with President We thank you for the letter sent by your Secretary dated 20 March 2009, inviting us and all the other Members of Parliament belonging to the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) for a meeting chaired by you, to be held on 26 March 2009 at 6.30 p.m. at Temple Trees to discuss the prevailing political situation in the country. We observe that you vaguely state that you desire to discuss the prevailing political situation in the country without any specific reference to the political issues that need to be discussed. There is also no reference to the grave humanitarian crisis prevailing in a part of the Mullaitheevu District, relating to around 300,000 internally displaced Tamil civilians. After the government designated certain areas as safe zones, these displaced Tamil civilians largely moved into these areas. We consider it necessary to state certain facts pertaining to this grave humanitarian crisis relating to the displaced Tamil civilians. • The fighting between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE’s) military formations is said to be taking place on many fronts some distance away from the said government designated ‘safe zones’. Yet the Sri Lankan armed forces have been bombing the safe zone areas by air and artillery fire killing on an average between 40 to 50 civilians on a daily basis and causing grave injuries to civilians many times more. • Despite the grave humanitarian crisis prevalent in these areas, the government has evicted all international humanitarian organizations and has since imposed restrictions on supplies to these areas tantamount to an embargo on food, medicine, shelter and other basic humanitarian items. • No independent media is permitted access to this area to report on the situation really prevailing in this area. • No functioning hospitals remain in the Vanni as government bombing campaigns have destroyed all such facilities. There are gross shortages of medicines. Despite numerous requests by the few remaining medical officers in the Vanni, the government has failed to send adequate medicine. Diseases related to overcrowding, poor nutritional intake, a lack of sanitation and exposure to the elements are becoming prevalent. People have died recently as a result of complications which could have been easily treated had there been proper health facilities and medicine. • The Internally Displaced Persons do not have any form of toilet facilities. The government has banned all construction materials into the area and as a result building of temporary toilets has not been possible. • More than 60,000 families (240,000 individuals) are living in open areas with shelter made from tarpaulin. Due to the very hot weather conditions, staying in these shelters has become intolerable. The government has not allowed shelter materials into the area. • Even though there are around 300,000 civilians in the relevant areas, the government insists that there are only about 70,000 civilians in the area. This position of the government is inconsistent with the assessment of UN and other international agencies who estimate that there are around 200,000 displaced civilians in this area. In doing so the quantity of food aid and medicine and other essential humanitarian supplies sent is grossly inadequate and as a result the civilian population is starving to death or dying due to unavailability of medical supplies. It should be noted that within the last month, several people have died of starvation. The dead have included many children. • There is also a complete inadequacy of drinking water. Water Bowsers from Puthukuddirruppu are used for transporting water. This water is dangerous to collect due to continuous shelling and bombing of the area by the Sri Lankan armed forces. To compound matters, lack of fuel for the Bowsers and the water pumps is also hampering water collection and delivery. The situation regard to non drinking water (toilet, washing, cooking, etc) is that it is almost non-existent. • Since the beginning of this year alone, over 3000 civilians have been killed in these so-called ‘safe zones’ by bombing campaigns carried out by the Sri Lankan armed forces. Well over 8000 civilians have been gravely injured. The fact that the armed forces have been bombing these areas suggests that the civilians are being deliberately targeted. It is also our submission that the government’s failure to permit adequate food and medicine into these areas demonstrates that food and medicine are being used against the Tamil civilians as a weapon of war. The TNA has made public this grave humanitarian situation and appealed to the government to take necessary steps to ensure that the Tamil civilian population is not harmed. The international community has similarly made strong appeals to the govthat the displaced Tamil civilian population is not denied urgent humanitarian needs. ernment on behalf of the Tamil civilian population. The government has not responded to these appeals. If the military attacks now taking place, and the deprivations caused by the embargo on food, medicines, shelter and other humanitarian needs continue, a grave humanitarian catastrophe affecting the Tamil civilian population will before long occur in this area. We consider it our primary duty to protect and safeguard the displaced Tamil civilian population from this grave humanitarian catastrophe. We have to therefore earnestly request : - .That the military attacks be stopped immediately. . Ensure that adequate supplies of food, medicines and shelter are sent immediately to sustain a civilian population of around 300,000 so We should also point out that the international community has with one voice urged the government to swiftly take action on the aforesaid lines. It is in the background of this grave humanitarian crisis relating to the Tamil civilian population that we have received your invitation. The Tamil people and our party are strongly of the view that the utmost priority must be given to the resolution of this humanitarian crisis before it assumes catastrophic proportions, and that any political discussions to be purposeful and meaningful must follow such resolution. Since you have hitherto consistently followed a policy of ignoring the TNA in regard to all political issues in the Northeast, we are glad that you now wish to engage in discussions with us, recognizing even though belatedly, that we represent the Tamil people. We will extend our cooperation to any credible political process that seeks to evolve an adequate, acceptable and durable political solution to the Tamil question. We would strongly urge that you take necessary steps to address forthwith the grave humanitarian crisis pertaining to the displaced Tamil civilian population. Lanka asks Thailand to watch out for Tigers Devananda and Anandasangaree in shouting match TULF leader V. Anandasangari had a showdown with Douglas Devananda, the EPDP leader and Social Services and Social Welfare Minister, at a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday regarding alleged EPDP atrocities in the Jaffna Peninsula.At the meeting, attended by representatives of Tamil and Muslim political parties, Mr. Anandasangari complained about the atrocities to the President. Minister Devananda intervened at this time and started to respond. This had reportedly angered Mr. Anandasangari who had shouted at the EPDP leader, asking him to keep his mouth shut.“I am talking to the President. You shut your mouth;” he had told Mr. Devananda.There was a heated exchange of words between the two leaders and National Integration Minister Vinayagamurthy Muralitharan had to intervene and calm Mr. Devananda.The President had also briefed the political party representatives on the current situation in the Wanni. Mr. Anandasangari asked whether the government was sending food enough only for 80,000 persons in the area.The President had said there was no certainty about the actual number of people living there. He said the LTTE was issuing inflated figures to suit their purposes. He said that the government was sending food sufficient for even 300,000 persons. “India has not extended military aid to Sri Lanka” RAMANATHAPURAM: Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Chief of Naval Staff, has said that the Indian Armed Forces, including the Navy, have not extended military assistance to Sri Lankan forces battling the LTTE. Addressing a press conference after commissioning the INS Parundu, a full-fledged naval air station at Uchipuli near here on Thursday, he said Indian forces had no role in the ongoing military action against the LTTE. Mr. Mehta said that the Navy had to be careful in the wake of the turmoil witnessed in some of our neighbouring countries in the recent past.He said the happenings in Sri Lanka were also a cause for concern. Government seek the support of a councilor of Pillaiyan to form a suicide group -Kiriella Sri Lanka says final standoff with Tigers approaches Sri Lanka's military on Thursday said it has one kilometre left to go before trapping the Tamil Tigers separatists in a no-fire zone, along with thousands of civilians at grave risk in the 25-year war's final act.President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under pressure to craft a political deal, has called for a meeting with parliamentarians allied with the Tigers but they have refused until the government resolves the humanitarian crisis faced by civilians trapped in the fighting."Now the area is 21 sq km (8 sq miles) and only 1 sq km left other than the safe zone," military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.The Tigers also tried a counterattack on Wednesday, which soldiers repelled. A total of 30 rebels were killed altogether on Wednesday, he said.The Tigers could not be reached for comment.The military-declared no-fire zone and the remaining kilometre outside of it are all that remain of 15,000 square km the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held less than three years ago and tried to turn into a separate nation for Sri Lanka's Tamil minority.The military has not revealed what it will do once it reaches the no-fire zone, but diplomats are urging it to besiege the Tigers instead of moving in to attack them, risking civilian lives in the process. President Rajapaksa invited members of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to talks this week. But the LTTE-allied TNA on Thursday told a press conference they would not talk with Rajapaksa until the civilian crisis was resolved."Any political discussions, to be purposeful and meaningful, must follow such resolution," TNA leader R. Sampanthan said. He said 40-50 civilians were being killed daily by artillery and air attacks. The government denies attacking civilians.Fears are high for the safety of the tens of thousands trapped inside the no-fire zone. The United Nations says the Tigers have forcibly kept people there as human shields or conscripts, and has warned the government against shelling the safe zone. It says that 2,800 civilians have been killed since Jan. 20.The government says it is not firing into the no-fire zone and that the U.N. numbers are unsubstantiated, while the Tigers say people are staying with them out of choice.Facing imminent conventional defeat, the Tigers for the first time in years unleashed surface-to-air missiles against a pair of Sri Lankan air force helicopters evacuating casualties on Wednesday. Both missed their targets, the air force said.That weapon has been noticeably missing from the Tigers well-equipped arsenal, and the military has used Mi-24 attack helicopters to great tactical advantage. The former Tiger commander Karuna Amman, now a non-cabinet minister in Rajapaksa's government, told Reuters in a recent interview that a large cache of shoulder-fired rockets were lost during the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami. 26 March 2009 TNA(TELO,TULF,ACTC and EPRLF) ready for conditional talks with President The TNA was ready to hold talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa if an environment condusive to such talks was created by the Government, TELO Jaffna District MP K. Sri Kantha told Parliament yesterday (25)."We cannot be expected to discuss high politics while the lives of thousands of our people are at risk," MP Sri Kantha said in response to the invitation sent by the president to TNA MPs for talks. The presidential Secretariat had sent invitations to all 22 TNA MPs for a meeting to discuss the prevailing political situation in the country. The meeting is scheduled for today (Thursday).MP Sri Kantha said yesterday that the President's invitation was still under consideration and a final decision would be made later in the day."The government must take fresh look at the problem. There must be a give and take attitude", he said.Sri Kantha said that the need of the hour was a ceasefire to save the lives of civilians in the war zone. He said that there were more than 200,000 civilians trapped there and their lives were in danger. LTTE fires at choppers Devolve power to Tamils, India tells Lanka India has urged Sri Lanka to fulfill its commitments to the Tamil population there with proper devolution of powers to the provinces, according to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.In a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi, copies of which were released to the media here today, Dr Singh said India also asked Sri Lanka to fulfill its commitment of ensuring equality and equal rights for Tamils as is the case of other citizens of Sri Lanka.''Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse has very recently reaffirmed his commitment to a devolution package, which, he said, will fully satisfy the Tamils,'' he added.Mr Rajapakse had also said steps in this direction were being taken immediately.''We may wait and see what steps are actually taken,'' Dr Singh said in his reply to the February 22 letter written by the Chief Minister.The Prime Minister said, ''during discussions with Sri Lanka, we have consistently proposed temporary cessation of hostilities, which could be utilised to facilitate movement of the Tamil population out of the war affected areas to safety zones, where proper rehabilitation facilities could be arranged.'' Observing the condition of thousands of innocent Tamils who become unfortunate victims of the on-going conflict was indeed pitiable, the Prime Minister said in addition thousands of others outside the war zone lived in makeshift camps, where, too, the conditions were hardly any better.Stating India was in constant touch with Lankan authorities, Dr Singh said contacts were being maintained at several levels, including the highest.India's Foreign Secretary recently met his Lankan counterpart, Defence Secretary, Secretary to President and also President Rajapakse at Colombo.''Our concerns regarding the plight of the Tamils were explicitly reiterated. Certain suggestions to ameliorate their conditions were proposed, the most important being an offer to set up a Field Medical Unit/Hospital to cater to the civilians and internally displaced persons evacuated from the war zone.''The Sri Lankan side has responded enthusiastically to this offer and the field hospital has been established and it is functioning well,'' he said. Udayan newspaper office attacked Reports from the north state the popular Udayan newspaper office has been attacked. Chairman of the organisation Saravanabavan stated a hand grenade attack was carried out on their premises last night.Reports further indicate an unidentified group had thrown a hand grenade at the police post in the Udayan newspaper premises injuring one police officer and damaging the office.The hand grenade had exploded in the area below the editor’s office and a similar attack took place in the same premises ten years ago.This newspaper functions with full police protection and it is to be pointed out in 2006‐armed gunmen carried out an attack in the office killing two staff members and injuring two others. Shelling kills 54 civilians in Sri Lanka COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Shelling killed 54 civilians Wednesday in a supposed "no-fire" zone in Sri Lanka's war between the government and separatist Tamil rebels, and the exodus of people fleeing the fighting picked up pace, officials said.The victims were among the tens of thousands of terrified civilians trapped in a sliver of jungle and beach along the island's northeast coast where government troops are battling to dislodge remnants of the Tamil Tiger rebels.Dr. Thurairaja Varatharajah, chief of a makeshift hospital in the war zone and the top government health official in the area, said 54 people were killed by shelling on Wednesday alone."Now 165 injured people are in hospital, 54 dead," Varatharajah said. "We are still receiving wounded people." Access to the war zone is restricted and it is not possible to confirm who fired the shells.The military has repeatedly denied that it has shelled the 7.5-mile-long (12-kilometer) "no-fire" zone that it has proclaimed as a place for civilians to seek safety. The government has also disputed statements by Varatharajah in the past.Many civilians want to flee the war zone but have been stopped by the rebels. A statement Wednesday on the government's Web site said 1,515 people, including nearly 650 children, had crossed into military-controlled areas by late Tuesday near Puthkkudiyirippu, the last rebel-held town, where battles have been raging for weeks. The Sri Lankan military says more than 50,000 civilians have escaped since the beginning of January, with the number averaging more than 1,000 a day in the last week.On Wednesday, the British-based charity group Christian Aid became the latest to warn of the dangers faced by the remaining civilians trapped in the war zone, saying their situation was "becoming graver by the day" as supplies of food, medicine and fresh water run low."More than at any stage in the war it is the ordinary women, men and children who are bearing the brunt of the suffering," Robin Greenwood, head of Christian Aid Asia and Middle East division, said in a statement.He called on the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to allow more access by aid workers to the people.The United Nations, European Union and numerous countries have also recently voiced concern about the situation. The U.N. has said 2,800 civilians caught in the fighting have been killed since late January. The government disputes that figure.The U.N. estimates at least 150,000 civilians are trapped in the war zone. The government says the number is closer to 50,000 to 60,000, and accuses the rebels of using them as human shields in a bid to avoid defeat.A separate notice on the military's Web site Wednesday said the rebels fired surface-to-air-missiles at two air force helicopters evacuating military casualties. It said the rockets, which forced the pilots to take evasive action, were fired from the "no-fire" zone set up last month to shelter the civilians.The military also said suspected Tamil rebels shot dead five ethnic Sinhalese farmers and wounded two others in a village in the east of Sri Lanka. No reason was given for the attack.In addition, the military said its troops captured a safe house belonging Pottu Amman, the rebels' powerful intelligence chief.The rebels have been fighting since 1983 for an independent state for the Tamil minority, which suffered decades of marginalization at the hands of governments dominated by the Sinhalese majority. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the fighting. Watford Tamils appeal for emergency food Tamils from across Watford came together to light a celebratory oil lamp yesterday as they prepare to send sacks of rice and vital medicines back to their native Sri Lanka. Thousands of Tamils have been caught up in fighting in the northern part of the South Asian island. The UN had estimated almost 3,000 civilians have been killed during fierce fighting in Sri Lanka, with an estimated 150,000 more people trapped in the war zone. The Tamil diaspora in Britain have been organising a “mercy mission”, to ship food, medicine and basic goods to the refugees caught up in the fighting. Sri Lankans in Watford have said the situation is now reaching “catastrophic proportions,” and have opened a shop on Gammons Lane to help the speed up the donations. They have already collected sacks of rice and flour, as well as sugar, condensed milk, biscuits, baby food, tinned vegetables and medicines. Yesterday afternoon the Mayor Dorothy Thornhill joined members of Watford's Tamil community to light an oil lamp to officially open the shop. Sri Mohan, one of the organisers, said: “There are a lot of people in Sri Lanka who have been affected by the civil war. “The Tamil communities all over the UK are gathering food and medicine and we are going to send it out there on a ship.” He added: “We are trying to make sure everybody is aware of this so we can help our own community back home.” Before lighting the lamp, the Mayor told the group: “I'm sure there will be a significant amount of food and medicines, I hope you can get the situation a little bit of publicity and I hope this place will be full to the brim.” Donations can be left at Londis, 71 Gammons Lane. Organisers have asked for no food items with less than six months expiry. Magistrate restrains eight TRO members Colombo Chief Magistrate Nishantha Hapuarachchi on Tuesday restrained eight Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) members from leaving Sri Lanka following allegations TRO funded the LTTE movement from the funds collected from foreign donors in the pretext of rehabilitating the Tamil IDPs.One of the suspects Sinniah Shanthilingha who appeared before court on summons was released on a Rs. 500,000 personal bail.The Police informed the Magistrate the summons were not served on the suspects since they had vacated from the addresses where they were living.According to the Police some LTTE cadres too had held office in the TRO. Among them were Colonel and Lieutenant Colonels of the LTTE movement. One of the suspects had been detained by the London Police for involvement with the bomb blast in London last year. Subsequently, the suspect had migrated to Qatar. The Police said they would obtain the assistance of the Interpol to arrest the suspect.The Magistrate fixed further inquiry for April 16. Pottu Amman’s safe house captured The Sri Lankan military on Wednesday charged the LTTE with firing surface-to-air-missiles at two Air Force helicopters engaged in casualty evacuation operations in Puthukudiyirippu.According to the Air Force, the pilots managed to evade the attack and took some injured personnel to safety. It said the missiles were fired from the government-declared “No-Fire Zone”.The Ministry said troops had captured a safe house of Pottu Amman, chief of the LTTE intelligence wing, south of Iranapalai on the Mullathivu battlefront.It said the safe house was used by both Pottu Amman and Kapil Amman, “two of the most wanted terrorists of the LTTE outfit for war crimes and crimes against humanity.”Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry quoted the U.N. Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Neil Buhne, as saying he was unable to confirm the veracity of the figures of civilian casualties since January 20 in the conflict area of Mullathivu district.Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama informed Mr. Buhne that the figures of 2,683 civilian deaths and 7,241 injuries cited in the report titled “Sri Lanka Civilian casualties Wanni Overview| March 2009,” emanating from his office, had not been attributed to any reliable or independent source. The statement maintained that the government with the assistance of the ICRC had, up to March 18, evacuated 4,120 sick and injured people, as well as 1,485 accompanying carers. It said Mr. Buhne acknowledged that the report had been prepared by his office and was meant only for circulation among the donor community. SRI LANKA: Responding to Growing International Concerns on the Eelam War – by Col R Hariharan Is the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) easing its rigid stand on talking peace in the last few days? It would seem so from the political head of the LTTE, Balasingam Nadesan’s e-mail interview published in the Sunday Times, London on March 22. He spoke of the insurgent group’s readiness for talks with the government “without pre-conditions.” The Sri Lanka government was quick to turn down the offer. Its defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said the government was not prepared for any ceasefire talks with a terrorist organization banned in Sri Lanka; but if the LTTE wanted some kind of response from the government the rebels would have to first let the trapped civilians go. However, significantly he added, “We are not asking the LTTE to surrender or lay down arms at this time. We will take care of that later.” This was also a positive sign, a slight departure from earlier Sri Lankan stand. But given the complexity of the issue, it would be too early to draw any conclusion. Apart from the LTTE’s overflowing cup of misery, developments in the international environment notably in the UN Security council (UNSC), USA, UK and India, could have “persuaded” the Tamil insurgents to respond more positively to the question of peace talks. To be realistic, even if there is some progress after mediation efforts, it might be too late to save the 100,000 to 150,000 (depending upon whose statistics one goes by) civilians in the LTTE’s 26 sq km domain as the Sri Lanka security forces close in further.The war situation could not be worse for the LTTE. Sri Lanka military machine is moving forward relentlessly regardless of casualties. In fact the inevitability of end results is making more sacrifices of LTTE lives futile. Apparently this gloomy scenario had caused the LTTE chief Prabhakaran to briefly appear in public to boost up the morale of Tamils under fire. The LTTE had been under heavy flak from the UN agencies during the last two months for its inhuman attitude to the plight of civilians in the war zone. It is no consolation that Sri Lanka had also come under fire for the same reasons because it is the LTTE that is losing the war. The civilians in the area of LTTE control have been getting restive and are trickling out in larger numbers. Sea Tigers efforts to prevent them have not been successful due to navy’s domination of the seas.The members of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the pro-LTTE group into parliament, are already having second thoughts on their continued support the LTTE, which is rapidly losing its clout and muscle power. Things in Tamil Nadu are no better for the LTTE. After the parliament elections have been announced, the major parties which are no friends of the LTTE, have seized the Sri Lanka card from the minor pro-LTTE parties. And the minor parties are in a scramble for winning the support of the big brothers to get a few berths in the elections. So regardless of who wins, fortunes of the LTTE are unlikely to improve greatly in the state.Under these adverse circumstances, there had been some encouraging international developments for Sri Lanka Tamils, who had been agitating for action to save their Sri Lankan brethren suffering in Wanni. In UK, though the government had been lukewarm to the idea, the Tamil issue was coming up before the House of Commons. (In fact, Nadesan’s interview was published on the eve of the Commons debate.) In the recent months, the US had been trying to find ways to get the trapped civilians out of the war zone in Wanni. Last month it wanted to employ the Marines to carry out a “consensual evacuation” of the civilians; but dropped the move when even India did not support the idea. In any case it would have found no takers on both the warring sides for different reasons. President Barack Obama had built up a lot of expectations among the Tamil expatriates on the US policy on the Sri Lanka war and plight of Tamils. And they had been lobbying for a discussion in the UNSC on the issue of civilian killings in the war in Wanni. These appear to have borne fruit at last.The US has come out in strong support when three non-permanent members of the UNSC - Austria, Mexico, and Costa Rica started trying for an “informal briefing” of the issue in the UNSC. The US envoy to the UN Ms Susan Rice supporting the move said, "The United States feels strongly, and concerned, about Sri Lanka, and we support the provision of it to the Council -- a full and updated information on the humanitarian situation.” But nothing may come out of the move as the UNSC is divided over the issue and China has expressed its strong objections to such a discussion. But that does not matter because the Sri Lanka Tamil issue has already been brought to the international limelight putting Sri Lanka on the defensive. Moreover, Ms Navaneetham Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, had come down heavily on both the Sri Lanka government and the LTTE on the death of civilians in the war zone. She had also said some of their actions could constitute violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. Ms Pillay’s pronouncements have come at an inconvenient time for Sri Lanka as the issue was already threatening to spill over to the UNSC. Moreover, some Tamil expatriates have been exploring ways to take Sri Lanka before the International Criminal Court for acts of genocide. So not surprisingly, Sri Lanka has reacted strongly to her statement.In this environment, it would be logical for the LTTE to help the Tamil expatriates and pro-LTTE lobbies everywhere by taking some positive action. And Nadesan’s Sunday Times interview was probably meant to meet this immediate international need. However, at the same time it does provide a small opening for bringing the two sides to the peace table, though Sri Lanka may put the whole issue in the cold storage till the LTTE is driven out of its last toehold and loses its bargaining capacity. Sri Lanka government is sitting pretty awaiting the LTTE to run out of blood to shed in the battlefields. But the more the “final victory” is delayed the more is its discomfort as the war is an expensive proposition and the economy is creaking dangerously close to a halt. However, the government has managed to get the International Monetary Fund to agree to lend $ 1.8 billion. Politically, the President Rajapaksa basking under the glow of military victories seems to be comfortable, as he appears to face no major challenge in the near horizon. The main opposition party - the United National Party (UNP) - is having pains of a rebirth to make itself strong to face the ruling coalition. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) mauled in the recent provincial elections is also largely on the defensive. The ruling party’s efforts to win over individual members of the TNA who are in a survival dilemma appear to have met with some success. President Rajapaksa’s invitation to them for talks has met with positive response of some responsible members of the TNA. This raises some hopes of a possible political rapprochement between the Tamil and Sinhala polity.The political churning up in India before the general election has prevented the Indian government from taking any major initiative on critical and time bound developments in Sri Lanka although the issue did figure in discussions between the US Secretary of State and the secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs. Thus India has painted itself into irrelevance in Sri Lanka, probably much to the comfort of the latter. This will make the job of redemption and building up of India’s relations with Sri Lanka a little more difficult, particularly if an unviable coalition comes to power in New Delhi. Sri Lanka is probably hoping that its “final victory” would be a fact of life by the time a new government is sworn in New Delhi. So for the time being the India factor is put to sleep, except for the genre of Sri Lanka politicians hunting for imaginary Indian designs on Sri Lanka. But the international glare of publicity on Sri Lanka’s poor human rights record appears to have offended the nation strongly. So its propaganda arms are systematically running down international NGOs accusing them of colluding with the terrorists. This is not the first time the LTTE had used the gullibility of INGOs in handling terrorism related issues and organisations to its advantage. In the past, the LTTE had infiltrated such bodies with some success even overseas. And it will continue to do so because it is fighting a war of survival. Despite this the Sri Lanka government appears to be taking the steps to improve its falling credits on the human rights scorecard. It has agreed to ease its restrictions on the entry of INGOs in the North. Till now only UN and ICRC relief agencies have been permitted entry. When the A9 road is opened fully for public traffic, the restrictions on them are likely to be progressively eased further.Sri Lanka government appears to have been shaken up at the possibility of the Sri Lanka human rights issue coming up before the UNSC even as an “informal discussion.” China’s strong, timely support to Sri Lanka in the UNSC is sure to improve its standing in Sri Lanka. And it is likely to positively impact the relations between the two countries over the long term. In similar circumstances in the past, China had baled out Sudan and Myanmar in the UN, and the bonding of their relations with China had become even stronger. This is a strategic development that India would be watching carefully. Sri Lanka can permanently keep the human rights issue from the unsavoury international attention by taking proactive measures to improve its standards, and they are closely connected with good governance. With the war nearing a close, the sooner Sri Lanka starts on this exercise the better. It would be welcomed not only by Tamils but all sections of Sri Lanka society. EU commission members visit camps I am not fond of LTTE, it killed my father: Rahul Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Wednesday said he was not 'particularly fond' of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers because they killed his father Rajiv Gandhi.He told a press conference here: 'The LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) is a terrorist group. I am not particularly fond of LTTE myself. It killed my father.'A LTTE woman suicide bomber assassinated former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi at an election rally near Chennai in May 1991. India outlawed the LTTE the next year.Gandhi, however, said that India was doing its best to protect Tamil civilians caught in the conflict between the LTTE and the military in Sri Lanka's north. 'We are trying to help the situation there,' he said. 25 March 2009 Sri Lankan army shelling civilians: rights group Indiscriminate army shelling is killing dozens of civilians every day in a no-fire zone in northern Sri Lanka where Tamil Tiger rebels are staging a last stand, a rights group said Tuesday."We receive reports of civilians being killed and wounded daily in the no-fire zone, while the Sri Lankan government continues to deny the attacks," said Brad Adams, Asia director at New York-based Human Rights Watch.The Tamil Tigers' use of civilians as human shields "adds to the bloodshed," Adams said.A doctor at a hospital in Putumattalan, inside the government-declared "no-fire zone," told Human Rights Watch over the phone that dozens of dead and wounded civilians were being brought to the hospital daily.Human Rights Watch said as many as 150,000 Tamil civilians remained trapped in the narrow stretch of coastal territory where the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been cornered by a massive military offensive.According to the UN, more than 2,800 civilians may have been killed and more than 7,240 injured in the fighting since January 20.UN human rights chief Navi Pillay recently warned that both sides in the conflict could be guilty of war crimes and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse to halt army shelling.Colombo has denied any targeting of civilians and dismissed the reports of non-combatant deaths as exaggerated."The Sri Lankan government has responded to broad international concerns with indignation and denials instead of action to address the humanitarian crisis," said Adams.The rights group also called on the LTTE to allow civilians to leave the conflict zone. The rebels have been accused of shooting those who try to escape.The Tamil Tigers have been fighting for an independent state in the island's northeast. Their mini-state was dismantled by security forces earlier this year with the capture of their political and military headquarters. Indian PM's secretary to visit Sri Lanka The principal secretary to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is due to arrive in Colombo Wednesday to exchange views on 'developments in the field of public administration in the two countries', authorities said here.T.K.A. Nair is arriving in Colombo on the invitation of Lalith Weeratunga, the secretary to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the president's office here said Tuesday. "Mr. Nair is due to address senior government officials in Sri Lanka on Thursday. The topic will be 'Governance in India - Overview and Challenges'," it said. Support to LTTE will hurt cause of Sri Lankan Tamils: BJP The BJP yesterday said any support to the LTTE in Tamil Nadu would hurt the cause of Sri Lanka Tamils, as the image of the banned outfit has suffered a "setback" in the state following its involvement in the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.BJP state president L Ganesan, in a statement here said some persons from Tamil Nadu were vocally supporting the outlawed unit in the name of backing Sri Lankan Tamils and their actions went against the sovereignty and integrity of the nation."Such action by persons could dissuade people of Tamil Nadu from supporting the Sri Lankan Tamils issue as the LTTE had suffered a setback in the state after the killing of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, even though it was earlier looked upon as an outfit fighting for the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils," he said.People of Tamil Nadu are interested in the welfare of the Sri Lankan Tamils and would not welcome any action which was against the sovereignty and integrity of India, he said. Blake to replace Boucher in US Gov.? Food poisoning in Trinco One died and over 148 were hospitalised, including schoolchildren after consuming bakery made food items in Trincomalee yesterday morning. A bakery located in Kings Road, Trincomalee has been sealed following a report of the death of an old man and the hospitalizing of 148 others including schoolchildren after consuming buns and other bakery products. Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunaskera said Selvaraja Dhuraisingham (62) died possibly from food poisoning after admission to the Trincomalee hospital. According to Trincomalee hospital sources, four persons were admitted to the hospital on Sunday night after consuming bread from a particular bakery. “The four were suffering from stomach aches and diarrhoea. One of them died and the other three are recovering,” sources added. ”We are unable to identify the actual cause of the sickness since the medical examinations are not completed yet. But they were all victims of food poisoning”, Trincomalee hospital Director Dr. Anushia Rajamohan told the Daily News. She said blood samples and specimen of food had been dispatched to the Colombo Medical Research Institute for further analysis.”District Medical Officer and a team from the Food and Drug Investigation Unit have commenced an extensive investigation to identify the cause of food poisoning”, Dr. Rajmohan said. Some people who had consumed food items from the same bakery, panicked as the news of food poisoning spread and reported to the hospital to ensure their health status. Most of the victims were schoolchildren from schools in Trincomalee town, Uppuveli and 3rd mile post areas. Trincomalee police are investigating. Allow human rights monitors to visit Lanka: UN Tigers not releasing injured aid worker Giving police powers to TMVP is disastrous, says JVP Attempts to give police powers to the Provincial Councils would give the TMVP the opportunity to escape being charged for the alleged killing of the six-year-old girl in Trincomalee JVP said. The JVP charged this would see TMVP leader and Eastern Province Chief Minister Pillayan having authority over the police. Gampaha district JVP group leader Waruna Deeptha Rajapakse said that one of the suspects had already confessed that the TMVP had kidnapped the young girl to collect money to buy a television channel for the TMVP. “The government has appointed a person as the chief minister of the Eastern Province where a young girl has been killed in his office. The government has also selected a group of muggers as their representatives for the upcoming Western PC election,” he charged. However when contacted by Daily Mirror, TMVP spokesman Azad Moulana said as the TMVP was a well-known political party in the country many groups were making unfounded allegations using the name of the TMVP. “The TMVP is a democratic party, purely supportive to maintain law and order in the district and in the country, and are purely against violence,” he said. He added that there were thousands of people who were supportive to the TMVP, and that the party should only be accused if there was proof to back such allegations. “The TMVP has planned to take legal action against these false accusations,” he added. Meanwhile, Kalutara District JVP team leader Nalinda Jayatissa said the government was illegally using state property and had also used schools for its election propaganda. Meanwhile, Colombo District JVP team leader Duminda Nagamuwa said the government was involved in election violations and added that several supporters of the JVP had been threatened at gun point and added that a few of their election centres had been set fire. People protest in Trinco against brutal killing A banner was displayed yesterday in Trincomalee town condemning the brutal killing of six-year-old girl Jude Reggie Varsha and requesting the lawyers in the area not to represent the murder suspects. The banner stated that of a request made by Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and Burger people from all the intelligent and honourable lawyers not to represent the remaining suspects of the little girl’s murder case. It also requested to show its displeasure and protest by not representing for the case. People from all four races have also expressed their deepest condolences. East has become Bihar-like Important Considerations b. Handing over the East to political groups which have no commitment to the rule of law; perhaps due to the very incapacity to uphold the rule of law, even in the South, the government has been willing to hand over the East to anyone so long as they do not oppose the government. The primary concern seems to be to accept electoral support from anyone who wishes to give it, irrespective of whether they are bandits or political criminals. c. People's pleasure in seeing extra-judicial killings of abductors; the police seem to be quite happy that the arrested abductors are no longer alive and even state that people are very happy about their deaths. This kind of mental attitude is a sad demonstration of people's helplessness in the face of failed law enforcement. In such situations people either take to lynching of alleged criminals themselves or are quite happy when the police do it for them. Almost daily stories of this kind are heard from Bihar. Sometimes a few people are killed in what is called encounter killings. Some video clips have been published in which a policeman on a scooter is shown with the alleged suspect tied to the back of the scooter and dragged along roads in a public place. When humanity descends to such a wretched situation, the only pleasure they can derive is to see cruelty perpetrated on their alleged tormentors. Any consideration of law or due process does not even enter their minds. d. The entire population accepts the police story of the way the suspects had been found dead and do not want to probe it further to find the truth. Almost everyone suspects the police story about such deaths in police custody. In fact, no one believes these stories are true. But neither the government nor any other agency will want to probe into the matter. Any probe will surface too many additional factors which government and society are unwilling to deal with. To the extent of such unwillingness, the situation of lawlessness will remain unchallenged. Again, this is another similarity with Bihar. The problem of lawlessness is so complete and complex in Bihar that even the central government of India has not taken any significant action to deal with that part of India. It is civil society that must take the initiative and try to break out of this base condition of lawlessness seen everywhere in the country. 24 March 2009 President invites TNA for talks President Mahinda Rajapaksa has invited MPs of the Tamil National Alliance for a meeting on Thursday at 6.30 pm to discuss the ‘prevailing political situation’ in the country.The letter prepared by Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga has been sent to all TNA MPs. However, the party is yet to take a decision whether to participate in the meeting or not.Nevertheless, TNA MP Chandrakanthan Chandranehru said it would be important for them to participate in this meeting and bring their political grievances to the notice of the President at this hour. “If we want to win a court case, we have to participate in the court proceedings. Therefore, I feel that our party should go. This is my personal point of view,” he said.Meanwhile, TNA General Secretary Mavai Senathirajah told the Daily Mirror yesterday that his party’s parliamentary group would meet either today or tomorrow to decide whether it should meet the President or not. Mr. Senathirajah said that his party met the President for the last more than a year ago.“The President invited us for talks on October 25, last year. Yet, we did not attend any meeting with him. Basically, we have no problem in having a meeting with the President. However, we will discuss it at our group meeting and take a final decision,” he said.The TNA is an amalgam of Tamil political parties such as the TELO, the ACTC, the TULF and the EPRLF. It has 22 members in Parliament including one Muslim named R.M. Imam hailing from Jaffna. For a long period, the party has been asking for a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement of the national with extensive power sharing. Rajapaksa invites India to help rebuild railway line Launching a project to restore the railway line to northern Jaffna peninsula after 19 years, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa Monday invited India, Pakistan, China and Japan to help rebuild the track.“On this occasion I call upon India, China, Pakistan, Japan and other countries that helped us in our struggle against terrorism to come forward and assist us in this reconstruction, so that terrorism would not be able to raise its head again,” Rajapaksa said. “In the struggle against terrorism, we realised that you are our genuine friends,” he said after launching the project.The train service, well-known as Yal Devi, to the northern Jaffna peninsula, lying some 480 km north of Colombo, came to a halt in June 1990 with the breakout of violence. Since then it was operated upto the northern town of Vavuniya, located 340 km north of here.The LTTE has attacked this train several times in between late 1980s and early 90s. Railway lines and sleepers too had been spirited away by the LTTE to fortify bunkers and what remains there is the bare skeleton of the rail infrastructure of the once thriving northern line.The restoration of Yal Devi train service “will show our resolve for unity and coexistence”, President Rajapaksa said, adding he had decided to rebuild the Jaffna (railway) station employing the people of his own village, Hambantota (in the southern province).“What we are attempting now is to breathe new life into the heart of the nation, to start the journey that would unite the entire nation after 19 years,” Rajapaksa said. The reconstruction of this railway line beyond Vavuniya became possible after the government troops flushed the rebels out of their former strongholds such as Mankulam, Kilinochchi, Paranthan and Elephant Pass since the beginning of this year. The military said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) guerrillas have now been boxed into a mere 28 sq km land area in the north-eastern Mullaitivu district, facing a multi-pronged military onslaught. US Senator urges Sri Lanka to protect civilians A key US Senator warned Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday that his government's failure to protect civilians in government safe zones was hurting the country's global standing."While the Tamil Tigers have committed egregious acts, I am also alarmed by reports about actions taken by the government of Sri Lanka," Democrat John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote Rajapaksa.Kerry said he had "grave concern" about reports that government forces had shelled civilians and hospitals in government-designated safe zones amid a fierce push to crush the rebel force, that humanitarian aid was not reaching civilians, and that the government had cracked down on journalists."This situation jeopardizes the international standing of Sri Lanka and its relations with friendly countries," the senator, his party's 2004 White House candidate, said in a letter made public by his office."Let me once again emphasize the urgent need for the Sri Lankan government to take all necessary steps to protect civilians, allow humanitarian access to the displaced, and credibly investigate human rights violations by all members of government security forces," Kerry wrote Rajapaksa.Last month the government in Colombo asked men, women and children to move to a stretch of coastline as troops advanced on rebel positions in the north in a bid to crush all remaining pockets of resistance by the Tamil Tigers.Government forces have pushed Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels into a shrinking strip of land in the northeast and have said they hope to completely crush the guerrillas by April.But tens of thousands of civilians are trapped behind the front line, according to relief agencies.Kerry said that, as the military campaign ends, Rajapaksa would "have the opportunity to start down the path toward a durable and lasting peace through a political solution that acknowledges the legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lankans."As a friend of Sri Lanka, the United States will continue to closely monitor the situation -- and will stand ready to facilitate a return to the peace and prosperity so earnestly desired by all of its citizens," said Kerry. Tigers attack STF mini-camp in Batticaloa Three Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) commandos were killed and five sustained injuries Sunday night when Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) commandos launched a surprise attack on an STF mini-camp on Chengkaladi - Badulla Road, according to a news release issued by the LTTE Political division in Batticaloa. The mini-camp was located between Koappaaveli and Pullumalai, the Tigers said. People in Eastern Sri Lanka protest against the Chief Minister An unidentified group in the Chenkalady town of Batticaloa in Eastern Sri Lanka protested against the visit of Chief Minister to the town for the opening of a new supermarket yesterday paralyzing the day-to-day activities for a few hours.Erawur police said the entire town was flagged with black to oppose the Chief Minister of Eastern province Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan. However, the Chief Minister has visited the Chenkalady town amid heavy protest to declare open the new supermarket in the town. The security was tightened in the town for the Chief Minister. According to the police the group has displayed posters to warn the residents of the area to not to participate in the function. Koneswaram temple Chief Priest sentenced to death The Chief Priest of Thirukoneswaram temple in Trincomalee Siva Godaja Kurukkal Veeshakeshwar Assar was sentenced to death for committing the murder of his wife by strangulation.The Supreme Court Judge Ilancheliyan sentenced the suspect yesterday as it was proved beyond doubt the priest had killed his wife, Sokkalingam Sivapala Sundarampillai Kugeshwari, alias Ambiga, in the temple premises and buried in the backyard.After one year, on a complaint and information given by a junior priest of the same temple, Trincomalee Police exhumed the body of the victim, in the presence of the Acting Magistrate Subasiriwardana.The Supreme Court Judge passing his verdict running into 61 pages said the condemned shall be hanged till his death, on a date to be approved by the President of Sri Lanka.The case had been filed under Section 296 of Sri Lanka Penal Code, by the Attorney General’s Department, prosecuted by State Counsel Sugandi Kandasami and defended by N. Sri Kantha, Attorney- at-Law. Sri Lanka dangerous for media: watchdog Sri Lanka fourth The organisation ranked Sri Lanka fourth on its "impunity index", after Iraq, Sierra Leone and Somalia."Government pledges to investigate and punish violence against the press proved hollow as journalists continued to be targeted by both Tamil groups and the military. At least nine journalist murders have gone unsolved" the report said. The index, launched last year, lists countries where journalists are routinely killed or attacked and where governments have failed to solve the crimes. "South Asian journalists face particularly severe risks. The region's nations make up nearly half of CPJ's index," said the report, released in Manila to mark the fourth anniversary of the murder of Marlene Esperat, a local journalist killed for reporting on official corruption. 103 journalists killed since 1999 Iraq, Sierra Leone and Somalia topped the list for the second year running, with a total of 103 journalists killed since 1999. The CPJ said there had been a surge of violence in Sri Lanka.Joel Simon, CPJ's executive director said "Our findings indicate that the failure to solve journalists' murders perpetuates further violence against the press." LTTE waits for Vaiko as Special Forces do their antics 23 March 2009 Medicine arrives in Puthumatalan International concern The delivery comes amid increasing international concern over the condition of tens of thousands of civilians caught up in the fighting between security forces and Tamil Tiger rebels. Doctors at the hospital had earlier said that the facility had almost stopped functioning due to the shortage of medicines, putting the lives of hundreds of sick and war-wounded at risk. Dr Varatharaja also says that despite repeated requests they haven't been sent the anaesthetic and blood bags required for surgery in the latest consignment. The official's version cannot be independently confirmed and the government maintains that it continues to send the required medicine and food to civilians trapped inside rebel-controlled territory. Earlier the Sri Lankan military said another thousand civilians fled the war zone to government-controlled areas.The civilians, including nearly four-hundred children, are said to be sheltering in government-held areas near Puthkkudiyirippu, where fierce battles have been raging between the Tamil Tigers and the army. There's no independent confirmation of the figures, and the Sri Lankan military gave no details of its own casualties. Civilians have fled the area in increasing numbers recently as the army presses on with its offensive. MP denies praising IDP facilities 'No fear of death' "Hundreds of thousands of people are suffering beacause of war. How can we in TNA support the government?. How can I being a representative of Tamils can praise the government?," he questioned. The government has said that the MP, who represents TNA which "represent the majority of the North and Eastern Tamil community," has observed "that the people in the welfare camp were living free from fear and that they were providing with all necessary amenities". The MP was pleased to see young people being trained during the vocational training program, the government said."This gives them hope of a better future having lived a life of torment under the rules of LTTE, people are now free from the clutches of this element after many years. They are indeed confident that this feeling of freedom will last forever," the government news item said. "Since coming to the government held territory, the IDPs said that they don't have the fear of death as they do not have any more shelling and bombers flying over their heads," said the TNA MP. LTTE lose Iranapalai Security Forces yesterday brought the LTTE’s last operational centre, Iranapalai under their full control. The highly fortified Iranapalai, which had been surrounded by massive earth bunds had been fully captured after fierce battles, military sources added The Media Center for National Security said the Iranapalai junction and its central area had been completely brought under Army control after breaching the final earth bund built by the Tigers to protect the area. The Tigers had built the earth bund with the twin purpose of denying further access to security forces and to prevent civilians from leaving the area. During the operations, several LTTE vehicles had been destroyed including a tractor, a van and two cabs. Troops had also recovered several weapons and bodies of LTTE cadres, sources added. On March 15, Security Forces who are now on the final leg of their battle against the LTTE entered the outskirts of Iranapalai, considered as the last operational centre of top Tiger leaders including Intelligence Wing chief Pottu Amman. The location is also considered to be the main hideout of Pottu Amman. After some of their main operational centres fell in recent times, the LTTE had maintained Iranapalai as their main base with many of their top leaders including Sea Tiger Wing leader Soosai and Pottu Amman directing operations from the area. According to military sources, with the fall of Iranapalai, the Tigers have now been confined to a 25 square kilometre land patch, which also includes the safe zone designed for the displaced civilians. The breach of Iranapalai earth bund is also expected to provide civilians, being held hostage by the LTTE in the remaining uncleared pockets in Mullaitivu, an escape route to reach the cleared areas. By yesterday, the number of displaced civilians who had been able to reach cleared areas since January this year had risen to more than 51,000 with more than 3,000 braving the Tigers during the last couple of days. Vijayakant’s non-boycott The Sri Lanka Tamil issue continues to grab the political limelight, with protests, demonstrations, fasts and hartals the order of the day. However, actor/politician Vijayakant, who doesn’t shy away from controversy, said mere protests will not resolve the problem. His radical suggestion? Only if Tamil Nadu’s political parties boycott the Lok Sabha poll would the Indian government intervene, suggested the leader of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK). B ut the same Vijayakant was the first to launch his election campaign in the State on Sunday. So much for rhetoric! Prabhakaran is alive, leading the war in Lanka: LTTE-CNN-IBN Prabhakaran is alive and leading the war in Sri Lanka – the LTTE's political wing chief Nadesan tells CNN-IBN in an exclusive e-mail interview. He also says the LTTE doesn’t consider India its enemy. CNN-IBN: How do you respond to Sri Lanka government's claim that the LTTE is blocking a safe passage for civilians trapped in your areas? Nadesan: First of all, it is not appropriate to use the word "trapped." It is these people's land, where they have been living for generations until the Sri Lankan government chased them out of their homes. They are not trapped; they are still struggling to get their life back in their land with dignity. CNN-IBN: Where is Prabhakaran at the moment? Nadesan: As you said, yes, there are rumours and speculations. But I can confirm that our leader is here with our people as always. CNN-IBN: What do you think the LTTE can do to change India's stand on the conflict? Nadesan: We have neither ever committed any act against India's interests nor have any intentions to do so. The source of strength and security for India's southern flank is intertwined with the political stability and security of Eelam Tamils. CNN-IBN: Would the LTTE chief be willing to meet Indian government officials and hold talks with them? Nadesan: If the talks are without preconditions and towards the political aspirations of Eelam Tamils. India is the super power of this region; India is our friend. We always want India to get involved and be on our side. CNN-IBN: Does the LTTE feel that politicians in Tamil Nadu are using the Eelam Tamil issue for domestic political gains? Nadesan: It is obvious that all political parties have their differences of policies regarding domestic affairs; it wouldn't be appropriate for me to comment on that. However, the Eelam Tamils sincerely appreciate the solidarity of all the people of Tamil Nadu. The strength of Eelam Tamils today is the support of the people of Tamil Nadu and the entire Tamil diaspora. Nadesan declined to answer this question: CNN-IBN: Does the LTTE feel that had it not been for the Rajiv Gandhi assassination, India would have supported the Eelam Tamil cause? Does the LTTE regret the Rajiv Gandhi assassination? A’pura hospital administrative official held on terrorism charge Acting on information received by police intelligence, a special police unit operating under the direct supervision of the DIG, North Central Province has arrested a Tamil employee of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital for masquerading as a Sinhalese. A senior police official told The Island that the suspect had accompanied the ambulance staff deployed to evacuate wounded army personnel brought to the Anuradhapura air base several times. He said that as an administrative officer the suspect couldn’t have accompanied the ambulance staff. According to him, the 58-year-old suspect had been seen near the President’s House at Anuradhapura. Responding to our queries, he said that that the Anuradhapura police had arrested the suspect several hours before Health Minister Nimal Siripala Silva visited the Anuradhapura hospital. LTTE wanted a huge Tamileelam state: Gotabhaya The LTTE led by its supremo V Prabhakaran had aspired to carve out a big Tamileelam state extending from near Colombo to the southern part of Sri Lanka, the island nation's top defence official has said. "The large built up of its naval, air force and ground fighters including the suicide cadres was suggestive of the LTTE ambitions," Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the Defence Secretary and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's brother, said. The advancing Sri Lankan security forces have captured several of the LTTE areas and are looking to seize the rest of the Tiger pockets. "When we look at the LTTE military equipments and the training ground of the army it is clear they were looking to establish a large Eelam state," he said. "Maps retrieved from those places confirm this fact as they had hoped to create a eelam from Negombo to Yala including certain parts of the (Buddhist city of ) Anuradhapura," he said on Saturday. While Negombo is 40 km north of Colombo and 7 km from Colombo International Airport, Yala is located in Southern Sri Lanka. "Hence, it is clear what we would have had to encounter if we do not initiate this humanitarian operation," Rajapaksa said while referring to the steps taken to bring out the besieged Tamil refugees from the LTTE-controlled area. Earlier, Gotabaya along with senior military officials of armed forces and police met with the families of war heroes who had been killed in clashes with the LTTE. The meeting took place at the Army cantonment in Panagoda, Homagama, a town situated 24 km from Colombo in the Western Province. "The Defence Secretary had cordial discussions with family members of the fallen and disabled war heroes. Also, he has given necessary instructions to the responsible defence officials to solve the problems raised during the discussions," a defence ministry statement said. Addressing the gathering, Gotabhaya said that it is a paramount duty to look after the families of war heroes who have made utmost sacrifices for defending the motherland liberating the East and the North. "We are moving forward victoriously due to their selfless sacrifices. The silence of the dead heroes is more eloquent than the cheers. The destruction caused by the 30 years old war is immense. The best way of paying homage to the war heroes is to love the motherland deeper and deeper," he said. He maintained that Prabhakaran may try to flee through the sea by using a human ring and said the Tigers were preventing civilians from leaving their area now confined to about 30 sq kms. US Tamils take to street against IMF loan to Sri Lanka A large number of American Tamils on Friday demonstrated in front of the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC, urging the IMF not to fund Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has sought a loan of $1.8 billion, which is still under consideration of the IMF. Tamil community is totally opposed to granting this fund to Colombo government by the IMF. They fear that the government will use the funds to continue its genocidal activities against Tamils, speakers said while addressing the rally.Protesters displayed pictures of the victims of cluster bombs and artillery shelling by government soldiers in the so-called ‘Safety Zone" declared by the government. They also chanted slogans: "IMF: Stop the funding; Sri Lanka: Stop the killing".The organisers handed over a memorandum, prepared by Tamils Against Genocide, to Deputy Division Chief of the IMF’s external relations department, Jeremy Mark. The IMF official listened to the protesters’ concerns of the ongoing genocide in Sri Lanka, expressed his concerns at the plights of Tamils in the island nation.He assured that he would hand over the memorandum to the Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund for consideration. Then the protesters marched towards the Department of State office and held a silent vigil for two hours. They thanked US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her concern at the current plights of Tamils in Sri Lanka. The placards they carried read: "Thank you Secretary Clinton for calling President Rajapaksa to hold the fire. Has he complied?" Jayalalithaa slams Sri Lankan govt's move on Kachchativu AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa on Sunday flayed the Sri Lankan government's move to declare Kachchativu, an islet ceded to it by India in 1974, as a 'sacred area', saying it belonged to India and demanded its retrieval. Kachchativu, situated in the Palk Straits between Sri Lanka and India, has been in the limelight in recent past as fishermen from Tamil Nadu at times are attacked allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy, causing casualties which has led to protests by political parties in Tamil Nadu. In a release here, Ms. Jayalalithaa recalled the statement of Sri Lankan Minister of Urban Development and Sacred Area Development, Dinesh Gunawardena on the island government's proposal on March 20 and said "I strongly condemn it." "Kachchativu Island is to be announced as a sacred area by Government," Mr. Gunawardena had told Sri Lankan Parliament. His reply came in response to a query on the Indian Supreme Court issuing notice to the Centre on January 5, this year on a petition by Jayalalithaa seeking declaring as null and void India ceding Kachchativu to Lanka more than three decades ago on the ground that it was done without Parliament's approval. Ms. Jayalalithaa also flayed Centre and Tamil Nadu government for "remaining silent" on Sri Lanka's latest proposal. Kachachativu was ceded to Lanka in 1974 when DMK was ruling in Tamil Nadu, she said alleging that fishermen suffered due to it as they were not allowed to fish in the area. As Chief Minister during 1991-96 and 2001-06, she had repeatedly taken up with the Centre the issue of retrieval of Kachchativu but no action was taken, Ms.Jayalalithaa said. Ms. Jayalalithaa also recalled her petition to the Supreme Court contending that the ceding of the islet had resulted in Indian fishermen getting killed or injured at the hands of Sri Lankan Navy personnel at the Palk Bay. UAE warns citizens not to travel to Sri Lanka 22 March 2009 TELO parliamentarian reiterates his political stance S. Vinoharathalingam, Tamil National Alliance and TELO Vanni parliamentarian, released a report to the media Sunday in which he condemns and rejects certain malicious misreporting and misrepresentation of his speech in the Sri Lanka Parliament Thursday, making himself clear on his unwavering commitment to the struggle of the Tamil Nation. The following is the English translation of his media report: Media Release Parliament 22.03.09 I am obliged to clear the doubts and sate the truth related to the controversies that had risen following my speech in the Parliament last Thursday. I notice that some media institutions and websites, giving prominence to the speech, have distorted it in an attempt to blemish my firm political stance and that of Tamil National Alliance (TNA). They had, twisting the words and expressions in my speech, said that I am going to join the government.I condemn and reject this in the strongest terms making myself absolutely clear and assert that there is no truth whatsoever in the distorted reporting.I have been consistent in raising my voice for my people and to protect and preserve the Tamil Nation. My sincere efforts will continue unwavering without loosing direction. I have, then and now, stuck to the firm political policies of the TNA and Tamil Eealam Liberation Organization (TELO). Under any circumstance, I will not avail myself to be a party to any historical treachery. I have unassailable faith in this conviction.People living in our country and outside it need not harbour the slightest doubt in my steady conviction. I request them to reject all false propaganda against me. I pledge that I would struggle unrelentingly along with TNA to achieve the political aspirations and the ethnic right of the Tamil Nation. (sgd) S. Vino Noharathalingam Member of Parliament Wanni district Over 1,000 civilians escape rebel-held areas in Sri Lanka, troops capture Iranapalai Junction Sri Lanka military said over 1,000 civilians sought protection from the army soldiers and another group of civilians was rescued by the Navy yesterday while troops reached the strategic Iranapalai Junction and brought the area under control.About 1,055 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) including 308 men, 376 women, 210 boys, and 161 girls reached Army controlled area in Puthukkudyiruppu on Saturday, defence officials said.Another group of 108 civilians fled in boats over the sea reached the naval troops in Point Pedro, Jaffna on Saturday afternoon.All civilians have been provided with first aid, food and refreshments and sent to welfare villages, the officials said.Meanwhile troops of 58 Division captured the Iranapalai Junction which links Putumatalam and Puthukkudyiruppu yesterday morning following a fierce battle. At least a total of 6 to 7 LTTE vehicles including a tractor, a van and two cabs were destroyed during the clashes, the military said.Defence officials said the Tigers have built up an earth bund to both prevent troops from entering and civilians from leaving the uncleared area. Capture of this strategic location now would allow the civilians to escape easily into the cleared areas.According to the sources, the troops took control of a church, a school, and a hospital in the area. The church had been used to store weapons while the school and the hospital had been used to treat injured LTTE cadres. As the troops are encircling the rebel-held area in an intensified final battle more and more civilians have started to defy the strict LTTE orders forbidding escape attempts and flee the no-fire zone in rebel-held area. The military says more than 47,000 civilians have reached the cleared areas by sea and land routes since January. In the past week alone, more than 5,000 civilians sought protection from Army and Navy troops indicating a sudden rise in the civilian resistance to LTTE orders. The Sri Lankan government and international aid agencies operating in the war zone have accused the LTTE of holding civilians as human shields to deter the military offensive. UN split on Lankan issue Observation teams to monitor child abuse With reports of child abductions and killings, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) yesterday said that they will appoint observation teams for all districts in the country including Trincomalee, Ampara and Mannar and who will keep a round the clock vigil on child abductions and killings. “According to the present situation in the country it is hard to have active coordination in the Districts of Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi but we will be appointing teams in these districts as well, soon after the military operations end as a precautionary measure to address post conflict issues concerning children,” NCPA Chairman Jagath Wellawatte said.He further stated that these teams will work closely with war affected families and their children.“We are having rehabilitation programmes, psycho-social awareness, vocational training along with child soldier rehabilitation in the north and east,” Wellawatte explained.Wellawatte also emphasised that at present with intensified fighting children in conflict areas could face many difficulties like lack of food, shortcomings in personality development and many other psychological and physical issues.“Children living in the war affected areas mainly face malnutrition due to high price of food items and there are socialising problems too because of this war situation,” said Wellawatte.Children in these areas do not have high social expectations. They see children dying at a very early age as child soldiers. These children face great difficulty in adapting themselves to the standard cultural system,” he added.At the same time Wellawatte stated that the NCPA is having welfare villages in all cleared areas such as in Vavuniya, Jaffna, Mannar where the children are well secured and well looked after.“The welfare villages mainly address the issues of children coming from conflict areas and these villages are functioning in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sports, and Ministry of Cultural Affairs along with other government authorities for the benefit of children,” said Wellawatte.Mr. Wallewatte said that the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare has provided 150 counsellors for these villages.“These villages are strictly under the supervision of the Ministry where it also includes facilities like eye clinics, dental clinics along with many other benefits for the children who surrendered,” said Wellawatte.Commenting on the abduction and killing of a girl in Trincomalee last week, Wellawatte stated that it is a result of the mentality of a war affected society.“People who lived in a conflict ridden society for more than two decades find it difficult to opt for anything but violence. It is hard to change their habit in killing and extort money from people,” he said.The chairman also stressed the need of disciplining oneself with the end of war to enjoying the true sense of freedom in dignity. Police looking for Pilleyan’s man in connection with Varsha’s murder Police are looking for ‘Suranga’ a close associate of Chief Minister of Eastern PC Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan for his involvement in the brutal murder of six year old child in Trincomalee. Six year old Varsha Jude Reggie was abducted near her school. The abductors demanded a ransom of Rs.3 million from her parents. Later she was killed and her body was found in a sack four days later abandoned on a street in Trincomalee town. It has been revealed that abductors, who were mostly members of TMVP had been to raise money to begin a radio station for the party. The suspect ‘Suranga’ is alleged to have transported the limp corpse of the girl in a vehicle belonging to the Chief Minister’s office. The suspect is absconding and search operations have shifted to Batticaloa District where he is believed to have fled. Earlier police arrested five persons. Oswin Mervin Rinawushan, the main suspect of the murder, a front line member of the TMVP and was shot by the police when he tried to flee after struggling with a police officer. Another suspect committed suicide by biting a cyanide capsule. Top cops suspect quick devolution of police powers Police officers inquire as to whether the government has devolved police powers to the provinces, due to heavy international pressure to devolve power in Sri Lanka.When the war is approaching an end, the US, UK, the European Union and India stressed the need for the government to introduce a devolution package for the North and East. The JVP has meanwhile decided to launch a massive protest against the implementation of the 13th Amendment islandwide. This will commence in the first week of April. In a sudden of turn of events, IGP Jayantha Wickremaratne changed the administrative structure of the police last Thursday and asked senior DIGs to set up their offices in their respective provinces through police circular no. RPM/532/2009/03/13.Sources at police headquarters say that this is the largest change seen in the administrative structure in the history of the Sri Lanka police. Earlier, all the DIGs in charge of provinces manned their respective provinces while remaining at police headquarters.When contacted a senior DIG confirmed that he was asked to set up his office in his province. He said that this move is similar to the appointment of police officers to be in charge of various states in India. He said that there is talk of a devolution process with the war in the north drawing to a close --- and that devolution of police powers is also a hot topic these days. He said that accordingly, the senior DIG will be the provincial police head. The police department currently has 10 senior DIGs.Thus, three senior DIGs have been set aside for central administration at police headquarters. The other seven senior DIGs have been slotted to be in charge of the provinces. LTTE offers pre-condition talks again `Yarl Devi’ project takes off tomorrow President Mahinda Rajapaksa will inaugurate the `Yarl Devi’ railway project to the Jaffna peninsula, at the Presidential Secretariat tomorrow at 4.00 p.m., informed sources said. Train services which existed between the North and the South for more than hundred years came to a halt following the troubles started in the North in the eighties. The last `Yarl Devi’ train to operate between Colombo and Jaffna was in 1990 and the service was terminated at Vavyunia. The `Yarl Devi’ was one of the four services to run between Colombo and Jaffna and was the largest revenue earner for the Sri Lanka Railway. Following the disruption of railway services around twenty five stations big and small on the northern line had been completely damaged with the removal of railway tracks by the terrorists. New northern capital in Mankulam An administrative capital for the North would be built in Mankulam, 30 km north of Vavuniya shortly to facilitate civil administration in the peninsula, in anticipation of the complete liberation of the north from the LTTE, Dr. P. Ramanujam, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Sacred Area Development told the Sunday Observer. He said the process of locating an ideally situated capital was initiated on the recommendations of Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa MP, using the French government sponsored GIS satellite mapping system. Mankulam, a rural town on the A-9 Kandy-Jaffna road, is centrally located among all different towns and areas where population is concentrated with connecting road networks and railway. The availability of space, water and electricity facilities were the other factors for selecting Mankulam as the administrative capital, Dr.Ramanujam said, adding that the Ministry was now conducting a feasibility study. 21 March 2009 U.N. Human Rights Council must convene special session on Sri Lanka by Sunanda Deshapriya Thank you, Mr. President. FORUM-ASIA and ALRC would like to call for the attention and urgent action of the Human Rights Council on the human rights catastrophe in Sri Lanka. As the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Pillay expressed in her press statement dated Friday 13 March 2009, “we know enough to be sure that the situation is absolutely desperate. The world today is ever sensitive about such acts that could amount to war crimes and crimes again humanity.”The grave concern of the international community is not only limited to the current situation of civilians in northern Sri Lanka. The core problems of discrimination and impunity have been allowed to go unabated throughout the country in the past years.The grave concern of the international community is not only limited to the current situation of civilians in northern Sri Lanka. The core problems of discrimination and impunity have been allowed to go unabated throughout the country in the past years.We have witnessed a sharp increase of the uninvestigated killings and disappearances against human rights defenders and prominent religious personalities. Since 2006, 18 journalists and media workers have been killed. The most recent case was in January 2009 Lasantha Wikramatunge, the editor of the popular English weekly Sunday Leader. A series of attacks on those lawyers appearing for the rights of victims and the Tamil detainees manifest a collapse of the rule of law in the country.The conflict in Sri Lanka has reached a critical juncture, and whilst noting that military gains to counter-terrorism have been made, it is however at the expense and undermining of the rule of law. In order to strengthen the rule of law, it is absolutely essential to de-politicize the public service as well as the institutions of law and order and human rights protection. In this regard, we call upon the Government of Sri Lanka to: Sincerely implement the 17th Amendment to the Constitution and appoint the independent commissions; and· Immediately halt all threats, harassments, abductions and attacks against human rights defenders including media practitioners and outlets, and undertake complete, transparent and timely investigations into the murders and death threats against human rights defenders and their families. Mr. President, We call upon this Human Rights Council to include the human rights situation of Sri Lanka into its agenda on a regular basis and immediately send an international mission to assess the needs of those civilians in the conflict affected areas with any unhindered access. On the same front, FORUM and ALRC strongly urge the Human Rights Council to hold a Special Session on the current human rights situation in Sri Lanka. As recognized by the High Commissioner for Human Rights in her latest press statement, 2,800 civilians have been killed, more than 7,000 injured since 20 January 2009, and currently a total of 150,000 to 180,000 civilians remain trapped in the Vanni region. The grave situation and plight faced by the civilians has been further intensified with the lack of access and independent monitors, humanitarian workers and the media. It is of paramount mandate for the Council to respond promptly to human rights emergencies. The crisis in Sri Lanka has been repeatedly highlighted by the UN Secretary-General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Special Procedures mandate-holders and Nobel Laureate Jose Ramos Horta, President of Timor Leste as well as by the various UN agencies, and by the ICRC.[3] What further grounds does the Human Rights Council still require in order to convene its Special Session? I thank you, Mr. President. Tamils 'walking for humanity' "Oprah Give Us a Voice" is imprinted on the back of the jackets of six Tamil students as they trekked yesterday from London's city hall to the University of Western Ontario. The students visited London on their 1,000-kilometre walk from Toronto to Chicago, where they hope to appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show to raise awareness of the dire situation in Sri Lanka. "She's a highly influential person," said Kannan Sreekantha, one of the walkers. "It's a very effective way of creating awareness. We look at Oprah Winfrey as a symbol of hope." Supporters of the students have contacted the show, but they are still waiting to hear if they will appear. The battle between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (also known as Tamil Tigers) has killed almost 3,000 Tamil civilians since January. The bombing of hospitals, indiscriminate shelling in safe zone areas, and restrictions on medical and food supplies by the government of Sri Lanka has contributed to the death toll, the students said. The Tigers have been fighting for an independent Tamil state since 1983. The Tamil community has held many protests and rallies, pleading the Canadian government to take action, but no one has stepped up, said Ramanan Thirukketheeswaranathan, another of the walkers. "We felt like, by asking the government, we're not getting anything. It's time to create awareness among the people," Sreekantha said. He and five other members of Toronto's Tamil community came up with the idea to walk to Chicago from Toronto, pitching in their own money. "We started with about $600 and nothing else but hope. Right now it's picking up and the Tamil community is supporting us," Sreekantha said. One Tamil from London who walked yesterday with the students from city hall to Western said she has more than 15 family members trapped in the war zone with whom she has lost contact. "I think Oprah can create an impact by talking about the issue," said Neeraja Ganeshalingam. "My grandmother, my aunt and my cousins, I want to know they're safe." Since beginning the walk, the students have been to Mississauga, Brampton, Guelph, Waterloo and Kitchener. Before leaving London tomorrow evening for Windsor, they plan to volunteer in homeless shelters. Battling colds and fevers, along with swollen and bruised toes, the students say nothing will stop them from arriving in Chicago within three weeks. "Every day we walk we meet people and explain the situation. We're walking for humanity," Thirukketheeswaranathan said. LTTE urges China to consider Tamils plight at UN Political Head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE), B. Nadesan, on Friday urged Chinese government to allow Tamils plight to be discussed at the UN Security Council for a second time. "The Sri Lankan state is not only denying the Tamil sovereignty, but it is waging a genocidal war against them of catastrophic dimensions," said Mr. Nadesan adding that Colombo was engaged in a propaganda campaign saying that the conflict is an internal matter. "We urge China, Russia and all the powers of the world not to ignore the plight of the civilians who face a genocidal war by the Sri Lankan state," he said when contacted by TamilNet following reports that China was not in favour of a second UN Security Council meeting on Sri Lanka. Earlier, there were reports of Russia not willing to discuss the issue in the Security Council. The UN Security Council later had a briefing. "Denying medicines, humanitarian supplies and the deliberate, inhuman targeting of civilians constitute serious war crimes and crimes against humanity on the part of the Sri Lankan state," Nadesan said. More than 70 million Tamils of the region and the Tamil diaspora share a deep concern about the plight of their beleaguered brethren, he pointed out and urged China to discuss the plight of the Tamil people at the UN. The LTTE's representatives were willing to explain the plight of the Tamils to the Chinese authorities, he further said. Injured mother, child reported missing after admission to Mannaar hospital A mother and her two-month-old child sustaining injuries in the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) shelling in Vanni and taken to Trincomalee by the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and admitted to Mannaar government hospital 16 February had reported missing Wednesday night, according to complaints made by her relatives to Vanni Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians. The mother and child gone missing are identified as Nakuleswaran Kirishanthini and Nakuleswaran Sanjeevan. The relatives of Krishanthini had expressed fear that she with her child may have been abducted by Sri Lanka Police intelligence personnel or the paramilitary men operating with Sri Lanka Army (SLA). In the latter part of February 3 persons of a family sustaining injuries in SLA shelling in Vanni and admitted to Mannaar government hospital had gone missing mysteriously. The police had tightened security precautions in the hospital surroundings following the above incident. Vanni TNA parliamentarians said that they had received complaints from relatives of persons brought from Liberation Tigers held territories in Vanni by ICRC going missing from the hospitals in Vavuniyaa and Mannaar. The young men and women screened and detained in the SLA controlled detention camps in Vavuniyaa are selected by the police and held in separate detention camps and subjected to interrogation by Police Intelligence Unit personnel, according to the TNA Vanni parliamentarians. They also said that the relatives of the above young men and women have complained of many young men had gone missing without trace and the young women sexually assaulted. Prabhakaran and son seen in No Fire Zone - Ministry of Defence INDIA AND SRI LANKA SHOULD HAVE AN UMBRELLA AGREEMENT: KASTURIRANGAN Member of the ‘Raja Sabha of the Upper House of the Indian Parliament Dr. K. Kasturirangan has stressed the need for an ‘umbrella’ agreement between India and Sri Lanka to launch joint space programmes. “There is a need for an umbrella agreement between the two countries under which specific programmes can be identified for further follow up and these could be done by the concerned government agencies,”Dr. Kasturirangan said delivering the Sir Arthur C. Clarke Memorial Lecture at BMICH on Thursday. He said the immense advantages of collaborations of the two countries are beyond doubt and using space for national development covering resource management, telemedicine, tele-education could be a basis for future Corporation between India and Sri Lanka. “The governments of our two countries should embark on a serious dialogue with respect to reaching agreements for collaboration and cooperation and also facilitate working out a detailed road map,” he pointed out. He said India has a comprehensive space infrastructure consisting of indigenously developed Remote Sensing and Communication satellites. The data from the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites could be of value for several of the applications undertaken in Sri Lanka for the various development needs he pointed out. “One could also explore the possibility of using the satellite communication/ connectivity for related applications in Sri Lanka, in areas such as telemedicine and distance education,” he added.Considering that both countries have experience in the applications of remote sensing for a variety of themes, he said it would be of interest to share the information with respect to the approaches and methodologies. “Mutual visits as well as conduct of joint seminars and workshops could be a way to understand share others knowledge that could also result in improving and enhancing our mutual capabilities for the benefit of both,” Dr. Kasturirangan said.He said India has a large array of ground based instruments such as Mesospheric Stratospheric Tropospheric Radar; instruments which the atmospheric science community of Sri Lanka could possibly be associated with these capabilities in terms of collecting observational data for specific scientific objectives in collaboration with their Indian counterparts.Dr. Kasturirangan also stressed it would be possible for the astronomy science community of both countries to have mutual arrangements of visits to the respective institutions and laboratories.“India has ground based astronomical observation capabilities “One could explore interest among the Sri Lankan scientists for carrying out observations with these facilities,” he added. Australia calls for political deal to end Sri Lanka bloodshed TROOPS CLOSING IN ON SAFE ZONE TMVP HAS NO INVOLVEMENT IN RANSOM CASE - PILLAYAN Pottu Amman's driver arrested Tamil Tigers 'finished', says former leader• Rebels in Sri Lanka said to have lost 90% of fighters The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a rebel army that has fought a 25-year civil war against the Sri Lankan state, is "finished", having lost more than 90% of its fighters, the group's former military commander said yesterday.In an interview with the Guardian, Colonel Karuna said around 1,500 surviving rebels, who have made their last stand on a sliver of the north-east coast, are surrounded by 65,000 troops of the Sri Lankan army, with no way out. At the height of their powers the Tigers could muster more than 15,000 men at arms. "It is a do or die battle for the LTTE," said Karuna. "The battle is now street to street and door to door."Karuna is the nom de guerre of Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, who until 2004 was the Tigers' military commander. Many see his defection as a turning point for the LTTE. Not only was Karuna privy to all the Tiger's best-kept secrets, he also brought with him 6,000 battle hardened fighters.The 45-year-old now describes his former leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, as "a mad man". "He wanted to be a king, a duke ... he had a totalitarian mindset. I told him the LTTE could never win. I had spent 22 years on the battlefield. But he did not listen." Prabhakaran, he said, had made a series of tactical blunders in the war culminating in the suicide gamble of holding territory. "After he lost [the Tigers' capital] Kilinochi he knew he could not make a stand. But he thought the Tigers could survive among the people. Now the LTTE has trapped 100,000 people and [Prabhakaran] has gone to the jungles [preparing for] a guerrilla war." Aid agencies have warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe as the Sri Lankan army has pounded the Tiger positions, which have been placed amid the cornered population. The UN says that 2,800 civilians have been killed and more than 7,000 injured in the fighting.Karuna says he has warned the country's president Mahinda Rajapaksa "this is a critical situation. They have listened. The army do not use sea or air power. I have told them be careful."For as long as the Tigers exist, Karuna cannot live in the open - and his family remain in the UK. The Guardian met him after passing a line of armed guards at a secret location in Colombo. Officials in Sri Lanka admit he has "blood on his hands" but say he should be forgiven because he renounced violence.The LTTE's former military supremo says one of the reasons why the Sri Lankan army has been so successful is the new commando units that tracked the Tigers' through their phone calls - pinpointing their jungle lairs. "The LTTE can never be built up again. They can't use any communications. They are finished."He admits a high regard for the Sri Lankan army commander, Sarath Foneska, who survived a Tiger suicide bombing in 2006. Karuna says he almost killed him on the battlefield. "We bombed him once during an operation, but he escaped. Lost a colonel and few others though. Now we meet frequently and talk about our past. He was a war hero. So was I. We appreciate each other."Karuna was made Sri Lanka's minister for national integration this week - a remarkable transition for a man who as a teenager joined the Tigers' armed struggle in 1983, enraged by the killings of Tamils in Colombo and beguiled by the Tiger's "big propaganda". "We thought we could save our people ... but that I know now was not the way," he said. Karuna said he fell out with Prabhakaran who called him a "traitor to his race" for signing an agreement with the Sri Lankan government during peace talks in Oslo in 2003.Under the terms of the deal the rebels were to consider giving up the LTTE's cherished aim to carve out a separate nation for the island's 3m Tamils in return for the creation of a "federal government". Three Indian airports on alert after threat Vaiko cautions against "neglecting" Lankan Tamils issue 20 March 2009 On Sri Lanka in UN Council, China Blocks March 26 Meeting, Vote May Be Called The day after the UN involuntarily admitted counting 2,683 civilian killings in Sri Lanka from January 20 to March 7 of this year, efforts to hold a second UN Security Council meeting on Sri Lanka were described to Inner City Press by a range of Council diplomats. Non-permanent Council members including Austria, Mexico and Costa Rica have requested the meeting for March 26, under the heading "Other Matters" since Sri Lanka is still not a formal item on the Council's agenda. These members thought they had agreement from other Council members, but now China is "vehemently" opposing any discussion in the Council of the plight of civilians in the Sri Lankan conflict. China argues that it is "merely an internal matter," and not a threat to international peace and security. In the Security Council, Sri Lanka civilians not shown Sri Lanka's mission to the UN has contacted Council members to make this same argument. Those requesting the meeting are considering calling a procedural vote, on which there are no veto rights. If they have nine votes for the meeting, it will be held -- unless they don't even call for a vote. The position, and strength of commitment, of Western Permanent Five members is not known at press time. EU offers more aid to battle-scarred Sri Lanka The European Commission on Thursday announced an additional three million euros funding for the Red Cross to help tackle the growing humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka's strife-torn north."I am appalled by the humanitarian catastrophe in the north of Sri Lanka. Thousands of civilians trapped in the conflict zone have died and more are dying every day, not only from repeated shelling but also from lack of food, water and medical care," said EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel."Only minimal humanitarian assistance is being allowed into the area. There is an immediate and urgent need to act, to save lives and prevent further human tragedy," he added in a statement.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is the only international humanitarian organisation allowed into the conflict zone and is working "in desperate conditions" to bring life-saving assistance to the people who are trapped and to evacuate the sick and wounded, the Commission said.United Nations' human rights chief Navi Pillay has said she fears both sides could be guilty of war crimes in the Sri Lanka conflict and that more than 2,800 civilians could have been killed since late January."The government must face its obligations to protect all its citizens by stopping the indiscriminate shelling of civilians and by agreeing to a humanitarian lull so that adequate food and medicines can be brought into the area and sick and wounded people can leave," said Michel.The announcement of fresh EU aid came as Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders, or MSF) warned that civilians pouring out of the war zone in Sri Lanka's north are in dire need of emergency medical and psychological help.The MSF also voiced "extreme" concern for 150,000 Tamil civilians still trapped by fierce fighting between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels.Over the past five years the Commission, the EU's executive arm, has given a total of 95 million euros (130 million dollars) in aid for victims of humanitarian crises in Sri Lanka, including 42 million euros for victims of the 2004 tsunami. TMVP suspect commits suicide Another suspect in the Trincomalee ransom case --where a six-year-old girl had been abducted and later found dead -- had committed suicide yesterday by consuming cyanide while in the police custody in Trincomalee.Uppaweli police said that the suspect, identified as 23 year-old Vardharajen Janarathan alias ‘Jana Kumaran,’ a resident of Batticaloa, was the regional leader of the TMVP in Trincomalee.According to the initial police investigations, the suspect had led a group of policemen on the pretext of showing them some hidden weapons, in to the Old Library of the Vocational Training Centre at Uppaweli last afternoon.Suddenly the handcuffed suspect had picked up a cyanide capsule from the location and swallowed it. The police had rushed the suspect to a nearby hospital, but he had died after admission. Earlier, the suspect had helped the police locate two hand grenades hidden there, and on yet another occasion to recover two other hand grenades.According to the police, the man was wanted for harassment, assault and extortion, and for a ransom-connected killing of a Cinema Hall Manager of the area. He had cases pending for similar crimes, and Trincomalee courts had released him on bail on condition that he report every Sunday at the police station, the police said.On Sunday the main suspect in the case -- 25 year-old Obrein Mervyn Renowson alias Shan -- was shot dead when he tried to escape after attacking a policeman while being escorted to the place where the little child’s body had been found. A Trincomalee police constable injured in the incident is warded at Trincomalee Hospital. Varsha Jude Regi was abducted on March 11, while waiting for the trishaw that took her home after school. The abductors had demanded a ransom from her mother who had said she had no cash to give them. Three days after the abduction, the girl’s body was found in a fertilizer bag which was seen floating in a canal. The child had been blindfolded, her hands and feet were tied, and she had burn marks on her body. She had been strangled.Meanwhile, the TMVP and the Karuna group traded charges yesterday, accusing each other of involvement in the murder.TMVP Spokesperson Azath Maulana said Karuna cadres ‘might be involved’ in the murder, as they were still using offices with the TMVP name board. But Karuna Group spokesman Iniya Bharathi denied the allegation and directly held the TMVP responsible. “The TMVP are the ones who are directly involved in Varsha’s murder. They are responsible for many murders and abductions in the east,” said Mr. Bharati.TMVP’s Maulana, however, said that Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan had informed the police yesterday that Karuna cadres, who recently quit the TMVP to join the SLFP, were carrying out criminal activities under the TMVP name, and that many offices carrying the TMVP name board were still being used by Karuna cadres: “This is a serious problem. They are using the TMVP name to carry out all their illegal activities. The office in which Varsha’s bag was found is also used by Karuna cadres with the TMVP name board. This proves that they may be involved but are trying to blame us,” Mr. Maulana said.He added that the TMVP, being democratic party, had handed over all its weapons to the military recently and none of its cadres possessed weapons. “We do not carry weapons any more; all our cadres are now being trained for employment purposes. It is the Karuna cadres who are making trouble in the east,” said Mr. Maulana. Mr. Bharati, however, said that the Karuna group did not occupy any TMVP offices and that they gig not link themselves to the TMVP name. “We are now part of the SLFP, so if the TMVP claims that we are using their offices, then they are mistaken. We have given up everything which links us to the TMVP,” he said. The Trincomalee police said, earlier in the week, that the group which carried out the abduction and killing of the six year old was led by a strongman of the TMVP -- the party led by the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province.According to the details disclosed by the police, the kidnappers had killed another three people -- a leading businessman, the manager of a movie theater and a bus conductor -- in Trincomalee, after demanding ransoms. Police said they had also been involved in another 30 kidnapping cases in Trincomalee. Police said another three people belonging to the TMVP, including the head of the political office at Orr’s Hill in Trincomalee were among those arrested over last week killing. Sri Lanka government trying to stop the investigations on ransom case in Trincomalee, says JVP Sri Lanka Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today charged the government that it is trying to transfer the Senior Superintendent of Police in Trincomalee who is investigating the kidnap and murder case of the six-year-old girl in the area. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the parliament group leader of the JVP said the government is attempting to transfer SSP Vaas Gunawardena as the main suspects of this kidnap and murder case are the members of the Thamil Makkal Viduthalei Pulikal (TMVP) party which supports the government. He stressed that the government is trying to stop the investigations on this incident by transferring the SSP. The Marxists urged the government to accomplish the justice to the family members of the little girl who was recently murdered by a kidnap gang led by a TMVP party strongman.According to the details disclosed by the police this kidnap group has killed another three people, a leading businessman, a manager of a movie theater and a bus conductor in Trincomalee demanding ransoms. Additionally they have been involved in another 30 kidnapping cases in Trincomalee, police confirmed. Civilian misery in northern Sri Lanka Shrapnel injuries It is estimated that between 70,000 and 200,000 civilians are caught up in the conflict in the north-east. The Sri Lankan military says it has now launched a final push to capture remaining Tamil Tiger positions. The fear is that the fighting could spread further, particularly inside the government-designated "safe zone" set up to protect civilians. Doctors say many sick or injured people have conflict-related wounds - including gunshot or shrapnel injuries. Only if they are lucky can they reach a proper hospital in government-controlled territory and that usually takes two weeks. "Only those with shrapnel injuries to legs and arms make it to the hospital in Vavuniya. We do not see people with shrapnel injuries to either the abdomen or chest, we think they do not make it," said Annemarie Loof, the head of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Sri Lanka. MSF has been working with the injured in camps for displaced people in the north. There have been horrendous tales about the plight of civilians inside the conflict zone. MSF doctors came across a mother who lived with her child inside a bunker for four months - another woman had lost her two children in the fighting, then her husband went missing after losing a leg and a hand in an artillery attack. Supply shortage "In addition to the war-related casualties, the lack of food, water and medical supplies left a number of children dead from acute respiratory infection and diarrhoea in the final two weeks of February," says James Elder, the spokesperson for Unicef, the UN children's agency. But the government denies that there has been a shortage of humanitarian supplies inside rebel-held territory. "The government continues to send food and medicine to the north-east with the assistance of the International Red Cross. If the LTTE releases those civilians as demanded by the international community, including the UN, the civilian suffering can be brought to an end immediately," said Palitha Kohana, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is still not clear how many civilians have been killed and injured in the conflict. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said more than 2,800 civilians may have been killed and more than 7,000 injured over the last two months. Her statement also said certain actions by the two warring sides could amount to war crimes. 'Completely baseless' The Sri Lankan government strongly disputes these figures. "We feel that these figures are completely baseless and they are unsubstantiated," the Sri Lankan Minister for Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, told the BBC. There have been accusations and counter-accusations over who was responsible for the civilian deaths and injuries. The army is accused of constantly shelling into the "safe zone" while the UN alleges that the Tamil Tigers are holding civilians as human shields, recruiting children as fighters and shooting those who attempt to flee to government-controlled areas. Both the warring sides deny being responsible for the civilian deaths and injuries. The rebels also deny allegations that they are holding civilians against their will and that they are firing at them. But aid agencies warn that time is running out for civilians trapped in the conflict zone. "Around 200,000 people are sitting on a piece of land that has shrunk to 35 sq km. They are sitting in pieces of tarpaulin. The rainy season has just started. There is not enough food, there is not enough clean drinking water. There is no place for people to use latrines. On top of that, there is continuous fighting all around them. It's not a dignified way of living," said Ms Loof. The government says that nearly 50,000 civilians have already crossed over to government areas and special camps - mostly in school buildings - have been set up to house them. Officials say they have earmarked areas to set up more camps for those who are expected to arrive in the coming weeks. There is also criticism of the conditions in these camps. Ms Loof says there is no freedom of movement for displaced people and they have no information about their relatives and friends living in other camps. But many aid workers say that the fundamental cause of the civilian suffering is the denial of freedom of movement for people trapped inside rebel-held territory. "If these people are allowed to leave the area then they can move out of harm's way. Freedom of movement to a safe place is one of the basic rights for a human being. Both parties need to prioritise the safety of civilians," said Ms Loof. Probe abduction, urges Pillayan 19 March 2009 Talks underway with EU for visit Sri Lanka said on Wednesday it would open up its war-torn north to international scrutiny, days after the UN said it suspected war crimes were being committed in the fight against Tamil rebels.A Foreign Ministry official said talks were under way to give an European Union fact-finding mission access to the area, which has been almost totally off-limits to diplomats, aid workers and journalists."We are in the process of finalising the dates and the agenda," Sri Lanka's Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona told AFP.Another senior Foreign Ministry official said the team may be allowed to visit camps that the Sri Lankan Government has set up for civilians displaced by its massive offensive against the Tamil Tigers."The EU delegation could visit the camps for internally displaced and see for themselves the conditions there," the official said.But it was not clear if diplomats would be allowed close to frontline areas. A visit by EU parliamentarians in July last year ended in acrimony with the Sri Lankan Government accused of not giving full or free access.The EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said she hoped another mission from member nations and the European Commission would be able to visit Sri Lanka soon for an assessment."The situation there is really very, very dangerous," she told reporters in Brussels on Tuesday. Sri Lanka rules out international observers Sri Lanka has ruled out allowing international observers into the conflict zone in the northeast of the country, where government troops are fighting Tamil Tiger rebels. The European Union is in dialogue with the government, but the country's north remains closed to independent assessment. The United Nations says it suspects war crimes are being committed in the conflict against the Tamil rebels. Sri Lanka's Foreign Secretary, Palitha Kohona says the belief that area requires international scrutiny is misplaced. He's told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific program at least 98 per cent of the country is now under government control... and only a small area of land is still occupied by the Tamil Tiger rebels. "Of course there is no way that anybody could gone into this little area, which is about 20 to 25 square kilometres in extent and do any sensible scrutinising Delhi worried about Tamils NEW DELHI: Delhi feels the plight of Tamil civilians caught in the fighting in north Sri Lanka is “worse” than what it was just over a month ago, an assessment partly based on what doctors manning the Indian hospital near the war zone have been reporting.Government sources said about 140 Tamil civilians were brought to the medical unit, which was set up by the Indian military at Pulmoddai in Trincomalee district last Friday. Worryingly all of them needed surgery. India feels that the hospital – with a staff of about 50 – needs to be strengthened.Estimates say between 40,000 and 150,000 civilians are trapped in the small pocket of land still under the control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Vanni. Sri Lankan military is making ‘incremental’ advances into the area. During the entire month of February, only 150 tonnes of food could be supplied to this conflict zone, less than one-eighth of the supply it gets in normal times.“Frankly, the condition of the civilians is much worse than what it was a month-and-a-half ago,’’ a source said. He said Delhi was “really worried’’ about the humanitarian situation in the conflict zone.Both LTTE and the Sri Lankan military are supposed to respect a no-fire zone. But nobody does, according to the grim assessment. The Indian government has been urging Colombo to allow more food into the war zone: this needs holding fire, which the Sri Lankan military is not keen on. Both LTTE and the Sri Lankan Army blame each other for the failure of civilians to escape to safer areas. India is also concerned over the progress on a political solution to the island’s Sinhala-Tamil divide. A promised package devolving more powers to the Sri Lankan provinces is taking more time than Delhi had expected. India will continue to push for that. CARE aid worker killed in Sri Lanka's war zone An aid worker of the CARE International, a non-political humanitarian organization, was killed on Tuesday in the no-fire zone in Mullaitivu, the CARE said.It said the victim identified as R Sabesan, 24, had been working for CARE as a caretaker in the Mullaitivu District office. His leg was severed as a result of shelling, and due to lack of access to the necessary medical care, he later died, CARE reported.According to a press statement issued by CARE Mr. Sabesan was amongst those staff members that were unable to leave the area after the withdrawal of agencies from the conflict zone in September 2008. He has continued to work alongside his CARE colleagues as an aid volunteer under the direction of the Government Agent, distributing aid and providing support to affected people. "Hundreds of people have been reportedly killed or injured in the conflict zone. Food and supplies have almost run out. Civilians who try to leave are unable to do so, and are instead forced to shelter in rain-filled trenches in a desperate attempt to escape the fighting. Many of those attempting to flee are being prevented by the LTTE," CARE noted.CARE said it is working with the government and other aid agencies to provide urgently needed food and emergency supplies to civilians who manage to escape the fighting and called on all sides to allow civilians to safely leave the conflict zone and to ensure the safety of civilians who remain caught up in the fighting. Sri Lanka children 'being killed' Navy rescues 643 civilians The Sri Lanka Navy yesterday rescued 643 civilians fleeing the uncleared areas using boats in the northern high seas, after chasing away four Tiger craft which were pursuing them to prevent their escape. Navy sources said that alert Naval personnel had acted swiftly to avert a major tragedy after seeing a flotilla of small dinghies carrying civilians, being hunted down by four Tiger craft which were directing fire at the civilian boats. In the face of Navy retaliatory fire the Tiger boats had fled, Navy sources said. The rescued consisted of 419 adults (207 males and 212 females) and 224 children (111 boys and113 girls). The group had been found on board 35 dinghies. Navy Spokesman Captain D.K.P. Dassanayake said that senior LTTE leaders such as Soosai, Rangan, Maran, Alagan and Illayawan were heard giving orders to fetch back all fleeing civilians according to their communications intercepts. The badly shaken civilians were immediately provided with refreshments and necessary medical facilities, before directing them to welfare centres, Dassanayake added. He further said that the Navy had made special arrangements to assist those who were fleeing the Tigers via sea routes, with vessels being deployed in the seas off Mullaitivu, consisting of stand-by rescue and medical teams on board. Canada investigating waving of LTTE flags at Toronto rally With thousands of Sri Lankan Tamils waving the flags of the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) at a rally here Monday, Canadian authorities have launched an investigation whether their action violated the nation’s new anti-terror laws.The current Conservative government banned the LTTE in 2006 for using suicide bombers and child soldiers in its goal for an independent nation for Sri Lankan Tamils. Supporting a banned organisation also constitutes violation of Canada’s anti-terror laws. More than 50,000 Tamils had joined in a “human chain” in the heart of the city, urging Canada to lift its ban on the LTTE and seek support for an independent Tamil Eelam. Toronto police say they have launched an investigation whether waving of LTTE flags constituted violation of new anti-terror laws. “It is something of a legal issue, and that is something that will be looked into through our legal department,” said Constable Wendy Drummond of Toronto Police. It is not the first time that protesters in Canada have waved the flags of banned organisations. Supporters of Hezbollah and Hamas, which are also banned in Canada, have often waved their flags at protests rallies. In fact, B’nai Brith, the national body of Canadian Jews, Wednesday urged the city police to expand its probe into the display of LTTE flags to also include Hamas and Hezbollah. “We commend the Toronto police for launching an investigation into the display of the flag of the Tamil Tigers, a terrorist group outlawed in this country,” said Frank Dimant of B’nai Brith Canada. “However, there have been many other instances of flags of other banned terrorist entities, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, that have been in full public view at rallies, most recently early this year during the period of the Gaza conflict,” the Jewish leader said. Canada has the largest concentration of Sri Lankan Tamils after the island nation. Most of them came here as refugees in the 1980s and 90s and settled in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The LTTE has enjoyed widespread support in the 300,000-strong community here. Sutton MPs demand protection for Sri Lanka Tamils Both borough MPs have demanded the British Government act to protect beleagured Tamils in Sri Lanka after hearing horrific stories from relatives at a meeting last week. The meeting, attended by Paul Burstow and Tom Brake, was held at Wallington High School for Girls last Friday to highlight the plight of 300,000 civilians trapped in the war torn area in North Sri Lanka without basic needs. It is estimated there are around 4,000 Tamils in Sutton and many of them turned out to hear the views of their MPs and the British Tamil Forum. Dr Neelani Nackeeran, a member of the Tamil Forum, detailed reports of the blockade of food and medicines, the use of cluster & white phosphorus bombs and daily aerial bombardment and multi-barrel shelling in civilian areas, killing of more than 100 civilians daily. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the fighting so far between the Sri Lankan military and the Tamil Tiger rebels. After the meeting, a Carshalton Tamil, who wished only to be named as Mr C as he fears reprisals against his surviving relatives, said: “My two sisters’ family and parents were living in the Vanni area. "One of my sister’s husband and two children were killed by the artillery about two weeks ago while in their sleep. Another child succumbed to injuries a few days later. "After the army took over our small town, my sister was taken to the one of the camps for the displaced. She was later taken from there to an undisclosed location. We fear for their safety.” Another man, Mr S, also from Carshalton, was too disturbed to talk, but both his parents, his sister, brother in law and niece were all killed by artillery fire last week. Speaking after the meeting, Mr Burstow said: "There needs to be a ceasefire, independent monitors, access for relief and human rights organisations and free unfettered access for the press. Our Government must take the matter to the UN Security Council."Mr Brake added: “The death and destruction inflicted on the Tamil community, described in horrific detail by the speakers, must be brought to a halt immediately. There will be no peace in Sri Lanka until the senseless murder of both Tamils and Sinhalese stops.” Sri Lanka holds Tamil editor over Tiger air attacks Sri Lanka's foreign reserves fall to US$1.4bn in Jan 09 Sri Lanka's gross official reserves fell to 1,415 million US dollars from 1,753 million dollars in December 2008, which was enough to cover 1.3 months of imports, the Central Bank said.With Asian Clearing Union balances, reserves were 1,703 million US dollars. But imports were contracting sharply amid a global deflationary environment and lower demand at home. The import spend had fallen 40.5 percent to 699 million US dollars in January 2009, against the same period last year. The fall was broad-based, but was led by petroleum, the central bank said. Sri Lanka's currency came under pressure from September when the central bank began to defend a dollar peg and injecting liquidity into money markets in a self re-inforcing cycle known as sterilized intervention, triggering a balance of payments crisis. At the time Sri Lanka's foreign reserves were at 3.4 billion US dollars. The steep fall in the import and oil bill has left authorities without the usual suspect to blame for balance of payments crises, which is imports in general and oil in particular. Nobody has explained why only oil is 'bad' for the exchange rate. Other types of imports such as capital goods are not blamed by authorities for currency depreciation. Sri Lanka has already requested a bailout from the International Monetary Fund, which necessary to maintain external solvency of the country. Earlier in the day the Central Bank announced a relaxation of import curbs which were slapped late last year. IMF also advocates such action, as import curbs simply stifle economic growth and limits the economic freedoms of the entire population, without having any beneficial effect on the exchange rate. A balance of payments crisis is monetary phenomenon coming from excessive new liquidity injections to the domestic monetary system to offset cash lost due to foreign exchange sales by a monetary authority. Sri Lanka runs a 'soft peg' or 'managed float' where the central bank targets both the exchange rate and the interest rates, or domestic money supply, which are incompatible goals. The island has experienced repeated balance of payments crises and high inflation after a currency board which kept the exchange rate fixed through a 'hard peg' was abandoned and a central bank with money printing powers was created in 1950. The central bank said private remittances from expatriates fell by 6.6 percent to 274 million US dollars in January. Falling remittances also do not put any additional pressure on the exchange rate in a pegged exchange rate environment. Lower inflows contracts the spending power of citizens within a country and causes a corresponding fall in imports. Rising remittances (unless saved in foreign currency banking units and lent abroad) will also simply trigger more economic activity and imports in a 'managed float' or pegged exchange rate environment. CIA chief in town, to meet Indian security officials New Delhi, CIA Chief Leon Panetta flew in here tonight to hold talks with top intelligence officials of the country on security cooperation, a fortnight after FBI Director Robert Mueller visited here.Panetta, who chose India as his first overseas visit since assuming office, arrived here along with Peter Burleigh, a retired career diplomat, as" Interim Ambassador"to India who will be Charge d&apos Affairs until the Obama administration finalises its nominee for the post.Panetta, during his stay, will meet National Security Advisor M K Narayanan, RAW Chief K C Verma and Intelligence Bureau&aposs Rajiv Mathur and discuss the security situation in the neighbourhood -- Pakistan and Afghanistan.He is likely to leave for Pakistan tomorrow afternoon.Burleigh, who will assume as the Charge d&aposAffairs, is believed to be fluent in Hindi, Bengali, Nepali and Sinhalese. He was Ambassador to Sri Lanka in the mid-1990s and US Deputy Permanent Representative at the United Nations from 1997-1999.This is the third high-level visit by an US official to India since 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes beginning with that by Director of National Intelligence John Michel McConnell in the third week of December last year.This was followed by the visit of FBI Director Mueller on March three this year. We are against forced evacuation in Lanka: Red Cross The internecine conflict in Sri Lanka is one of the most difficult challenges being faced by South Asia. The rebel LTTE and the government have been fighting fierce battle for over two decades.The prolonged fight between the warring parties aided by LTTE's suicide squad has resulted in large-scale damage to public infrastructure and the burgeoning of refugees not only inside Sri Lanka but also in India, particularly Tamil Nadu.The civilians have been the worst victims in this conflict and both the parties have been partly blamed for the plight of the civilians, mainly Tamils.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been one of the principle humanitarian organizations working in the conflict zones of Sri Lanka. NDTV.com talked to Paul Castella, Head of Delegation ICRC in Colombo, who was in the Capital for a seminar. Castella who joined ICRC in Colombo in September last year talked on the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded after the Sri Lankan Army's march in LTTE controlled areas, the inadequate medical facilities, the upsurge in refugees and the ground reality. NDTV.com: When you joined ICRC in Colombo last year what was your immediate challenge? Paul Castella: When I joined in September 2008 my basic job was to look after the humanitarian angle of the crisis. Firstly, the protection of the civilian in the conflict zone under international law. They are entitled to be protected from violence. Secondly, under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) people should have unhindered access to health and medical facilities. Food, health and other basic amenities should reach in sufficient quantity. Thirdly, to check the collapsing health system and evacuation of patients as and when required. Fourthly, increasing number of people who had fled the war zone. The government has since accommodated them in various camps. NDTV.com: How has the current conflagration affected the ground situation? What's your assessment of ground situation? Paul Castella: As I told you, the situation at the ground level is alarming as there has been an increase in the number of refugees and the injured. Both the parties need to understand the plight of the civilians. I am concerned with the trapped civilians and we at Red Cross are having dialogue with the warring parties to agree for an evacuation. NDTV.com: What has been the response of the Sri Lankan government? Paul Castella: The response of the Sri Lankan government has been good. The Internally Displaced People (IDP) is being accommodated in the camps run by the government. The Ministry of Resettlement (Government of Sri Lanka) has come up and it is dynamic in addressing the refugee problem. We hope to overcome the situation. NDTV.com: Can you tell the number of people who have fled? Paul Castella: We don't have the exact figure right now, but about 35,000 people have fled to government controlled areas. NDTV.com: There were reports of a forced evacuation plan. What's your take on that? Paul Castella: ICRC won't be involved in any forced evacuation plan and we don't have knowledge of any such plan. NDTV.com: How difficult is it for you (Red Cross) to work in Sri Lanka? Isn't maintaining neutrality a tough task? Paul Castella: It is indeed difficult to work in the midst of hostility. But we keep our dialogue with both the parties (The Sri Lankan government and LTTE). There is need for neutral understanding of the conflict situation. However, at times even the dialogue has been difficult with the parties. NDTV.com: There has been talks of inadequate medical facilities at the ground level. According to reports the Indian government has sent its medical team. What's your assessment? Paul Castella: The medical situation is really bad because there are less health personnel. And there is no proper medical facility. In fact, health facilities are located in schools. Medical supply should be adapted to the needs, which are not happening right now due to huge pressure of patients. I came to know about the Indian medical delegation through media reports though they won't be working with us. NDTV.com: Do you have access to conflict areas? Paul Castella: Yes, we have access to conflict areas. We should be going into more areas and be able to bring about more work in the war zone. NDTV.com: Where do you see the current conflict going? Paul Castella: I am afraid the situation is going to further deteriorate as the Tamil rebels are still fighting the government. 18 March 2009 Sri Lanka dismisses EU truce call 'Very dangerous' Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU's external relations commissioner, said on Monday that the ceasefire was needed as the situation for civilians trapped in the war zone was "very dangerous"."Approximately 170,000 people ... are being trapped in the northern part of Sri Lanka and neither the Sri Lanka government or the LTTE has until now accepted our appeal," she said.Ferrero-Waldner said that an EU delegation would travel to the country to push for the ceasefire.The LTTE made no immediate comment on the ceasefire call.Kohona said that the separatists were responsible for civilian casualties as they are using them as human shields after the military pushed them back into a tiny area on the northeastern coast."They are holding their own people hostage, the international community should recognise this,'' he said. Red Cross warning The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Tuesday conditions were getting worse for civilians by the day in the war zone.The ICRC has helped about 4,000 people leave the area this year."Many of these people are forced to shelter in trenches. They are in considerable physical danger after being forced to move from place to place en masse for weeks or even months," Paul Castella, ICRC Sri Lanka mission head, said in a statement.Meanwhile, a suspected Tamil Tiger suicide bomber blew himself up several metres from the frontline on Monday, the military said."A soldier on the frontline in Puthukudiyiruppu observed a military-uniformed man coming towards the [line] and when he moved ahead to search him, the terrorist exploded himself," Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, a military spokesman, said.He said no soldiers were killed or wounded.The LTTE has been battling government forces, seeking a separate homeland for ethnic Tamils in the north and east of the country. Strategic junction ahead of last LTTE stronghold captured: Sri Lanka Advancing Sri Lankan troops captured a strategically important junction lying ahead of the last stronghold of the Tamil Tiger rebels, the defence ministry said Tuesday.Troops engaged “in the final phase of military offensive to free entire country from LTTE have marked a decisive milestone” by reaching the Irunapalai junction, a strategically vital junction in Puthukkudiyiruppu built-up area in the north-eastern Mullaitivu district,” it said.“With the military capturing this junction, the LTTE activities along the Puthukkudiyiruppu-Putumathalan main road, which once remained the LTTE’s main supply route, and several link roads running across the Irunapalai junction will be further limited,” the ministry said.The remaining area for the LTTE has further shrunk while opening safer escape passages “for innocent Tamil civilians who had been trapped by LTTE terrorists as a human shield in the government-declared no-fire-zone,” the defence ministry said.“Troops are now engaged in further consolidating operations in the area,” it said. The military earlier in the day said that at least 29 Tamil Tigers were killed and scores were wounded when fierce clashes broke out between the troops and the rebels in the island’s north.The clashes have taken place in the eastern area of Irunapalai and Puthukkudiyiruppu in the north-eastern Mullaitivu district since Monday morning. The rebels are defending a land stretch of less than 35 square km.“So far, 14 dead bodies of Tiger terrorists, 25 T-56 weapons, five LTTE-made mortar launchers, two I-com communication sets and two remote controllers have been recovered by troops from the area,” the military said. The infantry personnel fighting their way deep into the rebel-held areas have also captured “one kilometre long LTTE earth-bund” in the area southeast of Puthukkudiyiruppu following the clashes Monday. Meanwhile, the Army Headquarters has declared that “an estimated total of 42,855 civilians”, who had so far fled Tiger-dominated areas since March 2008, are housed in 22 different centres for displaced persons (relief villages) in northern Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna districts. “The figure includes the displaced receiving treatment in hospitals outside the war-torn areas as of Monday noon,” it said. Sri Lanka plays hardball with IMF No forced measures These involve taking steps such as cutting public spending or raising interest rates. But Sri Lanka has made it clear it will not be forced into taking any such measures. "Neither will we bow to any conditions or transform our land to a colony," Mr Rajapaksa is quoted as saying in the local, state-controlled Daily News newspaper. The country has been hit by slowing tea and textile exports that have depleted the country's foreign currency reserves. It also needs money to pay for reconstruction work in the north and east of the island after recent fighting with Tamil Tiger rebels. Sri Lanka's central bank also believes that an IMF loan would encourage other institutions to offer monetary support, as well as boosting international investors' confidence in the island. The bank said it expects government negotiations with the IMF to be completed by the end of March. On Monday, Serbia announced a 2bn euro ($2.6bn; £1.85bn) loan from the IMF. We cannot eradicate terrorism without Indian help: Sri Lanka Wholeheartedly welcoming the Indian medical assistance to the wounded war displaced civilians in the north, Sri Lanka Tuesday underlined the importance of India's assistance in the fight against terrorism in the island nation. "Without Indian support, we cannot eradicate terrorism from this country," Minister for Healthcare and Nutrition Nimal Sripala de Silva told reporters here Tuesday. The minister was answering a question with regard to objections raised by some political parties on the presence of the 52-member Indian medical team, which also included members from the Indian Army's medical unit. The minister said that all doctors came from India and their qualifications "were screened" and were accepted by the medical council to operate in Sri Lanka. Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka's radical Marxist Party raised serious concern in parliament over the presence of the Indian medical unit in the country to treat the wounded war-displaced civilians fleeing the northern war zone. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), known for its anti-Indian stance, said that the arrival of the medical team "was posing a threat to the island's sovereignty, integrity and national security". Making a special statement in the island's 225-member parliament, the JVP's parliamentary group leader Anurakumara Dissanayake said that the Indian medical team "was portraying a bad picture internationally that Sri Lanka cannot look after its own people". The Indian medical team comprising physicians, surgeons, para-medical staff, technical staff and medical equipment reached Pulmoddai, in the eastern port city Trincomalee, last week. They have started treating the war-affected displaced civilians in the north from this week. The team led by Vasanthkumar, a doctor, has established an emergency medical unit, including a full-fledged hospital at Pulmoddai. It aims to supplement the existing medical facilities of the Sri Lanka's health ministry in that area for the internally displaced people. The JVP parliamentarian also asked the government whether it has granted permission to India to set up a hospital in Pulmoddai, highlighting the fact the Indian medical team included members of the Indian armed forces. Replying to the queries, Minister for Healthcare and Nutrition Nimal Sripala de Silva told the house that the fears and theories expressed by the JVP were nothing but "the figment of their own imagination". Stressing that helping the internally displaced people "is the sole responsibility of the government of Sri Lanka and not anybody else", the health minister has said India as a friendly neighbour has been "so kind enough to assist" the island nation in the time of need. He said that the presence of the Indian medical team would not affect the island's sovereignty by any means, and added that it was very common in any part of the world that the relief assistance team of this nature would comprise some members of the armed forces. Over 35,000 people from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam-held areas in Mullaitivu district have fled the war-zone and entered the government-held areas since the beginning of 2009. Most of them are being housed at welfare centres and transit camps in the northern Vavuniya town. Ranil’s fate to be decided today The UNP parliamentary group meeting at the Parliament complex yesterday morning was tense, with a number of members including Lakshman Seneviratne, urging party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to immediately step down from the leadership.The MPs spoke openly against the party leadership and said they had lost confidence in Mr. Wickremesinghe, due to successive election defeats and the inability to reach out to the voters. Mr. Seneviratne asked for a vote to decide on the Opposition Leader’s post.Rebel MPs also criticised the leader saying the party should be revamped with changes to its crucial posts.Assistant Leader Rukman Senanayake and MPs Sajith Premadasa and Ravindra Samaraweera also spoke at the meeting.The rebel MPs had insisted that the leadership issue be resolved yesterday itself.The meeting, which was held in a committee room of the Parliament complex, started at 8.30 am and continued for more than two hours.As a result, the UNP MPs were not present in the House till 11.00 am.In the meantime, government ministers Jagath Puspakumara and Mervyn Silva brought the tense situation prevailing at the UNP meeting to the notice of the House.Mr. Pushpakumara said: “We heard about a plan to assault the UNP leader at the meeting. We are asking the Speaker to ensure his security.” However UNP sources denied that such an incident had taken place at the meeting. The parliamentary group met again in the evening to take a final decision, since some MPs had been absent at the morning’s meeting. However, Mr. Wickremesinghe did not participate in the meeting, but had reportedly conveyed a message to through General Secretary Tissa Attanayake. Asked to comment on what had transpired at the evening’s meeting, UNP Chairman Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said that they had taken some decisions, but would not release information about them to the media until after the working committee meeting scheduled for today. Responding allegations by Mr. Pushpakumara that Mr. Wickremesinghe had been assaulted by some MPs at the morning’s meeting, Mr. Perera said that the party felt very sad about such false statements. “There are no such indecent MPs in the UNP,” he said. Sri Lanka deaths blamed on lack of medical supply A lack of medical supplies has led to the needless deaths of hundreds of hospital patients in parts of northern Sri Lanka ravaged by civil war, the regions' top health officials said.The international Red Cross said conditions for civilians were "deteriorating by the day."In a letter to the Health Ministry, officials from two northern Sri Lankan regions said just 5 percent of the needed drugs and dressings were received in the last quarter of 2008 and the first part of this year.The letter, seen Tuesday by The Associated Press, was signed by the health officers of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. Kilinochchi was the headquarters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam until it was overrun by government troops in early January.The last remaining remnants of the rebels are fighting in Mullaitivu to hold on to a shrinking swath of land — estimated at 13.5 square miles (35 square kilometers) — on the northeast coast.The letter said more than 500 patients died since January after arriving at hospitals and that thousands of others may have died outside of hospitals."Most of the hospital deaths could have been prevented if basic infrastructure facilities and essential medicines were made available," it said.On Tuesday, a further 23 patients died out of 108 wounded civilians taken to a makeshift hospital in the northeast, said Kandasamy Tharmakulasingham, a hospital administrative officer.Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said any letter coming out of the rebel territory is "suspicious and subject to verification." He declined further response until he could consult senior health officials.The U.N. says 150,000 to 180,000 civilians, displaced from Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, are trapped in the war zone. The government says the figure is much lower, and on Tuesday the Sri Lankan president told the U.N. chief Tamil rebels are holding the civilians by force.U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a phone conversation with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, asked about food, medicine and essential supplies in the country's northern war zone, as well as civilians' safety and facilities for displaced people, the president's office said.Rajapaksa said the military has been instructed not to fire heavy weapons at civlian areas and that the government regularly sends food to the battle zones, the statement added.In Geneva, Simon Schorno, a spokeman for the International Committee of the Red Cross, said there has been shelling of a coastal area designated as a "safe zone" for the largely Tamil civilian population.U.N. estimates 2,800 civilians have died since late January; the government says that figure is unsubstantiated.The government has rejected numerous appeals — the latest from the European Union — for an immediate cease-fire, saying any deal would allow the besieged rebels to regroup.The Tamil Tigers have began fighting since 1983 for an independent state for the Tamil minority, which suffered decades of marginalization at the hands of governments dominated by the Sinhalese majority. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the fighting. Army officer 'arrested with gold' TMVP denies involvement in Varsha’s murder 17 March 2009 EU issues Sri Lanka cease-fire appeal BRUSSELS: The European Union appealed Monday to Sri Lankan authorities and Tamil Tiger rebels to agree to an immediate cease-fire to allow urgent humanitarian aid into a northern "safe zone" where civilians are supposed to be shielded from the fighting.Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU's external relations commissioner said the situation for civilians there is "very dangerous.""Approximately 170,000 people ... are being trapped in the northern part of Sri Lanka and neither the Sri Lanka government or the LTTE (rebels) has until now accepted our appeal," she told reporters.She said the EU would send a diplomatic mission to the country soon to push the EU cease-fire appeal.The renewed EU worries came as more than 5,000 Tamils from across Europe demonstrated close to EU headquarters, demanding quick action to stop the bloodshed in Sri Lanka.They called on the 27-nation bloc to immediately lift a ban on the Tamil Tigers, who have been on a terror list for three years. Several protesters carried pictures of Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.The rebels have fought since 1983 for an independent state for the Tamil minority, which suffered decades of marginalization at the hands of governments dominated by the Sinhalese majority. More than 70,000 people have been Thousands of Tamils decry Sri Lankan 'genocide' Thousands of supporters of a Tamil state protested in Brussels Monday against "genocide" by the Sri Lankan government, urging the European Union to send observers to see the situation on the ground."The Sri Lankan soldiers are killing 50 Tamil every day, and that is just in the so-called 'protected areas'," said Siva Ram, a Tamil protester from Paris.Organisers put the turnout at around 30,000 although police put the figure at 5,000."We want to tell the world and Europe to stop the genocide in Sri Lanka," said Suveetsan Sivapula, from Germany.The noisy protest, organised by the Tamil Youth Organisation, took place 100 metres from where EU foreign ministers were meeting in Brussels' European quarter.Also on Monday, more than 10,000 Sri Lankan Tamils demonstrated outside the UN's European headquarters in Geneva, accusing the world body of complicity in the "genocide" of Tamils, police said.An association for Tamils in Switzerland, the Tamil Forum, released a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemning what it called the evacuation of civilians in Sri Lanka and their placing in "army detention camps".Last month, EU foreign ministers called for an immediate ceasefire between the Sri Lankan security forces and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to allow aid in to and civilians out of the conflict zone in the north of the country.EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner expressed disappointment that the call had not been heeded."The situation there is really very, very dangerous," she told reporters after the ministers' meeting."Approximately 170,000 people, it seems civilian people, are being trapped in the north part of Sri Lanka and neither the Sri Lankan government nor the LTTE have until now accepted our appeal for an immediate ceasefire," she said.The EU official said she hoped a mission from the European Union nations and the European Commission would be able to visit the area to assess the situation.The Sri Lankan military says it has surrounded the Tiger rebels in a narrow strip of land and expects to soon end the guerrillas' decades-long armed struggle for an independent Tamil homeland.A Sri Lankan diplomat in Brussels said the demonstration here displayed the "desperation of the LTTE who are now confined to a 35-square-kilometre region".More worrying for the EU ministers, he added, was that the protest also shows the group's strength in Europe, even as its power wains in Sri Lanka."That there is this kind of gathering shows the capacity of the LTTE in Europe and that is something Europe should be worried about."Government forces shot dead at least 32 Tamil Tiger rebels in north-eastern Sri Lanka, the defence ministry in Colombo said Sunday, as troops moved closer to finally defeating the separatist guerrillas.Sri Lanka's army denies targeting the "safe zone" and in turn accuses the Tigers of fabricating reports of large scale civilian deaths.The UN believes 150,000 to 180,000 civilians remain trapped in the territory still under rebel control."What we want is for the European Union to send people into the 'safe zone' and see what is really happening there, not just listen to what Colombo is telling them and visiting the displacement camps," said another Tamil protester who would not give his name.The Tamil supporters also called for the Tigers to be taken off international terrorist lists."The Tamils are the Tigers, the Tigers are the Tamils," Sivapula said. Sri Lanka Police to register people from northeast staying in Colombo Sri Lanka police authorities are to register all individuals from the Northern and the Eastern provinces, staying in Colombo by Tuesday. Police media spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekara said all such people should register themselves with the nearest police station if they had failed to do so earlier. He said that this is not applicable to the people already registered earlier with the police.The Spokesman said that after Wednesday, the police will launch search operations to arrest those who had neglected to register themselves. Tigers 'forcibly recruit UN man' Safe zone The UN statement said: "The UN in Sri Lanka has protested to the [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] that UN national staff, as well as children in general, are protected under national and international law from recruitment by armed groups, and has called for their immediate release." Another UN national staff member recruited two weeks ago has yet to be released, it said. Last month, the agency accused the rebels of holding 11 of its local employees and more than 50 of their family members in the conflict zone against their will. In another incident, UN spokesman Gordon Weiss said on Monday that "the wife of a UN staff member was injured by an anti-personnel mine while escaping with the staff member and their two children". The organisation says some 2,800 civilians have been killed in the fighting this year. The government says those numbers are inflated and unsubstantiated. The government has designated a "safe zone" for civilians but military spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara said troops were "closing into the safe zone in certain areas". The government says hundreds of civilians are still fleeing the war zone. The UN and international powers have called for a ceasefire to allow civilians to be evacuated but the government says that will only allow the rebels to regroup. Pro-rebel sources say the army is targeting civilians.
The Tigers' political chief B Nadesan told the TamilNet website the government was committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Independent reporters are not allowed in the war zone and information from either side cannot be verified. CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa on Monday handed over Rs.2,22,89,391 to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for providing relief to Sri Lankan Tamils.Francois Stamm, Head of the Regional Delegation, ICRC, met her at her Poes Garden residence and received a demand draft for the amount. Surendra Oberai, coordinator, ICRC, New Delhi, was also present.Mr. Stamm said the ICRC was only organisation now remaining operational in the Vanni region. “We have been extremely active in the last few weeks since the fighting has escalated.” He thanked Ms. Jayalalithaa for the appropriate decision to contribute the amount towards humanitarian works.The money was collected on March 9, when the AIADMK observed fast across the State to condemn “failure of the Congress-led UPA government to bring about a ceasefire in Sri Lanka.” Ms. Jayalalithaa in her capacity as the general secretary of the party contributed Rs.1 crore, besides making a personal contribution of Rs.5 lakh. Toronto's Tamil community forms human chain through downtown Hundreds of members of Toronto's Tamil community are forming a human chain today to protest attacks by the Sri Lankan military on Tamils in that country's bloody civil war.Protesters lined sidewalks in the city's downtown core, many of them waving flags and chanting slogans. Their numbers are expected to grow as the day goes on, as a similar demonstration in January drew about 45,000 people.Police are monitoring the peaceful demonstration and have reported no problems, though motorists are advised to take alternate routes to avoid being caught in traffic.The protest began at 1 p.m. and will likely last until 6 p.m.The chain was expected to start on Front Street, go up Yonge Street to Bloor Street, and head west down Bloor to University Avenue, where it will turn south back to Front.Toronto is home to approximately 250,000 Tamils, one of the largest populations outside Sri Lanka.The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, declared a terrorist organization by the U.S. in 1997 and by Canada in 2006, have been fighting for a separate homeland for ethnic Tamils in northern Sri Lanka since 1983. More than 70,000 people have been killed.Fighting has escalated in recent months, as the military routed the rebels from most of their de facto state in the north and cornered them in a narrow strip of land along the northeastern coast along with tens of thousands of trapped civilians.The massive protest in Toronto came the same day the European Union appealed to Sri Lankan authorities and Tamil Tiger rebels to agree to an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid into a northern "safe zone" where some 170,000 civilians are supposed to be shielded from the fighting.Also Monday, more than 5,000 Tamils from across Europe demonstrated close to EU headquarters in Brussels, demanding quick action to stop the bloodshed in Sri Lanka. NFF warns will surround UN office in Colombo The National Freedom Front (NFF) yesterday vowed to surround the Colombo United Nations office if it attempted to file war crimes charges against Sri Lanka based on allegations made by the LTTE proxies. NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa told a news conference about information of an UN-led conspiracy to prosecute Sri Lanka over alleged war crimes, in an attempt to divert the country from its final battle to eradicate terrorism. He said world powers had used such strategies against countries like Sri Lanka which were successful in countering terrorism. “Today, we can observe such interference in Sudan. Charging Sri Lanka for war crimes could undermine the morale of the security forces on the battle front. That is what the world powers want,” Mr. Weerawansa said.He warned the Colombo UN office that the people would be compelled to surround it in large numbers if it persisted with this move. “The UN employees based here should inform their international masters of what we plan to do,” Mr. Weerawansa said.He charged that suspected LTTE cadres are alleged to have shot a UN worker in the uncleared areas, but the UN office remained tight- lipped about it and said civilians trapped in the Wanni should be released only by the security forces after terrorism was crushed militarily even at a heavy cost.“The LTTE has put up bunkers and trenches among civilians trapped in a tiny stretch of land,” he said. MOTHER REFUSES TO ACCEPT SON’S BODY The mother of the chief suspect in the case where a six-year-old girl was brutally killed has refused to accept the body of her son saying the family had distanced itself from the suspect, police said.Police spokesman Ranjith Gunasekera said the suspect’s mother had informed the Trincomalee Magistrate she would not accept the body of her son who was shot dead by police on Sunday. The Trincomalee Magistrate A. Manaf instructed the police to bury the suspect’s body at state expense.Police said the suspect identified as 25 year-old Obrein Mervyn Renowson alias Shan was shot dead on Sunday when he tried to escape after attacking a policeman while being escorted to the place where the little child’s body was found. A Trincomalee police constable who was injured in the incident is warded at the Trincomalee Hospital. The suspect’s mother is reported to have told the Magistrate her son had dissociated himself with the family for the last three years and that she had nothing to do with his criminal activities.Police said five suspects were earlier arrested in connection with the killing of the little girl.The BBC quoted police officials as saying that three of the suspects were members of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) headed by Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan."The slain suspect has tried to secure a licence for an FM radio station. The ransom was sought to pay political authorities to obtain the licence," the BBC quoted the police as saying. Varsha Jude Regi was abducted while waiting for the trishaw to take her home after school. The abductors had demanded a ransom from the mother who had said she had no cash to give them. On Friday evening, the girl’s body was found in a fertilizer bag which was seen floating in a canal. The child was blindfolded, her hands and feet tied and with burnt marks on her body and strangled.Meanwhile the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) condemed the abduction and killing of the six-year-old girl in Trincomalee, yesterday said and said this tragedy emphasized the features of a post-conflict society.NCPA Chairman Jagath Wellawatta said, “this incident clearly shows us that people in the areas where there was war during the last three decades have been encouraged to accomplish their desires by way of weapons threats or killing.”He said that in such a background, the adults and parents should pay more attention to their children.Meanwhile, the remaining suspects, who are in police custody in connection with the murder of the girl, are allegedly involved in more than 25 killings, abductions and ransom cases in the area, police investigations revealed.Police said among the murdered victims, were businessmen and cinema hall owners.According to the suspects, they had planned to dump the girl’s body in the high seas, but they had not been able to do as the Navy had not issued passes for fishing on that particular day. That ahd forced them to leave the body in the Trincomalee town, the suspects had said. 16 March 2009 No military solution to Tamil issue in Lanka: Mukherjee Security Forces enter Iranapalai The Security Forces who are now on the final leg of their battle against the LTTE has entered the outskirts of Iranapalai, the last operational centre of the top rung Tiger leaders including Intelligence Wing leader Pottu Amman with the troops clearing the last section of the buildup area in Puthkuduyiruppu East by yesterday evening. Military sources in the battlefront told the Daily News that the 58 Division under the command of Brigadier Shavendra Silva was in the process of clearing the last section of buildings in the Puthukuduyiruppu East yesterday with the capture of LTTE’s last Court complex in Puthukuduyiruppu East. “After completing their mission in Puthukuduyiruppu East the 20 Gajaba Regiment yesterday entered into the highly fortified Iranapalai, the LTTE’s last operational centre amidst fierce battles”, the sources added. The ground troops found that Iranapalai, which had been the hideout of the LTTE Intelligence Wing leader Pottu Amman for decades was strongly held by the LTTE constructing massive earth bunds. The LTTE had maintained Iranapalai as their main operational centre with many of their top rung leaders including Sea Tiger Wing leader Soosai handling Sea Tiger operations making his base there in Iranapalai making that area out of bound for the civilians. Military intelligence sources have also confirmed the presence of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran frequently in this area recently. The 58 Division yesterday captured the Court complex of the LTTE in Puthukudiyiruppu which may be the last Court maintained by the LTTE to keep the Tamil civilian population under their law. With troops reaching the last terrain under the LTTE once again exodus of civilians started to flow into military controlled areas both from the North and South of Puthukudiyiruppu. ”Yesterday 904 civilians arrived in the 58 Division area alone and hundreds of civilians arriving in the South of Puthukudiyiruppu and towards Jaffna by boats”, the sources added. Military officials had observed that a considerable number of disabled civilians arriving in military controlled areas mingling with these civilians arousing suspicion that they might be disabled Tiger cadres who had distanced from the military operations due to their disability. Meanwhile, 58 Division troops have also reached some 400 metres closer to the Safe Zone in Puthumattalan where thousands of civilians had taken refuge. Last hospital in northern Sri Lanka out of supplies The last major hospital in the LTTE-held area in Wanni region in northern Sri Lanka has alomst stopped functioning due to lack of medicines and basic supplies. Senior government health official in the area Dr. Thurairaja Varatharaja said lives of thousands of injured and sick people would be in danger if the hospital is closed. "There is a severe shortage of essential medicine, which is forcing the hospital to shut down most of its operations," he was quoted as saying by BBC. His warning comes amid increasing concern over the fate of innocent Tamil civilians caught in the war between the Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE. The Sri Lankan Army says it is on the verge of defeating the Tamil Tigers as its forces are making rapid advances into the LTTE-held territory. The Sri Lankan government says there are around 70,000 civilians trapped in the 'war zone' in Wanni, but aid agencies contradict the figure and say the number would be more than 200,000. Dr. Varatharaja said the situation in the hospital is so bad that bed sheets are being used as bandages. However, a senior Sri Lankan government official said some of the medicine requested by the hospital had already been sent to the nearest major town and would be delivered once the defence ministry authorised the move. Gota says progress slow but steady Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday said that the army was engaged in close quarter combat with the LTTE on the eastern flank. "We are making significant progress although the civilian presence will cause delays," he told The Island yesterday.Responding to our queries, he said that battles were taking place in an area about five km north to south and about three km west to east in the Mullaitivu district. In fact, the area actually under terrorist control was very much less than 35 sq. km he mentioned regularly, he said. He likened the battle for remaining LTTE-held territory to the one waged by the army in 1995 to liberate Jaffna. He said that two lagoons and the civilian safety zone, too, were located within the 35 sq. km area. According to him, the army was pushing LTTE units on several flanks and gaining ground. He dismissed assertions that small groups of infiltrators would hinder the army’s progress. The LTTE’s collapse, the former Gajaba officer said was imminent, urging the people to be a little bit patience until the armed forces finished off the LTTE.He said that people held hostage by the LTTE would be able to escape as the army overrun the last enemy defences. The LTTE wouldn’t be able to stop the civilian exodus by force, he said, adding that 14 internally displaced persons had received gun shot injuries as they fled towards army-held positions over the weekend. According to him altogether 592 civilians had reached government lines on Saturday.The ICRC had evacuated a further 437 persons from the LTTE-held area. 'Abductor' killed by police TMVP links The main suspect was the director of Sigaram fm website. Police say that he has received journalism diploma in India.Mr. Niroushan who visited Varsha's house to teach her IT lessons, and three other suspects are accused of seeking Rs. 30 million from the girl's family. All four suspects are aged 18-22 and one of the suspects is a son of a woman police constable in Trincomalee police headquarters.Police officials said three of the suspects are members of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP).Eastern province chief minister, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanathan widely known as Pillayan is the leader of the TMVP."The suspect has tried to secure a license for an FM radio station. The ransom was sought to pay political authorities to obtain the licence," SP Gunawardene said. The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) is the competent authority in Sri Lanka in approving radio licences. LTTE base in Malaysia bared The Sri Lankan government is seriously concerned over a rapid LTTE build-up in Malaysia, now believed to be the major gathering point for top operatives. Sri Lanka also believes that Tharmalingam Shanmughan alias Kumaran Pathmanathan also known as KP had has set up base there after quitting Thailand. Authoritative defence and diplomatic sources told ‘The Island’ that a Colombo-based diplomat had been recently spotted in Thailand where he allegedly met with KP. Although the diplomat had claimed that discussions centred on internally displaced persons, the sources asserted that an international operation seemed to be underway in support of the group.The diplomat had passed through Singapore on his way to Malaysia, he said, adding that the meeting came close on the heels of KP’s recent appointment as their chief negotiator. The sources said that although the navy had destroyed most of the vessels owned by the LTTE, the group is believed to be operating a few vessels and were on the look out for fresh stocks of arms. Sri Lanka has provided a detailed account of clandestine LTTE operations to the Malaysian government. "We are awaiting for Malaysia to act swiftly and decisively to neutralize the threat posed by the LTTE," a senior official told ‘The Island’. He regretted the undue delay in tracking down LTTE operatives.After receiving credible information on LTTE activities, Sri Lankan intelligence services had been placed on a heightened state of alert, the sources said. Responding to our queries, the sources said that the gang based in Malaysia was making an attempt on the lives of several government figures. "We have broken their network," another official said. He asserted that the failure on the part of the Malaysian government to destroy the LTTE ring, would pose a major threat. The official said that influential political and business interests could be involved with the LTTE operation. "We are really concerned about the growing the LTTE influence there," he said, adding that the detection of a company controlled by a son of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi over allegations that it had been involved in supplying parts for Libya's nuclear weapons programme, revealed the danger in allowing unscrupulous elements freedom of operate. This came to light following information received by US and British intelligence services.The CIA and MI6 told Malaysia's special branch that the company, Scomi Precision Engineering (Scope), was supplying centrifuge components made in Malaysia for Libya's uranium-enrichment programme. Among the persons arrested in connection with the Libyan link was a Sri Lankan, sources said. LTTE-run police post, court centre captured: Sri Lanka Sri Lankan troops Sunday smashed their way further into the fast shrinking Tamil Tiger-held territories and captured their “police post” and a “court centre”, inflicting heavy damages on the rebels in the north-eastern Mullaitivu district, defence ministry here said.The advancing troops of the 58 Division captured a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) strong point after hours of heavy fighting since Sunday morning at Puthukkudiyiruppu, the last major stronghold of the guerrillas, said the defence ministry. “Infantrymen of the 8th Gajaba Regiment pushed into the well fortified LTTE position, reportedly killing at least nine terrorists and injuring many others. Several soldiers also received minor injuries during the confrontation,” according to an official statement. The captured base “was one of the LTTE’s so-called police stations located along the Puthumathalan road”, the statement said.In a separate report, the defence ministry said the 58 Division troops have “seized total control of another LTTE strong point and a rudimentary LTTE-run court centre located in the Puthukkudiyiruppu”.It said over 600 civilians were also rescued by the troops from the LTTE and brought to safety areas since Sunday morning. Claiming that the LTTE had launched heavy artillery shelling from multiple locations “inside the declared no-fire zone restricting movement of civilians towards security forces”, the defence ministry said the infantrymen despite grave risk cut across the LTTE forward defences “creating a safe access route for the civilians towards the liberated area”.Over 35,000 people from the LTTE-held areas in the north-eastern Mullaitivu district have already fled the war-zone and entered the government-held areas since the beginning of 2009. Most of them are being housed at welfare centres and transit camps in the northern Vavuniya town. Fighting near a war museum; 30 killed Tamil Tigers can't make a come back: Karuna The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is militarily broken and will not be able to undo the reverses suffered at the hands of the Sri Lankan army (SLA), a former LTTE leader has said.``They (the LTTE) cannot come back. No way. Their time is over. They might carry out small, small attacks for a year or so but they are finished,’’ Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, popularly known as Colonel Karuna, told HT. The rebels, Karuna added, still had about 1500 trained cadres and were surrounded by about a 100000 civilians in a small patch of land in the north-eastern district of Mullaitivu. Prabhkaran, he claimed, had moved out of the battle zone and was now hiding in the thick jungles of Semamadu or Muralikulam in western or northern Lanka.Last week, Karuna, who spent 22 violent years with the LTTE till he defected in 2004 to form a Tamil political party, joined the Sinhala-majority ruling coalition as its National Integration and Rebuilding minister.Since defecting, the former LTTE leader is number one on the rebel’s hit list. Karuna changes homes frequently and his movements are only known to his closest confidantes. Karuna said he is not worried about his safety. He, however, does remember the last words Prabhakaran told him during their final meeting. "You are a traitor. You have sold the freedom struggle," Karuna said, quoting the LTTE chief. Karuna spent decades as Prabhakaran’s trusted lieutenant carrying out operations in the east in the rebels’ fight for a separate Tamil homeland. But after quitting, he was quick to denounce the idea of a separate Tamil state. ``We will never get separate homeland. We need a federal solution,’’ Karuna said.The former LTTE leader launched the TMVP in 2004 but was not contended playing only a part in regional politics. "I liked national politics. I wanted to join national politics. I did not want to become the chief minister (of a province) and did not want to maintain small political parties," Karuna – whose four of five sisters are school principals in the country -- said in halting but confident English. It helped that he was in constant touch with President Mahinda Rajapaksa. "The Rajapaksa brothers (defence secretary Gotabhaya and political advisor Basil) are nice to me," he said. Nice enough to bestow a ministry on him. "I can manage everything. Like during my LTTE time, I will use less man power for high profit in the ministry," he said. 15 March 2009 Sri Lanka Fighting Displaces 36,000 Civilians, Red Cross Says Fighting between Sri Lankan soldiers and Tamil Tigers has driven about 36,000 civilians from conflict zones to refugee camps in three northern districts of the country, the International Committee of Red Cross said. The government must ensure that people who have left the war zones are provided a safe environment with adequate shelter, and returned voluntarily to their homes “as soon as conditions permit,” the agency said in an e-mailed statement yesterday. Sri Lanka says it’s on the verge of defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which has waged a 26-year campaign for a separate Tamil homeland. The army says it has driven the group into an area of less than 55 square kilometers (21.2 square miles) in the country’s northeast after capturing its main bases in operations since January. Members of the Red Cross met Sri Lanka’s minister for disaster relief on March 13 and “the understanding is that the authorities will grant all facilities” required for the deployment of the agency’s staff, according to the statement. Access to the conflict zone is restricted to the media and claims from both sides are difficult to verify. “We need to know more about what is going on but we know enough to be sure that the situation is absolutely desperate,” said United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, according to a March 13 statement on the agency’s Web site. Shelling has continued inside the government’s “no-fire” zones and more than 2,800 civilians may have been killed and more than 7,000 injured since Jan. 20, she said. ‘War Crimes’ Both sides may have committed war crimes, the current level of civilian casualties is “truly shocking” and there are “legitimate fears that the loss of life may reach catastrophic levels,” Pillay said. The UN estimates that as many as 180,000 civilians remain trapped inside the war zones in the country. The Sri Lankan government disputed the report, saying the casualty figures are incorrect and Sri Lankan soldiers do not target civilians, according to a statement from Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on the government’s Web site. Sri Lanka is “dismayed by unsubstantiated figures and comments,” Samarasinghe said yesterday, according to the statement. The minister hoped in the future “proper procedures would be followed before issuing such unsubstantiated statements that lacked balance with regards to truth and actuality.” Pillay called on the government and the LTTE to immediately suspend hostilities to allow evacuation of the entire civilian population by air or sea. She urged the government to allow full access to the UN and other independent agencies for an accurate assessment of the humanitarian conditions in the war zones. Civilians Flee At least 592 civilians reached a government-controlled area in Puthukkudiyiruppu in northeastern Mullaitivu district, the Media Centre for National Security said in a statement on its Web site. Another 423 refugees were taken in a naval ship from Pudumathalan to Trincomalee district yesterday. The rebels shot at fleeing civilians injuring 14 of them, including a member of a UN agency, according to a Defense Ministry statement. The Tamil Tigers say the military is shelling and bombing civilian areas and that people are staying in LTTE-held territory of their own free will because they don’t want to be placed in government-run internment camps. The LTTE said on Feb. 23 it was ready for a cease-fire that led to peace talks. It rejected calls to disarm and asked the UN and international aid donors to pressure the government to stop what it called “genocidal attacks” on civilians. Sri Lanka’s government has ruled out holding truce talks and is demanding the LTTE’s unconditional surrender. Nadesan urges UN to investigate Colombo's War Crimes B. Nadesan, the political head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) Sunday said the Tigers had "plenty of evidences" to document that the Sri Lankan government of Mahinda Rajapaksa was "intentionally directing attacks against civilians," committing war crimes and crimes against humanity when asked to comment on the recent statement issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The UN High Commissioner had warned that the actions by the warring parties could amount to war crimes. "There are thousands of evidences among the civilians, officials and local aid workers. The ICRC has witnessed the Sri Lankan attacks on the civilians," he said. An ICRC worker was recently killed and another wounded in the Sri Lankan artillery fire inside the 'safe zone,' announced by the Sri Lankan government. The ICRC is also a witness to the plight of the wounded civilians and the hospital which is struggling to operate as the Sri Lankan government is continuing to block medicines, he further said. "Civilians are forcibly uprooted, separated and jailed inside barbed wire internment camps. Hundreds of civilians have gone missing in SLA controlled territories and in the South," he added. The civilians, officials and the humanitarian workers would be able to provide detailed accounts if independent international monitors visit the civilians in Mullaiththeevu, the LTTE political head said. More than 2,800 civilians have been killed and more than 7,000 wounded in the attacks on civilian targets by the Sri Lankan forces since late January, Mr. Nadesan said pointing to the data referred by the OHCHR. But, the real casualty figure of the civilians who perished in the Sri Lankan attacks would be higher than the figures cited by the UN statement, he said. "The Sri Lankan government is carrying out genocidal massacres by deliberately targeting civilians, their humanitarian supplies and the hospitals," he said adding that shells have been fired by the Sri Lanka Army in the close vicinity of Puthumaaththa'lan hospital.Air strikes using cluster bombs, artillery and Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher attacks deploying cluster munitions and fire-bombs were systematically targeting civilians earlier in Chuthanthirapuram and now in Maaththa'lan, Pokka'nai, Valaignarmadam, Mu'l'livaaykkaal, Iraddaivaaykkaal and the adjoining areas where civilians were residing. Artillery, MBRL attacks and SLAF airstrikes have been used to herd the people from Tharmapuram to Chunthanthirapuram and later to the coast stretch north of Mullaiththevu by the Sri Lankan forces. "The SLA shelling has also targeted World Food Program's (WFP) storage for humanitarian supplies in Chuthanthirapuram. Now, the SLA attack has again targeted the humanitarian supplies being stored before distribution in Maaththa'lan," Nadesan charged. "This is why we are continuously urging the international community to send its diplomats to visit the people here in Mullaiththeevu and listen to them," he said. Intl community must come out positive - Liam Fox A visiting British politician who tried to broker ‘peace’ between Chandrika Kumaratunga and Ranil Wickremesinghe more than a decade ago yesterday warned that Sri Lanka’s reputation could be damaged if civilian casualties increased in the war.Liam Fox urged the international community to assist Sri Lanka positively rather than criticise from the sidelines. Fox also said the government must seize every offer made by the international community to evacuate civilians from the shrinking conflict zone in the north. “It would be extremely damaging for the reputation of this country for there to be unnecessary civilian casualties at what is the end point of this military conflict,” he stressed during a press conference in Colombo. “I trust that everybody concerned will want to minimize civilian casualties, not only for the importance that has in itself but also for the reputation of this country.” Fox’s remarks came on the heels of a damning statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. She accused the Sri Lankan military and LTTE of actions that may constitute war crimes.Fox admitted it “now appears likely that Government forces will militarily defeat the LTTE”. “There is no point in the international community standing on the sidelines, criticising Sri Lanka,” he said. “It’s time for them to positively help in creating a more prosperous and secure future for the people of this country.”During discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Fox has offered to set up a new, transparent and independent ‘Sri Lanka Construction Fund’. “Such a grouping would require international independence and very transparent form of governance so that those who made money available to it would be quite sure that money is channelled into reconstruction and material gains for people rather than diverted in any other way,” he outlined.Commenting on the resolution on Sri Lanka which was adopted by the European Parliament on Thursday, Fox said, “It’s very important that those who have been critical of elements of government policy in this country in the past now turn their attention to how they can help in a positive way. I think that there will be a role for the EU and the international community in doing that. And I think that, the less politicians criticise and the more they help, the better.”The next few months were probably the most important for Sri Lanka since independence, Fox said. “It is a time for statesmanship not partisan politics and one where leaders must want to be judged by history rather than the contemporary electorate,” he asserted. Troops recover torpedo Troops attached to the 53 Division, commanded by Major General Kamal Gunaratne, have recovered an improvised underwater torpedo during their search and clear operations in the cleared areas, Army sources said. The contraption was recovered along with a body of a female LTTE cadre, 14 claymore mines, nine battery chargers, four anti tank mines and 15 kilograms of TNT explosives left behind by the fleeing LTTE cadres. Later they discovered another body of a female cadre and a mine detector along with a load of T-56 weapons. According to the information received by Sri Lanka Army, troops engaged in the search and clear operations in the areas of Pattikkarai, Puthukudiyiruppu, Visuamadu, Palamodai, Kokavil and Oddusuddan in Vanni have recovered 122 anti personnel mines last Friday. Along with these, troops recovered one 40mm grenade launcher, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) two Light Machine Guns (LMG), one improvised mortar launcher, several T-56 weapons, one I-com set. LTTE: missteps, misdeeds, and 33 years later Interview with Col. R Hariharan, a retired Military Intelligence specialist on South Asia, served as the head of intelligence of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka 1987-90. By Udara Soysa What do you think the main difference between the operational realities between current Eelam War and the IPKF conducted war against the LTTE? There is no comparison between the two situations except that we were fighting the same opponent. Indian army was fighting for an objective that was not clear in a foreign country. India's goals had international influence. So it was primarily not a war against the LTTE or Sri Lanka. The war was thrust upon the army by political leadership who could not think through the problem. So our war did not enjoy broad political support in the home country and courted a lot of suspicion in Sri Lanka. In fact, the Indian operation in Sri Lanka became a victim of the political divide among three major political entities - a waning Congress, a rising BJP in league with other opposition groups, and rising regional satraps who had no common agenda on Sri Lanka. It finally led to the establishment coalition politics in New Delhi giving a big clout to the regional parties in national mainstream that continues to this day. The LTTE was learning its craft, trying out various methods of fighting and survival with nascent conventional capability. It realised the value of Sri Lanka Tamil expatriates to build up its movement as other Tamil militant groups had become political parties. The LTTE also benefitted from Tamils' disappointment when India failed to deliver as per their high expectations. The LTTE also cashed in on the downgrading of Indian influence among Tamils. LTTE was less ambitious and more realistic in those days; and probably listened to international community more intently to win their sympathy. Military operations were less modern as Indian army did not use air force to its full potential. Similarly Navy was employed purely to support logistics as the LTTE naval wing was in infancy. Considering that our operations were the first ever in a foreign country after independence, they had the hall marks of hasty planning at Army HQ. It was a good learning opportunity for the services as a whole on planning and conduct of operations overseas. Troops at ground level did achieve results over a period of 18 months of intense counter insurgency operations for which they were not primed initially. But politically it left India confused. 2) How do you see the current military balance in Sri Lanka? I confess I have inadequate inputs on both sides' performance and current status to assess "military balance." It is difficult to assess the military balance between a regular armed force and a insurgent force that has probably lost its conventional capability. As the LTTE is probably revamping itself into unconventional mode we need to see how the SLSF responds to the LTTE in the coming months when LTTE steps up its guerrilla attacks and suicide bombings after the current spell of war is over. But as of now the LTTE appears to be terribly weakened by the SF; the LTTE's future will depend up how the Sri Lanka government regains the trust of Tamil population which is feeling insecure at present. 3) What were the key factors that affects and affected the current military balance ? Can you comment particularly on international, military, political and leadership factors? This will require a major assessment exercise for which adequate inputs are not available with me. It will take some more time when the background information surfaces. After that only we can evolve a reasonably accurate picture. But few things stand out even now: President Rajapaksa's solid political support to the armed forces, Gen Fonseka's flexible approach to planning and conduct of war while sticking to end goals, and the limitations of international community to influence wars in South Asia when the rulers dig their heels and stand firm. It holds valuable lessons for South Asian nations on national mobilisation for war and its fall out on fundamental freedoms of citizens.Basically, LTTE failed to strategise on its unconventional strengths by its grandiose dreams of having a conventional capability. Non state actors require national commitment from another country to build a conventional capability. Taml insurgency in Sri Lanka requires at least a neutral India, if not support, to succeed but Prabhakaran burnt his boats when he plotted to kill Rajiv Gandhi. That act hurt India's pride. 4) How do you see the current LTTE strength ? Inadequate inputs makes the guess hazardous. I wonder whether Prabhakaran himself will have a clear and accurate idea of LTTE strength in numbers as it is in a state of flux. If the body counts are honest, I presume the LTTE strength will be around 3000 cadres dispersed all over; you may add a few hundreds to a thousand in and around their area of control. 5) What was the biggest mistake LTTE did during the current Eelam war? The LTTE's mistake was made before the war in not correctly assessing the changed mindset of Sri Lanka national and military leadership. Probably, it was difficult because the national leadership probably evolved a clear cut vision on future course only after its (unexpected?) military success in the east. So the LTTE was probably lulled into complacency in not reading the dynamic situation. 6) How was your experience in the ground during the IPKF operation times in late 1980's? Question is not very clear. IPKF experience was not the first war experience for me. From a soldier's point of view all wars are the same. But Sri Lanka experience was the first time I saw the armed forces frustrated as the national leadership palmed off its responsibility to the army to tackle non military issues at which it was a novice. It was the only war where political expediency at the home country and the host country took our army for a ride. I hope our army has become wiser now. 7) Can you comment on Prabhakarans personality and his contributions to the LTTEs augment of power over the decades? This is the subject for a book which I do not propose to write now. He is still a powerful personality influencing a lot of Tamils - both combatants and non combatants; that is how suicide bombers are still motivated to die to fulfil his command. 8) How do you see the current situation in Eastern Sri Lanka? Loss of a good opportunity given to the government to show the Tamils that they would be better off in peace and tranquility which are yet to gain a firm foothold in the east. It is a discouragement for Tamil leaders who would like to wholeheartedly join the national mainstream. It reinforces the suspicion of sections of Tamils who doubt the "ulterior motive" of the political leadership in Colombo in waging war. 9) Do you believe that the current war can end within this year? If so, what can Sri Lankans expect after the end of the war? It will end in its present form and after some time come up perhaps on a much smaller scale in other forms. To determine the time frame for this, much depends on how the leadership on both sides play the scene after the end game. 10) What type of political solution do you think is ideal for Sri Lanka? No one can really lay down a magic formula. Ideally the right political solution will have to be "owned" by most of the people where they see a part of their aspirations are met and one which has the largest chances of ushering in peace. Considering this, adequate l devolution of powers (I know it is a bad word for some Sri Lanka politicians) to the provinces will be a good idea where people not only pay taxes but also have a say in the development of their own areas. And it can do with a less visible presence of the military India opposes US-led evacuation Sangaree appeals to Prabha again The TULF leader V. Anandasangaree in his latest letter last week to LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran called for his surrender along with his cadres as that would be the only way to save the Tamil people who are forcibly detained in a small area in the North. Sangaree in his letter said “As far as we can see the war is over. What is happening today is mopping up and winding up operations in a small area where 81,000 families had been squeezed into. Detaining these people indefinitely will not help you in any way. “The future position of your entire group is also highly insecure. Rather than losing all of them please come to your senses and save the remaining numbers of your cadre. Please surrender them and all of them can be saved under a general amnesty. Please disband your organisation and surrender to the Armed Forces. This is the only way by which you could save them. “You are being accused by the international community of ill-treating the people. The UN and EU had condemned your action. The UN High Commission for Human Rights and organisations like the Amnesty International have accused you of compulsorily detaining innocent people. The Tamils in important cities all over the world have demanded that the innocent people should be saved, who do not speak for you. The message for you is to release our people. The responsibility of saving Tamils is now entirely in your hands,” Anandasangaree said in his letter to Prabhakaran. Arrested for selling Tamil magazines The Manager, Poobalasingam Book Depot at Wellawatte who was taken into custody on March 5 by the Mt. Lavinia Police is being kept under a Detention Order (D/O), Police Spokesperson SSP Ranjith Gunasekera told The Sunday Leader. The Mt. Lavinia Police arrested Manager Sritharasing at his Wellawatte residence on March 5 for distributing the South Indian weekly magazine Ananda Vihadan which was in support of the LTTE, SSP Gunasekera said.SSP Gunasekera told The Sunday Leader that Sritharasing has been charged for distributing Tamil magazines published in South India that are in support of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). "These magazines were to be sent to Jaffna and were detected at the Ratmalana Airport," SSP Gunasekera said. According to Gunasekera, Sritharasing is being kept under a DO and is being interrogated by the Mt. Lavinia Police. However when queried as to when he would be produced in courts, the SSP said that depends on the investigation report. "The police are now probing as to how he got down the magazines from South India and how he got customs clearance. Once the police get all the details he would be produced in court," SSP Gunasekera added. Govt. ready to welcome Pillai to SL The Government yesterday said it would welcome United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillai to Sri Lanka any time. Human Rights and Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe responding to a question posed by The Sunday Leader said that he has also extended an invitation to the UN Commissioner for Human Rights during his meeting with her in Geneva recently.The government yesterday held a press briefing to explain the Government's stance on the statement released by the UNHRC on Friday (13).Samarasinghe also said the UNHR Commissioner had not given any details or discussed with him her concerns during his meeting. He pointed out that Pillai should have discussed her concerns either with him or the Sri Lankan Representative in Geneva.Samarasinghe also charged that Pillai's statement carried details and figures, which were published in the Tamilnet website. When asked whether he made any request from the UNHR Commissioner on behalf of the Government to release a joint statement after his meeting with Pillai, Samarasinghe said they should do it and that even UNHR Commissioner should include the Sri Lankan Government's details in her statement. Vital Tamil clinic 'could close' The last major medical facility in Tamil-held territory has almost stopped functioning due to a medicine shortage, a Sri Lankan health official says. Dr T Varatharaja says the closure of the hospital would put the lives of thousands of sick and injured people in the conflict zone at extreme risk. His warning comes amid increasing international concern for civilians caught in fighting in the north-east. Sri Lanka's army is trying to take over rebel strongholds in the area. It is estimated that between 70,000 and 200,000 civilians are caught up in the conflict zone. Dr T Varatharaja said there was a severe shortage of essential medicine, which was forcing the hospital to shut down most of its operations. However, a senior Sri Lankan government official said some of the medicine requested by the hospital had already been sent to the nearest major town and would be delivered once the defence ministry authorised the move. The International Committee of the Red Cross has been warning of an impending humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the conflict zone in north-eastern Sri Lanka and has called for a mass evacuation of civilians. The government maintains that it has continued to send food and medicine to the people inside the rebel-controlled territory and rejects allegations of a possible catastrophe. Canada Blasted over Protest Outraged by a massive pro-Tamil Tigers demonstration on Parliament Hill last week, the Sri Lankan high commissioner is calling on Canadian authorities to crack down on public shows of support for the terrorist organization. On Thursday, hundreds of Tamils from Montreal and Toronto descended on Parliament Hill in a rally that far surpassed previous such protests in terms of overt support for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE, which the Canadian government outlawed in 2006 under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The protest was particularly controversial because the steps of Parliament were awash in a sea of red flags emblazoned with a roaring tiger in front of two crossed rifles—the Tamil Tigers' banner. In an interview with Embassy last week, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Dayanada Perera said he was outraged Canadian authorities allowed the rally to continue. "Your government should have climbed down and not permitted them to wave the LTTE flags because it's a banned terrorist organization," he said. "The Canadian government must decide once and for all whether they are going to permit this organization to violate the laws of Canada and permit them to carry on regardless of the laws banning terrorism. "There is a limit to the freedom of speech," Mr. Perera continued. "I'm sure there must be some legislation which does not allow the support of a terrorist organization or the glorification of terrorism in any way." Mr. Perera said he has complained to Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon about such incidents in the past, including the burning of a Sri Lankan flag at a recent rally at York University in Toronto. The LTTE, a Tamil ethnic front, has been locked in an armed struggle for decades with the Sri Lankan government, agitating for a sovereign Tamil homeland in northern Sri Lanka. In recent months, the Sri Lankan army has launched a crushing offensive against the LTTE, capturing its strongholds. Hundreds of Tamil Tiger flags were flown, while protestors held photographs of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, who has used child soldiers and is wanted by Interpol for terrorism, murder and organized crime. The crowd chanted slogans, including "Prabhakaran our leader" and "LTTE—Freedom Fighters." Roygardiner Wignarajah, a spokesman for the International Human Cultural Union, which organized the rally, said the protestors believe the LTTE is "fighting for the Tamils' rights" in the face of "full-scale genocide" by the Sri Lankan government. Deepak Obhrai, parliamentary secretary for the foreign affairs minister, said the government has received Mr. Perera's complaints, but does not plan to take any action against such incidents in the future. He said that LTTE funding channels from Canada have been blocked and that the government has cut all contact with the group, but no action will be taken against peaceful LTTE protests. "It is a banned terrorist organization," Mr. Obhrai said. "However, this is Canada, and in Canada there is the right to freedom of expression and assembly. If [protesters]...become violent or something, yes, then the RCMP would move in but otherwise, like anybody else, there is a right to expression." Similarly, an RCMP spokeswoman said the police force would intervene on such protests only as necessary to "preserve the peace and uphold the law." "The freedom of speech, that we do respect," she said. "If any offenses happen while a protest is going on, we will act. If there are threats to national security, we will respond." Liberal MP Attends While the demonstration in itself garnered little attention from the government, Conservatives attacked Liberal MP Gurbax Malhi, the only parliamentarian to attend the rally. Soon after the rally, a Youtube video appeared of Mr. Malhi, surrounded by Tamil Tiger flags, speaking to the cheering crowd. "For so many weeks, so many years, so many innocent people are killed in Sri Lanka and the government isn't doing anything," he said. "I would like to let you know that I am helping you guys, I am helping you because you are fighting, you are fighting for a right cause." Mr. Malhi, who has been an MP since 1993 and represents a riding outside Toronto, told the crowd he knew from the many Tamils living in his riding that the Tamil-Canadian community has trouble getting visas for their families, and said he has "asked to raise this issue with the minister." Minister of State for the Americas Peter Kent, on the floor of the House Thursday, said: "I am sickened by the pandering of a Liberal member on the front lawn of Parliament to a flagrant display of the symbols of a listed terrorist organization." Immigration Minister Jason Kenney meanwhile, said: "We should not be encouraging public manifestations of support for a terrorist organization, in this instance one that has been condemned by UNICEF for their practice of recruiting child soldiers and forcing them into military service, and an organization that invented the tactic of suicide bombing and is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians." Friday, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff's office released a statement in which Mr. Mahli explained his attendance, pleading ignorance. "Although a number of attendees at this rally chose to wave LTTE flags, I did not realize the significance of these flags, nor was I aware that other speakers made statements in support of the LTTE," Mr. Mahli wrote. Mr. Obhrai said he believed Mr. Mahli "very well knew" it was a pro-LTTE rally, and said he gave a "rather lame excuse" for attending. Mr. Malhi did not return phone calls for comment over the past week. 14 March 2009 Lanka govt should find political solution to Tamil issue: US Prabhakaran always for personal fiefdom - Liam Fox Hillary Clinton discusses Sri Lanka crisis with Rajapaksa US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Friday discussed the current situation in Sri Lanka with President Mahinda Rajapaksa over telephone and acknowledged that the island nation was 'now on the verge of defeating terrorism', official sources here said. 'Hillary Clinton acknowledged that Sri Lanka is now on the verge of defeating terrorism, and that this presented a great opportunity to restore peace, leading to reconstruction and rehabilitation in the country,' the president's office said in a statement Friday night. 'Speaking on current developments, Clinton appreciated the assurances given by secretary defence that civilians would not be subjected to any attacks by the military, stating that the US looked forward to working with Sri Lanka once the current conflict ends,' the statement said. Describing the telephone conversation as 'warm and cordial', it said that she had expressed her condolences for those killed in the terrorist attack at Akuressa earlier this week and stressed that the terrorists should not be permitted to destroy the lives of people in such a manner. While informing her about the ongoing military campaign in the north, President Rajapaksa said there were 'about 50,000 to 70,000 people still remaining in a very small area held by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), where the LTTE was preventing people leaving for safety outside', it said. 'The government hoped to clear the LTTE from this enclave within the next few days, the president told Clinton,' the statement said, adding that the people who had managed to come over to government-held areas were being looked after in welfare villages.Rajapaksa also said that his government was regularly sending food and medicines to all people in the affected areas, including those held by the LTTE, with the assistance of the ICRC and the World Food Program. Rajapaksa told the US secretary of state that reconstruction and rehabilitation in the north would start as soon as the fighting ended there and that his government was prepared to hold elections to local government bodies in Jaffna as soon as possible, the statement said. He also briefed Clinton about the political process that had been initiated 'through the All Party Representative Committee seeking consensus on a political solution to the problems of the minorities'. KARUNA LOYALISTS SLAIN IN THE EAST Just weeks after the TMVP handed over its weapons to the government and Minister Vinayagmoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman was quoted in the media as saying his cadres will not disarm four of his loyalists were found slain in their office early yesterday.Police spokesman Ranjith Gunasekera said the four victims were shot by unidentified gunmen in Sammanthurai and investigations were underway.Presidential coordinator and Karuna loyalist Iniya Bharathi said the killings had taken place at a village called ‘Sori- Kalmunai’ in Sammanthurai while the victims were asleep at a party office.Three others who were at the same office the previous day had gone to another location and escaped assassination.The killers had escaped with the weapons stored in the office, police had said. Iniya Bharathi said it was too early to point fingers at an individual or group for this daring attack as investigations were still continuing. The victims were in their early twenties and their bodies had been brought to the Kalmunai North Base Hospital. The hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. S. Rajendran said the post mortems were conducted and it was found the victims had sustained gunshot injuries to their heads, chests and abdomen. Earlier this week after officially joining the ruling SLFP along with 1,750 cadres, Mr. Muralidharan, was sworn in as Minister of National Integration.Mr. Muralidharan recently parted ways with the TMVP following differences with Eastern Province Chief Minister, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan and announced his decision to join the SLFP. Both the TMVP and Karuna have been targets of the LTTE following their split in 2004.Mr. Muralidharan had earlier said they had decided to join the SLFP as they saw the need to be members of a national political party that embraced all communities and people, and did not believe in political parties that were like social clubs, only meant to boost the ego of their leaders. They did not want to continue with the name TMVP, which included the words "liberation tigers" because they were often mistaken both in Sri Lanka and abroad for the terrorism of the LTTE, which they had abandoned. Mr. Muralidharan had said the need of the hour was unity under good leadership, which is being provided to the entire country by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. UN rights chief fears war crimes in Sri Lanka Four senior police officers in Southern Sri Lanka transferred for security lapse Following the deadly suicide bomb attack at Godapitiya in Matara, four senior police officers in the area have been transferred with immediate effect. Police Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police Ranjith Gunasekara said Senior Superintendent of Police in the area and Officer-In-Charge of Akuressa police station were the among those transferred officers. The main charge against them was carrying out the VIP security arrangements without proper manner, SSP Gunasekara added. Officer-In-Charge of Akuressa police station has been transferred to Jaffna while the other officers including SSP of the area have been transferred to Colombo. Minister Mahinda Wijesekara was severely injured in Tuesday's LTTE suicide bomb attack. He is still receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of the National Hospital in Colombo. After 22 yrs, Colombo gets Jaffna supplies through land route LTTE ATTACK POLICE IN WILLPATTU Q&A: What is fate of civilians trapped in Sri Lanka' war The U.N. high commissioner for human rights on Thursday warned both sides in Sri Lanka's 25-year civil war may have committed war crimes and that the loss of life could be catastrophic if there is no pause in the combat. Here are some questions and answers about civilians trapped in the war: HOW MANY ARE TRAPPED? According to the Red Cross, about 150,000 people, but the government says there are no more than 70,000. Nearly all are in a 12-km (7-mile) long strip of coconut groves on the coast, which also has water on the inland side and is no wider than a half-kilometre. The army has declared the area a no-fire zone. Aid agencies say food and clean water is in short supply but the government is bringing it in by boats sailing under the flag of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). WHY HAVEN'T THEY FLED ALREADY? Aid agencies, rights groups and witnesses who have escaped say the LTTE is shooting people who try to run, and forcing people including children as young as 15 to fight. The Tigers deny that and say people stay by choice because they fear persecution at army-guarded refugee camps. The U.N.'s top humanitarian official, Sir John Holmes, visited some camps last month and said they met standards, but urged greater freedom of movement for residents. The government says it needs time to separate innocent civilians from Tiger infiltrators. HOW MANY HAVE ESCAPED THE FIGHTING? About 38,900 since January 1, the military says. Almost all came out in 10-day period which started when soldiers reached an old no-fire zone at the end of January. Since Friday, more than 1,000 got out amid heavy fighting between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the army. HOW MANY HAVE BEEN KILLED OR WOUNDED? No one knows for sure. The ICRC, the only aid agency with a permanent presence in the war zone, has said hundreds have been killed and injured since January. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who is an ethnic Tamil raised in South Africa, on Friday said a range of credible sources said more than 2,800 civilians had been killed and more than 7,000 injured. She did not name the sources, and the government in the past has criticised U.N. reports of civilian deaths as inflated. The pro-LTTE web site www.TamilNet.com has given similar numbers. The government says the LTTE inflates numbers to create sympathy and passes off fighters as civilians. The government has acknowledged some civilians may have been killed, but not on a mass scale. WHAT RISKS DO CIVILIANS FACE? Besides the threat of getting caught in the crossfire in a war zone now no more than 37 square km (15 square miles), northern Sri Lanka is awash in land mines and booby traps. The Tigers also have been accused of firing from heavily populated areas, and the military of returning fire. Both deny that. WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THEM? Diplomats are working furiously to get the Tigers to let people go free, and for the government to have a brief pause in fighting to let that happen. The Tigers have so far rebuffed all entreaties. The government says it will set up two routes out of the no-fire zone and guarantee safe passage. Diplomats point out that will also require the Tigers to agree or else civilians could get hurt. Tamil Canadians delayed 7 hours at the border India has every right to meddle in Sri Lanka: BJP CHENNAI: India has every right to interfere in war-torn Sri Lanka, as thousands of Tamil refugees from the island nation are making their way into Tamil Nadu, senior BJP leader S Thirunavukkarasar said on Thursday.Expressing concern over the situation in Sri Lanka, he said over 2 lakh Tamils, including women and children, were undergoing immense suffering due to lack of food and medicines. Temples and hospitals were being bombed and human rights organisations, media and the International Red Cross were not being allowed inside the conflict zone.Thirunavukkarasar charged the Indian government with behaving like a spectator, while other countries were calling for a halt to hostilities. There was confusion on New Delhi’s stand on the issue, with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee making contradictory statements inside and outside Parliament.He said the UPA government under Manmohan Singh was perceived as weak and, hence, Sri Lanka was not paying heed to India’s call. But under NDA Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Colombo acted according to New Delhi’s wishes.The Rajya Sabha MP called for a negotiated settlement of the problem, with countries like Norway or even India playing the role of mediators. If voted to power, the Advani-led NDA government would take firm steps to end the war in Sri Lanka and start talks. Abducted girl found dead A school girl abducted on Wednesday by an unidentified gang was found dead yesterday morning in Moor Street, Trincomalee. Reggie Manisha, 6, a student of St. Mary's College, Trincomalee was abducted by unknown suspects on Wednesday noon while she was leaving school. "The abductors had demanded a Rs. One million ransom from her parents to release her," Police Spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said. He said the girl's body was found dumped near Moor Street. Trincomalee Police is investigating. Has LTTE executed its military spokesman? 13 March 2009 Devolve power to North, India tells Sri Lanka Devolution of powers to the predominantly Tamil areas in Sri Lanka’s north is "really the way" to address the festering ethnic conflict in a "credible fashion" to end the minorities’ alienation in that country, India said today.Talking to reporters in Washington today after discussions about the current conflict and humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka with senior officials in United States President Barack Obama’s administration, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon said both India and the US have similar approaches to address the issue.India and the US feel that civilians caught in the war should be safely moved to government-controlled areas, he added. "We do feel that what is needed once these areas are cleared, or are under the government control, is to do two things: restore normal life, which means a programme of rehabilitation, and reconstruction—- reconstructing the infrastructure and building up a normal economic life of the people," Menon told reporters. This also requires measures that are needed to bring in the kind of the political steps including devolution, which will enable the people to feel that they have control over their own political future.Menon said: "That’s important, because that is really the way to address the effects of conflict in the area in northern Sri Lanka. "Unless that is done in a credible fashion, you run the risk actually of continuing with this sense of alienation and displacement, because of which the conflict has resulted in."He said the US and India discussed Sri Lanka not only in terms of the humanitarian effect of the present conflict, but also the reconstruction and developmental efforts and political aspect of the problem. Washington and New Delhi have similar views on all of these three."India and the US think that the civilians should be allowed to move peacefully from the area where there is conflict," he said. India has sent substantial amount of humanitarian relief material for the people living in the conflict zone, he pointed out. EU Parliament adopts resolution on Sri Lanka Tigers lose P’kudirrippu hospital after heavy battle Despite heavy resistance on the eastern flank, the army continued to make progress with the 53 Division and Task Force Eight liberating the Puthukkudirippu government hospital yesterday. LTTE cadres occupying the hospital had abandoned the area north of Puthukkudirippu, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told The Island. The army was in the process of consolidating its positions in the newly regained area, he said.He dismissed LTTE claim of successful attacks targeting what it called six artillery weapons platforms at Thearaavil early this week. He said that a large scale LTTE attempt to infiltrate the newly liberated area had been thwarted. "We caused heavy losses to the infiltrators," he said, emphasising that the situation was under control although some small groups were believed to be operating in the area.He said that the LTTE was engaged in a desperate attempt to stall the army. Fighting formations engaged in operations on the Vanni theatre were on alert to meet the threat posed by small groups of infiltrators.LTTE cadres had managed to enter the defended area despite heavy losses suffered by units which launched a major offensive action early last Thursday. US Legislators point out Sri Lanka's "Red Alert" genocide ranking to Secretary Clinton A group of 38 United States members of Congress sent a joint letter today to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and to the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Dr. Susan Rice, highlighting the humanitarian crisis faced by Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka, and expressing concern over conditions in the internment camps, calling for bringing the issue to the UN Security Council, and encouraging active U.S. leadership to bring about a long-delayed political settlement. The diverse, bipartisan group of 38 Members of Congress was led by Congressman Jim Moran and included chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Congressman McGovern, leading Republican in the House on all human rights issues, Congressman Wolf, and ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia Congressman, Dan Burton.“We write with great concern regarding the grave humanitarian crisis in northern Sri Lanka. Human rights groups report that up to 200,000 civilians are trapped in the Vanni region, amid fighting between Sri Lankan Government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Most have been cut off from outside food and medical supplies for weeks, and their lives are threatened by the war and their resulting humanitarian needs. Human Rights Watch reports that 2,000 Tamil civilians have been killed since January, and 7,000 civilians have been wounded,” the Congressional letter said.Pointing out that Sri Lanka is currently on “Red Alert” for genocide the letter stated, “While some would dispute the legal definitions of genocide at this time, there can be no doubt that ethnic-based violence is widespread in Sri Lanka, and Tamil noncombatants are deliberately victimized by Sri Lankan Government policies.Signatories to the letter “Your active leadership at this critical time can help save thousands of lives and make progress toward a sustainable political solution to end the horrific cycle of violence in the country. We urge you to continue to condemn all attacks against civilians by the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Both sides need to establish humanitarian corridors to allow noncombatants to travel freely and to receive humanitarian assistance. All UN agencies and aid workers, as well as journalists and human rights monitors, need to be granted access to the region, and we hope this can be arranged soon.”While calling for the “internment centers masquerading as ‘welfare villages” to be brought under the administration of the United Nations agencies, the letter further said: “We urge continued efforts to press other UN Security Council members to bring Sri Lanka’s crisis to the agenda of the Security Council.”A press release issued by "People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL)" welcomed the statement by the legislators and noted that the joint letter stayed clear of demanding any evacuation of Tamils. The widely reported plans for a US-PACOM led evacuation of Tamils to Sri Lanka government controlled areas caused great concern among Tamil Americans and others in the diaspora. Abducted professor released, says abductors questioned him about a book Professor Ganganath Dissanayake of the academic staff of the Sri Jayewardenepura University, who was abducted from his Mattegoda residence late Wednesday evening by a group of persons in a white Van was released at dawn yesterday.He has told Police that he was not harmed in anyway by his abductors but was relentlessly questioned about whether he was in the process of writing a book critical of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He said had answered in the negative.Thereafter he was blindfolded and taken to a building where he was intensely questioned about his political connections. He had also been asked whether he had any connection to leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe. The entire questioning and his answers had been tape recorded, the professor had told the Police.Thereafter he was released near a paddy field in Kirindiwela in the early hours on Thursday from where he had travelled by bus to Hanwella and Kottawa. From Kottawa he had hired a three wheeler home to Mattegoda.He told Police that he had Rs 5,000 when he was abducted out of which the abductors had taken Rs 4,000 and left him with Rs 1,000 They had told Professor Dissanayake that they wanted the money to pump fuel to their vehicle.Around 8.30 p.m. on Wednesday three people had got down from a white van opposite Prof. Dissanayake’s residence and asked him whether he was in the process of writing a book critical of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He had replied in the negative and invited them to search the house. Two others had joined the trio and searched the whole house but failed to find what they were looking for.Prof. Dissanayake said that he was not harassed but was questioned about the book. They had looked after him well and given him hoppers to eat.At the time of the abduction around 8.30 p.m. only an elderly housemaid was at the residence along with Prof. Dissanayake. The abductors had gagged her to prevent her from raising cries but after he was abducted she had managed to raise cries and attract the attention of the neighbours.Police investigations had revealed that earlier in the day two policemen had arrived in the area had inquired from several residents in the neighbourhood about the location of Prof. Dissanayake’s residence. Thereafter they had gone to his residence and taken down the names of those who resided there in the guise of registering the names with the Police. Indian Cabinet discusses Sri Lanka US shelves evacuation of Tamils caught in LTTE areas Q+A: What conditions will the IMF place on Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka's currency and share markets are in limbo awaiting the terms of a $1.9 billion loan the central bank is negotiating with the International Monetary Fund. Here are questions and answers about possible conditions: WHAT IS LIKELY TO BE THE MAIN EFFECT? Though the central bank has said there will not be any "unfavorable conditions," analysts and currency dealers expect some depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee after the loan is signed. This is mainly because they believe the IMF is unlikely to allow the central bank to use its money to support the rupee, which cost Sri Lanka half of its reserves in the last four months of 2008. "Preventing currency defence will be a clear condition," says Dhanushka Samarasinghe, head of research at Asia Securities. Currency dealers estimate gradual depreciation in the range of 6-10 percent in 2009 until the rupee reaches a market-determined level. The IMF and the central bank have had no comment. DOES THAT MEAN IMF WILL FIX A DEVALUATION TARGET? No. The central bank, economists, analysts and currency dealers say the global lender has been more flexible on its loan terms due to the global crisis. Analysts say the central bank will have a strong argument that its successful policy of controlling money supply to rein in inflation would be harmed by a set devaluation. Namely, economists say a fixed drop in the rupee would drive inflation up and hurt the government's capacity to repay foreign debt. Those totaled 1.38 trillion Sri Lanka rupees ($12 billion) at the end of November, the latest figure available. WHAT ABOUT THE USUAL IMF TERMS FOR FISCAL PRUDENCE, PRIVATISATIONS AND THE LIKE? Dushni Weerakoon, a senior economist with the government-run Institute of Policy Studies, says the IMF has shown willingness to try different approaches during the crisis, including dropping its demand for fiscal prudence. Analysts say IMF will not get the government to agree to privatization, which is against its nationalist economic policies. The government can also argue its policy has maintained strong economic growth, which hit 6.0 percent last year and is forecast at 5.0-6.0 percent this year. WHEN WILL THE TERMS BE KNOWN? The central bank says it expects negotiations to finish this month, and that most of the money would come up front. Analysts from Asia Securities however said the IMF is likely to deliver a first tranche of $600-840 million to be given in the second quarter. 12 March 2009 President rules out snap elections President Mahinda Rajapaksa, yesterday, ruled out a snap general election this year and told the Cabinet of Ministers not to tire themselves out unnecessarily over preferential votes by attending public meetings.Addressing the Cabinet, the President said that he had warned the ministers not to risk their lives by attending public meetings without making prior security arrangements. He was commenting on the LTTE suicide attack in Akuressa on Tuesday -- which killed 14 persons and seriously injured Post and Telecommunications Minister Mahinda Wijesekara.He again warned the ministers not to participate at public functions without taking advance security measures. A minister who attended the meeting told Daily Mirror that there had been security lapses at Akuressa and the LTTE suicide bomber had been able to creep past the security men. According to him, the President had been critical of the ministers taking their personal associates into the Ministerial Security Division, and getting them to do chores such as doing the shopping, rather than attend their duties -- which were to provide security. Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda also said that the LTTE was desperate now since it was on the brink of total collapse and, therefore, it would try to wreak the maximum damage possible.Several Cabinet papers were also taken up for discussion, and the Cabinet rejected a memorandum to establish a coal power plant at Trincomalee.Environment Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and Construction and Engineering Services Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne also expressed their views on this project and opposed its implementation on account of environmental and economic concerns. LTTE’s finance wing head killed in fighting, say officials The Tamil Tiger rebels’ finance wing head Subarathnam Selvatureiy has been killed in Sri Lanka’s northeastern Mullaitivu district where the government troops and the rebels were locked in heavy fighting, the defence ministry said Wednesday.The ministry said Selvatureiy, alias Thamilendi, was killed in fighting east of Puthukkudiyiruppu in Mullaitivu district Tuesday. “Thamilendi was a high profile LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) leader and handled the group’s bank accounts, tax collection and other matters related to finance,” it said. The military said it was in the final phase of recapturing the LTTE’s last stronghold, about 40 sq km in Mullaitivu district. The ministry in a separate report said Wednesday that the troops retrieved aircraft parts belonging to the LTTE in search operations in former rebel held areas. It said the troops “uncovered a stock of aircraft spare parts, including aircraft tyres, batteries, engine parts and several other accessories, kept buried by Tigers in oil barrels in northern Puthukkudiyiruppu”. UN rejects Defence Ministry claim The United Nations says that the high energy BP-100 therapeutic food found on an LTTE cadre killed in combat as reported by the Ministry of Defence was part of a nutritional programme for Sri Lanka’s severely malnourished children.The last shipment of BP-100 was sent with all due Government authorisations by UNICEF to the Ministry of Health, Regional Directors of Health Services in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu in June 2007, for the treatment of severely malnourished children in those districts, according to a UN statement.The treatment of malnutrition among children remains a priority for Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health, UNICEF and WFP. The United Nations deplores that such life saving items, destined for severely malnourished children, were diverted from their intended purpose.Erroneous reports had stated that the BP-100 high energy therapeutic food had been sent to the area by the World Food Programme. India praised for medical support ‘Tamil group not a threat in Cambodia’ Local and U.S. officials in Phnom Penh have downplayed the threat of the non-profit Tamil Foundation, which allegedly had ties with Sri Lanka’s separatist Tamil Tigers, the Phnom Penh Post reported on Wednesday."We got a note from the Treasury (Department of U.S.), and it’s something we are required to distribute to the local government. It’s just a heads-up. It’s not something serious here," the English-language daily newspaper quoted U.S. Embassy spokesman John Johnson as saying.The U.S. Government had sent a generic message to all its embassies indicating that its Treasury Department had designated the Tamil Foundation, a charity based in U.S., as a terrorist group and frozen its assets, according to the spokesman.Meanwhile, Koy Kuong, Secretary of State at the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, told the paper "this is just an exchange of information. We don’t have a Tamil Foundation in Cambodia.""U.S. learned that the Tamil Foundation had established offices in other countries, so they are seeking international cooperation, but we haven’t heard of this group operating in Cambodia," he added.The paper on Tuesday quoted national police spokesman Keat Chantarith as saying that "we are looking into the case" of the Tamil Foundation, under the request of the foreign ministry.In February, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation sent a letter to Interior Minister Sar Kheng, asking him to investigate the actions of the foundation which allegedly supported the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.The Foreign Ministry sent the letter after receiving a diplomatic notice from the U.S. Embassy warning of the existence of the Tamil Foundation, which had offices in many countries. Govt. is going bankrupt, says UNP Great game around China’s Lanka yard- Why the teardrop island is catching the eye of America and India Diaspora prepares to send relief to forsaken civilians in Vanni The Tamil diaspora in Britain is organising a direct 'mercy mission' taking food and medicine to the civilians of Vanni, forsaken by the conscience of the International Community, said Dr. V. Arudkumar from London, on Tuesday. Prominent humanitarian personalities are expected to participate in this mission. The expedition will be supported and participated by diaspora Tamil professionals in the medical field. Politicians and legal experts are already engaged in deliberations in materialising the mission, Dr. Arudkumar said. Further details of the mission would be released at the end of this week, he further said. The move by the Tamil diaspora in Britain comes as heavy rains and min-cyclone destroyed the tents of the displaced people causing more than 20,000 families stranded without shelters. Indiscriminate shelling by the Sri Lanka Army, using internationally banned cluster munitions and fire-bombs continued to target civilian settlements inside the 'safe zone'. An ICRC worker was killed last week inside the civilian zone. Another humanitarian worker was wounded on Tuesday. Details are yet to emerge. Relief initiatives and offers of voluntary services were also reported from the diaspora medical professionals of Australia and Norway. The Tamil diaspora is seriously considering a 'mercy mission' as Sri Lanka is yet to provide safe passage to the requests extended by the charity organisations in Australia and Norway where doctors had urged their foreign ministries, United Nations Secretary General and the ICRC to secure urgent permission from Sri Lankan authorities to facilitate safe passage of their convoy of doctors and medical supplies to Vanni.Dr. Panchakulasingam Kandiah, Senior Consultant Radiologist of Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway, said on 27 February that the medical team of the Norwegian Tamils Health Organisation (NTHO) was prepared to work inside the 'safe zone' without any safety assurances from the Government of Sri Lanka. "However, the NTHO requires necessary guarantees for our safe passage through Colombo and government's permission to reach the conflict zone with ICRC escort," he had said in a press conference to the Norwegian media in Oslo. The latest British move is a pure humanitarian effort, Dr. Arudkumar said. "We will send an open appeal to all concerned, but are prepared to proceed with our mission as we need to act fast." All necessary judicial and humanitarian precautions would be taken care of, he said adding that a team of experts were dealing with the preparatory measures. 11 March 2009 Army suffers temporary setback Fifteen dead, minister hurt in Sri Lanka suicide attack At least 15 people were killed and another 60, including a government minister, wounded on Tuesday in a suicide bombing in southern Sri Lanka blamed on Tamil Tiger rebels, officials said.The attacker targeted politicians attending a function at a mosque in the town of Akuressa, and came as the ethnic rebels continue to lose ground in the face of a fierce government offensive on their shrinking northeast base. Postal Services Minister Mahinda Wijesekera suffered a head injury in the attack and arrangements were being to airlift him to Colombo for emergency treatment.Culture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene was initially listed as wounded because he was covered in blood but was given the all-clear after the blood was found to have been from other victims."We were walking in procession and just passing the entrance to the mosque when there was a blast. I thought it was a big firecracker," Abeywardene told AFP by telephone from Akuressa, 160 kilometres (100 miles) south of Colombo. "My clothes were covered in blood and I started running. Later I realised that I was not hurt but I had blood from someone who was hit in the blast."There were lot of school children and I fear a lot of them were wounded."Muslim men were playing hand drums and performing a dance when the blast ripped through the crowd, witnesses said.Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara blamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)."It is an LTTE suicide bombing," he said.ethnic conflict Police spokesman Ranjith Gunasekera said 15 people were killed and 60 were wounded. The victims were taken to two main hospitals in the area, which had not been hit by Tamil rebel attacks.The guerrillas carried out a similar strike in April 2008, killing highways minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle as he took part in celebrations ahead of the traditional New Year.There was no immediate claim of responsibility from the Tamil Tigers over the latest bombing.The pro-rebel Tamilnet website, however, reported that at least 74 civilians -- many of them children -- had been killed and 100 others wounded Monday and Tuesday in army shelling of the remaining LTTE-controlled part of the island.It accused the Sri Lankan army of engaging in "intensified indiscriminate shelling" of known civilian areas.The government insists it is trying to protect civilians and accuses the Tigers of using them as "human shields". Military officials said heavy exchanges continued in the north-eastern Mullaittivu district on Tuesday, after three days of fighting left at least 250 rebels dead.Security forces on Tuesday recovered 30 more bodies of Tigers killed in Sunday's fighting, a military official said, adding that several soldiers were killed and wounded. Two years ago, the Tigers -- who have a long and bloody record of suicide attacks -- controlled large swathes of the north and east of this South Asian island, but have suffered a series of major setbacks. On Sunday, the government said its plan to defeat the LTTE once and for all had entered its "final phase". Sri Lankan authorities ban most journalists and aid workers from the entire north of the island, meaning such claims cannot be verified. The government withdrew from a Norwegian-brokered truce at the start of last year after accusing the Tigers of using the peace process to re-arm. It has since resisted calls for a truce, saying it has the upper hand and was about to end a conflict that had dragged on since 1972. Hillary discusses Sri Lanka crisis with Foreign Secretary Menon Blake clarifies US policy JVP refuses to support power devolution based on 13th Amendment Throwing a fresh spanner in the works the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday refused to support the power division package based on the 13th Amendment currently being drafted by the government to be implemented in the north insisting that it would divide rather than unite the people. JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva told the media that the government had no clear vision of what to do with the newly liberated North and as such different groups within the government were working to undermine the hard fought victories. He noted that implementation of the APRC proposals or a deeper implementation of the 13th Amendment as proposed by a group of Ministers including Construction and Engineering Services Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne would simply be handing over those areas to LTTE conspirators. He pointed out that the President Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as the Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has clearly stated they would implement the 13th Amendment following the defeat of the LTTE thus moving into options for the devolution of power. “The implementation of the 13th Amendment entitles the provincial council of the North with police and land authority. Contd.on paThis action is similar to handing over the authority of those provinces into the hands of the conspirators that supported the LTTE, legally. The most disturbing fact is that they are also considering the possibility of a power devolution which can be exercised beyond the authorities that 13th amendment entitles.” He pointed out that even the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) has finished compiling their proposals for power devolution process and that the Government is gradually getting ready to implement the wishes of the conspirators. He also accused a group of ministers in the Government which includes Ministers Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and Dilan Perara, of being conspirators although they claim that they are assisting the government on its proceedings to strengthen the power devolution process. “Our question is, who are these people serving and why is the Government not taking any action against these people? It is clear that the Government is not taking any action because they approve of these actions and it is clear that scheming forces are strengthening within the Government.” Stating their stance on the issue, he said that ever since the start they have made it clear, that they do not choose power devolution as the solution for the ethnic crisis. “It is because devolution is another way for separating people. We believe in providing equal grounds and rights and establishing democracy in the North. That is the ultimate solution for the crisis,” he said adding that they would do everything within their power to prevent the separation of the country. The JVP also accused the Government of yielding to the wills of the foreign supremacies and vowed that they would take every action within their power to prevent the division of the country. “While the Government is taking steps to stabilise power in the North and defeat terrorism, underhand they are going against the mandate of the masses,” stated the JVP General Secretary adding that the Government is giving into the wishes of the conspirators of India and Western countries that encourage division of the country. “The Government has no clear vision or understanding of what steps to take after the North is liberalised from the clutches of terrorism,” he said and added that as a result, the Government is on the verge of committing terrible mistakes, and they have already made a few. “They have allowed foreign supremacies to work themselves into the internal affairs of the country.” He pointed out that the best example is the Army hospital which is due to be constructed in Pulmudai by India. “India is working trying to take advantage of the natural resources of the country,” he emphasised. Army to bury bodies of 105 LTTE cadres The Army is making arrangements to bury the 105 bodies recovered after the heavy fighting South of Challai if the ICRC does not take over, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. At least 150 terrorists were killed and 105 bodies recovered by the army, the spokesperson said, and since none of the bodies have been claimed, the Army will make arrangements to bury the bodies. There has been heavy fighting between the government forces and the LTTE at the Mullaittivu battlefront south of Challai and Palamathalan since last Thursday (05). According to the government defense website, troops of the 58 Division have also uncovered a large haul of military hardware and equipment during subsequent search operations conducted in the area on Monday (09). Heavy fighting broke out between troops and the LTTE, when terrorists made a desperate attempt to breach the military defense positions, advancing from South of Challai along the Pudumathalan coastal stretch.Meanwhile, the fate of the weapons haul handed over to the government by Pillayan’s faction is still undecided. “The government is still to decide whether the weapons will be used by the forces or otherwise,” Nanayakkara told The Bottom Line. Well-done Chandrakanthan, says TULF "The Tamil United Liberation Front very warmly welcomes the historical decision of the Tamil Makkal Viduthlai Puligal, to do away with the weapons that they had in their possession for several years. The credit goes to its leader S. Chandrakanthan for guiding his party to take such a decision, which will certainly be welcome news to the people of the Eastern Province. It is true that the TMVP members were facing a grave risk to their lives from the LTTE and possession of arms for self-defence could not be dispensed with at that stage, but it is also equally true that the civilian population was not feeling comfortable to work with an armed group. The real democracy had dawned in the East only now. The Members of the TMVP should also change the name of the party by dropping the word "Puligal" in their name and also release all child-soldiers, if they still have any with them. They must now mix up with the people and give them a sense of security and brotherhood, states TULF President V. Anandasangaree in a press release. "I strongly urge the TMVP to see that the people enjoy all rights un-interrupted and without the interference of anyone. They must also compel every group in their midst to surrender the arms in their possession and seek Government Security if required. Well-done Thamby Chandrakanthan! Please keep it up," the release adds. Get tough on Sri Lanka CIDA says this about Sri Lanka: "An educated population and sophisticated civil society make Sri Lanka an effective recipient of aid, despite political instability. CIDA's long presence in the country and the high credibility of its programs in communities on both sides of the civil war have made it possible to continue and expand its programs."Let's consider what the leaders of this "sophisticated civil society" have done to just a few of its critics -- most recently in an effort to hide a humanitarian crisis unfolding in its closed war zone.Lasantha Wickrematunge, chief editor of the Sri Lankan weekly Sunday Leader and a contributor to Time magazine, was murdered in January while driving to work. His last column predicted his own death. When it happens, blame the government, he said.Tamil newspaper columnist J.S. Tissainayagam has been in prison on state security charges for a year.Nadesapillai Vithyatharan, the editor of two Tamil dailies, was attending a funeral of a close relative last month when according to witnesses, three uniformed police officers and three men in plain clothes bundled him away in a white van.Police spokesman, Ranjith Gunasekera, told Sri Lankan media that Vithyatharan had been abducted by an "unidentified group" but later confirmed he had been arrested under Sri Lanka's flexible emergency regulations, which are proving a handy weapon against government critics.Contrary to claims by Media Minister Laxman Yapa, Vithyatharan's family told Human Rights Watch that he had been badly beaten while in custody.Both of Vithyatharan's newspapers have been critical of the government's all-out military offensive to end the war with the Tamil Tigers. Newspaper staff have been repeatedly targeted. Six have been killed since 2005 and its offices in Jaffna and Colombo have been ransacked several times. Death threats, over the phone in the middle of the night, are common.The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says 10 journalists have been killed by premeditated murder since 1999, but there have been no prosecutions or convictions. The killing, attacks and impunity for the perpetrators have grown worse under the four year rule of President Mahinda Rajapaksa."Sri Lanka's reputation as an open and vibrant democracy is increasingly at risk," commented Human Rights Watch with commendable understatement.It's true, of course, that the Sri Lankan regime is not the only pseudo-democratic government persecuting journalists.Uganda, Gambia, Vene-zuela, Ethiopia and most notoriously Pakistan are all guilty to greater or lesser degrees. There are others, all deserving of the most vigorous and sustained condemnation.Protests from CPJ, Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders and the Commonwealth Journalists Association are heard and occasionally effective in specific cases but can do little to change systematic, government-sanctioned attacks.If there's any hope of persuading these tyrannical regimes to stop unleashing their armed thugs on innocent people, it lies with governments such as Canada's which pour millions of their taxpayers' dollars into many of these countries.At the last count, the Canadian annual input into Sri Lanka was at least $30 million.It's desperately needed and is money well spent but after 50 years and billions of dollars, Canada is surely entitled to ask Rajapaksa and his cronies -- on behalf of all Canadian citizens -- if they might govern their country without kidnapping, murdering, torturing, beating and threatening journalists who write or say things they don't like. Chris Cobb writes for the Citizen and is an officer of the Commonwealth Journalists Association, whose prime aims are the advancement and protection of journalists in developing countries. 10 March 2009 Indian medicos, aid arrive in Sri Lanka to help war-hit civilians Indian physicians, surgeons and para-medical staff, technical staff and medical equipments arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday to help treat the war-affected, internally displaced civilians in the north, diplomatic sources here said. "A plane carrying the first batch of medical staff and luggage arrived in here on Monday and the second flight is expected tomorrow. They will be setting up a field hospital in Pulmoddai and will be ready to receive internally displaced patients from Friday," an Indian high commission official told IANS. India, expressing concern for thousands of civilians caught in the fighting between the military and Tamil Tiger rebels, last week pledged to send a full-fledged medical team to provide emergency care to the internally displace civilians in the island's north. Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told reporters here on Monday that the Indian medical team "will set up a 50-bed make-shift hospital in Pulmoddai" and assist the government in treating and providing emergency medical care to the war-displaced civilians entering the govenrment-held areas from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-held areas. The Indian mission here said last week the medical team would comprise eight experienced physicians and surgeons as well as para-medical staff and technical staff. It said the team will establish an emergency medical unit, including a hospital at Pulmodai, in the eastern Trincomalee district aiming to supplement the existing medical facilities of the Sri Lanka's health ministry. US-led evacuation of trapped civilians unlikely Contrary to reports of an imminent US-spearheaded effort to mount an amphibious operation to evacuate civilians in the LTTE held area, now down to about 45 sq. km., authoritative military officials asserted that such an intervention seemed unlikely at the moment. Responding to The Island queries, officials said that unless the US reached an agreement with the LTTE for the evacuation, troops engaged in the operation would come under LTTE fire. A large scale rescue mission would involve thousands of troops landing within the civilian safety zone on the north-east coast, they said. As the 20 sq. km. civilian safety zone is under LTTE control, foreign troops would definitely face resistance, they said.According to media reports, a marine expeditionary force of the US Pacific Command would land in Mullaitivu to carry out the evacuation. The LTTE still controls a 15 km stretch of Mullaitivu beach with 55 and 59 Divisions positioned north and south of the civilian safety zone. The 55 Division is operating at Puthumathalan north after having pierced an earth bund.A military official told The Island that an attempt to carry out what he called a forced evacuation would cause clashes between foreign troops and the LTTE. "Would they be prepared to take casualties?" he asked, emphasising the urgent need to finish off Tigers. As long as they held on to their guns, the civilians wouldn’t be safe, he said.Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told The Island that the Army hadn’t entered the civilian safety zone. Placing the total number of civilians who had reached government held areas in Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna this year over 38,000, he estimated the number of people trapped in the 45 sq. km area less than 70,000.During a recent visit to Vavuniya Security Forces headquarters, Army chief Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka directed his ground commanders to be mindful of the presence of civilians in the area of operations. Presidential advisor Basil Rajapaksa, MP, said that the number of people trapped there had been grossly exaggerated by various people.Amid heavy fighting on the eastern flank, civilians continued to escape in large numbers and seek protection from the army. Army headquarters said that 45 civilians reached the army operating in Puthukkudiyiruppu east. Among them were a 17-year-old girl wounded by LTTE fire as she fled the war zone, the army said. Altogether 144 men, women and children had reached Army lines on Sunday. The LTTE yesterday directed artillery fire at MV Bintan carrying essential items to the people in the civilian safety zone. The military said that the vessel had been anchored off Puthumathalan at the firing.The 500 metric tons of supplies included 399 tons of flour, 61 tons of dhal, kerosene, 20 tons of sugar and 21 tons of vegetable oil. Relief ship "not targeted" - ICRC LTTE blamed Although the Sri Lankan military blamed Tamil Tiger rebels for the incident, the ICRC said it had no reason to believe the ship was targeted. "We have no reason to believe the ship flying the ICRC flag was targeted by shells which were falling around it while trying to unload supplies," said Carla Haddad. Ship withdrawn The ship had to withdraw off the coast of Puthumathalan back to Trincomalee without unloading the whole 500 metric tons of supplies "due to severe weather conditions". This decision was made in consultation with the Sri Lankan Navy, the ICRC spokesperson added. The convoy of essentials takes A9 With a view to bringing down the prices of essential food items in the Jaffna peninsula, especially during the forthcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the Government cleared the first convoy of about 30 lorries to take the A9 road to Jaffna yesterday, Deputy Commissioner General of Essential Services (CGES) N. B. Liyanarachchi said.Liyanarachchi said that consumers in Jaffna had to pay exorbitant prices for essential food items due to heavy shipping costs.A Jaffna based source said that even during the time the A 9 was open the prices remained high due to illegal taxes imposed by the LTTE.Chairman of Sathosa Ltd. Nalin Fernando told The Island that the first convoy of lorries, carrying 400 metric tons of rice, sugar, dhal and vegetable oil, included two freezer trucks loaded with frozen items ordered by traders in Jaffna, had left for Omanthai from the Sathosa warehouse at Welisara yesterday morning. Ex-rebel commander sworn in as Sri Lanka minister Former Tamil Tiger commander Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, well-known as Karuna Amman, Monday took oath before President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the minister of national integration, minutes after joining the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).'At least 1,750 Tamils from the east, both men and women, including a large number of former (rebel) cadres who left the leadership of Prabhakaran with Karuna's defection a few years ago, joined the SLFP at a special event at Temple Trees today (Monday),' the president's office said in a statement.Karuna Amman and 12 others obtained their membership from Rajapaksa, who is also the president of the SLFP.Addressing the gathering Rajapaksa said most of the development work of the government was now taking place in the eastern province and stressed that there would be a 'spring of new development' in the north just like 'the new dawn in the east' after liberation from terror.'When development goes ahead, the arms will fall off the hands of people,' the president said, adding the time was very near to liberate the Tamil people of the north.Karuna Amman said he and his loyalists had decided to join the SLFP 'as they saw the need to be members of a national political party that embraced all communities and people'.Karuna Amman, who formed the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP), quit recently and had expressed his desire to join the mainstream political parties.'They (loyalists) did not want to continue with the name TMVP, which included the words 'liberation Tigers' because they were often mistaken both in Sri Lanka and abroad for the terrorism of the (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) LTTE, which they had abandoned,' the president's office quoted the newly appointed minister as saying.Claiming that the elusive rebels leader, Prabhakaran, had not utilised 'several opportunities for peace and ensuring the rights of the Tamil people, but had misled them with the supposed strength of the LTTE', Karuna Amman said the need of the hour was unity under good leadership which was being provided to the entire country by Rajapaksa. 180 Tamil Tigers "killed" - SLA Lanka rejects Jaya's demand for ceasefire Tamils issue will have impact on outcome of polls: Jayalalithaa AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa said on Monday that the Sri Lankan Tamils issue would have a “definite impact” on the the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, claiming all sections of the people in Tamil Nadu were greatly distressed at the killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka.Asked whether the Sri Lankan Tamils problem would be a poll issue, Ms. Jayalalithaa, who observed a fast in support of the Sri Lankan Tamils, on Monday, said the election results would speak for themselves. She said Tamil Nadu people were “agonised over the killing of their brothers, sisters and children” as reported in the media. Ms. Jayalalithaa argued that there was a widespread perception that the Congress-led UPA government had done nothing to help the Tamils.If the DMK government and the UPA government had any real concern for the Tamils, by now they would have rushed food and medicine. “They could have put pressure on the Sri Lankan government to bring the genocide to a halt. But they are only indulging in empty rhetoric,” Ms. Jayalalithaa alleged. She said both the governments should be accused of criminal neglect in failing to provide relief and succour to the Sri Lankan Tamils.Recalling the reports that the Indian government had been supplying sophisticated weapons and modern equipment to the Sri Lankan government and providing training to the Sri Lankan Armed forces, she said though it was common for a country to supply arms to another country the question being asked was against whom were all these weapons used. “The fact remains that Sri Lankan government is using its military might and weapons against the Tamils. It may say that it is only fighting the LTTE. But the death figures clearly show that innocent Tamils are also the targets,” she said.Reacting to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s criticism of her fast, she said, “Everyone knows that when I take a stand I stick to it.” “I never promise anything I cannot deliver,” she added.Terming as “reckless” the alliance between the DMK and the Congress, she said the people would teach a befitting lesson to them in the elections.She wound up her fast by accepting fruit juice offered by MDMK general secretary Vaiko. Ms. Jayalalithaa, in her capacity as the general secretary of the party, contributed Rs. 1 crore towards the Sri Lankan Tamils relief fund, besides Rs. 5 lakh as her personal contribution. Mr. Vaiko deposited Rs. 5 lakh in the collection box. CPI(M) State secretary N. Varadarajan, CPI State secretary D. Pandian, Puthiya Tamizhagam leader K. Krishnasamy, Nationalist Congress Party leader Tindivanam K. Ramamurthee and leaders of the alliance partners of the AIADMK participated in the agitation. TNA urges IC to ensure Sri Lankan forces do not bomb besieged civilians The leaders of four major Tamil parties, the ITAK, ACTC, EPRLF and TELO comprising Tamil National Alliance (TNA), on behalf of the 22 elected parliamentarians from North and East, sent an appeal to the International Community urging it to ensure an immediate cessation of the war and ensure that adequate medical supplies, food and shelter be sent to the 333,000 civilians inside the area under siege by the Sri Lankan military. "The civilians are merely asking, that the SriLankan armed forces do not bomb them, and that the government permits adequate food, medicine and shelter into the area." Since the beginning of this year, more than 2150 civilians have been killed inside the so-called ‘safe zones’ by bombing campaigns carried out by the Sri Lankan armed forces and over 5000 are wounded, the TNA appeal said. The TNA also urged the IC to urge permission be given for the UN and other humanitarian organisations to function in the area and to allow independent media into the affected areas to report the situation. Full text of the appeal by the TNA follows: Appeal to the International Community 9th March 2009 Four Tamil political parties in Srilanka, formed an alliance to contest the parliamentary elections in 2004 under the name of Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi.Out of the 23 Tamil members of Parliament elected to represent the Tamil areas in the north-east 22 members belongs to our party. This alliance is popularly called the Tamil National Alliance. We thank you for the concerns that you have expressed regarding the Tamil civilian population living in the Vanni region. We wish to bring to your urgent attention important matters that we feel are fundamental to understanding the grave situation facing the Tamil people. Currently there are around 330,000 internally displaced Tamil civilians living in the said Vanni area. These civilians have faced multiple displacements, between 10 to 15 times, over the last two years. Since the government of Sri Lanka announced areas that it would consider ‘safe zones’, the civilians moved into these designated areas in the hope that they would be safe. The fighting between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the LTTE’s military formations are said to be taking place on many fronts some distance away from the said government designated ‘safe zones’. Yet the Sri Lankan armed forces have been bombing the save zone areas by air and artillery fire killing on an average between 30 to 40 civilians on a daily basis and causing grave injuries to civilians many times more. Despite a grave humanitarian crisis prevalent in these areas, the government has evicted all international humanitarian organizations and has since imposed restrictions tantamount to an embargo on food, medicine, shelter and other basic humanitarian items. No independent media is allowed by the government to report on the prevalent situation. No functioning hospitals remain in the Vanni as government bombing campaigns have destroyed all. The only facility is the Matallan Temporary Hospital in Puthumattallan which has no proper medical facilities - no ICU; no electricity (except by generator, which is limited due to embargoes on fuel); no OPD facilities; no wards; and no operating room (only a makeshift one which is not sterile). There are gross shortages of antibiotics, IVs, anesthesia, blood and other medicines. Despite numerous requests by the few remaining medical officers in the Vanni, the government has failed to send the 4th quarter 2008 and 1st quarter 2009 quotas of medicine. Diseases related to overcrowding, poor nutritional intake, a lack of sanitation and exposure to the elements are becoming prevalent. 4 Pregnant women have died recently as a result of complications which could have been easily treated had there been proper health facilities and medicine. Over 75% of the Internally Displaced Persons do not have any form of toilet facilities. The government has banned all construction materials into the area since early 2007 and as a result building of temporary toilets has not been possible. More than 60,000 families (240,000 individuals) are living in open areas with shelter made from tarpaulin. Due to the very hot weather conditions, staying in these shelters has become intolerable. The government has not allowed shelter materials into the area since late 2008. Even though there are around 330,000 civilians in the relevant areas, the government insists that there are only about 70,000 civilians in the area. After approximately one month without any food delivery, the World Food Program (WFP) was only permitted to send a consignment on 26 February. Prior to this, the last consignment of food to be sent was on 19 January. Even on 26 February, only 40 metric tons of food was sent. According to the WFP the said amount is enough to feed only 30,000 people for one day and as a result the amount of food sent has not been sufficient to support the population for even one day. It should be noted that in the past twelve days over 18 people have died of starvation. Eight of the dead were children. There is also a complete inadequacy of drinking water. Water Bowsers from Puthukuddirruppu are used for transporting water. This water is dangerous to collect due to continuous shelling and bombing of the area by the Sri Lankan armed forces. To compound matters, lack of fuel for the Bowsers and the water pumps is also hampering water collection and delivery. The situation regard to non drinking water (toilet, washing, cooking, etc) is that it is almost non-existent. Since the beginning of this year alone, over 2150 civilians have been killed in these so-called ‘safe zones’ by bombing campaigns carried out by the Sri Lankan armed forces. Well over 5000 civilians have been gravely injured. The fact that the armed forces have been bombing these areas suggests that the civilians are being deliberately targeted. It is also our submission that the government’s failure to permit adequate food and medicine into these areas demonstrates that food and medicine are being used against the Tamil civilians as a weapon of war. The message the government there by to gives the Tamil civilians is that they would face death if they do not leave these areas. The ground situation clearly suggests that the civilians are in a desperate condition. The civilians are merely asking, that the SriLankan armed forces do not bomb them, and that the government permits adequate food, medicine and shelter into the area. We must also express our fear that the continuance of the present situation will inevitably result before long in a grave human catastrophe, In view of all of the above, we strongly submit that your good offices be used to:- Urgently bring about an immediate cessation of the war to save the Tamil civilian population from this grave human catastrophe. Ensure that immediate and adequate medical supplies food and shelter be sent to the said areas to sustain a population of around 330,000, so that the Tamil civilian population are not denied urgent humanitarian assistance. Urge that permission be given for the UN and other humanitarian organization to function in the said areas. Urge that the independent media be allowed into the affected areas to report on the true situation. We strongly submit that the aforementioned steps be taken as a matter of utmost urgency to avoid a grave humanitarian catastrophe. In anticipation of your urgent attention in this regard, we thank you. Yours Sincerely, Hon.R.Sampanthan MP. Hon.Mavai.S.Senathirajah MP Hon.Suresh.K.Premachandran MP Hon.Gagendrakumar Ponnampalam MP. Hon.Selvam Adaikalanathan MP. More armed groups left in East- TMVP The TMVP yesterday said there were still many “illegal armed groups” operating in the east even after the TMVP itself had disbanded over the weekend.TMVP Spokesperson Azath Maulana told Daily Mirror that they have already urged these groups to hand over their weapons to the military as the government has warned that holding arms would not be tolerated. “Holding arms will lead to violence and in order to maintain a safe environment in the east, Chief Minister Chandrakanthan has urged these groups to hand over their weapons to the military. The Chief Minister will not allow anyone to possess weapons anymore,” Mr. Maulana said.He further said that with the threats against the TMVP now over due to the LTTE’s weakening in the north, all groups had to disarm in order to bring in investment and develop the east into a stable and secure environment. “We have to move on and the only way we could do that is by making sure all armed groups are disarmed,” Mr. Maulana said.Despite the TMVP’s decisions to disarm, the Karuna faction, over the weekend vowed to hold onto their weapons until they were fully absorbed into the SLFP as members. The faction, which consists of an estimated 3000 cadres belonging to the outfit said they would not put down their weapons for its own security as their remains a threat to its safety from certain armed groups operating in the east and other areas.However the government yesterday said that they would not tolerate any groups carrying weapons in the east as the government was in its final stages of winning the battle against terrorism. Defence Spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said all groups had to be disarmed as they could not tolerate any more violence in the east. “We have almost won the war and we appreciate the TMVP disarming themselves. This shows the confidence they have in the government. However we will not tolerate any other groups holding on to weapons in the east as the district has now been liberated,” Minister Rambukwella said.TMVP Leader and Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan handed over his outfit’s weapons to the military on Saturday at a function held at the Webber Stadium in Batticaloa. He said there was no further need for the weapons as the LTTE is fighting its final battle with government forces in the north and the war will end soon. Jayalalithaa calls for separate state 09 March 2009 US taps Delhi on Lanka foray Troops surround Tiger leaders More than 50 Tiger cadres were reportedly killed and scores of others injured as 58 Division troops foiled a desperate LTTE attempt to breach the Security Forces defences in Ampalavanpokkanai in the North of Puthukudiyiruppu, once troops advanced 400 metres closer to the Puthumattalan safe zone, military sources told the Daily News yesterday. Military sources confirmed that fierce battles erupted in Ampalavanpokkanai in the South of Chalai and North of Puthukudiyiruppu as desperate Tiger cadres now entrapped in less than 40 square kilo metres made yet another attempt to breach the Security Forces defences for the fourth consecutive day yesterday. “Top rung Tiger leaders Swarnam and Lawrence who were physically present to lead the Black Tiger cadres to breach the Security Forces defences in Ampalavanpokkanai were reportedly entrapped along with 50 other Tiger cadres in the ensuing battle and were making desperate attempts to escape from the area since yesterday morning as Security Forces effectively surrounded them in the area from all fronts”, sources added. Reinforcements were rushed to cordon off the area with the information that the LTTE was making desperate attempts to rescue these top rung leaders. The bodies of Tiger cadres were seen scattered in the area and search operations will soon be conducted in the area to ascertain the number of Tiger cadres killed in the battle. Well trained cadres from the Radha and Charles Anthony brigades providing personnel security for the top level Tiger leaders made their first attempt to breach the Security Forces defences in the wee hours of Thursday and the attempt was effectively foiled by the 58 Division troops and the Commando troops killing more than 60 Tiger cadres. The 58 Division troops foiled their second and third attempts even using explosive laden trucks driven by suicide cadres on Friday and Saturday too killing more than 100 Tiger cadres in that battle front. Troops of the 58 Division were able to foil four massive counter attacks by the LTTE killing more than 150 Tiger cadres since the early hours of Thursday. According to military officials the LTTE is making these desperate attempts as they are aware that they cannot escape from the certain defeat looming around them. “Next 72 hours crucial for Tigers” The Sri Lankan military on Sunday claimed that the war with the LTTE had reached its “final stages” amid reports that the next 72 hours were crucial for the Tigers.The Defence Ministry said that as Mullathivu battles reached their last phase, LTTE made several desperate attempts since Friday dawn to infiltrate the military’s forward defences which left over 100 Tiger cadre killed and as many injured.“LTTE terrorists were preparing for a large scale offensive towards the existing military defences at Palamathalan and north of Puthukkudiyirippu, inducting over 200 cadre including suicide bombers and sea tigers,” it said.The Ministry said that following the initial thrust, terrorists had planned to send waves of 100-odd cadre to provide reinforcements. Bahnu, Lowrence, Soosai and other high-profile LTTE leaders were directly involved in the pre-emptive assault.“This is the first time during recent battles LTTE has inducted many of its ‘high profiles’ to the battlefront. Yet, timely detection and precise intelligence information received proved decisive as terrorist offensive waves were received with intense military counter attacks at the crack of dawn on Friday,” it said.The Ministry said that LTTE was making the best of the ‘military tolerance’ of not engaging LTTE positions within the declared No Fire Zone. The land stretch of about 4 km. south of Pudumathalan was being continuously used as a launching pad for LTTE attacks.Separately, the Presidential Secretariat denied reports in a section of the media about death of some of the internally displaced in the LTTE-controlled area due to starvation. Scores die in battle for Sri Lankan rebel enclave Fierce fighting between Sri Lankan troops and ethnic Tamil separatists defending their last remaining enclave has left about 100 rebels dead in two days of fighting, the military said Sunday. The army has ousted the Tamil Tigers from most of their strongholds in an all-out offensive the government hopes will end the South Asian island's 25-year civil war. The rebel holdouts are confined to about 20 square miles (50 square kilometers) of jungle and beach near Mullaittivu on the northeastern coast along with up to 200,000 terrified civilians. Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said Sunday that troops had killed about 100 rebels in a series of clashes in rebel-held territory since Friday, though he cautioned that only about 50 bodies were found. Troops also suffered casualties in three battles on the edge of the enclave, the army's Web site said. Nanayakkara would not say how many soldiers were killed or wounded. In one clash, more than 200 rebel fighters attacked security forces near Puthkkudiyirippu, the last rebel-held town, before dawn Friday, the Defense Ministry said. "Terrorist offensive waves were received with intense military counterattacks" that killed at least 30 guerrillas, the ministry said in a statement. Rebel officials could not be reached, and accounts of the fighting and mounting civilian casualties can't be verified independently because journalists are barred from the war zone. The government has rejected calls from international aid groups for a cease-fire, saying it is on the verge of victory, while the rebels have ruled out any mass evacuation of civilians — fueling suspicion they are using them as human shields. The pro-rebel TamilNet Web site claimed Saturday that army shelling and air strikes killed 208 civilians and wounded many more in the previous three days. The army insists it has stopped using artillery or aerial bombardments and accuses the rebels of firing heavy weapons from civilian areas. The U.N. says that thousands of innocents have been killed or wounded and that the survivors are desperately short of food and medical aid. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have fought since 1983 for an independent state for the Tamil minority, which suffered decades of marginalization at the hands of governments dominated by the Sinhalese majority. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the fighting US GOVT. CALLS FOR POLITICAL SOLUTION The United States said yesterday it was deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka and called on the government and the LTTE to go for an immediate political solution to the ongoing crisis. US National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer, in an interview told the Daily Mirror from Washington DC the US had urged both sides to the conflict to allow the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Non Governmental Organizations continued access to the conflict region to deliver food, shelter, medical care, and other supplies in a secure manner. “The United States remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka and the plight of the tens of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons. The United States has been at the forefront of efforts calling for protection of these internally displaced persons and has provided more than US$36 million in funding for the humanitarian crisis. We have urged both sides in the conflict to protect civilians,” Mr. Hammer said. The US expressed its deep concern at the number of civilian deaths last year when approximately eight hundred of the several thousand deaths associated with the hostilities between government security forces and the LTTE were civilian casualties resulting from artillery fire into populated areas, aerial bombings, land mines, and other military action. Quoting international organizations, the US noted that a significant proportion of the civilian casualties occurred in individual incidents, such as extra-judicial killings; however it said reliable statistics on such killings by both sides were difficult to obtain because families feared reprisals if they filed complaints. The US also called for an immediate end to human rights abuses in Sri Lanka and has called on the government to fully investigate the recent attacks on journalists, to bring the perpetrators to justice, and take all necessary measures to protect freedom of expression for members of the media. “Promoting and protecting a free and independent media is vital to any democracy,” Mr. Hammer said. In the latest Human Rights Report on Sri Lanka released by the US State Department, the US had said media freedom deteriorated in Colombo, as well as in the conflict-affected North and East. The report said many journalists practised self-censorship and in April, last year, Freedom House released its 2007 Global Freedom Report, which categorized the country's media as "not free." Suicide air attack: More details emerge Investigations have revealed that both LTTE aircraft involved in the February 20 abortive suicide attacks on Katunayake air base and SLAF headquarters had been hit by the newly created 32 land-based air defence wing.SLAF spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara told The Island that by the way of an elimination process they were able to identify the gun which zeroed-in on the Zlin 143, as it approached SLAF Headquarters in Colombo as a 12.7 mm mounted on the top of a high-rise building situated in close proximity to the Central Bank. Initial reports indicated that the weapon that hit the aircraft had been mounted on a building at the Rangala navy base.The aircraft which targeted the Katunayake air base had been hit by 12.7 mm, 23mm and 40mm rounds, the official said, adding that according to a post mortem, the man at the controls had his lungs pieced by a 12.7 mm tracer round. That particular round had been fired by a gunner atop a building at Katunayake.Nanayakkara said that the air defence wing which had received a mega boost in terms of men and equipment following previous LTTE raids, particularly the one directed at the Kelanitissa power station late last October, responded commendably.An official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Island that the Air Tigers at the controls of the two explosives-laden aircraft had deviated from their previous practice of flying low over the sea and entering Colombo over the Modera estuary. He asserted that as the Air Tigers had been most probably aware of the anti-aircraft unit based close to the Kerawalapitiya power plant, they had flown overland to Colombo where one of them made his bid. According to him, anti-aircraft gunners deployed at two locations in the city had fired at the aircraft approaching the SLAF headquarters before the gunners on the top of a high-rise in the financial district successfully engaged the aircraft. Responding to our queries, he said that the explosives-laden aircraft had exploded before its wreckage slammed into the Inland Revenue headquarters.According to the official, the LTTE cadre at the controls of the second aircraft which had been flying over the city turned towards Katunayake to carry out his mission only after the blast hit the Inland Revenue headquarters.Flying extremely low, the aircraft had approached the Katunayake air base, home to the SLAF’s precious jet squadrons, before the land based air defence wing brought it down. Before the aircraft was hit, the pilot, now believed to have been the most experienced flyer among the Air Tigers had survived SA-16 Gimlet, a Russian-built surface-to-air guided missile fired by the SLAF. Air Tigers also escaped a missile fired by a Chinese F7 interceptor.Deployed since1986, it is similar to the SA-14 also called Strela 3 acquired by the LTTE some time ago. The Trincomalee police on February 25 recovered SA-14 surface-to-air guided missile buried in the Thoppigala area. The recovery was made on information received by SSP Vass Gunawardena, in charge of the Trincomalee Division, another official said, adding that it had been in working order except for the battery and missing gripstock.Military spokesman Brigadi | ||
