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31 December 2005 SLN's restrictions strip Mannar fishermen of livelihood- TELO Leader Selvam Mr.Selvam Adaikalanathan, Wanni district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Thursday appealed to Sri Lanka's President Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse by a memorandum to take immediate steps to lift the ban on using boats with 30 HP engines and restrictions in taking kerosene by fishermen of Mannar district. He said the restrictions imposed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) after the violent incidents of December 22 have deprived the livelihood of many local fishermen. "After the abatement of recent harsh weather conditions fishermen were able to return to sea. But unfortunately after the claymore attack on December 22 in the Pallimunai Sea many fishermen's lives have been badly affected. In addition to the restrictions on the use of outboard motors, movement of kerosene, the SLN has ordered these fishermen to return from sea within a stipulated time," Mr. Adaikalanathan said in his memorandum, sources said. Mr Adaikalanathan pointed out that fishermen have little financial resources to buy new outboard motors less than 30 HP, and that the restrictions on kerosene will prevent them from going to deep sea. Mr Adaikalanathan has further brought to the notice of the President that fishermen who are allowed by SLN are harassed and even manhandled by security personnel stationed in other points in the shore when fishermen return. "These fishermen are innocents and they have no hand in recent violent incidents. Wives, children and relatives of these fishermen are spending sleepless nights till they safely return from sea," Mr.Adaikalanathan said in his memorandum. Copies of the memorandum were sent to the Fisheries Minister, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Minister, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Mannar Government Agent, and Mannar Bishop, sources said. Defense Ministry's double talk on ban Despite claims by the Defense Ministry that foreigners and foreign representatives of non-governmental organizations could enter LTTE held areas without Defense Ministry's approval, not a single foreign national had entered Tiger held areas from the Omanthai military checkpoint from Monday (26) to Wednesday (28). During these three days, representatives of the United Nations, International Red Cross and the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission have only been permitted to visit LTTE controlled areas. When representatives of non-governmental organizations, already functioning in Tiger held areas, came to the Omanthai checkpoint, they have been told that they cannot be permitted to cross the checkpoint unless they have a letter from the Defense Ministry. These representatives have then brought the matter Tuesday (27) to the attention of the Kilinochchi District Agent since they are representatives of NGOs registered in the Social Services Ministry. However even on the 28th they have not been allowed to
visit areas controlled by the LTTE. It is also reported that NGO representatives have briefed ambassadors from their repective countries on this matter. Six SLA troops injured in attack on Varani 52-4 Brigade HQ Six Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were injured in an attack on 52-4 Brigade Head Quarters in Varani, in the Thenmaradchi sector of the Jaffna Penisula, around 9 p.m., Friday, sources from Jaffna said. An explosion was heard in the area, followed by several gunshots, according to residents in the area. The SLA camp is located on the Kodikamam – Pt.Pedro road, between Varani market and Varani Maha Vidyalayam. The injured SLA troops have been transported to Palaly military hospital, sources said.SLA troops have launched a search operation in the area, civilian sources said. Kodigamam police station attacked Three incidents of violence, by suspected LTTE cadres, were reported from Vavuniya and Kodigamam on Thursday night, police said. They said at Vavuniya in Vettamkulan the house of a Karuna faction cadre was attacked with hand grenades by unknown persons, the house and a van parked outside were damaged. Vavuniya police Headquarters Inspector Abyesinghe Bandara said LTTE suspects had threatened the owner of the house a few days ago. Police said at Vavuniya in Kuruman junction a bomb was thrown at the EPDP office and two Jaffna university students who had allegedly hurled the bomb were injured and they were taken to hospital. At Kodigamam the police station was attacked at about 10 pm and though a joint army-police search was conducted no culprits caught. Apart from the students nobody else was injured in any of the reported incidents.Meanwhile a hartal has been declared today in Batticaloa to protest the killing of Batticaloa district parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham and the incidents of intimidation against the Tamil people, police said. They said most of the shops and government offices were closed and the transport services almost at a standstill but no incidents of violence have been reported. At Batticaloa in Urana two unidentified motorcyclists had allegedly fired at a policeman walking on the road. He sustained injuries and was admitted to hospital. Gunmen fire on SLA patrol in Jaffna Two soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) were injured when unidentified men fired at an SLA patrol close to the Jaffna Kandarmadam junction and Jaffna Hindu Ladies College Friday around 2.30 p.m, sources said. The firefight lasted for more than 10 minutes, according to the same sources. However, the Sri Lanka military did not confirm of injuries to soldiers. Field Bike Unit of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) arrived at the site and launched a cordon and search operation. Soldiers stopped all traffic and civilian movements through the area. Several civilians were assaulted during the search, civil sources said. Appointed Chief of Staff, SLN President Mahinda Rajapakse has appointed Rear Admiral Sarath Ratnakeerthi, aide PSC as the new Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy. Rear Admiral Ratnakeerthi joined the Sri Lanka Navy as a cadet officer on August 1, 1971 and was commissioned on August 1, 1975. He is an old boy of Nalanda College. Rear Admiral Ratnakeerthi has the unique distinction of serving as the Area Commander of all five Naval Commands of the Sri Lanka Navy, viz., Eastern Naval Command, Northern Naval Command, North-Central Naval Command, Western Naval Command and Southern Naval Command. He has successfully completed the Sub Lieutenant Technical Course, India-1975/1980, Gunnery Specialization Course, India-1979/1980, Staff Course, Pakistan-1987/1988, Executive Security Studies Course, USA-1998 and the National Defence College, India-2001. He served as the Commanding Officer of the Naval establishments, SLNS 'Ruhuna', SLNS 'Tissa', SLNS 'Gemunu' and also commanded Naval ships, SLNS 'Weeraya', SLNS. 'Rakshaka', SLNS 'Jayasagara' and SLNS 'Edithara'. In addition, he has served as Master of the Motor Tanker, "Maduruoya" as well as on-board Merchant Vessel 'Lanka Kanthi'. His dates of promotions are Midshipman-August 1, 1972, Sub Lieutenant-August 1, 1975, Lieutenant- December 17, 1975, Lieutenant Commander-December 17, 1983, Commander-April 1, 1988, Captain- January 1, 1993, Commodore–January 1, 1998 and Rear Admiral-January 1, 2002. He is the recipient of the ‘Utthama Seva Padakkama’, Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal, Sri Lanka Navy 50th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, President's Inauguration Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, North and East Operations Medal, ‘Puma Bhumi Padakkama’ and ‘Riviresa’ Campaign Service Medal in recognition of his invaluable services to the country. SLA imposes restrictions on Thiruketheeswaram residents The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has imposed restriction and close surveillance on the movement of about forty families residing in the surrounding of the historic Thiruketheeswaram Sivan Temple following several explosions and violent incidents in other parts of the Mannar district. These families are among several hundred families displaced in the year 1990 due to violence. They were allowed to resettle to assist reconstruction work on the damaged temple. Thallady main camp of the SLA is located close to the temple and the temple area has been declared by the SLA as high security zone. SLA authorities two days ago confiscated thirty-five bags of cement taken by workers for the construction of the temple, sources said.The residents have been warned not to allow any members of their relatives or friends to stay in their houses without getting permission from the police post is located in the area. Sri Lankan security forces detain 903 people while tracking rebel infiltrators in Colombo Sri Lanka - Police backed by soldiers carrying automatic weapons cordoned off five districts in the Sri Lankan capital and detained 903 people in door-to-door searches Saturday to track down Tamil Tiger rebels, police said. Most were taken for questioning after they failed to produce national identity cards, or did not have a valid reason for staying in the capital, Deputy Inspector General of Police P. Jayasundara said. “Suspects who need further investigation will be kept under detention and the rest will be released,” he said. The operation was “carried out to ensure that there are no infiltrators in our capital,” Jayasundara said. The crackdown in the five predominantly Tamil districts came amid an increase in violence that has threatened to plunge the country back into civil war. The rebels began fighting for a homeland for the country’s 3.2 million ethnic Tamil minority in 1983. The Tigers were blamed for several suicide attacks in Colombo before a cease-fire halted the conflict in 2002. Police are worried about the possibility of new attacks amid rising tensions. “I saw soldiers waiting outside my home and then a group of policemen came and asked for my identity,” said Maheswari Nadesan, an ethnic Tamil homemaker. She said the police left after checking her and her husband’s identity cards and ensuring that no one else was living in her home. The recent increase in violence including attacks this month that killed 45 government soldiers and seven guerrillas has raised fears of a return to war. The violence worsened after last month’s election of a new president, Mahinda Rajapakse, who pledged during the campaign to take a tough line toward the rebels. Rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran warned that the Tigers would intensify their struggle if Tamil grievances are not addressed. The Norwegian official who brokered the 2002 cease-fire, Erik Solheim, has urged the government and rebels to resume peace talks immediately. Six rounds of peace talks were held until 2004 but broke down over rebel demands for wide autonomy in the country’s northeast. SLN withdraws passes from Punguduthivu fishermen Angered by the damages to the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) building
caused by the residents of Punguduthivu when they protested against the
rape of Tharsini (20), the SLN command has withdrawn fishing passes from
Punguduthivu fishermen, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Tamil National Alliance
(TNA) parliamentarian said Friday. Mr Ponnambalam has written a letter
to Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Deputy Minister of Defence, requesting him
to direct the SLN to immediately reissue the passes. "It has been brought to my notice by the Fisherman’s Union of Punkuduthivu that the Sri Lankan Navy has withdrawn the Fishing Passes issued to the fishermen of Punkuduthiva. When the Union members had sought clarification from the Naval Command of the area, they had been informed that the decision was a considered one. The Navy had further stated that until the building that was damaged in Punkuduthivu by the enraged public over the recent rape and murder of young Miss. Tharshini was rebuilt, passes will not be issued. I am confident that you will agree that this decision by the Navy is completely unacceptable. Not only is it arbitrary, it is also contrary to the provisions of the Ceasefire Agreement that you and the Government have expressly committed yourselves to. Accordingly, it would be much appreciated if you would intervene in this matter and get the Navy to co-operate and have the fishing passes issued, so that the fishermen of Punkuduthiva could carry on with their right to their chosen livelihood. As you are no doubt aware, the New Year is only one day away and it is customary for people to usher in the New Year by engaging in their respective professions. Therefore it is all the more important that you treat this appeal as a matter of urgency." Visa given to
Rajiv Gandhi assassination convicts’ daughter Prison sources said that Murugan had undertaken a fast-until-death in his prison cell from December 15 in an attempt to pressure the Indian officials to grant his daughter a visa. He ended the fast only when he was informed about the Indian Embassy’s decision, the sources said. Murugan, now on death row for his role in the plot to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi, had secretly married fellow conspirator Nalini while they were on the run. Nalini, also given the death sentence, delivered Arithra while in detention. Four years ago, however, her death sentence was commuted to life in prison. Rajapakse leaves amid Indian vote for federalism Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse flew out from here Friday after hearing from India that the best way to end the bloody ethnic conflict in the island was to embrace federalism - a dirty word for many in his country. In various talks with Rajapakse and his ministers during the state visit, the Indian side sought to underline the need for maximum devolution for Tamil areas -- but outside of a unitary framework. New Delhi, which believes that Tamil aspirations in Sri Lanka can be addressed without confusing them with the long-term aims of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), wants Rajapakse to adopt a more pluralistic stand than he has done so far. But India is very clear that there can be no compromise on Sri Lanka's unity and territorial integrity and any final solution will have to embrace democracy, pluralism and human rights in the island, including in areas held by the Tigers. The two sides reached agreement late Thursday on a joint statement after going back and forth on the draft. But the president gave a guarded response at a reception at the Maurya Sheraton Hotel here when asked if he was happy with his visit. 'It is fine,' Rajapakse told IANS, before quickly adding: 'It has gone off very well. We are happy.' But a senior aide to Rajapakse admitted that Sri Lanka would have been pleased with unreserved Indian backing for Colombo. 'We understand India's reservations,' said the aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity. 'India has always backed Sri Lanka's unity. But we would have been happy with a stronger and more firm commitment, including a message to the LTTE that it cannot get away if it does anything big.' No one here is sure if Rajapakse and his allies in the JVP (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna) and JHU (Jathika Hela Urumaya), two groups widely seen as Sinhalese-Buddhist hardliners, would retreat from their publicly stated insistence on a unitary framework to end the ethnic conflict that has claimed some 65,000 lives and which shows signs of sliding into open war again. The Indian belief is that any hardline and visibly 'Sinhalese approach' - in contrast to a pluralistic stand - can only boomerang and force even those Tamils not supporting the LTTE to do a rethink. Already there is concern here over Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) leader Arumugam Thondaman's dramatic move to align with the Tigers, putting the 'Indian Tamils' employed in tea plantations in the same league as the indigenous Tamils of the island's north and east. The 'Indian Tamils', descendents of indentured workers who hailed mainly from Tamil Nadu, enjoy a close relationship with India. For their benefit, New Delhi has a consulate in Kandy, the main town in the tea plantation areas. A Sri Lankan minister who was part of the negotiating team hinted that Rajapakse could do a rethink when he returns home. 'You may see a changed president after some time,' the minister said. 'After all you say some things when you fight elections. It does not mean you will keep saying the same thing all the time. Let us see.' Not everyone is sure. Said an Indian source: 'It is all a question of mindset. We need to wait and see if our message has gone home.' India also favours Norway's continued role as a facilitator in Sri Lanka's peace process. It wants the existing ceasefire agreement between the LTTE and Colombo to be preserved - and strengthened. The highpoint of Rajapakse's visit was a 40-minute one-to-one meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. This was followed by delegation level talks. Among those he met was Congress president Sonia Gandhi, whose husband and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by the LTTE in 1991, prompting New Delhi to outlaw the group the next year. Bilaterally, India and Sri Lanka see eye to eye on most issues. Both sides describe the state of bilateral ties as 'excellent'. India is not averse to helping Sri Lanka military although it is not going to sign a defence pact. Rajapakse cancelled a trip to Tamil Nadu after Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha could not provide an appointment, but will pray at Kerala's Guruvayoor temple on his way home. Claymore discovery, a deception by SLN, SLA, says LTTE The alleged discovery of claymore mines by the Sri Lanka
security forces in Mannar Pattithottam area and along Mannar-Madavachchi
road is a canard concocted by the Security forces to create a war atmosphere
in the area, said the Mannar district Political Wing of the Liberation
Tigers in a press release issued Friday. "We deny any involvement
in the planting of these mines and condemn the Sri Lanka security forces
for creating conditions where Mannar residents can be subjected to further
harassment and indiscriminate attacks," said the release. "SLN, killed four civilians including a four year old child, injured more than twenty residents of Victoria Hundred Houses scheme and looted their property. "Many youths from Mannar district have been arrested under the cover of search operations. Many have disappeared. Their relatives have registered complaints in with Human Rights Organizations. The Security Forces have denied arresting many of the youths, raising the spectre of disappearances of the past," the Mannar political wing of the LTTE said in its release. Is Rajapaksa moving towards federalism? The India-Sri Lanka Joint Statement issued at the end of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's four day visit to India on Friday, hints that Rajapaksa may be moving away from his fixation about finding a solution to the ethnic conflict within a "unitary" state, to considering some federal options. The Joint Statement says that the President of Sri Lanka "briefed the Indian leadership on his approach to the peace process to achieve maximum devolution which preserves the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka." What is noteworthy here is that the term "unitary" is missing. Only a day earlier, Rajapaksa had used the term in his speech at the banquet hosted by his Indian counterpart, APJ Abdul Kalam. "Our end objective will be to develop a broad consensus where maximum power could be devolved within a unitary State," Rajapaksa had said in that speech. India returns to federalism After a long time, India too has returned to federalism, as a possible solution to the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict. The last time, India had proposed a federal solution was under the India-Sri Lanka Accord, way back in July 1987. Until the visit of President Rajapaksa, India's standard formulations on a solution to the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict would scrupulously avoid mentioning the term "federalism" or a "federal solution". In Friday's Joint Statement, however, the Indian side had used the term "devolution" which is a term associated with federal constitutions rather than unitary constitutions. According to the Joint Statement, the Indian side "expressed the hope that a political settlement of the ethnic issue based on devolution, openness, transparency and inclusiveness would emerge through negotiations between the parties concerned, so as to ensure a peaceful and bright future for all Sri Lankans in an undivided and democratic Sri Lanka." Again for the first time, India had officially, and at the highest level, offered intellectual and academic resources to help Sri Lanka find a suitable model of devolution. And Sri Lanka has accepted that offer. "Sri Lanka is appreciative of the Indian offer to provide intellectual and academic resources in support of the peace process. The Sri Lankan side thanked the Indian side for the presentation, during the Presidential state visit, on distribution of powers between Centre, States and local government in India," the Joint Statement said. Earlier, in his banquet speech, President Abdul Kalam had said that he appreciated Rajapaksa's efforts to find a solution within a "united" Sri Lanka on the basis of maximum devolution, and he offered India's help to find a federal solution. " We appreciate your efforts to build a national consensus on a solution within a united Sri Lanka and on the basis of maximum devolution. We are ready to share with you our own experiences in unity and diversity, pluralist traditions in a democracy and devolution within a federal framework," Kalam said. Financial and Technical help from India to rebuild N-E The Government of India has come forward to provide financial and technical assistance to President Mahinda Rajapakse in the reconstruction process of the North and East. India will also help to build a library and a stadium in Jaffna. A joint statement by Governments of Sri Lanka and India has been released at the conclusion of President Rajapakse's four day visit to India yesterday. It highlighted the agreements and consensus reached between President Mahinda Rajapakse and the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during the discussions they had in New Delhi. The joint statement released by the Sri Lankan and the Indian Governments :- Mahinda Rajapakse, President of Sri Lanka and Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapakse paid a State Visit to India from December 27-30, 2005, at the invitation of the President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. He was accompanied by Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs, A. H. M. Fowzie, Minister of Railways, Transport and Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Marketing Development, Ferial Ashraff, Minister of Housing and Construction, R. Bogollagama, Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, Ministers, leaders of political parties and senior officials. President Rajapakse held wide-ranging discussions with President Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath and Shipping Minister T. R. Baalu, and others. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, UPA also called on President Rajapakse. The President also met with several senior personalities from other political parties during his stay in New Delhi. It was noted with satisfaction that Indo-Lanka bilateral relations have continued to be in a state of excellence characterised by political consensus in both countries, understanding, friendship, cooperation and mutual respect and benefit. The two sides reaffirmed their resolve to further consolidate and build on this strong and dynamic relationship. The discussions on international issues reflected the long-standing consonance of views between the two friendly nations. Both sides remain resolutely committed to opposing terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, while reiterating that terrorism can never be justified, either on political, or on religious, or on ideological grounds. The two sides agreed that the current global challenges require the reinvigoration of multilateralism, including through the strengthening of the UN system. In this context, Sri Lanka reiterated her position that the UN Security Council reform process should facilitate India's legitimate claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council and reaffirmed her support for the candidature of India as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. India and Sri Lanka emphasized their commitment to work for the full realisation of the objectives identified by the 13th SAARC Summit in Dhaka last November. They were of the view that the South Asian Free Trade Agreement once operationalised should pave the way for the SAARC nations to move towards even closer economic cooperation, with the eventual goal being that of an economic union encompassing the entire region. The Prime Minister of India and the President of Sri Lanka expressed satisfaction at the dynamism of the bilateral economic relationship. They noted the good progress by the two governments in building on the success of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement by negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). They expressed their confidence that the finalisation of CEPA, on the basis of mutual benefit for both sides, would further unleash the inherent synergies between the two countries. It was noted that India has made an initial allocation of a Credit Line of US$ 100 million for the integrated development of the Colombo - Matara rail network. It was agreed at the request of the Sri Lanka side, that India would take this process forward by the extension of concessionary terms to be mutually agreed upon, for the allocated credit of US$ 100 million, and for any additional credit to be made available for the said project. A multi-disciplinary delegation from India has already visited Sri Lanka. A delegation of officials from Sri Lanka representing the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Railways, will visit India in turn to discuss and agree on the technical and engineering aspects of the project, and the terms and conditions of the Credit Line. The two leaders welcomed the bilateral understandings being reached on identifying joint ventures for the development of the eastern Sri Lankan port city of Trincomalee, and its surrounding region. They noted the need to prepare a Master Plan for realizing, including through the building up of the necessary infrastructural support, the full economic potential held out by Trincomalee and its environs. It was agreed in this context that a coal based power project of capacity 2x250 MW will be set up in the Trincomalee region of Sri Lanka, as a joint venture between the National Thermal Power Company Ltd, a Government of India enterprise and the Ceylon Electricity Board, a Government of Sri Lanka entity. The Government of Sri Lanka will have the responsibility of facilitating and extending all necessary help in setting up this project. A detailed Memorandum of Understanding for setting up the Power Project is to be signed separately. The Indian side in recognition of the high priority accorded by the President of Sri Lanka to reconstruction and development in the North and East, offered to support these efforts through technical and financial assistance. The Sri Lanka side welcomed this offer of assistance and agreed to facilitate the related initiatives. The Indian side also announced assistance in constructing a library and a stadium in Jaffna. The two sides agreed that there was great potential for cooperation in the areas of agriculture, IT and renewable energy. Both sides discussed collaboration in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) area, which would include, inter alia, institutional capacity building, training and skills development and technical assistance. In this regard, India and Sri Lanka will collaborate to set up an ICT Park in Sri Lanka. The two sides reiterated their desire to accelerate their co-operation in the field of human resource development, and in the fashioning of educational policies appropriate for developing within the national workforces, the skills and capacities required by the 21st century. Towards this end, it was agreed that the Joint Working Group under the India-Sri Lanka MoU on the Education Exchange Programme would be operationalised at the earliest possible. Several measures funded by India to enhance cooperation in the field of education and training were also agreed upon. These include the Mahatma Gandhi scholarship scheme for 100 deserving Sri Lankan students every year, the upgradation of libraries and science laboratories in the upcountry areas, the setting up of a Chair in Contemporary Indian studies in Peradeniya University and commissioning of a field study on vocational training centers. It was noted that the training of 450 Sri Lankan policemen has already commenced in different institutions in India. Sri Lanka welcomed the donation of medical equipment as tsunami relief to the affected hospitals of Point Pedro and of Hambantota. The Indian side announced that it had initiated action to prepare a detailed project report on the rehabilitation of the tsunami-damaged base hospital in Trincomalee. The Indian side also indicated that construction of the new 150-bed hospital at Dickoya in the Central Province is expected to commence shortly. The Government of India further announced that it would provide equipment to set up a fully-equipped Obstetrics and Gynaecology unit in the existing hospital at Dickoya. Sri Lanka expressed her appreciation for the valuable contribution by the Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo, towards continuing a level of cultural interaction worthy of the longstanding historical and civilisational links between the two nations. President Rajapakse declared the intent of his administration to present in India during the course of next year, the rich and varied cultural heritage of Sri Lanka via a series of exhibitions and events. The Indian side welcomed this endeavour which would further spur people-to-people interaction, and also enhance intellectual and artistic exchanges. India further announced that it would hold an exhibition of contemporary Indian art in Colombo during 2006. Both the Heads of Government noted that a positive collaborative relationship was being established for the study and monitoring of the environmental implications of the Sethusamudram Ship Channel project. They endorse that the outcome of the collaboration must be to reach a common understanding as to whether there are environmental consequences and if so, the action to be taken to mitigate them. They directed towards this end, the continuation of the interaction, as and when necessary, between the concerned technical experts from both sides. They also noted that the project would bring in its wake developmental opportunities. Both sides reiterated the importance of continuing bilateral cooperation in the demarcation of the continental margins of the two countries. The Indian side welcomed the proposal by Sri Lanka for economic cooperation within the Palk Bay area. India looks forward to Sri Lanka presenting her proposals in the form of a paper, which would then be the subject of study by an India-Sri Lanka Expert Group. The report of the Expert Group could be considered during the ongoing CEPA negotiations. The President of Sri Lanka and the Prime Minister of India noted that both countries have a record of unbroken commitment to the free and fair exercise of the franchise, and to democratic governance. The two sides were of the view that this common commitment, which is yet another of the many strong bonds between India and Sri Lanka, could be availed of by the establishment of India-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Associations in the national legislatures of both countries. They noted with satisfaction the formation of the Sri Lanka-India Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Sri Lankan Parliament on December 22, 2005, and the decision to form an India-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Indian Parliament. They envisaged that the Associations once established, would cooperate for the further development of democratic best practice, and for strengthening bilateral relations. They accordingly recommended that the Speakers and the Members of the Parliament of India and of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, may consider expeditiously taking the necessary steps towards this end. The President of Sri Lanka briefed the Indian leadership on his approach to the peace process to achieve maximum devolution which preserves the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. The two sides agreed that an enduring solution can emerge only through internal political processes that promote consensus and reconciliation. India reiterated its support for a process of seeking a negotiated political settlement acceptable to all sections of Sri Lankan society within the framework of an undivided Sri Lanka and consistent with democracy, pluralism and respect for human rights. India continues to maintain an abiding interest in the security of Sri Lanka and remains committed to her unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Indian side expressed the hope that a political settlement of the ethnic issue based on devolution, openness, transparency and inclusivity would emerge through negotiations between the parties concerned, so as to ensure a peaceful and bright future for all Sri Lankans in an undivided and democratic Sri Lanka. The President of Sri Lanka apprised the Prime Minister of India of recent attacks on Sri Lankan security forces and other ceasefire violations. The two leaders deplored violations of the ceasefire, which could undermine the prospects for peace in Sri Lanka. The Indian side welcomed the Sri Lankan Government's offer for early resumption of peace talks. Both sides emphasized the need for the strict observance of the ceasefire and immediate resumption of talks aimed at strengthening the ceasefire. Sri Lanka is appreciative of the Indian offer to provide intellectual and academic resources in support of the peace process. The Sri Lankan side thanked the Indian side for the presentation, during the Presidential State visit, on distribution of powers between Centre, States and local government in India. The state visit by President Rajapakse is testimony to the excellent relations between the two countries. President Rajapakse invited their Excellencies the President and the Prime Minister of India to visit Sri Lanka at mutually convenient times. New Year’s eve vigil today to prevent war The National Anti-War Front yesterday called on the government to invite the Norwegian facilitators immediately to Sri Lanka to resume negotiations so that all attempts to resume hostilities could be defeated. The Front also invited all people to attend a New Year’s eve candle light vigil at Independence Square to prevent war and plead for peace. The Front said: “The ceasefire agreement is in a deep crisis. Although there are continued violations of the ceasefire agreement over the years the current phase of accelerated attacks against the state armed forces in the North and East and the attacks of the para-military groups against the LTTE seem to be pushing the country towards the resumption of hostilities between the government and the LTTE. “We condemn all forms of violations of the ceasefire. We express our condemnation against the increased attacks on state military forces by the LTTE, assassination of the Batticaloa parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham and various attacks of para-military groups acting in connivance of the state. The ceasefire cannot be protected without genuine commitment of the parties to the agreement -- the government and LTTE. Any disputes arising in ensuring their commitment and obligations to the ceasefire have to be resolved only through negotiations. It is immoral to use the means of violence in violation of the ceasefire to address the grievances while the ceasefire is in operation. We call upon the LTTE to stop immediately all forms of violations of the ceasefire, including the attacks on state military forces and attacks on political opponents. In a similar manner, we call upon the government to take every step to prevent any form of violations of the ceasefire either by the state armed forces or the para-military groups. The very purpose of signing the ceasefire is to prevent the destruction of human lives and to create an environment conducive to negotiate a political settlement. Although both parties have been verbally expressing their preparedness and willingness to resume negotiation with the facilitation of the Norwegian Government facilitators, very little has been done for the people to believe their commitment. The majority of the people in the country did not want to see a return to war. We call upon the government and the LTTE to take every step to stop all the violations of ceasefire and to demonstrate their commitments in a visible manner for the ceasefire and their preparedness for unconditional negotiation. “We believe that the sustainable and visible public support for negotiation is indispensable to safeguard the ceasefire”. The Front has invited all to a people’s vigil at 6.00 p.m. today at Independence Square premises. This vigil is organized to express condemnation for the violations of the ceasefire agreement and to call the parties to fulfill their commitment and obligation to the agreement and to call the parties to resume negotiation without further delay. “We call upon the government to invite the Norwegian Facilitators immediately to Sri Lanka to resume negotiations, We demand that the much awaited meeting to discuss the ceasefire agreement be resumed immediately, We urge that the military on both sides through the assistance of the SLMM meet to discuss ways and means of de-escalation of violence, We demand that a mechanism is immediately created to ensure relief and rehabilitation to the North and East”, the Front added 30 December 2005 Pararajasingham slaying has endangered direct talks - TNA MPs at funeral Addressing the mourners who had gathered to pay the last tribute to the slain Tamil National Alliance MP, Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham, TNA parliamentarians Mavai Senathirajah and TELO Muthavar M.K. Sivajilingam said that the Government of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan President, in his capacity as Defense Minister, are responsible for the continued engagement of paramilitary cadres and for the killing of the MP. "The whole affair of resuming the peace process has been placed at maximum risk by the brutal act," Mr. Sivajilngam told the gathering. During the last ten years of Pararajasingham's life in his 40 years of public career, he was directly threatened several times by the enemy, but despite the continued threats, his commitment to the Tamil cause remained strengthened, Mr. Sivajilingam added. Mavai Senathirajah giving a walk-through of the lenghty political career of Mr. Pararajasingham, which began with "Thanthai" S.J.V.Chelvanayakam, said the loss of Pararajasingham was irreplaceable The funeral of the slain senior Tamil politician was held in Batticaloa Thursday evening. The body of the TNA MP was taken from his house at 4:25 p.m. at Lady Manning Drive to the family's burial grounds at Alayadicholai for burial at 5:00 p.m. United National Party parliamentarians Mr. Gamini Jayawickrama Perera and Dr. Jayalath Jayawardene, Democratic Left Front Secretary Vasudeva Nanayakara, who is aligned with SL President Mahinda Rajapakse, were among the Sinhalese politicians who attended the funeral services. Tamil National Alliance MPs, Tamil academics, activists and religious leaders attended the funeral. Mrs. Sugunam Pararajasingham, who was severely wounded when she tried to save her husband from the guns of the killers, was informed about her husband's demise early morning Thursday, medical sources said. She attended the funeral with saline injection. The body of Pararajasingham, taken to Vavuniya and Kilinochchi on Tuesday, reached Batticaloa Thursday early morning at 1:15 a.m. Tamil National Alliance MPs Suresh Premachandran,TELO Muthalvar M.K. Sivajilingam, Mavai Senathirajah, K. Thurairatnasingham, P.Kanagasabai and several others including the Ceylon Workers United Front (CWUF) representatives S. Sathasivam and D. V. Sennan took part in the funeral. UNP parliamentarian Gamini Jayawickrama read out the message of tribute from UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe. UNP Deputy Karu Jeyasuriya's message was read out by Dr. Jayalath Jeyawardene. Religious funeral services, scheduled to be held at the church where the MP was slain, were held at home for security reasons, sources added. As Batticaloa mourned the death of Pararajasingham, shops and public places remained closed. Sri Lanka government beefed up security in Batticaloa. End killings, start talks : Bishops The Catholic Bishops' Conference in a message yesterday vehemently condemned the recent brutal killing of the Navy personnel, some civilians at Pesalai and the murder of Joseph Pararajasingham MP, when he was taking part in the Christmas midnight Mass at the Cathedral in Batticaloa. The message said “We view with particular dismay the latter incident on Christmas night in a place of worship. While the killing of any person is a dastardly act doing so in a sacred place of worship on a day which is most sacred to that religion is abominable. We offer our condolences to all the members of the bereaved families and assure them of our prayers. “At a time when a concerted effort is being made to rally support and obtain the collaboration of all parties concerned in the search for peace we fear that such killings will once again damage irreparably the peace process. “We, the Catholic Bishops therefore reiterate our earnest appeal in the name of humanity and the present and future generations in this country to bring to an end all killings and violence and to return to the negotiating table to work out an honourable solution to the ethnic problem in order to usher in lasting peace in our beloved country”. Bishops, clergy to meet LTTE political head Clergy and Bishops from various parts of the island are
scheduled to meet with Mr. S.P. Thamilchelvan, the political head of the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, on Friday to discuss the current political
situation following the slaying of senior Tamil politician Joseph Pararajasingam,
sources in Colombo said. Bishops from Colombo, Kandy and Kurunagala were
expected to attend the meeting with the Bishops of Jaffna and Mannar,
the sources said. Red Cross assists Tigers remove their dead –The Daily Mirror Tamil Tigers, on Tuesday night, have taken away the remains of five LTTE gunmen, who were shot dead by the army last Saturday in Jaffna, contrary to the LTTE’s claim earlier that none of their cadres were killed in their confrontation with the Army. Military sources said that after the security forces shot five LTTE gunmen in retaliation last Saturday, when Army personnel on a mobile patrol in the Jaffna Fort came under attack, causing injuries to two soldiers. However, the LTTE cadres, along with Sri Lanka Red Cross officials, had removed the remains of those LTTE gunmen on Tuesday night, into ‘uncleared’ areas across Muhamalai Entry/Exit point. The remains of those LTTE cadres awaiting next of kin, were being kept at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital mortuary until the LTTE received them. In the meantime, the LTTE disclaimed identity of those armed men and refused to admit that they were members of the Tamil Tigers until they removed the remains into ‘uncleared’ areas. The troops, after the skirmish, recovered a pistol, a modified mini Uzi rifle and several hand grenades from the scene. 16-years-old boy shot dead in Thenmaradchi, Jaffna Unidentified gunmen on Wednesday midnight shot and killed
Thambirajah Arul Ajanthan, 16, at his house located in Eruvan in Kodikamam.
The gunmen who entered the victim's house premises, following a Sri Lanka
Army patrol in the area, opened fire and killed the victim, the younger
brother of a youth who took part in organising Martyrs day remembrance
events, civilian sources said. Chavakacheri Magistrate K. Ariyanayagam who visited the spot has ordered investigations into the killing. Sonia invited to attend Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Oration in Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse extended an invitation to Congress Leader Sonia Gandhi to attend the first Rajiv Gandhi memorial oration to be held in Sri Lanka next year. He extended the invitation to Sonia Gandhi, when she called on him at the Rashtrapathi Bhawan. Rajapakse will deliver the first Rajiv Gandhi memorial oration. Sri Lanka always wanted to honour the late Indian leader and the invitation has been extended at a time when the relationship between the two countries is at a peak. Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a LTTE suicide cadre in Sriperdumbudur about 30 miles from Chennai in May 1991. Gandhi was only 46 years when he was killed. Rajapakse also told a meeting in New Delhi that he would expedite the building of a memorial for over 1,000 soldiers of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) who sacrificed their lives in Sri Lanka, fighting the LTTE. Grenade attack on SLA sentry, soldiers assault civilians in Mannar Unidentified men lobbed a grenade at a Sri Lanka Army sentry, which is located in Mannar playgrounds Wednesday night around 9:30 p.m. No one was injured in the incident. More than hundred SLA soldiers, following the explosion, launched a search operation in areas, Moor Street, Sinnakadai and Uppukulam. The soldiers fired in air at random and assaulted civilian travellers waiting in the Mannar bus stand, sources said. SLA soldiers damaged political and administrative offices of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Mannar. The offices were not occupied by LTTE political activists. Mahinda reaffirms unitary state stand President Mahinda Rajapakse once more reaffirmed that the policy of his government was to devolve the maximum possible power within a unitary state. This reaffirmation was made on Wednesday (28) during his current visit to India, his first official visit abroad since being elected President on November 17. "Sri Lanka attaches the highest priority to reaching a lasting and negotiated political solution to the ethnic conflict, that has for so long affected parts of our country. In that regard the immediate and essential measure should be the strengthening of the ceasefire, and raising the level of compliance with the ceasefire agreement," President Rajapakse said at the state banquet given in his honour by the President of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam on Wednesday (28) at New Delhi. President Rajapakse said the strong ties between India and Sri Lanka have stood the test of time. "My government is determined to take the peace process forward in an inclusive and transparent manner. We will do so through a consultation process involving all concerned parties and stakeholders. Our end objective will be to develop a broad consensus where maximum power could be devolved within a unitary state," he said. Policeman shot, seriously wounded in Batticaloa Unidentified gunmen shot and wounded Alagaratnam Lingarajah,
36, a Sri Lanka Police constable, Wednesday night 8:45 p.m. at Thandawanveli
Telecom Juction in Batticaloa town. Gunmen riding in a motorbike opened
fire on the policeman, who was off-duty and was going to a shop to purchase
food, Batticaloa Police said. The wounded policeman has been admitted
to Batticaloa Hospital. Jaffna Residents Complain Against Army. Several Jaffan residents who spoke to the Jaffna Independent correspondent claimed that the Sri Lankan security forces are playing into the hands of the LTTE by the increasing violence against the civilians. “ After the ceasefire, Army had been very tolerant even when LTTE attacked them. However recently things had changed, the army violence is back again in Peninsular” said an retired government official who spoke with The Independent’s correspondent in Jaffna. Another elderly lady from Point Pedro claimed that the recent aggressive behavior of the Army would affect the army in long run. “Not all Tamils are helping LTTE. They(LTTE supporters) are few but they make a impact. Army must not mix militants with innocent civilians.” she said. Claymore mines detected in Mannar, Kalmunai –Daily News Two powerful claymore mines have been found on a tree near the residence of Mannar Bishop Rt. Rev Dr. Rayappu Joseph yesterday. Military sources said a group of Navy men on a foot patrol had found the two claymore mines tied to a tree near Bishop Joseph's residence in Mannar. The Navy men found the claymore mines following the increase in patrolling in recent days after the massive claymore explosions which killed more than 20 soldiers in the North in the past weeks, sources said. Two other LTTE claymore mines were also found by a police route patrol team in Parayanankulam on the road to the Madhu shrine yesterday, sources said. STF troops on route clearance duties detected a claymore mine on the Sorikalmunai-Kalmunai road yesterday. They initially detected a long wire on the side of the road and later, the side charger. The LTTE had selected an isolated and abandoned work site of the Ceylon Electricity Board to plant the mine. In a separate incident at the 216th milepost on the Akkaraipattu - Potuvil highway, STF troops were fired upon by the LTTE. The troops retaliated and repulsed the attack. The attack had come from the direction of Kanjikudichchiaru jungles. A subsequent search had revealed that the LTTE had withdrawn to Kanjikudichchiaru. Meanwhile, Army Commander Lt.Gen Sarath Fonseka was in Jaffna yesterday to make an assessment of the current situation in the North. General Fonseka who was Northern Commander a few years ago had convened the brigade commanders in the Peninsula and had discussions on stabilising the security in the North, sources said. This is the second visit to the North by Gen. Fonseka since he became the Army commander early this month. Tamil passions build up over Sri Lanka Chennai : Passions are again running high in Tamil Nadu over Sri Lanka, with leading political parties opposing a visit - now cancelled - to the state by President Mahinda Rajapakse. Tamil Nadu parties, including members of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), are unhappy with Rajapakse's policies towards the country's peace process as well as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The PMK, MDMK, the Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) and the Tamil Nationalist Party of P. Nedumaran are meeting under the aegis of the Dravida Kazhagam to extend support to Sri Lankan Tamils who they say are "under attack from the Sinhala government". PMK leader S. Ramadoss has blamed Rajapakse for the "failure" of the peace talks between the LTTE and Colombo. "Whenever there is a crisis, (Sri) Lankan presidents rush to India" to create an impression that New Delhi is supporting their stand, he said in a statement. Rajapakse is now in India. He met Indian leaders Wednesday. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha has politely declined to meet Rajapakse, who had wanted to go to Chennai on his way home after ending official talks here. But Jayalalitha's AIADMK and the main opposition DMK have not said anything about Rajapakse. Ramadoss, whose PMK along with MDMK are part of India's ruling coalition, said: "Having sabotaged Norway's negotiations between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government, Rajapakse has come here to sell the idea that India should take up the negotiations, with a view to drag the process for years." "The people of Tamil Nadu expect the central government to ensure that Sri Lankan Tamils get political and economic rights," he said. The DPI has threatened a public demonstration against Rajapakse if he comes to Chennai. DPI posters plastered all over Chennai say: "Anti-Tamil Rajapakse, do not step on to Tamil soil." Tamil sentiments have been further soured with reports that the Sri Lankan navy had seized prawn catch worth Rs.500,000 from Tamil Nadu fishermen after surrounding them in the sea. The Sri Lankan navy allegedly threw equipment including nets and batteries into the sea, the reports said. Tamil Nadu was once a sanctuary for Sri Lankan Tamil militant groups. But the LTTE's assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi near Chennai in 1991 alienated a large section of Tamil Nadu society. Feelings for Sri Lankan Tamils however run strong in the state, although backing for the LTTE is muted. India outlawed the LTTE in 1992. India beefs up Lanka's air defences India has provided Sri Lanka with two indigenously-developed military radars to help improve its airspace coverage just before President Mahinda Rajapakse arrived here on Tuesday on a state visit---his first overseas trip after assuming office on November 19. These radars will enable the Sri Lankan Air Force to detect fighter aircraft and will provide aerial security to the island-nation from any threat from the so called 'LTTE Air Force.' Reporting this today, 'The Hindu' newspaper said the transfer of radars marks the resumption of non-lethal military aid to Sri Lanka after a gap of five years. The transfer adheres to the Indo-Sri Lanka draft Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA), which does not encourage Colombo to go for a military solution to the Tamil ethnic problem. The deal has been kept under the wraps. Defence Ministry sources have confirmed the radars' transfer to Sri Lanka, but have refrained from providing any details. At the moment, the LTTE is said to own two microlight aircraft and is believed to have developed two airstrips in areas under its control, including one at Iranmadu in Kilinochchi. But the radars India has given to Sri Lanka may not be able to detect aircraft of such tiny size, sources here say. India did provide non-lethal military equipment, including fast patrol craft, in 2000 in the wake of the LTTE's stepped up activities. Ever since India stopped military hardware supplies to Sri Lanka in the late 1980s, New Delhi has generally refrained from making high-technology supplies to Colombo. 'The Hindu' quoted sources here as pointing out that India agreed to supply the radars after Pakistan began taking interest in filling the void in Sri Lankan military supplies. India felt uncomfortable with the idea of Pakistan-installed surveillance equipment so close to its shores in the south. During a visit to Colombo early this year, the then External Affairs Minister Kunwar Natwar Singh made a formal offer about the radars. On instructions from the Defence Ministry, the state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) manufactured the radars to the Indian Air Force (IAF), which has since handed them over to Sri Lanka. BEL supplies the Indra-II radars to the IAF. Readers will recall that 'The Island' reported on June 4 that the transfer of radars is in the works. Grenade attacks in Inuvil, VVT, Nallur One Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier was seriously injured when unknown gunmen attacked an SLA foot patrol in Inuvil area, Jaffna, at 6 p.m Thursday. Inuvil has been isolated after the incident as the SLA has cordoned off the area. No other details of the injured soldier are available. Meanwhile, unknown gunmen hurled a grenade and exchanged gunfire with Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers manning the sentry at the Valvettiturai, Vadamaradchy Aathi Kovilady along the beach road, Wednesday 9.20 p.m, source said. No one was injured in the incident. SLA has increased patrols in the area, according to residents. In another grenade attack by unidentified assailants at the Nallur Arasady junction sentry point at 1 p.m Thursday, one Sri Lanka Army soldier was seriously injured. No other details on the incident are available. New Wanni Commander takes over reins MAJOR GENERAL W.U.B EDIRISINGHE, the newly appointed Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni recently assumed duties during a simple ceremony at his office in Vavuniya. He relinquished the appointment of Adjutant General in the Army and succeeds Major General P.S.B Kulathunge who was appointed the new Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army. A Guard of Honour welcomed him at the premises where many Senior Officers were present to extend their greetings to the new Commander.. Members of the Maha Sangha on the occasion invoked blessings on the new appointment after chanting Seth Pirith. Afterwards Major General W.U.B Edirisinghe officially initialed a document to signify his acceptance of the duties in the Headquarters. Army on trail of LTTE attackers - Commander Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka following his visit to Jaffna in the wake of the recent claymore mine attack on Army personnel in Puloli West, has strengthened manpower and transport requirements to facilitate clearing operations to round up those responsible for the violent acts in the peninsula. Lt. General Fonseka told the Daily News that the Army has already taken precautionary steps to prevent further occurrence of such incidents in the peninsula. "We are going behind the people responsible for the claymore mine attacks and other violent incidents," the Army Commander said. "We have taken steps to provide manpower requirements and transport facilities for them," General Fonseka added. He said it was impossible for him to say the number of LTTE cadres responsible for the violent acts in Government controlled areas in the peninsula since the LTTE had been given unlimited access to Government controlled areas. However, he ruled out possibilities of discussions with LTTE area leaders in Jaffna to settle the situation. "It is upto the politicians to have discussions with the LTTE. The military has decided not to have talks with the LTTE," he added. The Army Commander said the LTTE was operating in the peninsula under the guise of civilian organisations. "They all are LTTE organisations. There are no civilian organisation as they are claiming," he added. Lt. General Fonseka met all field Commanders in Jaffna peninsula during his visit to Jaffna on Wednesday after the LTTE claymore mine attack on an army truck killed 12 soldiers. STF soldiers fire into LTTE held area in East [Around fifty soldiers of the Sri Lanka Special Task Force (STF) Thursday morning 11:00 a.m. opened fire at random into paddy fields located inside the LTTE held area, dispersing more than a hundred farmers working in the fields. Only minor injuries were sustained by a few farmers in the gunfire, LTTE's Udumpankulam area Co-ordinator Mr. Veeramani told TamilNet. STF soldiers were riding in in two Buffel Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), Veeramani said. Thamaraikulam is located 13 km south of Akkaraipattu in Amparai district. The South African built mine-protected APC, used by the elite counter insurgency arm of the Sri Lankan armed forces, the STF in Amparai, were deployed by the Sri Lankan military in the late 80's. The Buffel (Afrikaans for Buffalo) APC vehicles were deployed by the then Apartheid South African regime to quell uprisings and to break up the protests. The Black South Africans gave the vehicle a slang term: Sarcens. The hull of the Buffel vehicle is v-shaped, designed to deflect the blast and debris of an exploding landmine. A number of Buffel APCs, described as tree-flattening, mine-resistant, and bullet-proof, were destroyed by improvised explosive devices used by the LTTE in Sri Lanka. Include India, China and Pakistan in the Co-chairs Conference: MNA Hafiz Nazeer Ahamed, leader of the Muslim National Alliance,
(MNA) appeals in a letter to President Mahinda Rajapakse to invite China
and Pakistan to be among the co-chairs conference along with India, Norway,
America, Japan and the European Union. "Over the past few days there have been numerous calls for India to be included in the co-chairs conference comprising Norway, America, European Union and Japan. While we consider this to be a good move’ we suggest that Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan also be incorporated into the co-chairs conference. "The inclusion of China and Pakistan would serve to enhance the Asian participation in the peace process and also be an expression of our nation’s gratitude to these two nations for the friendship they have extended to us in the past. Moreover, these two nations would have our country’s interest at heart and would dedicate themselves to ensure that Sri Lanka’s sovereignty is not jeopardized in any way. "At this juncture we like to recall the strong bonds of friendship that Sri Lanka enjoys with these two countries and also that when we were in dire straits as a nation it were these two countries that came to our rescue." HALO Trust vehicle fleet ordered moved inside HSZ Government of Sri Lanka has ordered all vehicles belonging to HALO Trust, an NGO involved in demining operations in Jaffna, to be moved inside the High Security Zone (HSZ), said a media release issued by HALO Trust in Jaffna Thursday. The release added that the Halo Trust's demining activities would be halted until further notice. This directive follows the recent robbery of two vehicles belonging to the Halo Trust. Officials of the NGO said that although the two stolen vehicles were recovered without any damage, forty three sensor equipments used in demining left inside the vehicles have gone missing. Halo Trust officials accused a small criminal gang consisting of a few current employees and some past employees who were terminated from their jobs at the organization of complicity in the robbery of vehicles and equipments. Halo Trust officials maintained that the SL Government's directive is only a temporary measure and that the vehicle fleet will be inside the HSZ until normalcy returns to Peninsula. Halo Trust, Danish demining group, and the SLA demining groups are the three major demining groups working in Jaffna Peninsula. Halo Trust has a fleet of nearly 65 vehicles, including heavy vehicles, Land Rovers and other vehicles fitted with modern accessories. Observers pointed out this vehicle fleet under the control of SLA will likely enhance the mobility and operational effectiveness of the SLA. The vehicles were moved with heavy SLA escort at 5 p.m. to Palaly Thursday. SLA assumed responsibility for the inventory of Wireless equipment, C-4 based detonators and, mine sensor equipments. Officer admits
using police vehicles to transport heroin The Colombo Crime Division has arrested seven police officers, including an interdicted high level officer, on charges of aiding and abetting drug kingpins, police headquarters sources said on Wednesday. They were arrested from the Dematagoda and Borella police stations. Among the suspects was an officer who had been in charge of the Vice Branch in Borella. He had been interdicted on charges of bribery. The suspect had led the drug distributing cartel in Borella area, police sources said. Information on the policemen affiliated to drug rings was revealed by drug kingpins taken in during the 'Operation Clean Up' over the past few weeks. Some officers had earned millions from the drug dealers in Rajagiriya and Borella areas. They had allowed the dealers to continue with their businesses and in return had been paid large sums of money for official protection the, sources said. Some suspect officers had purchased several luxury houses in Colombo and its suburbs, investigators said. One of the suspect officers had divulged that he was assisted by a former IGP in his associations with drug kingpins. He had used official police vehicles to transport heroin to retail dealers in his area, investigators said. Solheim to Colombo
This follows a statement by the head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), Hagrup Haukland who warned that the mission could not operate in an insecure environment. The latest of a series of strong warnings came after a series of violence in the North and the east that has left at least 80, including a member of parliament, dead within a month in the north and east. The Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers blame each other of escalting the violence. SLMM Spokesperson Helen Olafsdottir speaking in London to the BBC Sinhala Service said, "Both parties say that they are committed to peace. Now is the time for the parties to do something to show their commitment". The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Norway has been asked by the government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers to continue its role as facilitator in the peace process in Sri Lanka. Two Sinhala nationalist parties who were instrumental in bringing the newly elected President Mahinda Rajapaksa into office had opposed moves to have Solheim in a key role in the peace process. Erik Solheim will visit Sri Lanka from 23 to 26 January 2006, said the Statement from Oslo. "I am deeply concerned about the recent increase in violence in Sri Lanka," said Solheim. "In order to keep the violence from escalating further, it is urgent to get the two parties to sit down together to discuss how to ensure that the Ceasefire Agreement is observed and how the peace process can be advanced." JVP attacks Solheim for placing Govt and LTTE on equal footing The JVP in a press release yesterday condemned the media announcement by Norwegian International Development Minister Erik Solheim on December 27 in which he had given equal emphasis calling for both the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE to act with restrain to observe the ceasefire agreement between the two parties. The JVP also expressed concern over the Norwegian Facilitator's emphasis to resume peace talks immediately without splitting hairs on the venue claiming the venue is not a matter of importance to the Norwegian Government. The JVP release deplored Solheim's silence on the serious and outright violations of the Ceasefire Agreement by the LTTE. Ever since Velupillai Prabhakaran's Birthday message, the LTTE killed over 50 service personnel including Police Officers. Solheim never uttered a word of condemnation of these killings. Instead he has ventured to enjoin both the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE to obey the Ceasefire Agreement on an equal footing. The Norwegian facilitator has taken this stance in the face of the glaringly manifest patience and restraint on the part of the Government Security Forces. This situation is a clear demonstration of the Norwegian facilitator's bias in favour of the LTTE, the media release said. It criticised Solheim's warning on the choice of a venue for resumption of peace talks and pointed out that he must understand that he is not a colonial ruler of Sri Lanka to dictate terms to the sovereign State of Sri Lanka. The venue of talks may not be important to Norwegian facilitator, but it is of paramount importance to the Sovereign State of Sri Lanka, specially in view of the assassination of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. The JVP called upon the Government to condemn Norwegian facilitator Erik Solheim and make him humble enough to convey his apology to the Sri Lankan Government for his derogatory statement against a sovereign State. 29 December 2005 India
concerned at recent violence President Mahinda Rajapakse began his official visit with a 40-minute one-on-one meeting with the Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh. Talks centred around the status of the peace process in Sri Lanka. The Indian foreign ministry said the two leaders agreed that the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels must resume peace talks at the earliest. A foreign ministry spokesman, Navtej Sarna, said India was deeply concerned at the recent upsurge of violence and frequent violation of the ceasefire. "This is a trend which can only undermine the search for a negotiated political settlement which is critical for the maintenance of peace and the resumption of talks which are aimed at finding a just solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic problems," Mr Sarna told a news conference. When asked whether Mr Rajapakse sought a more active role of India in the Sri Lankan peace process, the foreign ministry spokesman only said that India's position was well known and that the visiting president welcomed Delhi's commitment to peace. The two sides also discussed measures to enhance economic and commercial co-operation particularly in the field of railways, civil aviation, energy and information technology. General agreements were reached on several bii-lateral issues. These included Indian assistance for infratstructure development in Trincomalee; the development of a power generation plant also in Trinco; the expansion and modernization of the Colombo- Matara railway; the building of a modern hospital facility in the Hatton-Dickoya region, and the setting up of an Information Technology Park in Sri Lanka. Consideration would also be given to reducing the interest on the Indian Credit Line to Sri Lanka. Further improvement of the Indo-Sri Lanka FTA and the establishing of a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) were also discussed. Mr Rajapakse is due to meet the chairperson of the governing United Progressive Alliance, Sonia Gandhi, and senior ministers of the federal cabinet during his stay over the next three days. Jayalalithaa’s no to President Rajapakse flusters Delhi NEW DELHI: It’s a major embarrassment for the government that visiting Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajapakse had to cancel his scheduled visit to Chennai following chief minister Jayalalithaa’s last minute decision not to receive the Sinhala leader. The foreign ministry naturally tried to downplay the incident, saying the programme was tentative. But highly placed sources in the government maintains the Tamil Nadu chief minister had agreed and then changed her mind at the last minute. Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict has in the past often impinged on Tamil Nadu politics, and this time around Jayalaithaa’s refusal to meet with President Rajapakse is believed to be linked with the assembly elections in the state in April next year. The AAIDMK leader would not like to be seen entertaining a hard line Sinhala President, who had based his election campaign on preserving the unitary constitution of the island nation. All Tamils, including those against the LTTE as well as the moderate political parties want devolution of power to the Tamil areas and are not in favour of the unitary constitution. Jayalalithaa has in the past taken a tough stand against the LTTE. Her refusal to meet Rajapakse has little to do with the LTTE, and more to do with his image as a pro-Sinhala Buddhist leader, popular with the chauvinist Buddhist clergy. He fought the presidential elections with the help of the radical Janatha Vimukthi Perumuna (JVP), a party vehemently opposed to devolution of power to Tamil areas. With elections in Tamil Nadu just over four months away, Jayalalithaa does not want to take the risk of meeting Rajapakse. The President was to stop over and meet Jayalaithaa on his way home to Colombo on Saturday. Rajapakse is unfamiliar to the Indian establishment and his first visit abroad since taking office is naturally to New Delhi, where he wants to convince Indian leaders that he is not a unpredictable hardliner but a man of peace. Earlier on Wednesday, President Rajapakse was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, from where he went to Raj Ghat to lay a wreath in the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. During official talks in Hyderabad House with PM Singh, the Sri Lankan leader gave his assessment of the current situation in the island, which has seen an escalation in violence in the last fortnight. On Tuesday, the LTTE again attacked an army unit and killed six Lankan soldiers. Later he had a forty-minute one on one with Singh. Details of that meeting are not known. But Rajapakse would have certainly tried to persuade Singh of the necessity for Indian involvement in the peace talks in Sri Lanka. Colombo is unhappy with the Norwegians believing that despite their good intentions, they are unable to understand the complexities of the ethnic strife in the island. India of course is in no mood to be directly involved having burnt its fingers once. Ministers rebuff President’s orders ? President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday sent a directive from New Delhi informing ministers to visit all houses of service personnel killed on Tuesday’s attack in Jaffna, but some senior ministers have reportedly responded saying JVP and JHU members should attend the funeral instead. The directive was conveyed to the Defence Ministry officials by Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapakse who telephoned from Delhi and instructed that at least five ministers should attend the funerals of the Army personnel. The Daily Mirror learns that a senior minister, when contacted by a Defence Ministry official, replied that he does not want to get assaulted by people by attending the funeral ceremonies. The minister had reportedly added that the JVP and JHU which took up a hard line position should be held responsible for the mess the country was in and should send their members to attend the funerals, not Government ministers. The Sri Lankan delegation led by President Rajapakse had already left the country on Tuesday when eleven soldiers including two military intelligence men were killed and five soldiers injured in the claymore attack in Jaffna. The bodies of the soldiers are being brought to Colombo and it is learnt that UNP parliamentarians would attend the funeral ceremonies. Two youths shot and killed in Jaffna Sri Lanka Army soldiers manning the checkpoint at Mutthirai Junction, located on Jaffna - Point Pedro Road near Nallur, opened fire on two youths who were riding in a motorbike, killing both of them on the spot. The incident took place Wedensday at 5:00 p.m. Civiian sources in the area said, the youths, who did not stop at the checkpoint when blocked by the soldiers, were unarmed contradictory to the claims made by Jaffna Police that the SLA soldiers had recovered a grenade from the killed youths. Meanwhile, two SLA soldiers were wounded in two different grenade attacks in Jaffna Wednesday. The youths riding in the motorbike with the registration no NPJA 5733 are to be indentified yet.The bodies have been taken to Jaffna hospital by the Police.Acting Judge of Jaffna District Mrs. Sarojini Ilankovan, visited the hospital mortuary to inspect the bodies, medical sources said. Two SLA soldiers were wounded in two different grenade attacks, one in Urumpirai Junction at 1:30 p.m. and another at Punnalaikadduvan at 2:30 p.m., Police sources said. Army Chief visits Jaffna With the death toll in the claymore mine attack on the military in Jaffna on Tuesday increasing to 12, Army Commander Sarath Fonseka yesterday visited the Jaffna peninsula to study at first hand the security situation in the area. Military sources said the Army Chief visited several areas and also held talks with senior and junior commanding officers. Army Headquarters said the twelfth victim of the claymore mine explosion in Nelliyadi in Jaffna succumbed to his injuries at the Colombo National Hospital on Tuesday night. He was identified as R.M.U. Ratnayake of Badulla. The names of the other victims are Sergeant K. Premasiri, Corporal W. Dhanapriyawansa, Corporal B.L.U. Nandana, Lance Corporal K.M.A. Pushpakuamara, Lance Corporal D.M. Dissanayake, Privates Liyanage, K.A.R. Fernando, Wegamatale, J. Gamini, J.M.C. Sandanayake and L.A.Jayaratne. Govt and LTTE Trying To Fool World - Wicramabahu. Dr Vickramabahu Karunarathne, the General Secretary of NSSP said that government and LTTE are trying to mislead the world and the country with the peace process. He mocked the LTTE and government for giving importance for peace talk venue than contents of the talks. "Mahinda needs peace for everything. Especially for foreign aid. And the LTTE wants to get international recognizing as the sole representative of Tamil people." he said. Residents against new SLA camp in Barathipuram People of Barathipuram, a Tamil village between Muttur and Killiveddy, located at 58th milepost, have complained to Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham, Trincomalee district parliamentarian that Sri Lanka Army (SLA) officials are preparing to establish a new camp in their village. Mr.Thurairatnasingham promptly has sent his protest to the President Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse requesting him to abandon the plan for the new camp, sources said. Villagers told Mr.Thurairatnasingham that army officials have visited Barathipuram and selected a site to set up the new camp. "Peace prevails in the village in spite of several incidents taking place in the adjoining villages. SLA is currently conducting daily patrol in the village without any hindrance. In this circumstance the establishment of a new camp in the village is likely to force the Tamil people to vacate their houses as they are scared of the presence of soldiers," said Mr.Thurairatnasingham in his letter faxed to President Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse Tuesday, sources said. Mr.Thurairatnasingham has brought to the notice of the President that there is already an army camp functioning within 1 km in Jinna Nagar. The setting up of a new camp in Barathipuram would disrupt the normal life of Tamil people and would cause immense harm in taking forward the peace process, Mr.Thurairatnasingham said. Solheim rushes to India as attacks continue Norwegian Minister of International Development and special peace envoy Erik Solheim has left for India for urgent talks with the Indian government just a few hours after attacks in Jaffna killed 11 soldiers. “Sri Lanka is being pushed towards resuming hostilities and we urged all parties to be vigilant on this,” the Norwegian embassy here said. The special envoy has requested a meeting with the Sri Lankan President while he visits in India, though Sri Lankan officials had earlier turned down the request. The Norwegian Minister is however scheduled to visit Sri Lanka early next month with the intent to convince both parties to resume peace talks. Lankan Navy attacks fishermen Sri Lankan Naval personnel have assaulted fishermen from this island and snatched their "prawn catch" worth Rs. 5-lakh, fishermen association sources said today. They said the personnel attacked the fishermen who were catching fish near Kachathivu yesterday after firing in the air. They threw their equipment including nets, batteries,etc into the sea.They also took away their catch,the sources said. The fishermen had ventured into the sea with due permission from the fisheries department, the sources said, and charged that they were attacked when they were very much in Indian waters. The Lankan Navy's attack on fishermen comes after a gap of about one month, the sources added. Thamilselvan denies LTTE hand in military killings S.P, Thamilselvan head of the LTTE political wing speaking after paying last respects to the late TNA MP Mr Joseph Pararajasingham, said that it had become the norm for Government to blame the LTTE every time the army came under attack. He denied any involvement in the claymore mine attack on the military in Jaffna on Tuesday in which 12 soldiers were killed and noted that the attacks on the army were a result of the harassment faced by the Tamils in Jaffna at the hands of the military. He added that the LTTE continued to act with restraint and in accordance with the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA). He said the LTTE had a high regard for the CFA and always acted with restraint. He said the army continued to impede on the democratic rights of the Tamils in Jaffna and had created an environment where the people were being forced to act against the military. The military he said was experiencing the results of their own actions. The political head of the LTTE urged the international community to put pressure on the government to desist from blaming the LTTE for all acts of violence . Mr. Thamilselvan emphasised that the only way normality could be restored in the Jaffna peninsula was for the army to show respect to the rights of the Tamil civilian population in the North. Accompanying Mr. Thamilselvan to pay their last respects to the slain TNA MP were CWC leader Mr. Arumugam Thondaman, UPF leader Mr. P. Chandrasekaran and WPF leader Mr. Mano Ganeshan. Mannar observes hartal condemning Pararajasingham killing A general shutdown was observed in the Mannar district Wednesday, condemning the killing of the late Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian, Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham. Mannar District Tamil Resurgence Movement organized the hartal. Normal life in Mannar town and its suburbs was completely paralyzed, sources said. Shops were closed down. State and private sector banks did not operate. All government and provincial council offices did not function, as workers did not report for duties. Public markets and local government offices were closed down, the sources said. According to the sources, state and private sector bus services were completely disrupted. More Sri Lanka government troops and policemen were deployed to quell any disturbances during the general shutdown. CP condemns MP's assassination The Communist Party of Sri Lanka condemns the brutal and cowardly act of killing the senior Parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham, a message by the Communist Party of Sri Lanka said. It extends its profound condolences to his bereaved family and to the Tamil National Alliance. The message: Twenty-six Parliamentarians have been killed with the eruption of violence in the North and East. Among them were 16 Tamil MPs. They all were eminent educated and popular. There has been a marked increase of violence in the last few weeks causing deaths to a large number of security personnel and non-LTTE political activists. The LTTE cannot abdicate its responsibilities for the escalation of this violence. Continuation of violence is a threat to the Peace Process particularly at a time when the President has expressed his willingness and readiness to commence talks without any pre-conditions. The LTTE has clearly embarked on a strategy to create a war psychosis in the people's minds in the North and East by resorting to a state of senseless killings once again. This trend of violence frustrates the aspirations of the peace-loving people and provokes the security fora for retaliation. The LTTE seems to have been enraged by the high rate of voting at the recent Presidential Election in defiance of its call for boycott and the possible erosion of people's trust in them. It's claim as the sole representative of the Tamil people seems to be in jeopardy. The party reiterates that there is no alternative to a negotiated settlement in the search for a political solution to the ethnic question and calls upon the LTTE to stop forthright this spate of senseless killings and embark upon a strategy of a negotiated settlement. It calls upon the Government not to deviate from the Peace Process, succumbing to the pressure of provocation. No travel blocks for NGO’s The Defence Ministry yesterday categorically denied media reports that travel restriction have been placed on foreign nationals attached to non governmental organisations. A Joint Operations Headquarters in a statement said no travel restrictions have been placed on foreigners accredited to the Foreign Affairs Ministry and working in the northeast whether in cleared or uncleared areas. “It is regretted that certain media organisations are deliberately trying to create embarrassment by distorting and misinterpreting facts related to their travel to un-cleared areas. All those who want assistance in this connection are requested to contact the Defence Ministry for any clarification”, the statement said. Germany says no to ethnic division of Sri Lanka The German Government is not at any rate prepared to serve the interests of the LTTE to divide Sri Lanka on an ethnic basis or upon any other factor. This was revealed by the German Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Jugan Weerth when he addressed the inauguration of construction work at the proposed Maternity Hospital site at Mahamodera, Galle, recently. The proposed hospital is coming up in place of the Maha Modera Government Hospital that was destroyed under tidal waves of December 26, last year. The new construction undertaken by the Helmut Kohl Foundation of Germany is estimated to cost Rs. 1,500 million. Speaking further, the German Ambassador said that the Government of Germany is deeply concerned with the escalation of terrorist activities by the LTTE which should take up the responsibility for the recent spate of attacks in violation of the Cease-fire Agreement. The Sri Lankan Government has already expressed its willingness to re-open peace talks and has presented a programme for that purpose. The escalation of massacres and abductions by the LTTE clearly display their direct opposition to peace. The International Community will never approve this stance. The Government of Germany is expecting to join the international community to intervene to establish peace in Sri Lanka, emphasised the German Ambassador. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and a host of indigenous and foreign delegates attended the occasion. Dalai Lama to visit Sri Lanka? The Mahabodhi Society intends to invite the Dalai Lama for the 2550 Buddha Jayanthi commemoration programme. The exiled Tibetan leader had not previously visited Sri Lanka. Although he is believed to have expressed interest in visiting Sri Lanka it never materialised. Successive Sri Lankan governments are believed to have been reluctant as they did not want to upset China, a close ally. Traffic cops
caught red-handed The raids were carried out in Colombo around midnight on Tuesday, following complaints that errant police officers were raking in tidy sums from motorists, taking advantage of the festive season. Director Investigations of the Bribery Commission SP Neville Guruge told the Daily News that the arrests were made at the Kelani bridge at Peliyagoda on the Kandy road after they deployed investigating officers from the Bribery commission. The Commission was compelled to step in following a huge number of complaints from the public of Traffic Police Officers soliciting bribes from motorists especially at the height of the current festive season. SP Guruge said according to complaints received the Traffic Police officers were in the habit of nabbing errant drivers and charging them for two or three offenses. "They offer three options - the (legal) spot fine ticket, Court action or in the alternative part with the payment of half the spot fine," Guruge added. Since the spot fines are so high according to the new traffic laws drivers invariably settle the matter by going for the third option. "In this way the Government is losing a large amount of money that should accrue to the Treasury as fines," SP Guruge added. The offenders were a Police Constable and two RPCs. They were arrested while accepting Rs.500 from a driver at the Kelani bridge at Peliyagoda on the Kandy road. They were produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate and remanded till January 5. SP Neville Guruge said the public could inform the Bribery Commission regarding such acts over the phone and the Commission is ready to send their investigating officers to arrest such Police officers. 28 December 2005 Sri Lanka's Violence Erodes Truce Accord, U.S. Government Says – Bloomberg Sri Lanka's cease-fire agreement with Tamil Tiger rebels is being eroded by increasing violence, including the deaths of 24 soldiers in the past five days, the U.S. State Department said. The U.S. called on the government and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ``to embrace peace and work together to build a future for Sri Lanka,'' the State Department said in an e-mailed statement today from Washington. ``We are deeply concerned about the continued erosion'' of the cease-fire in force since February 2002. Sri Lanka's government accused the LTTE of showing its ``disregard for peace'' by carrying out attacks in the Jaffna Peninsula. Tamil leaders say the army has provoked the violence with its security crackdown on civilians in the region. The U.S. is among the leading donor nations which have pledged $4.5 billion in aid to Sri Lanka on condition there is progress toward a peace settlement in the South Asian island nation. Sri Lanka's economy has expanded every quarter since the cease-fire agreement was signed. The Liberation Tigers should ``engage positively'' with the government in peace talks, the State Department said. A landmine explosion yesterday in Jaffna killed 11 soldiers, the army said in a statement. It came four days after 13 Sri Lankan naval personnel were killed by a landmine in Nadukuda. Attacks on Dec. 4 and 6 in the area killed 15 soldiers. Tamil Group A group called the ``Roaring People's Force'' has said it carried out recent attacks on the army in the Jaffna region in retaliation for the military killing civilians, the TamilNet Web site reported. The group, in a faxed message to local media, warned of escalating operations after the deaths on Dec. 24 of five civilians in Jaffna, the report said. Jaffna is close to rebel-held territory in Sri Lanka's north. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have been fighting for a separate homeland in the island's north and east since 1983. Sri Lanka's benchmark stock index had its biggest drop in almost 21 months yesterday after news of the latest attack. The Colombo All-Share Index fell 153.2 points, or 7.5 percent, to 1880.2, the biggest decline since April 6, 2004. Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse invited the rebels for talks after his election victory last month. The Tamil Tigers said Rajapakse must produce a political solution to the conflict by next year or the group will intensify its struggle. Visit to India Rajapakse will discuss the increasing violence with government officials in India during a visit that began yesterday. ``There is no change in the stand that India should be more involved in the peace process,'' Lucien Rajakarunanayake, a spokesman for the president's office, said yesterday. ``The new developments in the critical peace process will definitely be taken up for discussion.'' India sent a peacekeeping force to Sri Lanka in 1987 which was drawn into fighting with armed Tamil groups resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. The Indian force, which consisted of 7,000 soldiers in 1987, grew to 45,000 personnel before it was withdrawn in 1990. Norway helped broker the February 2002 cease-fire that has brought the longest respite in the two-decade civil war. Rajapakse earlier this month invited Norway to resume its mediation effort and Erik Solheim, Norway's minister for international development, who has been overseeing the peace mission, is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka soon. The Tamil rebels said they support Norway continuing its role as a mediator, and consider the Norwegian capital, Oslo, the ideal venue for talk | ||
